Since procuring an iPhone, I’ve become obsessed with listening to various podcast shows. Just from a practical standpoint, I do considerable commuting for work (and when it was in session still, school), so I have plenty of time to bang out a 30-minute, 40-minute or 60-minute episode. The following is a list of those podcast shows I think are worth subscribing to and giving a listen. I’ll even include some favorite episodes in particular. Note: No order to this.
1. Freakonomics Radio: Stephen J. Dubner and t Steven D. Levitt host this radio program, which is based on their now nearly-decade old book, Freakonomics. They basically talk about things most economists do not touch: drug dealers, prostitutes, drugs, alcohol and so on. Their aim is to uncover the behavioral side of why people do what they do with the basic thesis: People respond to incentives.
Some favorite episodes include:
- The Perfect Crime from May 1.
- Fighting Poverty with Actual Evidence from Nov, 27, 2013.
- Fear Thy Nature from September 12, 2012.
2. StarTalk Radio: Hosted by Neil deGrasse Tyson, the famous astrophysicist. It’s quirky, enlightening and funny because he often has comedian co-hosts. I’m not well-versed in science, but I am well-versed in curiosity and this show satiates that curiosity and expands upon it.
Some favorite episodes include:
- Reporting on Science (Part 1 and Part 2) from May 10 and May 18.
- Cosmic Queries: UFOs from Nov 2, 2013.
- Zombie Apocalypse Part 1 from June 2, 2013.
3. Wrestling Podcast Shows: I’m grouping these into one category. Of course I love these because I love hearing the ins and outs of professional wrestling from the guys that did it. The best include The Steven Austin show hosted by Stone Cold Steve Austin, Talk is Jericho hosted by Chris Jericho and the Art of Wrestling hosted by Colt Cabana. Honestly, even if you’re not a wrestling fan, I think you’d find some of the episodes interesting.
4. This American Life: Pretty much the most popular and one of the longest running podcast shows around, so it absolutely is going to be included on my list and there’s a good reason: It’s awesome.
- Tarred and Feathered from April 13 (pretty much my favorite podcast episode of any of the shows mentioned — just astounding).
Some others I subscribe to, but haven’t really gotten a chance to dive into, albeit they all look interesting to me are:
- Frontline
- PBS: News Hour
- NPR
- NPR: Fresh Air
If anyone wants to recommend some of your favorites that aren’t featured, please do so.
