PODCAST · music
Sonic Midlife
by Zach Gibson
Welcome to Sonic Midlife, where hosts Jeffrey Poole and Zachary Gibson embark on a journey through the rich and diverse worlds of indie rock, literature, film, television, sports, and food. As public school teachers in their 30s and 40s, Jeffery and Zachary bring a unique perspective to their discussions, blending insightful analysis with relatable experiences and a dash of humor.Expect a mix of passionate debates, heartfelt recommendations, and personal anecdotes as they explore the creative
Episodes
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Episode 27 - The Guys Keep Marching On
Cool new music, George Saunders love, midlife fridge and pantry staples, John Mulaney, Time Crisis, and Andor are among the topics discussed by our heroes: Zach Gibson and Jeff Poole.
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Episode 26 - Your Format Preferida
Your favorite podcast pros are back at it, discussing new albums from The Format and Joyce Manor, as well as early 80s punk. They also discuss the novels Butcher's Crossing by John Williams and Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi. Some recent kitchen successes are shared, including Zach's favorite homemade...
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Episode 25 - Albums of The Year (2025) featuring old pal, Ryan Earl Ward
In Episode 25, Zach and Jeff lock in their Best Albums of 2025, talking through the records that mattered most this year — the ones that held up, rewarded repeat listens, and stayed in rotation long after the hype faded. Jeff runs through his albums of the year, spotlighting releases from Fust,...
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Episode 24 - Such Great Heights, Sharp Pins, and the Spurs & Thunder
This week on Sonic Midlife, Zach and Jeff cover a lot of ground after their extended hiatus. This week on Sonic Midlife, Zach and Jeff cover a lot of ground — including plenty of sports, because that’s just part of the deal. Zach talks about the return of The Format, Kyle M’s Christmas EP, and...
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Episode 23 - Dad Rock, Nationalism, and Mel Gibson
Jeff explores the debut Lucky Cloud – Foreground from Chicago’s Chet Zenor, dives into Elif Batuman’s The Idiot and Benedict Anderson’s Imagined Communities, grabs a pupusa burger, and streams Patriot on Amazon Prime. Zach spins Credit Electric and Dean Johnson, eats Mexican hotdogs, and…
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Episode 22 - 2nd Annual College Football Preview Feat. Ben Martone
Zach and Jeff dive into fresh sounds from Ryan Davis & The Road House Band and Greg Freeman before trading book notes on Doris Kearns Goodwin’s Wait Till Next Year and Elif Batuman’s The Idiot. Food talk centers on dumpling tomato salad with chili crisp vinaigrette and mussels with pasta, while...
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Episode 21 - The Gospel of Bon Iver w/special guest, Bryce Woodhouse
Jeff starts us off with Bill Callahan’s “The Mackenzies,” a quiet epic that opens wide with repeated listens, and Reporter, Seymour Hersh’s gripping memoir that’s part history lesson, part investigative masterclass. He also reflects on the humble joys of focaccia. Zach brings Bright Eyes’ “1st...
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Episode 20 - Ann Arbor to Chicago
Zach returns from Chicago with a full stomach and fresh takes on Small Cheval, Lou Malnati’s, and The Summer That Melted Everything by Tiffany McDaniel. Jeff takes us to Ann Arbor for a Zingerman’s run and dives into Kiwi Jr.’s Chopper and Jonathan Franzen’s Crossroads. The guys dig into Paul...
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Episode 19 - Life's Peachy for Myke Olsen (feat. Pizzaiolo Myke Olsen)
The gang is joined by very special guest Myke Olsen. They discuss the novels of Willy Vlautin as well as their favorite doughnuts. They don't think you should leave as they laugh it up about the wonders of Friendship and Tim Robinson. To cap it off, they dive into all things pizza with Myke…
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Episode 18 - Hotdog!
In Episode 18 of Sonic Midlife, Zach and Jeff go deep into Bob Dylan’s late-era classics—from Time Out of Mind to Tempest—arguing they stand tall next to his most revered work. They also spotlight some standout new music, including the dreamy alt-country debut from Echolalia, the fuzzy indie rock...
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Episode 17 - Fordcast: NBA Playoff Prophecies and Cultural Critiques
This week, Zach and Jeff are joined by their old college friend and resident NBA sage, Ford Thunder Erickson. The three dive into the heart of the 2025 NBA Playoffs, breaking down the best first-round matchups, offering bold predictions, and asking the big question: is OKC right on time or ahead…
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Sonic Midlife Episode 16 - A QuickTrip to see Bob Dylan
In this episode, Jeff and Zach dive into the lush landscapes of indie rock, starting with Hamilton Leithauser’s This Side of the Island and quick recs featuring Japanese Breakfast, Palmyra, Perfume Genius, and Deafheaven. They discuss Kyle M’s The Real Me and unpack the deeper meanings behind the...
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Sonic Midlife Episode 15 - Pedals, Infinite Spring, and Money Troubles
In this episode of Sonic Midlife, Zach and Jeff are joined by fellow teacher and cycling enthusiast Vincent Serrani for a wide-ranging conversation covering music, books, food, and public policy. Zach dives into Heavy Metal by Cameron Winter, while Jeff reflects on Superviolet - Infinite Spring.…
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Sonic Midlife Episode 14 - Bops, Books, & Beatdowns
In this episode of Sonic Midlife, Zach recaps the MJ Lenderman & Wild Pink show in OKC and dives into new music from Head North, Cameron Winter, and Frog, while Jeff highlights Rosie Tucker’s Utopia Now!. On the literary side, they discuss John Langan’s The Fisherman, Claire Vaye Watkins’...
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Sonic Midlife Episode 13 - OUR FAVORITE ALBUMS OF 2024 + What We've All Been Into
This week on Sonic Midlife, Jeff and Zach reveal their favorite albums of the year in a highly anticipated countdown. Along the way, they discuss the timeless brilliance of Bob Dylan, the lasting impact of The Killers, Steven Hyden’s book There Was Nothing You Could Do, and the quirky charm of...
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Sonic Midlife Episode 12 - Books of the Year with Christina Matekel-Gibson + What We've All Been Into
In this special year-end episode of Sonic Midlife, Jeff and Zach are joined by certified public librarian Christina Matekel-Gibson (Zach's wife!) to discuss their favorite books of the year. From literary gems and thought-provoking nonfiction to can't-put-down novels, this conversation is packed...
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Sonic Midlife Episode 11 - Non-Christmas Cheer and the Playoff Premiere
This week on Sonic Midlife, Zach and Jeff go live with a breakdown of the upcoming 12-team college football playoff, analyzing matchups and making bold predictions. Then, they countdown their favorite non-Christmas Christmas songs—tracks that aren’t about the holiday but still bring a touch of...
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Sonic Midlife Episode 10 - Mahashmashana, Meat Stew, and Spurs' & Broncos'Potential
This week on Sonic Midlife, Zach and Jeff blend the worlds of music, books, food, and sports into a rich conversation. They explore Father John Misty’s bold new album Mahashmashana alongside the labor-inflected melodies of Workers Comp - S/T (think The Velvet Underground meets Guided by Voices,...
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Sonic Midlife Episode 9 - The Bright Eyes Episode, Pt. 2 (feat. Sean Poole)
In Part 2 of our Bright Eyes journey, we pick up where we left off, diving into Conor Oberst’s expansive catalog, starting with the A Christmas Album and continuing through Five Dice, All Threes. Along the way, we explore Oberst's solo projects, reflecting on his evolution as a songwriter and the...
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Sonic Midlife Episode 8 - The Bright Eyes Episode, Pt. 1 (feat. Sean Poole)
In Part 1 of our Bright Eyes journey, Sean Poole joins us to reminisce about college days at Little Caesars and to launch into an exploration of Conor Oberst’s iconic discography. We cover every release from A Collection of Songs to Lifted, tracing Oberst's evolution and lyrical genius, while…
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Sonic Midlife Episode 7: Best Friends Forever (Festival)
Episode 7 of Sonic Midlife kicks off with Jeff’s deep dive into the BFF Festival, where he caught performances from an incredible lineup including Home is Where, Pinback, Foxing, American Football, Fiddlehead, The Dismemberment Plan, Algernon Cadwallader, Cap’n Jazz, Braid, Jawbox, Built to…
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Sonic Midlife Episode 6: Apocalyptic Cheeseburgers
This week on Sonic Midlife, Jeff and Zach serve up a wild platter of music, books, and, of course, the best cheeseburgers they’ve ever tasted! They dive into albums like Lift to Experience’s apocalyptic concept record The Texas Jerusalem Crossroads and Being Dead’s Eels. Zach brings his thoughts…
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Sonic Midlife Episode 5: A Fall Albums Countdown
In this episode of Sonic Midlife, Zach dives into MJ Lenderman’s latest tracks and Wall of Eyes by The Smile, while Jeff takes a nostalgic look at the 90s radio rock inspired albums, discussing Supercrush’s Sodo Pop, Webbed Wing’s What’s So F***ing Funny?, and Last Day On Earth by Slumped. On the...
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Sonic Midlife Episode 4: Punk, Pita, and Pigskin Predictions with Thome Widdison
In Episode 4 of Sonic Midlife, Zach, Jeff & old college pal, Thome mix music, books, and football as they dive into their latest discoveries and predictions. Here’s what they’re talking about: Jeff's Highlights: PACKS - Melt the Honey: A slacker guitar pop album full of nutritious hooks, with a...
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Sonic Midlife Episode 3 - The Bassman
Sonic Midlife Episode 3: Wayne Bass, College Football, Classic Albums, and Celebrity Homes In Episode 3 of Sonic Midlife, Jeff, Zach & Professor Wayne Bass cover a wide range of topics, from college football dynamics to cultural deep dives. Here's what's on the agenda: The Cowboys' Sultan of…
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Sonic Midlife Episode 2: Concert Vibes, Country Classics, & Pickled Onions
In this episode of Sonic Midlife, Jeff and Zach bring an engaging mix of music, books, and entertainment to the table. Tune in as they dive into: Vampire Weekend Concert: Zach shares his exhilarating experience and standout moments from seeing Vampire Weekend live in concert. Cut Worms Cohort…
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Sonic Midlife Episode 1 - Our Inaugural Episode
Welcome to Sonic Midlife, the podcast where Jeffrey Poole and Zachary Gibson navigate the vibrant crossroads of indie rock, literature, film, and culinary delights. In our inaugural episode, we dive into a spirited debate about the best Bruce Springsteen album, share our thoughts on the band Good...
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Welcome to Sonic Midlife, where hosts Jeffrey Poole and Zachary Gibson embark on a journey through the rich and diverse worlds of indie rock, literature, film, television, sports, and food. As public school teachers in their 30s and 40s, Jeffery and Zachary bring a unique perspective to their discussions, blending insightful analysis with relatable experiences and a dash of humor.Expect a mix of passionate debates, heartfelt recommendations, and personal anecdotes as they explore the creative
HOSTED BY
Zach Gibson
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Sonic Midlife have?
Sonic Midlife currently has 27 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Sonic Midlife about?
Welcome to Sonic Midlife, where hosts Jeffrey Poole and Zachary Gibson embark on a journey through the rich and diverse worlds of indie rock, literature, film, television, sports, and food. As public school teachers in their 30s and 40s, Jeffery and Zachary bring a unique perspective to their...
How often does Sonic Midlife release new episodes?
Sonic Midlife has 27 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to Sonic Midlife?
You can listen to Sonic Midlife on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Sonic Midlife?
Sonic Midlife is created and hosted by Zach Gibson.
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