Episode notes
In our last episode, we followed composer John Williams from his childhood to his 1970s run with Steven Spielberg and George Lucas. Now, we pick up the story as John enters an era of seemingly impossible success… from Raiders of the Lost Ark to Home Alone, Jurassic Park, Schindler’s List, and beyond. In this episode, we explore how John revived the grand orchestral score, conquered the classical music world, and crafted melodies that millions of people can instantly recognize. Along the way, journalist Tim Greiving reveals the habits, quirks, and creative brilliance of this living legend.…
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Twenty Thousand Hertz
Dallas Taylor · Arts & Books · English
The stories behind the world's most recognizable and interesting sounds. Whether you're a professional audio engineer with decades of experience, a fourth grader who loves sound and music, or anyone in between, Twenty Thousand Hertz will help unlock your sonic world… from the sound design secrets of
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E248 · 7 Sep 2026 · 33 min
I'm (Still) Lovin' It: The McDonald's Jingle Saga Continues
The “I’m Lovin’ It” jingle is one of the most recognizable melodies on Earth. But the story behind it involves a global competition, thousands of mixes, a Trojan Horse pop song, and a surprising amount of celebrity beef. In this updated version of one of our favorite episodes, we trace how a five-note jingle became a worldwide phenomenon, and the controversy over who actually wrote it. Featuring Tom Batoy and Franco Tortora of Mona Davis Music . Twenty Thousand Hertz is produced by Defacto Sound . Support the show and get ad-free episodes at 20k.org/plus . Subscribe on…
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E247 · 24 Aug 2026 · 26 min
Listener Stories 2026 (Silver): Keyboard Clicks & Singing Forests
Our 2026 Listener Story competition continues with five more incredible listener-made pieces. In this Silver collection, you’ll hear the surprising craft behind mechanical keyboards, the natural sounds hidden in Indian ragas, and how learning a new language can transform noise into belonging. Twenty Thousand Hertz is produced by Defacto Sound . Subscribe on YouTube to see our video series. Follow Dallas on Instagram , TikTok , Facebook , and LinkedIn . If you know what this week's mystery sound is, tell us at…
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E246 · 10 Aug 2026 · 42 min
Colbert & Fallon: Mixing Music for Late Night TV
Mixing music for Late Night television means working fast, putting artists at ease, and delivering polished mixes under immense pressure. In this episode, the Music Mixers of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert and The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon swap stories from decades behind the console. They reveal performances that went sideways, why backing tracks can actually make their jobs harder, and what it’s like mixing everyone from Cynthia Erivo to Paul McCartney. Featuring Harvey Goldberg and Lawrence Manchester . Twenty Thousand Hertz is produced by Defacto Sound . Watch Dallas'…
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E245 · 27 Jul 2026 · 28 min
Listener Stories 2026 (Bronze): AI Music & Coral Crackles
Twenty Thousand Hertz proudly presents the first five selections from our 2026 Listener Story competition. From AI-generated music, to the hidden crackle of coral reefs, to historic birdsong recordings, these bite-sized stories are crafted with curiosity and care. Twenty Thousand Hertz is produced by Defacto Sound . Subscribe on YouTube to see our video series. Follow Dallas on Instagram , TikTok , Facebook , and LinkedIn . Support the show and get ad-free episodes at 20k.org/plus . If you know what this…
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E244 · 13 Jul 2026 · 34 min
Eurovision Song Contest: Inside the Gimmicks & Glamour
For millions of people, Eurovision is a cultural institution, and one of the biggest live television events on Earth. But for many Americans, it remains a complete mystery. In this episode, producer Andrew Anderson takes Dallas and Grace on a joyful crash course through the history, music, controversies, and glorious absurdity of the Eurovision Song Contest. Along the way, they discover which music superstars got their start in Eurovision, how receiving “nul points” can ruin or launch a career, and what this competition reveals about Europe itself. Featuring “Doctor Eurovision” Paul Jordan .
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E242 · 1 Jun 2026 · 33 min
John Williams: A Composer’s Life
John Williams has written some of the most famous film scores ever, from Star Wars to Indiana Jones to Jurassic Park. But before the blockbuster success, there was a kid growing up around jazz musicians in New York, and a young composer trying to find his voice. In this episode, journalist Tim Greiving takes us through John’s early life and career, from his years as a session player to the meeting with Steven Spielberg that changed everything. Along the way, we unpack the stories behind John’s early iconic scores, including the two-note terror of Jaws, the symphonic world of Star Wars, and…
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E241 · 25 May 2026 · 29 min
Age of Audio: The Future of Podcasting (and 20k)
After making Age of Audio , a feature documentary about the history of podcasting, filmmaker Shaun Michael Colón sat down with Dallas for a revealing conversation about the state and future of this industry. Together, Dallas & Shaun unpack the shift toward celebrity chit chat shows, what gets lost in video, the real economics of making Twenty Thousand Hertz, and why highly crafted audio storytelling still matters. Learn about this year’s Listener Stories competition and submit your story at 20k.org/2026 . For updates on Age of Audio, visit the official website , or follow the film on…
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E240 · 18 May 2026 · 40 min
Age of Audio: The Inside Story of Podcasting
The history of podcasting has rarely been told. But in this episode, the brightest minds in podcasting reveal the inside story of this medium: from the invention of RSS feeds, through the Gold Rush era of corporate investments, to the bubble bursting, and the rise of celebrity podcasts. Along the way, Ira Glass explains the origins of This American Life and Serial, Marc Maron recounts Obama visiting his garage, Roman Mars lays out his vision for indie podcasts, and so much more. This story was adapted from the feature documentary Age of Audio . Learn about this year’s Listener Stories…
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E239 · 11 May 2026 · 37 min
The Poop Song Conspiracy
One day, Ethan had an unfortunate bathroom incident. Then, he found an entire collection of songs online with his name in the title… and they all seemed to be about that embarrassing moment. That experience sent Ethan and his sister down a bizarre rabbit hole involving AI music, lots of poop jokes, and possibly the world’s most prolific songwriter. This story comes from the Hyperfixed podcast. Learn about this year’s Listener Stories competition and submit your story at 20k.org/2026 . Twenty Thousand Hertz is produced by Defacto Sound . Support the show and get ad-free episodes at…
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E238 · 4 May 2026 · 28 min
The Heartfelt Music of Bluey w/ Composer Joff Bush
What makes the music of Bluey feel so warm and alive? In this episode, Dallas travels to Brisbane, Australia to visit the studio of Bluey’s composer Joff Bush . There, Joff reveals the quirky instruments, musical easter eggs, and songwriting philosophy behind this beloved series. Along the way, he breaks down the music of two iconic Bluey episodes, “Sleepytime” and “The Sign.” Learn about this year’s Listener Stories competition and submit your story at 20k.org/2026 . See Dallas tour Joff's studio on Youtube . Twenty Thousand Hertz is produced by Defacto Sound . Support the show and get…
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