The stars have aligned recently in my personal universe allowing me to enjoy audio podcasts once again. Years ago, I used to listen to them via my laptop, a web site or perhaps my Palm Pilot (yeah, remember those)? I never owned an iPod but my children had a couple. I liked the concept, but for the most part I preferred listening to audiobooks (and still do for the most part).
I’m a Patreon supporter of an author (Kameron Hurley), who recently started producing podcasts on a monthly basis. Rather than download yet another application to my smartphone, I decided to use an existing installed app to listen to her podcasts. I downloaded the audio file and placed it in my audiobooks folder so that my Smart Audiobook Player app would pick it up automatically. It found the new file and I was able to listen to it through my Bluetooth headset and through my new car’s stereo system while commuting. I’ve listened to both episodes and enjoyed them both (although I do warn you that profanity is prolific). I even submitted a question for a future podcast to her. Kameron has made the podcasts available to everyone via her website at this URL: http://www.kameronhurley.com/podcast/
This listening experience reminded me that there are other podcasts to be discovered. I did some searches for best podcasts of the last couple of years for science fiction and fantasy. I found two that seemed to fit my bill: Sword and Laser and Wired’s Geek’s Guide to the Galaxy (GGG). I subscribed to both of them and downloaded the most recent episodes to my Google Music app.
Episode 255 of GGG featured Becky Chambers (one of my newest favorite authors, whose most recent book, A Closed and Common Orbit, is a finalist for the Best Novel Hugo Award this year) was featured along with Tobias Buckell and John Joseph Adams. The nearly two-hour program discussed the anthology Cosmic Powers and space opera in general. Towards the end of the program there was a 15-20 minute digression down the healthcare rabbit hole, but I soldiered on to the end. Another episode has been released since I listened to episode 255, but I probably won’t download it as it’s topic is the Taboo television series which I’m completely unfamiliar with. However, the topic for episode 257 (coming soon) is a discussion about how to deal with creative writing professors who are hostile toward fantasy and science fiction, which I will definitely download.
Episode 292 of S&L featured a discussion of cozy space operas and it was much shorter (about thirty minutes long) and very enjoyable to listen to. The Sword & Laser Goodreads group is reading A Long Way to a Small Angry Planet, Becky Chamber’s first award-winning space opera. Her second book, which I mentioned above, is set in the same universe and can be construed as a sequel as it does contain some of the same characters. The next episode should be released today or tomorrow, although their website doesn’t divulge what the topic for discussion will be.
Finally, I’m taking better advantage of Google Assistant on my smartphone. I added four preferred news podcasts for my early morning briefing while I get ready for work. I added NPR hourly news update podcast and the WSJ’s What’s News. I know, I see you rolling your eyes. I’ve never claimed to be anything but a middle-of-the-road moderate so I might as well get a look at the news from opposite ends of the spectrum. For now, I’ve also included NPR and WSJ Technology podcasts. I may supplemental that with the Wired or CNET one if I’m not satisfied with the technology coverage I’m absorbing.
I’m still listening to audiobooks while commuting and walking the dogs, but I’ve supplemented my listening with these podcasts for those times when I don’t want to fully immerse myself in a book and just want the facts or some humor with a side of sarcasm.
I have just started getting into podcasts. My current geeking out one is “The Prancing Pony” which is covering everything Tolkien-related. You should check it out–I think you would like it!
Ooo. That sounds fun. Thanks!