These are a few of my favorite thi...uh, podcasts.

Ok, So I guess it is time to start really getting this blog going. I had a conversation today with a colleague today who had asked "what's up with this podcast thing?"

Are they radio shows? (Yes) Are they amateur radio shows? (Sometimes) How do I listen to them...and so on. After going over some stuff with him, I suggested a few for him to start with. Obviously these are geared towards my interests, but I think overall they are shows in which a number of people would be interested. All of these I look forward to with great anticipation.

The New England Skeptics Society sponsors the Skeptics Guide to the Universe. This is a weekly show which uses a panel format to discuss issues related to science, pseudo-science, and all things skeptical. The show is hosted by Steven Novella, MD, an academic neurologist at Yale University. Each show covers news, e-mails, an interview, and a little game show called "Science or Fiction" where 3 news items are read, and the panel needs to figure out which of the three is fiction. (My record at Science or Fiction is not very good.)

NPR sponsors a number of podcasts, my favorite of which is All Songs Considered. Bob Boilen hosts this online radio show covering new releases and old releases you might have missed in various genres of music. While his tastes do not always line up with mine, he is probably one of the best hosts out there reviewing music. His knowledge is incredible, and the references he makes are both at times obscure and right on. The podcast does not play the entire show which can be heard online, but includes snippets of all songs with the between song banter. Currently the 2007 year in review is up. These review shows, happen every 6 months or so and are always entertaining. Boilen includes several colleagues from various publications, all of whom obviously know their stuff. It's like sitting in a room and listening to the conversation as a group of friends make fun of each others picks and misses for the year. Again, you don't always agree, but every show offers something new, and every other show gives me something that I look for. Recent interests from the show include Arcade Fire and Okkerville River.

Astronomy Cast is a podcast focusing on Astronomy news and interests...and as they say at the beginning of the show, "what we know and how we know it." Frasier Cane from Universe Today and Pamela Gaye from University of Southern Illinois recently finished a field trip through the solar system, spending 1 show on each planet, 2 extra shows on the moons of Jupiter and Saturn, a show on Pluto and the Kuiper Belt, and then a show about what lies beyond that (which I have not yet heard yet, or I would have stated that last bit with a little more articulation.) These two have helped me remember why I was so interested in space when I was little, growing up in the 70's. Sure there was the whole NASA and the space program, but I had real interest beyond that until I discovered girls.

This American Life is one of the best radio shows on the air right now. I always missed it as I don't usually listen to the radio at home, however, with the podcast version, I can listen when I want to, and have time. Each week the producers of This American Life take a topic and explore it from various perspectives. Topics I've heard include birthdays, love, Harold Washington, and teaching/learning. Almost every show makes me laugh, and makes me tear up. Radio at its finest.

Finally WNYC's RadioLab. I always think about how various media tackle the idea of "multimedia". By definition it means words with music with Pictures, with whatever...but what happens when you go all hypertext aurally? RadioLab. These guys do an amazing job on helping you "see" the topic with your ears. Through sound effects, and tape loops (that probably aren't on tape anymore) and many other techniques they explore a specific topic. Typically a science show (for instance how does memory work), they do cover other topics as well sometimes. One of the few shows that I actually archive so I can listen to them again, or share them with friends.

Give these a listen. 4 hours of some of the best media you are going to find, and worth every minute.