While I’m struggling with a paper on Dorthy Sayers, I thought I would update and reblog this post. With luck, I’ll be back this weekend.
I love podcasts as much as I love books. Really, it’s true! Podcasts have taught me lessons, made me laugh and made me rethink some of my views. Podcasts can do do all the things a good book does in less time and with less effort on my part. Podcasts will never replace my books. some are just nice complements to my nonfiction collection.
For many of my friends podcasts are a mystery. They know podcasts are out there, but have no idea where to start. You know I love lists, so why not list some of my favorites?
Podcasts you should hear!
My faithful readers know I love Medieval History. I have well over 100 books on the subject and can be heard squealing with delight whenever I get my hands on a new title. Well the other morning I squealed a few minutes into a newly found podcast titled Europe from its origins presented by Joseph Hogarty. This is one of the best historical based podcasts I have had the pleasure of hearing. Hogarty has a soothing tone. It’s like a smooth flowing river, turning gently at the bends and never hitting a snag. His British accent is slight, his words are easy to understand yet his pronunciations of older words reminds me that we in the U.S. do not always pronounce words correctly. His switch from English to Latin to Greek is flawless; it was a joy to hear the names of the Apostles in Greek. There are only 17 episodes to this series which for a beginner may be the right amount. The podcast covers a wide range of subjects and is sure to be interesting to even those who do not study history. If you have never listened to a history podcast, I would recommend starting with this one.
For a more contemporary styled podcast I would have to recommend Stuff You Should Know . This is hands down my all time favorite podcast. The hosts, Chuck and Josh come across as two smart friends talking about things they find interesting. Ever wonder how time travel might work or do you want to know what makes the sky blue? These are answered on How Stuff Works along with hundreds of other interesting subjects. Chuck and Josh pick out topics they find interesting, do fantastic research on them then twice a week get together to educate their listeners with humor and insight. I cannot say enough about these two guys. When the sound of my co-workers become too much I slip on my headphones and let Stuff you should know take me away…
Judge John Hodgman is hands down the funniest & smartest podcast out there. If the name does not sound familiar, John was the PC in the” I’m and PC & I’m a Mac” commercial. He’s also the author of the” That is all” books. In his podcasts he passes judgment on people who have written to him with a conflict. Those who are picked to be on his show call in on Skype. John always asks smart questions yet manages to make light of the situation. My favorite is the conflict between three brothers and the bats in the house they had just bought. This should be the first one you download. How one brother wanted to get rid of the bats is hysterical.
Mysterious Universe is a podcast I first started listening to just for something different. Ben and Aaron, two young Ausies, talk about paranormal and odd new articles. Both guys love the subject but don’t always believe what they read. Over the years the guys have become more skeptical on the topic, which makes listening to them all that more fun. They interview some interesting authors on weird subjects. Sometimes I just roll my eyes, but sometimes as my guilty pleasure I buy the author’s book.
Chop Bard is a wonderful podcast on Shakespeare’s plays. If there is a better Shakespeare podcast out there I have yet to find it. Ehren Ziegler breaks the plays down and explains them so that anyone can understand and want to go out and watch them. I may have learned more about the plays from Ziegler than all of my classes combined. Podcasts like this should be a part of a high school curriculum.
If you listen to podcasts, let me know. I am always on the lookout for new material.
The View From Sari's World 
I have NEVER listened to a podcast —sad huh? I wouldn't know where to start:(
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Diane, I would recommend starting with some some book podcasts. Guardian Books has some great author interviews and talks about new releases. You can find podcasts on their web site. NPR is another good place to look. They are as fun as radio, and can be quite addicting.
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Thanks for the tips. I'll check out this Europe from its Origins podcast.
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Have you listened to Dan Carlin’s Hardcore History? I listen to the TED Radio Hour, BBC World Book Club, NPR’s Fresh Air, and Selected Shorts.
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Hi,
I used to listen to Dan all the time. It was the firs podcast I subscribed to. He stopped back in 2010. Is he back at it? NPR’s Fresh Air is great. But Talk of the Nation was better imho. I am so upset it is now gone. I love TED, but haven’t heard of their Radio Hour. I will check it out! Many thanks for the suggestions.
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Dan is a little out there. Or, at least the cadence of his voice seems so. He gave a very interesting account of Munster, Germany—things I had no idea happened. I think he tends to focus on the gruesome. There’s a lot I never heard about in any of my history classes. Let me know what you think.
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Yeah, now that I think about it he did seem to focus on war and battles. His voice reminds me of the comic’s Patton Oswald. I will give him another try and let you know what I think of his new stuff. There are some really good history podcasts out there, but stay away from Nerds on History. These guys do not know what they are talking about. How or why they think they are experts on anything is a mystery to me. You could make a drinking game out of their show. Just do a shot every time Eric spouts some nonsense as fact; you’ll do at least three shots per show LOL
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