#19 Podcasts

Although I knew about podcasts I hadn't had a good look at them until this exercise. I have downloaded French language lesson podcasts earlier this year for my daughter in case she would like to use them for revision. (Yeah right - I know! But she did listen to the first three because it was difficult to ignore my enthusiastic expectations.)

The great variety of topics make it difficult to limit to a few - so much to read / view / listen to and so little time! I looked at the podcast directories listed in the exercise notes and also did a Google search for popular podcasts to see what people are listening to. Some interesting ones I came across in my search:

• MuggleCast - theories and discussion of all things related to Harry Potter. (Found on Podcastpickle.) There is also a Hogwarts Radio show. (Found on PodcastAlley.) Have seen quite a few others on the world of Harry Potter while searching.
  
• BBC World Service Documentaries. (Found on Podnova)
• Movies you should see (PodcastAlley)
• Chess Killer Tips video - will help you improve your chess, by training your mind and showing you new chess techniques and tricks. (PodcastAlley.) I have a patron who is learning to play chess.
  
• Travel with Rick Steves (Podnova)
  
• Ebert & Roeper (PodcastAlley)- This is an audio version of the Chicago film critics' weekly TV program
• English through stories (Podfeed) - This podcast is for intermediate and advanced English as a Second Language learners who want to improve their English. Each podcast is an episode of a dramatic story (a soap opera) in English but with explanations of the key words and phrases.
• The Alex Anderson Quilt Connection podcast
  
• Cast on - a podcast for knitters - have subscribed to this one
  
• Bedtime stories my kids love - currently a serial on the adventures on Man in the can, chp 23
• Biology 2110/2120: Anatomy and Physiology with Doc C - imagine getting copies of lectures you missed so easily! Wish it was available in my days of uni.
  
• Free Online Courses & Lectures from Great Universities (via Podcast and MP3) -
  
• Handyman Podcasts on 2UE Radio
  
• Podcasts from the U.S. Government
  
• The Martini shot - a podcast for the novice Independent Moviemaker. (From Find Podcasts)
  

This is just a short list of what caught my attention. I didn't include anything on music which make up a large percentage of podcasts, or on culture, politics and comedy. There were quite a few inspirational podcasts - some to which I have subscribed and a whole lot on science and technology for which I need more time to explore. There were also serial novels which reminded me of the days when we used to listen each night to stories on the radio after dinner - oh the magic voice lends to a story, but I need more time to look at those as well. (Oh time, time, time!)

There is more I will write about in a next post. I need to record my discoveries and experiences for now as there is so much more to explore and think about on podcast.