Welcome to Podcast Friday!, a weekly compilation of some of the more interesting podcasts from around the web, listed right here for your listening pleasure!
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All Songs Considered from NPR
Moogfest 2012 (Wednesday, October 31, 2012) — If it weren’t for Robert Moog, a lot of the music you enjoy today might not have been possible. As the inventor of the Moog synthesizer, he gave rise to not only the technology needed for modern electronic music, but also the creative spirit that inspired countless musicians to take his vision and play with it, mold it and reshape it into mind-blowing works of art. Last weekend, a remarkably gifted group of electronic and experimental rock artists gathered in Asheville, N.C., for the annual Moogfest. All Songs Considered host Bob Boilen and NPR electronic and dance-music contributor Sami Yenigun were there.
Book Reviews from The New York Times
Book Review Podcast (Friday, November 02, 2012) — This week, Nate Silver talks about his new book, The Signal and the Noise; Parul Sehgal discusses publishing news; and Gregory Cowles has best-seller news. Sam Tanenhaus is the host.
Books Podcast from NPR
NPR: 11-01-2012 Books (Thursday, November 01, 2012) — Stories: 1) Resenting And Respecting Mom In Russo’s ‘Elsewhere’ 2) History Inspired Travel Tales Of Donoghue’s ‘Astray’ 3) ‘Smitten Kitchen’ Takes The Fuss Out Of Cooking 4) With Barbs, Author Becomes Literary Star In China 5) Should ‘The Generals’ Get Fired More Often?
Brain Stuff from HowStuffWorks.com
How Does Yawning Work? (Friday, November 02, 2012) — Just hearing about yawning can make you yawn, and no one is sure why. Learn more about yawns and yawning in this HowStuffWorks podcast.
Why are my power bills so high? (Wednesday, October 31, 2012) — When it comes to energy usage, heating and cooling appliances contribute the most to your power bill. Tune in to find out which appliances are the most power-hungry — and why — in this podcast from HowStuffWorks.com.
Tiny Houses (Monday, October 29, 2012) — Tiny houses are part of a growing trend, but why would someone want an itty bitty house? In this episode, Marshall talks about the benefits and challenges of building a tiny home.
The Coolest Stuff on the Planet
Istanbul’s Hagia Sophia (Friday, November 02, 2012) — Hagia Sophia has gone through several identity changes over the centuries. Find out why this unusual museum ranks among the Coolest Stuff on the Planet in this video podcast from HowStuffWorks.com.
Culturetopia from NPR
Poseurs, Plate-Spinners, And Six Bucks In Pennies (Rebroadcast) (Friday, November 02, 2012) — This week on Pop Culture Happy Hour, NPR’s Linda Holmes, Stephen Thompson, Trey Graham and Glen Weldon tackle the issue of cultural pretenders. They also talk about obscure talents that need to make their triumphant returns and a few of the wackiest (really!) TV episode titles we could find. All that, plus What’s Making Us Happy This Week. This episode original aired on July 22, 2011.
Film Junk
Episode 391: Paranormal Activity 4 and Sinister (Tuesday, October 30, 2012) — We get possessed by the Halloween spirit with reviews of Paranormal Activity 4, Sinister and the documentary The American Scream, plus we also discuss The Evil Dead remake trailer along with Candyman, The Blob, Arachnophobia, Terror Train, Trick or Treat, and Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein.
Freakonomics Radio
How to Maximize Your Halloween Candy Haul (Wednesday, October 31, 2012) — Is it as simple as going to the richest neighborhood you can find? Of course not…
PopStuff from HowStuffWorks.com
Nostalgia for the Good Old Games (Wednesday, October 31, 2012) — Both Tracy and Holly love new games, but they also fondly recall the early days of the video game industry. Take a trip down memory lane as talk turns to arcades, “Wreck-it Ralph” and why gamers get so attached to the titles.
Zombies and Vampires and … where is this headed? (Monday, October 29, 2012) — The entertainment market is saturated with supernatural creatures, but vampires and zombies seem to be the most popular, with werewolves coming in a close third. What will we be seeing the most of once the various iterations of the undead are played out?
Science Talk from Scientific American
Scientific American after Sandy (Wednesday, October 31, 2012) — Scientific American Editor in Chief Mariette DiChristina brings us up to date on the state of our New York City-based operation after Sandy. Recorded October 31 at 2:30 P.M Eastern time.
Sound Opinions
Sound Opinions 2012 Halloween Special: Monster Songs (Sunday, October 28, 2012) — “Monster Mash” not quite cutting it with the jaded trick-or-treaters in your neighborhood? Well you’re in luck. On this year’s Sound Opinions Halloween Special, Jim and Greg share some Monster Songs sure to send chills up the kids’ spines.
Stuff To Blow Your Mind from HowStuffWorks.com
Ordovician Waters: Life in the Age of Trilobites (Thursday, November 01, 2012) — Prepare to explore an alien Earth as Stuff to Blow Your Mind takes you back to the Ordovician Period, when invertebrates thrived in primal seas that covered most of the super continent Gondwana. Join Julie and Robert as they explore this age of change.
Light as a Feather, Stiff as a Board (Wednesday, October 31, 2012) — Ever reach out to the spirit world? Or stare into a dark mirror for Bloody Mary? Or perhaps levitation was more your style. In this episode, Julie and Robert bust through the fantasy of these paranormal parlor tricks and examine the underlying science.
Stuff You Missed in History Class from HowStuffWorks.com
The Case of the Colorado Cannibal (Wednesday, October 31, 2012) — In the winter of 1873, Alferd Packer led gold prospectors into the Rockies, but harsh conditions soon set them off course. Packer was the only survivor, and he looked oddly well-fed. He claimed he’d killed in self-defense. But was he guilty of murder?
Accused by a Ghost! (Monday, October 29, 2012) — In the early 1760s, the so-called Cock Lane Ghost haunted a London home, communicating through knocks. The ghost accused her former partner of poisoning her. However, as more details emerged people wondered if the haunting was an act of earthly revenge.
Stuff You Should Know from HowStuffWorks.com
Is Stockholm Syndrome real? (Thursday, November 01, 2012) — Since a hostage standoff in Sweden took place in 1972 a peculiar and mysterious psychological phenomenon has had a name. But is Stockholm Syndrome real? And what conditions have to be present? Join Chuck and Josh as they look into this unusual condition.
SYSK’s Halloween Horror Fiction Winner! (Tuesday, October 30, 2012) — Josh and Chuck have been planning this thing since spring and it’s finally here! Tune in to hear which listener’s scary story won the SYSK Halloween Horror Fiction Contest — and prepare to have your socks scared off just in time for All Hallow’s Eve.
WNYC’s Radiolab
Shorts: Seeing in the Dark (Monday, October 22, 2012) — John and Zoltan are both blind, but they deal with the world in completely different ways — one paints vivid pictures in his mind, while the other refuses to picture anything at all. In this short, they argue about the truth of a world they can’t see.