Podcasts - Filling the Spaces with Learning

I love podcasts. 
As someone who drives at least 40 minutes a day, podcasts fill this empty space with stories of humor, discovery, and perspective. People often ask me for podcast recommendations so I thought I would put together a quick guide to my top 7 favorite podcasts (in no particular order)

---

TED Radio Hour

We all know that TED Talks are amazing. It’s an awesome experience to be introduced to exciting new ideas by passionate and talented experts in the field. Each episode of TED Radio Hour samples from 3-5 TED Talks all focused on a central theme. What truly makes this show special though is the incredible sound editing that bring the stories to life and Guy Raz’s fantastic follow up interviews with the speakers to add another dimension to the story. If you only have time for one podcast in your playlist, I would point you here.

Recommended episodes:
Solve for X
What is Original?
Misconceptions

---

This American Life

Many consider Ira Glass one of the most important pioneers in this space and This American Life proves that he is as good as it gets when it comes to telling people’s stories in a radio show. Many of the other top podcasts and radio shows today have been so greatly influenced by This American Life and Ira Glass that it’s easy to recognize the style. These stories have the ability to stay with you long after you’re done listening.

Recommended episodes:
The Problem We All Live With
The Radio Drama Episode

---

RadioLab

Self described as a “show about curiosity”, hosts Jad Abumrad and Robert Krulwich explore stories of science and how it affects our world and our society. RadioLab is the master at telling science case studies that truly get at the messiness of discovery and invention. (listen to Henrietta’s Tumor or Patient Zero) They also do a great job introducing, breaking down, and debating the most state of the art research of the day. (listen to Antibodies Part 1: CRISPR)

Recommended episodes:
Henrietta’s Tumor
Patient Zero
CRISPR
Tell-Tale Hearts

---

Reply All

Reply All is at it’s core, “A Show About the Internet”, but I have always found it to be much more than that. While reporting about internet related stories, Alex Goldman and PJ Vogt are really digging into the human condition and how we all relate to and are affected by technology. In an age where we all have something to learn about digital citizenship, stories like Silence and Respect really highlight the importance of respecting the power of the internet. Sometimes serious and often quite funny, I’ve really enjoyed having Reply All on my podcast playlist.

Recommended episodes:
Silence and Respect

DMV Nation

---

Serial

If you didn’t get caught up in this story of mystery, memories, and justice, it’s not too late. Serial is a spin-off of This American Life that follows a single story in a series of installments. The story of Adnan Syed trial for Hae Min Lee is so well told by Sarah Koenig, that it’s incredibly easy to get sucked into trying to solve the mystery alongside her. If you get to the end but still want more answers, Undisclosed Podcast picks up the story from where Serial leaves off.

---

Wait, Wait, Don’t Tell Me

One of my favorite weekly rituals is getting a recap of the week’s news from Peter Sagal and the rotating set of panelists that range from from comedians to newspaper columnists. Sagal's combination of intelligence and wit are refreshing, and I usually find myself smiling at my windshield every time I tune in.

---

Freakonomics

Stephan Dubner presents familiar topics in ways that you maybe haven’t thought of before. This “hidden side of everything” provides a fascinating glimpse at the conclusions that can emerge when one studies a scenario by looking purely at the data. The episode titled The Upside of Quitting triggered a total shift in my thinking on the topic of quitting and was one of a few factors that led to me becoming a teacher.

Recommended episodes:
The Upside of Quitting

---

Others?

Do you have a favorite podcast that I didn't mention? Suggest it in the comments below! :)