Best Nick Jaina Podcasts (2025)

1
Editing Starts Sooner Than You Think 17:41

4y ago17:41

17:41

Writing is mostly editing, but editing doesn't need to be dry and lifeless. It's actually where a lot of sparks and innovations can occur. You just have to be willing to break apart what you think is precious. Write to [email protected] Visit www.nickjaina.comBy Nick Jaina

1
How to Write a Prayer 12:30

4y ago12:30

12:30

I didn't grow up praying, but I've found it to be a great way to reconnect to what I'm grateful about, and ease some of my fears and worries. Music by Nick Jaina Workshops, books, and albums at www.nickjaina.comBy Nick Jaina

1
You Can Write About the Good Times 9:37

4y ago9:37

9:37

It's okay to write about the good times. I give you permission. You will write plenty about the bad times. But give the good times a try today. Music by Nick Jaina Workshops, books, albums at www.nickjaina.comBy Nick Jaina

1
Throwing A Bomb In There 22:00

4y ago22:00

22:00

Here's a fun way to approach tension in your writing. Start with the MOST tension you can imagine and then ground that tension at an appropriate lever for your characters and your world. I'll explain. Email [email protected] My new album CREDO is available for pre-sale now. Books, music, workshops at www.nickjaina.com…

1
How Is A Raven Like A Writing Desk? 14:11

4y ago14:11

14:11

How can we make connections between disparate things? That skill is really important in writing and it's actually something we can work on and improve. Let's try a fun exercise, based on a non-sequitur from the Mad Hatter. Email [email protected] My new album CREDO goes on pre-sale on March 12, 2021 Books, music, workshops at www.nickjain…

1
Can We Remove Judgment From Our Writing? 16:56

4y ago16:56

16:56

I want my writing to be strong and multi-dimensional. I want it to face difficult truths. Can I do all that and also remove judgment from my writing? Why should I try to do that? Let's explore. For my writing workshops, my books, and my music, go to: www.nickjaina.com My new album CREDO goes on pre-sale on March 12, 2021 The music in this episode i…

1
Reading and Watching Like a Writer 15:22

4+ y ago15:22

15:22

We can learn something from every TV show and film we watch, and every book we read. Some quality that our writing doesn't have, that we can perhaps carry over to our work. It just takes switching on a part of our brain to consider what is drawing us in to a particular work, and try to dissect the mechanics of how the writer has done this. Write to…

1
What Do I Really Want to Say? 12:03

4+ y ago12:03

12:03

So many times with writing, we got lost in language and cleverness and wanting to sound smart. How can we get back to the point? Often I give myself a simple prompt to re-set myself. Write to Nick at [email protected] More about Nick Jaina's book Hitomi, his workshops and his music at www.nickjaina.com Music by Nick Jaina…

1
Before and After 21:00

4+ y ago21:00

21:00

Containers can help us to focus our writing. When I was faced with the big expanse of writing a novel, the first step was to start dividing things in half. Even though I didn't know what journey the characters would go on, I at least knew there would be a before and an after, and I could start filling those containers. Write to Nick at peptalkforwr…

1
Everyone Thinks They're Bad At Writing Dialogue 13:47

4+ y ago13:47

13:47

What if we think of dialogue not as something we add to our story, but as a tool of divination, a way that we learn to understand ourselves and our characters? Writing is a relationship, and we need to prove ourselves reliable and serious by showing up regularly and listening. Writing can be about quieting our world so that we can receive ideas fro…

1
Let's Start With Your Current Emotional State 14:42

4+ y ago14:42

14:42

One asset we always have when we sit down to write is our current emotional state. Whatever it is—even if it feels annoying or negative—it has power, and we can potentially use that power to generate some writing. Good luck. Learn about Nick's books and classes at www.nickjaina.com Music in this episode by Nick Jaina…

1
Something Too Small to Mention 15:28

4+ y ago15:28

15:28

How do you write on those days when you don't feel like writing? Here is a way to start. Just write about something that is too small to mention. Shrink the frame of engagement to something so tiny that there is no pressure in getting in right. Let go of any other obligations you feel with writing, and just tell us about this small thing. Good luck…

1
Episode 30 (Video) - Nick Jaina at Portland Incubator Experiment 4:49

15y ago4:49

4:49

In episode 30 of our ongoing music video series we captured Nick Jaina's "Sebastopol," the first song on his recently released album "A Bird in the Opera House." It's filmed on the corner of NW 12th and Davis in a unique office space called "Portland Incubator Experiment," home to about a dozen tech entrepreneurs including our friends at Mugasha, w…

1
Episode 29 (Video) - DoublePlusGood at Engrave 4:58

15+ y ago4:58

4:58

Electronic-Pop duo DoublePlusGood performs "Something Else" in episode 29 of the Penny Jam. Our host was Joe Mansfield of engraveyourtech.com in top floor of the Towne Storage Building, overlooking the Burnside Bridge, the river, and downtown Portland.By The Penny Jam

1
Episode 28 (Video) - Reporter at Metro's Ecoroof 7:35

15+ y ago7:35

7:35

We finally met up with Reporter for a much-awaited-by-us Penny Jam episode! With permission to film on the City of Portland Metro Department's ecoroof, we filmed episode 28 on a sunny but chilly Sunday, September 27th.By The Penny Jam

1
Episode 27 (Video) - Fogatron at Acme Donuts 4:20

15+ y ago4:20

4:20

Fogatron is a one-man beatboxing machine. We met up with him one mellow Sunday afternoon at Acme Donuts on SE Powell and 28th where he performs "Excitement," for episode 27 of the series.By The Penny Jam

1
Episode 26 (Video) - Loch Lomond at the Ace Hotel 4:19

15+ y ago4:19

4:19

Episode 26 features the always-fantastic Loch Lomond in the lobby of our favorite Portland Hotel, the Ace. Lots dark wood, leather bound books and natural light in this class-act of a shoot.By The Penny Jam

1
Episode 25 (Video) - The Dimes at St. Cupcake 4:32

15+ y ago4:32

4:32

Episode 25 of the Penny Jam finds The Dimes performing their song "Abigail, Don't be Long" in Portland's finest cupcake establishment, the heroic and delicious St. Cupcake.By The Penny Jam

1
Episode 24 (Video) - Explode into Colors at the Portland Art Museum 6:11

15+ y ago6:11

6:11

Delayed by the blizzard that hit Portland last December, we finally met up with Explode into Colors in the Portland Art Museum's Grand Ballroom on February 15th to record the band's "How Adee Got Her Groove Back" in episode 24 of the series.By The Penny Jam

1
Episode 23 (Video) - Panther at Cameron's Books 3:39

15+ y ago3:39

3:39

Episode 23 of the series finds Panther, with recently acquired drummer, performing "Control Your Ships" in the display window at the iconic Portland Landmark, Cameron's books.By The Penny Jam

1
Episode 22 (Video) - Grey Anne at Portland Store Fixtures 4:39

15+ y ago4:39

4:39

Once she saw the inside of Portland Store Fixtures, a unique store in industrial Southeast, Grey Anne couldn't help but choose her song "Curio" to record, in this, episode 22 of The Penny Jam. With the aid of her trusty looping pedal, Anne construct's the song layers of clapping, chorus and guitar lines on the go.…

1
Episode 21 (Video) - Celilo at Ken Tomita's Woodshop 4:20

15+ y ago4:20

4:20

On January 25th we met up at our friend Ken Tomita's woodworking shop directly across the street from Penny Jam HQ to film the 21st episode of the Podcast. It features the Psych-Americana of the Band Celilo, performing "Little Coquette."By The Penny Jam

1
Episode 20 (Video) - The Romantic and Bombastic at Next Adventure 4:12

16+ y ago4:12

4:12

The Romantic and Bombastic join us for episode 20 of the series at Deek and Brian's Next Adventure, a large independent outdoor store in Southeast. Their song "Glory to Glory" is off an upcoming album that was recorded in early January 2009.By The Penny Jam

1
Episode 19 (Video) - Boy Eats Drum Machine at Kush Carpets 3:48

16+ y ago3:48

3:48

In episode 19 of the series, Jon Ragel's one-man band Boy Eats Drum Machine performs the title track off of his new album "Booomboxxx" at Kush Carpets on SE 9th and Hawthorne.By The Penny Jam

1
Episode 17 (Video) - Narwhal vs Narwhal at Cherry Sprout Produce 3:37

16+ y ago3:37

3:37

On August 24th Narwhal vs. Narwhal graced episode 17 of the Penny Jam with their performance of "Don't Take." This recording happened a few weeks before the release of their album "Wipe the Sweat from Your Words," at Cherry Sprout Produce on Albina and Sumner in North Portland.By The Penny Jam

1
Episode 18 (Video) - World's Greatest Ghosts at Matrix Networks 4:51

16+ y ago4:51

4:51

On September 30th we met up with World's Greatest Ghosts down at Matrix Networks in Milwaukie to record "Magick Words" for episode 18 of The Penny Jam.By The Penny Jam

1
Episode 16 (Video) - Ryan Dolliver at EWF Modern 4:31

16+ y ago4:31

4:31

On September 4th, during First Thursday, Ryan Dolliver visited EWF Modern to perform "All Night Long" with the assistance of two backup singers in Episode 16 of The Penny Jam.By The Penny Jam

1
Episode 15 (Video) - Starfucker at Rudy's Barbershop 4:00

16+ y ago4:00

4:00

In episode 15, Portland's Starfucker bring a ridiculous amount of energy along with their song "Dance Face" to Rudy's Barbershop on 30th and Division.By The Penny Jam

1
Episode 14 (Video) - Derrek Wayne at the Immortal Piano Company 4:50

16+ y ago4:50

4:50

Derrek Wayne tickles the ivories amidst vintage uprights and reincarnated grands. Filmed on July 6, at The Immortal Piano Company at SE 40th and Belmont.By The Penny Jam

1
Episode 13 (Video) - Mattress at the Lafayette Footbridge 4:33

17y ago4:33

4:33

On June 23rd Mattress brought his gritty, uncontrolled moves and electronic music to the railroad footbridge on 20th and Lafayette in Southeast Portland to perform his song "Pollution."By The Penny Jam

1
Episode 12 (Video) - Laura Gibson at OMSI 7:33

17y ago7:33

7:33

On June 9th, Laura Gibson joined us at the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry to film episode 12 in the middle of the museum's collection of Chinese Dinosaur bones. The episode features two songs, "Where Have All Your Good Words Gone" and "Come by Storm."By The Penny Jam

1
Episode 11 (Video) - Sleep at the House of Oldominion 6:45

17y ago6:45

6:45

Local hip-hop mainstay Sleep performs a rooftop session in industrial Southeast on top of the Oldominion Studio in Episode 11 of the Penny Jam. Filmed on June 8, 2008.By The Penny Jam

1
Episode 10 (Video) - Eric John Kaiser in Yarnia 6:27

17y ago6:27

6:27

In episode 10 of The Penny Jam, French Portlander Eric John Kaiser plays a double feature of "The Court of Miracles" and "Ziggy Stardust" in Yarnia, a unique make-your-own-yarn shop on 42nd and Division. Filmed on June 1, 2008.By The Penny Jam

1
Episode 09 (Video) - Time Forgiver at Old Portland Hardware 6:27

17y ago6:27

6:27

Episode 9 of The Penny Jam features "Time Forgiver," by Dirty Mittens. Filmed at Old Portland Hardware, a unique store selling antique hardware, located on 41st and Division. Filmed on May 18, 2008.By The Penny Jam

1
Episode 08 (MP3) - Moving Picture Girl at Green Dragon 4:22

17y ago4:22

4:22

Bonus song from Episode 8 of The Penny Jam, "Moving Picture Girl," by The Grokkers. Filmed at Green Dragon, a newish brewpub and bistro on 9th and Belmont.By The Penny Jam

1
Episode 08 (MP3) - Depraved New World at Green Dragon 5:07

17y ago5:07

5:07

Episode 8 of The Penny Jam features "Depraved New World," by The Grokkers. Filmed at Green Dragon, a newish brewpub and bistro on 9th and Belmont.By The Penny Jam

1
Episode 08 (Video) - Depraved New World at Green Dragon 5:58

17y ago5:58

5:58

Episode 8 of The Penny Jam features "Depraved New World," by The Grokkers. Filmed at Green Dragon, a newish brewpub and bistro on 9th and Belmont.By The Penny Jam

1
Episode 07 (MP3) - Big Drapes at the Grass Hut 4:11

17y ago4:11

4:11

Episode 7 of The Penny Jam features "Big Drapes," by Dykeritz. Filmed at Grass Hut, a funky gallery and shop on 8th and Burnside.By The Penny Jam

1
Episode 07 (Video) - Big Drapes at the Grass Hut 4:49

17y ago4:49

4:49

Episode 7 of The Penny Jam features "Big Drapes," by Dykeritz. Filmed at Grass Hut, a funky gallery and shop on 8th and Burnside.By The Penny Jam

1
Episode 06 (MP3) - Gone Shootin' at the St. Johns Bridge 2:41

17y ago2:41

2:41

Episode 6 of The Penny Jam features "Gone Shootin," by the Ascetic Junkies. Filmed at Cathedral Park, under the beautiful St. Johns Bridge, between bouts of rain and snow on April 20, 2008.By The Penny Jam

1
Episode 06 (Video) - Gone Shootin' at the St. Johns Bridge 3:24

17y ago3:24

3:24

Episode 6 of The Penny Jam features "Gone Shootin," by the Ascetic Junkies. Filmed at Cathedral Park, under the beautiful St. Johns Bridge, between bouts of rain and snow on April 20, 2008.By The Penny Jam

1
Episode 05 (MP3) - Call Me at The Bipartisan Cafe 2:50

17y ago2:50

2:50

Episode 5 of The Penny Jam features "Call Me," an unreleased song by the Morals. Filmed at the Bipartisan Cafe on 79th and Stark, a spacious, authentic haunt deep in Southeast.By The Penny Jam

1
Episode 05 (Video) - Call Me at The Bipartisan Cafe 3:32

17y ago3:32

3:32

Episode 5 of The Penny Jam features "Call Me," an unreleased song by the Morals. Filmed at the Bipartisan Cafe on 79th and Stark, a spacious, authentic haunt deep in Southeast.By The Penny Jam

1
Episode 04 (MP3) - Aver Que at The Dollar Scholar 1:21

17y ago1:21

1:21

Episode 4 of the Penny Jam features Magic Johnson performing "Aver Que" at the Dollar Scholar on 33rd and Hawthorne.By The Penny Jam

1
Episode 04 (MP3) - Pasu su Mecha at The Dollar Scholar 1:49

17y ago1:49

1:49

Episode 4 of the Penny Jam features Magic Johnson performing "Pa su Mecha" at the Dollar Scholar on 33rd and Hawthorne.By The Penny Jam

1
Episode 04 (Video) - Pa su Mecha and Aver Que at The Dollar Scholar 3:34

17y ago3:34

3:34

Episode 4 of the Penny Jam features Magic Johnson performing "Pa su Mecha" and "Aver Que" at the Dollar Scholar on 33rd and Hawthorne.By The Penny Jam

1
Episode 03 (MP3) - Ball and Chain at Loprinzi's Gym 4:42

17y ago4:42

4:42

Episode 3 of the Penny Jam features Chris Boone performing "Ball and Chain" at Loprinzi's Gym on 41st and Division.By The Penny Jam

1
Episode 03 (MP3) - Stalker Girl at Loprinzi's Gym 4:23

17y ago4:23

4:23

Episode 3 of the Penny Jam features Chris Boone performing "Stalker Girl" at Loprinzi's Gym on 41st and Division.By The Penny Jam

1
Episode 03 (Video) - Stalker Girl and Ball and Chain at Loprinzi's Gym 4:23

17y ago4:23

4:23

Episode 3 of the Penny Jam features Chris Boone performing "Stalker Girl" and "Ball and Chain" at Loprinzi's Gym on 41st and Division.By The Penny Jam

1
Episode 02 (Video) - The Good Ship Astoria at Crazy Carl's 3:44

17y ago3:44

3:44

Episode 2 of the Penny Jam features The Good Ship Astoria performing "Tried So Hard" at Crazy Carl's Furniture and Rugs on 36th and Division.By The Penny Jam

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Nick Jaina Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen