Monday, Nov. 7th 2016

My Favorite Podcasts

I love podcasts. I listen to a lot. My podcast player, Overcast, says that I have saved over 70 223 hours from Smart Speed™ alone. Here's a bunch of my favorite technology, design, development, running and fly fishing podcasts.

Tech

Accidental Tech Podcast
Listening to an earlier podcast made by this trio, Neutral, is actually what got me into regularly listening to podcasts. After hearing that these three personalities, who I usually listened to argue about cars, were starting a tech podcast was all that I need. They usually talk about iOS/macs and other technology news. Recently, a lot of the episodes have been about the atrophied mac lineup, which is definitely a topic that I am passionately interested in.

The Talk Show With John Gruber
If you like the news, opinions and snarkiness that regularly shows up on John Gruber’s blog, Daring Fireball, then you will love this podcast. If you don’t, you definitely won’t enjoy it.

Clockwise
As a fan of the Six Colors blog since its inception, a tech podcast hosted by Jason Snell and Dan Moren, the authors, will easily be well respected by me. Their rapid-fire 30 minute podcast around four topics with two guests is interesting and fresh in a world where 1-2 hour podcasts are becoming fairly common.

Upgrade
OK, two podcasts in a row with Jason Snell. I have a lot of respect for his opinions around technology and especially Apple products. On Upgrade, Myke Hurley joins him as a co-host. This is a must-listen podcast before and after any Apple events.

Design & Development

What's the Point
This podcast, produced by FiveThirthyEight is a newer addition to my podcast playlists. It focuses on data and how it is changing lives. Episode 66, about Cathy O’ Neil’s book Weapons of Math Destruction really drew me in to this podcast.

Design Details
Episode 3 of Design Details featuring Wilson Miner is what initially attracted me to this podcast (it’s still one of my favorites). Their regular production of interesting interviews with designers has kept this podcast as one of my regulars.

Iterate
It has been a few months since there has been a new episode of Iterate, but it’s still one of my favorites. I have a lot of respect for Marc Edwards and his opinions. I hope he returns soon to the podcast format. Unfortunately there hasn’t been a new episode since April 2016.

The Observatory
Michael Bierut is one of the most important and experienced design voices today. Joined by Jessica Helfand, they tackle and discuss real issues facing the world and how design might be able to help. This should be required listening for all designers.

99% Invisible
Speaking of required listening for designers, this is another podcast that should definitely be on your playlist. I think I have listened to Episode 95: Future Screens are Mostly Blue and Episode 97: Numbers Stations about 10 times each.

Layout
The topics found on the Layout podcast are varied, but they seem to cover most of my favorite topics: design, technology, programming and tech news. Maybe, if they found a way to work in talking about running and fly-fishing, it would be the only podcast I would have to listen to.

Under the Radar
If you’re looking for practical advice as a developer or independant app maker, there’s no better place than this podcast. Two very experienced independant app makers, Marco Arment and David Smith, have joined together to host this under 30 minute podcast.

The Creative Coding Podcast
This has been a somewhat recent discovery of mine. The focus of programming for visual and creative outlets is very interesting to me and was the original impetus for me entering my current field.

iOhYes
This podcast is another recent addition for me that has proven its value very quickly. Most recently, Episode 118: Dependencies All The Way Down was awesome and touched on a subject that is regularly discussed in the Rally Interactive office. This podcast doesn’t exist anymore.

Rally Banter
It’s probably pretty lame to mention a podcast that you ocassionally show up on. Maybe it’s even more lame to admit that you regularly listen to that podcast. But, here it is anyway. Sadly no longer produced :(

Core Intuition I’m not really sure whether to categorize this under Tech of Design & Development. Either way, it’s a great insight into the challenges, ups and downs of indie development with a strong focus on macOS and iOS.

Running

I love to run and I love to run regularly. Hearing from other runners with varying experience about their races, injury prevention, nutrition strategies and what motivates them always keeps me on the lookout for great running podcasts. Here’s a few that I find myself excited to listen to and full of good information.

Trail Runner Nation
Talk Ultra
TrailManners
Ultrarunner Podcast
Trail Talk
Sage Running Podcast
The Rich Roll Podcast
Ginger Runner LIVE Billy Yang Podcast

Misc

Mystery Show
Starlee Kine tackles some of the most interesting, weird and trivial mysteries ever. As a result, it is one of the most entertaining podcasts I have ever listened to.

The Chernobyl Podcast The HBO series of the same name was amazing. This companion podcast adds a lot of flavor. Hosted by Peter Sagal and the series creator Craig Mazin, it’s definitely worth a listen.

FiveThirtyEight Politics For anyone interested in the intersection of data and politics, this is a must.

I would love to know if you enjoy these podcasts, or if you have any recommendations. Talk to me on twitter!

Updated on Monday, March 13th 2023