I’ve been listening to podcasts for about 7 years. Back in the day I actually listened on an iPod, which is where the name comes from.
For anyone not familiar with podcasts, they are essentially on-demand radio programmes. Many of them are edited versions of broadcast radio by public broadcasters such as the BBC in the UK and NPR in the US. There are also now several podcast “networks”: Gimlet Media, Radiotopia etc. Some podcasts are independent and still great quality. And then you have your homemade recorded-in-a-bedroom-on-an-iphone podcasts. Best avoided.
I’m not sure why I’m so hooked on podcasts, but I think it’s because of the intimate format. It’s often like listening in on interesting conversations.
I can’t get enough history, useless facts and personal stories. I’ve listened to shows on topics as diverse as the history of waitressing, how the fashion industry predicts trends, why we get déjà-vu, and Jim Henson’s Muppets.
Anything to take my mind off the tedium of the traffic on the Hogsback…
Here’s a run down of my favourite podcasts at the moment.
99% Invisible
Hosted by Roman Mars, this well-produced podcast covers the fascinating stories behind design, whether it be architecture, sounds, objects or the built environment. Often surprising, always interesting.
Homecoming
Gimlet Media’s first foray into fiction. Starring Catherine Keener, Oscar Isaac and David Schwimmer. It’s a psychological thriller told through “found recordings”. It will leave you desperately wanting to get hold of a VHS video of Titanic 2. (Listen and you’ll see what I mean!)
https://gimletmedia.com/homecoming
Radio Diaries
From Radiotopia, people’s stories in their own words. I’ve enjoyed the episodes about female pilots in the US during WW2 and adults revisiting their teenage audio diaries 16 years on.
http://www.radiodiaries.org/podcast/
So these are a few suggestions. If you know any other good ones, let me know!
