Greta Johnsen

Greta Johnsen is the host of WBEZ Chicago’s Nerdette podcast, which is celebrating its 10th anniversary - a decade of delight! Follow Greta on Instagram here, and on Twitter here. Get book recs on Nerdette’s instagram here!

Nerdette is ten! Can you tell us her birth story?
Back in 2013, I heard Nerdette’s co-creator Tricia Bobeda make a joke about Star Wars from across the WBEZ newsroom and cackled a little too loudly in response. A year later, we had made 50 episodes!

How has Nerdette changed in ten years?
The show’s format has changed a lot over the years, which is honestly something I’m really grateful for because we’ve been able to keep things fresh and interesting. Our episodes now have multiple segments, which makes it possible to cover a whole range of subjects each week, from books to science to pop culture. Plus, we’ve added a monthly book club that includes listener voices. But at its core, the show is always about celebrating enthusiasm and curiosity, and that will always be our constant. 

How has the industry changed, in your opinion? Are you more or less excited about working in it?
The industry is totally different! As Julie Shapiro noted in a Transom piece in 2013, only 9 of the top 100 podcasts on Stitcher were hosted by a woman or had a female co-host. It was a male-dominated field, and it was also barely its own industry. Serial hadn’t come out yet. Being a podcaster in 2013 was less of a trendy thing to do and more of a quirky thing to do. 

Is there a moment that sticks out to you as most memorable?
We’ve made more than 500 episodes now, and every single one was a joy to make! Interviewing Tom Hanks about typewriters was surreal. Talking to Lizzo was amazing. We have also branched out from interviews to make more ambitious reported pieces, like this episode about my own medical history. 

Should podcasters read their ratings/reviews? (Any memorable ones you’ve gotten that you’d like to share?)
I try really hard not to look at them, but I remember years ago someone complained that I used the word “delightful” too much. It was really liberating to lean into the criticism and make tote bags that said “delightful AF”! 

Self-care ritual: There is nothing better than getting in bed with a book at 8 p.m.!

Thanks, Greta!