No one knows how many ideas were conceived on the corner of Park Place and Court Street on Ohio University’s campus, but this column was definitely one of them.
It was a sunny day in April 2017, and I yelled at The Post’s opinion editor, Chuck Greenlee, from across the street about an idea I had for a column. "Podfather Reviews" was born four months later. Greenlee held my hand the entire time during labor in OhioHealth O’Bleness Hospital.
This column has provided myself with an avenue not only to talk about interesting podcasts and my thoughts on an exciting, evolving industry, but it has also opened up the floodgates for discovering podcasts I would have never found myself. Some of those discoveries are thanks to you, the readers.
I, for one, had no idea the federal government could make such horrible podcasts or that speed-listening to podcasts was a common trend.
Despite how loony some podcasts are, I feel like almost all podcasts can be appreciated in some way, which was part of the reason why I started this column. They’re amazing for almost the same reason as fiction novels: a listener or reader uses their imagination from the sounds they’re listening or the words they’re reading to be immersed in a new story.
Also, if you didn’t know, I graduate in two weeks. Graduation is the kind of event that makes for moments of existential crisis and sheer joy all wrapped into one, crazy feeling. I’ve done most of what I wanted to do in Athens, and I’ve seen plenty. I don’t regret anything, but it’s about time to move on.
I still I have one last request before I expire from this godforsaken, beautiful city: Bury me with my headphones.
When life hits the "stop button" for me 50-60 years from now, bury me with my clunky, square, Harman Kardon Bluetooth headphones next to the Hocking River.
Take out my phone and play the first podcast I ever listened to as a teenager, "Love + Radio," the audio of the podcast playing through my headphones now 10 feet into the ground.
Then take a Chipotle Ranch Mamma burrito (chorizo, no tomato) from Big Mamma’s Burritos, unwrap the foil on top and place the burrito next to my headstone. Ironically sprinkle holy water on it.
And finally, above all things, keep listening, sharing and enjoying podcasts. There are so many podcasts I didn’t get a chance to review that deserve the same amount of adoration and respect that some podcasts have gotten in this column.
More and more people are listening to podcasts, and more people — especially from diverse backgrounds — are making podcasts. Podcasting has a bright future, and I’m excited to see where it goes from here.
These are my final wishes as the Podfather.
Liam Niemeyer is a senior studying journalism in Ohio University’s Honors Tutorial College. Please note that the views and opinions of the columnists do not reflect those of The Post. Want to say your last words to Liam? Tweet him @liamniemeyer.
