I'm tired of being bored on my commute
March 11, 2019 5:42 AM Subscribe
Seeking requests for podcasts that are educational without being boring or highly technical, and also not overtly political. I like Radiolab and would like to listen to more podcasts in a similar sort of vein, in other subjects, if any exist. I especially love history. Bonus points for podcasts in German.
Marketplace!
posted by Dashy at 5:56 AM on March 11, 2019 [1 favorite]
posted by Dashy at 5:56 AM on March 11, 2019 [1 favorite]
In Our Time with Melvyn Bragg is excellent, each episode is about a specific historical or scientific topic. I'd recommend checking out the extremely long list of past episodes and starting with topics you find interesting, as otherwise it can be a tad dry.
posted by zazerr at 6:02 AM on March 11, 2019 [6 favorites]
posted by zazerr at 6:02 AM on March 11, 2019 [6 favorites]
Bear Brook is a true crime podcast which was super interesting
posted by speakeasy at 6:03 AM on March 11, 2019 [1 favorite]
posted by speakeasy at 6:03 AM on March 11, 2019 [1 favorite]
I frequently listen to New Books in History. It's part of the New Books Network, which spans a whole range of disciplines and subject areas (e.g., German Studies, Science Technology and Society, Food, and dozens of others).
There's also Dan Snow's History Hit.
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 6:07 AM on March 11, 2019
There's also Dan Snow's History Hit.
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 6:07 AM on March 11, 2019
I really like Our Fake History. For some reason they (I think it's just one person actually) suck at updating their content on Google Play, but it's good when it's there.
posted by teabag at 6:15 AM on March 11, 2019
posted by teabag at 6:15 AM on March 11, 2019
Mike Duncan's History of Rome and Revolutions podcasts might be up your alley.
"The History of Rome" was his first podcast (2007–2012). It's a bit rough around the edges at the beginning, but he finds his groove quickly enough, developing a breezy and accessible delivery style. "Revolutions" (2013–present) was the project he did after finishing the History of Rome. In it, he deals with the various revolutions that took place around the world in the Modern era; so far, he has covered the English, American, French, Haitian, South American, and 1848 revolutions, is just wrapping up the Mexican Revolution, and will be doing the Russian Revolution next.
posted by Johnny Assay at 6:16 AM on March 11, 2019 [4 favorites]
"The History of Rome" was his first podcast (2007–2012). It's a bit rough around the edges at the beginning, but he finds his groove quickly enough, developing a breezy and accessible delivery style. "Revolutions" (2013–present) was the project he did after finishing the History of Rome. In it, he deals with the various revolutions that took place around the world in the Modern era; so far, he has covered the English, American, French, Haitian, South American, and 1848 revolutions, is just wrapping up the Mexican Revolution, and will be doing the Russian Revolution next.
posted by Johnny Assay at 6:16 AM on March 11, 2019 [4 favorites]
Ologies features an interview with a different *ologist each episode.
posted by esker at 6:16 AM on March 11, 2019 [1 favorite]
posted by esker at 6:16 AM on March 11, 2019 [1 favorite]
(That said, the podcasts are just one guy talking, so if you like the "production values" of Radiolab and its ilk, you might find these a bit dull.)
posted by Johnny Assay at 6:18 AM on March 11, 2019
posted by Johnny Assay at 6:18 AM on March 11, 2019
Radiotopia is a podcast network with a bunch of entertaining nonfiction - 99% Invisible, the Allusionist, Kitchen Sisters Present - and some great stuff with more fictional content if that is also in your area of interest. I’d start with 99PI first as it’s the most similar to Radiolab, you’ll get plenty of pitches for the rest if you listen to one.
posted by q*ben at 6:25 AM on March 11, 2019
posted by q*ben at 6:25 AM on March 11, 2019
You might like The End of the World with Josh Clark. I would say it's just technical enough. An utterly captivating production, perfect for a long commute.
posted by 6thsense at 6:35 AM on March 11, 2019
posted by 6thsense at 6:35 AM on March 11, 2019
BackStory is my favorite history podcast and has years of episodes online.
posted by Flannery Culp at 6:37 AM on March 11, 2019 [2 favorites]
posted by Flannery Culp at 6:37 AM on March 11, 2019 [2 favorites]
I'm quick fond of This Podcast Will Kill You. It's 2 epidemiologist grad students covering a specific disease each episode. They discuss the biology, history, and current status of each. While it gets a wee bit technical, they're focused on a popular science style so they're explaining the technical aspects in a way the layperson can understand. Skip the crossover episodes.
posted by DoubleLune at 6:55 AM on March 11, 2019 [1 favorite]
posted by DoubleLune at 6:55 AM on March 11, 2019 [1 favorite]
My favourite is No Such Thing As a Fish.
posted by terrapin at 7:13 AM on March 11, 2019 [2 favorites]
posted by terrapin at 7:13 AM on March 11, 2019 [2 favorites]
Behind the Bastards, where they look at the worst people in history and expose the bizarre realities of their lives.
Stuff Media also has several other history-adjacent podcasts accessible from the above site, including Ridiculous History, Omnibus (mentioned previously), Stuff You Missed in History Class, and probably a couple more.
posted by cgg at 7:13 AM on March 11, 2019 [5 favorites]
Stuff Media also has several other history-adjacent podcasts accessible from the above site, including Ridiculous History, Omnibus (mentioned previously), Stuff You Missed in History Class, and probably a couple more.
posted by cgg at 7:13 AM on March 11, 2019 [5 favorites]
Sarah Taber's podcast, "Farm to Taber" ("Farm to Taber" RSS link for your podcatcher) on agricultural economics, food safety, and more.
"How I Built This" from NPR, focusing on how people built new endeavors. A favorite episode: The story of Jane Wurwand, founder of Dermalogica.
"Say Why to Drugs" with Dr. Suzi Gage and Scroobius Pip, in which they share the current research on the effects of various drugs. (The bit of the intro where Pip says "pro-truth and anti-myth" has extra reverb or something and I adore it.) A favorite episode: caffeine.
"Song Exploder", by Hrishikesh Hirway (up until recently) -- in each episode, musicians talk about how they made a particular song or score, and you get to hear the early components and drafts, and then you hear the finished piece. A few favorite episodes: Garbage ("Felt"), Weezer ("Summer Elaine and Drunk Dori").
"Looking Sideways", about many aspects of making things. A favorite episode: an interview with MeFi's own Deb Chachra.
posted by brainwane at 7:23 AM on March 11, 2019 [4 favorites]
"How I Built This" from NPR, focusing on how people built new endeavors. A favorite episode: The story of Jane Wurwand, founder of Dermalogica.
"Say Why to Drugs" with Dr. Suzi Gage and Scroobius Pip, in which they share the current research on the effects of various drugs. (The bit of the intro where Pip says "pro-truth and anti-myth" has extra reverb or something and I adore it.) A favorite episode: caffeine.
"Song Exploder", by Hrishikesh Hirway (up until recently) -- in each episode, musicians talk about how they made a particular song or score, and you get to hear the early components and drafts, and then you hear the finished piece. A few favorite episodes: Garbage ("Felt"), Weezer ("Summer Elaine and Drunk Dori").
"Looking Sideways", about many aspects of making things. A favorite episode: an interview with MeFi's own Deb Chachra.
posted by brainwane at 7:23 AM on March 11, 2019 [4 favorites]
History on Fire is great, but he's leaving iTunes for Luminary in April, so a subscription will be required. The four episodes on Joan of Arc are especially good.
posted by FencingGal at 7:25 AM on March 11, 2019
posted by FencingGal at 7:25 AM on March 11, 2019
Seconding Backstory.
I also love The British History Podcast. Just one guy talking (mostly - he does some interview shows) but it is highly entertaining while still being informative. This one you need to start from the beginning.
The tagline for The History Chicks is "Any resemblance to a boring history class is purely coincidental." This is easy to pick and choose which chick in history you want to learn about.
posted by Preserver at 8:14 AM on March 11, 2019 [1 favorite]
I also love The British History Podcast. Just one guy talking (mostly - he does some interview shows) but it is highly entertaining while still being informative. This one you need to start from the beginning.
The tagline for The History Chicks is "Any resemblance to a boring history class is purely coincidental." This is easy to pick and choose which chick in history you want to learn about.
posted by Preserver at 8:14 AM on March 11, 2019 [1 favorite]
The History Hour by the BBC. It covers all kinds of world history, not just UK-related, mainly from the 1950s-ish to the 1980s-ish.
posted by lakeroon at 8:23 AM on March 11, 2019
posted by lakeroon at 8:23 AM on March 11, 2019
A highly enthusiastic second for Stuff You Missed in History Class. Two women explaining interesting people and events in history in an accessible and engaging way.
posted by girlpublisher at 8:41 AM on March 11, 2019
posted by girlpublisher at 8:41 AM on March 11, 2019
Omega Tau is a science and engineering podcast that has episodes in both English and German.
posted by ShooBoo at 9:00 AM on March 11, 2019 [1 favorite]
posted by ShooBoo at 9:00 AM on March 11, 2019 [1 favorite]
My all time favorite is The History of English. Words and history.
And nth-ing my new obsession: BBC's In Our Time which was mentioned earlier.
posted by AMyNameIs at 10:22 AM on March 11, 2019
And nth-ing my new obsession: BBC's In Our Time which was mentioned earlier.
posted by AMyNameIs at 10:22 AM on March 11, 2019
Sawbones: a marital tour of misguided medicine is a good look into medical history.
posted by Homo neanderthalensis at 10:34 AM on March 11, 2019
posted by Homo neanderthalensis at 10:34 AM on March 11, 2019
I recommend Gastropod, which is about food science and history. It's a reported podcast, not just interviews or chat, and I'm enjoying it a great deal.
posted by suelac at 10:42 AM on March 11, 2019 [1 favorite]
posted by suelac at 10:42 AM on March 11, 2019 [1 favorite]
“Let’s talk about sects” is an Australian podcast talking about cults around the world. A bit gruesome, but really informative.
posted by Valancy Rachel at 11:07 AM on March 11, 2019
posted by Valancy Rachel at 11:07 AM on March 11, 2019
I just listened to about a dozen episodes of Reply All on a long drive last week, and found it highly entertaining.
posted by slogger at 12:01 PM on March 11, 2019 [1 favorite]
posted by slogger at 12:01 PM on March 11, 2019 [1 favorite]
"The Futility Closet podcast is a weekly show featuring forgotten stories from the pages of history." Each podcast ends with a lateral thinking puzzle.
posted by Mitheral at 12:19 PM on March 11, 2019 [1 favorite]
posted by Mitheral at 12:19 PM on March 11, 2019 [1 favorite]
Agree with Radiotopia shows including 99pi and Allusionist, Ologies, Reply All, Song Explorer. I really like How I Built This but I don't know if that's up your alley. I loved Lexicon Valley for the first few years, at some point the focus changed and then the host changed and I stopped liking it so much.
NPR's Planet Money is definitely great, explains economics with relatable stories.
posted by radioamy at 1:32 PM on March 11, 2019 [1 favorite]
NPR's Planet Money is definitely great, explains economics with relatable stories.
posted by radioamy at 1:32 PM on March 11, 2019 [1 favorite]
Some I've been enjoying lately are:
You Must Remember This -- Hollywood history -- the Charles Manson series was fascinating
Mobituaries -- A guy named Mo talking about dead people. Highly recommend the Cheng & Eng episode, about the famous conjoined twins from Thailand (the original Siamese twins).
The Dream -- about MLMs
Believed -- about the Larry Nassar sexual abuse case - some people may find it hard to listen to but the reporting is amazing and it is a great deep dive into denial.
Hidden Brain -- social science research shows how we are all predictably irrational
The Drop Out -- the story of the rise and fall of biotech company Theranos
Slow Burn -- history of the Watergate investigation is season 1, history of the Clinton impeachment is season 2
The RFK Tapes -- history of the investigation into the death of RFK, with wacky conspiracy theories!
Malcom Gladwell's Revisionist History - YMMV depending on what you think of Malcom Gladwell
I also love Planet Money and Lexicon Valley. Unfortunately don't have time to provide links to all these. But I love this question.
posted by selfmedicating at 9:06 PM on March 11, 2019
You Must Remember This -- Hollywood history -- the Charles Manson series was fascinating
Mobituaries -- A guy named Mo talking about dead people. Highly recommend the Cheng & Eng episode, about the famous conjoined twins from Thailand (the original Siamese twins).
The Dream -- about MLMs
Believed -- about the Larry Nassar sexual abuse case - some people may find it hard to listen to but the reporting is amazing and it is a great deep dive into denial.
Hidden Brain -- social science research shows how we are all predictably irrational
The Drop Out -- the story of the rise and fall of biotech company Theranos
Slow Burn -- history of the Watergate investigation is season 1, history of the Clinton impeachment is season 2
The RFK Tapes -- history of the investigation into the death of RFK, with wacky conspiracy theories!
Malcom Gladwell's Revisionist History - YMMV depending on what you think of Malcom Gladwell
I also love Planet Money and Lexicon Valley. Unfortunately don't have time to provide links to all these. But I love this question.
posted by selfmedicating at 9:06 PM on March 11, 2019
The mods of the AskHistorians subreddit have an excellent eponymous podcast you might like
posted by Blasdelb at 7:29 AM on March 18, 2019
posted by Blasdelb at 7:29 AM on March 18, 2019
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posted by Perplexity at 5:45 AM on March 11, 2019 [1 favorite]