Podcast Spotlight: Sweating The Small Stuff

For pop culture fanatics and casual fans alike, Sweating the Small Stuff is a near weekly deep dive into the details of a movie, television show or current pop culture phenomenon. From “Ocean’s 8” to “The Good Place”, host Cameron Boozarjomehri and a guest discuss cinematic details from a scientific perspective, teaching listeners more than plot points and episode recaps. As a self-proclaimed “brain trainer”, Boozarjomehri uncovers the real-life details behind a line, scene or story line that makes your media richer. Starting an episode feels like walking into your cool high school science teacher’s classroom, knowing you’ll learn something you’ve never even thought of. Sweating the Small Stuff has taken listeners through robot takeover movies and the history of autonomous vehicles, Inception and sleep science, and Toto’s “Africa” and Hurricane Dorian. Even if listeners aren’t familiar with the pop culture topic at hand, they’ll leave the podcast with a greater appreciation for the behind-the-scenes work that went into it. Each episode is informative, exciting and easy to follow. Turns out sweating the small stuff can be more entertaining than we thought. 

Our only warning? Watch out for spoilers! 

We were fortunate to talk with Boozarjomehri about the podcast, how they differentiate from other podcasts, and their future plans in podcasting. See below for our full Q&A.

Listen: Apple Podcasts | Stitcher | Spotify

DISCOVER PODS: How’d you get into podcasting?

BOOZARJOMEHRI: I had always searched for a fun wholesome podcast that explored more of the science and backstory of my favorite movies and shows. There’s something fun about playing in a space created by fiction and suspension of disbelief, and when I couldn’t find what I was searching for I thought, “why not make it myself?!”

DISCOVER PODS: In your own words, why should listeners tune in to Sweating The Small Stuff?

BOOZARJOMEHRI: Where most folks would say don’t overthink it, I say now is the time to dig deep, really find what is meaningful behind the ideas and stories we love. Everything everyone enjoys everyday is the product of hard working people sweating the small stuff and we want to explore and share those stories and ideas!

DISCOVER PODS: What kind of feedback have you heard from your listeners?

BOOZARJOMEHRI: Fortunately it’s been overwhelmingly positive. Many of the reviews I’ve gotten through email and iTunes and talking to folks all highlight how we keep conversations informative, but also come from a wholesome place. The goal is to have fun while exposing folks to new ideas and we really think that message resonates with a lot of folks

DISCOVER PODS: Describe your recording set up? What equipment are you using?

BOOZARJOMEHRI: When it’s just me or I’m on a Skype call I stick to my Shure SM7B and my USB mixer going into audacity. For in person discussion/interviews we use 2 samson q2u’s and record to a zoom h5. Then we edit, mix, and clean it all up in Adobe audition.

DISCOVER PODS: What’s the biggest challenge you face as an indie podcaster?

BOOZARJOMEHRI: Feedback. A lot of the times it’s just you behind the mic. You wanna make the best thing you can but you don’t always know what that is or who’s listening. Fortunately as we’ve grown we’ve developed a very vocal following who love to let us know what they enjoy and what we can work on.

DISCOVER PODS: Where do you want to take your podcast?

BOOZARJOMEHRI: I want to establish the show as a fun wholesome place where people with unique voices and perspectives can come and share their stories. No matter who you are in this world you have a unique perspective on the things we love most, and we wanna hear it!

DISCOVER PODS: What other podcasts are you listening to now?

BOOZARJOMEHRI: I love Hackable, Retro Spectives Podcast, Shortwave, and especially Imaginary Worlds! All teach me something new and add valuable perspective, but none feel as personal as I have tried to make sweating the small stuff feel.

DISCOVER PODS: Anything else you’d like to add?

BOOZARJOMEHRI: I love podcasts and I love hearing from fans and podcasters alike! If you think you have a fun idea or story to share, or just wanna get in touch please hit us up at @smallstuffshow on Twitter or head to our website smallstuff.show for other ways to get in touch!