Let’s talk podcasts
I love podcasts. They’re like really good versions of the radio, covering loads of fascinating subjects and costing zilch.
Here are some of my favourites (let me know yours in the comments):
Arseblog Arsecast/Arsecast Extra: I have a journey to work that requires me to spend around 40 minutes in the car twice a day. These podcasts are the perfect length for that and a very enjoyable way for me to keep up with all things Arsenal. I actually enjoy Monday’s Arsecast Extra best and look forward to my Monday morning commute because that’s my special AE time (unless we’ve just lost, in which case it’s all a bit shit).
The Football Ramble: a similar kind of thing, but it covers all the teams. Four or five blokes (I think they’re comedians) discuss the most recent Premiership action like five men in a pub who are both funny and knowledgeable about football. They also discuss the Championship and European games but I’ve usually turned it off by then (pro tip: the first 5-10 minutes is taken up by them answering some kind of surreal question such as ‘which football manger would make the best cowboy’. I tend to skip that). I actually found this most enjoyable to listen to when I was walking round Tokyo and taking a river trip in Bangkok. The contrast between the football chat and the environment seemed to enhance both.
Hardcore History: this one isn’t about football; it’s a long, deep analysis of some period or event in world history (eg: the atom bomb, WW1, Genghis Khan etc.). There are generally several episodes of roughly 1-1.5 hours each per subject and they are absolutely brilliant. Even if you’re not really into history (I can’t say I am particularly) they tell you so many fascinating things about why the world is the way it is today that you can’t help but find it compelling. It’s also presented by the excellent Dan Carlin, who has a great voice and manner (he used to be a radio host). It’s also worth mentioning that this is considered to be the podcast’s podcast, and by that I mean that everyone who loves podcasts loves Hardcore History, and you will too.
Desus vs Mero: do you want to hear a black guy and a guy from the Dominican Republic who live in the Bronx discussing their culture and taking the piss out of every single thing on earth? You may not get all the references (I certainly don’t) but you will definitely laugh out loud more at this podcast than any other. Here’s the visual version of it to whet your appetite (#caucasity, #knowledgedarts, Seth Rogen is the Sesame Street character who comes, and if you follow @thefatjewish on Instagram, he joins this show and is very funny):
Real Time with Bill Maher: this is a podcast of the excellent HBO TV show which dissects American politics from a Liberal viewpoint. Bill has some great guests and skewers all sorts of things with lots of lovely swear words.
WTF with Mac Maron: this erstwhile stand-up comic with a somewhat chequered past has now rehabilitated himself into polite society with this excellent interview podcast. So if you want to hear from everyone from Louis CK (check that 2010 interview and discover the sad reason why Louis once wanked over a trumpet case) to Richard Linklater, this is the podcast for you.
The Tim Ferriss Show: the author of the 4-Hour Work Week and the 4-Hour Body has a motivational podcast that gets some great interviews (Arnold Schwarzenegger) and helps you to reassess your entire life in a more functional way. Possibly.
Sodajerker on Songwriting: this is a couple of guys who do in-depth interviews with great songwriters (and a few shit ones) about their processes and careers. Obviously it helps if you’re into the subject’s music, but they’re all interesting.
The final ‘podcast’ I enjoy is the Howard Stern Show, which as actually a radio show on XM over here in the States. I don’t think there’s a way of getting it if you’re not in America, but the best thing about it is the brilliant interviews that go on much longer than your average celeb delvings and tend to involve far edgier questions. The good news is that most of them are available on YouTube not long after they’ve been broadcast, so fill your boots:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B5HsgmyJ4t4
There are loads and loads more but those are my regulars. What are yours?
I really dig Hardcore History. The Khan series was amazing.
I’m a big fan of The Champs hosted by Neal Brennan (co-creator of Chappelle Show) and Moshe Kasher – another comedian. They are two white boys who have a black guest every week. Guests like Blake Griffin, Chris Rock, Rakim & Too $hort
The Duncan Trussell Family Hour – Comedian Duncan Trussell & guests explore the outer reaches of the multiverse – guests include Ram Dass, Tim Ferriss to Father John Misty.
The Joe Rogan Experience – I suggest starting with Randall Carlson or Ms Pat.
And my recent favorite is The Dollop. Comedian Dave Anthony explains an obscure piece of American history to another comedian who has no idea what’s about to happen. The most bizarre topics. I suggest starting with the episode about Hugh Glass. It’s “This American Life”, but hilarious and profane.
Bill Maher is the most aggravated stoner I have ever seen. It’s remarkable.
Agreed. Thanks for the tips.
my faves (amongst many others):
School of greatness with Lewis Howes – entrepreneurs talking motivation/life skills, business etc, if you like Tim Ferris you would love this
and
The Art of Charm – similar, also very good
Start Up – business narrative podcast thing- excellent, anyone would like this
Little Atoms – fascinating talks with science writers and other authors
Great Lives – R4 show about famous people of the past
desert Island discs
Ta!
Comedy Bang! Bang! is great, hosted by Scott Aukerman, with different comedians as guests each episode, and a lot of weird character impersonations. He now also has a TV version of it on IFC.
Just listening to that now. Very good.
Hello to Jason Isaacs
the andy daly podcast pilot project. it’s finished now, but I reckon you could still find it. I believe it’s a spin-off of a sort from superego, which is also champion.
Just having a listen to Hardcore History.
Brilliant!
Obviously Serial was awesome, but that lead me to This American Life, lead me to Start Up, lead me to Reply All.
10 American Presidents is one episode down, an excellent snapshot of Nixon.
Arsecast, obvs.
Also Richard Herring’s Leicester Square Podcast is really good, maybe a little hit and miss at times, but you can skip through loads of it.
Not an Arsenal fan myself but I enjoy ‘The Tuesday Club’. I too like ‘The Football Ramble’ although I think only Jim Campbell is a comic. Pete Donaldson is a DJ on Absolute Radio and has a blessed way with words. The Guardian football podcast is worth a listen, not least as many of its hacks are season ticket holders and have some connection with the game.
For comedy ‘The Bugle’ works for me.
Thanks, all.
All the Radiotopias
Also a fan of the sometimes shambolic Richard Herring podcast. Norm McDonald’s podcast is also good. And the screeching and wheezing Gilbert Gottfried gets some interesting guests on his series.
Sawbones podcast is about historical medical fuck-ups. Horrible Histories for adults, basically.
Idle Thumbs if you’re a manchild like me and enjoy video games.
Savage Lovecast – about sex and relationships and advice and that.
Quite enjoy Maltin On Movies for general film stuff.
Story Wonk’s analysis of every Pixar movie was quite interesting too.
Very Bad Wizards – A philosopher and Cog. Scientist argue about morality and ethics and piss funny. Best podcast ever IMO. This week they are the fuck with Sam Harris about consequentialism v deontology.
The Infinite Monkey Cage – Robin Ince (comedian) and Brian Cox (scientist) talks about the big ideas in science and psychology. Good one on persuasion and advertising where the debunk subliminal advertising
More or Less – The stats you hear in the news are they really true? They investigate the dodgy stats thrown around today
History of Philosophy Without Any Gaps is nerdy but charming and brilliant.
Don’t forget all the wonderful BBC podcasts, from Desert Island Discs to The News Quiz and From Our Own Correspondent. Also recommended for writers are Scriptnotes and Scriptcast, among many others to do with screenwriting.