Must-listen Podcasts (2018 ed.)

27 November 2018 #

Every year or two, I used to publish a list of podcasts that I was currently enjoying. I axed those posts when I moved my blog earlier this year, since they were pretty out of date. However, it is time to resurrect them with a new version. For some of the shows below, I’ve simply copied out what I wrote about them previously, but there are some new entries in the list as well. My tastes tend to be cyclical, so some shows come and go. Those below comprise a mix of ones which have stood the test of time for me, or are currently at the top of my must-listen priority list. I hope you can find something you’ll enjoy as well among these gems.

The Accidental Tech Podcast Is a Technology Discussion Show Hosted by the Incomparable Marco Arment, John Siracusa, and Another Guy. (Just Kidding, We All Know Who You Are Now, Casey Liss).
Upgrade is another Apple-centric podcast hosted by Jason Snell and Mike Hurley. It’s also a great listen.
Automators digs deep into automation on various platforms, including macOS and iOS. It’s just too good! Even experienced users will learn a thing or two from this show, but its also a great place to start if you’re just becoming interested in automation.
The History Chicks is simply the best history podcast out there—at least as far as I’m concerned, and I listen to quite a few of them. Each episode focuses on a different woman from any part of history, giving tons of context, background, and tidbits that will keep you coming back for more. I find history podcasts to be kind of addictive in the first place, and this is the best of that genre.
Everything Is Alive is an interview-style show with one tremendous difference: all of the guests are inanimate objects. Seriously, it’s great. Go listen to it. Right now.
99 Percent Invisible explores the world of design, whether that’s architecture, clothing, musical instruments, coins, or anything else under the sun. It is fascinating.
GrammarGirl provides tips and tricks for writing, not always restricted to just grammar. Mignon Fogarty has been doing this successfully since the early days of podcasting, and is there any wonder why? This show is a fantastic resource that she manages to keep both informative and entertaining.
NPR Ask Me Another is a trivia game show for geeks by geeks, featuring the music of the talented Jonathan Coulton.
Welcome to Night Vale is very, very hard to describe. Essentially, it is an ongoing story and audio drama set in the fictional desert community of Night Vale. The show’s hero is a host on the local radio station, and each episode largely takes place during his broadcasts. The show is both hilarious and creepy. Many have described it in a variety of ways, but I like to say that it seems like what might’ve been the brain child of Stephen King and the Onion. In fact, there’ve been a few Stephen King reference throughout the series thus far. It’s brilliant!

13 November 2018 #

I’m three episodes into the new She-Ra series on Netflix. There are definitely elements I would have done differently, but on the whole I’m thoroughly enjoying it. ⚔️

11 November 2018 #

My 7-year-old self makes a brief appearance in this great video about She-Ra. ⚔️

Josh meets She-Ra and Glimmer at Universal Studios, 01/01/1986.

10 September 2018 #

New She-Ra teaser trailer is here. ⚔️🙌🏻

14 August 2018 #

🔖 Fascinating. 🤨🖖🏽 — BREAKING: Ethan Peck Cast As Spock On ‘Star Trek: Discovery’ Season 2

7 August 2018 #

Parallel #1 is just too good! Hosted by Shelly Brisbin and guest starring Larry Skutchan and Stephen Hackett, tech royalty in their respective fields. I loved every single second of it. And dammit! Stephen continues to make me want to collect old Apple computers. 😱

3 August 2018 #

I am so excited to see Parallel join Relay.FM! It’s a fabulous podcast that brings the mainstream and accessibility segments of the tech industry together, hosted by my friend Shelly Brisbin. Check it out! You won’t be disappointed. 🎧🎤

31 July 2018 #

You just could not pay me enough to go skydiving. ✈️😱

21 July 2018 #

And here’s an alternate version of the Haven Divided trailer, narrated for the visually impaired. 📚

21 July 2018 #

Check out and share the official book trailer for Haven Divided! 📚

20 May 2018 #

Between season 2 of Star Trek: Discovery 🖖🏽 and the new She-Ra ⚔️ series, this is the first year with multiple TV shows I am very much anticipating in a vary long time.

19 May 2018 #

🔖 She-Ra and Girl Culture - Kimberly Hirsh

18 May 2018 #

I’m a huge Masters of the Universe fan. I really hope this is good. A new She-Ra series is coming to Netflix!

She-Ra in silhouette with glowing blonde hair and red cape stands on a rock. She holds her sword aloft, and its jewel sparkles. -- A hero will rise. She-Ra and the Princesses of Power

The Great Laugh Track Debate 🤣📺

3 May 2018 #

Episode 305 of 99% Invisible tells the story of the Laff Box, the contraption which was used to generate laugh tracks for TV for decades. It’s a preview of a new podcast called Decoder Ring.

I’m in the modern minority, in that I actually like sitcoms with laugh tracks, but I don’t understand why it has to be an either/or stance. Some people hate laugh tracks; some staunchly support them. I think there is room for both formats on television. Part of what makes I Love Lucy, Three’s Company or Friends so great is that they were all performed before studio audiences, some of the laughs being “sweetened” not withstanding. Those three shows are among my all-time favorite sitcoms, in no small part because the actors are playing to the audience. But I also love The Wonder Years, an early example of a show without a laugh track.

The history of the Laff Box is interesting and entertaining as presented by Decoder Ring. I only wish that it hadn’t been so biased against its use. I don’t think we need to start overlaying a laugh track on The Office or Modern Family, but I don’t think shows should be shying away from it either just because it isn’t in vogue.

21 April 2018 #

🔖 As an avid audiobook fan and someone who enjoys the nostalgia of vinyl, this is so cool. Plus, the book in question is one of my all-time favorites. So fun! 📚 – Audiobook 42 years overdue returned to Johnson County Library

19 April 2018 #

🔖 All I ask is for it to be a good film. – Nee Brothers to direct Masters of the Universe