I always thought podcasts were something that people with passions for really obscure topics (knitting or TV show fan clubs comes to mind) listened to. It was only once my boss at Runners Connect recommended I start the Run to the Top podcast that I really started to pay attention.
One thing you will learn about podcasts though, once you start listening to them, you get HOOKED! You want to listen to them while you shower, while you drive, while you do chores. You can’t get enough of them, and there are so many out there for so many different topics, you can find a podcast about anything (hello knitting and The Bachelor fan club!).
Today I thought I would write about why you might want to check out podcasts if you haven’t before, who are podcasts aimed at, and why should you care?
So why podcasts? Why now?
- Podcast app on iPhone.
- Apple has made this app un-deletable, and it is automatically downloaded for every iPhone user. We all know Apple does their homework on what the latest trends are!
- Our attention spans are so short
- I find I really have to concentrate to read an entire blog post now without skimming, and this way I do not have to take the “effort” to read something….wow that makes me sound lazy!
- Podcast shows are constantly growing
- Every day new podcasts show up, about every topic you could ever imagine
And why I enjoy podcasts so much
- Intimacy
- There is something personal about feeling as though you are in a conversation with two other people. You hear this conversation in-between your ears, and I often find myself saying “yes!, uh huh, oh yep, thats me”, as if I was there. You get to know the host, and as creepy as this sounds, kind of become their friend as you learn about their likes and dislikes, and what is going on with their life.
- You can multitask!
- I am constantly trying to multitask, and I know I am not that great at it, but with podcasting, you can do it while you do something else. Texting and driving is bad, but with a podcast you can listen and learn, but still be paying attention to your driving. Or how about household chores? You can learn and grow your knowledge while doing the dishes, or vacuuming!
- Learning
- I have learned so much listening to podcasts, from self help podcasts like Brene Brown, to how to become a better social media manager, which makes me better at my job. I love learning new things, but because it is in a conversation form, it does not feel like a lecture, instead you can pick and chose at what is interesting for you, absorb that information, and zone out when something is not applicable.
- Its 30-60 minutes
- You do not have to worry about a playlist, or finding enough to last your entire task, but you can just click it, and let it go! I love this for days when I listen to it while I run.
- Working while you are not
- This means I can be working, learning new information, while I am doing in otherwise dead time; driving, cleaning, preparing food.
- Learning about the lives of celebrities/well known people
- As you are hearing the interview between the podcaster and their guest, you are learning little things about the guest that you could not learn in a 2 page interview in a magazine, or on a blog page where it is all edited. You get to hear it out of their mouth, and listen to their response to particular questions. I love that it makes them seem more real, more human!
- Running related
- As I mentioned, there are topics for EVERYTHING, and if you are a runner lover, there is so much you can learn about running, where it is explained to you clearly. If the podcaster is good, they will make sure things are clarified if the guest can be confusing, so it is a great place to truly understand concepts.
Honestly, you can search for ANYTHING, and there will be a podcast about it. Find your interests, and give it a try.
38 Comments.
Awesome!!!! I may be staring down 14 miles on a treadmill on Saturday because of yet MORE SNOW so this is perfect timing. Thank you!
I only started listening to podcasts recently, too! The only one I have used so far is Runners Academy but I love the Runners Connect website so I will definitely need to listen to these too! I am thinking of checking out your podcast on tomorrow’s run. Thanks for sharing! I definitely think that podcasts are here to stay. I also started listening to my first audiobook last week. Listening vs reading does make me feel lazy but like you said its great for multitasking. I also love learning new info about topics I am interested in so I would rather listen than use the excuse that I don’t have time to read.
NOOOOOO Lisa!!!!! I thought about mentioning this in the post, but wanted to be the better person, but as you brought it up…….do not listen to Matt Johnson. He plagiarized all Runners Connect stuff once. I am all about innocent until proven guilty, but this evidence is pretty hard to ignore, and he didnt just do it to Runners Connect, he did it to 2 other companies too. http://runnersconnect.net/running-tips/runner-academy-theft/ Please take a read of that before you think about it again. I know he is fine with his podcast, that is all original stuff, but for me, this just puts me off anything from him as he has no moral compass. Jeff works SO HARD to create a business like Runners Connect that people can enjoy, and it makes me sad that he just arrogantly copied.
Thank you so much for the thoughtful topic though, I really appreciate all your support 🙂
OMG Thank you for letting me know!
I just realized I said topic….I meant thank you for the comment hahah 🙂
Wow. Just read this after I posted about RA below. I had no idea, lol. I respect that RC addressed it head on in a blog post, I’ll take a read. Thanks for the link
What’s crazy is that Matt has plagiarized other sites besides RC . . .
http://marathontrainingacademy.com/runner-academy-plagiarizing
I love podcasts! They were a must with ultra training 🙂
I have never listened to a podcast, but I will look yours up for my next run!
Can’t wait to listen to this! I enjoy the Runner Academy podcasts, and I’m always looking for more – I’m checking out Runners Connect for sure 🙂 I usually listen to them when strength training, makes the time go by super fast. I always thought they were nerdy too and didn’t get into them until about a year ago. Is that mic yours too? If so, good idea in investing in one (former soundie here)
I am really enjoying your podcast. Like you I have just recently started listening to podcast during my commute. I love anything to do with running, nutrition and inspiring individuals. Thank you so much for providing such wonderful guests and information!
I just started listening to my first podcast, Serial, and I’m loving it! I will have to check out the others you mentioned! Have a great weekend!
I really like Marathon Talk and they’re long enough for a long run.
I love listening to podcasts! I always have them fired up and ready to go for my commute or when I am grocery shopping. I think by the end of the year, I will have my own. I have been experimenting with audio clips.
I really enjoy a good podcast, in fact I just listened to Runner’s Connect Race Day Fueling last night… very informative. I will definitely be using the calculator when I run Boston in April. Have a nice weekend Tina.
Podcasts are something I enjoy, particularly when doing mundane chores or projects that require little concentration. I put them on my iPod though, since I find the audio to be better than when I use my iPhone. I need to catch up on my RunnersConnect Podcasts. You do a great job, Tina! Keep up the great work.
Can I admit that I have listened to one podcast in its entirety? And that was Serial. I think I have a hard time finding the time for a podcast and feel guilty just sitting down listening to one. I have to multi-task in order to listen to one. I know that’s weird. Anyhow, I made it work with Serial by doing it while doing strength work, making dinner, etc., so I need to make a more concerted effort to listen to others!
I’ve been purchasing and listening to audiobooks for my treadmill running but it’s getting expensive! I’ll try the podcast thing. Sounds brilliant.
I listen to Dr. Joy Brown on Podcast during my long runs. I always enjoyed her on the radio and listening on the weekends while I run is a nice treat and takes me away from the usual songs and stuff.
I will totally check some of these out! I think I want to try listening to something on my runs now! My own thoughts can get pretty….boring!
ok can you believe that I’ve never listened to a podcast?! I need to listen to yours-maybe in the shower?!
I have never listened to a podcast. And, I just looked while reading this – I didn’t even realize that I had the app on my phone (found it!!). I should try podcasts when I’m ironing table cloths at the venue – I usually listen to books on CD so I guess this is the higher tech form!!!
I LOVE podcasts! Thanks for these great reasons and new podcasts to try out!
I loooooove podcasts. I love that I can passively learn while walking to work, which normally I’d just be doing, well, nothing. My favourites are Serial (!!!!), Invisibilia (so neat) and anything running related.
I am hooked on Serial but I am going to tear myself away this weekend to check out your podcast on Runners Connect!
Thank you so much for this! I’ve never really listened to podcasts until Serial! I’ve started listening to a couple and love the intimacy of it like you said. I will definitely check out the Runners Connect podcast.
I’m totally a short attention span person these days with reading! The only problem I have with podcasts is that I do multitask and find out 20 minutes later that I have no idea what they are talking about!
I really need to download podcasts. I’ve been threatening to do it FOREVER, but to be quite honest, didn’t know where to start! I’ve been listening to the same music on my ipod for years because I lost my log in info to iTunes, hahahaha. Such a lame excuse!
i have about 10 i listen to! including Ben’s! need to check out amys
Tina I just listened to your podcast with the author of Unbroken and really enjoyed it! Plus I got to put a voice to a face… I love your accent 🙂
Tina, it’s so refreshing to read this because I am a complete podcast convert too! Finally, someone like me, who listens while cleaning and food-prepping. But, I have definitely been needing to branch out my podcasts options, and am grateful for your suggestions! SO excited to check them out. Keep rocking it! I love LOVE LOVE this post. Take care. Jessica Joy @TheFitSwitch
That’s great! I hope you enjoy podcasting. 🙂 There are a few out there I like, but I don’t listen to any all that regularly. I like Planet Money by NPR and Stuff Mom Never Told You.
Thanks for sharing! I used to listen to podcasts all the time back when I would drive back and forth from where my fiance lived to where I went to grad school (four hours each way!). Now that we’re married and I’m not commuting, I listen to them whenever I do housework 🙂 I listen to Another Mother Runner, Marathon Training Academy, and Runner’s Connect. I like your suggestions for social media marketing and business podcasts, I’m excited to listen to those!
I’m a huge podcast fan. I also listen to Ben Greenfield and Michael Hyatt. Have you listened to Lewis Howes? I think you’d really like him. Can’t wait to hear the running one!
I love listening to podcasts on the bus on the way to work – will definitely add yours to my list!
I do listen to podcasts on long car trips but only recently started listening to some while I run. I will check the Runners Connect ones out!
I LOVE podcasts! Back when I had an hour+ commute to & from work, they were ALL I listened to in the car. Now I reserve them for when I’m running, road-tripping, or meal-prepping.
I love How Stuff Works and Wait, Wait Don’t Tell Me. I’ve learned the most random things from How Stuff Works, and Wait, Wait Don’t Tell Me is a quiz on tidbits from the news [not to mention Peter Sagal, the host is a runner :)]
I listened to your interview with Dave McGillivray yesterday during my long run – it was good! I’m looking forward to seeing what you do with upcoming episodes 🙂
I need a new podcast after finishing Serial, so I am so happy you posted this! I will definitely check out yours as well as some of the others you suggested! Thanks, Tina!