Obsession: Podcasts

Screen Shot 2013-03-09 at 4.34.23 PMHello, my name is Erica and I am addicted to NPR podcasts. I have had an iPod forever, but it was pretty recent that I figured out how to load podcasts (and subscribe to them). Yeah, a failing of mine is only learning partial usage of devices (an applications) and then getting much less out of them than I could, but that’s a sad story for another day! So back to the podcasts.

After being super envious of Molly’s long runs “with” Ira Glass, I downloaded some This American Life and a bunch of other shows. Over the holidays, I listened to a few shows that totally stuck with me and that I have mentioned a bunch of times in various conversations and contexts. They were so good in fact that I ran extra miles to keep listening in a VERY hilly area- if you need some extra motivation.

Screen Shot 2013-03-09 at 3.30.45 PMI am interested in body image, so I downloaded a Third Coast Festival’s RE:SOUND #69: THE BODY IMAGE SHOW. I did not read the description, but it is: “This hour: a very personal take on a rare subculture, a young man forced to confront his obesity, a dinner with unabashed nudists, and more.”

The first story was a complete surprise to me, but was fascinating. It was called “Wannabes” by Kath Duncan (Radio Eye, ABC, 1999). “Wannabes, in this case, refers to people who feel abnormal in their bodies — so much so that they voluntarily disable themselves. Producer Kath Duncan, who was born physically disabled, takes an admittedly personal interest in this story.” I was expecting a podcast about plastic surgery and this story was about people who felt they were supposed to be disabled and many that literally disabled themselves. It was told from the perspective of someone who was born with a significant disability (a charming Aussie radio producer). It is a must hear!

The remainder of the show contains 3 other great (and completely different stories):
> “Saying Goodbye to Food” by Rocky Tayeh and Kaari Pitkin (WNYC’s Radio Rookies, 2007) about a young man who was extremely overweight and the changes he made in his life.
> “War News Radio: Young at War (excerpt)” by Elizabeth Threlkeld (War News Radio, 2006)
An excerpt of a story of two girls in Iraq for whom body image and plastic surgery have become extremely important, albeit for two very different reasons.
> “Naked Dinner” by Gwen Macsai
“A story not about body consciousness but the lack of body consciousness. Or the attempt at lack of body consciousness. While naked. In a restaurant.” [OMG – can you imagine?!]

Another podcast I loved is the RE:SOUND #168 THE 2012 SHORTDOCS SHOW. Gwen Macsai and Julie Shapiro spin some of our favorite stories from the 2012 Third Coast ShortDocs Challenge

I love short stories; The best stories can capture your attention and build memorable characters with few words. Like my favorite short stories, these 3 minute stories are so unique and so compelling. I loved hearing how the narrators used the rules in fundamentally different ways. The stories were so vivid and amazing. I don’t know how they chose winners! Another must hear!

logo-v5The last podcast that I shared a bunch is from This American Life: 483: Self-Improvement Kick. The description on the web is a great summary: “A perfectly normal guy gets rid of everything he owns, changes his name, says goodbye to his friends — and begins walking. In the name of peace. And Honduran government officials try to heal their corrupt country by starting a perfect city, from scratch. For the new year, we bring you stories about how far some people go in hopes of a better life.

I also love podcasts from Freakomonics (like this one from Marketplace – When Negative is a Positive), Radio Diaries and TED Talks.

What are your favorite podcasts? Please share links in the comments!