A few weeks ago some friends and I were having a nice conversation, and the topic drifted toward our favorite iPhone apps and other similar geeky stuff. But to my surprise, when I mentioned some of the podcasts I listen to, no one knew what I was talking about.
Podcasting is a form of audio broadcasting on the internet. The podcasters records a show, to which you can subscribe to using an app. Usually, the show airs with a fixed frequency (weekly, or even daily), but while this may be important for growing an audience, it is not a requisite nor essential to podcasting. Once published, you can listen to the show’s episode whenever it suits you best.
My favorite time for listening to podcasts is while driving over commutes. I’ve found that podcasts –and audio books– allow me to make good use of this otherwise idle time.
The easiest way to subscribe to a podcast is to find it through your podcast player. Most shows –and there are thousand available– are listed in one or more podcast directories. Podcast players like Overcast, Apple’s Podcasts App, or Shifty Jelly’s Pocket Casts let you browse those directories to discover and subscribe to shows. They take care of downloading the latest episodes each time one is available.
Some Podcasts you may find interesting
This is a list of some of the podcasts I am currently subscribed or have been subscribed to in the past. I don’t feel obliged to listen to every episode of them, and I purge my list frequently.
Dan Carlin’s Hardcore History. Dan Carlin takes his outside-the-box way of thinking and applies it to the past. iTunes | RSS
The Moment with Brian Koppleman. Interviews about the pivotal moments that fueled fascinating creative careers. iTunes | RSS
The Tim Ferris Show, where Tim Ferris deconstruct world-class performers from eclectic areas (investing, sports, business, art, etc.) to extract the tactics and tools you can use. iTunes | RSS
The Knowledge Project. Shane Parrish, author of The Farnam Street blog, interviews key luminaries from across the globe to gain insights into how they think, live, and connect ideas. The core themes will seem familiar to readers: Decision Making, Leadership, Innovation. iTunes | RSS
Cortex. CGP Grey and Myke Hurley are both independent content creators. Each episode, they discuss the methods and tools they employ to be productive and creative. iTunes | RSS
Seth Godin’s Startup School Series by Earwolf. Seth Godin is a thought leader in the marketing and business world. In this rare live recording, hear Seth as he guides thirty entrepreneurs through a workshop exploring how they can build and run their dream business. iTunes | RSS
Writing and Storytelling
Writing Excuses Brandon Sanderson, Mary Robinette Kowal, Howard Tayler, and Daniel Wells discuss writing techniques in a fast-paced, 15-minute format. “Fifteen minutes long, because you’re in a hurry, and we’re not that smart.” iTunes | RSS
The Story Grid Podcast. Join Shawn Coyne, author of The Story Grid and a top editor for 25+ years, and Tim Grahl, struggling writer, as they discuss the ins and outs of what makes a story great. iTunes | RSS
Tech/Geek oriented Podcasts
Under the Radar. David Smith and Marco Arment. From development and design to marketing and support, Under the Radar is all about independent app development. It’s never longer than 30 minutes. iTunes | RSS
Accidental Tech Podcast (ATP). Featuring Marco Arment, Casey Liss, and John Siracusa. “A tech podcast we accidentally created while trying to do a car show.” This show is always longer than 1 hour… iTunes | RSS