Supposedly there are millions of Podcasts today. it seems like the most popular ons focus on politics, murders, and pop culture.
Blech.
I prefer listening to Podcasts vs. the radio because I like long form discussions and I like being able to fast forward past commercials.
I also like to listen when I’m on my third and final meandering stroll with Wiggles before settling in for the evening.
Here are a few I’ve been following this year:
Reason Roundtable – 4 Intellectual Writers from Reason.Org who discuss a current news event with thoughtful discourse, recommended readings and an intellectual integrity and curiosity that I don’t find elsewhere. I often get recommendations for books, writers and movies from this podcast too.
Sway – Kara Swisher interviews influential people – often CEOs and movers & shakers from the Tech World. She is a smart, prepared interviewer who pulls no punches and cuts through bullshit by asking hard questions.
Pivot – Kara Swisher and Scott Galloway discuss business, political and societal issues with a bent toward technology. At first, their interruptive banter was annoying but the content of the podcast and their complementary yet contrasting viewpoints and backgrounds make this interesting. They usually have a guest to interview about a current topic.
Joe Rogan – I’ve listened to him for years and really appreciate his long form discussion format. He has sometimes entertaining, sometimes hilarious and often though provoking discussions with people all over the map. I credit this podcast for introducing me to carnivore, keto and other lifestyle changes. Since he’s gone to Spotify, I’ve been listening to him less. I’ve found his guests to be less interesting and the Spotify podcast app sucks compared to Apple Podcasts. I really cannot stand when a guest is on a “book promo” tour and they seem to pop up all over my podcast feeds. Generally, these interviews are the worst. To me, Rogan is best when he has interesting people on and they shoot from the hip.
Bill Burr Monday Morning Podcast – Bill Burr is one of my favorite comedians. He rants for 1-2 hours a week. Sometimes he’s irritating and uninteresting (I have no interest in the NHL or in flying helicopters). But I probably laugh more listening to his podcast than any other time during the week.
I have sampled many others to fill the time, broaden my mind and search for opposing views and content:
Sam Harris for intellectual discussions, some right wingers to hear what people who think opposite of me are saying, some mainstream news like NPR and BBC, some liberal podcasts to get the opposing perspective of the right wingers and many others.
None of those have bubbled up to make my favorites list as of yet.