RedCircle VERIFY_TOKEN_bc966299-48d2-45cd-9240-0de92cc07331 -- Rendered At Wed, 29 Apr 2026 03:46:41 +0000 Pop Comforts https://redcircle.com/shows/popcomforts en-US All rights reserved. Exploring the unexpected corners of popular culture that bring us comfort. David Peterkofsky Pop Comforts is a seven-part series that dives deep into the unexpected corners of popular culture that we turn to for comfort. Join host David Peterkofsky as he journeys through the quirky, nostalgic, and most unlikely aspects of pop culture that people seek out for solace. bc966299-48d2-45cd-9240-0de92cc07331 Pop Comforts is a seven-part series that dives deep into the unexpected corners of popular culture that we turn to for comfort. Join host David Peterkofsky as he journeys through the quirky, nostalgic, and most unlikely aspects of pop culture that people seek out for solace.

]]> episodic no David Peterkofsky forkeepspodcast@gmail.com no full Ep. 7: On "Thank You for Being a Friend" Ep. 7: On "Thank You for Being a Friend" 7 David Peterkofsky An iconic TV theme song, Andrew Gold’s ode to friendship was first a 1970s pop hit. Meet one man who inspired it, and another who was inspired by it. Read about “Emigré,” an oratorio featuring lyrics by Brock Walsh, at https://www.nyphil.org/concerts-tickets/explore/emigre Music by Chris Zabriskie, Blue Dot Sessions, ALBIS, and Ernie Francestine Visit Pop Comforts on Medium at https://popcomfortspodcast.medium.com An iconic TV theme song, Andrew Gold’s ode to friendship was first a 1970s pop hit. Meet one man who inspired it, and another who was inspired by it.

]]> <p>An iconic TV theme song, Andrew Gold’s ode to friendship was first a 1970s pop hit. Meet one man who inspired it, and another who was inspired by it.</p><ul><li><em>Read about “Emigré,” an oratorio featuring lyrics by Brock Walsh, at </em><a href="https://www.nyphil.org/concerts-tickets/explore/emigre" rel="nofollow"><em>https://www.nyphil.org/concerts-tickets/explore/emigre</em></a></li><li><em>Hear Brock Walsh’s version of “Thank You for Being a Friend” at </em><a href="https://soundcloud.com/brock-walsh-1/thank-you-for-being-a-friend-ukulele-and-voice-mix-11" rel="nofollow"><em>https://soundcloud.com/brock-walsh-1/thank-you-for-being-a-friend-ukulele-and-voice-mix-11</em></a></li><li><em>Music by </em><a href="https://chriszabriskie.bandcamp.com/" rel="nofollow"><em>Chris Zabriskie</em></a>,<em> </em><a href="https://www.sessions.blue" rel="nofollow"><em>Blue Dot Sessions</em></a><em>, </em><a href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLGo-VcRTwi5uRBh0kOy5-9wOnaw6KvOcY" rel="nofollow"><em>ALBIS</em></a><em>, and </em><a href="https://erniefrancestine.bandcamp.com" rel="nofollow"><em>Ernie Francestine</em></a></li><li><em>Visit Pop Comforts on Medium at </em><a href="https://popcomfortspodcast.medium.com/" rel="nofollow"><em>https://popcomfortspodcast.medium.com</em></a></li><li><em>Contact the show at </em><a href="mailto:forkeepspodcast@gmail.com" rel="nofollow"><em>forkeepspodcast@gmail.com</em></a></li></ul> 58cbdd73-63de-4683-8300-7baf5158ae48 https://popcomfortspodcast.medium.com Wed, 12 Jun 2024 11:30:00 +0000 2596 no full Ep. 6: Kava, the Calming Pacific Drink, Is Riding a Wave Ep. 6: Kava, the Calming Pacific Drink, Is Riding a Wave 6 David Peterkofsky Derived from a plant’s roots, the traditional beverage is spreading far beyond the tropics. Visit ‘Anau Mesui-Henry’s Four Shells Kava Lounge at https://www.fourshellskava.co.nz Watch the Kavasseur on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbpC0phmXszlfSJ4diSgzNQ Music by Chris Zabriskie, Blue Dot Sessions, and Ernie Francestine Visit Pop Comforts on Medium at https://popcomfortspodcast.medium.com Derived from a plant’s roots, the traditional beverage is spreading far beyond the tropics.

]]> <p>Derived from a plant’s roots, the traditional beverage is spreading far beyond the tropics.</p><ul><li><em>Visit ‘Anau Mesui-Henry’s Four Shells Kava Lounge at </em><a href="https://www.fourshellskava.co.nz/" rel="nofollow"><em>https://www.fourshellskava.co.nz</em></a></li><li><em>Watch the Kavasseur on YouTube at </em><a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbpC0phmXszlfSJ4diSgzNQ" rel="nofollow"><em>https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbpC0phmXszlfSJ4diSgzNQ</em></a></li><li><em>Music by </em><a href="https://chriszabriskie.bandcamp.com" rel="nofollow"><em>Chris Zabriskie</em></a><em>, </em><a href="https://www.sessions.blue" rel="nofollow"><em>Blue Dot Sessions</em></a><em>, and </em><a href="https://erniefrancestine.bandcamp.com" rel="nofollow"><em>Ernie Francestine</em></a></li><li><em>Visit Pop Comforts on Medium at </em><a href="https://popcomfortspodcast.medium.com/" rel="nofollow"><em>https://popcomfortspodcast.medium.com</em></a></li><li><em>Contact the show at </em><a href="mailto:forkeepspodcast@gmail.com" rel="nofollow"><em>forkeepspodcast@gmail.com</em></a></li></ul> 38498428-452a-43c8-88bc-7a66b372b890 https://popcomfortspodcast.medium.com Wed, 05 Jun 2024 11:30:00 +0000 2481 no full Ep. 5: AI, Voice Cloning, and Hearing Lost Loved Ones Anew Ep. 5: AI, Voice Cloning, and Hearing Lost Loved Ones Anew 5 David Peterkofsky How a grieving son uses AI to hear his late father speak. Visit Andy O’Donnell’s Amazon page at https://www.amazon.com/stores/J.-Andrew-ODonnell/author/B08D91NG1J Read the poem “Epitaph” by Merrit Malloy at https://www.goodreads.com/author/quotes/85635.Merrit_Malloy Music by Chris Zabriskie, Chad Crouch, and Alexis & the Samurai Visit Pop Comforts on Medium at https://popcomfortspodcast.medium.com Andy’s voice-cloning tutorial: 1. Go to https://elevenlabs.io and register for a “starter” account (the minimum level required to create a cloned voice). 2. Go to the “Voice Lab” section of the site. 3. Click the “+” button to “Add Generative or Cloned Voice” and choose the “Instant Voice Cloning” option. 4. Name your voice and fill out the rest of the details. 5. Upload video clips (containing audio) or other file types (MP3 files) containing audio samples of your loved one’s voice. For best results, you should try to make sure the clip contains audio of only their voice; edit out other people’s voices if possible. 6. Submit the samples, and wait a few minutes for the service to build the voice clone. 7. Once the voice is created, tap the “Use” button on the Voice Lab page or tap “Speech Synthesis” from the top-right menu and select the voice you just created. 8. Type or copy/paste what you want the voice to say and tap “Generate,” and wait until the text-to-speech conversion process is done. 9. Press the play button to hear the cloned voice say what you typed, and tap download and if you want to save it. 10. If you want to adjust anything to try and make it sound better, tap the “Voice Settings” drop down menu and adjust the sliders. I raised the “Style Exaggeration” up to middle level and that seemed to really improve the believability of the voice for me. How a grieving son uses AI to hear his late father speak.



Andy’s voice-cloning tutorial:

  1. Go to https://elevenlabs.io and register for a “starter” account (the minimum level required to create a cloned voice). 
  2. Go to the “Voice Lab” section of the site.
  3. Click the “+” button to “Add Generative or Cloned Voice” and choose the “Instant Voice Cloning” option.
  4. Name your voice and fill out the rest of the details.
  5. Upload video clips (containing audio) or other file types (MP3 files) containing audio samples of your loved one’s voice. For best results, you should try to make sure the clip contains audio of only their voice; edit out other people’s voices if possible. 
  6. Submit the samples, and wait a few minutes for the service to build the voice clone.
  7. Once the voice is created, tap the “Use” button on the Voice Lab page or tap “Speech Synthesis” from the top-right menu and select the voice you just created.
  8. Type or copy/paste what you want the voice to say and tap “Generate,” and wait until the text-to-speech conversion process is done.
  9. Press the play button to hear the cloned voice say what you typed, and tap download and if you want to save it.
  10. If you want to adjust anything to try and make it sound better, tap the “Voice Settings” drop down menu and adjust the sliders. I raised the “Style Exaggeration” up to middle level and that seemed to really improve the believability of the voice for me.
]]> <p>How a grieving son uses AI to hear his late father speak.</p><ul><li><em>Visit Andy O’Donnell’s Amazon page at </em><a href="https://www.amazon.com/stores/J.-Andrew-ODonnell/author/B08D91NG1J" rel="nofollow"><em>https://www.amazon.com/stores/J.-Andrew-ODonnell/author/B08D91NG1J</em></a></li><li><em>Read the poem “Epitaph” by Merrit Malloy at </em><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/quotes/85635.Merrit_Malloy" rel="nofollow"><em>https://www.goodreads.com/author/quotes/85635.Merrit_Malloy</em></a></li><li><em>Music by </em><a href="https://chriszabriskie.bandcamp.com/" rel="nofollow"><em>Chris Zabriskie</em></a><em>, </em><a href="https://www.soundofpicture.com/" rel="nofollow"><em>Chad Crouch</em></a><em>, and </em><a href="https://open.spotify.com/artist/78nOwrtTw7YLo3xR3C2Snp" rel="nofollow"><em>Alexis &amp; the Samurai</em></a></li><li><em>Visit Pop Comforts on Medium at </em><a href="https://popcomfortspodcast.medium.com/" rel="nofollow"><em>https://popcomfortspodcast.medium.com</em></a></li><li><em>Contact the show at </em><a href="mailto:forkeepspodcast@gmail.com" rel="nofollow"><em>forkeepspodcast@gmail.com</em></a></li></ul><p><em><span></span></em></p><p><em>Andy’s voice-cloning tutorial:</em></p><ol><li><em>Go to </em><a href="https://elevenlabs.io/" rel="nofollow"><em>https://elevenlabs.io</em></a><em> and register for a “starter” account (the minimum level required to create a cloned voice). </em></li><li><em>Go to the “Voice Lab” section of the site.</em></li><li><em>Click the “+” button to “Add Generative or Cloned Voice” and choose the “Instant Voice Cloning” option.</em></li><li><em>Name your voice and fill out the rest of the details.</em></li><li><em>Upload video clips (containing audio) or other file types (MP3 files) containing audio samples of your loved one’s voice. For best results, you should try to make sure the clip contains audio of only their voice; edit out other people’s voices if possible. </em></li><li><em>Submit the samples, and wait a few minutes for the service to build the voice clone.</em></li><li><em>Once the voice is created, tap the “Use” button on the Voice Lab page or tap “Speech Synthesis” from the top-right menu and select the voice you just created.</em></li><li><em>Type or copy/paste what you want the voice to say and tap “Generate,” and wait until the text-to-speech conversion process is done.</em></li><li><em>Press the play button to hear the cloned voice say what you typed, and tap download and if you want to save it.</em></li><li><em>If you want to adjust anything to try and make it sound better, tap the “Voice Settings” drop down menu and adjust the sliders. I raised the “Style Exaggeration” up to middle level and that seemed to really improve the believability of the voice for me.</em></li></ol> 7d46460f-81b3-423d-8b37-bdab0107779b https://popcomfortspodcast.medium.com Wed, 29 May 2024 11:30:00 +0000 1650 no full Ep. 4: Jazz Cafes and Bars, Japan's Coziest, Quirkiest Export Ep. 4: Jazz Cafes and Bars, Japan's Coziest, Quirkiest Export 4 David Peterkofsky Originating in Tokyo, jazz “kissa” coffee shops and bars offer music appreciation with minimal chatter — and have inspired similar spots beyond Japan. Visit Tokyo Jazz Joints online at https://www.tokyojazzjoints.com Buy the “Tokyo Jazz Joints” book (by Philip Arneill with James Catchpole) at https://www.kehrerverlag.com/en/philip-arneill-tokyo-jazz-joints-978-3-96900-120-2 Visit Bar Shiru in Oakland, California, at https://www.barshiru.com Music by Chris Zabriskie, Stan Tracey, and Ernie Francestine Visit Pop Comforts on Medium at https://popcomfortspodcast.medium.com Originating in Tokyo, jazz “kissa” coffee shops and bars offer music appreciation with minimal chatter — and have inspired similar spots beyond Japan.

]]> <p>Originating in Tokyo, jazz “kissa” coffee shops and bars offer music appreciation with minimal chatter — and have inspired similar spots beyond Japan.</p><ul><li><em>Visit </em>Tokyo Jazz Joints<em> online at </em><a href="https://www.tokyojazzjoints.com" rel="nofollow"><em>https://www.tokyojazzjoints.com</em></a></li><li><em>Buy the “Tokyo Jazz Joints” book (by Philip Arneill with James Catchpole) at </em><a href="https://www.kehrerverlag.com/en/philip-arneill-tokyo-jazz-joints-978-3-96900-120-2" rel="nofollow"><em>https://www.kehrerverlag.com/en/philip-arneill-tokyo-jazz-joints-978-3-96900-120-2</em></a></li><li><em>Visit Bar Shiru in Oakland, California, at </em><a href="https://www.barshiru.com" rel="nofollow"><em>https://www.barshiru.com</em></a></li><li><em>Music by </em><a href="https://chriszabriskie.bandcamp.com" rel="nofollow"><em>Chris Zabriskie</em></a><em>, </em><a href="https://clarktracey.bandcamp.com/" rel="nofollow"><em>Stan Tracey</em></a><em>, and </em><a href="https://erniefrancestine.bandcamp.com" rel="nofollow"><em>Ernie Francestine</em></a></li><li><em>Visit Pop Comforts on Medium at </em><a href="https://popcomfortspodcast.medium.com/" rel="nofollow"><em>https://popcomfortspodcast.medium.com</em></a></li><li><em>Contact the show at </em><a href="mailto:forkeepspodcast@gmail.com" rel="nofollow"><em>forkeepspodcast@gmail.com</em></a></li></ul> 84993143-9e32-4d42-bd99-9ee96911a0e9 https://popcomfortspodcast.medium.com Wed, 22 May 2024 11:30:00 +0000 2595 no full Ep. 3: Windham Hill Records’ Quiet Revolution Ep. 3: Windham Hill Records’ Quiet Revolution 3 David Peterkofsky Guitarist Will Ackerman founded a music label — and inadvertently kickstarted the New Age music movement. Visit Will Ackerman online at https://www.williamackerman.com Visit John Dark’s tribute to Windham Hill Records at https://www.windhamhillrecords.com Music by Chris Zabriskie, Lou Cunningham, and Ernie Francestine Visit Pop Comforts on Medium at https://popcomfortspodcast.medium.com Guitarist Will Ackerman founded a music label — and inadvertently kickstarted the New Age music movement. 

]]> <p>Guitarist Will Ackerman founded a music label — and inadvertently kickstarted the New Age music movement. </p><ul><li><em>Visit Will Ackerman online at </em><a href="https://www.williamackerman.com" rel="nofollow"><em>https://www.williamackerman.com</em></a></li><li><em>Visit John Dark’s tribute to Windham Hill Records at </em><a href="https://www.windhamhillrecords.com" rel="nofollow"><em>https://www.windhamhillrecords.com</em></a></li><li><em>Music by </em><a href="https://chriszabriskie.bandcamp.com" rel="nofollow"><em>Chris Zabriskie</em></a><em>, </em><a href="https://loucunningham.bandcamp.com/" rel="nofollow"><em>Lou Cunningham</em></a><em>, and </em><a href="https://erniefrancestine.bandcamp.com" rel="nofollow"><em>Ernie Francestine</em></a></li><li><em>Visit Pop Comforts on Medium at </em><a href="https://popcomfortspodcast.medium.com/" rel="nofollow"><em>https://popcomfortspodcast.medium.com</em></a></li><li><em>Contact the show at </em><a href="mailto:forkeepspodcast@gmail.com" rel="nofollow"><em>forkeepspodcast@gmail.com</em></a></li></ul> 1ed953ce-6d94-442c-a941-5463325209ee https://popcomfortspodcast.medium.com/ep-3-windham-hill-records-quiet-revolution-6643215fbfc5 Wed, 15 May 2024 11:30:00 +0000 2511 yes full Ep. 2: The Fireplace Loved Round the World Ep. 2: The Fireplace Loved Round the World 2 David Peterkofsky George Ford’s fireplace videos warm hearts — and often top the Netflix charts during the holidays. Visit Fireplace for Your Home at https://www.fireplaceforyourhome.com Visit The Yule Log, the fan site for the original WPIX Yule Log, at http://www.theyulelog.com Music by Chris Zabriskie, Blue Dot Sessions, and Ernie Francestine Visit Pop Comforts on Medium at https://popcomfortspodcast.medium.com George Ford’s fireplace videos warm hearts — and often top the Netflix charts during the holidays. 

]]> <p>George Ford’s fireplace videos warm hearts — and often top the Netflix charts during the holidays. </p><ul><li><em>Visit </em>Fireplace for Your Home<em> at </em><a href="https://www.fireplaceforyourhome.com" rel="nofollow"><em>https://www.fireplaceforyourhome.com</em></a></li><li><em>Visit </em>The Yule Log<em>, the fan site for the original WPIX Yule Log, at </em><a href="http://www.theyulelog.com" rel="nofollow"><em>http://www.theyulelog.com</em></a></li><li><em>Music by </em><a href="https://chriszabriskie.bandcamp.com" rel="nofollow"><em>Chris Zabriskie</em></a><em>, </em><a href="https://www.sessions.blue" rel="nofollow"><em>Blue Dot Sessions</em></a><em>, and </em><a href="https://erniefrancestine.bandcamp.com" rel="nofollow"><em>Ernie Francestine</em></a></li><li><em>Visit Pop Comforts on Medium at </em><a href="https://popcomfortspodcast.medium.com/" rel="nofollow"><em>https://popcomfortspodcast.medium.com</em></a></li><li><em>Contact the show at </em><a href="mailto:forkeepspodcast@gmail.com" rel="nofollow"><em>forkeepspodcast@gmail.com</em></a></li></ul> 3af173bb-54cb-4e2f-a5a4-6dbc8835028d https://popcomfortspodcast.medium.com/ep-2-the-fireplace-loved-round-the-world-de7f539c35ff Wed, 08 May 2024 11:30:00 +0000 2057 no full Ep. 1: The Wind Phone Rings True for Believers Ep. 1: The Wind Phone Rings True for Believers 1 David Peterkofsky A grieving man in Japan installed a phone booth in his garden, and a pop-culture trend was born. Visit Amy Dawson's directory of wind phones at https://www.mywindphone.com Read Doug Brown's essay on his wind phone experience at https://medium.com/the-wind-phone/i-visited-a-wind-phone-near-me-today-38a71c65ceb9 Music by Chris Zabriskie, Oliver Qiu, and Ernie Francestine Visit Pop Comforts on Medium at https://popcomfortspodcast.medium.com A grieving man in Japan installed a phone booth in his garden, and a pop-culture trend was born.

]]> <p>A grieving man in Japan installed a phone booth in his garden, and a pop-culture trend was born.</p><ul><li><em>Visit Amy Dawson&#39;s directory of wind phones at </em><a href="https://www.mywindphone.com" rel="nofollow"><em>https://www.mywindphone.com</em></a></li><li><em>Read Doug Brown&#39;s essay on his wind phone experience at </em><a href="https://medium.com/the-wind-phone/i-visited-a-wind-phone-near-me-today-38a71c65ceb9" rel="nofollow"><em>https://medium.com/the-wind-phone/i-visited-a-wind-phone-near-me-today-38a71c65ceb9</em></a></li><li><em>Music by </em><a href="https://chriszabriskie.bandcamp.com" rel="nofollow"><em>Chris Zabriskie</em></a><em>, </em><a href="https://oliverqiu.bandcamp.com/" rel="nofollow"><em>Oliver Qiu</em></a><em>, and </em><a href="https://erniefrancestine.bandcamp.com" rel="nofollow"><em>Ernie Francestine</em></a></li><li><em>Visit Pop Comforts on Medium at </em><a href="https://popcomfortspodcast.medium.com" rel="nofollow"><em>https://popcomfortspodcast.medium.com</em></a></li><li><em>Contact the show at </em><a href="mailto:forkeepspodcast@gmail.com" rel="nofollow"><em>forkeepspodcast@gmail.com</em></a></li></ul> fd764922-4ca5-434b-ab29-bd0d542a14cf https://popcomfortspodcast.medium.com/ep-1-the-wind-phone-rings-true-for-believers-fb6e6c5b381e Wed, 01 May 2024 11:30:00 +0000 2598 no trailer Trailer: Introducing Pop Comforts Trailer: Introducing Pop Comforts David Peterkofsky A podcaster follows his curiosity and dives deep into the unexpected corners of popular culture that bring us comfort. The series launches in May 2024. A podcaster follows his curiosity and dives deep into the unexpected corners of popular culture that bring us comfort. The series launches in May 2024.

]]> <p>A podcaster follows his curiosity and dives deep into the unexpected corners of popular culture that bring us comfort. The series launches in May 2024.</p> efd38b29-1a93-4031-8441-3c7c5d8d327f https://popcomfortspodcast.medium.com Tue, 09 Apr 2024 19:00:00 +0000 120 no