Every hobby has a story.

• Email us about the best little-known niche you've ever heard about.
• Find us on Instagram, or join our niche list.

This project celebrates little-known “leisure activities,” interests, conferences, gatherings, and meetups that you may or may not be familiar with (but, after you hear our guests’ stories, you will be).

ABOUT NICHE TO MEET YOU:

Niche to Meet You is an investigative storytelling podcast about the little-known niche interests. Our work has been featured on Nashville Public Radio, has been seen by millions through a recent viral instagram reel, and has been featured in the likes of The Guardian and the 1440 newsletters. It's like if Mr. Rogers Neighborhood and Revisionist History teamed up for a Netflix special. We use miniseries and individual interviews to introduce listeners to folks involved with Warhammer 40,000, Rubik’s cube enthusiasts and competitors, armored combat champions, wild turkey conservationists, and more.

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE SHOW HERE.

SHOW CREDITS:

Creator/Reporter/host: Leslie Thompson (IG: @leslieeilerthompson)

Associate script producer: Chris Thiessen

Show theme composed by Abigail Flowers

Show artwork created by Rachel Hardacre

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Introducing Warhammer 40,000. We even make the case that Warhammer 40,000 is the perfect hobby, and we’ll support the claim by talking to the people who play it and even the people who made it.

The Niche to Meet You podcast profiles hobbies and niche subcultures where misfits are finding home through mini-series and individual interviews. Learn more about the show, read a transcript, and give feedback at Nichetomeetyou.show/40k

Support the work by sharing it with a friend and buying us a pizza

SHOW CREDITS:

Senior producer/host: Leslie Thompson (IG: @leslieeilerthompson, leslieethompson.com)

Associate producer: Chris Thiessen

Mini-series topic consultants: Robert Taylor, Marcus Fulbright

Show theme composed by Abigail Flowers

Meet my new friend, Warhammer 40,000: the sci-fi tabletop war game.

This is part 1 of 4 in the Niche to Meet You mini-series about Warhammer 40,000. The Niche to Meet You podcast profiles hobbies and niche subcultures where misfits are finding home through mini-series and individual interviews.

• Learn more about the show, read a transcript, and give feedback at Nichetomeetyou.show/40k
• Support the work by sharing it with a friend and buying us a pizza

EPISODE NOTES:

In this first episode of Niche to Meet You’s debut mini-series, we introduce the immersive universe of Warhammer 40,000—a tabletop war game game turned multimedia empire. We even make the case that Warhammer 40,000 is the perfect hobby because it offers craftsmanship, skill development, social connections, and thought engagement.

From its humble 1970s origins, this hobby has evolved into a unique blend of science fiction, fantasy, and dystopian elements. Through this 4-part series, we’ll unravel the threads of Warhammer 40,000, examining its roots with insights from Rick Priestley, the game's original creator, as well as Andy Chambers, his apprentice and successor. In the next episode, we'll delve into the lives of players and enthusiasts who breathe life into this thriving subculture, and discover how this pastime transforms into a powerful hobby with the 4 elements of what makes a hobby, well, a hobby.

SHOW/EPISODE CREDITS:

Senior producer/host: Leslie Thompson (IG: @leslieeilerthompson, leslieethompson.com)

Associate producer: Chris Thiessen

Mini-series topic consultants: Robert Taylor, Marcus Fulbright

Episode mastered by Kevin Morris

Show theme composed by Abigail Flowers

Show artwork by Rachel Hardacre

Meet the people who play Warhammer 40,000.

This is part 2 of 4 in the Niche to Meet You mini-series about Warhammer 40,000. The Niche to Meet You podcast profiles hobbies and niche subcultures where misfits are finding home through mini-series and individual interviews.

• Learn more about the show, read a transcript, and give feedback at Nichetomeetyou.show/40k

EPISODE NOTES:

In this second episode of the 4 part mini-series, we sit down with Marcus and Josh, two enthusiasts deeply involved in the Warhammer 40,000 community, to explore the diverse entry points into the hobby. From painting and video games to engaging in intense tabletop battles, we learn about the multifaceted nature of the Warhammer 40,000 experience.

Our conversation with Marcus and Josh delves into its evolution from a tabletop game to a vast media landscape encompassing novels, video games, and more. The episode unfolds as we meet Robert, our local 40k guide who navigates us through the intricate gameplay mechanics, the fusion of lore and mathematical strategy, and the deep commitment demanded by Warhammer 40,000 enthusiasts. Leslie plays a game herself and gets hands-on experience with the world of Warhammer 40,000.

EPISODE/SHOW CREDITS

Senior producer/host: Leslie Thompson (IG: @leslieeilerthompson, leslieethompson.com)

Associate producer: Chris Thiessen

Mini-series topic consultants: Robert Taylor, Marcus Fulbright

Episode mastered by Kevin Morris

Show theme composed by Abigail Flowers

Show artwork by Rachel Hardacre

Conversations with the creators of Warhammer 40k: Rick Priestley and Andy Chambers

This is part 3 of 4 in the Niche to Meet You mini-series about Warhammer 40,000. The Niche to Meet You podcast profiles hobbies and niche subcultures where misfits are finding home through mini-series and individual interviews.

• Learn more about the show, read a transcript, and give feedback at Nichetomeetyou.show/40k
• Support the work by sharing it with a friend and buying us a pizza

EPISODE NOTES:

In this episode, we dive into a conversation with the creators of this tabletop war game, exploring its origins, influences, and the intricate balance between the macro and micro aspects of its universe.

As we sit down with Rick Priestley, the creator of Warhammer 40,000 (and his dog Rosie), we unravel the game's genesis from a space trading RPG called Rogue Trader to the iconic tabletop war game it is today. We also meet Andy Chambers, who apprenticed under Rick and took over the game in the 1990’s. The episode delves into the blend of history, fantasy, and commercialism that shaped this intricate hobby.

SHOW CREDITS:

Senior producer/host: Leslie Thompson (IG: @leslieeilerthompson, leslieethompson.com)

Associate producer: Chris Thiessen

Mini-series topic consultants: Robert Taylor, Marcus Fulbright

Show theme composed by Abigail Flowers

Episode mastered by Kevin Morris

Why this weird, wonderful hobby is so important, and what's next.

This is part 4 of 4 in the Niche to Meet You mini-series about Warhammer 40,000. The Niche to Meet You podcast profiles little-known hobbies and niche subcultures where misfits are finding belonging and meaning through mini-series and individual interviews.

• Learn more about the show, read a transcript, and give feedback
• Support the work by sharing it with a friend and buying us a pizza

EPISODE NOTES:

In the final episode of our Warhammer 40,000 miniseries, we reflect on the game as a compelling case study for the vital role of hobbies and a sense of belonging in preventing loneliness. Despite the dark and violent nature of Warhammer, we explore the intriguing intersection between violence and the community it cultivates. The episode delves into the satirical and exaggerated aspects of the Warhammer universe, emphasizing the humor and absurdity that players find meaningful.

Through final vignettes with all the Warhammer enthusiasts and creators from the series, including a couple new voices, we gain insights into how the game has become a source of connection, purpose, and stress relief, especially during challenging times like the COVID-19 pandemic. The discussion explores the theme of hopelessness within the game's lore, featuring perspectives from key figures such as Rick Priestley and Andy Chambers. The episode concludes by underscoring the significant impact of hobbies like Warhammer 40,000 in combatting loneliness, fostering community, and instilling a sense of purpose. We also look forward in anticipation to the upcoming Amazon film adaptation featuring Henry Cavill, acknowledging the potential it holds for the Warhammer community (have connections to Cavill? We want to talk to him! Go to www.nichetomeetyou.show/40k to connect us!)

SHOW CREDITS:

Senior producer/host: Leslie Thompson (IG: @leslieeilerthompson, leslieethompson.com)

Associate producer: Chris Thiessen

Mini-series topic consultants: Robert Taylor, Marcus Fulbright, Ariana Scalfo

Episode mastered by Kevin Morris

Show theme composed by Abigail Flowers

Show artwork by Rachel Hardacre

Mentioned in this episode:

4 things!

Here are the 4 things you can to do show your support: 1) Follow us in the app you're listening in 2) Leave a review 3) Text a friend about us 4) Buy us a pizza (see link above)

A deeper look at lingering questions after the 4-part miniseries.

This is a special bonus episode of Niche to Meet You following our mini-series about Warhammer 40,000. The Niche to Meet You podcast profiles little-known hobbies and niche subcultures where misfits are making meaning.

• Learn more about the show, read a transcript, and give feedback
• Support the work by sharing it with a friend and buying us a pizza

EPISODE NOTES:

We welcome Ariana Scalfo, fitness professional and 40k player. Her voice is heard in the 4th episode of this series, and our full conversation was good enough to make into a lightly-edited bonus episode. The video version of this episode is on YouTube if you want to watch us talk.

Ariana and her partner run a fitness company called Complete Human Performance, which essentially trains human Space Marines. They developed a program based on the Warhammer-verse incorporating lore and narrative into a fitness routine. We talk about that in this conversation, along with 40k affecting folks outside of gameplay, the meaning to be found in the silliness, and why women aren’t as prevalent in the hobby (though, it’s getting better!).

LINKS:

• YouTube version: https://youtu.be/7anrtDHyhkU
• Complete Human Performance: https://www.completehumanperformance.com/
• Their program based on Space Marine training: https://www.completehumanperformance.com/offers/FEZgFFrY/checkout

SHOW CREDITS:

Senior producer/host: Leslie Thompson (IG: @leslieeilerthompson, leslieethompson.com)

Associate producer: Chris Thiessen

Mini-series topic consultants: Robert Taylor, Marcus Fulbright, Ariana Scalfo

Episode mastered by Kevin Morris

Show theme composed by Abigail Flowers

Show artwork by Rachel Hardacre

Mentioned in this episode:

DONATE TO THE SHOW

Find more information on donating (tax-deductibly!) at https://wedgwoodcircle.givingfuel.com/niche-to-meet-you

Join us at Waffle House to talk about making old things beautiful again.

Learn more about the show, read a transcript, and give feedback

EPISODE NOTES:

Join us in a Waffle House booth as we meet Rick Blankenship–a masterful vintage car radio restorer. As we savored the Southern charm of the setting, Rick shared about his work of restoring vintage radios to their original glory while integrating modern features like Bluetooth, offering a blend of nostalgia and convenience. Through our conversation, we learned about Rick's journey from being a drummer in a band to becoming an award-winning restorer, highlighting the artistry and dedication required in his craft. We explored the significance of classic car radios as symbols of self-expression and identity, as well as the challenges and joys of preserving automotive history. Visiting a local Swap Meet with Rick provided a firsthand look at his work and the deep connections people have with their cars, reinforcing the appeal of the craft. Visit Rick's website HERE, and check out his YouTube channel HERE.

SHOW CREDITS:

Senior producer/host: Leslie Thompson (IG: @leslieeilerthompson, leslieethompson.com)

Associate producer: Chris Thiessen

Mini-series topic consultants: Robert Taylor, Marcus Fulbright, Ariana Scalfo

Episode mastered by Kevin Morris

Show theme composed by Abigail Flowers

Show artwork by Rachel Hardacre

Mentioned in this episode:

CONTACT US:

Send us an email at hello@nichetomeetyou.show

DONATE TO THE SHOW

Find more information on donating (tax-deductibly!) at https://wedgwoodcircle.givingfuel.com/niche-to-meet-you