Yes, it’s true. I’ve become one of them–the pod people. No, not those pod people, but one of the folks who listen regularly to podcasts. I’m sure many of you already know this, but since it is all new to me, so you’ll have to bear with me as I share my new-found knowledge. The term podcast is apparently a combination of the words iPod and broadcast, and according to Merriam Webster is defined as, “a program (as of music or talk) made available in digital format for automatic download over the Internet.”
It (obviously) has taken me a while to warm up to them, but now I admit, I’m hooked. No more dead air, forced consumption of dreaded earworms or even worse, political pabulum. Instead, via my new pod life, I enjoy a fairly eclectic mix of news and culture. The best part is connecting to, laughing with, and learning from other people of color. We are, apparently the demographic advertisers are looking for (Hey, what? I’m young at heart!).
One of the funniest podcasts I’ve heard was PostBourgie’s episode on “Dating While Black.” The day l listened to it, I was walking on the hills of my neighborhood, and am certain that I added to the perception that I am quite daft. I laughed myself up and down the streets, feeling an affinity towards both the storytellers, and the situations they described. I feel the same way about Latino USA. Many of the stories and experiences cut across cultures, and as much as I enjoy the episodes, I also come away with a greater understanding of important issues as articulated in a Latino voice. For this I am grateful. I also very much enjoy the two amazing ladies who host #GoodMuslimBadMuslim, and find their episodes enlightening, funny and thought-provoking. I only wish their stuff dropped more often.
One of my naughty pleasure podcasts is The Read (NSFW). It may be hopeless, but I am thinking that after a while of listening to their weekly posts, I will at least be able to keep up with (kinda, sorta) the conversations of my students. The first couple podcasts were like drinking water from a fire hydrant, because I had to keep asking,”Who?” when hosts Kid Fury and Crissle would dish on folk. But they are so engaging and funny that they drew me in and now I know things about popular culture that, well would surprise you–a’igh, it surprises me. Anyway, they are a fun listen, and might even up my street cred (ok, I know that’s pushing it).
You can find a list of additional diverse podcasts here. At some point, I’ll share more, but right now, it’s for this pod person time to take a walk and catch up on a couple of episodes.
Nancecy 
