What is a Podcast? (And why should I care?)

Back in the dark ages, circa 2005, I began listening to podcasts. You had to do quite a bit of legwork to find the ones you liked (and even more to transfer them onto your listening device!), but the payoff was great – you could listen to something that you wanted!

I know, right? How quaint. Streaming radio, things like Songza that play to your mood and Pandora that do all sorts of research about genomes (sort of), and it sounds absurd that it took that much work to listen to something you chose.  Podcasts, as you can expect, have come so far in the last decade… so you can imagine my surprise when I launched my own and had so many people tell me it was their first foray into listening to one!

You guys.

You are missing something PHENOMENAL.

Most of your smart phones come permanently equipped with a podcast app, and those that don’t can download one super easily. You kids these days, you have no idea how easy you have it. (I’m talking to you, mom).

But let me back up a bit…

What is a podcast?

From the words “iPod” and “broadcast”, a podcast is most simply some form of audio (usually an mp3) that gets pushed to your listening device after someone (a podcaster) records it.  It’s audio broadcasting over the internet instead of radio waves. But that’s just the most simple description.

One of the coolest features of podcasts is the ability to subscribe, much like you may already do to blogs and other sites. Through various apps (the native iOS Podcast app, Stitcher, Pocketcast, just to name a few) or via iTunes on a desktop system, you can very easily make sure you never miss an episode of your favorite show!

So why should you care?

Because there are podcasts for everyone. Do you want to hear stories or just have someone make you laugh? Learn about photography or fitness? Learn a new language? Discuss Disney or other travel destinations? Figure out why your dog doesn’t listen to you? Or why your kids don’t listen to you? Do you want to find encouragement for that new business you’ve started? Decide whether homeschool is right for your family? Learn about world religion and politics? Do you want an easy way to keep up with sports or the latest gadgets? Your favorite TV show?

Seriously, there are podcasts for everything.

So let me recap, and then you tell me why you shouldn’t be at least somewhat intrigued… :)

• I’m pretty sure there is a podcast for any and every interest. Sure, some are better than others and with some interests you’ll have more to choose from. But the industry is in a resurgence and I think you’ll find more and more resources for whatever it is you want.
• Listening to Podcasts is FREE. Yes, 100% FREE. No money for the apps, no money to subscribe, no credit card required, nothing. FREE.
• Listening to Podcasts is on-demand. Listen when you want, where you want. Running, washing dishes, in the car, in the shower, at work… wherever. Find the topic that interests you when you want to think about it, skip it when you don’t.

Next week, I’m going to share some of my favorite podcasts. I’m warning you, I’m a bit of a podcast junkie. I think you’ll find a few you might dig though, so I wanted to prime the pumps. Go try it out in the meantime, so you’re ready. And let me know what shows YOU find that intrigue you!