5 Podcasts That Will Sharpen Your Wits
by Julia H. Jackson
Remember back in the day when the only way to get the news was in a newspaper? No? Neither do I. Or when the three main media of journalism were print, television, and radio? That not-so-distant memory has quickly evolved into an entirely new system for international human communication. We are members of a digital generation. So many of us spend most of our days plugged into something: mp3 players, iPhones, laptops, and now even Kindles. The advent of podcasting, or broadcasting via the web in downloadable forms, has reinvented how people get their news, and given us more freedom in choosing what we want, when we want it. Today we bring you 5 Podcasts That Will Make You Smarter, brought to you for free via iTunes or via the producers’ home pages.
5. RadioLab
Ever wonder about the psychology of memory? Or maybe the science of sleep? RadioLab, produced by WYNC’s Jad Abumbrad and Robert Krulwich, dissects such topics as race, mortality, sperm, and space. The producers present each show as a unique soundscape, combining interviews with funny, thoughtful dialogue. Their voices are unique, even in the world of public radio: Abumrad’s work as a composer and Krulwich’s background in broadcast media (ABC, NOVA) influence both the nature and style of show production.
Suggested shows: “Stochasticity,” “War of the Worlds,” “Placebo“
4.Studio 360
Kurt Andersen’s weekly WYNC radio program has a little something for everyone: film and theater reviews, interviews with writers, musicians, directors, and artists, and profiles of designers and architects. Andersen has featured such talent as animator and director Tim Burton, director Pedro Almodovar, author Barbara Kingsolver, and singer Yoko Ono.
Suggested shows: “Artists and Obama,” “Ben Hong, West Side Story, Sufjan,” “Gay Flag, Hip Hop. Spektor”
3.Selected Shorts: A Celebration of the Short Story
New York City’s Symphony Space hosts a weekly reading of short stories, hosted by Isaiah Sheffer. The stories are introduced and read by a number of well-known screen and theater actors, and often share a similar theme. In addition, Selected Shorts has inspired an adult literacy program, All Write!, and hosts the annual Stella Kupferberg Memorial Short Story writing contest.
Suggested shows: “Confused Couples,” “Indian Country,” “People With Problems,”
2. The New Yorker Fiction Podcast
The New Yorker’s Fiction Editor Deborah Treisman hosts this monthly podcast, which features a notable writer reading their favorite short story, and a subsequent discussion. This is a great choice for creative writers and literature majors, not only because the featured readers sometimes choose surprising stories, but because the conversation afterward reveals a lot about literary influence and style choices. Previous readers include Junot Diaz, Yiyun Li, Tobias Wolff, and Joyce Carol Oates.
Suggested shows: “Luck of the Draw,” “The Dating Game”
1. This American Life
This cult classic has steadily grown in popularity and exposure in the 15 years since it was first created at Chicago’s WBEZ station. Ira Glass and his team of producers curate shows that follow unusual, surprising themes every week, sometimes experimenting with new forms and methods for finding stories. Regular contributors include David Sedaris, Sarah Vowell, and David Rakoff.
Suggested shows: “Testosterone,” “Break-Up,” “This I Used to Believe”
These podcasts represent about 10% of the quality programming available for free online. National Public Radio offers many of its programs online, as does Public Radio International. But podcasting does not need to be sponsored by a major organization; anyone with the proper technology can create, edit, and post podcasts. So what are you waiting for?
