Believe it or not, Podcasts have been around since the 80’s, back then it was referred to as ‘audioblogging’ and was exactly that, spoken blogs. It wasn’t till apple added them to iTunes in 2005 that it really took off , not only did they give a voice to anyone who thought they had something to say, but they were (and still are as far as I know) one of the only free things on iTunes.
I first got in to podcasts about 8 years ago. See, most people run to music, I prefer to run to stories. I find that as my mind wonders off in the narrative it forgets all about aching muscles and long distances. Basically it shuts my brain up! It started off with audio books, in fact, I ‘read’ the entire Malcolm Gladwell series while running and quickly found out that I could run really long distances if I was entertained. However when the hand full of audio books I had been gifted ran out, I switched to podcasts and never looked back.
Now days, podcasts help me kill time wherever time needs to be killed, driving long distances, flying long distances, waiting in line at any government office and of course running. Today with over 115 000 english language podcasts, you can be pretty sure to find one about pretty much anything you’re interested in but just to get you started I’m giving you my top 3.
Radio Lab
This particular podcast (originally a radio show) is over 15 years old, and really the reason I got hooked on podcasts to begin with. The show is hosted by Jad Abumrad and Robert Krulwich, and is possibly the most incredible display of audio production I’ve ever heard. It doest really follow a particular theme, unless you consider “interesting shit” a theme as It seems to cover anything from true stories to scientific theories. The only constant is this incredible theatre of the mind experience that will make you the most interesting person at any dinner party. Subscribe here.
The Moth
I have a particular penchant for non fictional stories, mostly because, people are amazing and their lives fascinating. The Moth is a celebration of just that, the human experience told via true stories to a live audience. It began on a back porch in small-town Georgia, where founder George Dawes Green would share stories with friends, there was a hole in the screen, which let in the moths attracted to the light, and so “The Moths” were born. Today, 20 years later, over 26 000 stories have been told at over 3 500 live events over 6 continents. The stories are generally about 15min each and can be anything from funny to heartbreaking while always remaining fascinating. The Moth has quickly become my favourite series and my best running partner. Subscribe here.
Mr Porter Live
This is a relatively new podcast to my list but I’m really enjoying it. We all know and love Mr Porter for being the go to resource for everything ‘gentlemanly’ so I was glad to find that there podcast wasn’t based on fashion and style but rather stories. This documentary series entitled “Fathers and Sons” follows incredible stories of contemporary masculinity through the eyes of fathers and their sons. It’s definitely worth checking out, but I’m excited to see where Mr Porter might take there podcast series. Subscribe here.
Just in researching this article i’ve stumbled on a couple more podcasts that I will be taking along with me on an upcoming trip. I’ve heard great things about Serial (from the creators of This American Life – another great story telling podcast series) where a true story unfolds over an entire 12 episode season. AhhhOooooooooo! I also stumbled on to something called The Leap which follows true stories of people making dramatic risky changes in their lives! Sounds good right?
Okay. Be inspired and stay fancy!
