Greatness is inspired by greatness. Five Things invites some of today’s most talented and successful producers, artists, writers and thinkers to share five things – audio, visuals, books, objects or something else entirely – that have shaped their creative practice over time. Or that inform how they approach their work now. Or, simply enough, that they love, and want to share with you.

Five Things is an ongoing series at the Podcast Garage hosted by Radiotopia's Julie Shapiro. We're joined this month by Jody Avirgan, a podcast producer and host at ESPN.

Tickets are $10 and on sale here. We will have wine, refreshments, and Jody's favorite snacks on hand.

ABOUT JODY AVIRGAN

Jody is the host of the FiveThirtyEight politics podcast. His next venture is a series of sports-related audio docs under the “30 for 30” umbrella, coming spring 2017. Before ESPN, he was at WNYC’s Brian Lehrer Show, did reporting for the WNYC newsroom, and went on air and asked you for money during the pledge drive. He’s worked with On The Media, Radiolab, 99% Invisible, Marketplace, Studio 360 and many more. On the side, he hosts the comedy and storytelling show Ask Roulette, where strangers ask each other questions live on stage. He lives in Sunset Park, Brooklyn. Find him online at @jodyavirgan and www.jodyavirgan.com.

ABOUT JULIE SHAPIRO

Julie is the executive producer of Radiotopia from PRX - a curated network of extraordinary, story-driven podcasts. From 2014-15, she was the executive producer of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation's Creative Audio Unit. In 2000 she co-founded the Third Coast International Audio Festival, where as artistic director she prioritized innovative audio and a cross-pollinating international listening culture. Shapiro has taught radio to university students, presented at conferences all over the globe, and produced stories for the airwaves and podcasts in the US and beyond. Find her online at @jatomic.