I’ve had a few recent conversations (online and off) about podcasts. I’m a big fan of the format since unlike more visual mediums like text or video they’re perfect for when you’re on the go: in cars, trains, walking, etc.,). This got me to thinking that I really should get around to writing down the list that I have on my iTunes.
I have a couple of basic categories:
News/Current events, etc.,
- Fresh Air – Great interviews. I usually listen to each episode though I’ll sometimes skip some of the entertainment personalities.
- Commonwealth Club of California – interesting speakers, though not as reliably great as some other podcasts, I appreciate the format and the many of the guests. I’ll usually skip over at least 1/3 of these if not more
Entertainment
- NPRs This American Life – Ira Glass’ great audio production of interesting non-fiction (mostly) stories.
- WNYCs Radio Lab – dumbing down science so that anyone can enjoy it, layered with elaborate audio production
- The Sound of Young America – enjoyable pop culture interviews by America’s radio sweetheart right out of his LA apartment
- NPRs Car Talk – click and clack every week. I don’t often listen to these but they’re good to have on the ipod when you’re in the mood
- SFMOMA Artcasts – This I have to enhance my museum membership but the postings are sporadic and only occasionally useful/interesting
Photography related
- Jeff Curto’s Camera Position – Early episodes discussed why certain decisions were made while composing images. Lately this has become less frequent and more about the overall process of defining ones approach to photography projects
- LensWork – thoughts about the creative aspect of image making. Usually short, and so easily digestible when you’re almost at your destination but just need a few more minutes.
- Martin Bailey Photography – A Brit in Japan who works in technology by day but photography on the side. His technical descriptions are easy for anyone to digest, I enjoy this one for the embedded images and the inspiration it provides to just go out and shoot and follow through with your projects.
- Nikonians The Image Doctors – usually gear talk focused on Nikons but sometime other topics as well.
- Lightroom for Digital Photographers – short tutorials on Lightroom features
- Adobe Photoshop Lightroom Killer Tips – short tutorials on Lightroom features
- Photoshop for Digital Photographers – short tutorials on Photoshop features
So that’s the list on my computer (most of which get sync’d to my ipod/iphone. Speaking of which – one aspect of the iphone I love? The 2x setting. Some of these podcasts (Nikonians, Lenswork, Martin Bailey) are easily consumed at twice the normal speed allowing me to pack in more listening. Others (Terry Gross, Ira Glass) I prefer to listen to in real time.
I’m curious to hear what others are listening to as I’m always on the look out for good content.