I've tried podcasts, but I've found that nearly all of them waffle on for about 3 times longer than needed, plus there are claims made that are...unverifiable.
Tried all the "mainstream" ones and just couldn't get into it. Tim Ferris is just waffle, Andrew Huberman is full of unverifiable claims, I needn't comment on Rogan...tried some "fun" ones, but they again just waffled for me.
I just don't think the medium in its current form suits me. They put out similar versions on YT often that are in the 20-40 minute range: that works for me. But 1h30-3h long podcasts...no thank you.
I’m someone who has slipped in to the habit of almost always having some inane conversation going on in my earbuds at all times of the day. I don’t feel like it’s good for my brain, but I’m a lost cause now.
The corporatisation and advertising intermissions make a lot of them pretty much unlistenable. All the BBC affiliated ones for instance are horrendous, even if you do like the presenters cackling at the most mild attempts at humour.
It’s hard to know how to suggest some if you’re not looking for a very specific topic. As you’ve said, basically anything topical/political is either going to be a huge downer, full of misinformation or just plain boring.
I listened to Joe Rogan about 10 years back, but he really is a scourge at this point. The damage his influence has had is hard to comprehend.
‘Blindboy boatclub’ is one of the few I still enjoy for a bit of autistic whimsy - a rather eccentric fella who talks about Irish folklore, art, history and mental health in quite an amusing way.
Adam Buxton, and Scroobius Pip each have an interesting mix of guests if you like the interview format. Richard Herring too but he only interviews comedians so it can get a bit raucous if you're trying to sleep.
If you're a man of a certain age that's suddenly found an irresistible interest in WWII, We Have Ways of Making you Talk is good.
The only podcast I listen to is The Magnus Archives, which is a different kind of thing entirely.
I'm not really into listening to spoken word - I'd rather read or watch video or listen to music. Not saying watching YT is a good thing, in fact it's too easy and a bit addictive, so has cut into my reading unfortunately.
I’m skeptical of them, not because they are inherently bad, but because of the third person omniscient nature of them. They are jet fuel for nefarious social media actors.
Danno wrote: ↑Mon Aug 25, 2025 11:38 am
Dan Snow's History Hit is good.
Adam Buxton, and Scroobius Pip each have an interesting mix of guests if you like the interview format. Richard Herring too but he only interviews comedians so it can get a bit raucous if you're trying to sleep.
If you're a man of a certain age that's suddenly found an irresistible interest in WWII, We Have Ways of Making you Talk is good.
Both good, I prefer the Rest is History.
Also Slow News has some decent ones, albeit some poor ones too.
I haven't tried The Rest is History. Admittedly because a lot of the "The Rest is X" hosts tend to be a bit too centrist dad orientated for my taste, but I still listen to Origin Stories so I'll shut up now
My go to for the commute is Freakonomics which spun out a f the books published 20 years or so ago. Quite often some different perspectives on everyday things - the episode on the economics of roundabouts is fantastic.
