Podcasts

I have been listening to podcasts for quite awhile now. Recently I asked my students how many of them listened to any podcasts on a regular basis and was suprised to hear that very few of them even knew what a podcast was. There were a few little misconceptions concerning podcasts that we cleared up and a couple students now listen to podcasts on a somewhat-regular basis.

I love podcasts. I get to listen to the information I want, when I want, and skip anything I don't want. I can search for regularly updated material on subjects that matter to me (or just plain entertain me). I even have my own podcast (well, had my own podcast...it hasn't been updated since episode 9).

{Plug: my podcast is called "The Family History Minute" and was a top-ten listened to podcast on the educational podcasts in iTunes...you can find it by going to www.familyhistoryminute.com or by going into iTunes, going to the iTunes Music Store, and searching for "Brian Mickelson, or "Family History Minute". I am currently deciding if it is worth the time to re-record/edit the thing and add two more episodes...we'll see. If you listen to it, send some feedback or episode ideas...I could use all the help I can get. I have received emails from people from all over the earth concerning the show. The feedback has been wonderful and I've enjoyoed conversing with people from wherever...}




Anyhow (now that that is over) here are the basics:
1. You don't need an iPod. Or even any type of mp3 player. Those only help if you want to listen to podcast when you are out and about.
2. You find a podcast you like and "subscribe" to it. Then, whenever they post a new "episode" it automatically downloads to your computer. Most people use iTunes to subscribe to podcasts, but there are other options.
3. Most podcasts update regularly and are well done. In iTunes, people vote on podcasts and give reviews and that helps you know what will be lame and what will be great to listen to.
4. Most media organizations have podcasts that are well done. CNN, NPR, etc....
5. iTunes keeps a list of the top-listened-to podcasts. Careful...they are not all "clean" all of the time. If there is explicit information in a podcast, they mark it that way. That helps.
6. All podcasts are free. Ya, I know...free. Sweet.

Here are the podcasts I am currently listening to:
1. This American Life: Weekly podcast lasting about an hour. Usually cut into a few segments all focusing on one theme. This has been a top listened to podcast for quite awhile now. Very well done.
2. RadioLab: In my opinion, this is the best-produced podcast on the planet. VERY well done.
3. CarTalk: Don't be fooled. I don't know a thing about cars. I probably never will. I don't listen to CarTalk because of the cars. I listen to it because these are two of the funniest guys I've eve heard. I love this podcast (which is actually a weekly radio show from NPR) and listen to it every week. Tom and Ray...these two guys from Boston...you have to hear them...
4. Grammar Girl -- Guide to Better Writing: I don't know why I like this one. Maybe because it is short and makes me smarter. Or seem smarter. Well, it is short and well done anyhow.
5. Family History Minute: I don't really listen to my own. C'mon. I hear myself everyday. But, people like it (not everyone...).

I have listened, in the past, to a bunch of other podcasts and I periodically go back to them a listen to recent episodes. I enjoy the PopSci Podcast, most stuff from NPR, some of CNN's stuff, and then a few random podcasts on subjects like photography, photo editing, genealogy, news, and whatever else I think of.

I'd be interested in hearing about what you're listening to. Let me know.