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Welcome to Strange Country, a podcast devoted to bizarre, surreal and extraordinary stories that make America the weird place it is. Co-hosts Kelly and Beth are former newspaper reporters turned school librarians who have always had a soft spot for a good story--the stranger the better. Discover the first woman to survive a barrel ride over Niagara Falls and the man who invented “complex marriage” in one of the most successful utopian experiments. Things get weird pretty quickly around here.
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This is what adventure sounds like. Climb. Ski. Hike. Bike. Paddle. Run. Travel. Whatever your passion, we are all dirtbags. Outdoor writer Fitz Cahall and the Duct Tape Then Beer team present stories about the dreamers, athletes and wanderers.
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OnWriting is a screenwriting podcast brought to you by the Writers Guild of America, East. It's a show about the stories we see on our screens and the people who make them happen. Each week, writers from the film, television, news and digital media industries talk to us about their work - from pitching to production, from process to favorite lines, and everything in between. Season 1 is hosted by Jordan Carlos. Seasons 2 & 3 are hosted by Caroline Waxler. Seasons 4-6 are hosted by Kaitlin Fo ...
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Authentic, freedom loving explosives and weapons experts discuss issues in culture, science, and spirituality. Dropping quantum thought bombs that still make sense in a world that is ever expanding. Up-level your thinking on the worlds dramas with these Texans whom are into self development and airy fairy things. Or stay for the explosive action as they blow stuff up for fun, we mean in the name of science.... as they are fully licensed explosives and weapons manufacturers who had a TV show ...
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We interview American diplomats, capturing the sacrifice, leadership, humor, heroism, wisdom, and lessons of modern American diplomacy. Through historical reflections and personal anecdotes, guests explain foreign policy and tradecraft, or what they were trying to accomplish and how. Episodes include conversations with America’s diplomatic legends -- including Thomas Pickering, John Negroponte, Bill Burns, Maura Harty, Beth Jones and Kristie Kenney -- as well as rising leaders and foreign po ...
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Host Niall Mackay takes listeners on a journey through the vibrant and diverse culture of modern Vietnam. Niall focuses on personal stories and experiences of both himself and guests, sharing insights into the everyday life of people connected to Vietnam. From artists and entrepreneurs, locals and Viet Kieu, expats and Vietnamese worldwide and members of the LGBTQ community, this podcast offers a unique perspective on this rapidly developing country. With engaging discussions and thought-pro ...
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Podcast Pub Crawl in Saigon - 7 Craft Beer Bars in 1 Day
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"Vietnam is a massive beer drinking country. Per capita it's top ten ." - Mischa Smith In this special episode of the Vietnam podcast, host Niall takes listeners on an epic craft beer crawl through Ho Chi Minh City. Joined by a rotating cast of friends and beer industry insiders, Niall visits his seven favorite craft beer bars in Saigon over the co…
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When their lives felt out of their control, both Cindy Hong and Dierdre Wolownick turned to running for solace. Each of their stories is a reminder of the value of putting one foot in front of the other, no matter the speed or destination. Want more episodes? Join Dirtbag Diaries+ today Support comes from Kuat Racks AeroPress Use code DIARIES to sa…
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Strange Country Ep. 284: Project 2025, Part 1
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Project 2025 is a 920-page bloated opus about taking our fragile democracy and turning into Christian Nationalist nightmare if Trump gets back into the oval office. And Beth read it!! Well, skimmed some portions because oh my god was this bureaucratic gibberish. But that’s the point; onslaught us with so much information, we’re too numb to fight ba…
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Thuyen Vo & The Changing Vietnamese Food Landscape
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"There's a lot of controversy about Michelin Guide coming here. But for me, I look at it as an opportunity for Vietnam to attract more tourists." In this episode of A Vietnam Podcast, host Niall Mackay welcomes back Thuyen Vo, a renowned food influencer and KOL (Key Opinion Leader), who previously appeared in Season 6. Thuyen discusses her journe…
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Episode 113: Amy Schumer (Life & Beth) and John Hoffman (Only Murders in the Building)
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John Hoffman and Amy Schumer sit down to talk about the joys and challenges of leaning into the personal in your writing, the importance of finding the right collaborators, confronting the hardest parts of life with both vulnerability and confidence, and much more. John Hoffman is the co-creator and showrunner of the critically acclaimed and award-…
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11 of my Favorite Cocktail Bars in Saigon
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"There are misconceptions about Vietnam, People just think of water buffaloes, rice paddies and lanterns if you live in the big city, like Saigon, it's just like any other big city." Ever wondered where to find the best cocktails in Saigon? Join Niall Mackay as he takes you on a tour through the city's top cocktail bars, sharing insider tips and pe…
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Two people step outside their comfort zones to take action on the things that matter to them in the hopes of making their communities, and the world, a better place. For Caroline Gleich, that means running for a Senate seat in Utah. For Alex Haraus, that means advocating and mobilizing support for environmental protections using social media. Suppo…
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Hey Dash Hounds, you clever playful listeners. Why do we play? Are we even allowed to play as adults without judgment. Not if Beth is around. In this episode, Kelly and Beth discuss the science of play—specifically animal play. Of course we have watched our cats indulge in “playful” ankle biting, but other animals also incorporate play in their dai…
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Episode 112: Meredith Scardino (Girls5Eva) & Paula Pell (Saturday Night Live)
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Acclaimed comedy writers Meredith Scardino and Paula Pell sit down together for a conversation about their journeys to WGAE membership, their journeys to the WGAE office, how producing differs from other positions in the writers room, the importance of both deadlines and procrastination in the creative process and much more. Meredith Scardino is a …
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A Journey of METH ADDICTION and Recovery in Vietnam with Tue-Si Nguyen
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"When you're at rock bottom as a drug addict, you'll know. Cause, as I explained it, there is that choice that you have to make. And when you're ready to look up, then I have plenty of advice." - Tue-Si on reaching the turning point in addiction. In this powerful episode, Niall revisits the story of Tue-Si, a recovering crystal meth addict who shar…
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Discover Secret Cocktail Experiences in Saigon with Natalya Wissink | Vietnam Is Awesome PodSwap
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On the Vietnam Is Awesome Podcast Niall Mackay is joined by Natalya Wissink, the founder of Secret Experiences, to talk about the thriving cocktail scene and hidden gems in Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon). They discuss the modern side of Vietnam, the use of local ingredients in craft cocktails and beer, and Natalya's company, which offers unique experien…
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Outside/In: 'Til The Landslide Brings It Down
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We're sharing an episode from our friends at Outside/In. Their team of reporters combine solid reporting and long-form narrative storytelling that sits at the crossroads of the outdoors, science and the environment and how those themes interact with the rest of our world. Til the landslide brings it down explores what happens when a growing threat …
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"Who likes to spend money though? If you can save money, you want to do it, right?" Niall shares his top 7 favorite happy hour spots in Saigon, the bustling city he now calls home. As a self-professed happy hour enthusiast, Niall has strong opinions on what makes a true "happy hour" deal, favoring bars that offer 50% off drinks over the dreaded "bu…
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ESCAPING Vietnam for America - Ella Beth Explains WHY!
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"COVID really affected me that by the time the pandemic was over, I felt rusty as a performer and in my whole adult life, I'd never, ever experienced that." In this heartwarming episode, Niall is reunited with his friend Ella Beth, who first appeared on the podcast back in Season 2. They reminisce about their friendship, revisiting Ella Beth's jour…
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Episode 111: Nonfiction TV Roundtable with Chinisha Scott, Gautam Singhani and Sarah Katz
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Host and WGAE Nonfiction Women of Color Caucus Chair Chinisha Scott talks with WGAE members Gautam Singhani and Sarah Katz, who both recently worked at the nonfiction television production company Story Syndicate. Story Syndicate is one of the latest nonfiction television shops to join the Writers Guild of America East and they are currently negoti…
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Beth Rodden first started climbing in 1995, and it wasn’t long before she radically changed the sport. Within three years, she’d become the first woman to climb 5.14; within five, she’d established a still unrepeated free route on Yosemite’s El Capitan. Today, Beth is making waves in a different way: by leading the climbing community in difficult, …
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Strange Country Ep. 282: John Leonard Orr
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What should you not do if you commit crimes? Write a book where the main character is someone just like you doing the very crimes you are doing. John Leonard Orr, fire captain and arson investigator, wrote a book about a serial arsonist in LA County while he was being that very serial arsonist. Strange Country cohosts Beth and Kelly talk about the …
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In his first solo episode of A Vietnam Podcast, host Niall Mackay shares his top seven places to enjoy craft beer in Saigon, Vietnam. From long-standing establishments to newcomers, Niall provides an insider's perspective on the city's vibrant craft beer scene. 1. Malt Saigon on Mac Thi Buoi is an OG craft beer bar in Saigon, known for its shuffleb…
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We made a book! For the last year, Fitz and Becca have been working on adapting 30 episodes into essays and pairing them with incredible imagery. And we are really excited to be able to (nearly) share it with you. You can pre-order States of Adventure: 30 Outdoor Adventure Stories About Finding Yourself By Getting Lost now through July 22nd. The bo…
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Thuyen Vo doesn't think Vung Tau is a B*TCH city!
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Niall sits down with Thuyen Vo, a former host on the Best Ever Food Review Show and the founder of Easy English and Easy Vietnamese language centers. Thuyen opens up about her experiences navigating the post-pandemic world, content creation, and her newfound passion for the fine dining industry. Thuyen reflects on her time with the Best Ever Food R…
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Thirteen years ago Fitz got talked into doing our first live Dirtbag Diaries at 5Point Film Festival. So, we were thrilled to to return again for the 2024 festival and talk with Dr. John Francis, Taylor Rees and Renan Ozturk. In 1971, John gave up motorized transportation after seeing the effects of an oil spill on wildlife. Months later he took a …
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“With no roads to this wave, we had hiked in a dozen or so miles along the beach from the nearest town as a huge swell raged next to us,” writes Tyler Homen. A weekend of surfing with buddies turns epic when everyone’s favorite pup, Lyle, goes missing. In partnership with 1% For The Planet Want more episodes? Join Dirtbag Diaries+ today…
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Strange Country Ep. 281: Quest for Immortality
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Charles Lindbergh wasn’t only known for that flight, his weird reverence for Nazis and being the public face of America First, he was also interested in literal immortality. In the 1930s, he collaborated with Dr. Alexis Carrel to devise ways to regenerate organs so people could possibly live forever, but not just any people. It’s the 1930s and thes…
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Discover what you need to know about insurance for Vietnam - With Shane DIllon | PodSwap Vietnam Is Awesome
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In this episode of the Vietnam is Awesome podcast, host Niall Mackay, an expat in Vietnam since 2016, and guest Shane Dylan, who has spent 17 years in Vietnam and founded an insurance brokerage firm, discuss the importance of insurance for tourists to Vietnam. They debunk common insurance myths, discuss the necessity of having insurance for healthc…
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Episode 110: Ron Nyswaner, "Fellow Travelers"
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Host T Cooper is joined by Ron Nyswaner to discuss having the confidence to push Hollywood's boundaries, staying flexible during the unpredictable reality of being on a TV set, telling authentic LGBTQ+ stories without always centering suffering, and more. Ron Nyswaner is the 2024 recipient of the WGA East’s Walter Bernstein Award, and creator of th…
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