The Podcasts I Love
January 9, 2014The truth is I have been in something of a podcast rut. About six years ago, I discovered a flurry of brilliant podcasts – This American Life, RadioLab, Wiretap – along with a some major ear candy – Guardian Football Weekly – and I became a podcast devotee. But, sadly, I haven’t found a new podcast to love and live by for months, maybe even years. Then, a few days ago, thanks to the Mother Jones, I tried the Inquiring Minds podcast hosted by the science writer Chris Mooney and Indre Viskontas who, amazingly, is both a cognitive neuroscientist and a soprano. It bills itself as ‘the space where science, politics, and society collide’ and, to sum it up in a word: Wow. It’s got the perfect mix of personality, narrative, and intelligent conversation. And, an under-appreciated factor: it’s not overwhelmingly frequent. Once a week is just about perfect. Don’t believe me when I say it’s captivating? Take a listen to this recent episode with Michael Pollan and tell me it isn’t love at first listen.
My affection for this new podcast led me to draw up my listening list. I guess there are two main aims: to share what I listen to with other and to perhaps inspire others to send me their podcast recommendations based what I already listen to.
The Podcasts I Love
I remember it like it was yesterday: Janet Potter was visiting me during a break from studying in Ireland and mentioned that she was mad about Ira Glass. It was binge love, listening to roughly 300 hours of podcasts in the space of four months as I renovated an apartment. In my mind, some of the best journalism in the world.
An offshoot of TAL, this is some riveting economic journalism. Makes fiscal policy as addictive as The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo. And, if anybody ever wants to give me a really awesome present, think this shirt.
Wiretap with Jonathan Goldstein
Another program with a connection to TAL as Goldstein started as a contributor to the show. Goldstein can be a bit melodramatic in his musings, but characters like Howard make the show a must. Sadly, despite being a staunch supporter of the CBC, this is the only Canadian show I regularly listen to since Tapestry has dropped from my regular listening list because I am no longer researching religion.
Sometimes, when you live with small children and are rarely out of the house after 7pm, you really miss smart dinner table conversation. This is pretty much the equivalent of the smartest dinner table conversation in the world hosted by a man who somehow manages to combine vast knowledge with unquenchable curiosity with genuine intellectual humility.
Six years ago, Craig Walzer insisted I listen to this podcast. I did and it hurt my head. Interview overlays, jump edits, and all kinds of audio trickery. So, I said to Walzer, WTF? And he said try it again. Sure enough, the style becomes addictive and I haven’t missed an episode yet. The only problem with this show is that it makes me wish I could go back in time and recreate myself as a science journalist.
This is a bit of a love-hate relationship. It is an unreliable download and after a while The New Yorker‘s political angle becomes as predictable as The Drudge Report‘s. But the writing is also predictably superb and as I don’t subscribe to the magazine this at least gives me a minor connection to the magazine.
Stewart Brand’s most recent book, Whole Earth Discipline, has transformed the way I think about issues such as nuclear energy and world population. I’ve actually bought seven opies so far as I’ve given away so many. This podcast features talks about major issues facing the planet and considering the nobility of Long Now’s mission and the quality of the podcast you can forgive Brand’s occasionally misplaced enthusiasm.
This can be hit or miss, but it is generally excellent journalism and storytelling and it is always a reminder to open your eyes a little wider and examine your surroundings to see the delightful intricacy of the design and the architecture you are probably taking for granted.
When I arrived in Marseille, I discovered European football and I now follow it very closely. I am a rabid Olympique de Marseille fan (despite my loathing of Jose Anigo) but I also follow the Premier League because of the fascinating story lines and the genuine competition at the top of the table between five or six teams every year. This podcast is a a clever and witty analysis of European football and features one of the greatest radio (podcast) voices of all time: regular guest analyst Barry Glendenning. (He sounds like a grizzled 88-year-old steeped in football wisdom and cheap hooch; don’t Google a picture of him because the reality is inevitably disappointing.)
I used to read a lot of Bill Simmons work and was once even published in his notorious mailbag. I don’t follow him anymore, mostly because I stopped following basketball in over to follow European football. But, about 20 times a year I download his podcast to listen to him and Cousin Sal (of Jimmy Kimmel fame) guess the NFL lines, discuss their gambling losses, and provide some knee-jerk NFL football opinions. To be honest, I am embarrassed to admit I listen to this, but I would argue that Cousin Sal is a character for the ages and the fact that he wears his gambling addiction so proudly is mesmerizing.
And, of course, now I can add the Inquiring Minds podcast.
So, that’s my list. Listening suggestions more than welcome.
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Hi Jeremy,
I’m sure you’ve listened to the New Yorker Fiction podcast, with Deborah Treisman. Once a month is perfect frequency, listening to great (though perhaps not always widely known) writers reading ashort story of choice from the New Yorker archives. The discussion is always as enjoyable as the reading. It brightens up my day in first days of every new month.
I’m also a devotee of Football Weekly, although twice a week is always too much for me.
Hope OM are going well. Velodrome always struck me as a special venue. In Ireland it’s the big weekend of the sporting year this weekend – Donegal v Kerry in the All-Ireland football final (Gaelic football…)
S.