When is the last time you sat down and listened to your local radio station? Well, if you are under the age of 50 the answer is probably never. Unless, of course, you were hanging out in your grandparent's garage. In this day and age we are completely inundated with stimulation from our cell phones, computers and televisions. Most of us probably can’t even name a single radio station by their single. In fact the last time I turned on the radio was when my phone died on a long drive. NPR is definitely not my cup of tea.

However, despite how unpopular regular radio may be among younger crowds, the internet has brought with it a new platform for the mic jockies to reach out to a new audience- podcasts, or Internet radio. Granted Internet Radio is nothing new; Howard Stern has been gracing us with his uncensored antics for the better part of two decades now, but for many to listen to the infamous Stern on their morning commute was too inaccessible or inconvenient as it required a special Internet radio set. With a smart phone you only require a podcast app which includes hundreds of different shows for the widest variety of listeners.

So why do we prefer this form of talk radio to what we hear on the local broadcast? A few reasons:

1. A wider variety.

On the radio you have political talk, local news, and a few rock stations intertwined with some sketch comedy from your DJ. However, with podcasts you can search a vast array of different topics from War, Fitness, Comedy, Politics, and everything in between.

2. Completely uncensored.

Lets be honest here. The FCC is a bitch. When everything is censored in today’s society you lose a sense of authenticity from your host. Not to mention most of the comedy feels forced. That may be fine for the church going older crowds but personally I like a little spice in my usual listening.

3. Celebrities.

Everyone and their grandma has a podcast these days, including some high profile celebrities. Joe Rogan the former host of fear factor, UFC commentator, and stand up comedian hosts his daily podcast The Joe Rogan Experience in which he sits down with field experts to discuss a wide variety of topics. Filmmaker Kevin Smith hosts several topic specific podcasts including Fatman on Batman in which he talks everything in relation to comic book news.

4. Convenience.

It's nothing these days to click on your favorite podcast app, select which show you want to listen to and hit play. It is also a lot easier than trying to find a playable station on a drive where the signals are constantly changing.

Those are just a few reasons podcasts have grown in popularity with so many. I have found a great deal of personal development and knowledge from listening to insightful podcasts. I’ve been able to learn about a wide variety of topics, and have gained new perspectives that I otherwise wouldn’t consider.

A few of the podcasts I listen to that have made an impactful difference in my life are Jocko Podcast, The Joe Rogan Experience, Total Human Optimization Podcast, and the Mike Dolce Show.

A few other podcasts I listen to and highly recommend if you want a good laugh are The Fighter and the Kid, and my personal favorite, The Drinkin' Bros Podcast.