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July 22, 2009 11:57 PM Subscribe
What are some educational (yet interesting) podcasts?
I'm looking for some "educational" podcasts. Specifically, I'm interested in subjects like history, astronomy (preferably geared more towards laymen), mythology, and just random trivia in general.
I'm interested in hearing any favorites you might have.
Previously, of course, but that's a couple of years old.
I'm looking for some "educational" podcasts. Specifically, I'm interested in subjects like history, astronomy (preferably geared more towards laymen), mythology, and just random trivia in general.
I'm interested in hearing any favorites you might have.
Previously, of course, but that's a couple of years old.
I like Dan Carlin's Hardcore History. It's not particularly frequent, unfortunately.
posted by jjb at 12:19 AM on July 23, 2009 [2 favorites]
posted by jjb at 12:19 AM on July 23, 2009 [2 favorites]
In Our Time!
It's a BBC Radio 4 program (& podcast) that has academics discussing a very specific subject in a way that is extremely interesting both to those with previous knowledge and absolute laymen. Each week, they focus on a subject from history, lit, philosophy, science, or religion (usually religious history, not theology).
There's an episode list on the wikipedia page.
Subscribe at their BBC website. They're on their yearly six week break right now, but will be back in September.
I'm completely addicted. Even when I'm not initially interested in the week's subject, it ends up being totally fascinating.
posted by rhinny at 12:27 AM on July 23, 2009 [3 favorites]
It's a BBC Radio 4 program (& podcast) that has academics discussing a very specific subject in a way that is extremely interesting both to those with previous knowledge and absolute laymen. Each week, they focus on a subject from history, lit, philosophy, science, or religion (usually religious history, not theology).
There's an episode list on the wikipedia page.
Subscribe at their BBC website. They're on their yearly six week break right now, but will be back in September.
I'm completely addicted. Even when I'm not initially interested in the week's subject, it ends up being totally fascinating.
posted by rhinny at 12:27 AM on July 23, 2009 [3 favorites]
Radiolab might have some episodes that cover topics you'd be interested in, as well as a format you'd find enjoyable.
posted by Quizicalcoatl at 12:30 AM on July 23, 2009 [3 favorites]
posted by Quizicalcoatl at 12:30 AM on July 23, 2009 [3 favorites]
The University of Oxford's podcasts have lots of history and science.
posted by Abiezer at 12:31 AM on July 23, 2009
posted by Abiezer at 12:31 AM on July 23, 2009
If you have any interest at all in classical music, the podcast from the National Arts Center Orchestra in Ottawa Canada, is good. Skip the ones where they intro upcoming concerts, and try the ones with more in depth content:
(Disclosure: the host and I were up-and-coming young musicians in a youth orchestra together just about 40 years ago ...)
posted by woodblock100 at 1:03 AM on July 23, 2009 [1 favorite]
- Do we need conductors?
- Hearing problems for orchestra musicians
- Analyzing Beethoven's Emperor Concerto
(Disclosure: the host and I were up-and-coming young musicians in a youth orchestra together just about 40 years ago ...)
posted by woodblock100 at 1:03 AM on July 23, 2009 [1 favorite]
The Skeptic's Guide to the Universe
posted by ursus_comiter at 2:59 AM on July 23, 2009 [2 favorites]
posted by ursus_comiter at 2:59 AM on July 23, 2009 [2 favorites]
I've fallen in love with the memory palace.
posted by Nanukthedog at 3:41 AM on July 23, 2009 [1 favorite]
posted by Nanukthedog at 3:41 AM on July 23, 2009 [1 favorite]
ABC Radio National has great programmes
A few of my favourites
rear vision
hindsight
the philosophers zone
Late Night Live is usually pretty interesting- but all good quality listening
posted by mattoxic at 3:51 AM on July 23, 2009
A few of my favourites
rear vision
hindsight
the philosophers zone
Late Night Live is usually pretty interesting- but all good quality listening
posted by mattoxic at 3:51 AM on July 23, 2009
The History of Rome is awesome. Quirks and Quarks is a great science podcast.
posted by Midnight Rambler at 5:02 AM on July 23, 2009
posted by Midnight Rambler at 5:02 AM on July 23, 2009
Thirding Radiolab. It's by far the most engaging and interesting educational podcast I've heard. The subject matters are more towards the science side, but they cover a lot of ground. Some great introductory episodes:
Musical Language
Where Am I?
Yellow Fluff and other Curious Encounters
But they're all great.
posted by farishta at 6:03 AM on July 23, 2009
Musical Language
Where Am I?
Yellow Fluff and other Curious Encounters
But they're all great.
posted by farishta at 6:03 AM on July 23, 2009
Tech Talk with Adam and Tim.
Full disclosure: I'm the Adam. :) It's still good though. Introductory computer topics.
posted by unixrat at 6:36 AM on July 23, 2009
Full disclosure: I'm the Adam. :) It's still good though. Introductory computer topics.
posted by unixrat at 6:36 AM on July 23, 2009
It sounds like you would enjoy 'Stuff You Should Know' from HowStuffWorks. HowStuffWorks has a number of other good podcasts too, check out their full listing , which includes Stuff You Missed in History Class and BrainStuff.
posted by sdinan at 10:40 AM on July 23, 2009 [1 favorite]
posted by sdinan at 10:40 AM on July 23, 2009 [1 favorite]
CBC's Ideas sounds right up your alley:
Ideas is a program about contemporary thought. It explores social issues, culture and the arts, geopolitics, history, biography, science and technology, and the humanities.
Podcasts here. They are only archived for four weeks so get them while they're hot.
posted by Cuke at 6:06 PM on July 23, 2009
Ideas is a program about contemporary thought. It explores social issues, culture and the arts, geopolitics, history, biography, science and technology, and the humanities.
Podcasts here. They are only archived for four weeks so get them while they're hot.
posted by Cuke at 6:06 PM on July 23, 2009
Seconding "History of Rome". For etymology, podictionary is good, although I don't really like the bite-size format (i like to put something on and leave it on when I walk the dogs / make dinner / etc.)
The Age of Persuasion delves into advertising history each episode. But it's written by an ad man so it has a celebratory / apologetic tone.
posted by condour75 at 5:35 AM on July 24, 2009
The Age of Persuasion delves into advertising history each episode. But it's written by an ad man so it has a celebratory / apologetic tone.
posted by condour75 at 5:35 AM on July 24, 2009
Seconding TEDtalks. Also, although it's mostly stories, I LOVE This American Life. They get a lot of good info from the Planet Money team, too. Also great - Spark. It's from Canada.
posted by hardsilver at 10:30 PM on May 26, 2010
posted by hardsilver at 10:30 PM on May 26, 2010
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by Dreamcast at 12:02 AM on July 23, 2009