Show overview
Ephemeral has been publishing since 2019, and across the 4 years since has built a catalogue of 59 episodes, alongside 7 trailers or bonus episodes. That works out to roughly 45 hours of audio in total. Releases follow a monthly cadence, with the show now in its 3rd season.
Episodes typically run thirty-five to sixty minutes — most land between 36 min and 57 min — though episode length varies meaningfully from one episode to the next. None of the episodes are flagged explicit by the publisher. It is catalogued as a EN-US-language History show.
The catalogue appears to be on hiatus or wound down — the most recent episode landed 2.4 years ago, with no new episodes in over a year. The busiest year was 2021, with 25 episodes published. Published by iHeartPodcasts.
From the publisher
The best source on our cultural identity is not the official, historical record — ask any anthropologist, it’s the town dump. Ephemera — those things that were just barely saved, and in some cases not saved at all — emanate with secrets we can only glimpse and mysteries we can never completely answer. The stories may be unfamiliar, but the themes are universal; this is a looking glass, a window into our own fragile, material existence that begs the question, “How will I be remembered?”
Latest Episodes
View all 59 episodes
Ephemeral Podcasts
In our series finale, we ask some of our favorite creators about the ephemeral nature of podcasting itself. Featuring podcasters Josh Clark and Chuck Bryant (Stuff You Should Know), Holly Frey and Tracy V. Wilson (Stuff You Missed In History Class), Robert Lamb and Joe McCormick (Stuff To Blow Your Mind), Ben Bowlin, Matt Frederick, and Noel Brown (Stuff They Don't Want You To Know), and Anney Reese and Lauren Vogelbaum (Savor). See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
UMAN
Listening to the rerelease of the 1992 album Chaleur Humaine by the band UMAN. Featuring artists Danielle and Didier Jean and record label proprietor Matt Werth of RVNG and Freedom to Spend. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Vampira
The original, spooky, late-night TV host and one of the most influential characters in horror media, Vampira was the alter ego of Maila Nurmi, whose personal life was just as interesting offscreen. We talk with Maila's niece Sandra Niemi, author of the new biography "Glamour Ghoul."See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Video Stores III: Vidiots
We revisit our series on video stores by showcasing the iconic, LA-based Vidiots, one of the only female-owned and operated video stores in the country. Vidiots closed in 2017, but are planning a major re-opening in Eagle Rock later this year. Featuring Maggie Mackay, Executive Director of Vidiots Foundation.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Movie Theaters
Nothing beats seeing a good movie on the big screen. But in the age of online streaming, how do theaters survive and continue to stay relevant? Featuring Jules McLean, Director of Operations for the New Beverly Cinema.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sideshow
The history of the American Sideshow with guests Robin Miniter and Taylor Hagerdorn, the team behind the podcast Grim and Mild Presents: Sideshow. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Loyalty Freak Music
Longtime Ephemeral listeners may recognize the music of chameleon artist Rrrrrose Azerty, although it can be a little tricky. They use twenty different aliases, produce music in every genre, and have released over 200 albums in the last decade. And almost all of it has been given away for free. Further listening at LoyaltyFreakMusic.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Ed Wood II
We continue our deep dive in the life and work of director Ed Wood with an exploration of Wood's later years and his posthumous rise to fame. Then the hosts of Ephemeral sit down together to geek out about their favorite Wood films.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Ed Wood I
1959's Plan 9 From Outer Space has been called "the worst film of all time," its creator Edward D. Wood Jr. "the worst director." But Plan 9 and the rest of Wood's canon have since become beloved cult classics. The first of a two-parter of the life and work of Ed Wood, featuring writers Bill Shute and Katharine Coldiron, and family-friend Bob Blackburn.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Star Ads
Audio ephemera collector Bob Purse returns to talk about more radio ads, this time from a source that remains a mystery. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Radio Ads
The history of advertising over the air, featuring Cynthia B. Meyers, author of A Word from Our Sponsor: Admen, Advertising, and the Golden Age of Radio.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
BONUS: Video Game Saves
Video games create a marvelous world for players to live in and explore. But given the ephemeral nature of video game saves, these worlds can cease to exist in the blink of an eye. In today’s episode, we explore the aftermath of that loss, featuring our friends Matt Davidson, Josh Chandler, Matt Frederick, Kevin Kuhl, Anney Reese, and Trevor Young.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
S3 Ep 6Video Games II
We wrap our historical dive into video games with the modern age of gaming, from Playstation to Xbox to Nintendo. Then, we sit down with iHeart's nerdiest gamers to discuss why our favorite games mean so much to us. Featuring Steven L. Kent, author of The Ultimate History of Video Games Vol. I & II., Matt Frederick, host of the podcast Stuff They Don't Want You To Know, and Anney Reese from the podcasts Stuff Mom Never Told You and Savor.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
S3 Ep 5Video Games I
From Pong to Elden Ring, video games have dominated the interactive entertainment world for over half a century. We explore gaming's humble beginnings in arcades and trace how games became a culture defining pastime. Featuring author Steven L. Kent and journalist Eddie Adlum. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
S3 Ep 4Walking and Silence
In our chaotic, noisy world, how does one find silence? Not only quiet surroundings, but inner silence. The second part of our conversation with explorer, author, art collector and publisher Erling Kagge. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
S3 Ep 3Exploration
What draws us off the beaten path? The first of a two-parter featuring polar explorer and author Erling Kagge. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
S3 Ep 2Moog Synthesizers
In the 1950's, engineer Bob Moog started to tinker and build his own electronic instruments. Little did he know that his invention, the Moog Synthesizer, would revolutionize music for decades to come. Featuring Michelle Moog-Koussa, founder of the Bob Moog Foundation, and former Moog Music engineer August Worley. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
S3 Ep 1Trash
With an unprecedented amount of new stuff being made, bought and sold everyday, we’re more likely than ever to throw things away. But where is away? Featuring historian Susan Strasser, author of Waste and Want: A Social History of Trash. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
S2 Ep 24Noel
It's a Williams family Christmas in search of Romeo Muller's last film, 1992's Noël . https://youtu.be/BzKj4jYuG-I Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
S2 Ep 23Winter Solstice
Across the globe and back to antiquity, this changing of season has been recognized in ritual, story and song. Featuring Carolyn McVickar Edwards, educator and author of the collection The Return of the Light: Twelve Tales from Around the World for the Winter Solstice. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.