Twenty Thousand Hertz
The stories behind the world’s most iconic and fascinating sounds.
Episodes
July 2, 2025 • 26 mins
It’s the most recognizable TV theme in America. But Jeopardy’s “Think Music” wasn’t originally written for a game show… It was written for a toddler. In this episode, we trace the unlikely journey of the Jeopardy theme, from Merv Griffin’s living room to over 10,000 episodes across six decades. Along the way, we explore the show’s sonic evolution, including honking buzzers, 80s synths, and orchestral remixes. Featuring Lisa Broffma...
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June 18, 2025 • 34 mins
Twenty Thousand Hertz is proud to present the first short story collection from our Sound Off competition, featuring six bite-sized pieces written and produced entirely by our listeners. From the dawn of recording to the sonic secrets of thunder, from mythic sirens to melodic medicine, this Bronze Collection offers a first taste of the breadth and originality of these incredible stories.
Subscribe on YouTube to be the first t...
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May 28, 2025 • 46 mins
Your name isn’t just a label. It’s a signal to everyone who meets you, filled with meaning that you may not fully understand. In this story, Dallas revisits one of the most surreal experiences of his life: tracking down five other people who share his exact name. What follows is a surprising look at identity, coincidence, and the curious ways that our names shape our lives. Featuring name expert Laura Wattenberg and six Dallas Tayl...
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May 14, 2025 • 31 mins
Behind every incredible sound in a movie or TV show is a creative person with a unique story. In this episode, Dallas heads to the legendary Sony Pictures lot during Mix Magazine’s “Sound for Film & TV” event, and invites Hollywood’s sound pros to share their wildest, weirdest, and most heartfelt sonic stories. The result is a grab bag of eye opening tales that span a World War II reverb, otherworldly insects, famous fart sounds, a...
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April 30, 2025 • 31 mins
What happens when one of history’s greatest composers begins to lose the very sense he relies on most? In this episode, we explore how Ludwig van Beethoven continued to create groundbreaking music even as his world fell into silence. Along the way, we uncover the myths, inventions, and raw determination that fueled Beethoven’s defiant creativity, and hear how his lifelong struggles are reflected in his music. Featuring musicologist...
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April 16, 2025 • 44 mins
After 10 years and 400 episodes, our friends at Switched on Pop decided it was finally time to revamp their outdated theme song. In this episode, they take us inside the chaotic, hilarious, and surprisingly emotional process of making a new one. Along the way, they get brutally honest feedback from top music critics, craft over a hundred layers of swirling synths and cinematic sound effects, and even get some sonic strategy from ou...
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April 2, 2025 • 36 mins
If you want to know where the future of sound is headed, accessibility is a great place to look. And for decades, Apple has been leading the charge in accessible technology. In this episode, the Apple team breaks down the philosophy and craft behind their most impactful accessibility features. Along the way, we reveal how these innovations have transformed the way we interact with our devices, and could even lead to a revolution in...
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March 19, 2025 • 27 mins
Movie trailers have changed dramatically over the decades, from the classic “Voice of God” narrators of the ‘80s and ‘90s, to today’s thunderous “bwaahs” and “boojes.” In this episode, Dallas and producer Andrew Anderson take a deep dive into the evolving art of trailer sound design, breaking down the most iconic trends and overused tropes. Featuring legendary trailers from Star Wars to Predator, plus an intimidating encounter with...
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March 5, 2025 • 46 mins
In the late ‘90s, Brian Johnson and Brian Morden were suburban teenagers obsessed with video games and music. And then, through an extraordinary wish, the two friends found themselves on a journey that made gaming history. In this episode, we explore how a single line of dialogue became a timeless piece of Halo lore, and the profound impact it had on everyone involved.
Donate to the Make-A-Wish Foundation and Brian Morden Foundati...
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February 19, 2025 • 37 mins
What sound can teach us about our Sun? In this episode, we explore how NASA scientists translate electromagnetic waves from the Sun into sound, and even music. Through this process, researchers are gradually unlocking the Sun’s secrets, from the steady “hum” of the star’s rotation, to the way that solar winds “play” the Earth’s magnetosphere like a harp. This story comes from the podcast NASA’s Curious Universe, and features Host a...
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February 5, 2025 • 32 mins
In the late '80s and early '90s, a seismic subculture shook the streets… literally. “Boom Cars,” decked out with custom sound systems, roamed neighborhoods blasting the bassiest music ever recorded. But where did this movement come from, and why did it fade away? In this episode, we dive into the world of Miami Bass, dB Drag Racing, and the infamous tapes that could shred your subwoofers. Featuring journalist Jesse Serwer and Bass ...
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January 22, 2025 • 38 mins
If you turn on the radio, there’s one thing you’re almost guaranteed to hear: a catchy, over the top jingle proclaiming the name and call letters of the radio station. But where did these little tunes come from? Who makes them? And why are they still so common? In this episode, we explore the history of radio ID jingles, and pack in so many earworms, you’re going to need an exterminator. Featuring Jeanna Isham of Dreamr Productions...
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December 4, 2024 • 47 mins
For our fifth annual Mystery Sound Game Show, Dallas invited three friends from the world of professional audio to compete against each other. So crank up the volume and see how many sounds you can guess. Featuring Dialog & ADR Editor Austin Olivia Kendrick, Sound Designer Mike James Gallagher, and Sound Designer Zachary Quarles.
If you know what this week's mystery sound is, tell us at mystery.20k.org.
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November 20, 2024 • 42 mins
We all know that dogs are smart, sensitive creatures, but interpreting their vocalizations and behaviors can still be a challenge. In this episode, animal behaviorist Daniel Mills reveals the true meanings behind dogs’ noises, actions, and body language. Then, author Pilley Bianchi tells the story of Chaser, the border collie who became known as “The Smartest Dog in the World” for the way that she learned language.
If you know wha...
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November 20, 2024 • 41 mins
Cats can be very vocal creatures, but the exact meaning and intention behind these sounds can often be hard to read. In this episode, cat behaviorist Sarah Brown unpacks the hidden meanings behind cats’ vocalizations, body language and behavior. Then, veterinarian Kendra Baker takes us through her journey with Billi (AKA “Her MADjesty”) the cat who became an online sensation for her use of speaking buttons.
If you know what this w...
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October 23, 2024 • 30 mins
Despite Bluey’s enormous, global popularity, the cast and crew are a tight-knit family, often literally. In part 2 of our story on Bluey, the show’s sound designer and mixer Dan Brumm breaks down the surprising connections between the voice actors, the real-life inspiration behind classic episodes, and how he ended up voicing a key role on the show.
If you know what this week's mystery sound is, tell us at mystery.20k.org.
Follow ...
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October 9, 2024 • 33 mins
Since its debut in 2018, Bluey has become one of the most popular and beloved TV shows of all time. In this episode, Bluey’s sound designer and mixer Dan Brumm walks us through how the show began, the unique challenges of season one, and the lengths he goes to give the show its organic sound. Plus, Dallas reveals the secret timing of the Bluey theme song.
If you know what this week's mystery sound is, tell us at mystery.20k.org.
F...
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September 25, 2024 • 30 mins
“Blah, blah, blah” and “yada, yada, yada” have had plenty written about them. But there’s a longtime cousin of these phrases that’s much less understood. We use it all the time, yet it’s not in the dictionary. It’s not even Google-able. In this episode, we investigate the linguistic mysteries of the Five Dah Phenomenon. Featuring linguist & philosopher Paul Saka, and psychologist Helen Abadzi.
If you know what this week's mystery ...
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August 28, 2024 • 34 mins
The Lofi Girl YouTube channel has over 14 millions subscribers, and at any given time, tens of thousands of people are listening together. Created by a mysterious French producer named Dimitri, the channel features a 24/7 livestream of an anime girl studying in her room, listening to lofi hip hop. In this episode, we dive into the Lofi Girl lore, chart the explosion of the Lofi Multiverse, and hear from a music therapist about how ...
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August 21, 2024 • 23 mins
The sounds our bodies make can tell doctors all kinds of surprising things about our health. In this episode, we unpack the history of sound in medical diagnosis, from Hippocratic times, to the invention of the stethoscope, to the specialized tools and AI systems used today. Along the way, we’ll hear detailed recordings of these medical sounds, and learn what each of them means. Featuring Dr. David Steensma and Dr. Daniel Weiss.
V...
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