In the dark ages of backpacking we carried heavy coffee stained paperback books, to while away the weary hours spent sitting in departure lounges, and huddling in tents when it rained.
Gladly those sad days are gone. Now you can carry all the rainy-day entertainment you need on your phone.
One of my favourite things to do when I’m bored is listen to podcasts. They are easy to access, quick to download, and free.
If you’re an apple person, you subscribe to podcasts through Itunes. If you’re an Android like me, you use an app like Podkicker Pro. You find the podcasts you love, and set up your app to download new episodes when they come online.
A couple of years ago, I did my first ‘top list’ of podcasts. Since then I have discovered heaps more cool shows, so the time has come for another hit parade. I love all the podcasts in this list, and I think you will too. Enjoy!
#7
Criminal
Stories of people who’ve done wrong, been wronged, or been caught somewhere in the middle.
Fascinating stories told with an irresistible mix of dispassionate curiosity and macabre voyeurism. If you love true-crime stories, you’ll love Criminal.
Ever wonder how inflatable men came to be regular fixtures at used car lots? Curious about the origin of the fortune cookie? Want to know why Sigmund Freud opted for a couch over an armchair?
99% Invisible is about all the thought that goes into the things we don’t think about — the unnoticed architecture and design that shape our world. With 80 million downloads, 99% Invisible is one of the most popular podcasts on iTunes.
Host Stephen Dubner has surprising conversations that explore the riddles of everyday life and the weird wrinkles of human nature — from cheating and crime to parenting and sports. Dubner talks with Nobel laureates and provocateurs, social scientists and entrepreneurs.
Turn the world on it’s side, and unravel your assumptions about the way society functions. Check out Freakonomics.
The weirdness that goes on in the realms of science, drugs, death, religion, politics, and medicine. Well of course there’s plenty of weirdness going on. It’s human behaviour we’re talking about here, so the rabbit hole is deep and dark. Take a walk on the wonky side with Here Be Monsters.
Want to learn how to travel the world on $10/day?
Get your FREE e-book: The Travel Hackers Handbook.
The Allusionist is a podcast about language and etymology. Each episode, host Helen Zaltzman examines the meaning, provenance, and function of a different English word.
It’s funny, quirky, informative, and British.
For a logophile like me, The Allusionist really scratches the brain itch.
#2
The Heart
This podcast – formerly known as ‘Audio Smut’ – is an audio art project and podcast about intimacy and humanity.
If you like the experience of softly spoken feminists murmuring in your ears about sex, sensuality and romance, then The Heart is gonna get you off.
#1
Mortified
This is some of the funniest shit on the WWW.
Grown men and women get up in front of a live audience, and read aloud from their teenage diaries. Insecurity, masturbation, public humiliation, acne, bullying and lust: nothing is sacred, and nothing is held back.
Makes you so glad you aren’t a teenager any more, but also so happy that teenagers meticulously record every volatile drama of their tiny lives.
Squirm with horror and joy and be Mortified.
>> Want to read about more awesome podcasts?
