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 Regina Spektor, Radiohead’s Jonny Greenwood Does Avant-Garde Classical, More (Wednesday, February 29, 2012) — On this edition of All Songs Considered, we hear a stunning new song from Regina Spektor’s upcoming album What We Saw From the Cheap Seats. We’ve also got Radiohead guitarist Jonny Greenwood, who joins Polish avant-garde composer Krzysztof Penderecki for a new collection of strange and beautiful classical pieces. Plus, listen for punk-inspired rock from Mind Spiders, a gorgeous new album from Cowboy Junkies, joyful electronic pop from Kishi Bashi, a new solo project from Nick Zammuto (half of the now-defunct duo The Books) and Argentinian electronic artist Mati Zundel.
Book Reviews from The New York Times
Book Review Podcast (Friday, March 02, 2012) — This week, Amber Dermont discusses her debut novel, The Starboard Sea; Julie Bosman has notes from the field; Jennifer Schuessler on a dictionary of regional American English; J. Hoberman talks about Geoff Dyer’s Zona; and Gregory Cowles has best-seller news. Sam Tanenhaus is the host.
Books Podcast from NPR
Remembering A Publishing Pioneer, E-Books Democratizing Publishing, more (Monday, February 27, 2012) — Stories in this episode: 1) Publishing Pioneer Barney Rosset Dies At 89; 2) At Last, They See: E-Books ‘Democratize’ Publishing; 3) Murder, Corruption And Cover-Ups In Bloodland; 4) King Peggy: A Cinderella Story — With A Twist; 5) Plotto: An Algebra Book For Fiction Writing
Brain Stuff from HowStuffWorks.com
How do artificial sweeteners work? (Friday, March 02, 2012) — At many restaurants, a little container on the table will have regular sugar in addition to artificial sweeteners. But what exactly are artificial sweeteners, and how do they differ in comparison to regular sugar? Listen in to find out.
Is it possible to turn coal into oil? (February 29, 2012) — As the demand for dwindling oil supplies rises, scientists across the world search for new ways to generate energy. In this episode, Marshall looks at a new attempt to stave off the looming fossil fuel crisis: Turning coal into oil. Tune in to learn more.
Why do 3D movies cause headaches? (Monday, February 27, 2012) — Although 3-dimensional movies have become increasingly popular, numerous viewers have complained of headaches while watching these films. Why? Tune in as HowStuffWorks.com founder Marshall Brain breaks down the science behind 3D films.
The Coolest Stuff on the Planet
Green Travel (Friday, March 02, 2012) — Each year, 1 billion tourists crisscross the globe, making a huge impact on the environment. Could green travel help fix this problem? Tune in to learn how you can incorporate green travel principles in air travel, hotel stays and buying souvenirs.
Culturetopia from NPR
Pop Culture Happy Hour: Chris Rock, Jack Benny, And Late Breaking News (Friday, March 02, 2012) — This week on Pop Culture Happy Hour, NPR Monkey See’s Linda Holmes, Stephen Thompson, Glen Weldon and Trey Graham briefly break down the Oscars telecast from Meryl Streep and The Artist’s big wins to host Billy Crystal. Then move on to the big topic of the week — the things for which they were late to the table: The Shield, Futurama, The Godfather and much more. All that plus What’s Making Us Happy.
Culturetopia: But Can You Dance to It Edition (Thursday, March 01, 2012) — This Week on Culturetopia: Pianist Robert Glasper; New Orleans funk band Galactic; drummer Shannon Powell; the mysteries of natural rhythm; parsing Rhianna and Chris Brown’s latest collaborations.
Film Junk
Episode 359: Goon (Tuesday, February 28, 2012) — We drop the gloves and square off with Goon, plus we discuss Sacha Baron Cohen getting banned at the Oscars, MPAA ratings for documentaries, The Woman in Black, The Help, Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close, Willow and Life’s Too Short.
PopStuff from HowStuffWorks.com
Release the hounds! (Wednesday, February 29, 2012) — If you were an online celeb, would you use your power for good or for evil? Join Tracy and Holly as they discuss those Internet moments when influential people mobilize their followers, sometimes with ill intent.
Internet Friends: True or False? (Monday, February 27, 2012) — Are the friends you make online the real deal? Tracy and Holly say they are, but the research is divided. Is the Internet the ideal place for shy people to reach out, or is online socializing just creating a world of detached, lonely people?
Science Talk from Scientific American
If You’re Happy, How You Know It (Wednesday, February 22, 2012) — Social scientist Roly Russell, of the Sandhill Institute in British Columbia, talked with Scientific American‘s Mark Fischetti at the annual meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science about potentially better measures than GDP of a nation’s well-being.
Sound Opinions
Sound Opinions with Dessa (Sunday, February 26, 2012) — Tune in for a live performance from rapper and poet Dessa. Plus, Sleigh Bells is back with a new album Reign of Terror.
Stuff To Blow Your Mind from HowStuffWorks.com
Tidally Locked Perpetual Darkness (Thursday, March 01, 2012) — Why do we never see the moon’s backside? What would the Earth be like if one side always faced the sun? In this episode, Robert and Julie contemplate tidally locked planets and moons, where one side of the globe burns while the other freezes in darkness.
The Seven Deadlies: Green With Envy (Tuesday, February 28, 2012) — Guided by science, Julie and Robert continue their journey through the pleasures and perils of the seven deadly sins. This time the vice of choice is envy, so prepare to discover the neuroscience behind schadenfreude in this episode.
Stuff You Missed in History Class from HowStuffWorks.com
Evliya Çelebi: World Traveler and Companion to Mankind (Wednesday, February 29, 2012) — Evliya Çelebi grew up in 17th century Istanbul as the “boon companion” of Sultan Murad IV. In his 20s, Evliya had a prophetic dream and spent decades traveling. During his travels he wrote the Seyahatname, one of history’s important travel narratives.
The Fairy Tale Life of Hans Christian Andersen (Monday, February 27, 2012) — Hans Christian Andersen is often considered the father of the modern fairy tale, but his life was not the quiet existence depicted in his photos. His personal life is fairly bizarre, and he is sometimes compared to his own outcast fairy tale figures.
Stuff You Should Know from HowStuffWorks.com
How SETI Works (Thursday, March 01, 2012) — SETI stands for ‘search for extraterrestrial intelligence,’ and the term is used to describe both the SETI institute and the search for alien life in general. In this spaced-out episode, Josh and Chuck explore the origin, aims and challenges facing SETI.
How Crying Works (Tuesday, February 28, 2012) — You probably did it around 70 times last year, yet you probably don’t understand the psychological and physiological processes at work when you cried. Don’t feel bad – no one does. Join Chuck and Josh as they poke around your tear ducts in this episode.