Never Post’s Mike Rugnetta on the creative process and the value of reliable power

Mike Rugnetta is a writer, podcast host, producer, audio engineer, educator, musician, sound designer, and father. In short, the man wears a lot of hats. He’s the cocreator and host of the award-winning Never Post, an absolutely must-listen podcast about the internet, as well as Fun City, a TTRPG podcast where he’s the GM. He’s also hosted two different Crash Course series and PBS’s Idea Channel. If you’re thinking that sounds like a lot, you’re not wrong. It made us want to know how Mike stays focused with so much on his plate, and what tools are most indispensable to him with his hectic schedule. But, what we got was so much more than that. Mike has a lot to say about the creative process, the value of reliable electricity, and how the loss of the headphone jack is evidence of our societal collapse. What is your most indispensable tool? At first, I wanted to say my audio interface. It’s the first piece of equipment I turn on every day and the last I turn off. It’s an RME Fireface UCX II and the second most reliable piece of gear I own. The first is my headphones. I’ve had the…