Podcasts

     Podcasting is quickly overtaking radio as the preferred method people listen to music and talk radio. Users upload content from different websites including iTunes, Sound Cloud, and individual artists' websites. One of the main reasons people are turning to podcasts instead of radio is convenience. Instead of listening and hoping to hear something entertaining, people can load them on electronic devices and listen to exactly the subject matter they wish to hear.

        Every person with a smartphone can download these shows to their devices and listen to them at their convenience.  These shows also offer anyone the ability to make a show that revolves around their own interests and have a chance to attract listeners who are interested in the same material. Very specific and creative concept shows have come about because of the easy access anyone has to post their thoughts in this format.

        Comedy is my personal favorite genre of podcast. Shows like Comedy Bang Bang bring in guest comedians on every show. This mixture of guests gives the show create acts of improvised comedy that simply can’t be recreated because the show travels along with the hosts and guests mixture of personalities and comedic styles.

      Another great sub-genre is Edutainment. Edumacation is a show that pairs stoner director and comedian Kevin Smith with self-proclaimed genius Andy McElfresh to tackle scientific subjects such as photographic memory. In this particular episode they examine tests done by scientists to come to a conclusion that any recorded case of photographic memory is invalid. For example, they tested chess players who claimed to have photographic memory. When they put chess pieces on a board in orders allowed in chess, the participants could remember the pieces' locations. When the pieces were placed sporadically on the board in patterns not allowed the subjects could not recall the placement. The only other test that seemed feasible was debunked by the fact the scientist involved made his wife the subject of the experiment. He claimed he could prove she had photographic memory but never allowed the test to be recreated with her.

     There are also many self-help type podcasts that are very popular. The Nerdist podcast brings in popular actors and creators to explain their experiences in the entertainment industry. This offers a glimpse for any Hollywood hopefuls into the real inner working of their industries. The Nerdist also offers live shows in which the audience is called upon to question the shows cast and guest stars. These interactions really branch into some interesting conversations between people who generally wouldn’t be able to interact. These shows often rely on social media to interact with the audience when not taping live.

     Ted Talks is a podcast that offers “life hacks” shortcuts to make you achieve certain goals, like resetting your internal clock. A person may have to adjust their sleep schedule to accommodate a new job or a changing schedule. Adjusting naturally to a new sleep schedule can take months, but a hack can significantly reduce the time this takes. If a person avoids eating for sixteen hours before sleeping, the person's body will adjust its internal clock instantly.

     Interaction is the main goal on the podcast “How did this get made”. Listeners are told the week before what movie is going to be covered on the podcast. They are informed they should watch these comically terrible movies so they can listen to comedians rip into the horrible plots and be “in” on the joke.

     Podcasts offer a wide variety of shows aimed at specific interests. All a person needs to produce a podcasts is a loose concept and a recording device. Practically anyone from anywhere can start a successful show.