Why podcasts are great for discovery and learning

Image of a blue ocean with a green diving board in the foreground. White text over the top of the image says podcasts 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?

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