Amanda B.

Amanda B. is the host of 6 Degrees of Cats. Follow 6 Degrees on Twitter here, Instagram here, and TikTok here. Subscribe to The Captain's Log by Captain Kitty here.

Describe 6 Degrees of Cats in 10 Words or Less.
Cats - the eighth wonder of the world. Find out why!

Why the name 6 Degrees of Cats?
Per wikipedia: “Six degrees of separation is the idea that all people are six or fewer social connections away from each other.” Due to my deep affinity with, and passion for cats, I’ve amassed a delightful (or concerning, depending on who you ask) amount of trivia about cats. I see an infinite amount of connections among human and felinekind. And I make this case in my podcast, with the help of a diversity of cat, and non-cat subject matter experts from across the world. Cats and violins? Cats and socks? Cats and gravediggers? So many connections. Hence, 6 degrees of cats. As I saw in my wrap ups, “everything is connected”.

How is this different from other cat podcasts?
I love all the existing cat podcasts out there, though weirdly I don’t listen to them, I just read about them and appreciate them! I think it’s because I already have like seventy podcasts about cats in my head, ha! So based on my limited understanding of the landscape, 6 Degrees of Cats is distinctive in that it’s a cat-themed podcast, it isn’t solely about cats in the role of domestic pets but rather touches on the many roles across history and culture that they or their likeness has occupied. I’m approaching this topic more as a sociologist or an anthropologist. In conversation, I tend to describe this podcast as a history and culture podcast about cats - AND humans. It’s definitely a cat of a different color, to borrow from horses (which have the same running gait as cats #CatFacts). I just hope folks enjoy my midwestern twang, my quirky sense of humor - and feel curious, affirmed, hopeful and a renewed sense of appreciation for the misunderstood and the marginalized - like cats!

What can we expect to see in the newsletter?
I love this question! The Captain’s Log comes out the week between episode releases, and includes a debrief of the past episodes with my editorial comments. For my passengers (paid subscribers, sorry - this theme is fun!) the full edition includes “Following the Stars” - horoscopes for your cats by an unqualified cat astrologer; “What’s Giving Me 9 Lives” - a list of 9 random things that are giving a selected passenger joy and life; “News from the Crew” from my co-captains Binky & Snuggles; “Captain’s Booty” with special discounts (SPONSOR ME!) - and more! I think anyone who enjoys my sense of humor will love it, and anyone who doesn’t will probably stop listening to the podcast anyway, so I’m letting that freak flag fly.

What’s your favorite cat video?
Oh my goodness, there are so many! This one on Instagram by @orangeisthenewblackandtan as re-posted on @catsofinstagram is on repeat for me. I loved it so much, I commented “I cannot stop watching this lol” on it…and hilariously, my comment continues to get liked. (How do you turn those notifications off? Anyone?) I clearly am among friends on there.

The sound of the show feels playful and experimental. What’s your inspiration and how do you come up with ways to make it sound different?
I’m so glad you pick up on the playful and experimental stuff - and enjoy it! Thank you! Inspiration-wise, I’m a musician and one of my listeners said that she can tell I’m a musician because of the sound design. That tracks! This is the sole aspect of podcast composition that mimics my songwriting process - in that, the episodes, like songs, start almost fully formed in my head. I can literally hear the narrative flow, and what sound effect or sound bed should be there to achieve that cadence and tone. I’m of the generation of cartoon cats (yep, that’ll definitely be in an episode or five!) and the sound design of syndicated programming from those kinds of Saturday morning cartoons, Disney films, network / TGIF / after-school television and goofy pre-reality TV lowbrow cinéma vérité like Candid Camera and America’s Funniest Home videos sort of inform the cadence and zany-ness of the sound design, for better or worse. I either make it myself, or source it. On a budget of, well, $0 right now, all of the music and loops are mine, and the sound effects are sourced or original field recordings. I also want to say, my strength is in sound design more than audio engineering - I am not perfectionist about it, if it's listenable I'm ok with some variance in levels and inconsistencies 🤷🏻‍♀️All that hard work will likely be interrupted by LOUD DYNAMIC AD INSERTS once I get sponsors anyway.

What’s been your favorite part of the process?
Definitely the writing process, once I get past the procrastination period. My neighbors think I’m bonkers. It may be due to my fashion choices, but it is more likely the sounds of my incessant cackling at my own jokes as I write them and intermittent squeals of joy, which happen sporadically whenever I spend a lot of time thinking about cats. I’m only half-joking here.

What’s a podcast you love that everyone already knows about?
I'm failing the assignment here - can't pick just one! I’m a huge fan of NPR’s Code Switch, and am very sad about the recent layoffs and the shuttering of Invisibilia - which I really loved. Anything Tenderfoot TV puts out is on my radar - those folks are incredible and all their podcasts are amazing. (They produce one of my fave podcasts to fall asleep to - Radio Rental. Which has a cat, of course.) WNYC’s Spooked is incredible, Glynn Washington is such a powerhouse with Snap Judgement, and is also from Michigan (#GoBlue!) I used to really love Gimlet - RIP Every Little Thing - and had dreamed of pitching 6 Degrees of Cats to them, but it kind of isn’t the same as it used to be, is it? Also - LOVED Shameless Acquisition Target, that smash hit by Laura Mayer (a fellow cat lover, she actually heard my pitch at Sound Up! Bootcamp - Laura, call me!). Obviously WTF with Marc Maron (another cat lover and dream guest!) and as a Prince lover, DCP Entertainment’s Who Was Prince? is another great one.

What’s a podcast you love that not enough people know about?
Unsolicited: Fatties Talk Back is a Black, queer-led chat fat liberation podcast. The co-hosts are so funny, engaging and I learn so much when I listen. Lots of funny jokes and fresh insights to counter the many false narratives about fatness, among other things. I also love Podstream Studios’ Who Was Prince? I am a fan of Touré’s writing and I love Prince, I still remember when he passed.

Anything I didn’t ask you that you want to say?
Contrary to what some people say about “too much content”, there is always room. I hope those who find podcasting a validating way to express their true selves can make themselves welcomed. “I think, therefore I am?” is only part of it - “I’m listened to, therefore I feel seen” should be on there, too. DO IT!

Thanks, Amanda!