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Artwork for Phantom Power

Phantom Power

SpectreVision Radio
Computer Voices
Noise
Analog Computing
Digital Computing
Speech Synthesis
Sound Studies
Jonathan Sterne
Phonemes
2001: A Space Odyssey
Daisy Bell
Affect Theory
MP3: the Meaning Of a Format
The Audible Past
Diminished Faculties
Publishing Industry
Bell Labs
Haskins Labs
Neural Networks
Spotify
Disability Studies

Sound is all around us, but we give little thought to its invisible influence. Dr. Mack Hagood explores the world of sound studies with the world's most amazing sound scholars, sound artists, and acoustic ecologists. How are noise-cancelling headphones changing social life? What did silent films sound like? Is listening to audiobooks really reading? How did computers learn to speak? How do race, g... more

PublishesMonthlyEpisodes83Founded8 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Society & CultureMusic

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Artwork for Phantom Power

Latest Episodes

Do fish have ears? What is the nature of underwater hearing and how does it differ from hearing in the air? If humans are the evolutionary descendants of ocean creatures, do we retain any fishy traces in the way we hear the world? And what about all ... more

Why does a sixty-year-old media theory resurface in the media every few years, while journalists ignore the great communication scholarship that has emerged in the meantime? More importantly, what effects does antiquated thinking have on the public u... more

Creativity doesn’t come out of thin air–it evolves in relation to the communities around us and the tools available to us. Some of the most common forms of everyday creative works–memes, podcasts, vertical videos–barely existed a couple of decades ag... more

Today we go on a listening tour with audio legend Julie Shapiro, who has helped define what radio and podcasts could be over the past 25-plus years. Shapiro co-founded the Third Coast International Audio Festival, one of the most prestigious and infl... more

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Recent Guests

Mack Hagood
Sound studies scholar and host/interviewee on the episode
Phantom Power / Mack Hagood
Episode: Talking Back to the “The Oral Theory of Everything”
Julie Shapiro
Audio production veteran; executive producer; founder of audio initiatives
PRX, Radiotopia, Third Coast Festival
Episode: The Internet Promised Creative Freedom. What Happened?
Gabriel Mendel
Co-founder of the noise band Yellow Swans and an academic focused on the intersections of sound, protest, and political power.
Minneapolis College of Art and Design
Episode: Noise, power, and Minneapolis: Gabriel Mendel interview (Part 2)
Graham Reznick
Sound designer of the film Rabbit Trap, multi-hyphenate creator in the horror genre
Spectrevision
Episode: Horror Film Sound Designer Graham Reznick on Crafting the Uncanny
Benjamin Tausig
Ethnomusicologist and associate professor of critical music studies at SUNY Stony Brook
SUNY Stony Brook
Episode: Maurice Rocco: Race, Queerness, and Thai Music Culture w/ Benjamin Tausig
Greg Saunier
Drummer and founding member of Deerhoof
Deerhoof
Episode: Deerhoof’s Greg Saunier on Critical Listening (Ciritcal Listening By Liz Pelly, and Max Alper)
Yvette Janine Jackson
A composer and sound artist known for her immersive compositions and innovative use of sound.
Harvard University
Episode: Radio Opera Redefined: Immersive Sound, Improvisation, and Sonic Freedom w/ Yvette Janine Jackson
Eleanor Patterson
Associate Professor of Media Studies at Auburn and author of 'Bootlegging the Airwaves'
Auburn University
Episode: The Global History of Cassette Culture: Bootlegging, Indie Rock, and the Media of the Masses w/ Eleanor Patterson, Rob Drew, and Andrew Simon
Rob Drew
Professor of Communication at Saginaw Valley State University and author of 'Unspooled'
Saginaw Valley State University
Episode: The Global History of Cassette Culture: Bootlegging, Indie Rock, and the Media of the Masses w/ Eleanor Patterson, Rob Drew, and Andrew Simon

Host

Mack Hagood
Host of Phantom Power

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 129 ratings
  • Great podcast!

    A fascinating exploration of a phenomenon we are always experiencing and almost never think about

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    BrySquatch
    United States3 months ago
  • Love it!

    Found the show through spectrevision radio.

    Loved the Graham Reznick conversation and just love the overall vibe and learning going on here.

    Great pod! Can’t wait for more after I finish devouring the back-catalogue.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    driven2review
    United States7 months ago
  • Well made. Trashes its subjects.

    I was going through archives of R. Murray Schafer’s Soundscapes of Canada and was curious if people were still talking about it. I came across this podcast’s episode on him and the guests were trashing him for settler colonialism. The host seemed to be in agreement. Not my cup of tea, two stars.

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    ratofsumatra
    Canada3 years ago
  • Excellent podcast

    Excellent and varied podcast about all matters sound. Essential listening!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    artofnoises
    United Kingdom3 years ago
  • Source

    Soberly made, little metaphysics, erudite, all topoi most fascinating & in-depth.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    ndjuxhhehaijdbehbbxk
    Germany3 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Listeners praise its intelligent, exploratory approach to sound and culture.
Fans value the high production quality and accessible scholarship.
Some critics appreciate the depth but note occasional dense discussions that may challenge casual listeners.

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Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Talking Back to the “The Oral Theory of Everything”
Q: What makes the Great Divide Theory so appealing across decades?
It simplifies a very complex relationship between culture and communications technology into an easy-to-remember framework, acting like a mirror that can be applied to many situations, though at the risk of overgeneralization.
The Internet Promised Creative Freedom. What Happened?
Q: What changes have you observed in the podcast industry, particularly for independent producers?
She notes a narrowing of opportunities, with big media firms shrinking and the rise of cheaper, more casual formats, but also highlights a resurgence of independent projects and festivals that foster narrative innovation.
The Internet Promised Creative Freedom. What Happened?
Q: Could you talk a little bit about the world you grew up in, and what you gained from that indie/mailing-list/zine culture?
Julie describes a vibrant ecosystem where record stores, college radio, zines, and DIY shows created a supportive community, helped people develop curatorial taste, and fostered skills that later translated into professional audio work while emphasizing collaboration over solitary pursuit.
What makes a podcast great? Legendary producer Julie Shapiro shows us.
Q: What does an executive producer do in the world of radio or podcast?
An executive producer provides broad creative and logistical guidance, sustaining a show's long-term vision, shaping tone and pacing, mentoring producers, and ensuring the project stays cohesive across episodes while managing big-picture objectives.
Gabriel Saloman Mindel Pt. 1: Yellow Swans, Noise, and the Art of Pushing Boundaries
Q: What's the paradoxical relationship between noise and calm in your performances?
Gabriel explains that noise music allows individuals to let go of control and experience deep calm amidst intensity, creating a space for diverse responses from the audience.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Phantom Power

What is Phantom Power about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Phantom Power explores sound studies through in-depth conversations with scholars, artists, and practitioners. Episodes span indie and experimental culture, festival leadership, sound design, ethnomusicology, and critical listening, often connecting historical sonic practices with contemporary media, politics, and technology. The show stands out for its rigorous yet accessible treatment of topics like noise as social action, the politics of listening, and the relationship between sound and culture, producing richly edited discussions that appeal to both academics and curious listeners.

A notable strength is the blend of high-level intellectual inquiry with palpable curiosity and human storytelling, giving listeners a nuanced map of how sou... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Phantom Power?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Phantom Power:

1. Weird Studies
2. Acid Horizon
3. Tech Won't Save Us
4. QAA Podcast
5. Doomscroll with Joshua Citarella

How many episodes of Phantom Power are there?

Phantom Power launched 8 years ago and published 83 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Phantom Power?

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Where can I see ratings and reviews for Phantom Power?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for Phantom Power from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

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What guests have appeared on Phantom Power?

Recent guests on Phantom Power include:

1. Mack Hagood
2. Julie Shapiro
3. Gabriel Mendel
4. Graham Reznick
5. Benjamin Tausig
6. Greg Saunier
7. Yvette Janine Jackson
8. Eleanor Patterson

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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