I listen to more content in the car through podcasts than I do browsing the web while at a desk, its a passive activity that can be done while driving.
yea, I don't think I could concentrate on work while trying to listen to a podcast. I understand people putting talk radio or something similar on, for background noise, but I listen to podcasts specifically for the content, not for noise.
I listen to the One Shot! (comedy rpg) and Critical Success (improv comedy) podcasts while I program and stuff without too much trouble, while keeping up with what's going on. If I have to really stop and focus on something, I'll pause it and set my headphones down, but most of the time I can listen and work simultaneously.
I envy you your ability to do that. I can't even listen to new music, anything novel in my ears distracts me most of the time.
I typically only use white noise. My current favorite is SimplyRain.