I Heart Podcasts

They’re like on-demand radio blogs. Like radio, they’re free listening. Like blogs, you can subscribe to them. And anyone with an internet connection can make or listen to them.

I listen to podcasts when I can’t sleep because I’m suffering from what I would call an over-active mind. Know what I mean? Sometimes I get so sick of hearing my own deep thoughts tumble around in my skull, and I’d just much rather hear someone else’s deep thoughts tumble around in there.  That’s when a well-crafted lecture from the comfort of my own pillow is ideal. Jane Goodall doesn’t mind if I fall asleep while she’s talking about the lessons learned in a distinguished career.

Some people love music podcasts. Some love interviews with great people and some love conversational banter between great friends. Podcasts are good at that too.

If you’re not already too jaded by the 21st century to listen to TED talks, in fact if you’ve NEVER listened to a TED Talk, start there. I dare you to not find someone with something interesting to say.  My favourite is Brene Brown on Vulnerability.

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If you have an iPhone or some other iThingie, look for or install this app.  Poke it with your finger. Add some search words for things you like. Listen.

If you don’t have an iThingie, the easiest way to find podcasts is on iTunes.

Here are my favourites:

TVO did a Big Ideas podcast with lots of deep thinkers thinking lots of deep thoughts.

Grammar Girl is great for sleeplessness. I’ve seen it put a tense 9 year old to sleep in under 10. The bonus is, if you can’t sleep, you learn something about participials or some such.

I’m smitten with This American Life. (So is everyone else).

Stop Podcasting Yourself almost always makes me laugh though it’s not for everyone. This is That makes me laugh too, and I think it is for everyone. And by everyone I mean most Canadians, probably.

My favourite single podcast episode of all time is Mooallempalooza by 99 Percent Invisible. So good.

Do you listen to podcasts? What do you love?