I love podcasts. I listen to a wide variety of podcast genres ranging from Apple related (big surprise) to TV and Sports podcasts. I typically catch up on them during my commute to work in the morning. Being able to stream podcasts via Bluetooth and use the steering wheel controls is such a luxury. I've been asked before what specific podcasts I listen to so I figured I would share the podcasts, app and hardware I use to listen.
The Podcasts
I subscribe to 43 podcasts ranging from technology to sports. My favorite podcasts are actually part of two "podcast networks". The Relay FM network and TWIT networks host some fantastic podcasts and I encourage you to go through them and check out some that fit your style.
Here are some of my favorite podcasts with links to each:
Nerdist - The Nerdist Podcast is a weekly interview show "about what it really means to be a nerd" hosted by Web Soup, Talking Dead, and @midnight host Chris Hardwick.
The Bugle - The Bugle is a monthly (formerly weekly) satirical news podcast, hosted by John Oliver and Andy Zaltzman.
The Cipher - The Cipher is the critically acclaimed hip-hop podcast formerly known as Outside the Lines With Rap Genius.
Connected - Connected is a weekly panel discussion on Apple and the impact of technology on our lives. With each co-host having a unique background — and accent — Connected provides a perspective that no other show can.
Mac Power Users - Learn about getting the most from your Apple technology with focused topics and workflow guests. Creating Mac Power Users, one geek at a time since 2009.
ESPN NBA Lockdown - ESPN's NBA Lockdown covers all of the latest news, rumors and opinion in the NBA with ESPN's team of experts.
MacBreak Weekly - MacBreak Weekly is a weekly show hosted by Leo Laporte that premiered on August 12th, 2006 as an audio spinoff of MacBreak, a PixelCorps production that focuses on discussion of Apple news, products and rumors.
The Talk Show - Started in 2009 and originally co-hosted with John Gruber and Dan Benjamin the podcast featured conversations and commentary on current trends (mainly in tech) between the two hosts.
Solid Steel Podcast - The Solid Steel radio show started in 1988 on London's pirate KISS FM radio station. Matt Black and Jonathan More, having started with separate shows, joined forces to present Solid Steel a few years before the station finally went legal.
Stones Throw Podcast - Music from Stones Throw and the Stones Throw DJs. Archive available at stonesthrow.com.
Ninja Tune Podcast - The official Ninja Tune podcast featuring exclusive interviews and upcoming music from the artists of Ninja Tune and its sister label Big Dada, including the likes of Amon Tobin, Beat Spacek, Bonobo, The Bug, Dorian Concept, FaltyDL, Kate Tempest, Kelis, Machinedrum, Martyn, Mr Scruff, Portico, Romare, Roots Manuva, Wiley and Young Fathers.
You can download a full list of my podcasts in OPML format which will import into your podcast app of choice here.
The App
I use an iPhone 6 to listen to my podcasts. You can use the built in podcast app that comes with iOS which works fine or you can use one of the many third party apps. My app of choice is Pocketcasts due to it's slick UI, episode filters and the ability to download and stream episodes. The app never crashes and as an added bonus offers push notifications for new episodes. The notifications are interactive so you can either add the episode to your up next queue or start the download in the background. Shifty Jelly offers a web player version of Pocketcasts that comes with a free 14 day trial and will ultimately set you back a one time payment of $9. Headphone controls are supported for your favorite headphones or earbuds of choice that have controls attached to them. This also works in the car with my steering wheel controls.
You can download the app from the AppStore here for $4.99.
The Hardware
My headphones of choice are the Bose SoundTrue In-Ear Earbuds. Good combination of clarity, bass and comfort. When I listen around the house I use Photive's CYREN low cost bluetooth speaker from Amazon. I like this speaker due to it's form factor (which is similar to a Jambox) and more importantly the sound quality. It also has controls on the speaker itself to play/pause, skip tracks and engage Siri.
If you have any questions regarding my podcast workflow please feel free to leave a comment below.