With all the last minute shopping, wrapping, packing, and cooking going on over the next week don't forget to prepare your traveling entertainment for the planes, trains, or automobiles you may find yourself in...
I am a bit of a podcast fanatic. It's what gets me through work, cooking, exercising, driving and time in my studio. Here is a list of my top ten favorite podcasts in no particular order that range from interviews to storytelling to quiz shows, and can be a source of new entertainment or a reminder to stock up on the latest episodes of some of your old favorites. I hope they can help make your travel time a little sweeter.
- This American Life. A story show told in three acts based on a single theme hosted by Ira Glass from NPR.
- Radiolab. Where life meets science meets audio hosted by Jad Abumrad and Robert Krulwich from WNYC.
- The Moth. True stories told live on stage without notes.
- The Nerdist. A freeform "nerdy" interview show with Chris Harwick.
- TED Talks. A nonprofit devoted to the spreading of ideas through hosting conferences with a multitude of various speakers.
- Sound of Young America. In-depth discussions with personalities from the world of entertainment & the arts with host Jesse Thorn.
- Fresh Air. An interview show with Terry Gross on NPR.
- Studio 360. A smart and surprising guide to whats happening in pop culture on PRI and WNYC with host Kurt Andersen.
- Wait Wait Don't Tell Me. A funny and witty NPR quiz show about current news hosted by Peter Sagal and Carl Kasell and a panel of celebrity guests.
- The Story Collider. Similar to The Moth but the stories are about science.
What favorites would you add to the list?
Image: Flickr member Michal Osmenda licensed for use under Creative Commons


Shaw's Original Fir...
I LOVE THE MOTH RADIO. I'm a writer and love stories. I have been so happy since I discovered The Moth. I just can't get enough. Highly recommend...it's like a free gift for yourself.
Two comedy suggestions: Uhh Yeah Dude and How Was Your Week.
(These are a lot less NPR than the ones listed in the post. Which I like too, don't get me wrong.)
I love a lot of the ones you listed and WTF with Marc Maron.
I also like How To Do Everything, Freakonomics Radio, Stuff You Should Know (by HowStuffWorks), Grammar Girl, and if you are spiritual, Joyce Meyer.
The Nerdist is fabulous. Love Chris Hardwick
Also to check out:
- The Dinner Party Download: Cool happenings in the world and in the world of food. Charming, witty, informational--and of course, the History Lesson with Booze.
-Enumeration: Two of my friends host this show wherein they make amusing lists and break them down (for example, one episode may be Best Danny DeVito Movies vs Best Basketball Movies, or another might be Worst Disney Character to Be in Real Life vs Best Animal to Be Reincarnated as).
I love Snap Judgement - been liking it more than TAL lately. Tried to listen to TED Talks which is on the list, but I feel like without visual aid many of them are hard to understand. Also Intelligence Squared is great.
I listen to about half of these already. Pretty sure I'll like the other half too! Thanks for the round-up.
I highly recommend Throwing Shade starring Bryan Safi and Erin Gibson. It is hilarious!
Monday Morning Podcast with Bill Burr. Love it!
Radiolab is the best, hands down. Anyone who hasn't heard it, prepare to have your world become brighter and full of infinite curiosity and mystery.
Thanx for all the great additions. I love a lot of these also (I was debating making it a top 20 ;)
And I can't wait to try out the ones I don't know.
I will second the moth, TAL, and Stuff you should know. I am downloading all the others now! YES!
ChecK out RISK they do great storytelling. And, of course, WTF with Marc Maron. Best interviews I've ever heard.
Podcasts for when you don't have connectivity, but when you do, go for BBC Radio--so many channels, so much fab programming.
Adam Carolla's podcast by far is the best...but I don't think this website is his demographic. Ira Glass was on Adam's live podcast shows...worst guess ever.
My favorite has to be: The Tobolowsky Files. Actor, Stephen Tobolowsky (Groundhog Day, Memento, Glee, etc.) is such a brilliant story teller.
the pod f tompkast by comedian paul f tompkins is brilliant and hilarious
http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-pod-f.-tompkast/id385372276
I know this might not go down so well with many listeners, but if you don't get offended easily and want a good laugh then listen to, Sick and Wrong! Hilarious.
Answer Me This and the BBC Friday Night Comedy Podcast are both great. And I have to plug my extremely silly history-themed panel show, Actually Happening: www.itsactuallyhappening.com
For film lovers, check out Filmspotting and Mark Kermode and Simon Mayo's film reviews on BBC. Happy to see several podcasts new to me to check out.
I love all of these, and I also love Tank Riot (tankriot.com). 3 guys from WI that tackle a wide variety of topics.
I second the recomendation for Uhh Yeah Dude. I've been listening for years and I find myself using the "UYD" vernacular in real life..."trust"
Love this list, gives me a lot to look forward to, thanks!
I've been listening to the TED Talks which I often find inspiring; Alice 97.3's Secret Show (not exactly highbrow but usually fun and it's local); and The Actor's Studio (I learn a fair amount about the craft of writing, for stage/screen, from the actor's perspective). One thing I've been enjoying, on KCEA (local radio station that plays big band music), are the old murder mystery serials - starring actors like Alan Ladd - but I haven't yet found a podcast or CD version to carry along during my travels.
This is a great list. If you are also into cooking I would say download anything from Heritage Radio.
I like Hot Grease & Let's Eat In.