When the iPod came out and started to get popular, I thought it looked cool, perhaps fun, but didn’t see the need to purchase one. Even when I had access to one at work (used for music playback at events), I just didn’t use it very much. I’m usually surrounded by music throughout my day, and when during editing projects it’s positively intrusive, so in general I haven’t wanted to add to the cacophony. Podcasts - a relatively new phenomenon - seemed like a ridiculous filling between one’s ears.
However, since picking up an iPhone (and the fact that I’ve been lazy and not installed the radio in my car that my wife graciously bought for me), I’ve found myself drawn to a growing list of excellent audio content.
Upon moving to Oregon in 1994, I quickly became a fan of Oregon Public Radio (one of the nations’ best, it has a fanatical regional following). It awakened a love of the spoken word: stories, debates, reasoned arguments and analysis. I found myself lost in more than one driveway moment, listening to some slice-of-life tale or news story from the other side of the world.
Podcasts have crept into the small cracks of time in my life - the commute (by bike, rail, or car), and in particular when doing chores. These are moments I don’t need to focus on my wife or kids, and I find it helps me power through whatever I’m doing. The real benefit, besides cleaning more thoroughly, perhaps: a new constellation of teachers are deeply educating me on faith, politics, economics, history and culture. While some are right to criticize the lack of silence in our lives, I’ve found these to be worthy additions that have opened up new corridors in my mind.
It began with getting the NPR daily news summary - the five minute headline overview, and grew from there. Upon writing this post, I realized that explaining the value of some of these could get wordy, so I’m going to break this up into several posts.
Hardcore History
Dan Carlin’s Hardcore History has quickly become a favorite. A self-described “fan” of history (as opposed to an academic), his deep love for the stories and drama of the past comes through clearly. A former radio personality, the production is excellent (clear, well-edited, some nice foley for effect). Usually monthly and clocking in at nearly an hour, he ranges from topics on thoughts on great men of history such as Churchill and Alexander the Great, to moments like the year 1066. His three-part exploration of the Punic Wars between Rome and Carthage are epic in scope and as dramatic as any film. It’s simple storytelling with thorough research and lots of great stories.
History, in its best form, is just that - great storytelling, with the added benefit of a deeper understanding of what went before and what might come. I’ve found that no other field of study has shed more light and supplied context to current events.
My grandpa Jack taught history for decades at San Angelo State, and I inherited his love of story and history. That love of history has been renewed and taken in new directions with these great history podcasts.
Up next: when history beats up politics.
Do you have any favorite podcasts? What do you think of when you think of “history”?
Posted in Reading & Listening
