In general, I don’t listen to podcasts. Or rather, I can’t listen to podcasts.
It’s not that I can’t hear them. I just have a condition called ADP — auditory processing disorder — that means my brain struggles to take the things I hear and store them away as actual, usable information.
I accommodate this by, like, generally consuming things that aren’t podcasts. The only fly in that otherwise-effective ointment is that “Today we sit down with…” podcasts appear to be the current industry informational standard, and that they are, bizarrely, specifically being used as a hiring factor. As in, I’ve filled out numerous job applications that include the question, “What podcasts do you listen to?” and they weren’t talking about Fantasy Fangirls. And the answer “none” doesn’t exactly make one look dedicated to one’s craft.
So, yeah, the gatekeeping thing is weird and maybe needs to stop, and/or I’d love to see our industry offer a greater diversity of podcasts. But there are podcasts I can listen to and process. They mostly aren’t marketing-related, unfortunately, but they do all share a more contextual, human-centric format that helps my brain, in all its malfunctioning glory, better do its job. Thus, AMA about World War II history or cannibal-related caselaw.
So this is what I’m listening to, if you’re ever looking for an alternative to “Today we sit down with…” or if you’re curious about whether cannibalism is legal. (Spoiler alert: only under specific circumstances.)
Who Did What Now (Katie Charlwood)
The Who Did What Now history podcast is fun, thorough, and informative, featuring perky delivery and sometimes-stabbing commentary delivered with an endearing Scottirish accent. I will note that Katie’s content ranges from fun stuff like the story of burlesque icon Lili St. Cyr to informative stuff like the life of abolitionist John Brown to her current multi-part series about concentration camps, so definitely take note of episode titles to know whether you’re going to be hearing about Josephine Baker or Irma Grese, the Hyena of Auschwitz.
Anyway, the more narrative style and personable delivery sneak in through a different part of my brain so I can’t help learnin’ stuff.
Also: Kaz Rowe on YouTube
Rebuttal (Reb Masel)
If you’re familiar with Reb’s “Reading Iconic Court Transcripts,” know that she dials the blasé, Gen-Z valley girl persona back from an 11 to around a 4 for purposes of Rebuttal. She’s a practicing attorney talking about caselaw vis-à-vis subjects like the legal implications of a drunken jury, but she also dials the persona down to 0 for subjects like Kalief Browder and detentions at Guantanamo Bay. And so my brain actually does absorb information like, for instance, specifics around the Miranda warning if you’re ever arrested.
Also: Strict Scrutiny, for Supreme Court goings-on, and LegalEagle on YouTube, for contemporary cases and issues
One Quick Question (Infomedia)
Birmingham agency Infomedia’s One Quick Question is pretty much the only marketing podcast I’ve found that does work for my brain because it has that personable, personal narrative and delivery and because it is, in fact, quick (relative to a lot of other blogs), coming in at around a half-hour, giving my brain less information to contend with. Theoretically, subjects like email marketing and SEO should be dry as toast, but the Infomedia team manage to make them accessible to my brain.
Also: If there were a lot of other podcasts like this, I wouldn’t be writing an entire post about not being able to listen to marketing podcasts.
Under the Influence (Terry O’Reilly/CBC)
I don’t look at Under the Influence as a “marketing podcast” in the sense of the podcasts that teach you about strategy and developments in marketing and whatnot, because it’s more educational storytime than incisive commentary on current industry developments. That doesn’t mean it isn’t, as I said, educational — just that you’re learning about billboards and brand longevity. If you want to make the argument that This is an advertising podcast, Caperton, you were just complaining there aren’t any podcasts you can listen to and you just listed two here, I’ll hear your argument, and then I’ll dismiss it. You’re allowed to be wrong.
I will confess, there’s something about Terry’s ‘80s-radio-deejay delivery that makes it unbingeable for me. But the content lands in my brain, and that’s the important part.
Also: Again, pretty much nothing
Dessert Person (Claire Saffitz)
(Dessert Person isn’t actually a podcast — it’s on YouTube — but all that really means is I can’t consume it while driving.) I am, admittedly, not a very good cook, but you might be surprised to learn I’m actually a minor hell of a baker. (My current white whale is an apple pie with a canned cinnamon-roll crust. I’m going to get there.) Watching Claire bake tarte tatin and try to faithfully recreate Milano cookies pings the bake-y part of my brain, and it teaches me about things like the use of salt as a flavor enhancer and application of light vs. dark brown sugar. Presenting the information in context helps it hit home.
(For my next attempt with the pie, in case you’re curious, I’m going to try blind-baking the crust. I’ll keep you updated on the results.
Also: Joshua Weissman on YouTube, although I find the whole “Papa” thing extremely disconcerting
Hear me out.
Those podcasts scratch my absorb-actual-knowledge itch by offering a format and delivery that aren’t panel-discussion-with-leading-industry-experts info-bombing. If you have suggestions of comparable podcasts in the marketing or advertising arena, I’d love to hear (and process) them.
I will extend gratitude to podcasts like Marketing School, which posts YouTube videos of all its podcasts that let you follow along with captions on. It’s not quite the same, but it’s not nothing.
And if you’re not open to doing any of that, at least change the question to, “What podcasts do you read the transcripts of when they’re made available?” I mean, throw me a tiny a bone here.