Podcasts are a great form of entertainment. I listen to many, many podcasts throughout the year. I really appreciate it when people recommend podcasts to me. I also check out people's podcasts when they appear on other podcasts.
I want to share my top 10 podcasts for the year 2011 because I want others to share theirs with me! Podcasts are so often spread by word of mouth, or word of email for that matter, that I hope that this gives people an opportunity to tell me about more. I do not use iTunes for getting podcasts because I prefer straight rss. There are some podcasts that are only available on iTunes. That is ridiculous.
Let's get right into it! Here they are in reverse order, including three honorable mentions. Countdown to the top podcasts of 2011!
Jay! Tomlinson aggregates clips from various media for his every-three-day podcast. This podcast was essential for occupy updates.
This podcast always seems better when there is something happening. If you don't have time to listen to all of Rachel Maddow, or Keith Olberman, or Jon Stewart, or Stephen Colbert, or David Pakman, or The Young Turks, or that guy that is on death row, then you should try Best of the Left.
Website: Best of the Left
Feed: Best of the Left Feed
Half hour news program with stories from around the world. Being from the BBC, there is very little fluff news.
If you want to have an idea of what people are talking about when they mention events overseas, just listen to the first five minutes of this podcast every day. It's more than enough to get you in-the-know.
Website: World Update: Daily Commute
Feed: World Update: Daily Commute Feed
Inside looks at entrepreneurs and their habits. Done by simply one of the best interviewers out there.
I am sorry I haven't included the feed link here, but there is a paid version of the podcast and I was unable to find the free one on the website.
Website: Mixergy
Storytelling from some of the best storytellers ever. There is a huge range of stories and competitions. They have even started playing older shows that were never aired. I never grow tired of this podcast.
The stories have been uplifting, humourous, or just sad. But they are always great stories. They sometimes release the moth stories on cd
Website: themoth.org
Feed: the moth podcast
This is a quick hit of hilarity delivered about twice a week, or 20 at once. Just remember if you already heard it, you can skip it.
It's done as a newcast, not as a newspaper. The Onion has released many books
Website: onion radio news
Feed: onion radio news feed
If you haven't read the freakonomics books
The podcast continues the freakonomics tradition with very interesting thought pieces.
Website: freakonomics
Feed: freakonomics feed
There has to be some kind of trivia show on this list! This is about a 20 minute podcast that asks about 20 questions and answers them in the same episode. I like that!
I don't know where he gets his information. You don't have to be Ken Jennings
Website: podquiz
Feed: podquiz feed
Received Personal Thank You Email from the QuizMaster!
Scott Aukerman hosts a consistently-listenable show that hits and misses depending on the guests. The good news is that it hits much more than it misses.
You may know Scott from the wildly funny Mr. Show
Website: comedy bang bang
Feed: comedy bang bang feed
Emmanuel Goldstein hosts a weekly radio show highlighting issues facing the online world.
Prefer to read? Get The Best Of 2600
Website: off the hook
Feed: off the hook feed
Received Personal Thank You Email from Bernie S.!
Marshall does a three-to-five minute oration on a specific topic. Always interesting.
You may remember the How Stuff Works
Website: brain stuff
Feed: brain stuff feed
From his time on Last Comic Standing to his movie Super High Me and his hilarious stand up material, Doug Benson has a range of work
Doug does the show in front of live audiences, though sometimes in a car or at a friends house, and never fails to bring the laughs. Great guests make for greater shows. You won't believe some of the people that he has had on the show. John Lithgow? Yes!
Even Leonard Maltin has been on the show multiple times! But fans of the show know, there is a very good reason for that. This show has grown to iconic cult classicness. Get on board.
Website: doug loves movies
Feed: doug loves movies feed
It must be good if it is on this list and doesn't have a link to Amazon, right? Let this number two podcast of the year show everyone that I mean it!
Disclaimer! Disclaimer! Disclaimer! The two people on this show make this the most listenable and enjoyable science program ever. Sure, there have been great scientists in the past that have had great shows. But these two people bring you interesting and important information on a podcast every week.
If you are afraid of science, start here. They will bring you in and up to speed.
If you already love science, let this podcast keep you current!
Website: this week in science
The number one podcast of the year! Greg Proops
There is so much logic mixed in with so much funny. History lessons, baseball lessons, music lessons and so much more! Greg Proops has exploded on the scene. Commute with him and pay attention. because if your mind wanders during this podcast, you will miss much!
Congratulations to Greg Proops for being true to himself and his art in what I easily call The Best Podcast Of The Year: THE SMARTEST MAN IN THE WORLD!
Website: smartest man in the world
Feed: smartest feed in the world
Received Personal Thank You Email From Greg Proops! And a tweet!
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