Cast-Away with Podcasts
I am have been meaning to write a post along these lines for ages (well since I started my 2013 foray into Hugo voting) and I have definitely discovered a number of the podcasts that I listen to from other peoples blogs and twitters.
So firstly I would like to give a nod to the first podcast I ever listened to in detail.
Napoleon Bonaparte http://napoleonbonapartepodcast.com/
Sound quality was questionable but as I mentioned above it was one of the first podcasts where I listened to every episode from the beginning to the end (and in fact I think I listened to a few twice). It was basically a conversation between two historians charting Napoleon’s life and achievements. It was one of the factors that made me head back to uni to study an Arts Degree (which I am now one subject away from completing). I may never have managed to major in Napoleonic history but it was definitely incredibly inspiring. And in finding the link for this looks like the website still seems to be up and running, and maybe new episodes???
After Napoleon it was a long while before I found another podcast that I loved and listened to religiously. The next one was technically a radio show on Radio National called The Book Show (http://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/bookshow/ Link to current incarnation.) hosted by Ramona Kaval. It was rudely interrupted by changing the host and the format and I have never been able to go back to it. While it was around though it exposed me to a never ending list of amazing novels and short stories to read both old and new, the use of language and the inner workings of writers minds.
Somewhere after this (I know it was after this because the cryostat at work moved and this is where I did a lot of my podcast listening. Now it’s the microscope and the exercise bike) I discovered Infinite Monkey Cage (http://www.bbc.co.uk/podcasts/series/timc) also a radio show from BBC. Science and comedy with a range of interesting questions and an incredible array of guests. And because it’s British there’s a Christmas Special (so quaint). So really what’s not to love.
Which brings me to now.:
Currently my favourite podcast is Galactic Suburbia (http://galactisuburbia.podbean.com/)
Blurb: Alisa, Alex and Tansy bring you speculative fiction news, reading notes and chat from the galactic suburbs of Australia.
Good Sound Quality. I am hopelessly behind in culture consumed, internet issues and my ability to articulate feminist issues but it makes me think, it’s funny and I like the fact that not everyone has the same opinion and it doesn’t end in a nasty argument (and it’s a writer, a publisher and a fan writer). It’s kind of addictive really.
My other favouritist podcast of the moment is SF SqueeCast (http://sfsqueecast.com/)
Blurb: Welcome to the SF Squeecast, a Hugo Award winning monthly podcast in which a group of Science Fiction and Fantasy professionals squee about things SFnal, in a neverending panel discussion of vague positivity.
We work in a show-and-tell format, with contributors selecting materials to discuss on the podcast. Contributors will not discuss or promote their own work, or the work of those appearing on the podcast in that episode.
Sound quality is a bit patchy in the first few episodes but it gets better. If for nothing else you should really just listen for Seanan Maguire discussing My Little Ponies (original 80s thanks) and the use of ‘What the fucking fuck!’ Really interesting cast and good guest stars.
And the podcast I am most recently getting into is Verity (http://veritypodcast.wordpress.com/).
Blurb: A Doctor Who Podcast where a rotating cast of six women, from across the globe, talk all things Doctor Who. We have opinions.
Good sound quality (they apologise for any blips it’s kinda cute). It has someone from Galactic Suburbia and someone from SF Squeecast and someone with a Scottish accent so I’m all happy. I have listened to the first four episodes and am really keen to keep listening. I really hadn’t intended to get into Dr Who but somehow a few old Who episodes might of got purchased and I started reading Tansy Rayner Roberts (one of the Verity cast members) review of all things Who for the 50th Anniversary and yeah here I am listening intently to a podcast about Dr. Who.
I'm currently on the hunt for an archaeology/ancient history podcast to add to this list. So any ideas are welcome!
I have a few other podcasts hanging about on my iphone which I might come back to discuss at a later point but its 9:30 on a Sunday night already so let’s just get this posted shall we….. and then get to fiction writing and start considering my essay (probably not) and then that blessed thing called sleep.
So firstly I would like to give a nod to the first podcast I ever listened to in detail.
Napoleon Bonaparte http://napoleonbonapartepodcast.com/
Sound quality was questionable but as I mentioned above it was one of the first podcasts where I listened to every episode from the beginning to the end (and in fact I think I listened to a few twice). It was basically a conversation between two historians charting Napoleon’s life and achievements. It was one of the factors that made me head back to uni to study an Arts Degree (which I am now one subject away from completing). I may never have managed to major in Napoleonic history but it was definitely incredibly inspiring. And in finding the link for this looks like the website still seems to be up and running, and maybe new episodes???
After Napoleon it was a long while before I found another podcast that I loved and listened to religiously. The next one was technically a radio show on Radio National called The Book Show (http://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/bookshow/ Link to current incarnation.) hosted by Ramona Kaval. It was rudely interrupted by changing the host and the format and I have never been able to go back to it. While it was around though it exposed me to a never ending list of amazing novels and short stories to read both old and new, the use of language and the inner workings of writers minds.
Somewhere after this (I know it was after this because the cryostat at work moved and this is where I did a lot of my podcast listening. Now it’s the microscope and the exercise bike) I discovered Infinite Monkey Cage (http://www.bbc.co.uk/podcasts/series/timc) also a radio show from BBC. Science and comedy with a range of interesting questions and an incredible array of guests. And because it’s British there’s a Christmas Special (so quaint). So really what’s not to love.
Which brings me to now.:
Currently my favourite podcast is Galactic Suburbia (http://galactisuburbia.podbean.com/)
Blurb: Alisa, Alex and Tansy bring you speculative fiction news, reading notes and chat from the galactic suburbs of Australia.
Good Sound Quality. I am hopelessly behind in culture consumed, internet issues and my ability to articulate feminist issues but it makes me think, it’s funny and I like the fact that not everyone has the same opinion and it doesn’t end in a nasty argument (and it’s a writer, a publisher and a fan writer). It’s kind of addictive really.
My other favouritist podcast of the moment is SF SqueeCast (http://sfsqueecast.com/)
Blurb: Welcome to the SF Squeecast, a Hugo Award winning monthly podcast in which a group of Science Fiction and Fantasy professionals squee about things SFnal, in a neverending panel discussion of vague positivity.
We work in a show-and-tell format, with contributors selecting materials to discuss on the podcast. Contributors will not discuss or promote their own work, or the work of those appearing on the podcast in that episode.
Sound quality is a bit patchy in the first few episodes but it gets better. If for nothing else you should really just listen for Seanan Maguire discussing My Little Ponies (original 80s thanks) and the use of ‘What the fucking fuck!’ Really interesting cast and good guest stars.
And the podcast I am most recently getting into is Verity (http://veritypodcast.wordpress.com/).
Blurb: A Doctor Who Podcast where a rotating cast of six women, from across the globe, talk all things Doctor Who. We have opinions.
Good sound quality (they apologise for any blips it’s kinda cute). It has someone from Galactic Suburbia and someone from SF Squeecast and someone with a Scottish accent so I’m all happy. I have listened to the first four episodes and am really keen to keep listening. I really hadn’t intended to get into Dr Who but somehow a few old Who episodes might of got purchased and I started reading Tansy Rayner Roberts (one of the Verity cast members) review of all things Who for the 50th Anniversary and yeah here I am listening intently to a podcast about Dr. Who.
I'm currently on the hunt for an archaeology/ancient history podcast to add to this list. So any ideas are welcome!
I have a few other podcasts hanging about on my iphone which I might come back to discuss at a later point but its 9:30 on a Sunday night already so let’s just get this posted shall we….. and then get to fiction writing and start considering my essay (probably not) and then that blessed thing called sleep.