Forever I was a music girl; if I was going to listen to anything during the day at work, it was almost always my iPod or Pandora. But sometime last September-ish, David was and I were talking about This American Life with Ira Glass and I got hooked. I had listened to maybe one or two TALs a few years back at my job at Kennard Design, but since hadn't listened to them although I remember them being good.
I got to work, went onto the iTunes store, and subscribed to a whole slew of free audio podcasts that I could listen to throughout the day. In the 9 months since, I've become a bit of a podcast freak, and now have a few regular ones that I get really excited over.
I know there are more out there, but these are the ones that I believe are truly worth listening to and that I wholly recommend. Most of them have curses in them, and some have bizarre subject matter, so I suggest headphones if you're going to be listening to them at work. Below are my top 10 favorite, ones that I guarantee you'll like, maybe even love:
Dan Carlin's Hardcore History
10: This show approaches history like no class you've ever taken. Dan is a great speaker; he talks about these subjects with the fluidity and knowledge as if they happened personally to him. It makes history exciting and fun. Visit the website.
Get-It-Done-Guy
9: I like this podcast for a few reasons; it's informative, it's short, and quirky. I like these little life-hacks podcasts; I always feel short on time, but this guy gives you tips to make life a little more productive. The podcasts are usually around 5-6 minutes, and he's odd-duck funny. Visit the website
My Brother, My Brother and Me
8: I just started listening to this one, but it's become an instant favorite because these guys are just pure hilariousness. It's a ridiculous advice show. From the description on their website: My Brother, My Brother and Me is an advicecast for the modern era featuring three real-life brothers: Justin, Travis and Griffin McElroy. For about one-half to two-thirds of an hour each week, with new episodes dropping every Monday, the brothers McElroy will answer any query sent our way, each fielding questions falling into our respective areas of expertise. We operate like a streamlined, advice-generating machine. It’s both terrifying and humbling to behold."
Visit the website
Freakonomics
7: Quirky, funny, and topical, this show breaks down current issues around the world and twists them into interesting journalistic shows. I believe it was originally a column in the NY Times; it's now a weekly podcast. Check it out: Visit the website
PRI: Selected Shorts
6: Hosted by the sweetly proper Isaiah Sheffer, Selected Shorts is a great series of often poignant short stories which are always good. Stories are often read by actors, the most notable voice, and favorite of mine is Alec Baldwin, who appears often and knows how to read a good story. This show makes me want to be a writer. Visit the website.
Risk
5: Brainchild of The State cast member Kevin Allison, Risk is often a recording of stories told live on stage. Some people are just average, but then you'll have the occasional celebrity telling their favorite story, like Reno 911!'s Kerri Kenney or The State's Michael Showalter or A.D. Miles. Each week has a specific topic; where stories of risk reflect the topic. Almost always surprising, funny or sometimes horrifically embarrassing, Risk is a show you can't miss. Visit the website
The Moth
4: Amazing, crazy, riveting true stories told live on stage. What else needs to be said? These stories are amazing. I really, really look forward to this podcast. Visit the website
3: Stuff You Should Know
Josh Clark and Chuck Bryant hilariously and intelligently cover any kind of topic you should know about but probably don't, including things like "How hard is it to steal a work of art" or "Will the moon save humanity" or "How near-death experiences work" or "Are stupid people happier?" and many, many more. You'll laugh, AND you'll learn, and you will find yourself loving these two hosts, who are sweet, funny, sarcastic and cultural geniuses. Visit the website
This American Life
2: Ira Glass and his team of human-interest journalists head out across the country to explore stories stranger than fiction. Always excellent, always funny, and always poignant, this is the most popular podcast available. Visit the website
RadioLab
1: I think this is my favorite podcast of all time. Robert Krulwich and Jad Abumrad host this amazingly sonic and fantastically interesting show. Their website describes it best "Radiolab believes your ears are a portal to another world. Where sound illuminates ideas, and the boundaries blur between science, philosophy, and human experience. Big questions are investigated, tinkered with, and encouraged to grow. Bring your curiosity, and we'll feed it with possibility." When I first learned about this show (from This American Life) I devoured all four seasons in about 1.5 weeks. I think you will, too. Visit the website
Other podcasts that I listen to:
APM: Sound Opinions on Demand (music critics discuss new and old, with live performances!)
The Sporkful--How to eat more, how to eat awesomely and how to eat more awesomely
Comedy Death-Ray Radio with Scott Aukerman
I Love Movies with Doug Benson
Savage Love Podcast with Dan Savage
Today in the Past with John Hodgman
The Nerdist with Chris Hardwick
The New Yorker Fiction with Deborah Treisman
-----
Currently listening to This American Life
0 comments:
Post a Comment