Emanuele Berry, This American Life
💭 Thoughts on Labi Siffre, Snoop going smokeless, and bringing your authentic self to work.
Thought Enthusiast is an AdHoc Project where we chat with fascinating thought leaders across various facets of music, tech, and culture whose work we admire, simply asking “what’s on your mind?” and “why do you care?” 💭
Emanuele Berry has told tales from the mitten state, wandered around Hong Kong with a microphone, and asked Bachelor contestants about jumping over fences. She is currently the Executive Editor at the radio program & podcast This American Life. Emanuele came to This American Life from Gimlet Media. Before that she worked as a public radio reporter in Michigan and Missouri. Emanuele is a Peabody and Dupont winner. She is also the recipient of a Fulbright award to Macau, China. Emanuele knows way more about the Odyssey and Henry the 8th than you really should.
🎯 Current focus
Right now I'm working on an episode about the recent influx of migrants to New York City that I'm excited about. We are taking wide, medium and close up shots to take listeners inside that world in a new way. I'm also working on this episode with the wonderful Emmanuel Dzotsi and collaborating with him has been a joy.
🎶 “Bless the Telephone” by Labi Siffre
Honestly, I've been listening to Bless the Telephone by Labi Siffre on repeat. That song always feels like a hug to me, and I really think we could all use more of that right now.
I've been obsessed with Interview with the Vampire --- the tv series. Move over Brad Pitt and Tom Cruise. The writing is beautiful, the acting is beautiful. Sinking into the twisted world of this couple is such a joy. Sam Ried walking. Jacob Anderson can ACT !! I'm rambling, but really everyone should watch it.
🗣 “I want it all and I want it all for me”
“Me, Me, Me” -- I spend a lot of time in my work and life looking after others, making sure other people are comfortable, and satisfied. I need to remember to have the same care and concern for myself. So I guess my mantra or mode is very Veruca Salt. I want it all and I want it all for me. And if I think that way maybe I'll make a little more space for myself in my life.
📝 Bringing your authentic self to work
Someone in my industry that I look up to would be Brittany Luse - Brittany Luse is the Host of It's Been a Minute on NPR. We worked together on The Nod. Brittany is the first Black woman I worked with closely in the industry I'd already been working in audio for 5 years at this point. Brittany showed me how I could bring my authentic self to work in a way I didn't know was possible. For teaching me that and continuing to do it, I will always look up to her. I also admire her ability to grow and change and continue to learn in this field. She's truly the best.
📽️ The magic of a film on the big screen
I've really loved going to the theater to watch a film. The pandemic got me out of the habit, and I'm just now sort of coming back to the magic of a film on the big screen. I feel more connected and like I'm really absorbing the story and the message in a way I don't feel on my phone.
👗 Hanifa
Hanifa is a luxury fashion brand. Black owned, size inclusive. When you see a Hanifa piece you know it's Hanifa. I love the marketing she's done with her brand. The viral virtual fashion show they did a few years ago, and the recent bridal camping where stunning.
I'm also paying attention to media companies, particularly audio. I'm curious how shops like Gimlet, Pushkin, Stitcher, and Radiotopia navigate decreases in ad revenue. There are all these great brands that grew in the podcast boom and I really want for the audio world to continue to thrive, with a wide variety of creative hubs. So I'm very much keeping an eye on these audio brands at the moment.
When it comes to marketing campaigns that cut through the noise… I thought the solo stove campaign with Snoop was so smart and effective. Also, Ben Aflfeck and Dunkin. I know I just named two celebrity centric campaigns, but there are so many celebrity campaigns and these ones worked because they used the celebrities' existing story to make a point.
she’s the best ever