Podcasting pioneer and New York City DJ Suzy Chase has launched a new limited holiday series titled "12 Days of Genres: An Audio Advent Calendar" through her long-running music podcast, The Groove Radio. The series delivers one genre per day across twelve episodes, each anchored by Chase's signature approach to music curation, storytelling, and immersive listening. This project represents a significant alternative to algorithm-driven music discovery that dominates contemporary digital platforms.
The importance of this release lies in its commitment to human-led music discovery, a defining element of The Groove Radio since its debut in 2005. Rather than relying on algorithms or automated playlists, the project invites listeners to rediscover music through genre, memory, and mood. This approach challenges the current paradigm of music consumption where streaming services often prioritize algorithmic recommendations over curated human expertise.
Speaking about the series, Chase says, "I wanted to release a fun, limited series for the holiday season—something festive and curated that brings a fresh approach to podcasting." The series follows her recent anniversary project celebrating two decades of the podcast, which launched in 2005 as the first mixtape-style podcast. Chase brings substantial industry experience to the project, having worked as a former major-market radio host with a background at Interscope and Jive Records.
The implications for listeners and the broader audio industry are noteworthy. As streaming platforms increasingly rely on algorithms to dictate listening habits, Chase's genre-based approach offers an alternative model that emphasizes intentional listening and discovery. This could influence how other content creators approach music programming, potentially encouraging more human-curated experiences in an increasingly automated media landscape.
For the podcasting industry specifically, the series demonstrates how established shows can create limited-run content that serves both existing audiences and attracts new listeners during seasonal periods. The holiday timing provides natural marketing opportunities while the genre-based structure offers clear entry points for different listener preferences.
12 Days of Genres is available on Apple Podcasts, TuneIn, and TheGrooveRadio.com, with new episodes released daily beginning December 13 throughout the holiday season. The accessibility across multiple platforms ensures broad distribution while maintaining the curated quality that defines Chase's work.
The series represents more than just holiday entertainment—it serves as a case study in sustainable, human-centered content creation within digital media. As artificial intelligence and algorithms continue to shape media consumption, projects like 12 Days of Genres demonstrate the enduring value of expert curation and intentional programming. This approach could influence how both independent creators and larger platforms balance technological efficiency with human expertise in content delivery.
