Category: podcasts

Why podcasts are great for discovery and learning

Where do you find inspiration? Where do you go to learn about a new topic or to expand your knowledge? I love storytelling, conversation and voices so podcasts are go-to for learning and discovering new topics, books, people and ideas. Humour, stories, interviews, psychology, history, libraries, creativity, business – all inspiration and brain fodder for me.

Podcasts don’t have to have big production values or a huge international platform. Some of my favourites are small, niche and probably recorded in someone’s bedroom. That’s the joy of podcasts for me – anyone can do it which means the breadth and depth of topics is HUGE! I love finding them (comments in a long thread in a Facebook group, recommendations from a friend, mentions in another podcast – so many ways). And I love sharing episodes I’ve enjoyed or have induced an AHA! moment with friends (you know who you are, thanks for pretending you listened!).

In no particular order, these are podcasts I’ve enjoyed lately. Perhaps they’ll be your jumping off point, your springboard to discovering something new?

Clear+Vivid with Alan Alda – Judge Judy on How to Figure Out Who’s Telling The Truth. Alan Alda’s voice and his beautiful interview style…absolutely love this podcast and Judy Sheindlin is a force of nature!

Brave, Not Perfect – Kelly Roberts. Follow Kelly on Instagram, she is honest, fierce and funny.

Ways to Change the World – Jameela Jamil on banning airbrushing, the Kardashians and her traumatic teens. Have you seen The Good Place? Jameela Jamil is much more than her character Tahani.

Safe For Work – Resumes, cover letters and interviews, oh my! Sometimes I like to listen people discussing resumes, nothing wrong with that!

GLAM Research – Kim Tairi, Librarian, Lover of Brevity, Social Media & Fashion. Loved this thoughtful discussion with Kim and host, Adam Seuss.

Beyond the Stacks – Episode 24: Kim Dority, Alternative LIS Career Paths. The final episode of this great library podcast and it is an absolute cracker. There is life and fulfilment outside the library world!

Creative Pep Talk – 193 – How to Win Dream Opportunities (Side Quest Series Pt 2). Confession, I’ve fallen for this podcast hard. I love Andy’s pop culture references and his honest take on being a creative.

By the Book – The 4-Hour Workweek. Always honest, always thoughtful, I love hearing books being dissected by Jolenta and Kirsten.

Armchair Expert with Dax Shepard – Mila Kunis. Engaging guests and long episodes make me happy, this one is a favourite from this show.

Why Won’t You Date Me? – Racism in Hollywood with Oscar Montoya. Nicole Byers makes me laugh a lot, definitely not safe for when a teenager hops in the car…or maybe it is?

And a bonus “haven’t listened yet but am itching for a long walk so I can” mention goes to Edgelands: Stories from the Russian Border.

What’s on your podcast list?

Finding opportunities to advocate for libraries, information and what we do

The list of podcasts I listen to is a mixed bag of comedy, history, self-improvement, libraries, communication, conversations but here’s what I think is missing from many podcasts and online discussions.

Library people talking about what we do, who we support, how we are a vital asset to universities, cities, towns, hospitals, businesses, government, communities . . . you know what I’m talking about (and if you don’t hi! let’s talk libraries and information!)

Today I listened to episode 42 of Reasons to Be Cheerful with Ed Miliband and Geoff Lloyd on “tech for good”. Take a look at these statements and words I scribbled down whilst listening to this episode:

Take the lead of the people in your community, they know what they need.

Ordinary people deploying technology together.

Working with citizens and technology.

Connectivity.

Demystifying technology.

Give tools to people to allow them to have a stake in their world.

Community-led civic policy making.

Sound familiar? They are either:

What libraries already do like demystifying technology and working with citizens and technology.

and

Programs and networks that we should be involved in like community-led civic policy making.

The episode about tech for good took a quick dive into smart cities, Red Hook mesh network, the Barcelona Digital City plan and The Bristol Approach – all people led projects that use technology to create change and strengthen communities.

As soon as one of the guests mentioned access to free internet, I thought libraries and hoped they would be mentioned but they weren’t, but WHY NOT?

So my question is: where are the library people being interviewed on podcasts and sharing knowledge in online groups and discussions?

When people are pushing for action in a community (I’m not just talking public libraries here) libraries need to be right in the thick of it, our spaces and people can be staging posts for smart cities, citizen-led projects, deploying technology for communities. We can provide:

  • internet access
  • resources
  • space to meet, plot and plan
  • training
  • support
  • networks to find more supporters
  • enthusiasm!

Talking to these groups, finding non-users who don’t know what libraries offer, we can reach these people via podcasts. We just need to get ourselves on the podcasts – but how?

I’ve been pondering how to do more advocacy outside of the library world:

If you listen to a podcast and find yourself thinking “a librarian needs to be on this show”, contact the podcast and suggest it.

Suggest libraries, library people and what we do in online groups and chats. I’ve started chiming in with “you can borrow that book for free at your local library!” and “why don’t you speak to your library about space for your event” and “a librarian would be a great guest on our podcast” etc whenever I see an opportunity. Sometimes I’m ignored, but sometimes it starts a great conversation and if it puts libraries and information organisations to the front of someone’s mind, I’m happy!

In the words of Glòria Pérez-Salmerón, IFLA President,  “you can all be influencers” so join me and start influencing where you see an opportunity!

 

 

Three lessons I’ve learnt from Turbitt & Duck podcast guests

As we head towards twenty episodes of Turbitt & Duck: The Library Podcast, I’ve been thinking about our guests, the topics we’ve covered and what I’ve learnt along the way about the library and information profession and the people working in it.

Being interviewed isn’t easy

On reflection, it’s rather similar to a job interview that’s being recorded but with a friendlier panel! For some of our guests, lots of preparation and planning with regard to our questions has (somewhat) alleviated the stress of being interviewed. It’s a challenge to be present, speak clearly, remember what you want to say (and what you can’t say) and I admire everyone who has recorded with us so far for accepting the challenge and letting us share their voice.

Generosity

Every guest has given us their personal time to record – on Saturday mornings, Sunday afternoons, after work on a Tuesday. If we could only interview people during their work hours, we probably wouldn’t have any guests! I’ve learnt that our guests have given up family, reading, exercise, sleep, shopping, second job time to record with us. And that some people will say no because recording out of work time encroaches on other aspects of their lives. There’s no right or wrong, just what works for each person.*

Honesty

Even though some of our guests haven’t been able to fully disclose or discuss their work for various reasons, they have all been honest about challenges, what went wrong and also what they think are the issues in our industry. These are the things I believe need to receive just as much attention as the great, amazing, clever, thoughtful work. We need to address the multiple elephants in the room and talk about failures and how we can be better at what we do. There are a number of guests who have started these conversations, and I’m looking forward to continuing the discussions and also checking back in with them to see what’s changed (or not).

But wait there’s more

I was tempted to highlight specific episodes, however I didn’t. Because honestly, you will learn something about these three ‘lessons’ and more from every single guest. I’ve been challenged by each and every guest, to think harder, read more broadly and consider my own biases and ways of working.

You can listen to all of the Turbitt & Duck episodes on our website or via your favourite podcast app.

*So much of the professional development that people can access is possible because of volunteer labour. Program committees for large conferences, entire committees for symposiums, unconferences, Facebook groups, special interest groups, Twitter chats – ALL volunteer run (remember that when you throw around criticisms or rude feedback). And what if you can’t volunteer because of financial, accessibility or personal reasons? Do we need to push back at employers so that volunteering occurs within work hours (if work related of course!)

There’s no denying it

… I love podcasts.  There are so many podcast episodes on my phone that I either need an extra two hours in the day, or to get up earlier for more listening time. Here’s hoping someone can arrange those extra two hours…

Pocketcast (podcast app of choice) is full of personal development, comedy and people chatting about things. Of course, I’m also listening to gain more knowledge about hosting and editing podcasts for Turbitt & Duck, and it’s great there are so many formats and styles out there for me to learn from. These are a few episodes that ticked the “enjoyed” and “learnt something” boxes recently.

Librarians with Lives

Librarians with Lives is a new UK library podcast by Jo Wood and her first episode with Helen Berry is a cracker. Helen’s library career has been Diverse with a capital D. If you’ve ever wondered about moving between libraries and specialisations, this is a great episode. Helen is also very honest about career choices that were wrong for her and why. Have a listen! LwL Podcast Episode 1: Helen Berry

The Guilty Feminist

If you’re a Crazy Ex-Girlfriend fan, you’ll enjoy the glimpse into what it takes to get their brilliant songs on TV: Episode 55. Pioneers with Rachel Bloom

How to Be Awesome at Your Job

No matter hard you try to avoid it, office politics is a thing…: Episode 213: Surviving and Winning Office Politics with Dorie Clark

Really enjoyed the quick rundowns of different personality frameworks and what they aren’t good for: Episode 215: Expanding Self-awareness Using the Top Personality Frameworks with Anne Bogel

Nerdette

Felicia Day’s book is excellent and I read it at a time when life was tricky and hard and it made me feel better about being myself. So I’m happy to listen to her talk anytime!: Felicia Day on Being Weird, Hard Work and Women in Hollywood

I stopped watching Doctor Who after David Tennant left, but have always felt a tiny bit of regret that I missed the River Song storyline. This episode has got me curious and who knows…maybe I’ll dip my toe back in: ‘Doctor Who’ Star Alex Kingston On The Women Who Drive The Tardis

Happier with Gretchen Rubin

I’ve always struggled with to do lists, but a Ta-Da! list? Yes please! Also has some excellent thoughts on ambition: Episode 134: Write a Ta-Da! list

That’s it for now! Listened to any good podcasts lately? I’d love to hear about what you’ve been enjoying.

 

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