I’ve always liked the word ‘pod’, a little kernel of potential awaiting a bushfire, or soil and rain, to explode into life. I was initially a little dismayed when Apple hijacked the word (even though iPods are wonderbunk), but I’ve come around again because podcasts are my hourly companions.
I still can’t read much in print form, I’ve almost abandoned audio books due to the difficulty of maintaining a regular supply, and podcasts are free and easy to get hold of. Radio National is my first love, but it’s mighty handy to be able to hear shows on demand. Like when I’m awake at 3am with a towel under my head, wondering what purpose night sweats have in the scheme of things.
If you’re listening to podcasts in bed I recommend ditching the crappy generic headphones that came with your mp3 player (esp. those hideous white ones from Apple) and investing in a comfy pair of canalphones like these, that can be used even if you lie on your side. If all headphones hurt, I suggest a cheap iBoom rip-off from somewhere like K-Mart so you can listen through tiny speakers on your bedside table.
I’m listening to a lot during the silly season. People keep asking me what I’m doing for the Christmas period. You know me, convivial to the end: short bursts of socialising and sugar-eating, but otherwise tucked up in bed in a dim room, soft cloth over eyes, with an earplug in one ear and a headphone in the other. Business as usual.
What are your favourite podcasts? If anyone feels a burning urge to recommend any, I’m always looking for more! The key is to have a nice blend of serious and silly. My list waxes and wanes, but some are listed below.My days and nights would be very much the bleaker without podcasts. I love you, little sound pods, little poddie sounds, little wonders of interesting international minutiae and mutterings of humans Out There. Go forth and multiply so I always have abundant listening mulch.
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Sunday Night Safran
Unconstructed radio ostensibly about religion, politics, and culture; hosts John Safran and Father Bob conduct shambolic interviews with guests, bicker with one another, and meander down rambling conversational paths. Bob is like an inquisitive prattling Australian Yoda, John seems to be more obsessed with ethnicity than religion, unless the religion involves magic underpants.
With Garrison Keillor. Soothing.
Andrew Denton gives good interview. They’ve just cancelled this show, so get 'em while you can.
Phillip Adams, Australia’s favourite leftie, talks to illuminaries and interesting persons from near and far. I get a little thrill just from the theme music.
Hilarious audio newspaper by two British comedians, Andy Zaltzman (London) and John Oliver (New York). Even has a cryptic crossword to make mere mortals feel foolish. I can’t do cryptic crosswords, but my Granny does. She’s a bona fide genius, I don’t compare myself to her.
Non-earnest coverage of disability issues, including a quiz called, “Vegetable, vegetable or vegetable?”
Tireless Melbourne social activist and maverick. Devotes every waking moment to helping people in need or brainstorming more ways to help people in need.
I’m all excited if they discuss a book I read in the past, it’s proof I once had a brain. (“I would while away the hours, conferrin’ with the flowers…”)
OK, it’s a bit masochistic listening to the book shows, but I like to keep abreast (abook?) of things.
I love Dr Karl. He's been described as 'an answer looking for a question' and his show is fascinating. I’ve heard the BBC one too (Naked Scientists) but this one’s shorter - Zan keeps things moving right along. Did I mention I love Dr Karl?
Great mix of topics and guests. Host Terry Gross is an intelligent and curious interviewer, and emits an endearing little snort when she laughs.
The Adventures of Mr Stephen Fry.
Substantial interviews with authors.
I’m of the generation that was intended to magically absorb grammar by osmosis. It didn’t work, so we need all the help we can get. Grammar Girl would choke if forced to read this blog.
With Susan Maushart.
Awesome and carefully crafted podcast of mp3 gooduns. I don't listen to normal music radio because I refuse to sit through five crap songs to get to the good. Plus I'm a softie for some warm vinyl crackle - our family had a massive record collection when we were growing up, my brother and I played them constantly.
Ms Geraldine Doogue...is a legend.
Hamish & Andy / Hughesy & Kate
Light listening! Amusing and sometimes puerile.
Always riveting, and hosts Josh Clark and Chuck Bryant are fantastic.
Apparently the most popular podcast in America. Beautiful and poignant.
As described.
2010 newies to my list:
Interior design.
Based in Melbourne. "We take stories by Antipodean writers and raconteurs from the page and make them audible. Paper Radio is divided into two distinct stations — FM and AM."
Short stories by Australian author Jennifer Mills.
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