Podcasts are hip. With little effort, you can find podcasts on every conceivable topic, be it history, science, gaming, etc. Lately, I started listening to podcasts when I am on long journeys and in my spare time. I find them an easy and pleasant way to learn something about an unfamiliar topic. Although podcasts can also be used as a teaching tool or for science communication, I simply want to share some of my favourite podcasts for your ‘hearing pleasure’.

Several institutions employ podcasts to appeal to a larger audience. The Oxford Dictionary of National Biography has its own podcast, Listen to a life, in which biographical entries are read aloud. Recently, the history department of Ghent University started its own podcast: Geheugenissen. The episodes – in Dutch – are available via SoundCloud.  In each one, a historian explores a topic in which he or she has specialized. Consequently, Geheugenissen – like many scientific themed podcasts – enables me to come across new subjects and scientific views. Currently, I am really excited about the latest episode, which covers the iconoclastic fury in Ghent during the sixteenth century, and I plan to listen to it while walking through the city.

Another historical podcast that I really like, is In Our Time by BBC’s Radio 4, which often tackles cultural and historical subjects. Every episode consists of a discussion between presenter Melvyn Bragg and a couple of academics about a specific topic. These range from Aesop to nuclear fusion, from purgatory to Hokusai. The podcasts are often paired with a reading list, which is very useful if you want to explore a topic further. All episodes are free to download, and take between 30 to 45 minutes to listen to. On September 21, the show started airing its 20^th season with an episode about Kant’s categorical imperative.

Finally, if you are in the mood for a ‘quite interesting’ podcast, then No such thing as a fish is the thing for you. This weekly podcast is created by the researchers of the quiz QI (the so-called QI-elves), who discuss their strange discoveries. Whether you know QI or not, if you are interested in a mix of compelling trivia and comedy then I would definitely recommend that you check it out.

Sources:

Listen to a Life, Oxford Dictionary of National Biography: http://global.oup.com/oxforddnb/info/freeodnb/pod/

Geheugenissen: https://soundcloud.com/user-711326240

In Our Time: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b006qykl

No such thing as a fish: http://qi.com/podcast