Both of my regular pools have been closed for maintenance for over a month so I’ve had to commute longer distances to other pools. (I know, cry me a river. We should all have such problems.) Since I’m in the car for over an hour a day, I’ve been desperate to find more podcasts to listen to while driving.
I’ve found more podcasts. Most of the time, I can’t get through even one episode. Even most of my favorite podcasts have fallen of my list of listenable.
What I’m discovering is that popular podcasts tend to focus on the same subjects and interview the same authors. They often discuss politics, the media, fighting back against established “industry gatekeepers”, the latest “controversy” and the news. Often the speakers are not experts – they are simply people who have an opinion.
When I first listened to podcasts back in 2018, I learned a lot. I enjoyed listening to Joe Rogan having long form discussions with doctors, scientists, health experts and even comedians. I liked hearing unconventional perspectives. I was challenged to do my own research and investigate topics further.
It’s different now. He spends an inordinate amount of time talking politics, complaining about “corporate media”, conspiracy theories, cancel culture and droning on about the comedy industry. His podcast is one that can rarely capture my attention anymore.
Plus he’s rich and a celebrity. So are many of his guests. They talk about rich people problems and lifestyles.
- World travel
- Expensive vacations
- Buying Rolexes
- Sports Cars
- Extravagant dinner
- Freebies
- Comedy history, process and insiders
Yawn. I’ll pass.
I can’t relate to any of this. Nor am I the least bit curious.
Other podcasts are news and current events focused. They discuss national political issues ad infinitum. They are hyper-focused on Washington DC and what happens inside that bubble.
I’m more interested in the local weather, the owls in the the trees behind my house and the changing of the seasons than am I on who is running for office in Georgia, Pennsylvania or Wisconsin.
Occasionally I’ll listen to a news podcast to hear a viewpoint that contradicts my current uniformed opinion. Maybe I can learn something about another perspective. Usually I’m disappointed. Most guests simply regurgitate their side’s taking points. I’ve already heard these. And I’m not buying them. I can see when the Emperor Has No Clothes.
I won’t listen to true crime podcasts. I could care less about celebrity news. I’m not enthralled with sports podcasts.
And so, I listen to the few niche podcasts I enjoy and count the days until my pools reopen and I don’t have to commute over an hour each day.
In the meantime, there’s always music. And silence.