5 Podcasts That I'm Listening To Right Now
With the daily commute offering me a lot of free time, I discuss the podcasts I’m listening to right now, why I listen to them, and what I’m getting out of them.
JOHN NICHOLS
AUGUST 07, 2020
I’ll admit; through the lockdown period, I stopped listening to podcasts entirely. I used to dabble in podcasts during my bus commute to and from work, but being furloughed put an end to my hour of daily consumption and made me podcast-less for a few months.
Since returning to work a few weeks ago, I decided that, rather than take the bus, I’d walk to and from work each day. Nothing to do with wariness of public transport (although I can completely understand people feeling this way), but the walk, 3.3 miles each way, offers me time to think, clear my mind, and gives me at least two hours each day to delve into some auditory goodness.
I’ve had a back catalogue of episodes to catch up on, a lot of new podcasts to check out, and a few shows which are no longer in my rotation. With only two hours a day to listen, I’ve had to chop and choose which shows I think are worth my time and that I can keep up-to-date with on a regular basis. The podcasts featured below are ones that I have listened to for quite some time, and have earned a regular spot on my rotation.
In no particular order, here’s my current top 5.
#1 Cortex
It is ostensibly a podcast about their working lives, but Myke Hurley (serial podcaster) and CGP Grey (YouTube and podcast stalwart) turn what could be a bland concept into both an educational and purely entertaining experience. Whether discussing their current work situations, the trials and tribulations of self-employment, or which ship their Theme System Journals are stuck on this week, Myke and Grey offer a highly-polished experience that I feel is yet to be matched by any podcasting pair to date.
Cortex are noted for introducing two concepts which are now commonplace in podcasting. The first is their State of the Apps series, an annual show in which they catalogue the apps they’re currently using for work, productivity and self-improvement. The second, and perhaps more notable, is their Theme System. This is the concept of setting a theme at the start of every year which dictates your way of thinking, and is used as a guiding principle for self-improvement across the year (see my Yearly Themes here).
Having recently celebrated both their 5th birthday and their 100th episode, Cortex continues to go from strength to strength, and I hope they can make my Monday morning commute every fortnight immeasurably more entertaining for years to come.
#2 HODINKEE Radio
From a fairly general podcast to a hobby-focused one, HODINKEE Radio is a weekly show covering the latest releases, industry news, interviews & more from the world of wristwatches.
HODINKEE is the world’s leading resource for wristwatches, combining top-draw editorial content and breaking news coverage with a frictionless, refined online storefront which functions as an Authorised Dealer for a plethora of watch brands, as well as stocking luxury stationery, books and other items for the discerning collector. Having built this reputation for quality over 10 years, when they announced they were producing a podcast in 2018, I knew they would knock it out of the park.
Hosted by Stephen Pulvirent, Manager of Editorial Products at HODINKEE, each week features a variety of guests from both the HODINKEE team and the wider industry, segmented as a live radio show would be with seamless transitions and industry-leading, well-considered and informative opinions. Whether you have a passing interest in watches or have a collection that fits alongside the world’s best, this podcast, produced to a very high standard, is definitely worth checking out.
#3 The College Info Geek Podcast
A week away from being rebranded as The Inforium, every fortnight, Thomas Frank and Martin Boehme discuss focus, mental & physical wellbeing and practical self-improvement tips, as well as their working lives producing educational YouTube content.
Thomas Frank started the College Info Geek blog in 2010, which quickly grew to one of the biggest online resources to help college and university students through their studies. YouTube videos and the podcast followed in 2013, with notable podcast guests including Cal Newport, Gretchen Rubin and Gary Vaynerchuk. Martin Boehme, long-time friend and colleague became co-host shortly after, and today, their YouTube channel boasts 2 million subscribers, and the podcast has an ever-growing loyal following.
On 27th July, the podcast hit its 300th episode and was officially retired to make way for the Inforium in mid-August, a ship with which to formally move away from student-based content and towards a more all-encompassing audience. Whilst the name has changed, the format will stay largely the same, and as Thomas Frank and Martin Boehme move into a new era, their enthralling, happy-go-lucky personalities will no doubt lead to continued success.
#4 The Test Drivers
Has a new tech product just released, and you’re wondering if it’s worth it? That’s where The Test Drivers come in. Once a fortnight, Myke Hurley (did I mention he’s a serial podcaster?) and Austin Evans (tech YouTuber) discuss both the old and the new in tech, offering stellar, practical advice on everything from phones and laptops to operating systems and next-gen consoles.
A fairly new podcast, having only started in February of this year, The Test Drivers is one of the newest shows from Relay FM, an independent podcast network for the creative, curious and obsessive amongst us. It is quickly growing a devoted fanbase – not a suprise when you consider Myke and Austin’s fantastic chemistry, humour and high production value.
Whether you’re considering a folding phone, the latest laptops or deciding between iOS and Windows, you can count on Myke and Austin to be on the cutting edge with reliable, practical and helpful advice. Before buying the latest high-ticket tech product yourself, see if The Test Drivers have given it a look. It’s likely they’ll have put it through its paces, and they’re a trusted voice you can certainly count on.
#5 WTF1 Podcast
A podcast from one of the leading (and sometimes controversial) voices in Formula 1, the WTF1 Podcast breaks away from the stuffiness of its contemporaries to bring a fresh look at the high-octane sport. Whilst the majority of the episodes revolve around discussing current events, I much prefer their That Time When series, where they discuss the weird, wacky and wonderful stories from F1’s past.
WTF1 is one of the fastest-growing motorsport communities in the world, thanks in large part to their decision to move away from fact-based up-to-date coverage and into more “clickbait-y” content that’s appealing to the younger fans of today. They get a lot of slack for this, as well as generally being over-the-top, but you can’t say they’re not entertaining!
Typically hosted by Matt Gallagher (former YouTuber), this podcast works that fine line between informative and entertaining very well, providing a wonderful insight into the forgotten stories of F1’s past in a casual conversational format. Expect debates, laughs and in-jokes a-plenty – and with all of the That Time When episodes being around half-an-hour long, each minute is as good as the last.
Honourable Mentions:
Bring Back V10s: Effectively The Race making a whole podcast out of WTF1’s That Time When series (with arguably better hosts), the only reason this ranks outside my top 5 is that it’s only 11 episodes old, and hasn’t tackled anywhere near WTF1’s back catalogue. Come back in 12 months, and should The Race keep to a regular schedule, this is sure to become one of my new favourites.
Autosport Podcast: Again, a Formula 1 podcast that focuses on current events, their My Greatest Races series really sticks out for its quality and unique perspective. Here, they bring on ex-F1 drivers to talk about their greatest moments, discussing all the trials and tribulations of the sport and giving a detailed insight into the world of Formula 1, one which the average observer doesn’t get to experience, and which no podcast has yet to go into such depth.
Flashback: Another new venture from the Relay FM network, Stephen Hackett (podcaster and Apple fanatic) and Quinn Nelson (founder of Snazzy Labs) sit down once a fortnight to discuss failed tech products, and what we can learn from them. Covering not just laptops and phones but also apps, smartwatches and even cars, Flashback is an hour of pure curiosity succulence, and whilst we all know that hindsight is 20/20, it’s fascinating to look into how even the world’s top talent slip up in the moment every once in a while.
Special Mentions/Ones To Watch:
Unleashing Potential: Hosted by Lennart Holstein, a student on the EBM degree of which I am an alumni, it shouldn’t take a genius to figure out what this podcast is about! Although currently on hiatus, his back-catalogue is well worth a listen, as Lennart goes through practical tips on everything from mental health & mindset management to habit-building and personal effectiveness, all with the aim of reaching your ultimate potential.
The Sound of Musicals: Waxing lyrical on their favourite musicals, long-time friend James Sumner and his colleague Lucy delve into their opinions on both the good and the bad of their all singing, all dancing interest. From classics such as Phantom of the Opera to, let’s just say “not as popular” outings like the latest iteration of Cats, James and Lucy’s enthusiasm for the medium shines, with humourous and light-hearted critique that is a joy to listen to.
Final Thoughts
For those of you who haven’t tried podcasts yet, or just “aren’t podcast people”, I’d implore you to have a look and see if you can find something that piques your curiosity. Whether you want to hear a pair of comedians read far-fetched stories or two guys sharing their love of pens, there’s something out there for you. On your daily commute, cooking or looking to get some tan in the garden on that one day of British summer? You might be surprised at just how much a podcast can enhance your day. Give it a go!
Published August 7, 2020.