Update 9/23/17: I am working on a new post about podcasts. In reviewing this old on I notice a number of shows listed that are no longer in existence. I have removed the links to them but left the reference for the record.
I know I should be pronouncing my gratitude for health, family, friends, good fortune and all that. And I am truly thankful for those things. But who couldn’t say that? Instead, I thought I’d take today to make a categorized list of my favorite podcasts. I go to the gym 2-3 times per week, and run about 40 minutes each day I don’t go to the gym. I wouldn’t survive these trials if didn’t have my IPhone full of stuff to keep my mind occupied while my body toils away. Because I have so many I really enjoy, I try to find other times in the week to listen to my favorite shows.
I know most people listen to music when they work out, but I use the time to stay informed on news, economics, and technology. Or I listen to interviews of writers, or stories told or read. I don’t think my collection is particularly unique. Most of these are pretty well-known. But there may be one or two you might not have heard of. I would certainly love to have your suggestions of great shows in the comments. I can always find time to listen to something new.
General News and Commentary
- Left, Right and Center: Weekly 1/2 hour commentary on the news.
- To the Point: Hour long daily analysis of the news.
News and Culture Interviews
- Fresh Air: Who doesn’t love this show?
- Bob Edward’s Weekend: Former NPR broadcaster always has interesting guests.
- Open Source: Christopher Lydon interviews a diverse range of profound thinkers in many realms.
Fiction and Non-Fictions Stories
- The Moth: True stories told live without notes.
- This American Life: Always a treasure. Although I often hear this on air instead of through the podcast.
- New Yorker Fiction: Stories from the New Yorker read by other writers who have chosen them.
Technology
- This Week in Tech: Too long for me to hear in one setting. Almost always interesting and entertaining.
- Buzz Out Loud: Daily recap and commentary on tech news.
- Lullabot: A variety of Drupal news and interviews.
- Macbreak Weekly: More from the Leo Laporte TWIT.TV network.
Economics
- Planet Money: 3 times/week. Great for explaining hard concepts. Entertaining.
- The Big Money: Good analysis of economic issues from Slate magazine.
Miscellaneous
- The Writer’s Almanac: Garrison Keillor, literature notes and a poem. 5 minutes/day.
- The Skeptics’ Guide to the Universe: Fun, illuminating, satisfying…if you like logic, reason and facts.
I subscribe to several others. But I can’t listen to them all regularly, and some are video podcasts, which I don’t like to watch while I’m working out. I usually watch them on my laptop. Feel free to comment on this list and to share your favorites.
Thanks for the links. I really enjoy podcasts. My favorite is Doug Henwood’s “Behind the News.” His essays at the beginning of the show are always informative and often brilliant. Television remains largely a wasteland, and radio rarely lives up to its potential, but podcasts offer meaningful choices.
Hey, Greg, I like this show, too when I have listened. I am a subscriber. Just haven’t been a regular listener. I will go back and give it another try.
Hands down, my fav. is Your Mac Life – http://yourmaclifeshow.com
The host, Shawn King has one of the most interesting and dynamic podcasts in the mac community. He has industry folks, developers, marketers, and end users, that talk about both the technical and mundane. (and it is not all “business” there is a lot of fun in there too!) The show is done live on Wed evening, with IRC chat integrated into the show. Avail. on iTunes, of course.