Every Noise at Once: Spotify, Music Discovery, and Human Connection with Glenn McDonald

What makes music more than sound? Glenn McDonald, data engineer, author of You Have Not Yet Heard Your Favorite Song, and former Spotify “genre taxonomist,” joins host PJ Wehry to explore the transformative power of music. From shaping Spotify’s genre mapping system to creating the interactive discovery project Every Noise at Once, Glenn reveals how algorithms, data, and human curiosity come together to influence the way we find and connect with music.

In this episode, dive into the hidden world of streaming, the evolution of genres as communities, and the emotional and cultural impact of the songs we love. Learn how technology changes our listening habits, why music remains one of the most human things we do, and how discovery, data, and creativity unite listeners across the globe. 

Make sure to check out the following from Glenn McDonald: 

• You Have Not Yet Heard Your Favorite Song 👉 https://www.amazon.com/dp/191448715X
• Every Noise at Once 👉 https://everynoise.com/

Check out our blog on www.candidgoatproductions.com 

Who thinks that they can subdue Leviathan? Strength resides in its neck; dismay goes before it. When it rises up, the mighty are terrified. Nothing on earth is its equal. It is without fear. It looks down on all who are haughty; it is king over all who are proud. 

These words inspired PJ Wehry to create Chasing Leviathan. Chasing Leviathan was born out of two ideals: that truth is worth pursuing but will never be subjugated, and the discipline of listening is one of the most important habits anyone can develop. 

Every episode is a dialogue, a journey into the depths of a meaningful question explored through the lens of personal experience or professional expertise.