Q&A With Your Queue: Elin Lantz Lesser
Can you believe that it's almost September? Time keeps flying by, and I feel like I can't keep up! There are so many podcasts to listen to, so many books to read, and so many sunsets to enjoy.
This week's Q&A is with Elin Lantz Lesser. I'm really excited to share this work with everyone, and give a fun bit of insight into this producer/host.
Enjoy!
Q) Who are you?
A) I’m a producer and host of podcasts, especially true crime or documentary shows. I’ve produced (and/or cohosted) the Turning for the last 3 seasons, which focuses on extreme groups with problematic power dynamics. I’ve also hosted America’s Crime Lab, Comebacks from the Cold, and Break in a Cold Case. I also have a fun little Youtube Channel and have a past career in clinical psychology.
From Keelin: Oh? A Youtube Channel? Looks like I have a little rabbit hole to go down. That's so exciting!
Q) What podcast are you working on?
A) I’ve been working on The Turning: River Road for 9 months. It follows the story of Lindsay Tornambe, who grew up inside an extreme cult called River Road Fellowship. The series follows the twists and turns of her journey and her transformation into one of the two whistleblowers of the group that led to an international manhunt.
Q) What was the first podcast you listened to?
A) Hard to remember! Possibly This American Life? Maybe a bit cliche to have it as a starting point–I know I’m not alone. But I do love getting all these slices of the human experience in such a thought-provoking way that takes the time to reflect on the topics while still keeping things fun.
From Keelin: Okay but considering that This American Life was just rated the #1 podcast in the Essential Listening Poll, I have a feeling I'm going to be seeing this one a whole lot more in the coming Q&As! I love that so many people have the same places to go back to.
4) What’s the most important or interesting podcast you listened to?
I’m breaking the rules, and I’ll list two.
I really admired the podcast, Believed, which focuses on the case against Larry Nassar, the Olympic gymnastics doctor convicted of sexual abuse. It frames the story in a sensitive way and explores the deep impact of what happened on so many.
I also love the show Maintenance Phase, a surprisingly hilarious show that explores the wellness industry and all its quirks and dangers. It’s hosted by Aubrey Gordon and Michael Hobbes, who tell stories of wellness influencers gone rogue, inane diets and diet culture, and the spread of misinformation and tackles the oft-ignored issue of fatphobia. I actually used to research eating disorders, and still this podcast has changed how I see the world. It’s improved my awareness of how enmeshed weight bias is still in our culture and media.
From Keelin: Okay, I don't know if I can choose which one to highlight here, but we're going to do both. I'm really happy to see both of these podcasts. They're both important in such different ways.
5) What’s your favorite escape pod?
I adore Normal Gossip. It gets me out of my head and gets me laughing while I’m cleaning my house. Plus I swear it’s like a masterclass in suspense and storytelling.
From Keelin: Normal Gossip number...yeah we'll end up doing a round up at the end of the year I think.
I hope you enjoyed today's Q&A! Join us on social media tomorrow for Queuesday! I can't wait to see what you're listening to.