I’m going to be doing a lot of traveling again very soon and I thought I’d ask all of you if anyone has any suggestions.
I’m currently addicted to:
Stuff you should know
Stuff you missed in history class
The history of Rome
Wait, wait don’t tell me
On the media
This American Life
Risk / The Moth
Real time with Bill Maher
NPR’s all things considered.
Any way hopefully that gives a decent idea of my interests and I look forward to hearing your suggestions.
Marc Maron’s podcast WTF is a must listen for me. Every time he talks about himself (all the time) I learn a little more about myself. Once Maron gets under your skin, there’s no going back. Be patient. Give him time. It’s worth it.
I’d also recommend some Scott Sigler podcasts - he used to have podcasts of his books, which were free. Contagion being one of the better ones. They are ‘horror’/sci fi/gruesome, so keep that in mind.
The Monday Morning Podcast with Bill Burr (the funniest redhead in the world)
The Skeptics Guide to the Universe (very informative)
Mohr Stories with Jay Mohr (he has had great talks about his showbiz experience, and is generally pretty funny
WTF with Mark Maron
On Point with Tom Ashbrook (news/interview show)
The Diane Rehm Show (news/interview)
Talk of the Nation on NPR (news)
Those all keep me happy at the gym and during my 2 hours of driving everyday. Bill Burr is a bit crude, but I routinely laugh out loud while listening.
I like the concept and some of the topics on Stuff You Missed in History Class, but damn at the readers. Couldn’t they get a history professor or history grad student with a decent voice instead of those “The guillotine was like really really gross, it totally like cut people’s heads off!” sorority girls?
Dan Carlin gets on my nerves big time. Has a voice and an attitude that reminds me of a pilot for “Jim Cramer Presents History”.
I listen mainly to comedy podcasts - aside from WTF, which has been mentioned, I like Mike and Tom Eat Snacks, Doug Loves Movies, and Comedy Bang Bang (though this last is wildly uneven - sometimes it’s hilarious; sometimes tedious).
I agree with many of the above, so I won’t repeat. But the **Planet Money Podcast **is a must for anyone who likes This American Life or RadioLab. Not to be missed, fantastic podcast. Even if you think you aren’t interested in Economics. It’s about Econ the way RadioLab is about Science.
You won’t be sorry.
You might also want to check out In Our Time with Melvin Bragg which is a roundtable discussion about interesting topics from world like Custer’s Last Stand, or Cogito Ergo Sum, or The Age of the Universe. The number of topics is wide ranging but always interesting, and the experts he has on to discuss the topics are always fascinating.
Lastly, I didn’t see **The Moth **listed. A storytelling podcast. True stories from peoples lives told live without notes in 15 minutes or less. Some are funny, some are sad, some are inspirational. Always worth a listen. Great stuff.
Really? I find her show to be pretty terrible. First off, she sounds like she has both feet in the grave. Secondly, she is a really bad moderator. It is almost like she nods off during the middle of an interview and lets the guest or panel ramble on. I love NPR but she hosts one of my absolutely least favorite shows…right after A Prairie Home Companion.
Well, I agree that A Prairie Home Companion blows.
As to The Diane Rehm show: I find it very informative and with good guests. I never noticed her moderating lacking.
There are a bunch of comedy podcasts that I used to listen to regularly, but for some reason can no longer stand (I’m looking at you, Adam Carolla and Doug Benson).
I listen to this one and the other broadcast (the horror one), but I don’t know, over the last few months I find myself skipping the episodes. I can’t recall the last short story that I thought was excellent, unfortunately.