You close the lid of your suitcase with satisfaction and mentally pat yourself on the back for your expertly planned travels. The destination makes you giddy and you’ve secured the most precious resource, snackadge. The last thing to do is to load your luggage into the RV and hit the road. However, an hour into the road trip and your music playlist has cycled and, let’s be honest, there are only so many times you can listen to Taylor Swift’s new album and retain your sanity. You might try the radio and attempt dodging commercials, by regularly switching channels, but we’re here to tell you, there is a better way!
A Podcast is an audio program, similar to Talk Radio, but you subscribe to it on your smartphone, pick topics unique to your interests, and can listen to it whenever you like. The majority of podcasts are free, which means that the hosts are often plugging advertisements into their broadcasts. However, these commercials are geared toward the topic of the podcast and will often provide promo codes. This is better than generalized radio blasts that may or may not apply to you, and you might get a discount from listening to a podcast!
Getting Started with Podcasts...
The first thing you will need to do, to start podcasting, is to download one of the available apps (if your phone doesn’t come pre-equipped.) Apple iOS phones come pre-equipped with a purple podcast app. Android phones may come pre-equipped with the Google Podcasts app.
iOS
Android
Here are a few free podcast-listening apps:
RadioPublic
Free on iOS • Free on Android
- Easy to navigate
- Responsive support team
- No account or login required
- Offline listening available
Podbean
Free on iOS • Free on Android
- Hundreds of 5-star reviews
- Compatible with Alexa
- Listen & create podcasts
- Offline listening available
Stitcher
Free on iOS • Free on Android
- Create playlists
- Search by episode or podcast
- Offline listening available
- Premium subscription available to remove ads
Spotify
Free on iOS • Free on Android
- Music and podcasts available
- Easily request podcasts additions
- Offline listening available
- Premium subscription available to remove ads
Recommended Podcast Intro-Listening...
If you’re looking for a variety of well-told stories… This American Life
If you’re looking for long-form, true stories… Serial
If you’re looking for inspirational stories… Travel Tales
If you’re interested in learning new things…Stuff You Should Know
If you’re looking for something that challenges your mind… Revisionist History
If you’re a fan of the tv show Naked and Afraid… Outside
If you’re a fan of True Crime documentaries… Crime Junkie
If you’re interested in learning about the prison system… Ear Hustle
If you’re interested in listening to stories from astronauts… The Habitat
If you’re wanting to become better at personal finances… The Dave Ramsey Show