Podcasts That Make You Feel Smarter
October 17, 2016 9:27 AM Subscribe
I'm looking for podcasts that will either a) teach me stuff that feels essential, or b) exercise my brain. Most "educational" podcasts feel more like entertainment than education to me - Radiolab and TED talks, for example, feel like they lack that essential element. Any recommendations?
I love these types of podcasts, and looking forward to other suggestions from this thread!
My current list, in no particular order
- anything from HowStuffWorks.com. Current favs are Stuff You Should Know, Stuff to Blow Your Mind, CarStuff and BrainStuff. There are several more available as well
- DamnInteresting - legitimately intriguing stories from history, science and psychology
- Gastropod -- food with a side of science and history
- Hidden Brain (NPR)
- How I Built This (NPR)
- More or Less: Behind the Stats (BBC Radio 4 try and make sense of the statistics which surround us)
- Reveal
posted by cgg at 9:38 AM on October 17, 2016 [3 favorites]
My current list, in no particular order
- anything from HowStuffWorks.com. Current favs are Stuff You Should Know, Stuff to Blow Your Mind, CarStuff and BrainStuff. There are several more available as well
- DamnInteresting - legitimately intriguing stories from history, science and psychology
- Gastropod -- food with a side of science and history
- Hidden Brain (NPR)
- How I Built This (NPR)
- More or Less: Behind the Stats (BBC Radio 4 try and make sense of the statistics which surround us)
- Reveal
posted by cgg at 9:38 AM on October 17, 2016 [3 favorites]
In Our Time basically justifies the existence of podcasting. If you like philosophy, the Partially Examined Life is good.
posted by kevinbelt at 9:46 AM on October 17, 2016 [2 favorites]
posted by kevinbelt at 9:46 AM on October 17, 2016 [2 favorites]
It probably depends on your tolerance for robo-voices, but I must say I love having my smartphone just read me articles using @VoiceAloudReader. That way, the educational content of the whole internet is open as subject matter, or you can track down random actual scholarship on PDF to listen to etc., etc. The intonation on that app is especially good, and I find that it produces very listenable readings of most texts.
On the more formally podcasty front, I'm a fan of The History of Philosophy Without Any Gaps.
posted by Bardolph at 9:48 AM on October 17, 2016 [1 favorite]
On the more formally podcasty front, I'm a fan of The History of Philosophy Without Any Gaps.
posted by Bardolph at 9:48 AM on October 17, 2016 [1 favorite]
N-thing In Our Time. Mervyn's on slightly shaky ground with the science stuff but the history & culture programmes are superb.
I also really enjoy The History of the English Language.
posted by kariebookish at 9:55 AM on October 17, 2016 [3 favorites]
I also really enjoy The History of the English Language.
posted by kariebookish at 9:55 AM on October 17, 2016 [3 favorites]
+1 for More or Less
posted by crocomancer at 10:09 AM on October 17, 2016 [2 favorites]
posted by crocomancer at 10:09 AM on October 17, 2016 [2 favorites]
The Guardian Long Read is pretty good. CBC Ideas also has a lot of interesting essays and documentaries. Right now they are rerunning some radio programmes that examine Alexander de Toqueville's essays about the United States. Very compelling.
posted by My Dad at 10:14 AM on October 17, 2016
posted by My Dad at 10:14 AM on October 17, 2016
+1 on More or Less, In Our Time , Gastropod, History of the English Language.
Philosophy Bites is another good philosophy podcast, and EconTalk is serious interviews with economists.
posted by madcaptenor at 10:17 AM on October 17, 2016 [1 favorite]
Philosophy Bites is another good philosophy podcast, and EconTalk is serious interviews with economists.
posted by madcaptenor at 10:17 AM on October 17, 2016 [1 favorite]
For economic topics, Planet Money is pretty good. Science VS does well at skeptically examining controversial subjects. And the Intelligence Squared family of podcasts host interesting debates on myriad topics, mostly scientific and political.
edit: Fixed Science VS link
posted by Hot Pastrami! at 10:18 AM on October 17, 2016 [1 favorite]
edit: Fixed Science VS link
posted by Hot Pastrami! at 10:18 AM on October 17, 2016 [1 favorite]
Seconding Stuff You Should Know.
posted by cooker girl at 10:20 AM on October 17, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by cooker girl at 10:20 AM on October 17, 2016 [1 favorite]
The Uncertain Hour is a good mini-series about the U.S. welfare system.
I also like Astronomy Cast and nth In Our Time.
posted by veery at 10:23 AM on October 17, 2016
I also like Astronomy Cast and nth In Our Time.
posted by veery at 10:23 AM on October 17, 2016
I also don't like to waste time with podcasts that don't teach me anything. Some off the top of my head: In Our Time (nth), BackStory, the Allusionist, 99% Invisible, Gastropod, old Stuff You Missed in History Class episodes (I haven't liked the last several generations of hosts, but there's a huge archive that isn't exactly getting out of date. The Bourbon dynasty series was especially great.).
posted by General Malaise at 10:36 AM on October 17, 2016
posted by General Malaise at 10:36 AM on October 17, 2016
If tech and the intersection of tech and government and culture interest you the Techdirt podcast will be interesting.
posted by COD at 10:53 AM on October 17, 2016
posted by COD at 10:53 AM on October 17, 2016
PBS SpaceTime and SciShow for science topics are both great.
posted by effluvia at 11:35 AM on October 17, 2016
posted by effluvia at 11:35 AM on October 17, 2016
The BBC's history programs Witness and Outlook shows also exist as podcasts, and are some of the most densely informative audio that I've ever come across. I can't recommend them enough, if you have any interest in history.
The "History Hour" show- also available as a podcast- is something of an omnibus that compiles recent ones, if you want a longer show.
posted by BungaDunga at 11:56 AM on October 17, 2016
The "History Hour" show- also available as a podcast- is something of an omnibus that compiles recent ones, if you want a longer show.
posted by BungaDunga at 11:56 AM on October 17, 2016
There's nothing smarter than understanding the historic context for modern life. I highly recommend Mike Duncan's Revolutions Podcast, and Backstory with the American History Guys. One that really brings people from the past to life is The Memory Palance
posted by rebent at 12:49 PM on October 17, 2016
posted by rebent at 12:49 PM on October 17, 2016
Perhaps academic & research-focused podcasts? I'm interested in social and public policy, some of my favourites along those lines below. I'm sure you could find ones for other disciplines too - many major universities seem to have taken up podcasting with gusto.
Thinking Allowed: 'new research on how society works'. Discussions with UK academics in the areas of sociology, social policy, ethnography.
EconTalk: one-on-one interview with an academic / thinker, good at digging deep into the validity and implications of people's research.
Long Now Foundation, Seminars about long-term thinking.
The London School of Economics Public Lectures and Events podcast.
The Harvard Kennedy School Policy Cast.
The BBC World Service The Documentary podcast and the BBC radio 4 Seriously documentaries.
posted by yesbut at 4:14 PM on October 17, 2016 [2 favorites]
Thinking Allowed: 'new research on how society works'. Discussions with UK academics in the areas of sociology, social policy, ethnography.
EconTalk: one-on-one interview with an academic / thinker, good at digging deep into the validity and implications of people's research.
Long Now Foundation, Seminars about long-term thinking.
The London School of Economics Public Lectures and Events podcast.
The Harvard Kennedy School Policy Cast.
The BBC World Service The Documentary podcast and the BBC radio 4 Seriously documentaries.
posted by yesbut at 4:14 PM on October 17, 2016 [2 favorites]
Revisionist History does an excellent job of presenting a different take on a known subject. The podcast episodes contain details about historical and social issues but also consider that just to hear another perspective can surprise you and exercise your mind. Episode 4 "Carlos Doesn't Remember" and Episiode 8 "Blame Game" were especially good I thought.
posted by belau at 5:11 PM on October 17, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by belau at 5:11 PM on October 17, 2016 [1 favorite]
Backstory (with the American History Guys) is excellent.
posted by cnidaria at 7:10 PM on October 17, 2016
posted by cnidaria at 7:10 PM on October 17, 2016
Also, Afropop Worldwide. It's dense and thoughtful, with well-researched episodes covering music, history, politics, and culture.
posted by cnidaria at 7:14 PM on October 17, 2016
posted by cnidaria at 7:14 PM on October 17, 2016
I can't stop myself. Here's another: Stuff Mom Never Told You. It's hit or miss as far as educational quality, but the episodes on the history of gynecology (starting in the slave-holding Southern US) are required listening as far as I'm concerned.
N-thing Gastropod and Planet Money. And 99% Invisible, starting with the episode "Structural Integrity".
posted by cnidaria at 7:18 PM on October 17, 2016
N-thing Gastropod and Planet Money. And 99% Invisible, starting with the episode "Structural Integrity".
posted by cnidaria at 7:18 PM on October 17, 2016
On the “exercise your brain” front:
99% INVISIBLE tells stories about the design of objects, public spaces, cultural movements, etc. — some contemporary, some historical. Two of my favorites: Vexillonaire (about flag design), and The Sound of Sports (about the surprising behind-the-scenes sound design for televised sporting events).
SONG EXPLODER has musicians and producers breaking down how their songs were written and recorded. Two of my favorites: The Long Winters “The Commander Thinks Aloud” (the recording of that drum part!), and Weezer “Summer Elaine and Drunk Dori” (his whole process is bonkers!).
posted by D.Billy at 8:42 PM on October 17, 2016
99% INVISIBLE tells stories about the design of objects, public spaces, cultural movements, etc. — some contemporary, some historical. Two of my favorites: Vexillonaire (about flag design), and The Sound of Sports (about the surprising behind-the-scenes sound design for televised sporting events).
SONG EXPLODER has musicians and producers breaking down how their songs were written and recorded. Two of my favorites: The Long Winters “The Commander Thinks Aloud” (the recording of that drum part!), and Weezer “Summer Elaine and Drunk Dori” (his whole process is bonkers!).
posted by D.Billy at 8:42 PM on October 17, 2016
N-thing Gastropod, In Our Time, History Hour, Ideas, More or Less.
Some others that haven't been mentioned:
- Hidden Histories: the first and only series is about forgotten early female novelists.
- A History of the World in 100 Objects: curator at the British museum talks about different objects from their collection the go through world history.
- Quirks and Quarks: my favourite science news show, bit of a Canadian slant.
posted by carolr at 8:44 PM on October 17, 2016 [1 favorite]
Some others that haven't been mentioned:
- Hidden Histories: the first and only series is about forgotten early female novelists.
- A History of the World in 100 Objects: curator at the British museum talks about different objects from their collection the go through world history.
- Quirks and Quarks: my favourite science news show, bit of a Canadian slant.
posted by carolr at 8:44 PM on October 17, 2016 [1 favorite]
In Our Time.
posted by persona au gratin at 11:02 PM on October 17, 2016
posted by persona au gratin at 11:02 PM on October 17, 2016
I'm really enjoying the Ezra Klein podcast at the moment. Intelligent interviews with interesting people.
posted by michaelhoney at 3:48 AM on October 18, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by michaelhoney at 3:48 AM on October 18, 2016 [1 favorite]
The Ottoman History Podcast. Conversational academic style on the Ottoman Empire and the modern Middle East on various themes, from "social history, gender, media and material culture, environment, law, identity, and more."
posted by trotzdem_kunst at 4:22 AM on October 18, 2016
posted by trotzdem_kunst at 4:22 AM on October 18, 2016
2nding quirks and quarks.
My favorites are on Microbe.tv. This week in virology has a great bunch of hosts and you will learn if you listen from the start. This week in parsitism is also cool. Each episode ends with a clinical case and you try to find the diagnosis. The answer is revealed at the beginning of the next episode.
posted by kathrynm at 8:50 AM on October 18, 2016 [1 favorite]
My favorites are on Microbe.tv. This week in virology has a great bunch of hosts and you will learn if you listen from the start. This week in parsitism is also cool. Each episode ends with a clinical case and you try to find the diagnosis. The answer is revealed at the beginning of the next episode.
posted by kathrynm at 8:50 AM on October 18, 2016 [1 favorite]
Love quirks and quarks, and seminars for long term thinking! Will add Amicus as well, which is a great Supreme Court focused podcast.
posted by prex at 12:15 PM on October 18, 2016
posted by prex at 12:15 PM on October 18, 2016
The certified most intellectual podcast network is the New Books Network.
Subscribe to the channels you like (New Books in Philosophy, New Books in Mathematics, New Books in Holocaust Studies, etc etc) or subscribe to the whole network.
Listen to in depth interviews with authors of the newest books on these topics.
posted by latkes at 1:30 PM on October 18, 2016 [2 favorites]
Subscribe to the channels you like (New Books in Philosophy, New Books in Mathematics, New Books in Holocaust Studies, etc etc) or subscribe to the whole network.
Listen to in depth interviews with authors of the newest books on these topics.
posted by latkes at 1:30 PM on October 18, 2016 [2 favorites]
The Infinite Monkey Cage is a BBC podcast that consists of (mostly) British scientists talking about science and their work. It's a lot of fun.
posted by Multicellular Exothermic at 3:03 AM on October 19, 2016
posted by Multicellular Exothermic at 3:03 AM on October 19, 2016
a) teach me stuff that feels essential
Lots of great recommendations above. A few brief additions:
60 Second Science and Academic Minute are both podcasts summarizing recent peer reviewed research
Engines of our Inginuity briefly covers the history of science and engineering
b) exercise my brain.
NPR's Sunday Puzzle is available as a separate download, good for a brief mental exercise.
NPR's Ask Me Another is a bit more edutainment, but in the format of a quiz show you can play along with.
APM's Codebreaker literally just today released season 2's sneak preview challenge.
posted by pwnguin at 10:52 PM on October 19, 2016
Lots of great recommendations above. A few brief additions:
60 Second Science and Academic Minute are both podcasts summarizing recent peer reviewed research
Engines of our Inginuity briefly covers the history of science and engineering
b) exercise my brain.
NPR's Sunday Puzzle is available as a separate download, good for a brief mental exercise.
NPR's Ask Me Another is a bit more edutainment, but in the format of a quiz show you can play along with.
APM's Codebreaker literally just today released season 2's sneak preview challenge.
posted by pwnguin at 10:52 PM on October 19, 2016
I've been grooving on the excellent new philosophy podcast, Hi-Phi Nation. In depth storytelling to illustrate and explore topics in philosophy. Really good story telling, really thoughtful discussion. Office Hours is also good but more conventional interview format.
posted by latkes at 6:30 PM on February 8, 2017
posted by latkes at 6:30 PM on February 8, 2017
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by CheeseLouise at 9:37 AM on October 17, 2016 [17 favorites]