Listen to This

LISTEN TO THIS | Mind-blowing Trumps Justice

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I’m a podcast junkie, and LISTEN TO THIS is a recap of my favorite tidbits, soundbites and short bursts of brilliance from this week. After digesting 14 hours and 43 minutes of podcasts, here’s my top three must-listen-to moments.

Podcasts minutes tracked on Todd Chandler's Daytum Dashboard

Though Parts of Her Were Considerably Younger

THE CULTURE GABFEST | 25 Sex Moves He Secretly Wishes You’d Try Edition

With the passing of 90-year-old Helen Gurley Brown, the Gabfest crew explores the positive and appalling sides of how she influenced women in America. I love listening to the debate about all the wonderful advancements she did along with all the negative stereotypes she helped reinforce. It’s the first story in this episode, so you can start at the beginning or fast forward to 1:55.

And If I’m Proven Wrong, I Want to be Part of It

BUILD AND ANALYZE | This Person Isn’t Really Here

Marco and Dan discuss the launch of app.net starting at 23:10. What makes this conversation worth listening to is the dialog around the effectiveness of the fund raising campaign and Marco’s proposed next steps for success. I also found the points on the function of each social network and the purpose of posting on each thought-provoking (38:50). If you want to hear a little more about app.net, Dan York also covered it on his report on For Immediate Release at 31:15.

The Thermal Detonator You’re Carrying

JUDGE JOHN HODGMAN | Probable Cos-Play

My favorite 5 podcast subscriptionsThis podcast has earned it’s way into my top five subscriptions. The format is so different, and Hodgman is engaging, clever, and smart. This week, the court docket included a couple headed to a Star Wars convention with their 4-year-old son. Dad and son are planning to dress in jedi garb, and dad was seeking a ruling to mandate mom dress up as well. After the ruling, Judge Hodgman came back into the virtual, fake courtroom and asked the husband to step out. Then he offered a fantastic idea for the wife stating that the ruling stands, but “Sometimes mind-blowing trumps justice.” Not sure if it will make much sense without listening to the entire case, but his bonus suggestion starts at 32:52.

Podcast Test Drives:

I branched out quite a bit this week trying two new shows on 5by5 and another two Slate podcasts. In addition to Build and Analyze and The Cultural Gabfest above, I also listened to:

  • The Incomparable - delightful panelist conversation on the Pixar movie Brave. I like and will keep testing for a few weeks.
  • The Political Gabfest - I was not that thrilled with this week’s discussion, but two of the normal panelist were out. I’ll give it another shot next week.

I also went back to my old Daytum account and set up a dashboard for podcasts listening to actually track what and when I’m listening to.

OTHER PODCAST POSTS YOU MIGHT ENJOY:

What about you? What podcasts did you enjoy this week and what do you recommend? Leave your favorites in the comments below.

LISTEN TO THIS | The Genghis Khan of Ants

in

I’m a podcast junkie, and LISTEN TO THIS is a recap of my favorite tidbits, soundbites and short bursts of brilliance from this week. After digesting hours and hours of podcasts, here’s the top 3 must-listen-to moments.

THE GENGHIS KHAN OF ANTS

RADIOLAB | Argentine Invasion

I’m a avid student of variation, I believe many things can be better understood with bell curves and two-by-two grids, and I spend most of my day job working to reduce variation and figure out how to ensure we deliver a consistent experience across multiple retail locations. Given that bias, I was riveted listening to this fascinating story of how Argentine ants have spread across the planet and managed to maintain genetic purity and consistency. You’ll miss some of the perspective of the complete story, but for a quick recap and the discussion of possible analogies to humans behavior, start at 14:10. If you get engrossed in the full history like I did, check out this stylish graphic detailing the ants path to global domination.

FINGERS ON KEYS

SIX PIXELS OF SEPARATION | #317 - Get Writing With Jeff Goins

Mitch Joel reads a lot and writes a lot. I want to read more and write more, so I sometimes I ask those who read a lot and write a lot how they do it. When I asked Joel, it let to this somewhat awkward exchange, but this episode helped me better understand why that Q&A played out like it did. Quit worrying about how to do something, and just start doing it. The entire episode is motivating, but for those short on time advance to 8:04 to hear the “Shut up and write” message. And for a little bonus, skip to 24:50 and hear how Mother Theresa answered, “How do you pray?”

THAT WORD REAL

FREAKONOMICS RADIO | Freakonomics Goes to College, Part 1

The first half of this episode is an interview with retired FBI agent Allen Ezell who created and oversaw operation DipScam (Diploma Scam) for 12 years. Ezell believes that 1% of all college credentials are fake including all kinds of medical degrees. It was fascinating to hear how he investigated diploma mills and various forms of forgery. But the memorable soundbite comes later in the show when host Stephen Dubner interviews Karl Rove about not finishing college. At 19:35, Rove explains the best course he took in college - Shakespearian Literature.

“It made me aware of the power of language and how telling a story - a political campaign is about big issues, but you have to describe a narrative. You have to create a story line. You know, what is this all about.” ~ Karl Rove

Podcast Test Drives:

Grammar Girl - I have not been a fan of the Quick and Dirty Tips network. The podcasts tend to be filled with motherhood and apple pie style, superficial advice - floss once a day, always use sunscreen, seek to understand first. I felt that way about the first episode of Grammar Girl that I listened to, but the second one on a great grammar hoax hooked me. STATUS: keep listening a little longer.

Here’s what really impressed me. Mignon Fogarty is masterful at integrating sponsorships into the podcast. If you’re a podcaster looking to increase sponsorships, listen to the way she weaves in the message about Audible.com at 9:22 on the grammar hoax episode. Seamless.

Unsubscribing from:

NPR Columns: Sunday Puzzler - fun and fast, it’s just not getting played on regular basis and there are lots of NPR podcasts in my subscriptions.

OTHER PODCAST POSTS YOU MIGHT ENJOY:

What about you? What podcasts did you enjoy this week and what do you recommend? Leave your favorites in the comments below.

LISTEN TO THIS | The Jordache Look

in ,

I’m a podcast junkie, and LISTEN TO THIS is a recap of my favorite tidbits, soundbites and short bursts of brilliance from the week. After digesting hours and hours of podcasts, here’s the top 3 must-listen-to moments.

NO BUSINESS IS TOO SMALL - NO BUSINESS IS TOO WEIRD

NPR BUSINESS STORY OF THE DAY | What Ever Happened to Jordache Jeans

Renee Montagne’s quick 4:29 interview with Matthew Boyle on his recent What Ever Happened to Jordache Jeans is a pitch-perfect example of business leaders who are successful because of their ability to adjust to change quickly - moving from retail to manufacturing, going mass at just the right time, and then diversifying into other areas. As Boyle sums up, “It’s weird how they see an opportunity, they move fast, they grab it, but there isn’t much rhyme or reason to the empire.” Ahh, but there is rhyme and reason - continual growth.

TO THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE

THE MEMORY PALACE | Episode 45: Heard, Once

First time listening to The Memory Palace, and I was hooked by this story of how promoter P.T. Barnum managed a wildly successful tour of Swedish opera star Jenny Lind starting in 1850. The entire podcast is only 8:42, but if you’re impatient, skip to 4:25 when Barnum makes his offer to Lind and listen through to the end.

RACE TO THE BOTTOM

ON THE MEDIA | Trust Me, I’m Lying

Brooke Gladstone speaks with Ryan Holiday, author of the new book Trust Me, I’m Lying: Confessions of a Media Manipulator. The best section starts at 3:30 when Gladstone asks about Pastor Terry Jones, and Holiday explains the viral effectiveness of strong emotions. “Anger is the number one predictor of an article making the most popular lists.” I’m eager to learn more about the fine line between influence and manipulation.

Podcast Test Drives:

  • How to do Everything - this week’s show was about how to watch the Olympics and contained a charming interview with Sir Patrick Stewart who served as one of the torch bearers for the London Games. I also learned about a special use for honey during the competition. Hap tip to Peter Sagal on Wait, Wait, Don’t Tell Me.
  • CMD+SPACE - is a reboot of the Bro Show on the 70 Decibels network. Merlin Mann joins hosts Myke Hurley and Stephen Hackett on this inaugural show. Hat tip to Michael Schechter. I was fascinated to hear details of Merlin’s history and his personal lessons along the way.

Unsubscribing from:

Stop Podcasting Yourself - my threshold for morning zoo formats is pretty low. I should quit looking for funny from a podcast. I’d rather spend the time learning and being challenged. I clearly prefer shows that help me grow AND make me laugh along the way.

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What about you? What podcasts did you enjoy this week and what do you recommend?