t-minus two days before I leave for pittsburgh (alone. ALONE! I hate Kev’s boss. I would go into detail, but don’t want Kev to get Dooced by association) and I am in frantic mode. Cleaning and shopping (hey, I don’t have a gift for my mom yet! and I’m not going to get these socks done in time, either!) and running around like a maniac.
I have a 12 hour drive ahead of me. Through areas where “country” and “religious fanaticism” are the only genres of radio stations available. So I like to listen to PODCASTS! A few months ago, I radically trimmed my podcast listening list, because many of them had gotten borrrrrring and stuuuuupid. But now I need more to listen to, because I’m not sure I have enough to last me 12 hours. AND THEN have them update enough to get me the 12 hours BACK to atlanta. You can ,”see a selection of what I have on my links page under “podcasted,” though I need to update it to include This American Life, Speaking of Faith, and The Body Odd.
Sooo, what podcasts do YOU listen to? GOOD ones? I am open to your suggestions!
difficulties:
- NO MORE KNITTING PODCASTS! Seriously. I barely listen to the ones I have. There is only so much I can take listening to people I don’t know “sqee” over yarn I DON’T HAVE!
- IF YOU DON’T LISTEN TO PODCASTS, PLEASE DON’T LEAVE COMMENTS ABOUT HOW PODCASTS ARE STUPID. Don’t be a buzzkill, OK? I’m looking for USEFUL information. I understand that not everybody listens to podcasts. This post, then, is not for you.
- MUST BE ENTERTAINING! Nothing that’s going to put me to sleep while driving. No soooothing voices or sooooooft music.
So there ya go. WHADDAYA GOT??
I know you already listen to Croncast, but what about Smodcast? Kevin Smith/Scott Moser. Comedy gold!
-R
You iTunes, right? Might I suggest Ricky Gervais? You’ll probably have to pay for them, but they’d be well worth it.
What about audio books? Do you have any interest there?
Dude, if you haven’t heard them already, go download ALL the back episodes of Radiolab. (http://www.wnyc.org/shows/radiolab/) There aren’t that many (it’s a limited run show), but they are one of the best new shows I’ve found. It’s a public radio show, but it’s not currently on many stations either. They do really interesting things with sound while they are talking about interesting things. I’m still pondering over things I learned from their show on memory.
And since I’m all about the stories:
If you like classic stories by folks like Dickens and Poe and Hawthorne, check out The Classic Tales Podcast. (http://classictales.podshowcreator.com/) These are really very well done recordings, by a narrator who’s really professional quality, if you ask me. I just found him recently, and love his stuff. Miette’s Bedtime Story podcast also picks up some interesting and unusual stuff, but she’s got a pretty restful voice, so I won’t link to her.
For science fiction short stories, check out escapepod.org. The horror story counterpart is pseudopod.org.
CraftLit has some knitting content, but it doesn’t suck.
Of course, if you don’t like to listen to stories, ignore everything on this list except Radiolab. I actually save episodes of Radiolab to go back and listen to again, because they’re that GOOD and that thought-provoking (for me at least.)
Since I spend a good portion of many days with no one to talk to except the dogs and cats I’m petsitting, I listen to LOTS of podcasts, just so my brain doesn’t completely dry up and blow out my ears.
All Songs Considered is good for lots of music and music commentary.
the Nature podcast is usually interesting although sometimes I have to skip over interviews with poor phone connections or heavy accents.
Try the “Secret World Chronicle” by Mercedes Lackey and some other folks. It’s a great braided novel. They’re on “Book” 2 now, so you have several hours worth of book 1 to get through…
http://www.secretworldchronicle.com/
I usually like Quirky Nomads - lots of different stuff.
Ack, I thought I posted a comment, but it’s not here! Lemme try again:
Radiolab.
http://www.wnyc.org/shows/radiolab/
I heard an excerpt on This American Life (another favorite), and immediately went back and downloaded all the back episodes. They do amazing things with sound while they talk about interesting subjects. It’s a public radio show, but on limited a production schedule and not on many stations at this time. I actually save episodes so I can go back and listen to them and think about them some more.
I’m all about stories though. Did you know that Hardy and Hawthorne could actually hold your interest and make you want more? I didn’t, till I heard The Classic Tales Podcast. (http://classictales.podshowcreator.com/) The narrator is really good and professional sounding. He does good voices. Good stuff.
I still lament that Penn Jillette’s radio show/podcast got cancelled. I LOVED that show. Jillette’s a horndog, but also kind of a nice guy. Who knew???
I listen to about a zillion podcasts because I spend most of my day ministering* to dogs and cats and having no one to talk to. I have to listen to something interesting or my brains will run out of my ears.
*aka dogwalking or petsitting
You listen to Speaking Of Faith? You just gained ten points on your coolness ratio, and you are already pretty damn cool…
Hmmm, some really good suggestions!
I’ve heard of RadioLab - it’s been plugged on This American Life once or twice. Audiobooks are a good idea - I’ll have to browse around. I have read Mercedes Lackey, so I’ll definitely check that out.
I’m a bit behind on my Speaking of Faith (with Krista Tippett!!!), but I’ll have plenty of time to listen to the back episodes.
Anything on Rogic. I’m actually part of that, go figure :). You can even hear me in a couple of episodes of the CatFish Show and The Bob and AJ show (though I’m not responsable if I make your ears bleed)
And If you want video too, check Cerealized. I love it.
Thanks for the thumbs on our SOF podcast. Since I’m originally from NoDak, I pound I-94 with my tires going home. I like strong narrative and storytelling when I’m driving:
>> American RadioWorks - our sister documentary unit that does some wonderful work, and they’re starting to open up their archives.
>> Selected Shorts - They don’t broadcast this on MPR any longer, but thank goodness they’re finally starting open up the vault.
>> Magnum Photos - I know, I know. It’s visual, but it’s incredible how good of storytellers some of their photographers are. Listen first and check out the fantastic photos upon your return.
Safe journeys.
ummm…
wow?
Ok, so I’m a moron that posted twice. At least I KNOW I’m a moron, ok????
/sorry
no kidding, that’s alot of suggestions.
I don’t really listen to podcasts yet. I still burn CDs to listen to in my car. I like music or books on CD for road trips.
Have a safe trip!
No, wow…because Mr Gilliss up there is an editor for Speaking of Faith.
So either my blog is super popular with big APM show editors, or he…regularly google searches to see who’s talking about SoF?
Either way, it’s very flattering!
I don’t think I even knew that Speaking of Faith had a podcast! I’ll have to hunt that one up.