I realize Podcast have been around a good long time and that this post is probably a day late and a dollar short, but it was only this summer that I bought an IPod (Silver 160GB classic) and started to take advantage the variety of Podcast that are available for free.   In the 9 months that I have owned an Ipod,  I estimate that fully half of my listening has been spoken word Podcast in addition to my 40gb of music that I own.   My National Guard duty station is  almost 5 hours away and if I have to venture deeper into the bowels of Illinois, I often have a 12 to 13 hour round trip on my drill weekends.   Nothing makes this time go by quickly than being immersed in high quality Podcast.  Here is a short list of some high quality Podcast that I enjoy.

1.  Philosophy Bites

This program is hosted by Nigel Warburton and David Edmonds and features contemporary philosophers discussing the ideas of past philosophers or their own work.  This program usually runs 15 to 20 minutes and it always amazes me how succinct Nigel Warburton is in his handling of sometimes complex topics and ideas.   Dr. Warburton presents the topic, it's relevancy and then allows the guest to flesh out the topic at hand.  Along the way Dr. Warburton subtly guides the conversation to address key objections and problems without ever tipping his hand to his own philosophical leanings.  The tone of the Podcast is never combative regardless of the issue at hand and every single episode is a intellectually dense and rich.  I am amazed how Dr. Warburton can reduce so many ideas into such a short program without losing much of the nuance.  This is especially true when dealing with philosophers who are often in love with their own voice!  Warburton and Edmonds have started a complementary program called Ethics Bites that deals with, as the name implies,  applied ethics and expands the guest list outside of the traditional philosophers of academia.  

2.  The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary Chapel Messages

Because of my wife's work schedule I am not able to attend Chapel here at SBTS, but ITunes automatically downloads all of the chapel messages for me on to my IPod.  Trying to disregard my bias, I think that the preaching that takes place twice a week here at the Louisville Campus is some of the best preaching to be found anywhere.    Not only do the faculty preach but also guest preachers and theologians from around the world such as Graeme Goldsworty,  John Piper, Millard Erikson, Mark Dever, Irwin Lutzer,  and even CH (MAJ GEN) Douglas Carver, the Army Chief of Chaplains.  One sermon that caught a lot of attention lately is "I Kissed a Girl and I Liked It"  by Dr. Herschel York.  That one caught my eye on the list of sermons and it was a great exposition of 1 Corinthians 10:1-13.  

3.  The Classic Tales Podcast

There are those purist who will not listen to Audiobooks, but when you are on the road as much as I am, a printed book is usually not an option.  B.J. Harrison presents Classics short stories from the 19th and 20th century and does it for free.  His readings are energetic and entertaining without losing the essence of the tale being told.  Some of the stories do not interest me, but when they are FREE, I have no problem just deleting them off my Ipod.   At the beginning of the year Harrison read Tarzan by Edgar Rice Burroughs and presented it in serial form as it was originally published.  Every Friday for several months I eagerly downloaded the next few chapters and was on the edge of my seat to hear the adventures of a Tarzan that had not been given a Disney lobotomy.  That is one great book and a very manly book that every young boy should read (or listen to).

4.  The Productivity Show

This show is designed for all those who are into GTD (Getting Things Done), social media, and other buzz worthy methods of work and communication in the modern age.   The show took a two year hiatus, but it seems that it is starting to come back to life again.  There are plenty of back episodes to feed the your inner productivity geek.  

5.  NPR:  Intelligence Squared

When I am in the mood for polite and congenial I turn to Philosophy Bites, when I want to hear an intellectual throw down,  I turn to Intelligence Squared.   It is billed as:

"Oxford-style debating -- one motion, one moderator, two to three advocates for the motion, two to three against -- in New York City. Each evening begins at 6:00P with a complimentary wine reception. Before the debate starts, you cast your vote for or against the evening's motion. Those results are displayed midway through the debate as each side makes its statements. After the panelists’ opening remarks, the audience has a chance to ask the speakers questions. The question-and-answer period is followed by brief summations from the panelists and a final audience vote. The votes are then tallied and a winning side is declared."  

There are many good and thoughtful debaters in these Podcast and sometimes it is good ol' fashion sophistry.   A recent assertion was "Major reductions in carbon emissions are not worth the money" and it is great to hear thoughtful conservatives present their case instead of commentators such as Bill O'Reilly spew bile and lean on their populist crutch.   Republicans need to get back to business of convincing us of their ideals and this show is a good example of that.  If the topic can be divided into liberal and conservative,  the conservative side seems to win every time, which surprises me in an audience that NPR would attract in New York City.  

Those are my Top Five Podcast but there are thousands more that can be downloaded on practically any topic that interest you.   Several of my Podcast are an acquired taste such as the Being and Time (Heidegger) course that can be downloaded from UC Berkeley (that one needs a warning label) or the several dozen history Podcast that I follow, but that is the great thing about Podcast:  The are FREE and tailored to specific audiences.   Go download some for your next commute or when you are doing laundry!