Podcasts and More!

So...I may have a slight podcast obsession.

It seems to me that podcasts have hit the cultural zeitgeist in a way I'd never seen before, or perhaps it's simply because I've never noticed before. From Welcome to Night Vale to Serial, it seems as though people are tuning in and waiting for the next installment of a podcast now the way we used to sit down and wait for another episode of television. The way we consume media and stories seems to be shifting now, from streaming live TV to audio narratives.

But I can only write from personal experience. I can't remember the last time I've watched a TV show on a regular weekly basis, but you bet I'm refreshing my podcast app every Thursday morning to see if the next episode of Serial is available. It's like it's 1935 all over again, with the family gathered around the old cathedral radio waiting for the next installment of The Lone Ranger to come on. Audio storytelling has never been more interesting.

But in addition to narrative podcasts, I'm a huge fan of the chatty podcasts, the nerdy podcasts, as well as writing and publishing podcasts. I'm probably listening to a podcast at any given point in the day: during my commutes to and from work, while I'm walking my husky-dog, while I'm cooking or doing the dishes, etc. Naturally, since I'm subscribed to A LOT, I have some recommendations!

Writing Podcasts

1. Writing Excuses

2. Narrative Breakdown (hosted by Scholastic editor Cheryl Klein and screenwriter James Monohan)

3. This Creative Life with Sara Zarr

4. First Draft with Sarah Enni

Publishing and Book-Related Podcasts

1. Dear Bitches, Smart Authors (a romance-related podcast hosted by Sarah Wendell of Smart Bitches, Trashy Books and Jane Litte of Dear Author)

2. Rocket Talk (A science-fiction/fantasy-related podcast by Tor.com)

3. Minorities in Publishing

Humor

1. The Bugle (a comedy news podcast hosted by John Oliver—yes, that John Oliver!—and Andy Zaltzman)

Other Generally Awesome Stuff

1. Pop Culture Happy Hour

2. RadioLab

I could go on and on and on, but here's a small selection of podcasts I like that I think might be of interest to our readers.

What about you? Do you listen to podcasts? If so, have any good ones to recommend?