Whether I'm commuting to work, waiting for my next (or delayed) flight, or on a nice long car trip, you can bet I've got a podcast waiting in my iPod to listen to. They're free, funny, and sometimes, I even learn a thing or two. Here are a few of my favorites to download:
Stuff You Should Know, from
HowStuffWorks.com
Chuck Bryant and Josh Clark have the best down-to-earth personalities and on-air chemistry to blow away even the worst Monday blues. Their humorous dialogues and their offbeat topics are what make this podcast one that I look forward to every week. Informative and delightfully random, past topics range from "How
Noodling Works" (cat-fishing with your arm, who knew!) to "How
Braille Works" to "How
Narco States Work" and more. I always learning something, even when they discuss the subjects I thought I already knew. There's a reason this podcast continues to be on the iTunes Top 10 week after week.
"Doing Business In...", from
The Economist
The quick synopsis of what to expect when doing business in an international city, told in a foreign accent (which makes it sound that much more sophisticated). Recent episodes include Tel Aviv, Vancouver, Cairo, and Buenos Aires. While I'm sure their other podcasts are full of enriching content, my work in travel means learning about foreign cultures, and what better way to learn about these cultures by learning how they do business. From airport arrival, to local cuisine, to negotiating contracts... this is a must to listen to, especially if you work abroad.
This American Life, from
WBEZ Chicago Public Radio
No list of great podcasts is complete without mentioning the king of all podcasting - Ira Glass. I can hear him now, "Each week, we bring you stories around a particular theme..." etc. This is the only podcast that has made me spontaneously smile, nearly brought me to tears, and made me think - about life, death, family, relationships, and everything else in-between - well after the show was over.
