Best Square 8 Studio Podcasts (2026)

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Auld Lang What? The surprising origins of the New Year’s song 22:33

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4d ago22:33

22:33

Every New Year’s at midnight, we raise our voices to sing a song that few of us understand: “Auld Lang Syne.” So when and why did this become the anthem of the holiday? In this episode, our friends at the Smithsonian’s Sidedoor podcast trace the mysterious rise of “Auld Lang Syne” from rural Scotland, to a New York jazz club, to a classic film and …

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Season 3 Ep 62: You are already doing the work, why aren't you selling it? 30:58

13m ago30:58

30:58

Clients don’t know what they need until you show them—and when you don’t engage that conversation, you leave both value and profit behind. Designers often miss additional profit opportunities inside projects where they are already doing the work. From door hardware and window treatments to art and beyond, designers are already making the decisions,…

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Guess That Sound 2025: Youtube Channel Champs 46:45

8d ago46:45

46:45

For our sixth annual Mystery Sound game show, we’ve invited three guests from our video series to test their sonic knowledge on 18 sounds, including production logos, video game FX, bird calls, strange instruments, and more. So put on your listening cap and get ready to guess along in this surprising and hilarious competition. Featuring Jake Hartsf…

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Season 3 Ep 61: Why waiting for the contractor to lead can be a mistake 43:18

9d ago43:18

43:18

Most project problems don’t start on the job site. They start much earlier, when assumptions are made, roles aren’t defined, and everyone thinks someone else is handling it. In this episode, Cheryl and Liz talk through why setting the stage before working with a contractor is one of the most important leadership moves a designer can make. You are n…

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The Sound of Fallout: From Iconic Games to Prestige TV 41:52

22d ago41:52

41:52

Behind Fallout’s apocalyptic sci-fi and retro nostalgia is a masterclass in sound design. In this episode, we explore how the audio teams behind both the video games and the TV series built Fallout’s signature sonic identity, from Pip Boy clicks to weapon blasts to mutant roars. Along the way, we uncover how the show’s creators honored the classic …

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Season 3 Ep 60: Your Team cannot read your mind. Do something about it. 51:38

23d ago51:38

51:38

It is always a treat when you hire people you genuinely like until you realize you now have to train them while juggling active projects, client demands, and the never-ending to-do list already sitting on your desk. Cheryl and Liz give you a look at what is going on at In Detail right now and what onboarding really looks like inside a busy studio. …

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Defying Gravity: The Audio Wizardry of Wicked's Live Vocals 32:21

2M ago32:21

32:21

In movie musicals, the vocals are almost never recorded live on-set. Instead, the actors pre-record their songs, then lip sync to those recordings while filming. But on Wicked, they threw out the rulebook, and recorded all of the lead vocals live. In this episode, Production Sound Mixer Simon Hayes reveals how they pulled off this audio feat. From …

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Season 3 Ep 59: If you confuse them, you lose them. Period. 55:02

1M ago55:02

55:02

The confusion you accidentally create long before the proposal ever hits your clients inbox is the real reason clients hesitate. Your price is not the problem. You can unintentionally create confusion through discovery calls, the way you talk about freight, receiving, vendors, timelines, your value, etc. This causes your clients to be constantly co…

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The Secret Soundtracks of Movies & TV 45:01

2M ago45:01

45:01

In the ‘60s and ‘70s, world-class musicians gathered in smoky studios to record tracks that you couldn’t buy in a store… but ended up everywhere. In this episode, Dallas and the TTH crew dive into the golden age of production music: versatile cues crafted for everything from car chases to romantic montages to space odysseys. Along the way, they unc…

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Season 3 Ep 58: ASKED & ANSWERED - I'm scared to tell potential clients we aren't taking new projects right now. What do I do? 20:39

2M ago20:39

20:39

Every designer has run into this situation before—the panic of too many projects, too little time, and clients who “need it done now.” Your timelines aren’t the enemy; but poor planning is. When you managed your schedule with purpose instead of panic it means you are understanding your own process. This means before you promise anyone else a date, …

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Inside Imagineering: How Sound Powers Disney Magic 25:41

2M ago25:41

25:41

Sound is a crucial part of what makes Disney parks feel magical… and it all starts inside the closely-guarded rooms of Walt Disney Imagineering. In this episode, Imagineers John Dennis and Greg Lhotka break down how they use music and audio to bring attractions to life, from speaker systems hidden in rock work, to the intricate timing of a Frozen w…

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Season 3 Ep 57: Should we, just because we can? 49:29

2M ago49:29

49:29

Just because you can take on another project doesn’t mean you should. In this episode, Cheryl and Liz unpack what it really takes to manage your firm’s capacity—not just your time, but your energy, your team, and your profitability. There must be a level of discipline to say no, even if they are a great lead because saying yes to every project is n…

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Live from New York, I’m Retired! SNL’s Sound Legend Signs Off 35:39

3M ago35:39

35:39

Behind Saturday Night Live, there’s a small army of audio professionals making the whole thing sound effortless. In this episode, Dallas goes behind the scenes at Studio 8H to meet Robert Palladino, who’s mixed SNL for 40 years… and is about to do it one last time. Along the way, he gets an unprecedented look at how this legendary show is mixed, an…

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Season 3 Ep 56: ASKED AND ANSWERED - My client is finding everything going wrong & I can’t get ahead of it, help me before I fire her! 25:22

3M ago25:22

25:22

One of the the biggest challenges designers face with managing client expectations is how to stop overpromising and start being intentional with your process. After a recent coaching call with one of our designers, Liz had the idea to create this podcast based on why intentionality is more than just “showing up with a good attitude”. Instead, you s…

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The Nursery Rhyme That Ruined a Rock Band 32:47

3M ago32:47

32:47

When a quiz show host asked a simple question about nursery rhymes, it seemed like harmless fun. But that moment triggered a lawsuit that would threaten to bring down one of Australia’s most iconic rock bands. In this story from the Cautionary Tales podcast, we follow the unlikely court case of Men At Work’s “Down Under,” exploring the fine line be…

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Season 3 Ep 55: ASKED AND ANSWERED - I am losing leads. What am I doing wrong? 16:00

3M ago16:00

16:00

Liz is going solo again and giving you her expertise into the art of handling new lead calls with intention and strategy. Liz handles our discovery calls at In Detail and we do a great job at converting our prospective clients because it is not about rattling off your services or rushing into pricing—it’s about active listening. By asking the right…

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Sound Off (Gold): Transit Tunes & Childhood Chimes 28:11

4M ago28:11

28:11

We’re proud to present the winning entries from our Sound Off competition: five listener-made short stories that rose to the very top. From clever tinnitus tonics to melodic subway signals, from mischievous church bells to a guitar that speaks in whispers, this Gold Collection is rich with emotion, originality, and sonic craft. Twenty Thousand Hert…

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Season 3 Ep 54: Are You Afraid to Define Your Value? 49:09

4M ago49:09

49:09

Little did we know our Pricing and Salary Survey results were going to give us great nuggets of information that we could share for many future podcasts to come! One of the biggest challenges we found designers face is defining their product. Too often, “full-service design” means something different to every designer—and that inconsistency makes i…

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Yahoo! The Yodel Heard Around the World 25:39

4M ago25:39

25:39

It’s one of the quirkiest, most iconic sonic logos ever: a four-note vocal flourish that defined the early internet. In this episode, we follow the Yahoo Yodel on its unlikely journey from the snowy Swiss Alps to ‘90s country bars to Super Bowl ads. Along the way, we meet the real-life cowboy behind this yodel, whose voice launched a billion clicks…

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Season 3 Ep 53: Why Selling Yourself Short in K&B Costs You Big 57:15

5M ago57:15

57:15

Kitchen and bath design must be treated — and priced — as the high-level specialty it is. These are not "just another room" — instead, they are some of the most complex, high-stakes, and profitable part of your business if you treat it that way. Too many designers undervalue their skills, we discuss how flat fees protect both your expertise and you…

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Super Mario Bros: Koji Kondo’s 8-Bit Masterpiece 33:14

5M ago33:14

33:14

From the springy jump sound to the iconic Overworld Theme, the sound of Super Mario Bros. is instantly recognizable. With just five lo-fi audio channels and 40 kilobytes of space, composer Koji Kondo created a soundscape full of unforgettable melodies. In this episode, we explore how Kondo’s playful instincts, rhythmic trickery, and love of jazz fu…

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Season 3 Ep 52: ASKED AND ANSWERED - I Like Hourly, Why Should I Charge Flat Fees? 8:29

5M ago8:29

8:29

In this Ask and Answered episode, we break down the real reasons flat fees can transform your business—and why hourly billing might be keeping you small. The mindset shift designers need to make is to stop thinking like a technician and start pricing like a CEO. Flat fees protect your time, boost your authority, and create a better experience for y…

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Sound Off (Silver): Pinball Pings & Airport Acoustics 30:20

5M ago30:20

30:20

Presenting the second short story collection from our Sound Off competition, featuring five pieces written and produced entirely by our listeners. From the sonic evolution of pinball to reused classical melodies to the battle against airport noise, this Silver Collection is a diverse and enlightening set of snackable stories. Twenty Thousand Hertz …

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REPLAY! How to Make Money Selling Project Management - Top Fave of 2025! 38:41

6M ago38:41

38:41

How can you be team player without giving up your own rights? Working with contractors can be a tricky relationship when they want you to stay in your lane--BUT it doesn't have to be. Creating a team approach with positioning in your marketing, the copy that you use, the verbiage that you talk about, and how you talk about it with other people, all…

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Mixing Madison Square Garden for Vulfpeck’s Biggest Show 38:52

6M ago38:52

38:52

When Vulfpeck played a sold-out show at Madison Square Garden, the performance looked effortless. But behind the scenes, their Front of House Engineer and Tour Manager Jake Hartsfield was juggling missing tickets, technical curveballs, and mixing seventeen dynamic musicians through a nearly two-hour set. In this episode, we follow Jake through one …

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Season 3 Ep 51: ASKED AND ANSWERED - I'm so busy, I don't have time to answer every lead. Do I really need to? 11:56

6M ago11:56

11:56

We have another asked and answered topic this week! We are talking about reframing what many designers see as “wasted” discovery calls. Just because a lead isn’t a fit for full service doesn’t mean it’s a dead end. Consider this as a chance to position your firm as a resource, build brand equity, and generate revenue—especially when you offer varie…

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The Music of Jeopardy! From a Lullaby to $100,000,000 25:10

6M ago25:10

25:10

It’s the most recognizable TV theme in America. But Jeopardy’s “Think Music” wasn’t originally written for a game show… It was written for a toddler. In this episode, we trace the unlikely journey of the Jeopardy theme, from Merv Griffin’s living room to over 10,000 episodes across six decades. Along the way, we explore the show’s sonic evolution, …

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Season 2 Ep 50: How to Get Press: The secret door to getting your interior design work published with Alex Abramian 44:24

6M ago44:24

44:24

Public relations isn’t just about getting published—it’s about what you do after the feature goes live. We thrilled to welcome our special guest who we have been working with for over a year. Alex Abramian, founder of The PR Collaborative, talks with us about the evolving landscape of PR for interior designers. With years of experience as a writer …

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Sound Off (Bronze): Siren Calls & Medical Melodies 31:02

6M ago31:02

31:02

Twenty Thousand Hertz is proud to present the first short story collection from our Sound Off competition, featuring six bite-sized pieces written and produced entirely by our listeners. From the dawn of recording to the sonic secrets of thunder, from mythic sirens to melodic medicine, this Bronze Collection offers a first taste of the breadth and …

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Season 2 Ep 49: ASKED AND ANSWERED - My client is nit-picking. What am I doing wrong? 12:04

7M ago12:04

12:04

Another Asked & Answered segment today and our very own Liz going solo! One of the biggest balancing acts designers face is pairing creativity with structure. Your vision is what SELLS the client, but your process is what DELIVERS on that promise. Clients remember the feeling, not the portal or the lists or the emails—but having strong systems behi…

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I interviewed 5 other Dallas Taylors and things got weird 43:44

7M ago43:44

43:44

Your name isn’t just a label. It’s a signal to everyone who meets you, filled with meaning that you may not fully understand. In this story, Dallas revisits one of the most surreal experiences of his life: tracking down five other people who share his exact name. What follows is a surprising look at identity, coincidence, and the curious ways that …

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Season 2 Ep 48: Why your "welcome packet" isn't very welcoming 36:08

7M ago36:08

36:08

We believe one of the most underrated parts of a client journey is the intake process. This isn’t about a boring list of preferences like if they prefer black over blue or which kitchen they like best. Instead, it's about asking the right questions to uncover how clients live, communicate, and make decisions. Our unique and customized client questi…

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Mix Notes: Dumb Farts, Alien Crickets & Junkyard Instruments 28:31

8M ago28:31

28:31

Behind every incredible sound in a movie or TV show is a creative person with a unique story. In this episode, Dallas heads to the legendary Sony Pictures lot during Mix Magazine’s “Sound for Film & TV” event, and invites Hollywood’s sound pros to share their wildest, weirdest, and most heartfelt sonic stories. The result is a grab bag of eye openi…

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Episode 9: The Radicals 39:38

8M ago39:38

39:38

It was the shocking protest that started it all. After months, Ali and Sam finally track down the two young people — Phoebe Plummer and Anna Holland — who shocked the world when they targeted a beloved Van Gogh painting with a can of soup. As they await their trials, they get candid: What have their controversial tactics accomplished? What will it …

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Season 2 Ep 47: ASKED AND ANSWERED - There is no one right way--but there is a better way 12:05

8M ago12:05

12:05

There’s no one right way to run a design business—but there is often a better way. This is not to say if something is working for you—great. Keep going. But if you're stuck or wondering why the same problems keep popping up? It might be time to challenge the models you’re using. How can you challenge the traditional business models, such as cost pl…

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Episode 8: The Traitors 40:31

8M ago40:31

40:31

It’s not just Aileen Getty. Turns out, there’s a growing movement of ultra-wealthy fossil fuel heirs-turned-philanthropists who are trying to make up for their ancestors’ mistakes — and possibly pissing off their families in the process. But are their fortunes actually making a difference? And what, exactly, is an heir whisperer? As Ali and Sam get…

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The Deaf Composer: How Beethoven wrote music he couldn’t hear 28:39

8M ago28:39

28:39

What happens when one of history’s greatest composers begins to lose the very sense he relies on most? In this episode, we explore how Ludwig van Beethoven continued to create groundbreaking music even as his world fell into silence. Along the way, we uncover the myths, inventions, and raw determination that fueled Beethoven’s defiant creativity, a…

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Episode 7: The Feelings 40:30

8M ago40:30

40:30

What’s the sane thing to do in a world on fire? That’s the question on Ali and Sam’s minds when they meet the man who glued himself to the floor of Coco Gauff’s US Open Semifinal on live TV — and then faced a psychiatric evaluation after his arrest. As Ali and Sam explore ways to cope with climate anxiety and climate change’s health impacts, they h…

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Season 2 Ep 46: The Best Marketing Tool Hiding in Plain Sight 35:02

8M ago35:02

35:02

Social proof from your clients is important for building trust and credibility in a business. Reviews and testimonials from happy clients, while also being mindful of how and when, can be used to showcase the success and unique offerings of your business. This not only helps attract the right clients, but also addresses common pain points and frequ…

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Episode 6: The Love Story 41:16

9M ago41:16

41:16

Meet Holly Cullen-Davies and Marcus Decker — two people who fell in love and built a life together — whose romance has become a high-stakes drama playing out in the headlines. In London, Ali and Sam visit Holly to hear about how Marcus’ daring stunt led to the longest prison sentence in UK history for peaceful protest. But what came next shocked ev…

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The Sonic Brand Makeover We Didn’t Know We Needed 41:59

9M ago41:59

41:59

After 10 years and 400 episodes, our friends at Switched on Pop decided it was finally time to revamp their outdated theme song. In this episode, they take us inside the chaotic, hilarious, and surprisingly emotional process of making a new one. Along the way, they get brutally honest feedback from top music critics, craft over a hundred layers of …

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Season 2 Ep 45: ASKED AND ANSWERED - Why cleaning the toilet might help your creativity more than you think 16:43

9M ago16:43

16:43

You can't lead clients from survival mode---well you can, but not well and not for extended periods of time. how How you feel directly impacts how you lead, sell, and scale. The mindset shift I have to use is to keep my business steady is the "attitude of gratitude." This "Asked and Answered" topic this week is slightly more personal but a question…

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Episode 5: The Criminals 41:30

9M ago41:30

41:30

How far would you go to try to save the planet? Would you take a stand if it meant you'd be branded a criminal? After recruit training, Ali and Sam join Just Stop Oil at a secret meeting point as hundreds of its members prepare to break the law and disrupt everyday life for London residents — risking public violence, media backlash and life-alterin…

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Episode 4: The Hive 39:56

9M ago39:56

39:56

Ali and Sam travel to London to embed with Just Stop Oil, one of the most controversial climate groups operating today. At a secret location, they join a training session for new recruits as the group prepares for its biggest actions yet. Once inside, Ali and Sam come to surprising revelations about how members think, how they plan their wild stunt…

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Inside Apple: Sonic Accessibility 33:10

9M ago33:10

33:10

If you want to know where the future of sound is headed, accessibility is a great place to look. And for decades, Apple has been leading the charge in accessible technology. In this episode, the Apple team breaks down the philosophy and craft behind their most impactful accessibility features. Along the way, we reveal how these innovations have tra…

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Season 2 Ep 44: ASKED AND ANSWERED - The most damaging thing you can do in your business 16:34

9M ago16:34

16:34

This week we are answering questions from our audience--first up is one of my FAVORITE hills to die on and what I consider one of the most damaging things you can do for your business. It is not a smart business practice to sell blocks of time as a designer because this is not an effective way to market and value creative brilliance. Selling based …

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Episode 3: The Well-Behaved Scientists 40:16

9M ago40:16

40:16

How do you go from being one of the most prominent climate scientists in the country to being threatened with felony domestic terrorism charges? Ali and Sam meet two scientists — Peter Kalmus and Rose Abramoff — who realized that if they wanted to make a real difference, they needed to get out of the lab and onto the streets. Clarifications and Cor…

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Episode 2: The Dynasty 39:48

9M ago39:48

39:48

What makes an oil heiress start funding anti-oil protests? The Gettys have long been synonymous with art, oil and scandal. But now, J. Paul Getty’s granddaughter, Aileen Getty, is rebelling against her family’s legacy in a shocking way – and her fortune just might play a key role in the future of climate activism. Sam and Ali speak to a Getty biogr…

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Episode 1: The Splat 38:12

9M ago38:12

38:12

It was the splat heard around the world. Two young people enter London’s National Gallery… and throw tomato soup all over a beloved painting: Vincent Van Gogh’s Sunflowers. It shocked onlookers. It made global news. Most of all, it kicked off a radical movement to combat the climate crisis, led by one group: Just Stop Oil. But two years later, most…

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Introducing "Sabotage" from Good Luck Media 3:26

10M ago3:26

3:26

In the first season of Sabotage, join reporters Alessandra Ram and Samantha Oltman as they quit their jobs to report on a group of controversial climate activists that much of the world have written off as “crazy.” But are they? This 9-part investigative series takes these two reporters inside a shocking and elusive world… to Hollywood… all the way…