What do you do while listening to podcasts?
February 22, 2010 5:29 PM Subscribe
What do you do while listening to podcasts?
I have many podcasts I like to listen to. I listen while I walk or wash dishes. But I can't fit t hem all in. I don't drive much. I'm interested in hearing people's ideas about things to do while...
I have many podcasts I like to listen to. I listen while I walk or wash dishes. But I can't fit t hem all in. I don't drive much. I'm interested in hearing people's ideas about things to do while...
Cleaning my kitchen. Sewing. Commuting.
posted by mollymayhem at 5:32 PM on February 22, 2010
posted by mollymayhem at 5:32 PM on February 22, 2010
Gym. Elliptical, usually. Or if it's Selected Shorts, lie on the floor and stare at the ceiling.
posted by headnsouth at 5:34 PM on February 22, 2010
posted by headnsouth at 5:34 PM on February 22, 2010
Walking around the city. Cooking. Mindless stuff on the Internet.
posted by kookaburra at 5:35 PM on February 22, 2010
posted by kookaburra at 5:35 PM on February 22, 2010
reading metafilter.
posted by Dick Laurent is Dead at 5:35 PM on February 22, 2010
posted by Dick Laurent is Dead at 5:35 PM on February 22, 2010
This is a good question. I find myself in the same situation.
I tend to take on cooking projects while I listen. (I am also getting more ruthless about the ones I delete if they've sat there unlistened for too long.)
posted by veggieboy at 5:35 PM on February 22, 2010
I tend to take on cooking projects while I listen. (I am also getting more ruthless about the ones I delete if they've sat there unlistened for too long.)
posted by veggieboy at 5:35 PM on February 22, 2010
Hah, I'm the same way where I need to be doing something while I listen to a podcast.
I cross-stitch or crochet. I clean the toilet or the bathtub or fold laundry. I took up bookbinding, so I do that while I listen, too.
You can listen to them on a treadmill or elliptical machine or a stationary bike, or anything similar. You can also do this while walking/running/biking outdoors, but I've always been wary of not being able to hear things, or being lost in thought about the podcast while I'm crossing the street or something potentially dangerous. You could also do it while lifting weights, I suppose, but I find it distracting to try and count repetitions and time breaks while listening to something less trivial than music.
posted by Nattie at 5:36 PM on February 22, 2010
I cross-stitch or crochet. I clean the toilet or the bathtub or fold laundry. I took up bookbinding, so I do that while I listen, too.
You can listen to them on a treadmill or elliptical machine or a stationary bike, or anything similar. You can also do this while walking/running/biking outdoors, but I've always been wary of not being able to hear things, or being lost in thought about the podcast while I'm crossing the street or something potentially dangerous. You could also do it while lifting weights, I suppose, but I find it distracting to try and count repetitions and time breaks while listening to something less trivial than music.
posted by Nattie at 5:36 PM on February 22, 2010
I listen to a podcast every night to fall asleep.
Also, soon after I get home from work in the evening, I'll have a podcast on while I'm cooking and eating dinner.
I have my laptop connected to a good external speaker so it's easy to hear.
posted by Jaltcoh at 5:39 PM on February 22, 2010 [1 favorite]
Also, soon after I get home from work in the evening, I'll have a podcast on while I'm cooking and eating dinner.
I have my laptop connected to a good external speaker so it's easy to hear.
posted by Jaltcoh at 5:39 PM on February 22, 2010 [1 favorite]
I use VLC to speed up podcasts by 2x or 4x. I don't multitask well, so this has been a good compromise.
posted by circular at 5:39 PM on February 22, 2010
posted by circular at 5:39 PM on February 22, 2010
I listen when I'm falling asleep, doing stuff around the house, and playing video games that don't mess with whatever part of my brain is absorbing the language (tetris, chat noir, Oblivion). Sometimes I do my Art Stuff/Craft Stuff (for me this is beading, clay stuff and art, but you may have other stuff you like to do).
posted by NoraReed at 5:39 PM on February 22, 2010
posted by NoraReed at 5:39 PM on February 22, 2010
It's the perfect thing to do while knitting! I wish I subscribed to more podcasts; I might get more knitting done.
posted by MadamM at 5:45 PM on February 22, 2010
posted by MadamM at 5:45 PM on February 22, 2010
I listen audiobooks while showering (phone inside plastic bag), while in the gym and while riding my bike.
posted by Memo at 5:47 PM on February 22, 2010
posted by Memo at 5:47 PM on February 22, 2010
True a bicycle wheel.
Play nethack.
Stare into space.
Plunk on the banjo or toot the trumpet.
posted by idiopath at 5:49 PM on February 22, 2010
Play nethack.
Stare into space.
Plunk on the banjo or toot the trumpet.
posted by idiopath at 5:49 PM on February 22, 2010
Cooking, cleaning, and commuting. They are sublime while commuting and playing mindless games like solitaire or bejeweled.
posted by kdar at 5:50 PM on February 22, 2010
posted by kdar at 5:50 PM on February 22, 2010
Noodle around on my ukulele, fall asleep, take the bus to work. We have a stationary bike; I'm looking forward to invoking the motivational powers of my intellectual crush on Kai Ryssdal when my bad foot heals up a little more.
posted by fairytale of los angeles at 5:51 PM on February 22, 2010
posted by fairytale of los angeles at 5:51 PM on February 22, 2010
Kayaking. Sometimes also bicycling with just one earbud if I'm on really quiet roads or trails.
posted by Emanuel at 5:52 PM on February 22, 2010
posted by Emanuel at 5:52 PM on February 22, 2010
I listen while doing menial administrative jobs at work.
And at home while I clean. And when I walk anywhere.
posted by stray at 6:01 PM on February 22, 2010
And at home while I clean. And when I walk anywhere.
posted by stray at 6:01 PM on February 22, 2010
I listen to my many podcasts at work. It's great because I am left alone so I actually get work done (to make sure I don't miss out on anything I only use one earphone.)
I also listen to them while I am surfing the internet.
posted by govtdrone at 6:02 PM on February 22, 2010 [1 favorite]
I also listen to them while I am surfing the internet.
posted by govtdrone at 6:02 PM on February 22, 2010 [1 favorite]
Playing video games that don't require my auditory attention.
Smoking some weed.
Browsing through Flickr.
While Exercising.
Chatting with friends online.
While Eating.
While playing with my pets.
posted by Redmond Cooper at 6:03 PM on February 22, 2010 [1 favorite]
Smoking some weed.
Browsing through Flickr.
While Exercising.
Chatting with friends online.
While Eating.
While playing with my pets.
posted by Redmond Cooper at 6:03 PM on February 22, 2010 [1 favorite]
Work.
posted by chez shoes at 6:12 PM on February 22, 2010
posted by chez shoes at 6:12 PM on February 22, 2010
riding my motorcycle to campus
posted by spikeleemajortomdickandharryconnickjrmints at 6:14 PM on February 22, 2010
posted by spikeleemajortomdickandharryconnickjrmints at 6:14 PM on February 22, 2010
Walking the dog
Washing dishes by hand
Cleaning the house
(right now) Writing a study guide for my stats midterm. Really, any mindless computer task calls for a podcast for me.
posted by emilyd22222 at 6:16 PM on February 22, 2010
Washing dishes by hand
Cleaning the house
(right now) Writing a study guide for my stats midterm. Really, any mindless computer task calls for a podcast for me.
posted by emilyd22222 at 6:16 PM on February 22, 2010
Oh, and, of course, the bus.
posted by emilyd22222 at 6:17 PM on February 22, 2010
posted by emilyd22222 at 6:17 PM on February 22, 2010
Walk in a random directions/explore if it’s nice out.
Work on badges over at kongregate.com if it’s not.
posted by Widepath at 6:21 PM on February 22, 2010
Work on badges over at kongregate.com if it’s not.
posted by Widepath at 6:21 PM on February 22, 2010
I usually stick an earbud in one ear while I'm at work. It's a nice compromise. Also while cooking or cleaning I'll put my iphone on the counter and listen to podcasts through the speaker.
posted by penduluum at 6:31 PM on February 22, 2010
posted by penduluum at 6:31 PM on February 22, 2010
knit
posted by pantarei70 at 6:39 PM on February 22, 2010
posted by pantarei70 at 6:39 PM on February 22, 2010
I really like listening to podcasts while I'm grocery shopping and while I'm at work since I have a data entry job that doesn't require any interaction with other people.
posted by mabelcolby at 6:46 PM on February 22, 2010
posted by mabelcolby at 6:46 PM on February 22, 2010
I play games like Drench and Clusterz and then I fall asleep. I find these kinds of visual puzzle/pattern easier than games that require much active math or logic. If I'm playing Sudoku or something like that, I end up tuning out the podcast.
posted by juliplease at 7:09 PM on February 22, 2010
posted by juliplease at 7:09 PM on February 22, 2010
Driving, bus riding, desktop tower defense, or lying in bed before falling asleep.
posted by matildaben at 8:30 PM on February 22, 2010
posted by matildaben at 8:30 PM on February 22, 2010
Drinking tea
and taking notes when necessary.
I listen to those types.
posted by lhude sing cuccu at 8:34 PM on February 22, 2010
and taking notes when necessary.
I listen to those types.
posted by lhude sing cuccu at 8:34 PM on February 22, 2010
Ditto "at work." There is exactly one podcast that I consume outside the office and that's because it's a video podcast.
posted by juv3nal at 9:38 PM on February 22, 2010
posted by juv3nal at 9:38 PM on February 22, 2010
I draw and paint while listening to podcasts. Something about them distracts the logical part of my brain and lets the creative part do its thing.
posted by TochterAusElysium at 10:15 PM on February 22, 2010
posted by TochterAusElysium at 10:15 PM on February 22, 2010
At work, trains, planes, buses, when I'm the passeger on long car journeys, doctor's waiting room, in the bath. The last one with a speaker, obviously!
posted by t0astie at 10:26 PM on February 22, 2010
posted by t0astie at 10:26 PM on February 22, 2010
Lie in bed in the middle of the night wishing I were asleep.
posted by HotToddy at 10:27 PM on February 22, 2010
posted by HotToddy at 10:27 PM on February 22, 2010
I listened to lots and lots of podcasts when my son was younger. They got me through many a long night of nursing.
posted by wallaby at 2:38 AM on February 23, 2010
posted by wallaby at 2:38 AM on February 23, 2010
Before my computer died, I used to knit while I listened to podcasts. Or maybe I was listening to podcasts while I knit.
posted by bilabial at 5:13 AM on February 23, 2010
posted by bilabial at 5:13 AM on February 23, 2010
Sometimes I accumulate too many podcasts to fit into my normal schedule as well. When this happens, I usually use the 2x speed button on the iPhone to get through them quicker. If you can do this, I would suggest trying it. As long as the people in the podcast are not auctioneers in real life, it's usually still perfectly intelligible. If your player can't do this, then perhaps you could speed them up using Audacity before transferring them to your player.
I listen when I'm driving, cooking, walking, grocery shopping, bicycling, on a plane...
posted by Nothlit at 6:04 AM on February 23, 2010
I listen when I'm driving, cooking, walking, grocery shopping, bicycling, on a plane...
posted by Nothlit at 6:04 AM on February 23, 2010
I listen to podcasts while playing World of Warcraft. YMMV.
posted by dagnyscott at 7:08 AM on February 23, 2010
posted by dagnyscott at 7:08 AM on February 23, 2010
Painting. Right now it's house painting - we are doing the entire first floor. I think it would work just as well for artistic painting, though. My drawing professor used to have us listen to A Prairie Home Companion during class and it wasn't a distraction.
posted by bristolcat at 9:35 AM on February 23, 2010
posted by bristolcat at 9:35 AM on February 23, 2010
I mostly listen to them walking along the beach early in the morning. I find it quite relaxing, but am sadly nowhere near a beach. My listening has dropped off accordingly.
posted by djgh at 9:44 AM on February 23, 2010
posted by djgh at 9:44 AM on February 23, 2010
*no longer near a beach.
Brain not function so good away from sea. *smash*
posted by djgh at 9:45 AM on February 23, 2010
Brain not function so good away from sea. *smash*
posted by djgh at 9:45 AM on February 23, 2010
I keep my podcasts on my iMac, so I listen while working.
posted by Thorzdad at 9:47 AM on February 23, 2010
posted by Thorzdad at 9:47 AM on February 23, 2010
What do you do while listening to podcasts?
Drive, clean the house, do the laundry, make dinner, clean up after making dinner, iron clothes, sort through closets (with two kids, this happens at least three or four times a year), paint walls, go through papers and mail, work out.
posted by cooker girl at 2:05 PM on February 23, 2010
Drive, clean the house, do the laundry, make dinner, clean up after making dinner, iron clothes, sort through closets (with two kids, this happens at least three or four times a year), paint walls, go through papers and mail, work out.
posted by cooker girl at 2:05 PM on February 23, 2010
Commute (30min each way, or, one This American Life podcast in a day).
Walk the dog.
Do annoying housework.
posted by maryrussell at 3:07 PM on February 23, 2010
Walk the dog.
Do annoying housework.
posted by maryrussell at 3:07 PM on February 23, 2010
I clean my room. I'm such a visual learner and I suck at listening and retaining things [but listening to podcasts seems to be helping!] so I can't do anything that requires much attention.
Speeding up podcasts is a good idea to simply free up more time.
posted by estlin at 4:59 PM on February 23, 2010
Speeding up podcasts is a good idea to simply free up more time.
posted by estlin at 4:59 PM on February 23, 2010
Fold laundry. Cooking dinner & washing dishes.
Sometimes during dinner with my husband, instead of listening to the radio.
In the bath. I put the player or my laptop on a countertop nearby, and have a towel handy in case I need dry hands to stop playback.
Driving to/from work. If I take the bus sometimes it's too hard to hear.
posted by SarahbytheSea at 7:55 PM on February 23, 2010
Sometimes during dinner with my husband, instead of listening to the radio.
In the bath. I put the player or my laptop on a countertop nearby, and have a towel handy in case I need dry hands to stop playback.
Driving to/from work. If I take the bus sometimes it's too hard to hear.
posted by SarahbytheSea at 7:55 PM on February 23, 2010
I listen to podcasts, while I do the ironing, or vacuum the floors.
posted by foxladi at 4:07 AM on September 17, 2010
posted by foxladi at 4:07 AM on September 17, 2010
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by ThatCanadianGirl at 5:30 PM on February 22, 2010 [1 favorite]