Since I've become a commuter, I have discovered that podcasts and audiobooks are a blessing. They make time go by faster and are incredibly entertaining. Not to mention that many are also educational, so sitting in traffic can actually feel productive instead of just mind-numbing. My commute to school takes about an hour, so finding ways to stay entertained two hours a day is important. Thus, I've explored a lot of options.
Audiobooks.
If you have $15 a month to spare and you'd like to optimize your reading time, you could get a subscription to Audible.com and download however many books you'd like. However, if you've always had a soft spot for your local library, you could always check out a few audiobooks on CD. For some unknown reason, my car cannot read audiobook CDs, so I downloaded the app Overdrive, an app that connects me to my libraries digital collection. If your library is not on Overdrive, they probably have their own equivalent app and it never hurts to ask.
Podcasts.
Both Pandora and Spotify have podcasts available, as does iTunes. But the app that I prefer is Podcast Addict. It's super easy to use (I've never had a problem with it), it has tons of podcasts available, and it's free. As for which podcasts to subscribe to, that kind of depends on the content you're looking for. However, these are a few of my favorites.
1. Note to Self.
As its tagline states, "Note to Self is the tech show about being human." The amazing Manoush Zomorodi is a fun, entertaining host who delves into questions about our relationship with technology and how to make it better. It is a refreshing change of pace from the multitudes who denounce technology as a harbinger of misfortune and mankind's descent into zombie-hood. Technology is never vilified, but people's concerns about technology -- about how best to use it, their questions about it -- are always addressed with honesty and openness.
2. New Yorker: Out Loud.
What is R&B now? What is the value of distraction? What does it mean to be white? As you can see, "New Yorker: Out Loud" explores a wide variety of questions that don't seem to have anything in common other than the fact that they are interesting questions to ask. And, even more interesting than the questions, are the nuanced answers that Amerila Lester, David Haglund and their guests propose.
3. The Writer's Panel.
As soon as you hear its catchy theme song, "Nerdist Writer's Panel" will have you hooked. You might be familiar with Ben Blacker as one of the writers for the show "Supernatural," but on "Nerdist Writer's Panel" he is the host who interviews other writers, as well as actors and show runners. How did Jason Marsden, a phenomenal voice actor with a resume a mile long, get his start? How does the writer for "Hannibal" come up with his material? It really gives you a chance to get to know the minds behind some of your favorite shows before your psych class starts.
