When I’m powering through reports, I like to listen to something in my ear buds. I can’t listen to just anything. It either has to be:
- Classical music, usually piano only
- Non-fiction audiobooks, biographies and inspirational
- Podcasts on my iPhone
Yes, I’m very particular, but I’ve found that pop music distracts and any audiobook that is a work of fiction is hard to keep up with if I need to focus. All of the above audio input can be tuned out for random periods of time and you can still get the “gist” of what is going on.
Sometimes it’s hard to know which podcasts are the best. Check out the seven best weekly podcasts that I listen to on my iPhone:
1) Grammar Girl: Quick and Dirty Tips for Better Writing
Us SLPs are grammar geeks so this podcast is a great way to learn more than you ever wanted to about language. Most episodes are about 12 minutes long, which is perfect for any little snatch of time you might have.
If you listen to public radio, you will recognize this name. I’m not in my car much on the weekends so I miss the show. You’d be surprised how many episodes deal with language. I find little nuggets in most shows. Episodes are about 60 minutes long.
The TED Talks are absolutely brilliant. I don’t know who came up with it, but they host conferences all over the world focused on those issues: Technology, Education, Design = TED. I have learned so much about human behavior that has helped me as a speech path. Each weekly podcast is organized around a theme and snippets from multiple TED speakers are presented. Episodes are 53 minutes long.
I’ve only just started listening to this podcast, but it’s focused on speech therapy, which is tough to find! Episodes are about 30 minutes long.
Another inspirational-type podcast, Jonathan Fields takes a person and interviews them about how to create a “good life.” Episodes are around 70 minutes long.
6) Invisibilia
This podcast is currently on hiatus, but I found that the episodes were incredibly relevant to language and invisible forces that act on people. Episodes about 60 minutes long. Currently on hiatus
7) StoryCorps
Okay, this podcast is going to make you cry. I make time to listen to it live on the radio (NPR) every Friday morning and I’m sure to have tissues. They dig up stories from all over the country told by people. A great way to stimulate a conversation during therapy with older clients. Episodes are usually about 12 minutes long.
***
What do you listen to every week? Thanks for stopping by!