I've started getting into podcasts

I've never owned an iPod and I've only recently gotten a smartphone so podcasts were always a bit of a mystery to me. I mean, people just talk for an extended period of time, like a radio programme? I can't see that taking off!

The epiphany moment came when I got the Tune In app on my phone and started using the search bar to find some interviews etc. My first discovery came whilst searching for some spoken word stuff from Henry Rollins.

The Nerdist Podcast

If you're not familiar with nerdist.com then this podcast can at first glance appear to be best suited for those who dwell in Game Workshop back rooms (you know who you are...). However once you scratch the surface, I found that the people behind this are comedians who consider themselves nerdy, rather than nerds who consider themselves comedians. This distinction is crucial. Guests in the last while have included Yvette Nicole Brown from Community, Dave Grohl from being a rockstar for as long as I've been alive and CM Punk from WWE.

Pros:

• It's genuinely funny, without the hosts seeming too competitive or trying to showcase their best jokes too often.
• The relaxed style means you get a better sense of the guests and, free from a strict time limit, each episode can go in a number of different ways that are not the usual interviews.
• The guests are pretty top notch.
• For the most part the tone is positive and it can be smart without being preachy.

Cons:

• If you want to hear some nerdy insight into what the person actually does, you may be out of luck. Or you might hit the jackpot! It's that hit or miss! e.g. There's basically no wrasslin' talk in the CM Punk podcast
• There isn't one everyday! Sometimes I have to wait an entire 3 days until a new one is online, oh noes!! 

How Stuff Works

This is also a spin off of a website, howstuffworks.com. Basically each time these two dudes read up on a topic and break down how it works. It gets a bit technical but the subject matter ranges from cool fantasy themes like Bigfoot and Vampires, to garbage-fuelled cars and kleptomania. The podcasts are usually about 20-30 minutes long and are well researched and can be funny.

Pros:

• There are a wide variety of topics, something for everyone!
• The guys seem to have their background work done each time. 
• It can satisfy the most science-loving intellectuals as well as regular joes who want to learn something new in baby steps.

Cons:

• It can get a biiiit heavy at times when they bring their SCIENCE TALK.
• There sometimes is a lack of fun, so if the topic is something you don't care about, there's not much incentive to listen to it.
• The format is pretty rigid.

100 Words or Less

I've only just started listening to this podcast, which is run by a dude who works (worked) with metal record label Century Media, used to sing in a band and helps set up Sound and Fury Fest. He focuses on independent music, usually of the heavy persuasion, as well as other 'creators' and people he finds interesting. From what I've listened to so far, there's a nice mix of general sh!t talk and planned interview-type questions.

Pros:

• It's great to hear a 'regular guy' type podcast from someone who likes heavy music and other cool stuff. Except the 'regular guy' has lots of industry knowledge and contacts/friends.
• There's a nice range of interviewees/topics within the 'alternative' scene.

Cons:

• The sounds quality can be poor/inconsistent, eg interviews over skype.
• It could do with a co-host to add some more banter into the mix. 
• It's not on TuneIn :( But I guess it's my fault for not having iTunes

I actually hate writing reviews like this in a 'professional' (ish) way, always feel like I'm taking things too seriously. Either way, there's some podcasts I like, holler at me with some recommendations!