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
Late Night Dispatches From SXSW 2012: Thursday (Friday, March 16, 2012) — On Thursday at SXSW, our intrepid team hosted a day party, caught two performances by Bruce Springsteen and experienced a whole lot of emotion.
Late Night Dispatches From SXSW 2012: Wednesday (Thursday, March 15, 2012) — Highlights from day one at SXSW included discoveries, old favorites and NPR Music’s official showcase at Stubbs, featuring the return of Fiona Apple.
Book Reviews from The New York Times
Book Review Podcast (Friday, March 09, 2012) — This week, Hari Kunzru on his new novel, “Gods Without Men”; Julie Bosman has notes from the field; Charles Duhigg discusses the science of habits; 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 does emergency preparedness work? (Friday, March 16, 2012) — In moments, a natural disaster can level cities, kill thousands and force survivors to scavenge through the rubble for supplies. In this podcast, Marshall discusses the importance of preparedness and the types of supplies you may need in an emergency.
How do strokes work? (Wednesday, March 14, 2012) — In a stroke, something disrupts the normal blood supply to parts of the brain. Without oxygen, affected brain cells will begin to die. Tune in as Marshall explains the causes of — and treatments for — strokes.
How can a valet rip you off? (Monday, March 12, 2012) — Once relegated to high-end restaurants and clubs, valets are increasingly common across the United States. But how can you trust your valet — and how will you know if the valet is scamming you? Tune in and find out.
The Coolest Stuff on the Planet
London 2012 Olympic Games (Friday, March 16, 2012) — If you have no tickets to the London 2012 Olympic Games, should you bother going? Are there events you can attend for free? Join Kathryn and Sarah as they explore all the fun, free stuff at London 2012 Olympic Games!
Culturetopia from NPR
Pop Culture Happy Hour: Punching Bags And The A Cappella Smackdown (Rebroadcast) (Friday, March 16, 2012) — This week on Pop Culture Happy Hour, the PCHH gang is still taking time off. But why not share another favorite old show? On this episode from November 2010, NPR’s Linda Holmes, Stephen Thompson, Trey Graham and Barrie Hardymon discuss pop-culture punching bags. These are the things that take entirely too much abuse that we are here to defend, no matter how unpopular it may make us. Then another entry in Regrettable Television Pop Quiz and Things Making Us Happy, including Judith Krantz, Kung Fu Panda 2, Clem Snide and more.
Film Junk
Episode 361: John Carter and The Skin I Live In (Tuesday, March 13, 2012) — We snooze through John Carter and peel back The Skin I Live In, plus a new Men in Black 3 trailer, Dances with Wolves, Robinson Crusoe on Mars, Cane Toads: The Conquest, World on a Wire, and a post-Genies rant.
PopStuff from HowStuffWorks.com
Saint Patrick’s Day (Wednesday, March 14, 2012) — In the U.S., we tend to think of St. Patrick’s Day as a green-tinted street party with loads of drinking and leprechauns. But what are the holiday’s real roots, and how did they get lost in a sea of plastic pots of gold and green beer?
All of the Snow Whites (Monday, March 12, 2012) — The Snow White story has always been popular, but lately, everyone seems to have a version of it to tell. Which ones are Tracy and Holly excited about, which ones make them cringe and why are we all so fascinated by this story?
Science Talk from Scientific American
Fukushima Anniversary: We Listen Back (Sunday, March 11, 2012) — Scientific American editor David Biello takes us through newly released audio from the first week of the nuclear meltdown crisis at Fukushima Daiichi.
Sound Opinions
Sound Opinions looks at the legacy of The Monkees (Sunday, March 11, 2012) — Remember Davy Jones and tune in for Jim and Greg’s look at the musical and marketing phenomenon that was The Monkees. Later they review the new album by Andrew Bird, and Kid Cudi’s foray into rock with WZRD.
Stuff To Blow Your Mind from HowStuffWorks.com
Stendhal Syndrome: Kicked in the Brain by Art (Thursday, March 15, 2012) — Imagine a work of art so beautiful that it causes heart palpitations and hallucinations. This Stuff to Blow Your Mind episode dives into the surreal world of Stendhal syndrome. What’s the science behind this psychosomatic illness? Tune in to find out.
The Seven Deadlies: Grasping Greed (Tuesday, March 13, 2012) — Would you like more money? Sure, we all would. But how does greed break down in the mind? Where’s the line between appreciating wealth and complete corruption? In this episode, Julie and Robert dive into the world of Scrooge McDuck, King Midas and more.
Stuff You Missed in History Class from HowStuffWorks.com
From Brontë to Bell and Back Again (Wednesday, March 14, 2012) — The Brontë sisters quickly rose from obscurity to notoriety after their three novels were published under the Bell pseudonym. Join Sarah and Deblina as they discuss the sisters’ rise to fame and the scandalous suggestions about their lives and morals.
Frida Kahlo: An Introspective Life (Part 1) (Monday, March 12, 2012) — Frida Kahlo contracted polio at the age of 6. Undeterred, she went on to have an active childhood and adolescence. After a tragic accident left her bedridden for more than three months, she began to pursue painting and politics.
Stuff You Should Know from HowStuffWorks.com
How the Donner Party Worked (Thursday, March 15, 2012) — Did they or didn’t they? There is plenty of written evidence that the ill-fated Donner Party resorted to cannibalism – except there are no bones. Learn the details of one of the worst disasters of the early West in this episode of Stuff You Should Know.
Should chimps be used for medical testing? (Tuesday, March 13, 2012) — If you’ve got half a heart it’s an easy question to answer. But if you’re happy living without polio and hepatitis B you may want to question further. Learn about what makes chimps special and the history of medical testing in this episode.
WNYC’s Radiolab
Shorts: A War We Need (Monday, March 05, 2012) — Every day, every moment, an epic battle is raging across the globe. It’s happening in the ocean. And the evidence is both highly visible and totally hidden, depending on your perspective. In this short, the tale of an arms race involving trillions of sea creatures–and why their struggle is vital to our survival.