My love affair with Podcasts
My first real experience with podcasts, I was sitting on a train leaving Capetown, South Africa headed down to see some penguins. I had the original iPod and a friend had given me a few episodes of This American Life. I sat and looked out the window — enthralled by the story telling and the stunning scenery. After a couple of episodes, I took out my headphones and realized I was completely immersed in a world of Xhosa — the South African click language.
It’s no secret amongst those close to me that I have had trouble sleeping for years — and have tried a number of ways to treat it. A few years ago, I found my best solution. Podcasts.
I find a good podcast to be relaxing and entertaining while informative in some way. My wife says some of my podcasts are so good that they actually keep her awake, but I gave up FOMO (Fear of Missing Out) and know that I can always go back and listen to my favorite podcasts over and over.
This week, I was a featured guest on a new CEO Blog Nation Podcast. I was invited to speak about our work at HR innovate. It was a real treat to speak with the host Gresham (Gresh) Harkless. I’ve always wanted to be calm and collected — like George Zimmer in the How I Built This interview below. I guess I am just a “high energy” person.
I hope you enjoy our conversation.
My Podcast Recommendations
In my interview, I spoke with Gresh about how podcasts help keep me balanced and focused. It’s because I use them as a time for me to relax. Here is a list of my heavy rotation (in no particular order). Happy listening.
How I Built This
A show about start up territory for some of the biggest names. I really like this one with George Zimmer from Men’s Wearhouse.
This American Life
The quintessential radio story. I once heard the writers talk about a “driveway moment” — that moment when you are listening in your car and you pull up to your driveway but don’t want to get out because you have to hear the end. This team nails it every time.
The Moth
Usually pretty amusing. These are stories recorded live by real people — not professional writers. I find it to be very real.
Planet Money
Analyzing world economics. I picked this particular episode because so many of my friends like Magic the Gathering. These episode tend to be shorter than the others on my list.
Radiolab
What can I say? WNYC — the epitome of hip. I feel like I have tried to get you to listen to this before.
S-Town
I really didn’t want to listen to this one. I don’t have a reason why. But as soon as I did — I was hooked. It’s great story telling from our friends at This American Life.
Serial
It;s like the opposite of This American Life — instead of 1 theme with multiple stories — its One story told in depth. There are three season. I recommend settling in with Season One — and call me when you are ready to discuss Adnan.
Snap Judgement
I could never see myself living in New York, but from Sesame Street to Hip Hop — I have always imagined it to be cooler than me.
