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

New Mix: Blistering Punk, Campy Rap And Some Great Unknowns (January 24, 2012) — This week on All Songs Considered: Bob Boilen drops a party-rap track direct from Canada; Robin Hilton explains what he loves so much about Thomas Patrick Maguire, the songwriter he recently named his favorite new artist; and a surprise guest busts up the proceedings with some good old-fashioned California punk. Plus: pulsing, atmospheric tracks from Young Magic and Lucius, and the original voices of Liz Green and Sea of Bees.

Book Reviews from The New York Times

Book Review Podcast (January 20, 2012) — This week, Charles Isherwood discusses a new book about playwright Ben Jonson; Julie Bosman with notes from the field; and Gregory Cowles has best-seller news. Sam Tanenhaus is the host.

Books Podcast from NPR

Hell-Raising Heroines, Diaries Of New Yorkers, more (January 09, 2012) — Stories in this episode: 1) Imprisoned In A Mysterious Mistaken Identity 2) Growing Up Muslim And Midwestern In ‘Dervish’ 3)  Hell-Raising Heroines: Three Ladies With Spitfire 4) Diaries’ Reveals New York Through The Ages 5) Left-Handedness: No Longer Suspect; Still A Mystery 6) What’s In Store: 3 Tales Of A Terrifying Future.

Brain Stuff from HowStuffWorks.com

Why is organic food more expensive than regular food? (January 25, 2012) — You’ve probably noticed that organic foods cost significantly more than non-organic ones, but have you ever wondered why? In this episode, Marshall Brain explains how higher production costs and other factors lead to higher prices in the grocery store.

How can water cut through steel? (January 23, 2012) — Waterjets are tools that use highly pressurized, focused streams of water to cut through metal and other solid materials. Learn more about waterjets in this episode.

How valuable is exercise to your health? (January 20, 2012) — We all know that exercise is an important way to safeguard your health. But how, exactly? In this episode, Marshall discusses the health benefits of exercise — and how much we need each week in order to take advantage of these benefits.

Culturetopia from NPR

Culturetopia: Troublemaker Edition (January 24, 2012) — This Week on Culturetopia: Actor Christian Bale talks about “The Flowers of War”; the screenwriter for “Red Tails” discusses the Tuskagee Airmen; publishers and booksellers decry Amazon’s predatory pricing; how much it costs to produce a hit single; the Cultural Revolution cookbook

Pop Culture Happy Hour: The Golden Globes And Twitter Criticism (January 20, 2012) — This week on Pop Culture Happy Hour, NPR Monkey See’s Linda Holmes joins Trey Graham, Glen Weldon and Stephen Thompson for a long discussion about the Golden Globes, including Ricky Gervais’ hosting duties. Then a look at Spin Magazine’s decision to review music on Twitter whether criticism is just as good if you do it in 140 characters.

Culturetopia: Excessive Entertainment Edition (January 20, 2012) — This Week on Culturetopia: Top TV picks for January; cable sport’s big money; “excessive entertainment” purged from Chinese TV; producer Mara Brock Akil; Real Housewives and the “botox tax.”

NOVA on PBS

Finding a Fake Van Gogh (January 25, 2012) — NOVA scienceNOW’s Dean Irwin discusses what he learned about this new computer technology while producing his story on digital art authentication.

PopStuff from HowStuffWorks.com

Now Available in 3-D (January 25, 2012) — Is 3-D just a gimmick, or is it really a valid tool for film makers? Tracy and Holly both saw “Hugo” and loved it, and now they can’t stop talking about the merits and perils of 3-D cinema (and Holly’s crush on Sacha Baron Cohen).

Let’s Do Brunch (January 23, 2012) — It’s a social meal and often involves ham and adult beverages. What’s not to love? In this episode, Tracy and Holly deconstruct brunch and discuss whether it’s the ultimate hipster repast.

Science Talk from Scientific American

State of the Union: Research, Technology and Energy (January 25, 2012) — About six minutes of President Obama’s State of the Union address dealt with research, technology and energy.

Stuff To Blow Your Mind from HowStuffWorks.com

We Are Stardust (January 26, 2012) — The atoms in your heart once burned in the fires of a dead star. Does this constitute an almost-spiritual connection to the cosmos or is it mere chemistry? In this episode, Robert and Julie discuss the billion-year-old carbon inside us.

Hug it Out (January 24, 2012) — Just what sort of hugger are you? Do you squeeze random strangers? Do you grapple your pals in a bear hug or go for the side-hug? In this episode, Julie and Robert discuss the science of hugging it out. Plus, you’ll learn about Robert’s most awkward hugs.

Stuff You Missed in History Class from HowStuffWorks.com

H.H. Holmes and the Mysteries of Murder Castle, Part 2 (January 25, 2012) — In the first part of this episode, Deblina and Sarah covered Herman K. Mudgett’s early life, including how he first became known as H.H. Holmes. But how did Holmes manage to complete his murder castle? What happened to him afterwards? Tune in to find out.

H.H. Holmes and the Mysteries of Murder Castle, Part 1 (January 23, 2012) — As a student, Herman K. Mudgett used corpses to commit insurance fraud. In 1886, he moved to Chicago under the alias H.H. Holmes. In 1888, Holmes started constructing a building with secret passageways and an airtight vault. So, what was it for?

Stuff You Should Know from HowStuffWorks.com

How Floods Work (January 26, 2012) — Floods happen when more water is introduced to an area than can be quickly removed. That’s about it, but there’s more to floods, what causes them and the havoc they can wreak. Join Josh and Chuck in this super-saturated episode of Stuff You Should Know.

How Human Trafficking Works (January 24, 2012) — Despite worldwide prohibitions, slavery still exists. Slaves are forced or coerced into prostitution or made to work in deplorable factory conditions. Yet there’s still debate over how widespread the problem is. Learn about modern slavery in this episode.