I was talking to a friend lately about podcasts, and realized that a quick blog article would be the easier way to share my current favorites. The podcasts I listen to (in Overcast) are grouped by how often I listen to them, and sorted alphabetically.

Favorite Podcasts

I listen to these whenever they update, and have (mostly) listened to the entire back catalog. I recommend almost anyone give these a try (especially Welcome to Night Vale).

Cortex

CGP Grey and Myke Hurley are both independent content creators. Each episode, they get together to discuss their working lives.

Listen if:

  • You know either of the hosts
  • You are interested in the self-employment life
  • You want to learn about topics like time tracking, todo list management, etc.
  • You listen to Hello Internet

Suggested first episode: Start at the beginning

Listen in Overcast
Listen in Apple Podcasts

Healthcare Triage LIVE Show

Healthcare Triage is a series about healthcare hosted by Dr. Aaron Carroll who explains healthcare policy, medical research, and answers a lot of other questions you may have about medicine, health, and healthcare.

Listen if:

  • You like Q&A format podcasts
  • You want to learn more about healthcare (especially with a focus on scientific research)

Suggested first episode: Start anywhere

Listen in Overcast
Listen in Apple Podcasts

Hello Internet

CGP Grey and Brady Haran talk about YouTube, life, work, whatever.

Listen if:

  • You know either of the hosts
  • You listen to Cortex
  • You want to learn about people who make their living on YouTube

Suggested first episode: Start at the beginning

Listen in Overcast
Listen in Apple Podcasts

Welcome to Night Vale

Twice-monthly community updates for the small desert town of Night Vale, featuring local weather, news, announcements from the Sheriff’s Secret Police, mysterious lights in the night sky, dark hooded figures with unknowable powers, and cultural events. Turn on your radio and hide.

Listen if:

  • You liked listening to radio serials “long ago”
  • Unexpected, strange, philosophical, and absurd humor appeal to you
  • Just listen to this one

Suggested first episode: Start at the beginning (or nothing will make sense)

Listen in Overcast
Listen in Apple Podcasts

Great Podcasts

I listen to most of the episodes for these podcasts, based on interest in the topic.

Dan Carlin’s Hardcore History

This isn’t academic history (and Carlin isn’t a historian) but the podcast’s unique blend of high drama, masterful narration and Twilight Zone–style twists has entertained millions of listeners.

Listen if:

  • You want to learn more about history, but don’t want boring lecture
  • You want a lot of content to listen to

Suggested first episode: Pick the start of a topic series; World War I was quite good

Listen in Overcast
Listen in Apple Podcasts

Song Exploder

Song Exploder is a podcast where musicians take apart their songs, and piece by piece, tell the story of how they were made.

Listen if:

  • You want to find out how that artist made that sound
  • You want to discover some new music
  • You like hearing an artist talk about their process

Suggested first episode: Find an artist you like, or try ODESZA – Kusanagi

Listen in Overcast
Listen in Apple Podcasts

Trial Podcasts

I am giving these a try, but haven’t really decided yet.