Music isn’t a big part of my life. I enjoy listening to my favorite song or going to a concert once in a while, but it’d be hard to call myself a huge fan of music. Before, if I needed ambient noise I’d usually pop in a old movie or television box set. Things changed a lot when I started to listen to Podcasts.
Podcast are audio files of people discussing different subject (e.g. celebrity news, fashion, retro cartoons). Some are insightful, some are unusual, and some are just fun to listen to. Podcasting started to gain popularity in the mid 2000′s and have become a good alternative to music when going on a long commute. If you ever get tired of your old tracks, check out a Podcast or two. Remember, unlike music, Podcast are usually free.
The name Podcast can be a little misleading. You don’t need an iPod to listen to a Podcast. Android users can download one of the many apps out there in order to stream right from their phones. If all else fails, you can always download them to your computer and upload the file to your mobile device.
The following are a few Podcast to check out if you have a long car ride or are looking for something to keep you busy:
This American Life – America is an interesting place and it’s the people who make it interesting. This American Life takes the most unusual stories from all across the country and reports them to us. Each episode usually takes one topic and tells several people’s stories.
Freakonomics Radio – Based off the popular book, Freakonomics Radio takes a look of the hidden side of everything. Freakonomics Radio lets us understand how drug deals don’t make as much money as we think they would, why some names are more popular in upper class families and why some names are popular in lower class families, and controversial subjects as well.
Sesame Street Podcast – If you have a little one, the Sesame Street Podcast may bring you a few minutes of quiet to your car ride. Although children may not be interested in an audio programming, the people at Sesame Street do a video podcast, usually centered around one theme. It’s a good way for your children to learn.
Words By: Brandon Tanimoto
Image By: Stephen Beadles
