When exercising, I often like to listen to music. If running outside in beautiful weather, I usually don't, but in the gym or when running out in the cold I often need something to keep me going. Over the past year or year and a half I've started listening to National Public Radio when in the car more and more. They feature informative and intelligent news stories, interesting commentary, and out of the ordinary music (while not totally unbiased, in my opinion I do think it is one of the best radio sources for intelligent news and information that isn't too slanted because of sponsors of the station, hidden agendas, etc.) But why only listen when in the car? I figure while pounding the body why not give the mind a quick tune up as well? That's why lately I've started listening to NPR podcasts in addition to music. The NPR website features mp3 podcasts for listening on one's ipod, zune, home computer, etc. They sort it by topic, title, provider. According to the website, as of today, 597 podcasts are available on the site. Best of all, they're all free without commercials! Sweet!
Of course, I'm not always in the mood for talk, sometimes I can really just use some Quiet Riot, Gang Starr, Mobb Deep, Eddie Money or Paul Van Dyk to help me bang my way through a workout. However when I'm feeling the need for learning something interesting, I download and listen.
As an example, today while running 13.1 miles outside in the cold I listened to a very interesting 35 minute long NPR environmental podcast discussing: carbon offsets, superfund waste sites being turned into a land conservation, Chinese three gorges damn, species extinction on Hawaii, carbon take up/release from forests, Florida everglades restoration.
I highly recommend these for anyone who enjoys interesting commentary, stories, opinions, etc. The topics featured include: Arts & Culture, Books, Business, Commentary, Diversions, Economy, Education, Environment, Food, Fun & Games, Gardening, Health & Science, Health Care, Holidays, Interviews, Jazz, Legal Affairs, Local, Media, Movies, Music, Nation, News, Opinion, People & Places, Poetry, Politics, Politics & Society, Pop Culture, Race, Religion, Research News, Space, Sports, Technology, Top Stories, World, Your Money.
8 comments:
PTI! I didn't know they had a podcast. Good for all the knuckleheads out there who can't normally catch the show like me.
Cool list! I also love to listen to the Vegan Freaks podcasts while I work out. Some Patriots stuff would be good, too!
I hope you had a great Christmas. A lover of beer and a jogger....Your right thats a good combo. I'm into buying vegan cookbooks and exercise DVDs so I guess I'm doing the same thing....lol.
In response to you comments on my blogspot.......
Yes I actually cried when that new Anti Terrorist law came into effect in the States. A law designed to protect big companies that abuse and torture animals.
Ya our animal rights group would be in trouble if we lived in the States because we are willing to do anything to get media attention, not just bikini demos in the winter time and going topless for other demos (things a 44 year old women should not be doing...lol) but we have an anti seal demo coming up in March that we are going to do on the steps of Parliment of Ottawa. We are going to be burning the Canadian flag and the rest of our group will be holding signs saying .... I'm ashamed to be Canadian. That should get attention.
Good recommendation for podcasts! Here are some other good ones for working out:
1. Patriots: PFW in Progress
2. ESPN Radio: Best of Mike and Mike
3. ESPN: PTI
4. KCRW's Left, Right & Center
5. This Week with George Stephanopoulos
Re PTI: I feel the exact same way that you do. I don't usually get home in time for PTI on TV, so the podcast is a good substitute.
The Patriots PFW (Patriots Football Weekly) podcasts are currently my favorite. They'll serve you well on longer runs, since each daily podcast (Tues-Fri) is 2 hours long. Very funny show and a great way to get primed for Pats-Jags this weekend!
By the way, on the subject of local beers: you should definitely check out the beer sampler at John Harvard's in H-Square. Then you can take home a growler of your favorite. Mine is the seasonal JH Oktoberfest, but the winter ales are excellent as well.
http://www.johnharvards.com/brews.htm
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