Never Post Mailbag #10: Bring Back Ringbacks
Oct 2, 2025
This installment dives into the quirks of listener habits, including the unusual practice of blasting podcasts through phone speakers. The hosts explore nostalgic topics like the history of ringback tones and spark enthusiasm over the idea of musical notifications training the ear. Unique morning alarm routines and the concept of recipes as social signals also come under scrutiny. Plus, a fun debate surfaces about the ethics of AI in family photos, and listeners weigh in with creative graffiti submissions. Tune in for laughter and enlightening discussions!
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Episode notes
Mailbag Sparks Personal Stories
- Mike Rugnetta and the team run a mailbag episode responding to listener messages about ringtones, customization, and internet habits.
- They riff, share memories, and read listener stories that spark deeper conversations about tech and culture.
Ear Training With Notification Intervals
- Pedro in Brazil assigned different musical intervals to app notifications to train his ear while recognizing apps by sound.
- He reports partial success recognizing apps but not yet musical improvement after weeks.
Fifteen-Minute Alarm Playlist Ritual
- Emily uses a rotation of custom alarm tones every 15 minutes during morning runs to mark progress and mood.
- She curated songs and even a local film center bumper to motivate specific moments in her routine.
