Favorite Podcasts

[ManaMan]

I haven't seen this topic discussed much on here and I think this is the best forum for it. Podcasts aren't music or movies but these forums were created in the pre-podcast era so...

I listen to a lot of podcasts, mostly while I code. I can't listen to podcast while I read though. Some podcasts I can't listen to while I work at all (too engrossing/distracting).

S-Town
Just wrapped up this one. Starts out as a true crime story like the original Serial season but takes a turn into an investigation of the life story of the main character. Interesting look into small town corruption, social decay, gay life in rural America, & mental health in the life of one man. Good stuff.

The Joe Rogan Experience
The podcast version of his YouTube show. Not a fan of the MMA stuff (haven't follow that in years) but I really enjoy some of the interviews he does. He did a really great one earlier this year with Henry Rollins. Very interesting & unusual fellow, learned a lot about him. He usually keeps the MMA discussions in their own episodes so if you don't care about that stuff and only want the comedian/celebrity interviews they're easy to skip. Just recently started following this one and it's become one of my favorites.

The Tim Ferris Show
Another great interview show. A favorite recent episode was one with Mr. Money Mustache. I also really liked his interview with Cory Booker (though the podcast is mostly apolitical). Tim Ferris himself is an interesting guy, I haven't read any of his books (4-Hour Workweek, etc) but his focus is mainly on life-hacking/self help.

Stuff You Should Know
This is a classic Podcast and the one I've been listening to the longest. Josh & Chuck are entertaining, laid-back guys. You can definitely find better-researched podcasts but I like the vibe of this one.

The Weeds (Vox)
My favorite political podcast, they do an in-depth look at policy in the federal gov (they get "in the weeds", thus the name of the show). It is Vox so the politics are to the left. Ezra Klein, Matthew Yglesias, & Sarah Kliff w/ guests host the show.

Waking Up with Sam Harris
Sam Harris was one of the "New Atheist" writers who were big 5-10 years ago. I read his books and enjoyed them. He was ruthless and efficient. Recently back in the news with his comments on Islam & his fight with Ben Affleck. Now he's got his own podcast. He's done some good interviews, mostly science & religion based but with a bit of politics. I really enjoyed his recent one with David Frum on Trump ("We're All Cucks Now").

This American Life
Generally one of the top ranked, been going on as a radio show since the late 90s. Great stories. Sometimes I find it hard to listen to at work because the stories pull me in and distract me too much.

Radiolab
Mostly a science podcast but with crazy over the top production quality (some might say it's over produced). Very engrossing stories, great story telling. Another one that's hard to listen to at work especially when the stories are about death.

Planet Money
A quick and easy NPR podcast about economics--a topic I find fascinating.

[Julius Seeker]

I take a little bit of a different approach for listening, but it's in the same vein.

iTunes U
There's all sorts of lecture series with connections to additional course materials and such. There's a lot of good stuff to learn. I like to listen to a lot on history, philosophy, and economic theory. There are all sorts of courses from Harvard, Yale, Stanford, and other Universities. A few years ago I even listened through a Tolkien course.
https://www.apple.com/education/itunes-u/


Audiobooks
I attempted audiobooks, but unfortunately I find new books hard to follow when I am working on other things; depending on the book. If it's a book I have read in the past, no problem, the parts I am not paying attention to I'll remember. The other sort of book are books without much scene or plot development, like Bret Easton Ellis's American Psycho; if you miss something, you won't lose track of where you are in the scene or in the plot. I attempted listening to a Wheel of Time book last year, but I found it very difficult to follow, and found it was more trouble than it was worth.
Audible Platinum is a good deal, high quality recordings, you get two free books a month for a cheap price, and a big discount on others if two is not enough.
http://www.audible.com/

On my free time, there're a few interesting youtubers that I follow:

Isaac Arthur
He's a futurist with speech impediment. Some of his videos are fascinating. If you are familiar with books by Asimov, you might enjoy this. Especially if you like stories like The Last Question. Hios videos are also well produced.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZFipe ... Ujx6grh54g

Primitive Technology
On the opposite end of the spectrum, a guy who went into the wilds, and uses more primitive technology to make a life. It's almost like watching a real life series based on a video game crafting mechanic.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAL3JX ... lZyD3nQdBA

[Anarky]

How Did This Get Made:
Hosted by Paul Scheer, June Diane Raphael and Jason Mantzoukas. Each show, which has a different guest, features the deconstruction and mockery of bad films.
http://www.earwolf.com/show/how-did-this-get-made/

Welcome to Nightvale:
Podcast presented as a radio show for the fictional town of Night Vale, reporting on the strange events that occur within it.
http://www.welcometonightvale.com/

Thrilling Adventure Hour:
Each episode featured three non-serialized segments as well as songs and commercials from fictional sponsors. Beyond Belief and Spark Nevada are the two best known shows. Great guest stars. It's over now, but the back catalog will keep you busy.
http://podbay.fm/show/408691897

[ManaMan]

I listened to iTunes U when it first was released years ago. I should check it out again and see what they have.

I can't listen to audiobooks while I work. When I had a long commute they were great but now that I work from home it's just way easier to read the actual book.

I've heard "Welcome to Nightvale" is a good one. I'll have to give that a listen.

[Anarky]

The Joe Rogan Experience
The podcast version of his YouTube show. Not a fan of the MMA stuff (haven't follow that in years) but I really enjoy some of the interviews he does. He did a really great one earlier this year with Henry Rollins. Very interesting & unusual fellow, learned a lot about him. He usually keeps the MMA discussions in their own episodes so if you don't care about that stuff and only want the comedian/celebrity interviews they're easy to skip. Just recently started following this one and it's become one of my favorites.

The Tim Ferris Show
Another great interview show. A favorite recent episode was one with Mr. Money Mustache. I also really liked his interview with Cory Booker (though the podcast is mostly apolitical). Tim Ferris himself is an interesting guy, I haven't read any of his books (4-Hour Workweek, etc) but his focus is mainly on life-hacking/self help.

Joe Rogan is a mixed bag for me. I saw Henry Rollins do spoken word this year live and it was fantastic, and the interview Joe did was great, but then he had Alex Jones on the next week and I was just like WTF.

Mr. Money Mustache is super interesting. I follow his blog on and off.

[Eric]

http://billburr.com/category/podcast/

[kali o.]

Bill Burr is fucking hilarious.

Joe Rogan is good. He's a bit of a meathead and pompous at times, but the conversation is usually interesting. I cant stand Joey Diaz.

I like Steven Crowder for my conservative/comedy fill.

Rubin Report is always worth checking out too.

[Anarky]

S-Town
Just wrapped up this one. Starts out as a true crime story like the original Serial season but takes a turn into an investigation of the life story of the main character. Interesting look into small town corruption, social decay, gay life in rural America, & mental health in the life of one man. Good stuff.

Just finished S-Town this morning. I think your summary is perfect.

[ManaMan]

http://billburr.com/category/podcast/

I've found Bill Burr hit and miss but I'll have to check out his Podcast.

Joe Rogan is good. He's a bit of a meathead and pompous at times, but the conversation is usually interesting. I cant stand Joey Diaz.

Agreed.

Rubin Report is always worth checking out too.

I like the Rubin Report and listen/watch from time to time but a couple of things grate on my nerves about it:

1. I know that as a liberal I won't agree with many of his guests but I'm not afraid of ideas. What bugs me is that he can be the softest interviewer ever. He rarely if ever challenges his guests views even when they're really out there. He could do a lot better job and would make for a more interesting dialogue. If you're interested in libertarian politics, the guys at Free Thoughts do a great job of this.

2. His "hey, I'm a liberal" line. "I'm so pro-gay marriage I married a guy!". Yeah, I get that he's a "classical liberal" in the sense that he wants government out of people's business and is anti-war. I'd classify him as a liberal when he was on TYT but I would classify him as more of a right-libertarian anti-SJW type now. His views have changed but he still uses the same label. But that's just me being pedantic.

S-Town
Just wrapped up this one. Starts out as a true crime story like the original Serial season but takes a turn into an investigation of the life story of the main character. Interesting look into small town corruption, social decay, gay life in rural America, & mental health in the life of one man. Good stuff.

Just finished S-Town this morning. I think your summary is perfect.

I missed my calling in life. I could've been a professional podcast copywriter.

[kali o.]

I like the Rubin Report and listen/watch from time to time but a couple of things grate on my nerves about it:

1. I know that as a liberal I won't agree with many of his guests but I'm not afraid of ideas. What bugs me is that he can be the softest interviewer ever. He rarely if ever challenges his guests views even when they're really out there. He could do a lot better job and would make for a more interesting dialogue. If you're interested in libertarian politics, the guys at Free Thoughts do a great job of this.

2. His "hey, I'm a liberal" line. "I'm so pro-gay marriage I married a guy!". Yeah, I get that he's a "classical liberal" in the sense that he wants government out of people's business and is anti-war. I'd classify him as a liberal when he was on TYT but I would classify him as more of a right-libertarian anti-SJW type now. His views have changed but he still uses the same label. But that's just me being pedantic.

I supposed that makes me think two things:

1) Yeah, Rubin Report is all about platforming other people's views. It's not a confrontational show in any way -- which can definitely make it less entertaining. But I think that's still a valuable format and he fills that role.

2) The problem is he is a Liberal, it's the rest of the left that has shifted - imo. I think if you really break down his positions, you'll see that's the case. I do agree he has libertarian leanings -- but so did the left...at one point.

[ManaMan]

I thought this was a great interview on the JRE:



I know that Jordan Peterson is a controversial figure in Canada and in other videos I've found him to be kind of an ass. THIS interview however was great and he came across as a smart & deep guy who's deeply concerned with current left-authoritarian trends in Canadian politics. I also enjoyed the talk on Jungian philosophy. I read some Jung in college and found it insightful & helpful. I like his take on Jung a lot.

[kali o.]

I don't think Peterson *should* be a controversial figure...it's shocking to me when people are NOT immediately against government mandated speech, period. I sympathize with the fact that the public is ignorant, in general, to what Human Rights Tribunals actually are and how they are used (essentially a final blackmail play, when traditional legal outlets have failed. Nearly all HRT complaints are settled at the mediation stage, due to the costs involved, bad press and questionable legal decisions).

C-16 needs to go away and HRTs need to be abolished.