Already reviewed:
Chaz and A.J in the Morning
Doug Loves Movies
BBC Drama of the Week
The Moth
New Yorker: Fiction
NPR: Foreign Dispatch
Stuff You Missed in History Class
WTF with Marc Maron
2 Cent History (thought this has been pretty quiet for awhile)
Reviews in 2103:
The Dan LeBatard Show
Notes in Spanish, Inspired Beginners
Q and A Spanish
WNYC's Radiolab
Sampling:
The Comixologist
Giant Size
The Grantland Network
The Nerdist
Peter King NFL podcast
...and many more in the new year. If you want me to review your podcast, I'm all ears.
A Review Which Writes Itself
It's a podcast version of Radio 4's Drama of the Week. It's weekly. It's from the BBC.
You don't have to be an Anglophile to enjoy these 45 minute to an hour plus episodes. I find them a pleasant change of pace from the interview shows, comedy hours, news and educational podcasts that form my current playlist.
Not much more to say except you could do a lot worse than listen to these self contained weekly audio plays from the BBC.
Things I knew little about
In 1915 Clara Immerwahr committed suicide using the service revolver of her husband, Nobel Prize winning chemist Fritz Haber. It is believed she did so after his refusal to abandon pioneering use of chlorine gas as a chemical weapon during the First World War. Haber’s son, Hermann later also killed himself, supposedly due to the shame he felt over his father’s actions.
I learned about Fritz Haber because I subscribe to “Stuff You Missed in History Class”. Almost everyone and everything discussed on this podcast was not talked about in any history class I ever sat through. In addition to Fritz Haber, I have been treated to looks at the life and times of such disparate figures as John Dillinger, Catherine The Great, Frida Kahlo, Ma Barker, Billy the Kid, Lord Byron, Gandhi, Lucretia Borgia, Meriwether Lewis, Brian Boru, Stokely Carmichael, and Mata Hari to name but a few.
So I commend them on an entertaining and informative product. I hope you will sample Stuff You Missed in History Class and perhaps SYMiHC can make up for some of the things that were never brought up in school.
Doug Loves Movies - He really does.
I have been listening to this podcast for so long that I remember when it was titled “I Love Movies”. I came across it when I was looking for something in the Movie genre to augment my catalogue. At the time I was listening to the “Filmspotting” podcast. During that new search I came across this creation of Doug Benson’s.
The framework is Doug hosting a live panel of three guests, who are fellow comedians. Things generally take place at the UCB Theatre on Tuesday’s before Comedy Bang Bang. But there are many variations of this theme. There have been episodes with one guest (any “Rental Car” episode or Paul F. Tompkins voicing Cake Boss (Cake Boss) and Ice-T) or more than three guests (check out the 12 Guests of Christmas episodes). Or episodes which did not take place at the UCB Theatre. And there have been guests who are not comedians which doesn’t mean they weren’t funny (director Graham Elwood comes to mind).
After the opening guest introductions there is cinematic discussion but it’s more along the lines of “What movie(s) have you seen lately?” For road warrior comedians, this involves a lot of in-flight movies or going to current releases during daytime hours. Their up to the minute viewpoints have saved me from making some big mistakes in my own film going. Thanks Doug and panel members.
Then it’s down to business as Doug leads the panel through the Leonard Maltin Game. This is like Name That Tune reimagined by someone who is high (Hello again Doug). The contestants go through a bidding round where the person who says they can name a movie in the fewest cast member names has to try and guess the movie. Their clues come from the cast listing in Leonard Maltin’s popular movie guide (hence the Leonard Maltin Game) and they are read from the bottom up with the more obscure cast members coming first. Just listen a few times if you don’t understand that explanation. Oh, and the panel members are also playing for audience members who will receive pop culture swag if their contestant triumphs (generally first person to three points). The Leonard Maltin Game is funny, often surprisingly competitive, and you can try to guess along.
If you pick this up as a subscriber going forward, make sure you go back through the older episodes for some great moments. They are identified by a list of who is on each panel. My favorites are:
Doug’s running effort to get John Lithgow to come on the show which results in a smashingly success episode.
The inevitable appearances of Leonard Maltin himself (not a great player of the Game by the way).
The only time an episode was bleeped when Doug removed comments Elizabeth Shue made about her director on Hollow Man, Paul Verhoeven (apparently he favored more nudity. She disagreed.)
I could go on about Build A Title, audience name tags, the prize bag and the many great recurring guests…but …do yourself a favor and give this a try. It’s been a must download for me since I first came across it.
WTF - Marc Maron is listening
I did not know that Jack White was the youngest of ten siblings. Or that Craig Ferguson broke into standup playing a character named Bing Hitler. Or that Jimmy Kimmel was born in New Jersey but raised in Las Vegas. And I foung these thimgs out because Marc Maron sat down with White, Freguson and Kimmel and got them to open up about their lives.
Marc Maron is the creator and host of WTF, a podcast that travels a rare path. It's an interview with only one guest (usually) and since it runs about an hour, there is plenty of time to really go in depth with each subject. I don't watch late night television and I am sure some of WTF's guests have sat on several couches but I can guarantee they never spoke about themselves as much as they do with Marc.
A comedian by trade, Marc is a genius interviewer. He has gotten some guests who clearly don't enjoy discussing there lives (like the aforementioned Kimmel or say Chelsea Handler) to relax and open up. He generally tries to keep things on track under the umbrella of a timeline/lie events approach. But he is certainly not a slave to an outkine and really shines in his ability to work with what each guest is giving him.
And what a guest list. Nick Lowe, Bill Maher, Fred Willard, Wierd Al, Diablo Cody, Janeanne Garofalo, Nick Offerman with Megan Mullally. I don't know how he books them but the word must be getting out that Marc Maron is a good person to talk to. I urge you to go to http://www.wtfpod.com/guide and sample the full epsiode list (and check out the Merch section and be a supporter).
Let Freedom Ring - 2Cent History
2Cent History is not your typical talk fest podcast. It’s more of a lecture series like Corey Olsen’s the Tolkien Professor. It doesn’t have the imprimatur that an association with an academic institution would give it but make no mistake this is just as scholarly an endeavor as Oxford University’s “Not Shakespeare: Elizabethan and Jacobean PopularTheatre” (all three are available on iTunes).
2Cent History is going to be Marc Edelheit’s multi part look at historical events. Currently that consists of a lengthy series about the Shot Heard Round the World. I learned more about the people and events of the onset of the Revolutionary War than I had in all my years of schooling in American History and watching classics like “Johnny Tremaine” and “The Scarecrow” on Wonderful World of Disney.
I cite the television examples because this is entertaining listening. Marc is enthusiastic and has an engaging vocal style. He goes for the sweep of events, creating a blow by blow description that doesn’t get bogged down in statistics and dates. 2Cent History delivers dramatic moments, historic background on people and places. It even occasionally dips into “what if” scenarios…What if troops had arrived earlier? What if a critical call for help was delivered on time? And Marc does give his two cents along the way.
Be warned though, this is long. The run time is just under seven hours. And it’s all Marc’s voice. One thing I found distracting is that Marc will occasionally read a direct quote from one of the participants using a technique that makes his voice sound like it is being projected out of a tin horn. I know it is a one person budget but I would suggest that in future cycles he add a few extra narrators to cover these parts (neighbors, spouse).
Marc does not cite much source material during the podcast. I appreciate that because I don’t like taking notes while I am listening. He does make some relevant mentions and you can find out more by visiting the 2Cent History website (the link is attached). The website has all the social medium links available (Twitter, Facebook, etc.) and has a Community for listener feedback and interaction. If you listen to 2Cent History or you are a history buff you will definitely want to visit.
Marc Edelheit has posted that his next subject will be the Battle of Britain. I am looking forward to hearing what his 2 cents are on that event. Until then I might rewatch Danger UXB.
Which podcasts am I currently following?
Having sampled many (and reviewed several) podcasts for this space, I thought it would be interesting to present a snapshot of the podcasts I am currently following. Which ones do I still find fresh and which ones have drifted off my radar..............
Never miss an episode (in no particular order):
Doug Loves Movies
The Moth*
New Yorker: Fiction*
NPR: Foreign Dispatch*
Subscribe, but pick and choose the episodes:
The Dinner Party*
Chaz and A.J.*
Script Magazine
The Adam Carolla Show*
The Joe Rogan Experience
Stuff You Missed in History Class
Showtime Spanish*
Not Shakespeare (itunes University)
Under consideration:
Cocktails on the Fly
This Week in Books
Rick Steve's Ireland
(* - Prevously reviewed on the PRB)
And there you have it. No Frommer's. No PTI. But I see I still have some reviews I need to write. See you soon.
Where Are We Going And How Will We Get There? - Paradigms
Paradigms, the podcast, is a version of Paradigms, the weekly radio program. I get exhausted when I think of the effort that must go into putting this show together. I don’t imagine Baruch Zeichner, the impresario who creates this thought provoking hour and a half weekly program, has much of a staff at WBKM, the Burlington, Vermont radio station which broadcasts the show. That means he must be booking the guests himself, conducting and editing the interviews, choosing the excellent, eclectic music which beefs up the program and creating the structure and flow of the show. And all the while he does this he has to be continually thinking ahead for more show themes and more guests. It can only be a labor of love.
Let’s view this in comparison with some of the other podcasts that have been featured on the PRB. The Adam Carolla podcast runs over an hour but it’s a steam of consciousness conversation which (on the surface) seems to require minimal preparation. The Dinner Party Download has much more prep but it benefits from the resources of National Public Radio; the one interview is conducted using pretty much the same questions every time; and it is less than fifteen minutes long.
The purpose of Paradigms is a loftier one than comedy and banter. Its mission is to examine whether there is a viable future where humans and nature can successfully coexist. In each episode there is a thematic basket which Baruch fills with prerecorded interviews of persons concerned with the topic for that particular podcast ( for example, water rights, nuclear power, renewable energy sources or the locavore movement). Since the guests tend to be very committed and passionate in their views, the information they want to share on the topic under discussion is usually quite useful.
Please don’t think that Paradigms is all issues all the time. While emphasizing the need to encourage the discussion of diverse views on the future of humankind in the natural universe, Paradigms does change gears, both within each show and among shows. Internally, in a good pacing move for the production, the interviews are separated by musical segments, which are very, very eclectic. At any given time you may hear older songs from bands like Fairport Convention, jazz standards or tribal music (I found the episode on the music and culture of the Bejawi people very illuminating). In fact, I have purchased some of the music after hearing it for the first time on Paradigms (Derrik Jordan and SuperString Theory to name two).
Baruch ZeichnerExternally, Paradigms sometimes moves away from an issue oriented show to one about the arts. Guests in this vein have included Janis Ian, Robert Klein, Adrian Belew and, most recently, Sinead O'Connor. It is a manageable switch because Baruch Zeichner, jack of all trades, happens to be a very relaxed interviewer. He seems to have the natural ability to speak with anyone.
And that’s important, because this is a long show that needs to be kept moving and on point. For me, the best time to listen is on weekend mornings during leisurely breakfasts or long walks when I can devote the proper attention to the conversation and also drift along with the music.
I encourage you to give Paradigms a listen and also to check out the impressive website at paradigms.bz. There you will find links to some of the other irons Baruch has in the fire. I don’t know where he gets the energy.
Three Ring Radio - “Chaz & AJ in the Morning”
My listening experience with “Chaz & AJ in the Morning” is a little unique. First, the show is broadcast out of Connecticut, but I live in an adjoining state. Second, I am only able to pick up the signal during the beginning of my commute to work. So for years, I have only been able to listen to the first parts of the show. Now, with the Chaz & AJ podcast, I can finally hear portions of the show that I previously missed.
“Chaz & AJ in the Morning” is a three ring listener friendly circus. Chaz, the ring leader, and AJ, the classic comic foil, wise crack on current news and issues, conduct interviews, play some music (after all WPLR 99.1 is a rock station) share moments from their everyday lives and host the occasional outside event, all the while taking calls from their audience, many of whom seem to call every day.
The daily podcast is actually a set of several seven to ten minutes bits that took place on a particular day. The segments are well labeled so you can pick and choose depending on your taste. You may or may not want to listen to say, Chris Berman of ESPN or Senator Joe Lieberman, who are some of the recurring guests on the show. Chaz & AJ also land quite a few interviews with figures in the entertainment industry, musicians on tour like Ian Anderson, celebrities promoting some unknown agenda like Corey Feldman, and cranky old men, like the late David Carradine (a classic Chaz & AJ moment). 
And the events…there is the annual Christmas toy drive, a summer broadcast live from the beach, road trips to cities like Washington, DC and coming up this month the Chaz & AJ St. Patrick’s Day Party which was held on March 17th at the New Haven Gaelic Football & Hurling Club in East Haven, CT. I wasn’t there, but now I can share in the crazy through the podcast.
However, I do have one suggestion for the podcast. The part of the show that I can get on my car radio and which made me a regular listener is not available through the podcast. Each morning the show begins with a top ten list (all time sitcoms, which athletes made the most money in a given year, etc.). The listeners call in and try and fill in the list. If they get all ten, the next day’s list is played for the suffering of AJ. Each correct guess from that list leads to some physical abuse on AJ (snorting wasabi, getting whacked with a wiffle bat, fingers in a mouse trap, you name it; they’ve probably done it to AJ). Let’s get these hilariously cringe inducing moments out there for all to hear.
So hats off and a tight shirt alert to stalwart hosts, Chaz (he of the cynical mindset) and AJ (man boobs and clogs). Everyday they deliver. Give them a listen and have a few laughs.
Getting To Know You - The Dinner Party
What, No Desert ?!?
The Dinner Party Podcast is the perfect way to meet new people and pick up some new ideas. It’s short. It’s cleverly arranged. And you do not actually have to go anywhere, awkwardly greet strangers and make mumbling chit chat.
The hard info is that The Dinner Party is produced by American Public Media and is hosted by Rico Gagliano and Brendan Francis Newnam. The appeal is the format. Kudos to whoever came up with it.
The Dinner party begins with an Icebreaker, which consists of a joke, the quality of which ranges from smile inducing to laugh out loud. The joke is selected and delivered by a different guest each podcast.
Then comes Small Talk a segment where the hosts use the resources of their sister show Marketplace to sort of go around the room and have the Marketplace staff throw out topical news items and other crazy happenings which are foremost in their minds and which could be fodder for conversation at a real dinner party.
Next up is the Guest of Honor. The guest of honor is generally a musician, writer or filmmaker (you can check the episode list on the Dinner Party Download website for the gamut. After the interview comes the twist. The guest is asked what question are they sick of and what question do they never get asked. The answers create a focus on the public image of the guest (the typical question) Vis a Vis the unexplored side.
As you can see there are a lot of segments but, trust me, they flow well together and the whole podcast is less than twenty minutes. After the Guest of Honor, it’s the Main Course, wherein the hosts discuss a food topic Main Courses have included Barbeque, Chocolate, music in restaurants even litigation in the food industry (the Veggie Libel Law).
After the Main Course, we are gently ushered out to the sounds of One for the Road, a song, sometimes obscure, to aid with our mental digestion of the gratifying content of this top notch podcast.
Languages - Show Time Spanish
Taking the next step
http://radiolingua.com/shows/spanish/show-time-spanish/
Show Time Spanish is the sequel to Coffee Break Spanish (see June, 2008). Like Coffee Break, it is also a Radio Lingua production and is also hosted by Mark Pentleton. But this is a far cry from the previous series. For me, it is a very challenging step up with some interesting and diverse twists.
In keeping with the Show Time theme, there are two acts and an intermedio. In the first act, Mark (who is Scottish and that is where the podcast is recorded) has a conversation with Alba (a native of Spain). They have good chemistry, but I still miss Cara from Coffe Break Spanish Mark and Alba usually begin with “What did you do last semana” and then it is off on the topic of the week (holidays, vacations, smoking laws). The dialogue is at normal speed and for a learner like me it is sometimes hard to keep up, but that is how you improve.
Their conversation is followed by a brief section where Mark summarizes what Alba has said and vice versa (el resumen). Later in the podcast, during the second act, Mark discusses grammar points about sentences or word usage that arose in the natural course of the first act conversation (reflective pronouns, uses of the subjunctive, think academic in this section). It is an effective way to bring the whole show together.
I apologize for the A-B-C nature of this review, but it is the sectional nature of Show Time Spanish which makes it a compelling way to learn. To continue, there is the intermedio, which runs between the two acts and serves a breather for the listener. This section has featured tongue twisters (trabalenguas), jokes and movie reviews (of movies in Spanish, of course). The intermedio also has one of my favorite features… the phrase of the week. Jose runs this segment and gives the listener a native speaker’s way of expressing themselves, something more distinguishable like “no podria estar mejor”, instead of “muy bueno”, for instance.
There is yet another twist to Show Time Spanish. Every five weeks they drop the format and present an episode of their own podcastnovella, entitled “Verano Español”. The plot involves a bilingual family who goes to spend the summer in Spain at a house the father inherited. It is low on the drama meter, but it does put different voices into the podcast, and functions effectively as a change of pace for the regular episodes.
And there’s more. As you know I am all about the Free when it comes to podcasts. However, for Show Time Spanish, I splurged and became a premium member (during one of the Radio Lingua sale periods, naturally). This allowed me access to PDF guides and other “bonus materials”, as they like say. It is very helpful to me to see the dialogue and intermedio in a printed format accompanying the audio. And I can now download the Encore podcast, which is Mark flying solo presenting some exercises which relate to the grammar points from the main podcast.
In conclusion….I apologize again for the “what it is” rather than reviewing the quality points of Show Time Spanish. I will just say it works for me. It is personable and has a non didactic tone. I can attest that my comprehension of everyday Spanish has greatly improved. My speaking ability is nowhere near that, but that is not the fault of Show Time Spanish. Give it a try.
http://radiolingua.com/shows/spanish/show-time-spanish/
Show Time Spanish is the sequel to Coffee Break Spanish (see June, 2008). Like Coffee Break, it is also a Radio Lingua production and is also hosted by Mark Pentleton. But this is a far cry from the previous series. For me, it is a very challenging step up with some interesting and diverse twists.
In keeping with the Show Time theme, there are two acts and an intermedio. In the first act, Mark (who is Scottish and that is where the podcast is recorded) has a conversation with Alba (a native of Spain). They have good chemistry, but I still miss Cara from Coffe Break Spanish Mark and Alba usually begin with “What did you do last semana” and then it is off on the topic of the week (holidays, vacations, smoking laws). The dialogue is at normal speed and for a learner like me it is sometimes hard to keep up, but that is how you improve.
Their conversation is followed by a brief section where Mark summarizes what Alba has said and vice versa (el resumen). Later in the podcast, during the second act, Mark discusses grammar points about sentences or word usage that arose in the natural course of the first act conversation (reflective pronouns, uses of the subjunctive, think academic in this section). It is an effective way to bring the whole show together.
I apologize for the A-B-C nature of this review, but it is the sectional nature of Show Time Spanish which makes it a compelling way to learn. To continue, there is the intermedio, which runs between the two acts and serves a breather for the listener. This section has featured tongue twisters (trabalenguas), jokes and movie reviews (of movies in Spanish, of course). The intermedio also has one of my favorite features… the phrase of the week. Jose runs this segment and gives the listener a native speaker’s way of expressing themselves, something more distinguishable like “no podria estar mejor”, instead of “muy bueno”, for instance.
There is yet another twist to Show Time Spanish. Every five weeks they drop the format and present an episode of their own podcastnovella, entitled “Verano Español”. The plot involves a bilingual family who goes to spend the summer in Spain at a house the father inherited. It is low on the drama meter, but it does put different voices into the podcast, and functions effectively as a change of pace for the regular episodes.And there’s more. As you know I am all about the Free when it comes to podcasts. However, for Show Time Spanish, I splurged and became a premium member (during one of the Radio Lingua sale periods, naturally). This allowed me access to PDF guides and other “bonus materials”, as they like say. It is very helpful to me to see the dialogue and intermedio in a printed format accompanying the audio. And I can now download the Encore podcast, which is Mark flying solo presenting some exercises which relate to the grammar points from the main podcast.
In conclusion….I apologize again for the “what it is” rather than reviewing the quality points of Show Time Spanish. I will just say it works for me. It is personable and has a non didactic tone. I can attest that my comprehension of everyday Spanish has greatly improved. My speaking ability is nowhere near that, but that is not the fault of Show Time Spanish. Give it a try.
When was the last time someone read you a story?
The New Yorker: Fiction
http://www.newyorker.com/online/podcasts/fiction
The New Yorker: Fiction podcast combines two of my likes. Every month, much like the weekly publication, The New Yorker presents a short story, a work of short fiction. The short story is a format I particularly enjoy, as reader, as a writer and as a participant in a short story group sponsored by my local library.
And, since it’s a podcast, the short story of the month is read aloud. Audio fiction is something I was drawn to out of necessity. I once had a job that required a lot of time in my car. Looking for additional distractions besides the radio, I turned to audio books and have developed a permanent t soft spot for the medium.
The twist The New Yorker puts on the podcast is that instead of the author or a professional narrator reading the story, they get another author to pick the story and to read it. It’s great to hear T.C. Boyle or Tobias Wolfe or E.L. Doctorow read Joyce Carol Oates or Vladimir Nabokov or James Thurber but there is a downside to this as well. As I learned through my experience with audio books, if the narrator is bad, it kills the story. And some of the guest authors, while probably whizzes at being writers, prove themselves to be not very good at reading aloud. Reading in a monotone with little inflection is the principal fault I have come across.
But fortunately, that does not happen very often. And when it does, the failure to deliver is ameliorated by the segment after the story. Here, for the remaining eight to ten minutes or so, there is a discussion between the guest author and the moderator. Topics usually touched on in this segment are the cause of the choice of story, some anecdotal background on the author, the guest author and the involvement of either or both with The New Yorker, as well as some breakdown of the story itself. This section is always strong and informative and really helps put some context and zip into the short story format being showcased.
One brief complaint though. The iTunes podcasts have titles which are different from the story itself. I would suggest that the story title, the author and the guest author/reader should be what appear on the iPod scroll, not the vague title they are now using. Many times I want to review this information and I can only do it using the version of the podcast saved on my hard drive.
That said, this one is an easy recommend. It’s monthly and usually less than thirty minutes so time is not a constraint. For me, it is very enjoyable to hear all the different approaches and themes the featured writers use to spin their craft. Learning something about two authors at the same time certainly is an efficient way to expand your knowledge to say the least. And you don’t have to be a little kid to enjoy having a story read to you. So give it a try.
And, since it’s a podcast, the short story of the month is read aloud. Audio fiction is something I was drawn to out of necessity. I once had a job that required a lot of time in my car. Looking for additional distractions besides the radio, I turned to audio books and have developed a permanent t soft spot for the medium.
The twist The New Yorker puts on the podcast is that instead of the author or a professional narrator reading the story, they get another author to pick the story and to read it. It’s great to hear T.C. Boyle or Tobias Wolfe or E.L. Doctorow read Joyce Carol Oates or Vladimir Nabokov or James Thurber but there is a downside to this as well. As I learned through my experience with audio books, if the narrator is bad, it kills the story. And some of the guest authors, while probably whizzes at being writers, prove themselves to be not very good at reading aloud. Reading in a monotone with little inflection is the principal fault I have come across.
But fortunately, that does not happen very often. And when it does, the failure to deliver is ameliorated by the segment after the story. Here, for the remaining eight to ten minutes or so, there is a discussion between the guest author and the moderator. Topics usually touched on in this segment are the cause of the choice of story, some anecdotal background on the author, the guest author and the involvement of either or both with The New Yorker, as well as some breakdown of the story itself. This section is always strong and informative and really helps put some context and zip into the short story format being showcased.
One brief complaint though. The iTunes podcasts have titles which are different from the story itself. I would suggest that the story title, the author and the guest author/reader should be what appear on the iPod scroll, not the vague title they are now using. Many times I want to review this information and I can only do it using the version of the podcast saved on my hard drive.
That said, this one is an easy recommend. It’s monthly and usually less than thirty minutes so time is not a constraint. For me, it is very enjoyable to hear all the different approaches and themes the featured writers use to spin their craft. Learning something about two authors at the same time certainly is an efficient way to expand your knowledge to say the least. And you don’t have to be a little kid to enjoy having a story read to you. So give it a try.
Spanning the Globe...NPR's Foreign Dispatch
NPR: Foreign Dispatch Podcast
Did you know that in order to buy a gun in Mexico, legally that is, you have to go to the only gun store in the country, which is on an army base near Mexico City?
Did you know that in Berlin after World War I, there was a rise in demand for prostitutes who were missing limbs or were otherwise disfigured? This has been attributed to the increase in the population of war veterans who had been maimed during the conflict.
Did you know that the only way to become a citizen of Palau, which hosted a season of “Survivor”, is to have been born there? And although they have a restrictive citizenship policy, the residents of Palau enjoy a special favored status with the United States, including being able to serve in our armed forces.
http://www.npr.org/rss/podcast/podcast_detail.php?siteId=6661111
I learned these disparate facts listening to National Public Radio’s Foreign Dispatch podcast. A weekly roundup of reporting from around the globe, the podcast runs a very manageable twenty minutes and usually contains four segments, each from a different region of the world. And it is global; NPR’s correspondents are all over the place.
As might be expected, the podcast always contains some news from the current war zones. These segments generally depict how culture and politics interact and are affected by military actions. For example, there was a story in a recent podcast about the improvement of traffic patterns in Tehran after the removal of concrete blast barriers from the downtown area. They had been there so long that younger residents were unsure of what streets were on the other side of where the barrier had been.
From there, the podcast hops around the globe a few times. Maybe a discussion of how Norway avoided the recent financial crisis. Maybe a view of the effects of Twitter on dissent in China. Believe me, it is nothing if not diverse.
The final segment generally deals with an aspect of popular culture or the Arts. It might be about musicians in a different part of the world (Camilo Lara’s Mexican Institute of Sound), or a profile of a writer ( Philip Kerr, author of the Detective Gunther series). It’s usually something that makes me want to make a note of a title or a person who is speaking or being discussed. All segments make full use of the audio capabilities of radio, with background noises and clips from the people involved in the story. It is not a voice droning o and on. It is a true multi layered experience for the listener.
I get most of my news from the internet and it tends to be a very general level of information. Foreign Dispatch drills down into many subjects I have only a cursory knowledge of. I thank NPR for helping round off my understanding of a least a few things that are happening on our planet.
Did you know that in order to buy a gun in Mexico, legally that is, you have to go to the only gun store in the country, which is on an army base near Mexico City?
Did you know that in Berlin after World War I, there was a rise in demand for prostitutes who were missing limbs or were otherwise disfigured? This has been attributed to the increase in the population of war veterans who had been maimed during the conflict.
Did you know that the only way to become a citizen of Palau, which hosted a season of “Survivor”, is to have been born there? And although they have a restrictive citizenship policy, the residents of Palau enjoy a special favored status with the United States, including being able to serve in our armed forces.
http://www.npr.org/rss/podcast/podcast_detail.php?siteId=6661111I learned these disparate facts listening to National Public Radio’s Foreign Dispatch podcast. A weekly roundup of reporting from around the globe, the podcast runs a very manageable twenty minutes and usually contains four segments, each from a different region of the world. And it is global; NPR’s correspondents are all over the place.
As might be expected, the podcast always contains some news from the current war zones. These segments generally depict how culture and politics interact and are affected by military actions. For example, there was a story in a recent podcast about the improvement of traffic patterns in Tehran after the removal of concrete blast barriers from the downtown area. They had been there so long that younger residents were unsure of what streets were on the other side of where the barrier had been.
From there, the podcast hops around the globe a few times. Maybe a discussion of how Norway avoided the recent financial crisis. Maybe a view of the effects of Twitter on dissent in China. Believe me, it is nothing if not diverse.
The final segment generally deals with an aspect of popular culture or the Arts. It might be about musicians in a different part of the world (Camilo Lara’s Mexican Institute of Sound), or a profile of a writer ( Philip Kerr, author of the Detective Gunther series). It’s usually something that makes me want to make a note of a title or a person who is speaking or being discussed. All segments make full use of the audio capabilities of radio, with background noises and clips from the people involved in the story. It is not a voice droning o and on. It is a true multi layered experience for the listener.
I get most of my news from the internet and it tends to be a very general level of information. Foreign Dispatch drills down into many subjects I have only a cursory knowledge of. I thank NPR for helping round off my understanding of a least a few things that are happening on our planet.
Boys will be Boys - The Adam Carolla Podcast
The ACP http://www.adamcarolla.com/
Adam Carolla does not need my love. His podcast has hundreds of thousands of downloads and is consistently in the iTunes top ten. But I am going to give him big props anyway because he cracks me up.
I first came across Adam, when he was cohosting The Man Show along with Jimmy Kimmel. Now, certainly Kimmel has gone on to much success and that success made me feel a little bad for Adam, almost like he got left behind.
But things seem to have turned out pretty well for Adam, who, despite losing a radio gig, has a pilot in the works for CBS, and his enormously successful podcast (if only he could find a way to make money at it!).
The format of the Adam Carolla Podcast is part of its success. It’s Adam in his home office with one or sometimes two guests. And they just riff off anything that could be part of a conversation with or about said guest for about an hour. Adam’s long time friend Donnie runs the technology and provides occasional commentary.
The podcast has been running a couple of months now with five shows a week which is a lot of material and a big commitment for a listener. I listened to the first dozen episodes but now, due to the time constraints all my podcast listening creates; I pick the show based on the guest.
After all the listens, though, I see a dichotomy developing in the ACP (my made up acronym for the Adam Carolla Podcast). At its core is a raunchy, brutally honest give and take on sexuality, growing up and often crappy life experiences. This seems to work best if the guest is a comedian. With other types of guests, it becomes more of an interview. Not that Adam doesn’t try and see if he can get back in the gutter with that day’s guest. He probes subtly and backs off if the guest isn’t biting. Both approaches feature ample stories about Adam, because, after all, it’s his podcast and he is not pretending to be Larry King (though he has excellent interviewing chops).
Here are a few examples of how the show can go. In one of the early episodes, the guest was comedian (and fellow Dancing With The Stars alum) David Allan Grier. He is a personal friend of Adam’s and the hour was a slug fest of dysfunctional family humor. Absolutely hilarious. But race car driver Danica Patrick has also been a guest (Disclaimer: I have met Danica Patrick). She is not going to talk (at least on a recording) about drugs and masturbation. In that episode, Adam, showed his versatility and shifted into gear head mode. The result was also a good listen and Adam’s interviewing skills showed Danica in a very positive light.
One of my favorite podcasts featured Lynn and Alex, two gay men who run laragmag.com. In the early part of the conversation, the two guests were pleasant and funny, but they know Adam’s reputation and there was an undercurrent of…where is this going to go? Not to worry, Adam found his opening, and after asking with all sincerity about power bottoms, everything snapped into place. The ensuing conversation about gay sexuality was classic ACP. You laugh and you learn.
Contrast that with the podcast featuring George Takei of Star Trek fame. While topics like coming out to colleagues and family were discussed, it was in no way as down and dirty as the episode with Lynn and Alex. But again, this episode showed the other head of the ACP dragon.
In Adam’s shows you can learn things, like inside information on racing with Danica Patrick or aspects or the Japanese internment during World War II from George Takei (great Tokyo Rose story in this episode by the way). There a human element that Carolla brings to the podca
st because he sometimes goes over board and the show jumps the tracks. With George Takei, Adam got into a corner covering the motivation behind the internment of Japanese Americans during World War II. Adam kept trying, unsuccessfully, to put into words his concept that the actual internment was evil but that the motivation behind it was not. Fortunately, Takei was having none of that. In another podcast, Adam had a lingering rant about Mexico needing more Jewish people. I guess you could rationalize that it’s comedy, you try and see what parts of the envelope you can push, sometimes though, you need to leave with your dignity intact.
One other point, the guest list for the ACP is very impressive. Obviously the guy has connections. In addition to some of the guests I have mentioned, other notables who have shared Adam's office include the aforementioned Jimmy Kimmel, Family Guy creator Seth McFarlane and boxer Mike Tyson (as opposed to Tyson from Survivor).
Yes, it’s usually raunchy, sometimes abrasive, occasionally enlightening and always funny. I don’t know if he will keep podcasting if the TV show gets picked up, but for now, I will enjoy the hell out of the ACP.
I first came across Adam, when he was cohosting The Man Show along with Jimmy Kimmel. Now, certainly Kimmel has gone on to much success and that success made me feel a little bad for Adam, almost like he got left behind.
But things seem to have turned out pretty well for Adam, who, despite losing a radio gig, has a pilot in the works for CBS, and his enormously successful podcast (if only he could find a way to make money at it!).
The format of the Adam Carolla Podcast is part of its success. It’s Adam in his home office with one or sometimes two guests. And they just riff off anything that could be part of a conversation with or about said guest for about an hour. Adam’s long time friend Donnie runs the technology and provides occasional commentary.
The podcast has been running a couple of months now with five shows a week which is a lot of material and a big commitment for a listener. I listened to the first dozen episodes but now, due to the time constraints all my podcast listening creates; I pick the show based on the guest.After all the listens, though, I see a dichotomy developing in the ACP (my made up acronym for the Adam Carolla Podcast). At its core is a raunchy, brutally honest give and take on sexuality, growing up and often crappy life experiences. This seems to work best if the guest is a comedian. With other types of guests, it becomes more of an interview. Not that Adam doesn’t try and see if he can get back in the gutter with that day’s guest. He probes subtly and backs off if the guest isn’t biting. Both approaches feature ample stories about Adam, because, after all, it’s his podcast and he is not pretending to be Larry King (though he has excellent interviewing chops).
Here are a few examples of how the show can go. In one of the early episodes, the guest was comedian (and fellow Dancing With The Stars alum) David Allan Grier. He is a personal friend of Adam’s and the hour was a slug fest of dysfunctional family humor. Absolutely hilarious. But race car driver Danica Patrick has also been a guest (Disclaimer: I have met Danica Patrick). She is not going to talk (at least on a recording) about drugs and masturbation. In that episode, Adam, showed his versatility and shifted into gear head mode. The result was also a good listen and Adam’s interviewing skills showed Danica in a very positive light.
One of my favorite podcasts featured Lynn and Alex, two gay men who run laragmag.com. In the early part of the conversation, the two guests were pleasant and funny, but they know Adam’s reputation and there was an undercurrent of…where is this going to go? Not to worry, Adam found his opening, and after asking with all sincerity about power bottoms, everything snapped into place. The ensuing conversation about gay sexuality was classic ACP. You laugh and you learn.
Contrast that with the podcast featuring George Takei of Star Trek fame. While topics like coming out to colleagues and family were discussed, it was in no way as down and dirty as the episode with Lynn and Alex. But again, this episode showed the other head of the ACP dragon.
In Adam’s shows you can learn things, like inside information on racing with Danica Patrick or aspects or the Japanese internment during World War II from George Takei (great Tokyo Rose story in this episode by the way). There a human element that Carolla brings to the podca
st because he sometimes goes over board and the show jumps the tracks. With George Takei, Adam got into a corner covering the motivation behind the internment of Japanese Americans during World War II. Adam kept trying, unsuccessfully, to put into words his concept that the actual internment was evil but that the motivation behind it was not. Fortunately, Takei was having none of that. In another podcast, Adam had a lingering rant about Mexico needing more Jewish people. I guess you could rationalize that it’s comedy, you try and see what parts of the envelope you can push, sometimes though, you need to leave with your dignity intact.One other point, the guest list for the ACP is very impressive. Obviously the guy has connections. In addition to some of the guests I have mentioned, other notables who have shared Adam's office include the aforementioned Jimmy Kimmel, Family Guy creator Seth McFarlane and boxer Mike Tyson (as opposed to Tyson from Survivor).
Yes, it’s usually raunchy, sometimes abrasive, occasionally enlightening and always funny. I don’t know if he will keep podcasting if the TV show gets picked up, but for now, I will enjoy the hell out of the ACP.
Advice on Sex and Sexuality - MTSS
The Midwest Teen Sex Show http://midwestteensexshow.com/
This video podcast is a frank and funny look at all aspects of sex with an approach that is skewed towards all teens, not just those in the Midwest. Each five to ten minute episode deals with a specific topic and believe me, MTSS gets around. If there is some angle to be explored on sexuality, sexual practices, sexual behavior, you name it, it’s all here. And if it’s not, I am sure they will get to it shortly.
There are two principals in every show. First there is Nikol Hassler, who serves as host, narrator, voice of reason and occasional extra in that week’s skits. The facts about a particula
r topic (Breasts, Homosexuality, Breakups, Virginity) are illustrated by a series of sketches and asides starring Britney Barber who has a chameleon like ability to play an intriguing range of characters. The characters are usually engaging in behavior that MTSS would like to focus on as inappropriate for the topic of the week (unprotected sex, sex for the wrong reasons, etc.). That sounds a little dry but it certainly is not presented that way. Not to compare MTSS’ humor with a particular comedian (comedienne) or show, just think Funny on a cable network without a lot of restrictions. In fact, I would not be surprised if these two did not pop up in something elseAnd while their approach may occasionally be zany, their avowed purpose is not. The Midwest Teen Sex Show wants to provide a forum for young people to get practical answers on sexual matters. MTSS is well written and informative (kudos also to the third wheel, Guy Clark). Nikol strikes the right note as a person who can give advice and keep confidences as well. This is a vital quality to have on a show that deals with sensitive subjects every week.
So please try The Midwest Teen Sex Show. I know I became a dedicated viewer when I saw the episode titled “Older Boyfriends”. MTSS advised “Don’t have one”. Simple, straight forward, good advice.
Movies - Filmspotting
Filmspotting
http://filmspotting.net/
Let’s face it, there are many, many venues you can go to in order to get your movie discussion fix. And since it is the avowed purpose of this blog to sift through the vast universe of podcast material available about any given subject, I have sampled many, many of the episodes of the movie podcasts that are out there. Now my work is done and I am presenting for your enjoyment my favorite: Filmspotting. Why have I picked this show out of all the possible choices? I will admit there is a subjective component here, but I like what I like. What draws me to Filmspotting is its outstanding execution of two key elements… Content and Presentation.
Content wise, Filmspotting does indeed adopt the standard movie podcast format of discussing new releases for that week. However, the hosts, Adam Kempenaar and Matty Robinson, expertly avoid the formulaic by concentrating on one or two films and providing a lengthy, informed and informative look at the week’s choices. This is not the “two minutes with selected clips” version you get in a televised review. It’s not fast food, so be prepared for a meal of several courses.
In addition to the main event, Adam and Matty build onto the beginning and launch into other segments which make the show fun and give it a unique vibrancy. There’s usually a weekly Top Five with a variety of topics (Five Best Spike Lee Scenes, Five Best Supporting Actresses of 2008, etc.). There’s Listener feedback (voicemail and email). There are marathons that stretch over several episodes (currently they are holding an “Angry Young Men” marathon which has featured, among others, “Saturday Night and Sunday Morning” and “Look Back in Anger”).
Content wise, Filmspotting does indeed adopt the standard movie podcast format of discussing new releases for that week. However, the hosts, Adam Kempenaar and Matty Robinson, expertly avoid the formulaic by concentrating on one or two films and providing a lengthy, informed and informative look at the week’s choices. This is not the “two minutes with selected clips” version you get in a televised review. It’s not fast food, so be prepared for a meal of several courses.
In addition to the main event, Adam and Matty build onto the beginning and launch into other segments which make the show fun and give it a unique vibrancy. There’s usually a weekly Top Five with a variety of topics (Five Best Spike Lee Scenes, Five Best Supporting Actresses of 2008, etc.). There’s Listener feedback (voicemail and email). There are marathons that stretch over several episodes (currently they are holding an “Angry Young Men” marathon which has featured, among others, “Saturday Night and Sunday Morning” and “Look Back in Anger”).
And then there’s “Massacre Theater”. Each week Adam and Matty read a scene and invite the listeners to guess what film the lines they have just butchered came from. Correct answers are entered in a drawing and there is a prize so test your movie knowledge here.
Presentation wise, the host’s personalities and film knowledge bring a lot to the table in Filmspotting. It would be wrong to categorize Adam and Matty as being one thing over another. But I feel I can say that Adam is a member of The Cult of Director Love and that movies for children are not on his radar. Matty is a little harder to pin down but he doesn’t suffer fools. Listen to a few episodes and you will hear what I mean.
Each podcast is a little over an hour, so every listener will have to figure out how that fits their schedule. Filmspotting never bogs down and has consistent, excellent pacing. Episodes are sometimes segmented with interstitial music featuring an artist of the week, some of whom I have added to my Ipod (for example, Sunny Levine). The Filmspotting website, which is quite comprehensive, gives a listing of the songs used on each podcast, with links to the artists showcased, a feature that is very helpful because you do not have to take notes.
Speaking of the Filmspotting website, I am heading over to the Merch section to see what kind of T shirt selections they have. Why don’t you stop by as well.
Life Experiences - The Moth
http://themoth.org/
Any description of The Moth podcast can be deceptively simple. What happens in each episode is that a person gets up on stage and tells a true story extemporaneously, right from the hip, no notes, no net. These stories run the entire gamut of human emotion and capabilities. Elements of fear, happiness, ennui, elation; moments of gullibility, over confidence, naiveté even outright stupidity are laid bare by the speakers
The stories we hear are as they were presented…live at a Story Slam in either Los Angeles or New York. A Story Slam is like an open mike night for storytellers. I don’t want to delve too deeply into the details since a lot of the background and support structure of how these events are conducted can be found at themoth.org. This excellent website gives the history of how the organization began, presents a calendar of upcoming events, and offers collections of older stories on CD, just to name a few of its features.
The podcasts themselves run about ten minutes each and the stories are anything if not extremely diverse, which reflects the human condition. If you can, I recommend you subscribe to The Moth because every episode is like getting a little short story for free. And if afterwards you feel inspired to support the organization, there are various levels of membership available.
The storytellers themselves can be well known (ex. Garrison Keillor), but they are usually just plain folks. For me, I prefer the amateur deliveries because they seem less polished and more natural. Some of the episodes feature stories from people who are entertainers in their own right, and while these podcasts are usually very funny, they can sometimes come across a little too much like a
standup routine.
To date, my favorite stories are: Michael Rips and his plagiarism problem, Matthew McGough’s tale of being a batboy for the Yankees, A. J Jacobs outsourced life and Joe Lockhart’s recounting of his first days as President Clinton’s press secretary.
I am planning on attending one of the slams and telling my story “Golf and Hemorrhoids” which can be read at michaelohea.com. I will report back about my experience and, whether it goes good or bad, I will continue to look forward to new episodes of this podcast.
The stories we hear are as they were presented…live at a Story Slam in either Los Angeles or New York. A Story Slam is like an open mike night for storytellers. I don’t want to delve too deeply into the details since a lot of the background and support structure of how these events are conducted can be found at themoth.org. This excellent website gives the history of how the organization began, presents a calendar of upcoming events, and offers collections of older stories on CD, just to name a few of its features.
The podcasts themselves run about ten minutes each and the stories are anything if not extremely diverse, which reflects the human condition. If you can, I recommend you subscribe to The Moth because every episode is like getting a little short story for free. And if afterwards you feel inspired to support the organization, there are various levels of membership available.
The storytellers themselves can be well known (ex. Garrison Keillor), but they are usually just plain folks. For me, I prefer the amateur deliveries because they seem less polished and more natural. Some of the episodes feature stories from people who are entertainers in their own right, and while these podcasts are usually very funny, they can sometimes come across a little too much like a
standup routine.To date, my favorite stories are: Michael Rips and his plagiarism problem, Matthew McGough’s tale of being a batboy for the Yankees, A. J Jacobs outsourced life and Joe Lockhart’s recounting of his first days as President Clinton’s press secretary.
I am planning on attending one of the slams and telling my story “Golf and Hemorrhoids” which can be read at michaelohea.com. I will report back about my experience and, whether it goes good or bad, I will continue to look forward to new episodes of this podcast.
Music - The Turntable
The Turntable
I like The Turntable’s approach. They take on a tough subject, trying to explain music in words, in a way that is intelligent and entertaining. Each episode of this podcast takes a look at aspects of “Black Music including Soul, Jazz, Hip Hop, House, World and Rock”. The format is usually that of an interview with the artist or artists who created the music that is being spotlighted on the show. Sometimes the musicians speak with a panel of interviewers; sometimes just with the smooth voiced host, Charles White. For me, it is an interesting peek into genres and performers that I know a little about, like say Motown, as well as an exposure to contemporary sounds I am not familiar with, say the Brand New Heavies.
As an example in the category of the already familiar, I would chose a podcast I found to be very memorable; one which featured an illuminating discussion on the music of Curtis Mayfield and The Impressions. In this broadcast Mr. White did some particularly effective moderating and he was able to extract some great stories from several members of the group. Listeners such as me learned that the music of The Impressions was frequently derived from spiritual songs. Not from a specific song, mind you, just from the essence of the genre. And they were very young when they started in the business, either getting their parents’ permission or sneaking out to play gigs.
One of my favorite shows featured a contemporary artist and I came across it accidentally. I was reading the episode list and saw they had a podcast called “Coultrain”. I thought it would be about the legendary saxophone player. Instead it was an entirely different artist, a singer songwriter from St. Louis. So instead of a history lesson, I got to listen to some music I had never heard of before. And it was good, good, good. I would especially recommend a tune of his called “Green”.
Actually, the interview with Coultrain showcases a strength of the program and a weakness as well. On the plus side, the musicians are almost always asked who their influences are and the answers they give are usually thoughtful and cover a broad spectrum. On the other hand, the conversations tend to bog down whenever the artists are asked to categorize their own music. Either they completely resist or they give multiple choice responses which do not clarify anything. To me, the efforts to classify an artist’s sound as this or that constitute a slippery slope. The panelists themselves often acknowledge the inherent flaws with trying to squeeze into labels. They often mention how the meaning of “R and B” has morphed over the years. Fortunately though, when The Turntable goes down this route and stalls, Charles White gets everyone back on track by delivering a universal truth: Soul music is music from the soul.
During every podcast, The Turntable also presents samples of the music being talked about. These cuts are very generous in length which helps create a good feel for the subject under consideration. Interspersed with the regular interview shows, there is the occasional special episode to enjoy. I particularly liked one change of pace they had where the panel swapped examples of their favorite Christmas songs (to my ears Donny Hathaway’s version of “This Christmas” wins hands down).
On a final note, the website rocks. http://stage.ebonyjet.com/multimedia/podcast/coultrain.aspx It may be the most podcast friendly site I have seen. There are extra features like suggested play lists, bios, episode descriptions. Just fantastic. You will definitely be broadening your horizons when you take a spin on The Turntable.
I like The Turntable’s approach. They take on a tough subject, trying to explain music in words, in a way that is intelligent and entertaining. Each episode of this podcast takes a look at aspects of “Black Music including Soul, Jazz, Hip Hop, House, World and Rock”. The format is usually that of an interview with the artist or artists who created the music that is being spotlighted on the show. Sometimes the musicians speak with a panel of interviewers; sometimes just with the smooth voiced host, Charles White. For me, it is an interesting peek into genres and performers that I know a little about, like say Motown, as well as an exposure to contemporary sounds I am not familiar with, say the Brand New Heavies.
As an example in the category of the already familiar, I would chose a podcast I found to be very memorable; one which featured an illuminating discussion on the music of Curtis Mayfield and The Impressions. In this broadcast Mr. White did some particularly effective moderating and he was able to extract some great stories from several members of the group. Listeners such as me learned that the music of The Impressions was frequently derived from spiritual songs. Not from a specific song, mind you, just from the essence of the genre. And they were very young when they started in the business, either getting their parents’ permission or sneaking out to play gigs.
One of my favorite shows featured a contemporary artist and I came across it accidentally. I was reading the episode list and saw they had a podcast called “Coultrain”. I thought it would be about the legendary saxophone player. Instead it was an entirely different artist, a singer songwriter from St. Louis. So instead of a history lesson, I got to listen to some music I had never heard of before. And it was good, good, good. I would especially recommend a tune of his called “Green”.
Actually, the interview with Coultrain showcases a strength of the program and a weakness as well. On the plus side, the musicians are almost always asked who their influences are and the answers they give are usually thoughtful and cover a broad spectrum. On the other hand, the conversations tend to bog down whenever the artists are asked to categorize their own music. Either they completely resist or they give multiple choice responses which do not clarify anything. To me, the efforts to classify an artist’s sound as this or that constitute a slippery slope. The panelists themselves often acknowledge the inherent flaws with trying to squeeze into labels. They often mention how the meaning of “R and B” has morphed over the years. Fortunately though, when The Turntable goes down this route and stalls, Charles White gets everyone back on track by delivering a universal truth: Soul music is music from the soul.
During every podcast, The Turntable also presents samples of the music being talked about. These cuts are very generous in length which helps create a good feel for the subject under consideration. Interspersed with the regular interview shows, there is the occasional special episode to enjoy. I particularly liked one change of pace they had where the panel swapped examples of their favorite Christmas songs (to my ears Donny Hathaway’s version of “This Christmas” wins hands down).
On a final note, the website rocks. http://stage.ebonyjet.com/multimedia/podcast/coultrain.aspx It may be the most podcast friendly site I have seen. There are extra features like suggested play lists, bios, episode descriptions. Just fantastic. You will definitely be broadening your horizons when you take a spin on The Turntable.
Craftsmanship - The Wood Whisperer
I am not what you would call a handy person. I can hold my own on most basic things, but for anything advanced, I get outside help. Those who know me would therefore probably be surprised to find out I am a fan of The Wood Whisperer’s video podcast. But if they gave the show a look, I am sure they would also see its appeal to craft challenged individuals like myself.
That does not mean to suggest that this show is for beginners only. Far from it. Marc Spanuolo is The Wood Whisperer, a master craftsman who, in each episode, gives us techniques and tips about a variety of topics in the world of woodworking. The podcast is shot in his spacious but unadorned workshop. And, against this backdrop, the t-shirt clad lumber maestro regales us with his knowledge, abilities and slightly folksy sense of humor. He is aided in his quest to raise our wood IQs by his wife, NICOLE Spagnuolo, who is just as masterful wearing the many hats of cameraperson, website designer and sometimes co-host. (See comments for my idiotic boo boo.)
What I find most appealing about The Wood Whisperer is the quality of the demonstrations. Everything he discusses, from routing techniques, types of cuts, materials storage or safety procedures, is very concisely captured by the camera. And the podcast does not try to cram too much into a show, sometimes breaking subjects up into three or four separate episodes. I have found myself engrossed in many diverse topics such as proper wood selection, specialty tool usage, tips on gluing and varnishing, things it is highly unlikely I would have explored on my own.
A second strong point is Marc himself. He is personable, seems like your average guy and he does not talk down to his audience although he is obviously very knowledgeable. Unlike some other experts, he has the ability to Communicate what he knows. It come across like talking shop with your buddy. Which makes me comfortable because of my vast ignorance concerning the subject matter.
There is also a good mix of episode types within this series. It is not just a static how-to program. Along with the straight project work there may be a road trip to a convention (Yes, The Wood Whisperer has sponsors. Hello Festool) or an episode on potential holiday presents (Yes, the Wood Whisperer has a store link. You can find those gift ideas or maybe some TWW goodies).
Finally, go check out the website. It is chock full of links, information, blogs, forums and the occasional Demo Night!. Very impressive. So good luck to Marc and Nicole. And keep on whispering.
That does not mean to suggest that this show is for beginners only. Far from it. Marc Spanuolo is The Wood Whisperer, a master craftsman who, in each episode, gives us techniques and tips about a variety of topics in the world of woodworking. The podcast is shot in his spacious but unadorned workshop. And, against this backdrop, the t-shirt clad lumber maestro regales us with his knowledge, abilities and slightly folksy sense of humor. He is aided in his quest to raise our wood IQs by his wife, NICOLE Spagnuolo, who is just as masterful wearing the many hats of cameraperson, website designer and sometimes co-host. (See comments for my idiotic boo boo.)
What I find most appealing about The Wood Whisperer is the quality of the demonstrations. Everything he discusses, from routing techniques, types of cuts, materials storage or safety procedures, is very concisely captured by the camera. And the podcast does not try to cram too much into a show, sometimes breaking subjects up into three or four separate episodes. I have found myself engrossed in many diverse topics such as proper wood selection, specialty tool usage, tips on gluing and varnishing, things it is highly unlikely I would have explored on my own.
A second strong point is Marc himself. He is personable, seems like your average guy and he does not talk down to his audience although he is obviously very knowledgeable. Unlike some other experts, he has the ability to Communicate what he knows. It come across like talking shop with your buddy. Which makes me comfortable because of my vast ignorance concerning the subject matter.
There is also a good mix of episode types within this series. It is not just a static how-to program. Along with the straight project work there may be a road trip to a convention (Yes, The Wood Whisperer has sponsors. Hello Festool) or an episode on potential holiday presents (Yes, the Wood Whisperer has a store link. You can find those gift ideas or maybe some TWW goodies).
Finally, go check out the website. It is chock full of links, information, blogs, forums and the occasional Demo Night!. Very impressive. So good luck to Marc and Nicole. And keep on whispering.
Languages - Coffee Break Spanish
UPDATE ! (See Below.)
Coffee Break Spanish http://radiolingua.com/shows/spanish/coffee-break-spanish/
For a while now I have been attempting to learn some functional Spanish. I have tried lessons on CD, tapes in the car, even primers, all to differing degrees of success. So when I began exploring the podcast jungle, it seemed logical to check out some of the options available for download.
Well, with the first one I picked, I got very lucky and found a winner. Coffee Break Spanish, a production of Radio Lingua, has really helped me make some progress. The program’s design is simple, just enough language so you can listen to an episode on your coffee break. The podcasts I have heard usually run over twenty minutes, which is longer than any break I get during my work day, so I just pick up where I left off the time before.
Coffee Break Spanish is hosted by Mark, who adopts the role of the professor, and Cara, who is the student. In the earlier sections of the lessons, they cover the natural groundwork of some basic phrases and vocabulary. But they quickly get you up to speed in an engaging, interactive manner.
As the lessons with your latte (they love to say latte) continue, the focus shifts to breaking down actual conversations with native speakers. These conversations are then reviewed for what is being said. Any points of grammar are discussed and the conversations are then replayed for reinforcement. Para mi, esto trabaja muy bien.
Interestingly, the topics they cover are not your standard “Where is the hotel” formats other programs slavishly follow. This departure from the norm gives a practical, value added benefit to the podcast.
Some other points of note…..Mark and Cara are Scottish and I find it refreshing to hear their conversational accents with each other. Mark is quite a linguist and Cara, while endearing, is either a very quick study or a ringer because she doesn’t struggle too much after the first ten or so episodes. If she had a couple of stumbles here and there it would be more encouraging to plodders like me.
If you are so inclined you can participate in Radio Lingua’s Premium program, which promises more in depth, extended opportunities to learn the language of your choice. It’s not free so I have not tried it (limited budget here). In addition, the award winning worldwide success of Coffee Break Spanish has created a lot of spin-off programming. Each episode usually concludes with some cross promotional material for these additional Radio Lingua endeavors. There is so much going on that there is also a “newscast” which brings the listener up to date on all things Coffee Break.
I am glad to see that they are doing well. The show delivers its information with some zip and I can attest that it works. Hasta luego mi amigos.
UPDATE: Well, I have now listened to all eighty episodes of this podcast several times and I must say that it did not disappoint. Things really picked up in the later episodes where verb tenses were explored. There was also an emphasis on expanding one's ability to follow conversations. I still highly recommend it.
I have moved on to the next Radio Lingua production - Show Time Spanish. So far it is a little daunting and I will report back on this podcast at a later date. I would also like to revise my comments about Cara. She put in a lot of hard work on Coffee Break Spanish. Cara has not been in the episodes of Show Time Spanish I have listened to and I miss her contributions and perspective.
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