Tuesday, May 12, 2015

Do You Podcast?

Or more so, do you LISTEN to podcasts?

I have a confession.

I didn't know HOW to listen to a podcast until very recently. I thought you had to have an iPod (which I do) and that you had to subscribe and download specifically to iTunes, and for years my iTunes crashed my Windows laptop. How could I listen to podcasts if my iPod wouldn't sync up???

What I didn't realize is anybody can listen to a podcast on a website. You just click play and listen through a speaker. It's literally that easy. I was tripped up on the name podcast thinking pod = iPod = iTunes = i-everything-domination.

Nope!

(I also have my iTunes fixed on my new laptop, so that whole mess is figured out).

But where do you FIND podcasts?

You're in luck! Here are a few of my favorites. Go ahead and try one if you never have. Sometimes podcasts will even reference other podcasts. Win!

Smart Bitches, Trashy Books

Don't let the snarky name deter you. This is smart talk on romance fiction and its industry, plus special related topics. It's feminist and literary-leaning, and oh so funny.

Most recent listen: a chat on this week's yearly ComicCon-level book con RT (Romantic Times)

NPR's Pop Culture Happy Hour

Smart and funny examination of what's going on right now.

Most recent listen: The Avengers: Age of Ultron, Pop Culture Pariahs

Nerdist

Pop-culture everything. There is SO MUCH on here with multiple channels specializing in topics or with specific hosts (several of whom are comedians and are awesome). My favorite is the Nerdist Writer's Panel, which interviews writers for TV, movies, comics, etc.

Most recent listen: Nerdist Writer's Panel: Wayward Pines

Book Riot

Everything books. Recommendations, bookstores, industry stuff, fun stuff. Varied content but if you like reading, it's got you covered.

Most recent listen: Book Riot: Not Without Genre

General Topic:

How Stuff Works podcast Everything from Stuff You Missed in History Class, Stuff Mom Never Told You, Tech Stuff, Brain Stuff, Stuff They Don't Want You to Know

A few fun Star Wars podcasts:

Nerd Lunch discusses Star Wars: A New Hope 
Mos Eisley Comic Port archives

Do you listen to podcasts? Which is your favorite?

9 comments:

  1. I was in a similar boat! I knew how to download the podcasts but I'm not sure I knew how to be able to do other tasks WHILE podcasting and where to find the podcasts until recently. LOVE the Nerdist! I also really enjoy The Alluionist just because of the SUPER DUPER FACTS they drop on you in under 20 minutes. :)

    ReplyDelete
  2. My husband listens to podcasts all the time, but until recently, I was like you, I didn't know HOW to access them. Thanks for the recommendations. I'll have to check them out!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Fridays seem to be my days to listen. It's easier to listen while working from home now because before I didn't want to bug my coworkers in cubicle land :)

      Delete
  3. I love podcast! My writing group and I are starting one (not live yet). Here are some of my favorites:

    If you're not listening to Night Vail You're missing out!!!
    Welcome to Night Vail: http://podbay.fm/show/536258179

    Storytelling at it's best:
    NPR: This American Life: http://www.thisamericanlife.org/podcast

    If you write Romance:
    Romance Writers Rodeo: http://www.romancewritersrodeo.com/

    And Joanna Penn always has great guests from the industry:
    Creative Penn podcast: http://www.thecreativepenn.com/podcasts/

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for the recommendations! This American Life I listen to either on the radio or podcast. I have not heard of the others, so thanks!

      Delete
    2. Give Night Vale at least four episodes before you decide it's not for you. It really is a fun radio drama. Smart and Funny...if not a bit twisted.

      Delete
  4. I don't really listen to them very much, but know there are good ones out there

    ReplyDelete
  5. I don't really listen to them very much, but know there are good ones out there

    ReplyDelete

Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.