Some of My Favorites Podcasts
I spend a lot of time on the road. I can only listen to the same tunes so many times before I get bored. As a result, I regularly turn to my favorite podcasts for fresh, interesting content to listen to. I also use it as an opportunity to forget about the demands of teaching and other work responsibilities and use it as a time to just indulge myself in some of my vices and interests, uninterrupted as I drive up or down Interstate 75. If you need a break from your studies—and you'd rather not binge watch the next season of Patriot Act—then consider listening to podcasts.
Below is a list of some of my favorite podcasts. But to make this list, each podcast has to be exclusively a podcast. In other words, the podcast can’t simply be a simulcast recording of a live television or streaming show. The podcast can’t be a repurposed product. So you won’t see titles like “Wait Wait … Don’t Tell Me” or “The Daily Show with Trevor Noah: Ears Edition.” These are great podcasts that I listen to regularly, but they’re not eligible to make my list of faves.
Here’s the list:
Official Podcast Description: “Shankar Vedantam uses science and storytelling to reveal the unconscious patterns that drive human behavior, shape our choices and direct our relationships.”
Why I like it: Hidden Brain relies heavily on research and data, often taking new academic studies or papers as inspiration for episodes. The show makes complex scientific ideas understandable and even relatable for the masses. Episodes often start with a single question that Vedantam and his team of reporters work to answer with scientific, pop culture, and historical approaches.
Official Podcast Description: “Guy Raz dives into the stories behind some of the world’s best known companies. How I Built This weaves a narrative journey about innovators, entrepreneurs and idealists—and the movements they built.”
Why I like it: I like hearing how successful companies get started—particularly because I like to hear about the struggles and failures that often took place prior to the successes. It’s that resilience and dedication of some of the individuals behind some of the world’s most successful companies that intrigue me. In each installment, Guy Raz takes listeners on a journey through the free market toward some of capitalism’s most glorious finales: Starbucks, Shopify, Dyson, Men’s Wearhouse, Squarespace, and Burt’s Bees—to name just a few.
Official Podcast Description: “Pokémon Go Radio is a podcast run by a couple of brothers (Nar & SALT) hoping to create a place for the Pokémon Go community to talk, debate, have fun, and share the dankest memes.”
Why I like it: Yes, I play Pokémon Go! And I’m unapologetically proud of it. This podcast is hosted by twins who have a great love and enthusiasm for the game. I get almost all of my Pokémon Go! information from this source.
Official Podcast Description: “Long-running, award-winning STAR WARS program hosted by podcasting veterans Jason Swank and Jimmy Mac, Rebel Force Radio provides STAR WARS information and entertainment. From the Classic Trilogy to the Prequels … From THE FORCE AWAKENS to ROGUE ONE to SOLO … Rebel Force Radio puts you on the front lines of fandom. Plus, plenty of CLONE WARS and REBELS too! Featuring celebrity guests, news, opinions, comedy, reviews, contests, and more.”
Why I like it: There’s a lot of Star Wars podcasts out there, but I consider Rebel Force Radio one of the best. The hosts’ sense of humor and intimate knowledge of the franchise make the delivery of the information worth listening to.
Official Podcast Description: “Join former U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara as he breaks down legal topics in the news and engages thought leaders in a podcast about power, policy, and justice.”
Why I like it: Regardless of your political disposition, you have to appreciate Preet Bharara’s insightful and thoughtful takes on today’s events. He’s one of the best interviewers who asks intellectually sharp questions and carefully listens to his guests’ responses to follow up with the necessary questions.
Official Podcast Description: “Your Weekly Constitutional is a public radio show and podcast that focuses upon interesting and controversial issues in constitutional law, from gay rights to gun rights. Produced in partnership with James Madison's Montpelier, it features interviews with knowledgeable lawyers, scholars, and others about current and historical topics, including church-state relations, states' rights, and even the constitutionality of secession.”
Why I like it: I remember a long time ago when my professional Facebook page had more likes than this podcast’s Facebook page. Today, Your Weekly Constitutional’s Facebook page has more than 51,000 more likes than mine. That’s not surprising. The TWC podcasts dives into interesting and controversial issues in constitutional law, from gay rights to gun rights. The host of Your Weekly Constitutional, Professor Stewart Harris, is an award-winning law professor who loves to talk about the Constitution in a fun, accessible way that everyone can understand. (And by the way, Professor Harris is a colleague of mine at Lincoln Memorial University Duncan School of Law and an overall swell guy.)
What are some of your favorite podcasts? Let me know in the comments section!
