I was somewhere in New England last year hiking the Appalachian Trail when some kind soul turned me on to podcasts. How had I managed to go my ENTIRE adult life without knowing about these little gems? Don’t get me wrong, I love some good upbeat music for driving down the highway or pounding out trail miles. However, podcasts opened up an entirely new world of entertainment. When you’re on the road and in the woods as much as I am, finding new ways to keep yourself entertained and informed is always exciting.
I figured I was just out of the loop and that probably everyone knows about podcasts, right? Well, I was wrong. Turns out a lot of folks I’ve talked to may have heard of them but never have actually listened to any. I wanted to write this post to share with you a few of my favorites, and why. I tend to prefer podcasts that teach me something I don’t already know, or that provide in-depth information about topics I’m interested in. Whatever you like, there’s surely a podcast about it that will blow your mind.
What is a podcast?
It’s kind of hard to define what a podcast actually is. So instead I’m just gonna tell you about them. A podcast is generally formatted as on-demand audio (though can include video as well). Sometimes (a lot of times) podcasts are offered as a series, with new episodes being released on a timeline. Podcasts generally appeal to a more specialized/narrow audience than standard public radio broadcasts. And the best part? Most of them are FREE.
So what are you waiting for? Scroll down to find out about some of my favorite podcasts and check them out for yourself.
How to listen to a podcast
There are several ways to listen. If you click the links provided in this post, you’ll be taken straight to the webpage for the specific episode linked. Here, you can listen in your browser. However, I strongly recommend using an app such as Apple’s stock podcast app (what I use) or another podcasting app designed for your operating system. These apps allow you to set up subscriptions, automatic downloads, etc. and are a much easier way to organize and listen to your podcasts.
My favorite podcasts (in no particular order):
1. Radiolab
I said in no particular order but if I had to pick my one absolute favorite podcast, it would be Radiolab. From their website:
Radiolab is a show about curiosity. Where sound illuminates ideas, and the boundaries blur between science, philosophy, and human experience.
Want to give it a listen? The episode that got me hooked was From Tree to Shining Tree
2. Science VS
This show is quirky and fun and I adore the host, Wendy. I’ve always been a science geek and I love fact vs. fiction type stuff so this show quickly caught my attention. From the website:
Science Vs takes on fads, trends, and the opinionated mob to find out what’s fact, what’s not, and what’s somewhere in between.
I love the no-nonsense and [mostly] unbiased presentation of sometimes-controversial information. If this sounds up your ally, one of my favorite episodes was THIS ONE about GMO’s.
3. Hidden Brain
I’m a fan of anything NPR, and this podcast is no exception. They cover some of the most fascinating topics! From the website:
Using science and storytelling, Hidden Brain reveals the unconscious patterns that drive human behavior, the biases that shape our choices, and the triggers that direct the course of our relationships.
If learning about human consciousness through the lens of science, told by a captivating storyteller sounds like something you might enjoy, give this episode a listen and see what you think: Broken Windows
4. TED Radio Hour
If you love TED talks then you’ll love TED Radio Hour. This series presents “topics” and includes speeches, interviews, and presentations from influential individuals that presented on those topics to cram a TON of information into a 50-60 minute long episode. From the website:
An idea is the one gift that you can hang onto even after you’ve given it away. Welcome to TED Radio Hour hosted by Guy Raz – a journey through fascinating ideas: astonishing inventions, fresh approaches to old problems, new ways to think and create.
I’ve found this podcast to be consistently among my favorites and one that I look forward to each week. If you think you’d like it, here’s one of my favorite episodes: 7 Deadly Sins
5. Stuff You Missed in History Class
Most of the podcasts I listen to have a science twist. I haven’t always been the biggest history buff, however I really love this show! The hosts are quirky with a fun sense of humor and they cover interesting historical topics that are less “mainstream”.
I especially enjoyed this episode on the New London School Explosion.
6. Freakonomics
You might be thinking to yourself that a podcast about economics can’t possibly be interesting. You’d be thinking wrong. I have NEVER been interested in economics but I find this podcast to be highly informative, entertaining, and even essential to understanding some of the finer details of life that I’ve never really considered before. From the website:
Host Stephen J. Dubner has surprising conversations that explore the riddles of everyday life and the weird wrinkles of human nature — from cheating and crime to parenting and sports.
Give it a listen and see for yourself. I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised. For one a lot of people can probably relate to, try Why is my life so hard?
7. This American Life
This podcast is pretty mainstream but the information is really well researched and well presented. I’ve found myself captivated by some of the stories, and I love the format in which the information is presented. From the website:
There’s a theme to each episode of This American Life, and a variety of stories on that theme. Most of the stories are journalism, with an occasional comedy routine or essay. There’s lots more to the show, but it’s sort of hard to describe.
Check this one out. It’s one of the most popular podcasts in existence and will likely leave you wanting more after just one episode. One of my favorites is The Problem We All Live With
8. Snap Judgment
This podcast is pretty different from the usual stuff I listen to. It’s primarily a storytelling podcast, and as such features real-life stories told by the host(s). I’ve been brought to tears by some of these stories. From the website:
We focus on presenting compelling personal stories – mixing killer beats with real drama to produce cinematic, dramatic and kick-ass radio.
If you’re in the mood for true-to-life stories that are sometimes hard to believe and always compelling and entertaining, give Snap Judgment a listen. I personally enjoyed the episode The Klan.
9. Honorable Mention
There are so, so, so many podcasts out there. I don’t have enough hours in the day to listen to all the ones I want. Here are links to a few more that I’m not going into detail about, but that I’ve listened to and enjoyed and think you might, too.
Still She Roams 
Thanks for this, it’s given me some quick and easy info/links to some new material. BTW: hiking the trail – any trail – is an awesome time to listen to podcasts!!
~BuzzCut
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