Best Narrative Soundscape Podcasts (2025)

1
The Rambling Traveler Ep 4. - Lagazuoi Tunnels 8:46

Play Pause

3d ago8:46

8:46

Welcome to our new series called "The Rambling Traveler"! My name is Sam, and I've spent a good portion of the past year traveling around on my own. In this series, you will hear my ramble on about all the places I've visited. Suited perfectly for sleep, these stories will keep you interested enough that you will listen, but my constant tangents, r…

1
Minori Ito: Bridging Generations, Cultures, and Creativity Through Story and Soul - 5 X14 27:49

4d ago27:49

27:49

Minori Ito is a Japanese Sri Lankan model, Columbia University graduate, and future Harvard student, celebrated for breaking barriers in the fashion industry while advocating for diversity and inclusion. Born in Los Angeles and raised in Massachusetts, she blends her multicultural heritage into her personal style and professional work. Beyond model…

1
Episode 255 | Creating Unique Soundscapes -- Scoring for Documentary Films w/ Panu Aaltio 47:09

10d ago47:09

47:09

In this episode of Documentary First, host Christian Taylor sits down with Finnish film composer Panu Aaltio to dive into the fascinating world of film scoring. From his early days as a cello player to becoming a successful composer for films and documentaries, Panu shares his unique journey and the challenges and joys of crafting music for the scr…

1
Charles Yu: Redefining Representation Through Sharp Wit and Unforgettable Stories - 5 X 13 33:44

11d ago33:44

33:44

Charles Yu is the author of four books, including the New York Times bestselling novel Interior Chinatown, which won the National Book Award for Fiction, and is now a limited series streaming on Hulu and Disney+ (for which he served as creator and showrunner). He has also written for shows on FX, AMC, and HBO, and is developing feature film project…

1
The Rambling Traveler Ep. 3 - Punta Fiames 16:12

17d ago16:12

16:12

Welcome to our new series called "The Rambling Traveler"! My name is Sam, and I've spent a good portion of the past year traveling around on my own. In this series, you will hear my ramble on about all the places I've visited. Suited perfectly for sleep, these stories will keep you interested enough that you will listen, but my constant tangents, r…

1
Christopher H.K. Lee: Bridging Art, Education, and Humanity Through the Power of Story - 5 X 12 20:40

18d ago20:40

20:40

Christopher HK Lee is an award-winning film director and content producer with over 35 years of experience in media, animation, and education. His acclaimed documentaries, including "The Last Tear" and "Forgotten Victory," have earned over 60 awards and been screened at top festivals, including the Oscars and Cannes. A former professor at instituti…

1
Episode 254 | "Saving Private Ryan": Corey Johnson's Cameo & Our WWII Documentary Journey - Part 1 51:04

24d ago51:04

51:04

In this special Documentary First episode, Christian steps off the beaten path to share an exciting guest appearance on the Movie Rob Minute podcast. Christian is joined by her college friend and actor Corey Johnson to dive into a Saving Private Ryan minute, making it even more special since Corey played a role in the film! Christian thought it wou…

1
Panney Wei: Empowering Minds, Elevating Voices, and Transforming Generations - 5 X 11 33:01

25d ago33:01

33:01

Panney Wei is an award-winning motivational speaker, certified clinical hypnotherapist, and the Chief Empowerment Officer of See the Way Consulting. With a rich heritage linked to Qing dynasty General Tso Tsung-tang, Panney inspires individuals, especially women, to unleash their potential and achieve lasting transformation through hypnotherapy, co…

1
The Rambling Traveler Ep. 2 - Ra Bujela 19:49

1M ago19:49

19:49

Welcome to our new series called "The Rambling Traveler"! My name is Sam, and I've spent a good portion of the past year traveling around on my own. In this series, you will hear my ramble on about all the places I've visited. Suited perfectly for sleep, these stories will keep you interested enough that you will listen, but my constant tangents, r…

1
Vera Chow: Weaving Culture, Craft, and Character into Every Stitch - 5 X 10 33:38

1M ago33:38

33:38

Vera Chow is a Hong Kong-raised, NYC/LA-based Film and TV Costume Designer best known for her work on AMC’s The Walking Dead and Netflix’s The Brothers Sun, starring Michelle Yeoh. With nearly 20 years of global experience, her dynamic portfolio spans period dramas, sci-fi, arthouse, and large-scale epics, including recent critically acclaimed proj…

1
Episode 253 | Revitalizing Communities: The Heirloom Project with Josh Nowell & Jim Rasberry 54:45

1M ago54:45

54:45

In this episode of Documentary First, host Christian Taylor and co-host Hunter Taylor are joined by Josh Nowell and Jim Rasberry, the dynamic duo behind The Heirloom Hotel & Cooking School in Laurel, Mississippi. They discuss the transformative power of storytelling, being on HGTV's Hometown, and community revitalization. As serial entrepreneurs, J…

1
Anthony Basco: Turning Heat into Hope - 5 X 9 27:23

1M ago27:23

27:23

Anthony Basco is the founder of Boss Coast LLC, a bold brand born from resilience, redemption, and a powerful personal journey. After serving nearly a decade in prison, Anthony transformed a simple recipe into a mission-driven business that now reaches shelves across North America. Through his work as a speaker and mentor, he uses his story to insp…

1
Control ALT Create 21:59

1M ago21:59

21:59

Welcome to the origin story of Control-ALT-Create. In this foundational episode, Glenn Ostlund introduces the philosophy behind the podcast’s name—and its deeper purpose. Drawing from personal reflection, neuroscience, and metaphor, Why We Don’t Delete Anything reframes the familiar keyboard shortcut as a model for conscious transformation. Here, C…

1
The Brain as a Filter 21:59

1M ago21:59

21:59

What if your brain isn’t a factory churning out consciousness, but a filter shaping what you can see, feel, and be? In this episode, Glenn Ostlund, therapist, folklorist, and podcaster, explores one of the oldest questions in both science and myth: Is reality something we build from scratch, or something our minds selectively reveal? Drawing from n…

1
What If Waste Isn’t Waste? 21:59

1M ago21:59

21:59

What if nothing you’ve been through was actually wasted? In this episode of Control-ALT-Create, Glenn Ostlund dismantles the cultural myth of “wasted time” and invites you to reframe regret through the lens of biology, neuroscience, and emotional growth. Drawing on research in neuroplasticity, trauma recovery, gut microbiome science, and the chemis…

1
The Quantum Body and the Seven-Layer Burrito of Existence 21:57

1M ago21:57

21:57

What do quantum fields, trauma recovery, and burritos have in common? Everything. In this second episode of Control-ALT-Create, Glenn Ostlund guides you through a rich, multi-layered meditation on embodiment, consciousness, and the unseen threads that bind reality together. Using the playful metaphor of a “Seven-Layer Burrito of Existence,” Glenn e…

1
The Bacta Tank of Sound 21:58

1M ago21:58

21:58

In this premiere episode of Control-ALT-Create, Glenn Ostlund invites you into the shimmering depths of auditory healing. Inspired by the Star Wars image of a bacta tank—a glowing chamber where wounded bodies float and mend—this immersive sound meditation explores how binaural beats, narrative rhythm, and neural entrainment can become a therapeutic…

1
Jeff Kim: Teaching History, Inspiring Civic Action, and Reimagining Education for the Future - 5 X 8 27:59

2M ago27:59

27:59

Dr. Jeffrey Soo Kim is an accomplished educator with over 23 years of experience in schools, having served as an instructional coach, administrator, civic lead, teacher educator, and curriculum author. He created the first high school Korean American Studies course for Anaheim Union High School District and currently teaches future education leader…

1
The Rambling Traveler Ep. 1 - Venice 12:36

2M ago12:36

12:36

Welcome to our new series called "The Rambling Traveler"! My name is Sam, and I've spent a good portion of the past year traveling around on my own. In this series, you will hear my ramble on about all the places I've visited. Suited perfectly for sleep, these stories will keep you interested enough that you will listen, but my constant tangents, r…

1
Episode 252 | Inside Acting with Corey Johnson: From the Stage to the Screen and Beyond 52:35

2M ago52:35

52:35

In this episode, Hollywood actor Corey Johnson takes us behind the scenes of his dynamic career, sharing powerful insights from working alongside acting legends like Anthony Hopkins. From his early days in theater to conquering the big screen, Corey reveals the evolution of his craft and the unique challenges of transitioning from stage to film. He…

1
Susan Zhang: Driving Classical Music Forward—One Community at a Time - 5 X 7 27:28

2M ago27:28

27:28

Susan Zhang is a pianist, educator, and entrepreneur known for her dynamic performances and innovative outreach. A prizewinning soloist, she has performed internationally and co-founded The Concert Truck, a mobile music venue bringing classical concerts to outdoor spaces nationwide. Susan has collaborated with major institutions like the Kennedy Ce…

1
Jen Soriano: Rewriting Narratives, Amplifying Justice - 5 X 6 28:29

2M ago28:29

28:29

Jen Soriano is a Filipinx-American writer, performer, and narrative strategist whose work bridges grassroots organizing and art-driven social change. They are the award-winning author of Nervous: Essays on Heritage and Healing and co-editor of Closer to Liberation: A Pina/xy Activist Anthology. A recipient of fellowships from Artist Trust, Hugo Hou…

1
Episode 251 | Corey Johnson on Hollywood Acting, Documentary Narration & Storytelling, Part I 48:59

2M ago48:59

48:59

Ever wonder how a college theater kid makes it big as a Hollywood character actor and renowned documentary narrator? This episode is a must-listen for anyone fascinated by the art of acting and the magic of storytelling. We sit down with Corey Johnson, whose extensive career spans blockbuster films, acclaimed TV series, and compelling voiceover wor…

1
Radhika Vekaria: Channeling Ancient Wisdom into Healing Soundscapes for the Soul - 5 X 5 34:51

2M ago34:51

34:51

Radhika Vekaria is a Grammy-nominated British-Indian artist known for blending ancient Sanskrit mantras with modern soundscapes to create spiritually immersive music. Having overcome a childhood speech impediment through singing, she now uses her voice as a tool for healing and transformation. Her acclaimed album Warriors of Light earned her a 2025…

1
Nicole Cabell: A Voice of Grace, Power, and Purpose in the World of Opera - 5 X 4 30:00

2M ago30:00

30:00

Nicole Cabell is an award-winning American soprano known for her rich voice and versatile artistry. Born in California with African American, Korean, and Caucasian heritage, she rose to international fame after winning the 2005 BBC Cardiff Singer of the World Competition. She has performed leading roles at top opera houses like the Royal Opera Hous…

1
Episode 250 | Blake Lively’s Hollywood Harassment Showdown – with Entertainment Lawyer Anne Easton 59:07

3M ago59:07

59:07

What happens when a Hollywood star stands up to sexual harassment on set? In this episode, entertainment lawyer Anne Easton joins us to unravel the legal and ethical firestorm sparked by Blake Lively’s recent case. Blake Lively made headlines by accusing her It Ends With Us co-star and director, Justin Baldoni, of sexual harassment — and then faced…

1
Chef Katie Chin: Stirring Up Culture, One Dish at a Time - 5 X 3 36:49

3M ago36:49

36:49

Celebrity Chef Katie Chin is an award-winning cookbook author, caterer, and Culinary Ambassador to the National Pediatric Cancer Foundation. The daughter of restaurateur Leeann Chin, Katie grew up in the kitchen before beginning a successful career in film and television marketing—eventually returning to her culinary roots. She co-hosted the PBS se…

1
Minji Chang: Storytelling, Representation & Breaking Barriers - 5 X 2 33:10

3M ago33:10

33:10

Minji Chang is a Korean American actor, producer, writer, and podcast host based in Los Angeles. Originally from the San Francisco Bay Area, she earned a BA in Public Health from UC Berkeley and initially worked in violence prevention and tech before transitioning to the entertainment industry. She served as the Global Executive Director of Kollabo…

1
Episode 249 | How Greg Fitzpatrick Became a Stuntman, Part 1 50:52

3M ago50:52

50:52

Get ready to ride shotgun through Hollywood’s wild side! In this electrifying episode of Documentary First, host Christian Taylor sits down with Greg Fitzpatrick—a stuntman who’s doubled for Ben Stiller and even put his skills to the test for Robert Downey Jr. in Iron Man. Greg's no-nonsense journey from ditching law school to becoming an award-win…

1
Adhrucia Apana: Amplifying Voices Through Film - 5 X 1 30:21

3M ago30:21

30:21

Adhrucia Apana is an Artist, Writer, and the Founder of the production company Curiosity Entertainment, which develops and packages film and television, books, and provides music supervision. As a producer, she’s brought powerful films to life, including the Emmy-nominated “The Survivor” by Barry Levinson starring Ben Foster, “Needle in a Timestack…

1
Episode 248: Deep Talks with an Entertainment Lawyer - Part 1 55:17

4M ago55:17

55:17

In this exciting episode of Documentary First, host Christian Taylor welcomes Anne Easton, a brilliant entertainment lawyer and creative, to the team! Anne brings a wealth of knowledge and a powerhouse combination of legal expertise, creative insight, and deep industry experience to the table. In this lively conversation, they dive into the often-o…

1
Hypnopaedia LIT 101: William Gibson 24:46

4M ago24:46

24:46

In the realm of speculative science fiction, the needle is always moving. As scientific discovery has barreled into the future since the industrial revolution, science fiction burst into the modern with novels like Frankenstein and The War of the Worlds. In the mid 1980s, the same drastic leap forward would usher the genre into the contemporary wit…

1
Episode 247 | Eric Gardner, Director of ”Confessions of a CEO” 59:43

4M ago59:43

59:43

Are you fascinated by the power of storytelling and the secrets behind captivating documentaries? If you’re into deep dives into reality TV, the creative process, and the art of balancing hard-hitting truths with compelling narratives, this episode is for you. Join host Christian Taylor and visionary documentary filmmaker Eric Gardner as they unpac…