Blog #1: Podcasts


The aspect of the internet that I find myself using most often these days would have to be podcasts. I chose to write about podcasts as a whole because one of my favourite characteristics is the wide range of content that is available. No matter your interests, there is something for you. I have enjoyed podcasts on topics ranging from sports and mainstream news to outdoor education and cooking. Just like any other aspect of the internet, if you search for something you are bound to find it.

One of my favourite podcasts over the last few years has been "Pardon My Take", or PMT for short. PMT consists of two hosts and a producer that feed off each other’s online personas creating must listen conversation and interviews. Their content combines aspects of both pop culture and sports news while their guests are most often professional athletes with the odd Hollywood personality.

I believe that I have been drawn into PMT and podcasts in general due to the fact that many podcasts do not fit into a larger category or industry. These podcasts are verbal recordings but they are nothing like FM radio. They do not contain or require video so they are again, different from TV or YouTube. Overall I would say that podcasts exist on the fringe of mainstream media. Rather than being a deterrent, I tend to believe that this is actually one of their keys to success. PMT for example, uses a  relaxed interview structure, focusing on a casual setting and many non-sport related questions to  create an environment that is almost opposite to what most professional athletes experience in similar mainstream interviews. Usually these highly covered athletes are coached by PR teams and then sent into interviews with scripted questions and answers. Therefore, when they get a chance to step away from the restraints of mainstream media they are more likely to show their unique personalities, benefiting both the athlete’s public perception and the listener’s ability to relate.

 Just like any other social media platform, we as users want more access; we want to know what everyone is doing at all times. This is especially true for famous or popular users of these sites. We want to see the unscripted, everyday version of the stars we admire. That being said, I believe that podcasts are one of the best ways to gain this inside access. You can always look at pictures or watch videos to gain insight, but listening to the stories and the way they interact with the host will give you insight into who they are as people. 

 Pardon My Take Podcast

 Other Suggestions:



Comments

  1. UnknownSeptember 27, 2018 at 7:52 AM

    I couldn’t agree more with your take on podcasts and definitely share a love for them myself. I think one of the more interesting benefits of podcasts is that, people can now listen to long form and nuanced conversations about things they are curious about while doing other things in their life at the same time. People are busy, and doing things like reading books or taking lectures in order to educate oneself is something a lot of people don’t have time for. Through things like podcasts people can now use what is essentially found time to gain knowledge about any particular subject while they do things like walk the dog or drive to work. I actually originally heard this idea on a podcast myself. If you haven’t already you should definitely check out the Joe Rogan Podcast or the This Past Weekend Podcast they are two of my favorites.

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  2. StevenNSeptember 27, 2018 at 8:51 AM

    Podcasts are like a contemporary answer to people's desire to multitask and work simultaneously. Building off what Henry said, people are busy and less people are deciding to allocate time to solely read or research. Podcasts are so adaptable to people's workflows. It can act as background conversation and the listener can always tune in whenever they desire or rewind to find a part they've missed. I'll usually have a podcast in the back while i'm cooking, gaming, drawing or sometimes I'm just actively watching the podcast. But that's the best part, podcasts fit neatly into our busy lives. I started with Joe Rogan podcast but from the guests he's had on, I now currently watch comedian Chris D'elia's podcast (Congratulations Podcast), Bill Bur's podcast, and maybe one or two more. I watch for specifically comedy and social commentary but i'm aware podcasts have a huge range of topics and content for audiences to choose from. Here's a link to Chris D'elia's podcast, he's a LA comedian who always has comedy specials right now on Netflix. His podcast consists of just him, and it's hilarious.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wccxlgdd06A

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  3. JoshuaMSeptember 27, 2018 at 4:11 PM

    I agree with all of you about podcasts. There are for sure a huge thing for myself included. You can either get fully immersed in the the podcast or just put it in the background. I use it in so much and it is extremely handy when you are out and about just as Steven said. They fit perfectly into our lives and there is such a range of content and topics that you can pick from any of them to find the perfect fit for you. I personally really enjoy Canadaland for some interesting journalist topics about almost everything Canadian. Lately I have really been enjoying LORE by Aaron Mahnke, it's all about non-fiction scary events. It's great because they are short episodes and all of them have interesting, gripping stories to tell.

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