When I was in my first year of college I gave podcasts a try, thinking that it would be a cool and interesting way to get information. I realize now that I went about it all wrong, causing me to write off podcasts as a lame dying media form before I even knew what they had to offer. Though I can’t remember which one I had chosen, the first podcast I chose to listen to did not intrigue me at all, in fact I can remember thinking that they would be a great way to fall asleep (I feel the same way now but for very different reasons 😉  ).
I learned this year that podcasting was a form of information dissemination and a platform for discourse that had options for every mind, no matter what you chose to look for. Through my exploration of podcasts I was able to discover that there was programming for all, representing the culture of people of color, the LGBTQ community, academics, gamers, comedians, and much much more. Immediately I regretted the time I thought podcasts were boring, rambling voices who  were too into hearing themselves talk.
Listening to podcasts I gained valuable insights and commentary on topics that I had been underexposed to. Podcasting grants you the opportunity to hear from an esteemed individual on a subject that would not normally have touched your everyday life.
Aside from the educational offerings, podcasting also gives one a network of like minded individuals to connect with. If we take TWiB as an example, Elon James White has created a popular podcasting syndicate for people of color and more specifically black people. He established a community that gets the voices of Black Americans heard without the adulterating powers of mass media. Black people all across the United States can connect and identify with the many show hosts, giving a positive image to identify with and establishing a strong supportive community.
In light of my new found adoration for podcasting, I have chosen a few podcasts in particular that I really enjoy. On NPR I like to listen to All Songs Considered, a promotional platform that looks at artists forthcoming music and offers reviews/criticism/analysis. I also like to listen to a podcast called Liner Notes, a program which picks a jazz icon to examine while looking at their place in history.
Though my adventures into the podcasting world are still a bit cursory I hope to continue looking for more content that serves my interests. I’m looking to listen to some podcasts about computers and technology as well as a podcast about philosophy.
After looking into podcasting and making one of my own, I am much more appreciative of the form and hope to continue profiting from such a rich type of media.