I am going to be taking a different approach with this post. I normally give you a digestible book report on a book I read and found interesting. Not this time.

This time I want to talk about a way to utilize the time you can’t spend reading to still gain some knowledge or actionable entertainment. This magical tool is affectionately called PODCASTS. I am sure you have heard of them, but let me repeat myself PODCASTS are a great tool for learning.

My favorite podcasts are entertaining, informative and engaging. I highly recommend all of them.

 

Dan Carlin’s Hardcore History – Quite possibly the most entertaining storytelling of history I could ever imagine. From the Wrath of the Khans to the King of Kings, Dan Carlin goes through multi-part, multi-hour long episodes in an amazing story-telling of some of the world’s most gruesome hours, days, and years.

Although not exactly a historian Dan Carlin has expertly researched these stories and tells them masterfully. He humanizes some of the world’s most gruesome leaders, and contextualizes some of history’s most devious scenes.

Because he takes so long in between episodes preparing and researching, I am salivating every time a new episode comes out. I often find myself listening to his shows multiple times. No easy feat considering some of them last more than five hours.

Download this podcast, strap in, and be ready to appreciate some of history’s most pivotal moments in beautiful illuminating detail. You will be very impressed.

 

Econtalk – Econtalk with Russ Roberts, is a weekly podcast that delves into economic issues with experts in their field. It is produced by the Library of Economics and Liberty at Stanford’s Hoover Institution (I don’t know why they decided to name their institute after a failed president but oh well.) The shows are engaging and timely, oftentimes forcing me to reevaluate previously held beliefs about economics and the choices I make. I have a better grasp on economics since listening. (People that I debate with on economic issues have more to fear now, I have evidence for my demagogic bluster and bullshit.) Most shows are about an hour long, and an easy listen.

 

Seth Godin’s Startup School – This fifteen episode collection of podcasts details Seth Godin’s business building philosophy. It is a no holds barred and overt look at the competitive world of startups. Seth does not pull his punches, and he is brutally honest. He is brilliant and unorthodox, and a pleasure to listen to.

Although I have no plans to start my own business any time soon, this collection keeps me inquisitive about the world. I always leave brimming with ideas after I listen to an episode. Seth Godin is a prolific writer and businessman. I recommend this series to anyone thinking about business in any form or fashion.

 

Art of Charm – The X factor that most say cannot be taught can in fact be taught. Thanks to this revealing and engaging program; topics like persuasion, body language, networking, leadership, communication and more are drilled down into actionable items to make the listener a better more engaged human being. I cannot recommend this podcast enough. Even if you think you are a capable human being in the social world, I guarantee you will learn more from listening. A.J. and Jordan Harbinger have been in this space for over ten years, and are experts in their field.

The episodes are rarely more than an hour long, and are so chock-full of information that I find myself having to continually listen to awesome episodes and take notes on the facts that blow my mind. I don’t care how extroverted, socially capable, or awesome you think you are, download this podcast today and become even better. You can thank me later.

 

Amicus with Dahlia Lithwick- I did not imagine the Supreme Court to be as much fun as it is until I started listening to Amicus. Dahlia humanizes the court in a way that makes the Justices approachable, while keeping an incredibly high standard of jurisprudential analysis of Court decisions. Dahlia keeps things fresh with experts to debate and theorize about upcoming decisions. I have learned so much about constitutional law and court procedure in the past months listening to Dahlia that I feel like I am a better American, or at least a more knowledgeable one.

Easy on the ears, and about an hour long, please listen to Amicus if you think Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Antonin Scalia (May the old codger Rest In Peace) make an odd-pairing for friendship. Or appreciate that Justice Kennedy may in fact be the most important man in America.

 

The Tim Ferriss Show – Quite possibly one of the most entertaining interview podcast I have ever listened to. Tim Ferriss is the author of the Four Hour series of books. (The titles are ridiculous but I have found the books to be very enlightening and information packed.) The show is simple. Tim interviews world class individuals about the habits, strategies and processes that makes them excellent. The show is often not just informative but hilarious as well.

With such guests as Arnold Schwarzenegger, Tony Robbins, Shaun White, and many more from disparate fields, Tim breaks down the intricacies of excellence in a straightforward, and simple to listen to format. (This show got me to start my meditation practice.) This is a must-listen for me, and I rarely go a day between an episode being posted and listening to it.

 

We the People – Similar to Amicus this podcast deals with Constitutional issues, but with less of a focus on the Supreme Court. It is hosted by the Constitution Center, a nonprofit organization chartered by Congress to disseminate constitutional information on a nonpartisan basis (you will hear that description a lot). In my not-so-humble opinion they deliver on their promise and then some. Each episode talks about a specific constitutional problem or issue that is applicable in today’s world.

Jeff Rosen, the host, asks informative questions of his guests, often holding debates, and marshalling the efforts of the listeners to expand their knowledge and thinking about the Constitution. He consistently asks me (and you when you listen) to try to analyze issues from the different perspectives available for analysis and notice where different perspectives might differ from my personal politics. It often does, and forces me to think more objectively of the United States of America, and the Constitution that I hold as sacrosanct.

Most shows are less than an hour long, and are easily digestible. Anyone from 8 to 80 needs to download this show as it will make them a better informed American.

 

Bulletproof Radio – Dave Asprey’s Bulletproof Radio is all about Biohacking. This is a topic I know very little about, and even less about the implementation. I recently became acquainted with this podcast, and have been devouring older episodes like crazy. This is so on the cutting edge of biology and science technology, that I am sure half of the techniques are impractical or unwieldy, but I don’t know which half. This shows makes me believe in the optimization of the human experience and cancels out many of my limiting beliefs. Although I am not a bio-hacker as of yet, the more I listen to this show the more I am interested in starting my journey of self optimization.

Yes this show is on the fringes of acceptable science, and your doctor probably hasn’t heard of half of the things Dave talks about on his show with experts and guests, but this show is worth a listen. It just might save your life.

 

BBC World Service – I do not have cable, I cannot stand CNN, FOX or MSNBC for news, and find most internet outlets unreliable. So I listen to BBC World Service daily to stay up to date with global news. I am not bombarded with American slanted news, and feel that I get many sides to issues to which I would never imagine thinking about if I only paid attention to domestic issues. I do not catch every episode as two are released daily, but I can always count on timely, informative and relatively unbiased news. (The same could be said of PBS Newshour, another fine daily news podcast.)

 

So there you have it. 9 of the best podcasts you can listen to for free right now. This is just a taste of what the podcasting world has available, so if none of these shows strike your fancy there are thousands more to choose from. I listen to these (and more) to stay up to date with the news, keep myself informed of the major issues and challenges of the day, to laugh and to think about what is possible in the world. They keep me fresh and happy, and continually learning. I listen because I will be a lifelong student. I implore you to continue learning as well.

 

So if any of these interest you, go to the Itunes Store or podcast player of choice, and download an episode or seven. Give it a listen and see what you can learn. You just might find something new to listen to in the car while driving to work.

 

Thank you for reading, and good luck.

 

Bailey Rogg

 

P.S. If you know of a great podcast that I should be listening to please comment below and tell me. I am always on the lookout for new and great shows to devour.

 

P.P.S. I recommend listening to all podcasts at twice the speed. It rarely takes away from comprehension and allows you to listen to more shows. (Also, some people talk really slow on podcasts which is infuriating.)