When I’m working, I often need something to fill the quietness of the office. For a time, I filled the quietness with music. I’ve just joined the audiobook craze in the last couple of months. While I love both of these, unless you’re constantly discovering new music or have a streamining service (like Spotify), music can grow repetitive and audiobooks can be hit or miss.

Enter podcasts. For the past two and half to three years, podcasts have been an immense source of entertainment for me. They are attractive for several reasons:

1. Podcasts cover almost any subject you can think of. If there is something you want to know more about or any topic you are interested in, you can find a podcast for that subject.
2. Podcasts can range from 1 minute or can last several hours. Choosing a podcast can be as simple as finding one that fits in with the amount of time you have. Podcasts can fill your 30 minute commute time, your hour lunch, and some can last the entirety of your day if you desire.
3. Each podcast has unique formatting. Some podcasts are interview based. Some are story-telling based. Some have a panel of hosts. Each of these formats provide a different ‘feel’ for the listener. Find which format or formats you love and which ones you’re not so fond of.
4. They’re free. Whether you used Apple Podcasts or some other podcast catcher, you do not have to pay for podcasts. This may be the best thing about them. You can listen and learn and enjoy without affecting your pocketbook.

It’s hard for me to wite these next couple of sentences without sounding “self-promoting,” so here it goes. I have the wonderful experience of being behind the mic of my own podcast, The Workshop Podcast. This has only given me a greater love and appreciation for podcasting. There is the struggle to come up with ideas and to find your own voice (much like writing in fact). Even through the struggle, my co-host Matt and I enjoy having an outlet to discuss things that matter and things that, well, really don’t. We enjoy recording which only makes the experience that much better.

So if you’re on the fence about podcasting or if you’ve never listened to one, I’d encourage you to start listening. They can fit your schedule and provide wonderful alternative to music and audiobooks. If your looking for some suggestions, I’ve listed some of the podcast I listen to below.

The Happy Rant, Clinch: A Podcast of Fiction and Not-Fiction, Cultivated: A podcast about faith and work, Reply All, TED Radio Hour, Gut Check Podcast, Lore, Revisionist History, The Briefing

If you get the chance, give The Workshop Podcast a listen. You can download it on iTunes or you can find it in the link below.

The Workshop Podcast