You've heard about the benefits of audiobooks, but did you also know that podcasts are a great way to practice your language skills and learn new vocabulary? Read on for suggestions of excellent podcasts to follow and enjoy (in no particular order)!
1. Can I Pet Your Dog?
Now, I did say that these were in no particular order, and I meant it. However, this is far and away my favorite podcast of all time. Seriously. I love these folks. This is a podcast that is more than a podcast; it is a community. Is that community obscenely happy? Yes. Is that community filled with crazy dog people? Absolutely. Is that community a joy-filled way to start your day? Most definitely.
In brief, it is a podcast by two women who are unashamedly obsessed with dogs. Big dogs, little dogs, all dogs all the time. Personally, I don't even have a dog right now (two cats), and I still love this podcast. I learn about various dog breeds, dog news, and dog tech, and I start my mornings with two of the cheeriest, supportive friends in podcast-dom.
Beyond just the podcast, this show also includes very active Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram communities. If you want a place to practice using casual English in a safe, supportive environment, this is it! Everyone in the community is genuinely nice and truly take time to help each other out. Seriously. Why are you still reading my blog? Go listen!
2. Judge John Hodgman
This is also one of those podcasts that reaffirms my faith in humanity. Unlike a lot of courtroom shows, where the audience is supposed to revel in the public shaming of the litigants, Judge John Hodgman gets to know his guests as people. This is not to say he's not funny -- he's hilarious, and he certainly pokes fun at his guests. What's different is that he also pokes fun at himself and his bailiffs.
During the episodes, he uses his crux-finding powers to figure out the root of the disagreement, and his rulings are a genuine attempt to find balance and compassion for both parties. Whether you agree with his rulings or not, no one could argue that he purposefully tries to crush anyone or shame them for what they like. If anything, this show revels in the weird dads, the foolish youths, and the pedantic.
If you want to learn about some popular culture, have a good laugh, and also take a moment to really think about how to balance the needs and conflicting desires of two people, this is the show for you. It's funny, it's poignant, and it's sweet. It's perfect for that evening commute after a long day of frustrating coworkers! Check it out!
3. The Allusionist
Word nerds, assemble! If you're on my site, you're either interested in the English language for its own sake or you're trying to improve your use of the English language. For both groups, this podcast is for you! With a lovely wry wit, Helen Zaltzman explores the nuances and oddities of English grammar, vocabulary, usage, and etymology.
These episodes are short, usually only about 15 minutes. This means that they are perfect for those moments when you're bored, but you won't be waiting long. In that time, you'll have a few laughs, learn a lot about the English language, and come away with a greater appreciation for the playfulness of linguistics.
My advice? Listen during your morning commute and try to use some of the words you've learned during the day. You'll be surprised how quickly your vocabulary will grow!
4. Oh No, Ross and Carrie!
If you like to learn about the strange and bizarre parts of culture, this is the podcast for you! Each week, Ross and Carrie try out something weird so that you and I don't have to. They investigate and participate in pseudoscience and report back on what they experience.
This podcast is great if you want to learn vocabulary about the fringe elements of culture. It is also great if you want to learn lots of American slang and even (gasp!) curse words. This podcast is generally NSFW, so be sure to listen among a friendly, adults-only audience. Still, not every day needs to be spent learning academic vocabulary -- a bit of spice is nice too!
For me, this podcast is great at any time of day. I personally love this podcast because I think Ross and Carrie have great insights into their experiences. They have a nice balance of objective reporting and subjective evaluation of their own reactions to the services they try. Is it scientific? Not at all ... but then again, neither are the claims they're investigating!
5. Serial
What can I say that hasn't already been said about this podcast? Probably not much. This is the podcast that brought podcasts into the mainstream, and it was my own first foray into the world of podcasts. After Season One, I was hooked and started digging into as many podcasts as I could find. The ones you've been reading about here are the product of that search (with a few duds left out ... if you can't say anything nice, etc.)
If you enjoy learning about true crime and enjoy high-quality journalism, this is a good place to start. Certainly, these broadcasts have caused significant controversy, so you can find almost as many people who hate this podcast as people who love it. In my opinion, whether you hate or love what the journalists conclude, you have to admire the skills needed to craft such an engaging narrative.
Given that I always advise students of English to read newspapers and keep up with current events, this podcast is a great way to dig a bit deeper into a few key headlines. It combines lovely casual speaking with a more formal, journalistic style.
6. Shmanners
This is another great podcast from the Maximum Fun family! For this podcast, husband and wife
team Travis and Theresa McElroy explore the history and application of etiquette for modern, everyday situations. To be frank, this is a relatively young podcast, so some episodes are stronger than others (I particularly enjoyed their episode about the Wedding Party). However, on balance, this is a really fun podcast to follow that has a lot of great history and vocabulary.
Of the two hosts, Theresa is certainly the calmer and more serious in her approach to the etiquette history. However, she also has a nice, light attitude towards applying that potentially old-fashioned etiquette for the modern age. Moreover, she and Travis have a truly sweet relationship, and it's fun to hear them banter. If you fell in love with Travis McElroy from his time on Can I Pet Your Dog? then you will be happy to find him here again.
7. Bullseye
This podcast is a joint venture between NPR and the Maximum Fun family. In it, Jesse Thorn (America's podcast sweetheart) looks at the best of the best in culture. The interviews are
thoughtful, and his genuine interest in his guests is palpable. Even well-known public figures find themselves revealing new facets of their lives and personality when on Bullseye.
While these episodes are on the longer side, they generally contain two rather discrete sections, so you could listen to them in chunks depending on your time. Personally, I usually have one guest that is more interesting to me than the other, but I'm always glad to learn about both.
Basically, if you love popular culture AND being the first to discover some new talent, this is the show to follow. My advice -- listen on your ride home. It might be a bit too thoughtful for an early morning commute.
8. The Memory Palace
If you want to listen to amazing tiny stories and you don't want to worry about "catching up" with a
show that's been on for a long time, this is the podcast for you! As a member of the Radiotopia family, this is an extremely high quality podcast. Moreover, Nat DiMeo has a lot of experience working in public radio, so he's got a great voice!
Here, you can find short, short stories about the past that will break your heart, blow your mind, or change your life. Seriously. These are great!
At only a few minutes long, each of these self-contained stories is perfect for those random moments of downtime. Sipping morning coffee, waiting in line at the post office, or just walking to get the mail -- this is the answer to your boredom.
9. The Truth
Here is another podcast that is all about storytelling, The Truth harkens back to the best of audio fiction. Unlike most other podcasts, the producers of this series combine spoken word, sound effects, and excellent writing to create dramatic narratives.
There are definitely times that I'm not in the mood to simply listen to a bunch of strangers talking. In those instances, I need a bit more pizzaz to keep me engaged. This series provides all the fun of a movie and all the portability of your smart phone.
The production value is pretty high, so these stories are definitely worth your time -- and they're free! It's a steal, to be honest.
10. The Classic Tales Podcast
I've mentioned this podcast before, true. But that was when I was talking about audiobooks! Can I
double-dip? Why not?! It's my blog. Therefore, I decree that The Classic Tales Podcast is a must-follow podcast and worthy of this list.
BJ Harrison is an excellent narrator with a real respect for the tone and style of these traditional stories. However, he also performs them in such a way as to make them come alive for modern audiences. Most of what he performs is in the public domain, which means it is even more of a treat to get a high-quality performance of them for free.
Whether you think of it as an audiobook or a podcast, listen to it. You won't regret it, and you'll learn some old-fashioned vocabulary and expressions!
So, have I convinced you yet? Any thoughts on these podcasts? What are you favorites? Discuss in the comments below.