I was listening to Podcastle earlier this week, and the editor was talking about how he was excited about the story in the episode, because it was related to how he found out about podcasts.  Learning about podcasts ultimately led him to become an editor of the podcast I was listening to. He asked listeners to share how they came to podcasts and what podcasts they listen to, and I thought I’d make a blog post out of it.

I love podcasts. I love listening to them, I love finding them, and I love subscribing to them and then downloading entire back catalogs until I realize there is no way in heck I can listen to 200 hours of audio in this lifetime.

I came across podcasting in late 2004/early 2005 while doing research on new and interesting things for my clients to do while I was at New Media Strategies. I’m pretty sure the first show I ever listened to was Slice of Sci Fi, because most of my clients at the time were Sci Fi oriented and I’m a huge SF/Fantasy fan. I went on to listen to – or try to – as many podcasts as they recommended, as well as venturing into the realm of Podiobooks (podcast versions of audio books).

Over time, though, I found shows that matched up with my other hobbies – knitting, spinning, crafting and learning about science.  Since I started listening, I have probably listened to about 150 different podcasts (at this point, I’m regretting that iTunes doesn’t have a wayback machine feature that reminds you of stuff you’ve already looked at…or at least that I didn’t keep a list).  I go on stints where I’ll subscribe to a ton all at once, then will listen to as many as I can and delete the ones that don’t resonate.  I go through phases where I’ll delete all but my top five favorite podcasts and add others.  Sometimes, I revisit old friends that I stopped listening to.

On the whole, I listen to podcasts more frequently than I read blogs.  Its hard to work, chase after a small boy and  knit while reading a blog or a book (I’ve tried, believe me).  Listening to podcasts helps me learn, keeps me company and gives me something to listen to when I’m doing what I do.  Right now, my favorites are: Skeptoid, Monster Talk, Cast On, Escape Pod and Crafty Pod – a random assortment, but they are in line with my interests (science, knitting, & SF/Fantasy) to give me something like while also giving me something I wasn’t expecting.

I had a podcast for a while, and have toyed about starting another one up, but since I’m still working at getting the second issue of Strandszine off the ground, I’m going to sit on that urge for now.  However, for those of you who do put out a podcast, thanks, and I salute you!