Each guest on the My Favorite Things podcast brings a list of a list of five books, movies, music, art, and other creative works that have helped shape their lives. My guest for Episode 24 is writer Chris La Tray, who was poet laureate of Montana from 2023 to 2025, and is author of three books:* Becoming Little Shell* One-Sentence Journal* Descended from a Travel-worn SatchelChris’s favorite things are: 1. Water of the Sky: A Dictionary of 2,000 Japanese Rain Words by Miya Ando2. Heilung, LIFA Iotungard3. Perfect Days4. The art of John Isaiah Pepion5. Small Island, Big Picture by Alexandra de SteiguerOther things we talked about:Braided Creek by Ted Kooser and Jim HarrisonAnna BronesAaron DraplinMirrors: Stories of Almost Everyone by Eduardo GallianoKeith HaringPatersonStar WarsFellowship of the Ring This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit semirad.substack.com/subscribe

Each guest on the My Favorite Things podcast brings a list of a list of five books, movies, music, art, and other creative works that have helped shape their lives. My guest for Episode 23 is writer and podcaster Amanda Monthei. Amanda’s favorite things are:* Booter Crunk by Rage Films * The Nick Adams Stories by Ernest Hemingway* The writing of John Jeremiah Sullivan (specifically “Upon This Rock” and “The Ballad of Geeshie and Elvie”* The Year of Magical Thinking by Joan Didion* King Gizzard live on KEXP (specifically the song “Billabong Valley” This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit semirad.substack.com/subscribe

Each guest on the My Favorite Things podcast brings a list of a list of five books, movies, music, art, and other creative works that have helped shape their lives. My guest for Episode 22 is woodworker, artist, and art handler Derik Penny.Derik’s favorite things are:1. Coffee2. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind3. Essex County trilogy by Jeff Lemire4. Sour Soul by BadBadNotGood5. Ishitani furniture (by way of George and Mira Nakashima)6. The Utility of Boredom by Andrew Forbesother things we mentioned:* The Hustler* Denver’s Esquire Theater (RIP)* Denny’s* 10,000 Ink Stains by Jeff Lemire* Underwater Welder by Jeff Lemire* Oddissee* George Nakashima* The Only Way is the Steady Way by Andrew Forbes* The Billy Ripken error card This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit semirad.substack.com/subscribe

Support My Favorite Things on Patreon here. Each guest on the My Favorite Things podcast brings a list of a list of five books, movies, music, art, and other creative works that have helped shape their lives. My guest for Episode 21 is Ian McLeod, musician, composer, founder and owner of Cleod9 Music, husband, and dad of two. Ian’s favorite things are: 1. Bill Evans — Everybody Digs Bill Evans2. A Tribe Called Quest — Midnight Marauders 3. Tinker Hatfield's sneaker designs4. Stevie Wonder — Songs In The Key of Life5. Keith Haring's paintingsOther things we mentioned:* Stevie Wonder — Innervisions* Stevie Wonder — Fulfillingness’ First Finale* Dandelion Wine by Ray Bradbury This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit semirad.substack.com/subscribe

Each guest on the My Favorite Things podcast brings a list of a list of five books, movies, music, art, and other creative works that have helped shape their lives. My guest for Episode 20 is Nick Triolo, writer, editor, and author of the book The Way Around: A Field Guide to Going Nowhere. Nick’s favorite things are:1. The Spell of the Sensuous by David Abram2. Darkside, Psychic(entry point: “Paper Trails”)3. Tom Killion’s woodcut prints4. Perfect Days5. Salsa Verde DoritosOther things we mentioned:* Nick’s essay about air saloons* Goosebumps by R.L. Stine* Captain Ron* Tango & Cash* The Blues Brothers* Paterson* Is a River Alive? by Robert Macfarlane This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit semirad.substack.com/subscribe

Each guest on the My Favorite Things podcast brings a list of a list of five books, movies, music, art, and other creative works that have helped shape their lives. My guest for Episode 19 is Heather Hansman, journalist and author of three books, including her latest: Fierce Country: The Untold Story of Three Women Who Ignited America’s Love for the Wild. Heather’s favorite things are:1. The Fugees, The Score2. Alex Katz’s Maine paintings(including Tracy on the Raft at 7:30)3. Raven’s Exile by Ellen Meloy4. The Elements of Style by William Strunk and E.B. White5. Lisa Grossman’s river paintings This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit semirad.substack.com/subscribe

My Favorite Things Episode 18: Musician and teacher Arran FaganEach guest on the My Favorite Things podcast brings a list of a list of five books, movies, music, art, and other creative works that have helped shape their lives. My guest for Episode 17 is Arran Fagan, part-time folk musician (Aaran's IG) and full-time high school zoology teacher. Arran’s favorite things are:1NPR’s recording of the Tallest Man on Earth’s set at the 2012 Newport Folk Festival(+ “Love Is All”)2Her3White Lighter by Typhoon4Sum by David Eagleman5East of Eden by John SteinbeckOther things we mentioned:* José González* Gregory Alan Isakov* Laura Marling* Andrew Bird This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit semirad.substack.com/subscribe

Each guest on the My Favorite Things podcast brings a list of a list of five books, movies, music, art, and other creative works that have helped shape their lives. My guest for Episode 17 is my friend Anna Brones, artist, author of five books (and one on the way!), teacher, and creator of the very popular Creative Fuel newsletter. Anna’s favorite things are: 1. Swedish Children's books by Elsa Beskow and Lena Anderson2. Coffee3. Daft Punk Alive 2007 4. The Summer Book by Tove Jansson5. Oblique Strategies card deck by Brian Eno and Peter SchmidtOther things we mentioned:Thomas Bangalter Soundcloud set This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit semirad.substack.com/subscribe

The concept for the My Favorite Things podcast is simple: Each guest compiles a list of five books, movies, music, art, and other creative works that have helped shape their lives. My guest for Episode 16 is Wendy Wagner, editor, writer, and author of horror novels like her most recent book, Girl in the Creek, which was nominated for the 2026 Bram Stoker Award. Wendy's favorite things are: 1. So You Want to Be a Wizard by Diane Duane2. Twin Peaks3. Carr, O’Keeffe, Kahlo: Places of Their Own by Sharyn Rohlfsen Udall 4. The Last Christmas Mixtape (created by the members of the band Harry and the Potters while on tour in 2010)5. Ark Nova This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit semirad.substack.com/subscribe

The concept for the My Favorite Things podcast is simple: Each guest compiles a list of five books, movies, music, art, and other creative works that have helped shape their lives. My guest for Episode 15 is Fitz Cahall, creator of The Dirtbag Diaries and co-founder and creative of Duct Tape Then Beer. Fitz’s favorite things are: Apocalypse 91 … The Enemy Strikes Black by Public Enemy (+ Rage Against the Machine)A River Runs Through It by Norman MacleanSound of a dialup modemThe Gap by Ira GlassWinnie the Pooh by A. A. Milne This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit semirad.substack.com/subscribe

The concept for the My Favorite Things podcast is simple: Each guest compiles a list of five books, movies, music, art, and other creative works that have helped shape their lives. My guest for Episode 14 is Scott Kummer, creator and host of the podcasts Ten Junk Miles and I've Got That On Vinyl, race director, runner, and attorney in Chicago.Scott's favorite things are: Jimi Plays MontereyAlcoholics Anonymous ("The Big Book")The Architecture of Frank Lloyd Wright: A Complete Catalog by William Allin StorrerThe Long Run by Mishka ShubalayAllison Rosen Is Your New Best Friend This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit semirad.substack.com/subscribe

The concept for the My Favorite Things podcast is simple: Each guest compiles a list of five books, movies, music, art, and other creative works that have helped shape their lives. My guest for Episode 13 is Jono Hey, designer, writer, illustrator, creator of Sketchplanations, and author of Big Ideas, Little Pictures: Explaining the World One Sketch at a Time.Jono’s favorite things are:* Calvin and Hobbes* Leonardo da Vinci’s notebooks* “Le Onde” by Ludovic Einaudi* The Harry Potter series* The Voyage of the Beagle by Charles Darwin This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit semirad.substack.com/subscribe

The concept for the My Favorite Things podcast is simple: Each guest compiles a list of five books, movies, music, art, and other creative works that have helped shape their lives. My guest for Episode 12 is Jonathan Ellsworth, writer, podcaster, founder of Blister Review, and former philosophy professor. Jonathan’s favorite things are: * Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway* Philosophy as a Way of Life by Pierre Hadot* Pulp Fiction (trailer)* Don Quixote by Pablo Picasso* “Mississippi” by Bob DylanOther stuff we talked about:* “Last Thoughts on Woody Guthrie” by Bob Dylan This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit semirad.substack.com/subscribe

For My Favorite Things, I’m interviewing people about the books, movies, music, art, and other creative works that have helped shape their lives. My guest for Episode 11 is Zoë Rom, journalist, podcaster (Your Diet Sucks https://www.yourdietsuckspodcast.com/ , The Trailhead https://podlink.com/1640142466 ), running coach, elite ultrarunner, and stand-up comedian. Zoë’s favorite things are:1. Blalock’s Indie Rock Playlisthttps://birp.fm/ 2. About a Mountain by John D’AgataPublisher’s Pagehttps://wwnorton.com/books/9780393339017 Bookshophttps://bookshop.org/a/4216/9780393339017Amazonhttps://amzn.to/4qvclLR 3. Ways of Hearinghttps://www.radiotopia.fm/showcase/ways-of-hearing 4. Nathaniel Russel’s Arthttp://nathanielrussell.com/ 5. Lady Bird https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cNi_HC839Wo Other things we mentioned:“Temptation” by Jukebox the Ghosthttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bVFo7pXzQqA “Welcome Home” byRadical Facehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P8a4iiOnzsc The Lifespan of a Fact by John D’Agata and Jim Fingalhttps://wwnorton.com/books/9780393340730 The Things We Carried by Tim O’Brienharpercollins.com/products/the-things-they-carried-tim-obrien The Perfect Storm by Sebastian Jungerhttps://wwnorton.com/books/The-Perfect-Storm/ Into the Raging Sea by Rachel Sladehttps://www.harpercollins.com/products/into-the-raging-sea-rachel-slade?variant=32207635087394  This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit semirad.substack.com/subscribe

For My Favorite Things, I’m interviewing people about the books, movies, music, art, and other creative works that have helped shape their lives. My guest for Episode 9 is Kurt Wikel, geophysicist, dad, and brewery co-owner. Kurt’s favorite things are:1. The Simpsons2. Daft Punk — HomeworkApple Music | Spotify | YouTube3. Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance by Robert W. PirsigPublisher’s Page | Bookshop | Amazon4. A Coconut Named Bob by Austin WeaverPublisher’s Page | Amazon5. Dune by Frank HerbertPublisher’s Page | Bookshop | AmazonMovie trailer This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit semirad.substack.com/subscribe

For My Favorite Things, I’m interviewing people about the books, movies, music, art, and other creative works that have helped shape their lives. My guest for Episode 9 is Mike Sowden, creator of the immensely popular Substack, Everything Is Amazing (I’m a paid subscriber). Mike’s favorite things are:* Halloumi* The soundtrack to Raise the Titanic, by John Williams* Main theme* Re-recordings of the soundtrack by the City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra:* Apple Music | Spotify | YouTube* Microadventures by Alastair HumphreysPublisher’s page | Bookshop | Amazon* Electric blankets* Distant lights seen at night This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit semirad.substack.com/subscribe

For My Favorite Things, I’m interviewing people about the books, movies, music, art, and other creative works that have helped shape their lives. My guest for Episode 8 is Chandra Brown, writer, educator, raft guide, and founder of the Freeflow Institute (where she has graciously allowed me to teach an annual writing workshop since 2019). Chandra’s favorite things are:* Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O’DellPublisher’s Page | Bookshop | Amazon* My Morning Jacket, At Dawn (album) Apple Music | Spotify | YouTube* America Windows by Marc Chagall, Art Institute of Chicago* Sturgill Simpson concert at the Wilma in Missoula, November 8, 2016* Her dad’s Micromet weather data collection units, early 1990s to present This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit semirad.substack.com/subscribe

For My Favorite Things, I’m interviewing people about the books, movies, music, art, and other creative works that have helped shape their lives. My guest for Episode 7 is Andy Pearson, VP of creative at Liquid Death, dad of two kids, ultramarathon runner, and co-host of the Between Two Pines podcast. Andy’s favorite things are:1. Back to the Future Part II2. Calvin and Hobbes3. I Get Wet by Andrew WKApple Music | Spotify | YouTube4. On the Road by Jack KerouacPublisher’s Page | Bookshop | Amazon5. Boys and Girls in America by The Hold SteadyApple Music | Spotify | YouTubeOther things we talked about: The Curse This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit semirad.substack.com/subscribe

For My Favorite Things, I’m interviewing people about the books, movies, music, art, and other creative works that have helped shape their lives. My guest for Episode 6 is running coach, podcaster, writer, and runner Mario Fraioli. Mario’s favorite things are:* The Beatles — Here Comes The SunApple Music | Spotify | YouTube* Hunter S. Thompson’s letter to Hume Logan* On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft by Stephen KingPublisher’s Page | Bookshop | Amazon* John Gruber’s Daring Fireball* The White Stripes — Little RoomApple Music | Spotify | YouTube* Seth Godin’s blog* The church at the end of Mario’s streetOther things we mentioned:* It Might Get Loud (trailer)* Jimmy Page scene in It Might Get Loud* This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit semirad.substack.com/subscribe

For My Favorite Things, I’m interviewing people about the books, movies, music, art, and other creative works that have helped shape their lives. My guest for Episode 5 is Anya Miller Berg, brand creative director at Mountain Hardwear, climber, mountain biker, former architect, and cat mom. Anya’s favorite things are:1. Teenagers in Their Bedrooms by Adrienne SalingerPublisher’s Page | Bookshop | Amazon2. Bobo Choses3. Les Others Magazine4. Barking at the Knot - Seamus Foster5. (large scale art):* Echoes of the Infinite by Alex Proba* Souvenir by Kathleen Ryan* The Red Popsicle by Catherine Mayer This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit semirad.substack.com/subscribe

For My Favorite Things, I’m interviewing people about the books, movies, music, art, and other creative works that have helped shape their lives. My guest for Episode 4 is Kris Hampton, a podcaster, writer, artist, climbing coach and founder of Power Company Climbing. Kris’s favorite things are: 1. “The Show” by Doug E. FreshApple Music | Spotify | YouTube2. “Check the Rhime” by A Tribe Called QuestApple Music | Spotify | YouTube3. To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper LeePublisher’s page | Bookshop | Amazon | To Kill A Mockingbird movie trailer4. Nighthawks by Edward Hopper5. No Kings by DoomtreeApple Music | Spotify | YouTube Other things we mentioned:The Day Todd Skinner Fell To Earth, Men’s Journal This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit semirad.substack.com/subscribe

For My Favorite Things, I’m interviewing people about the books, movies, music, art, and other creative works that have helped shape their lives. My guest for Episode 3 is Ed Roberson—dad, husband, adventurer, and creator of the Mountain & Prairie podcast. Ed’s favorite things are:1. Liner notes from Jimmy Buffett’s 1990s albums2. The Rise of Theodore Roosevelt by Edmund MorrisPublisher’s page | Bookshop | Amazon3. The Gulf Stream by Winslow Homer4. Tribe by Sebastian JungerPublisher’s page | Bookshop | Amazon5. Road House (the original)Other things we mentioned:* Jack Johnson’s cover of Jimmy Buffet’s A Pirate Looks at Forty* The Rewatchables Road House episode This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit semirad.substack.com/subscribe

For My Favorite Things, I’m interviewing people about the books, movies, music, art, and other creative works that have helped shape their lives. My guest for Episode 2 is Hilary Oliver, a writer and editor (who I happen to be married to). Hilary’s favorite things are:1. Paul Simon, Graceland (album)YouTube | Apple Music | Spotify2. Jane Eyre by Charlotte BrontëPublisher’s Page | Bookshop | Amazon3. Daft Punk, Alive (album)YouTube | Apple Music | Spotify4. Mark Rothko, Untitled (1968)5. 20th Century Women This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit semirad.substack.com/subscribe

For My Favorite Things, I’m interviewing people about the books, movies, music, art, and other creative works that have helped shape their lives. My guest for Episode 1 is Bodie Johnson. Bodie’s favorite things are: 1. Paul Simon, Graceland (album)YouTube | Apple Music | Spotify2. Alone In The Wilderness3. [A photo of Bodie and his future wife, Sarah]4a. Shakey Graves “Only Son”YouTube | Apple Music | Spotify4b. Calvin & Hobbes “I’m Significant”5. All Quiet on the Western Front by Erich Maria RemarquePublisher’s page | Amazon | Bookshop This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit semirad.substack.com/subscribe