Gee, that all just happened, didn't it?
So I'm a little burnt out on ... just ... stuff ... dealing with TTRPGs, and I thought it would be interesting to see what people were listening to in terms of podcasts! That's right ... podcasts. Of course, this being me, I have to put in a little bit of history.
I remember that the first time I started seriously listening to podcasts on a daily basis was the end of the summer of 2009. I had previously been an occasional listener, on my ipod, to podcasts as I downloaded them. But summer of 2009 was when I bought I my first iPhone (3GS!) and had a lengthy commute that allowed me to listen to podcasts regularly. This was also the first explosion of podcasts ... I still remember WTF and Comedy Bang! Bang! launching at the time.
I was a faithful podcast listener, and the next major "podcast" moment I remember was probably 2014, with the launch of Serial (having previously listened to This American Life, which was also on NPR). Suddenly, something that wasn't very mainstream seemed like it was everywhere. And so it begins ... from 2014 until now, the number of podcasts has steadily increased, until it now feels like everyone has their own podcast. Heck, given the podcasts I listen to, it often seems that a lot of the episodes are just people from one podcast being the guest on another podcast, or one of the podcasts I follow taking the week off and "previewing" another podcast I follow.
Which brings me to the purpose of this thread. Much like the Golden Age of Streaming and Television (that we just went through, until the meanies of Wall Street and the hooked horror Zaslav killed that party), this feels like the Golden Age of Podcasting. Major money was spent on podcasts and content from spotify and others. Lots of people listen to them. There is hardly a niche that isn't covered. I realized that my own podcast habits could probably use some broadening, so I thought I'd ask around and see what other people are listening to ... and, of course, share my the ones that I follow. I noticed that some of my old favorites I stopped listening to some time ago, and some remain there from inertia, but, hey, what can you do?
Also? Please feel free to share your favorite RPG podcasts ... personally, I don't listen to any, but other people might find it valuable.
Bonus-
Favored App? Overcast
99% Invisible
On the one hand, this is just a podcast, hosted by Roman Mars, about design. On the other hand, this is podcast, hosted by Roman Mars, about design.
Against the Rules with Michael Lewis
Every "season" of Against the Rules covers somethings different- from referees to coaches to expertise. And each one is brilliant.
The Allusionist
A podcast that delights in language- sometimes playfully so, and sometimes very seriously.
Cautionary Tales with Tim Harford
True fairy tales for adults; well-told stories of true disasters and fiascoes.
The Dave Chang Show
The most inconsistent show listed here, both from episode to episode and within episodes. At its worst, you have guests that come on that are boring to listen to and you have Dave Chang waxing eloquent about some weird business opportunity. At its best, though, you have insightful discussions about food and restaurants, unvarnished opinions, and some of the best food-related banter you will here.
Dear Hank & John
Do you like Mars? Do you like AFC Wimbeldon? Well ... I have just the podcast for you! Plus, other stuff from the Bros. Green.
Freakonomics Radio
The Economics of Everyday Things
From the co-author of the book Freakonomics is a great podcast discussing economics. If that's a little too much, you can start with the recently-launched Economics of Everyday Things, which provides very short examinations of the economics behind, well, everyday things (the first two episodes were Gas Stations and Girl Scout Cookies).
How Did This Get Made?
Three people .... Paul Scheer, June Raphael, and MAXIMUM DEREK discuss a bad movie. A really bad movie.
Judge John Hodgman
A show entirely about disputes, often petty, small, or nerdy disputes ... brought before John Hodgman for resolution. I knew I found the show for me when I heard the episode that determined whether or not a machine gun is a robot.
Planet Money
The Indicator from Planet Money
The NPR shows ... in podcast. Great for keeping up with the current events in the economy.
Revisionist History
Malcolm Gladwell's podcast. Sometimes thought-provoking, sometimes infuriating.
This American Life
In a certain way, all podcasts aspire to be This American Life.
The Town with Matthew Belloni
Back when I was more involved in the Business, I used to listen to a lot more podcasts, like The Business (with Kim Masters). Now, I find that The Town does a decent job of going hitting the major stories in the entertainment industry in a short period of time, which works for me.
(Inactive Right Now Because No New Episodes)
Hot Money: Who Rules P***? (Not what you think - an examination by reporters from the Financial Times about the rise of a certain industry on the internet)
The Improvement Association
Serial
Also, my current TOP 10 list of active podcasts in order:
1. Against the Rules with Michael Lewis
2. This American Life
3. 99% Invisible
4. How Did This Get Made?
5. The Dave Chang Show
6. Judge John Hodgman
7. Cautionary Tales with Tim Harford
8. Dear Hank & John
9. Freakonomics Radio
10. The Bill Simmons Podcast
So I'm a little burnt out on ... just ... stuff ... dealing with TTRPGs, and I thought it would be interesting to see what people were listening to in terms of podcasts! That's right ... podcasts. Of course, this being me, I have to put in a little bit of history.
I remember that the first time I started seriously listening to podcasts on a daily basis was the end of the summer of 2009. I had previously been an occasional listener, on my ipod, to podcasts as I downloaded them. But summer of 2009 was when I bought I my first iPhone (3GS!) and had a lengthy commute that allowed me to listen to podcasts regularly. This was also the first explosion of podcasts ... I still remember WTF and Comedy Bang! Bang! launching at the time.
I was a faithful podcast listener, and the next major "podcast" moment I remember was probably 2014, with the launch of Serial (having previously listened to This American Life, which was also on NPR). Suddenly, something that wasn't very mainstream seemed like it was everywhere. And so it begins ... from 2014 until now, the number of podcasts has steadily increased, until it now feels like everyone has their own podcast. Heck, given the podcasts I listen to, it often seems that a lot of the episodes are just people from one podcast being the guest on another podcast, or one of the podcasts I follow taking the week off and "previewing" another podcast I follow.
Which brings me to the purpose of this thread. Much like the Golden Age of Streaming and Television (that we just went through, until the meanies of Wall Street and the hooked horror Zaslav killed that party), this feels like the Golden Age of Podcasting. Major money was spent on podcasts and content from spotify and others. Lots of people listen to them. There is hardly a niche that isn't covered. I realized that my own podcast habits could probably use some broadening, so I thought I'd ask around and see what other people are listening to ... and, of course, share my the ones that I follow. I noticed that some of my old favorites I stopped listening to some time ago, and some remain there from inertia, but, hey, what can you do?
Also? Please feel free to share your favorite RPG podcasts ... personally, I don't listen to any, but other people might find it valuable.
Bonus-
Favored App? Overcast
I listen to a few sports and sports-adjacent podcasts. Most of them are related to my legacy listening to the OG from 15 years ago, but it keeps me current.
The Bill Simmons Podcast
The OG of sports podcasts. He still gets amazing guests from all over the sports and entertainment spectrum, and still has amazingly cringeworthy pop-culture obsessions (such as ... yes, 90210 and Melrose Place).
Hang Up and Listen
I used to listen to more of the Slate podcasts, but time (and rapid turnover of their hosts) has left just this one. It's ... still a decent intellectual sports podcast, but it went downhill rapidly after Mike Pesca went on to other things (and, um, he definitely went on later, but that's a different issue).
The Mismatch
I love Zach Lowe, but I have limited time, and want to keep up with the NBA. This is the perfect podcast to keep up.
The Ringer F1 Show
Just enough F1 without, you know, being too much. Definitely not the podcast if you either want to dive too deep into the technical details of the cars, or if you want to dive too deep into the technical details of the drivers' lives. Just the basics of what is going on.
The Ringer NFL Show
I like football.
The Ryen Rusillo Podcast
Come for the entertaining sport commentary, stay for the Life Advice section, which (if nothing else) never fails to amuse.
The Bill Simmons Podcast
The OG of sports podcasts. He still gets amazing guests from all over the sports and entertainment spectrum, and still has amazingly cringeworthy pop-culture obsessions (such as ... yes, 90210 and Melrose Place).
Hang Up and Listen
I used to listen to more of the Slate podcasts, but time (and rapid turnover of their hosts) has left just this one. It's ... still a decent intellectual sports podcast, but it went downhill rapidly after Mike Pesca went on to other things (and, um, he definitely went on later, but that's a different issue).
The Mismatch
I love Zach Lowe, but I have limited time, and want to keep up with the NBA. This is the perfect podcast to keep up.
The Ringer F1 Show
Just enough F1 without, you know, being too much. Definitely not the podcast if you either want to dive too deep into the technical details of the cars, or if you want to dive too deep into the technical details of the drivers' lives. Just the basics of what is going on.
The Ringer NFL Show
I like football.
The Ryen Rusillo Podcast
Come for the entertaining sport commentary, stay for the Life Advice section, which (if nothing else) never fails to amuse.
99% Invisible
On the one hand, this is just a podcast, hosted by Roman Mars, about design. On the other hand, this is podcast, hosted by Roman Mars, about design.
Against the Rules with Michael Lewis
Every "season" of Against the Rules covers somethings different- from referees to coaches to expertise. And each one is brilliant.
The Allusionist
A podcast that delights in language- sometimes playfully so, and sometimes very seriously.
Cautionary Tales with Tim Harford
True fairy tales for adults; well-told stories of true disasters and fiascoes.
The Dave Chang Show
The most inconsistent show listed here, both from episode to episode and within episodes. At its worst, you have guests that come on that are boring to listen to and you have Dave Chang waxing eloquent about some weird business opportunity. At its best, though, you have insightful discussions about food and restaurants, unvarnished opinions, and some of the best food-related banter you will here.
Dear Hank & John
Do you like Mars? Do you like AFC Wimbeldon? Well ... I have just the podcast for you! Plus, other stuff from the Bros. Green.
Freakonomics Radio
The Economics of Everyday Things
From the co-author of the book Freakonomics is a great podcast discussing economics. If that's a little too much, you can start with the recently-launched Economics of Everyday Things, which provides very short examinations of the economics behind, well, everyday things (the first two episodes were Gas Stations and Girl Scout Cookies).
How Did This Get Made?
Three people .... Paul Scheer, June Raphael, and MAXIMUM DEREK discuss a bad movie. A really bad movie.
Judge John Hodgman
A show entirely about disputes, often petty, small, or nerdy disputes ... brought before John Hodgman for resolution. I knew I found the show for me when I heard the episode that determined whether or not a machine gun is a robot.
Planet Money
The Indicator from Planet Money
The NPR shows ... in podcast. Great for keeping up with the current events in the economy.
Revisionist History
Malcolm Gladwell's podcast. Sometimes thought-provoking, sometimes infuriating.
This American Life
In a certain way, all podcasts aspire to be This American Life.
The Town with Matthew Belloni
Back when I was more involved in the Business, I used to listen to a lot more podcasts, like The Business (with Kim Masters). Now, I find that The Town does a decent job of going hitting the major stories in the entertainment industry in a short period of time, which works for me.
(Inactive Right Now Because No New Episodes)
Hot Money: Who Rules P***? (Not what you think - an examination by reporters from the Financial Times about the rise of a certain industry on the internet)
The Improvement Association
Serial
Also, my current TOP 10 list of active podcasts in order:
1. Against the Rules with Michael Lewis
2. This American Life
3. 99% Invisible
4. How Did This Get Made?
5. The Dave Chang Show
6. Judge John Hodgman
7. Cautionary Tales with Tim Harford
8. Dear Hank & John
9. Freakonomics Radio
10. The Bill Simmons Podcast