Q&A With Your Queue: Katie Stokes

Another Monday has arrived and we have more queue-spiration to get you ready for tomorrow's celebration.

Ba dum tss.

Last week, I reviewed Floating Space. Since writing and publishing that review, I realized I describe it so differently in conversation. So, since you're all my friends, Floating Space is a bubble bath of a podcast. It's comforting, relaxing, fortifying, and more. Read my full review below if you haven't yet, because today's Q&A is with the host, Katie Stokes.

Onto the interview!

Q: Who are you?

A: Hello! I'm Katie, (newly!) award-winning freelance audio producer based in Brighton, UK. My work focuses on identity and belonging. I'm originally from Hong Kong but have found myself in the UK for the last 8 years – wow time flies, I've even grown to love winter swimming... 

Q: What are you working on?

A: My latest show is "Floating Space" – a six-part anthology for anyone searching for a place where they truly belong. Sociologists believe that everyone needs three places: home, work, and a space in between – the third place. But in a post-Covid, cost-of-living crisis, and online-centred world, how many of us actually have that third place? This podcast came about after I moved to London and struggled to find community in the big city. In my loneliness, I figured I couldn't possibly be the only one and started documenting my journey to find the place I belonged. It was a really eye-opening journey filled with surprises, generosity, and plenty of open, welcoming doors.

Q: What is the first podcast you listened to?

A: Couldn't be anything other than the podcast that started it all: "Serial". That was definitely the one that got me hooked. The style, storytelling and real-world impact of that show really showed me what you could do with the medium and opened up my ears to all the shows I know and love today.

Q: What's the most important podcast you've listened to?

A: I listen to a lot of audio documentaries as a window into worlds I know nothing about and one I come back to a lot is The Retrievals. The way that investigation was laid out, the stories that unfolded, and the way it made me feel having never been in that situation was really quite harrowing. It's by no means a balanced investigation but I do think it's both an important and interesting listen as a lay person and audio maker.

From Keelin: I reviewed The Retrievals way back when. You can read my review here. I can't believe it's been two years!

Q: What's your favorite escape-pod?

A: Actually, the show I recommend the most is always "Search Engine". I'm obsessed with PJ Vogt's style and the show does such a good job of dissecting questions you never knew you needed the answers to. I just think it's a great gateway show for anyone that doesn't really listen to podcasts but wants to learn something a bit different and needs

Thanks for answering my questions, Katie! For my readers, The Retrievals recently released a second season. It's a tough one to listen to, but like the first season, well worth it.

Come back on Wednesday for another review, and remember to join us tomorrow on your favorite social media for Queuesday! I'll be over on Instagram and Threads, mostly.

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