When Serial, the breakout podcast* from public radio’s “This American Life,” aired its season finale last Thursday, I tried my best to avoid spoilers on social media. Starting the true-crime story** from episode one is on my to-do list, but I just haven’t been able to find a good time to listen to podcasts lately, Serial or otherwise.
The problem isthat I can’t multitask while listening to podcasts. Many of my friends stream podcasts while working, but I find the chatter too distracting when I’m trying to write. Whatever I’m doing while listening needs to be pretty mindless, like washing dishes or driving.***
When we lived in Omaha, I had a couple of podcasts on rotation to play in the car during my 12-minute drive home from dropping Levi at school or on my way to pick him up. But Levi’s new school in New Jersey is less than five minutes away — hardly enough time to get invested in an interview among creative types or a nonfiction story like Serial.
My go-to podcasts used to include After the Jump, The Lively Show, and The Joy the Baker Podcast, and I’ve enjoyed a couple of episodes of Elise Gets Crafty. If I can find the time to start listening more regularly, I’d like to check out Raise Your Hand Say Yes with Tiffany Han; I could use some more motivation in my life.
Do you listen to podcasts? When do you listen to them, and which are your favorites?
* Don’t know how to get a podcast? Let Ira Glass explain. (You’re welcome, Mom.)
** Serial investigates 1999 alleged murder of a Maryland high school student by her ex-boyfriend.
*** I know that driving isn’t really a mindless activity. Eyes on the road, people.
I LOVE podcasts. I have a 7 month old standard poodle puppy who needs loves of exercise and podcasts are the perfect accompaniment.
I listen to Serial, Book Riot, Reading Lives, Here’s the Thing, Marc Maron, The Broad Side, and and and… I think it’s the perfect format for finding something that appeals.
Serial was my very first podcast! I feel the same as you – listening to something distracts me from whatever else I am doing. But over the holiday break my husband and I would stay up late, snuggled on the couch listening to episode after episode. I KNEW I should be working – getting everything in place before Alt. But it felt so good to just listen and be still for a bit.