I think every other conversation I start with Kris begins with “I was listening to this podcast and…” I’m sure that doesn’t get old. However, since I started listening to podcasts, I feel smarter. I look at them as free continuing education. Last October, I began listening to them in the mornings and when I was cleaning around the house or sometimes even during a run. I couldn’t believe how much they’ve enriched my life. I was starved for stories and lessons and ideas, and I didn’t even know it. Below are some of my favorites.
This American Life
Classic. I’ve been listening off and on to TAL for the past six years. There’s always something in every episode that makes me think. Some favorites: Dan Savage in the Return to the Scene of the Crime episode, Switched at Birth, and NUMMI. TAL has free archives to stream.
Death, Sex + Money
Super interesting episodes with a wide variety of interviews. Bill Withers. Jane Fonda. Jason Isbell and Amanda Shires. They talk about (you guessed it) death and sex and money. I wish this one would update more often, but, alas, it’s every other Wednesday.
Freakonomics Radio
Freakonomics is such a smart podcast. My recent favorite is Failure is Your Friend, which in part discusses one man who refused to sign off on the launch approval for the Challenger because he feared the O rings would be problematic given the cold weather. If you like the podcast, the movie and the books are great, too.
Stacking Benjamins
Okay, I don’t have any benjamins to stack, but I’d like to! I enjoy the financial aspect of this podcast, but they also mix it up with interviews and trivia and practical tips. They also review movies, which prompted me to drag Kris to see the Lego movies (everything is AWESOME…).
Those are just a few. If you’d have told me a few years ago that I wouldn’t be listening to music every waking second I had earbuds in, I’d have told you you’re crazy. But now I gladly trade a few hours of music for a few hours of interesting stories that help me learn more about the world around me.
