Listen to podcasts: why and how
So. Podcasts. You either listen to podcasts or you don’t. Wait, let me explain! It won’t take long. The door to Podcast-land is not obvious or glittering. Yet with just a push and a click, a wonderful world awaits you.
- Podcasts are voice entertainment on demand.
- They’re a strangely personal and satisfying medium.
- You don’t need any extra time: just add enjoyment to the time you have.
- Your eyes are free. Listen while you commute, garden, exercise, drift off to sleep, or muck about in the kitchen or shed.
- Take your pick: stories, news, opinion, comedy, facts, serials, theories, interviews, journals, chat!
- Philosophy, dogs, business, knitting, economics, baking, science, azaleas, books!
- Be entertained, educated, inspired, instructed, enlightened or reassured.
The sheer range of podcasts makes it a thrill to explore. They range in length from 3 minutes to 4 hours. Hosts range from kid-next-door to internationally renowned journalists. Quality ranges from NPR and the BBC to, well, beginners.
Word of mouth is the main way you’ll find good podcasts. And the good old Search button.
A beautiful thing about podcasts
Podcasts are (so far) immune from external, intrusive advertisements. Do you realise what a miracle this is? Many podcasts do include their own ads or promotions as part of their own audio file — but no giant corporation forces its own ads on us at every turn. What a relief! At this stage of our capitalist-digital civilisation, here’s a medium we can listen to at our leisure without pressure.
How do you listen to podcasts on an iPhone?
Multiple ways but here’s the absolute simplest. First, if you use an iPhone, let’s start with that. Why? Because I happen to have one, and because a phone goes in your pocket. The process quickly becomes intuitive. (Android phones use different apps, but they follow similar principles. Top favourite seems to be a long-standing free app, Pocket Casts.)
In Search, type in a topic that interests you or the name of a podcast, say “Learning How To Be Old.” Up pops the appropriate podcast. So far so good!
Listen to an episode by clicking on the arrow by its name.
If you like a podcast, how you can find it instantly next time? FOLLOW it. If you can see a FOLLOW button, click that. Also, three little dots open a menu that includes a FOLLOW (or UNFOLLOW) button. SUBSCRIBE means the same thing. (This has taken much longer to explain than to do!)
How to LISTEN to podcasts
I listen through my hearing aids. That’s a nifty little secret.
She listens through her ear buds in Spin classes.
She is listening to a podcast through ear buds while she cooks.
The all-time number one tip: Ask a friend
Swallow your fears and ask a podcast-following friend or relative to show you how to listen to podcasts.
Two popular apps for non-Apple phones: Try the Spotify app. Try Pocket Casts.
And here’s a good video if you are married to your iPad:
iPad tips for Seniors: How to use Apple Podcast app with Rich Bowlin
If even one person discovers the pleasures of podcasts, I will have done my good deed for the day. Have fun! In the privacy of your own ears!
Rachel – I’m thrilled that you have a podcast. I just followed and will enjoy catching up with you. I love podcasting. I’m now in my 6 season and I have made so many friends over the years, one of them being you. Right now, I’m having conversations with my 93 year old mother on the topic “What does it feel to be 93.” What fun we are having – laughing, crying and everything in between.
Thank you for being a guest on my podcast. This year, I will be going back into the archives and republishing podcasts – one of them will be our conversation. Listeners loved to hear your voice and appreciated the insights that you shared.
I should do that more. Thanks
Only for pleasure 🙂
Absolutely 👍🏼
I used to listen to podcasts a *lot* back when I still commuted regularly too and from work, but once I no longer had to commute — thank goodness — that habit tailed off, as did my listening to audiobooks. 🤷 I did listen to music podcasts for a few years, as an accompaniment while at the computer, but that eventually tailed off too. 😔
I’m going to try again, starting with yours. 😊Mostly at the computer, but I might occasionally listen on my phone so I can share things with my mum and sister.
I’m glad. It’s a simple source of pleasure.
What a great joy it is to be able to listen directly through my hearing aids. However, there ought to be a large illuminated sign on my forehead saying “I CAN’T HEAR YOU!”
Lovely thought. There’s always that pause while you unplug.
I have an app that lets me adjust the relative levels of sound between TV, music, Mac, and speech. It’s magic!
My current favourites are Proof & Is a hotdog a Sandwich (I like talking & listening about Food). I tried searching for your podcast – what is it listed as?
Both so interesting 🙂
Found it – such fun! “learning from a Centenarian”
Love your intro music.
Thank thank thank you Ju-Lyn!
I agree. While I don’t listen regularly, when I do I enjoy it. Any topic and every topic. I became aware of a new one while listening to the ‘experts’ in the Y sauna, ‘The Model Health’ Podcast. I need to give it a listen.
It’s such a simple pleasure. And free!
Podcasts are my go to.
Here’s my latest list, subscribe to any that you think you might enjoy.
https://www.mikeriversdale.co.nz/listening#h.9sqd4mnkhu2r
(I often subscribe to try, give each new podcast 2 or 3 episodes, and the unsubscribe if I notice I’m not listening to anymore. And there’s no downside to doing it that way)
Exactly! Some great podcasts on your playlist, Mike. And my current tag line is “Listen if you might be old one day.”
There are so many good podcasts! I enjoy the Friday Night Comedy while I clean the bathroom. Others I like are Natalie Haynes stands up for the Classics, A History of the World in 100 Objects, and No Such Thing as a Fish. The BBC Woman’s Hour has some good interviews. I can also catch up with Radio NZ programmes I’ve missed. I enjoy hearing young women talking about their lives too. At ‘our age’ it’s nice to hear a perspective which we’ve forgotten we once had!
These are all beauties, each for a different reason.
Podcasts inspire AND are great tools for chilling out. Short stories, interviews are my Go To’s. Julia Louis-Dreyfus (of Seinfeld comedy) has one I just discovered called “Wiser Than Me” where she interviews sage women. Just listened to her interview author Anne Lamott (love her books on writing craft). I also enjoy “Happier” with Gretchen Rubin and “Yoga Nidra” for chilling out.
I am adding yours to my library. Can’t wait to listen, Rachel!
“Wiser than me” is a great title. Of course I will check out your recommendations. Thanks, Susan.
Just discovered you, thanks to the latest Super newsletter.. fascinated to see some old friends commenting from US, from my blog !
I blogged for over ten years, but gave up after the last Word Press format alterations… too much angst trying to get the hang of every new format.
Love the engagement with old age in your blogs, and yet I still refer to myself as ‘older,’ not ‘old’ – I’m just 86 this month!
Met a much younger American on my blog, after two thousand letters, ran off with him two years later, married for eight years, still building our little house in the middle of a protected forest..
Looking forward to following you… and while I’m at it- my favourite podcast is “French Country Life” !
That’s exciting. All of it – the links through your blog! The romance! The house in the forest! As for “older” vs. “old” it’s your call. I have just had business cards made to highlight my podcast and they say, “Listen if you might be old one day.”