I don't think there is a general podcast thread so I thought I'd start one.
I hardly ever listen to radio (except when Ive run out of podcasts) these days and I'm probably too old for most of the music scene these days to resonate.
I must listen to about 2-3 hours of podcasts per day
The UK podcast scene has not taken off in any sort of scale comparable to the US (where it seems like most people and their granny have a podcast - mainly crap most likely)
I thought Id start this thread to find out:
Recommendations
Reviews of specific episodes
I'll kick off with what I subscribe to
A lot of NPR podcasts:(contains official desctiptions and my thoughts)
Radiolab, with Jad Abumrad and Robert Krulwich, is a radio show and podcast weaving stories and science into sound and music-rich documentaries.
Beautifully put together and has become probably the defining house style for the better NPR podcasts. Credible and fun hosts
The Hidden Brain helps curious people understand the world – and themselves. Using science and storytelling, Hidden Brain's host Shankar Vedantam reveals the unconscious patterns that drive human behavior, the biases that shape our choices, and the triggers that direct the course of our relationships -
Charming host and fun stories
Bullseye with Jesse Thorne from NPR is your curated guide to culture. Jesse Thorn hosts in-depth interviews with brilliant creators, culture picks from our favorite critics and irreverent original comedy
Great interviews with a skilled host
Pop Culture Happy Hour is a lively chat about books, movies, music, television, comics and pretty much anything else that strikes a nerve, all in a weekly roundtable from NPR. Features "Monkey See" blogger Linda Holmes and an occasionally rowdy cast of characters.
Fun round table weekly review show with engaging (and 1 or 2 occasionally annoying guests)
Invisibilia is about the invisible forces that control human behavior – ideas, beliefs, assumptions and emotions. Co-hosted by Lulu Miller, Hanna Rosin and Alix Spiegel, Invisibilia interweaves narrative storytelling with scientific research that will ultimately make you see your own life differently
Not regular enough for me but great stories
Planet Money The economy, explained, with stories and surprises. Imagine you could call up a friend and say, "Meet me at the bar and tell me what's going on with the economy."
Great hosts and stories
How To Do Everything - We're half advice show, half survival guide. We answer all your questions, from how to find a date, to how to find water in the desert.
Fun hosts (one of them is a bit annoying at times) and interesting stories
Fresh Air, the Peabody Award-winning weekday magazine of contemporary arts and issues, is one of public radio's most popular programs. Hosted by Terry Gross, the show features intimate conversations with today's biggest luminaries
Terry Gross is a broadcasting legend and an incredibly skilled interviewer - her subjects don't just shill their latest project but she takes the time for commentary and retrospect
A bunch of podcasts from Kevin Smiths Smodcast network
Tell em Steve Dave! is a "weekly" podcast that is released Fridays on the SModcast Podcast Network. It is hosted by View Askew Productions regulars and close friends of Kevin Smith; Bryan Johnson, Walt Flanagan, as well as Brian Quinn (of Impractical Jokers fame).
Basically 3 friends sitting around bullshitting, very funny and endearing characters
Jay & Silent Bob Get Old, is hosted by Kevin Smith and Jason Mewes. It features the two hosts talking about various experiences that they've had together during their twenty-plus year friendship
A bit samey but the earlier episodes are fascinating
Hollywood Babble-On, is hosted by Kevin Smith and Ralph Garman. The show involves the two hosts discussing film and entertainment news.
Recorded most weeks live in front of a paying audience - Lots of running gags, impressions and features. Probably my favourite podcast. I wait like a kid a Christmas eve on Mondays for it
SModcast, is a weekly podcast featuring filmmaker Kevin Smith and his long-time producing partner Scott Mosier, although guests are occasionally featured. Released each Sunday night/Monday morning, the episodes are generally one hour in length and feature Smith and Mosier discussing current events and other non-sequitur topics
Another fave. Total nonsensical discussions with a stoned Kevin Smith and hilarious Scott Mosier. Scan BC is a favourite section of mine where Kevin reads out tweets from a Canadian twitter account that charts crimes commited in British Columbia
Edumacation with Kevin Smith and Andy McElfresh (former writer with The Tonight Show)They look at 4 topics - The Sci, The Fi, The Why and the Bye (fun science facts and myth debunking)
Really love this show too, Andy is a very clever guy and very funny. Great chemistry between them
What Say You - Not officially part of Smodcast but it has Sal and Q from Impractical Jokers chatting -
Not regular enough but a good listen
Wrestling:
Stone Cold Steve Austin show Live from Hollywood, CA by way of the Broken Skull Ranch, Pro Wrestling Hall of Famer, Action Movie/TV star, Steve Austin talks about anything and everything that pops into his brain.
There are 2 versions - Family friendly on Tuesdays and 'Unleashed' on Thursdays - I love it mostly but its a bit hit and miss. When he isn't shilling his beer, knifes and reality shows, it can be great. He has some great guests on talking about fitness, wrestling and his life in general. Hes a genuinely funny guy and a great story teller. The episodes he does with his friend Ted Fowler are great. Its just 2 friends taking the piss out of each other. I'm not keen on the hunter/beer producer/outdoor lifestyle guests he has
The Ross Report WWE Hall of Famer Jim Ross, considered the greatest announcer in wrestling history, brings his incredible celebrity roster of friends, his insight and analysis of today's wrestling stars and storylines, and YOU to his weekly discussion of everything squared circle. Join in the fun as Good Ol' JR takes your calls, makes a few of his own, and spreads the wrestling love around the globe.
All wrestling talkshow - I really enjoy it, not much else to say, great host, great guests
Talk is Jericho Recorded from all over the globe, multiple time world champion pro wrestler, lead singer of Fozzy and New York Times best-selling author Chris Jericho rocks the podcast world with "Talk Is Jericho," his unique, weekly take on all things pop culture and life in general. Sit down with Chris as he interviews some of the biggest names in entertainment and discusses the minutia of wrestling, music, television, movies and twerking!!
Another hit and miss. When he has people he knows well its a blast. He has a good mix of types of guests (some of which I'm not into like hair and metal bands) but hes in his element when he has wrestlers and is really good - Not so much when he is arse kissing famous people and name dropping. His Segway's into ad reads are appalling as are his attempts at 'personality'. Also bigs himself up an awful lot - According to his ad reads - he uses every sponsor and loves them all (doesn't sound genuine at all)
OTHER:
The Joe Rogan Experience a weekly talk show where he converses with people from various backgrounds.
Some fascinating guests from the world of modern 'science' /alternative lifestyle I guess you would say. Has a lot of comedians and MMA fighters on too, not so keen on those. Joey Diaz is the best guest he has on
You Must Remember This is a storytelling podcast about the secret and/or forgotten histories of Hollywood’s first century. Distributed by Panoply from Slate Magazine, the podcast is the brainchild of Karina Longworth, who writes, narrates, records and edits each episode in her home.
Amazing podcast - Fascinating look back at old Hollywood - The series on Manson was brilliant
Here's a few more that I'm either waiting to listen to (not fully committed yet) or listen to depending on the subject/guest
Art of wrestling - Colt Cabana
Fat Man on Batman - Another Kev smith one
Criminal
Freakonomics radio
Philosophy bites
Dan Carlins Hard-core History
Tangentially speaking with Dr Chris Ryan
Sasquatch chronicles
That's it for me -
Do you listen to any of the above?
What are your favourites and why?