I'm now listening to:
- https://99percentinvisible.org/
- https://changelog.com/master
- https://darknetdiaries.com/
- https://hbr.org/2018/01/podcast-dear-hbr
(edit: spacing)
There are many themes: science, philosophy, art, and more. I've only listened to about 12 episodes of philosophy and science. It is hosted by Melvyn Bragg. The guests are a selection of academics with deep subject matter expertise. Bragg is a seasoned radio broadcaster and is brilliant at moderating the programme. I agree with this description Bragg's hosting by an English journalist:
"Bragg gives short shrift to pretension of any kind, while remaining stalwart in his search for knowledge. His methodology in In Our Time is... not unlike that of a man throwing a stick for a dog: he chucks his questions ahead, and if the chosen academic fails to bring it right back, he chides them. He retains enough of his bluff Cumbrian origins not to be taken in by gambolling and tweedy high spirits."
As a sampling, listen to this episode[2], Photosynthesis. (I was pleasantly surprised to hear Nick Lane, a molecular biologist and an excellent science writer.)
Another episode (from 2016) I recently heard, and enjoyed, was the Epic of Gilgamesh[3].
[1] https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b006qykl
I listen to a lot of podcasts, in alphabetical order:
A Million Little Gods <- Serious but accessible philosophy discussions, Season 2 was an absolutely mind-blowing discussion of "race"
Bundyville <- Limited series about the far-right movement in the western USA
Fandible <- Personal favourite actual-play RPG podcast, geeky but I love it
Freakonomics Radio <- I resisted at first because of the brand name, but the general content is so good.
Functional Design in Clojure <- Exactly what it says, works surprisingly well as a podcast. I really appreciate that it's "intermediate-level", and really focused on "how do you build real software"
Lexicon Valley <- Incredible and well-presented linguistics topics w/ some idiosyncratic music choices thrown in
JS Party <- from the same folks that make changelog. I honestly don't listen to every episode after the change in format after the incredible Season 1, but I stay subscribed and listen when the topic grabs my attention.
Sinica <- I came for the China content, but I stayed because these are the smartest conversations I hear about any topic anywhere.
Software Engineering Radio <- I don't listen to every episode, but it's good when it's good, mentioned by a few other commenters.
Stuff You Missed in History Class <- well worth an archive binge, there's a LOT of fascinating content deep inside.
This American Life <- I still listen even though I don't live in America anymore. :-)
History of English - why do we speak the way we do? https://historyofenglishpodcast.com/
- Bio is eating the world https://a16z.com/bio-eats-world-podcast/
Nonetheless, humanity shines through in his conversations. I'd say this podcast is more about human condition through economics. Cannot recommend it enough. Some of my favs
[Mindbody problem, freewill](https://www.econtalk.org/john-horgan-on-mind-body-problems/)
[Healthcare](https://www.econtalk.org/christy-ford-chapin-on-the-evolutio...)
[Transaction cost and a mental model for uber/airbnb](https://www.econtalk.org/michael-munger-on-sharing-transacti...)
Lex Fridman Podcast: He has interesting guests and a good vibe. Some don't like his monotone voice, I love it, each to their own.
Psychiatry and Psychotherapy (with David Puder) : He's a fantastically empathetic and inquisitive Pyschiatrist who provides a fascinating window into his field. I think there is a lot the layperson can learn about empathy, communication and insight from listening to the experiences of the pros. However as a layperson you may want to skip the ones that go into different pharmaceuticals. I would say his podcast is intended for the medical community but they are very accessible to you and me as well.
Sinica : If you are interested in China from the perspective of people who are intimate with the actual perspectives of the Chinese (and not those of the western idea of what China is) then this is the podcast for you. After spending a little time in China, I found the mainstream western media portrayal did not match up with the reality on the ground.
Love and Radio (With Nick Van Der Kolk): If you love exploring the fringe, the weird and the exceptional then this one is for you.
The Hamish and Andy Podcast: Australian mainstream, but amazing all the same. I hope it exports to you well.
Freakonomics : https://freakonomics.com/
Dan Snow's HistoryHit : https://www.historyhit.com/podcast/dan-snows-history-hit/
Pod Save America is pretty funny with high production value if you’re like-minded with their politics. Former Obama staff members, so it’s very much an echo chamber, but still an entertaining way to stay on top of recent events. Also by Crooked Media is a daily 15min show What A Day, mostly very lighthearted and fun.
Tara Brach and Jack Kornfield’s podcasts are cool if you’re interested in guided meditations with Buddhist philosophy/dharma talks, as opposed to “just” guided meditations from Headspace etc. More rooted in American/Vipassana secular-ish Buddhism.
My gf pursuing psychiatry turned me on to Psychology In Seattle, which is really eye opening to me to hear about clinical work. Learned a lot about empathy from that one.
The Lyft Mobile podcast is also a great peek into what it’s like to work on their amazing team (I left recently).
Personally:
Peter Attia - Drive: I pay 15$ a month this is, I have gotten so many actionable tips from it.
Tim Ferris Show: Amazing interviewer.
Jocko Podcast: Best leadership podcast I’ve come across. No fluff.
Indie Hackers: like hearing about people making an independent living off software.
Python__init__: One of a couple programming podcasts.
50 things that made the modern economy.
[0]: https://malicious.life/episode/jan_sloots_data_compression_s...
- Coffee with Butterscotch
- Crime Junkie
- Stuff You Should Know
- Serial
I've tried listening to some engineering/tech podcasts, but honestly I've grown more and more fatigued with anything tech beyond the 8 hours of work.
Two business consultants to creative design firms, with rules that should be applicable to tech. Topics: positioning, pricing, negotiating, managing the form, etc
Blair Enns and David C. Baker.
Radical Personal Finance;
David Tennant Does a Podcast With
Have to get out of my tech head sometimes!
Dan snow history
Gossipmongers - nonsense
Sopranos
Invest Like the Best
Conversions with Tyler
chatwithtraders.com
Software Engineering Radio
The Changelog
The Amp Hour
Acquired
99% invisible
The Moth
Software Developer‘s Journey
- History of English
- The Dollop
99 Percent Invisible
What Trump Can Teach Us About Con Law
Hidden Brain
FiveThirtyEight Politics
Poetry Unbound
Conversations with Tyler
Reply All
The Numberphile Podcast
Exponent
The Anthropocene Reviewed (on Hiatus)
Rationally Speaking