Phantom Power

Latest Episodes
Second Line: Footwork in New Orleans (Lowlines by Petra Barran)
A new podcast called Lowlines takes us to a New Orleans Second Line, the brass band tradition that comes out of Black funeral processions and social clubs and is known not only for the power of the mu
On the Borderlands of Sound: Loudness, Affect, and the Multisensory Experience of Listening w/ Michael Heller
Dr. Michael Heller examines sonic experiences that go beyond listening. Moments when sound overpowers us. When sound is sensed more in our bodies than in our ears. When sound engages in crosstalk wi
Beyond Unwanted Sound: Noise, Affect Theory, and the Limits of Acoustic Ecology w/ Marie Thompson
Feminist sound scholar and musician Marie Thompson is a theorist of noise. She has also been one of the key thinkers in integrating the study of sound with the study of affect. Continue reading
How Computers Found Their Voice: Film Sound, Computer Science, and Text-to-Speech w/ Benjamin Lindquist
Learn how computers learned to speak with computer historian Benjamin Lindquist. Ben tells the the fascinating backstory to HAL 9000 and the strange the analog history of digital computing. Continue
Navigating the Publishing Industry: Trade Press, Book Proposals, and Author Platforms w/ Jane Von Mehren
Jane Von Mehren, Senior Partner at Aevitas Creative Management and a former Senior Vice President at Random House, explains how to find a literary agent, how to write a query letter to an agent, and h
How Sound Shaped the Modern Office: Acoustic Space, Architectural History, and Open Plan Working w/ Joseph L. Clarke
Ever wonder who's to blame for the noise and distraction of the open office? Architectural historian Joseph L. Clarke has answers! Theories of acoustic communication accidentally inspired the sonic di
Mastering Audiobook Narration: Acting, Audiobook Technique, and Vocal Representation w/ Robin Miles
Today we bring you a master class in audiobook narration and acting with acclaimed actor, casting director, audiobook narrator and audiobook director, Robin Miles. Beyond technique, we talk about the
Why We Love Radio: Affect, Media History, and Radiophilia w/ Carolyn Birdsall
Sound and radio scholar Carolyn Birdsall discusses her award-winning bookNazi Soundscapes(AUP, 2012) and her new book,Radiophilia(Bloomsbury, 2023). Continue reading
Cosmic Visions in Sound (The World According to Sound by Chris Hoff and Sam Harnett)
Today we share a podcast episode on the visual epistemology of astronomy by our friends at The World According to Sound. What kind of knowledge do we really gain when we look at images from space? Co
Listening to Tinnitus: Stories, Science, and the Lessons from a Life Lived with Constant Sound w/ Mack Hagood
Tinnitus can be annoying, for sure--and for some people it's much worse than annoying--but it also has a lot to say of interest, if we're willing to listen: "Tinnitus has been my guide in sound studie