Podcast recommendations

It's always a pleasant surprise to find that your friends are also avid podcast listeners and even more exciting to discuss topics from podcasts you've both heard.  As a followup to a request on such an occasion I'm sharing my list of podcasts to which I'm currently subscribed along with my subjective ratings.

Here's the OPML export including all the shows below.

If you have other recommendations or want to share your own OPML, feel free to add them to the comments section below.

Radiolab From WNYC

Radiolab, with Jad Abumrad and Robert Krulwich, is a radio show and podcast weaving stories and science into sound and music-rich documentaries.

Production quality: 10
Informational value: 10
Entertainment value: 6

Freakonomics Radio

From the popular book series by Steven D. Levitt and Stephen J. Dubner comes the audio podcast where they explore "the hidden side of everything".

Production quality: 9
Informational value: 10
Entertainment value: 5

Wait Wait...Don't Tell Me! : NPR

An hour-long weekly radio news panel game show produced by Chicago Public Radio and National Public Radio.

Production quality: 7
Informational value: 8
Entertainment value: 9

The Moth

Moth shows are renowned for the great range of human experience they showcase. Each show starts with a theme, and the storytellers explore it, often in unexpected ways.

Production quality: 8
Informational value: 5-8
Entertainment value: 0-6

Intelligence²

Intelligence Squared is the world’s leading forum for debate and intelligent discussion. Live and online we take you to the heart of the issues that matter, in the company of some of the world’s sharpest minds and most exciting orators.

Production quality: 10
Informational value: 10
Entertainment value: 1

All About Android

All About Android delivers everything you want to know about Android each week--the biggest news, freshest hardware, best apps and geekiest how-to's--with Android enthusiasts Jason Howell, Gina Trapani, Ron Richards, and a variety of special guests along the way.

Production quality: 8
Informational value: 8
Entertainment value: 8

Android Central

Your weekly peek into the world of Android, where we break down the news that really matters, and explain what's just a bunch of hype.

Production quality: 7
Informational value: 8
Entertainment value: 8

BrainStuff

Could you see a flashlight beam from Earth on the moon? What makes your knuckles pop? How do mood rings work? Join Marshall Brain as he explores the science behind everything from microwave popcorn to metal detectors.

Production quality: 8
Informational value: 10
Entertainment value: 5

Car Talk

America's funniest auto mechanics take calls from weary car owners all over the country, and crack wise while they diagnose Dodges and dismiss Diahatsus. You don't have to know anything about cars to love this one hour weekly laugh fest.

Production quality: 8
Informational value: 7
Entertainment value: 8

Daily Tech News Show

Daily Tech News Show is the home of Tom Merritt’s daily tech news show. Hence the name. Each show delivers the essential headlines in tech news that day combined with analysis from top names in technology.

Production quality: 8
Informational value: 7
Entertainment value: 8

Dan Carlin's Hardcore History

In "Hardcore History" the very unconventional Dan Carlin takes his "Martian", outside-the-box way of thinking and applies it to the past.

Production quality: 7
Informational value: 7
Entertainment value: 0

Stuff You Missed in History Class

The Stuff You Missed in History Class podcast explores world history. See history in a new way with the Stuff You Missed in History Class podcast.

Production quality: 8
Informational value: 8
Entertainment value: 3

NPR Hourly News

Hourly News Summary Podcast. Five minutes of NPR news, updated hourly.

Production quality: 9
Informational value: 10
Entertainment value: 0

Onion News Radio

The Onion, America's Finest News Source, is an award-winning publication covering world, national, and * local issues.

Production quality: 9
Informational value: 2
Entertainment value: 9

Science Friday

Science, technology, and other cool stuff from the folks behind public radio's Science Friday. It's brain fun, for curious people.

Production quality: 9
Informational value: 10
Entertainment value: 7

The Skeptics' Guide to the Universe

Weekly science podcast produced by the New England Skeptical Society. Also provides blogs, forums, videos and resources.

Production quality: 8
Informational value: 10
Entertainment value: 8

Skeptoid

Skeptoid is a weekly science podcast dedicated to furthering knowledge by blasting away the widespread pseudosciences that infect popular culture, and replacing them with way cooler reality.

Production quality: 7
Informational value: 8
Entertainment value: 1

Stuff You Should Know

How do termites work? What happened at Kent State? Join Josh and Chuck as they explore the Stuff You Should Know about everything from psychology to propellant in this podcast from HowStuffWorks.com.

Production quality: 9
Informational value: 9
Entertainment value: 5

This Week in Google

Leo Laporte, Gina Trapani, Jeff Jarvis and their guests talk about the latest Google and cloud computing news.

Production quality: 8
Informational value: 8
Entertainment value: 6

Bonus: Audio Drama (not in OPML)

Leviathan Chronicles

The Leviathan Chronicles is a free science fiction podcast featuring 60 actors, original music and professional sound effects.

Production quality: 10
Entertainment value: 10

Popular posts from this blog

Simple Raspberry Pi Interval Camera with Google Drive Upload

Image
## Note: updated version can be found here ## This is essentially my notes for replicating a Raspberry Pi timelapse camera setup I have but I decided to publish it for others to use as well.  It assumes familiarity with Raspbian so I won't go into details until the camera and uploading sections.

HardwareRaspberry Pi B+Frosted enclosure for B+ w/ internal camera mountRaspberry Pi camera moduleHigh quality micro SDEdimax EW-7811Un WiFi USB Adapter Total price ~$75 USD
I selected the older Pi B+ model because I had an extra and because the B+ enclosure supports mounting the standard camera module cleanly within.  Kudos to the person/team who came up with that idea.


Setup the PiDownload and install Raspbian to the SD card normally. I used the newly released Raspbian Jessie.Run #raspi-config Expand filesystem Enable cameraSet timezoneChange passwordFinish (reboot)Edit /etc/wpa_supplicant/wpa_supplicant.conf to setup WiFi authenticationEdit /etc/network/interfaces to change wlan0 from…
Read more

Loose Link Pins on the Huawei Watch (hwatch) Band

Image
You're probably here because you've tried to remove links from your new Huawei Watch and found that the pins slide back into place with no resistance and fall right out.  It turns out that's because Huawei used a pin and collar link as opposed to a cotter pin.  Without the collar, the pin will slide right through the link.

By this time you might on your hands and knees to trying to find the collar which popped out when you yanked the pin.  Yep, I was too.  If you're lucky enough to find the miniscule tube then here's how to reinstall it properly.


Insert the collar into the center part of the link from the side with the arrow.  Connect the 2 ends of the band to be attached.  Insert the pin from the opposite side and push in the opposite direction of the arrow.  You'll feel resistance when the pin reaches the collar.  Keep pushing using a pin tool until the pin is just past flush with the link.  The pin and collar are indented so that a snap can be felt when the…
Read more

Erato Muse 5 True Wireless Bluetooth Earbud Review

Image
True wireless earbuds are liberating. Going back to anything with wires will be frustrating especially in the winter when the cables have to wind around layers of clothes.
These Erato Muse 5 exceeded my expectation though my expectations were set pretty low from reading abysmal Amazon reviews for similar devices. Overall these have improved my listening experience though not without a few quirks, some of which may be intolerable for average consumers.
Pros: Decent sound qualityOutstanding battery life even without recharging in the caseLightweight and comfortable enough for long sessionsAdequate mic pickupFade-in effect when resuming from dropoutsEasy to power on/offAutomatically turns off when chargingCons: Fitseal sleeves didn't fit. Your results may varyWireless signal needs improvementPhysical buttons are uncomfortable to use while wearingInserting into the charging case takes a little skillStill pretty large and obviousSpecs (From EratoLife.com): Bluetooth Specification: BT Vers…
Read more