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
The xx, Dan Deacon, Frank Ocean, Passion Pit, More (Tuesday, July 17, 2012) — On this edition of All Songs Considered, hear the first new song from The xx since the group’s stunning debut in 2009. Also on the show: a masterfully restrained song from Frank Ocean’s first full-length studio album; a premiere of the song “Counter Charm” from the Brooklyn-based duo, She Keeps Bees; euphoric electro-pop from Passion Pit; the wildly infectious artist Dan Deacon and his ecstatic new album, America; Iranian-Canadian producer Amirali; Canadian country singer Corb Lund; and singer Cate Le Bon channels Nico.
Book Reviews from The New York Times
Book Review Podcast (Friday, July 20, 2012) — This week, Elizabeth Samet discusses Anthony Swofford’s new memoir; Julie Bosman has notes from the field; Joseph Berger talks about Theodore Roosevelt’s time as New York’s police commissioner; and Gregory Cowles has best-seller news. Sam Tanenhaus is the host.
Books Podcast from NPR
Author and Screenwriter Nora Ephron Remembered, Teenage Brain, more (Thursday, June 28, 2012) — Stories in this episode: 1) Ephron: From ‘Silkwood’ To ‘Sally,’ A Singular Voice 2) Rich Reads: Historical Fiction Fit For A Queen 3) As The Earth Slows, This ‘Miracle’ Becomes Calamity 4) Dr. Karp On Parenting And The Science Of Sleep 5) Teenage Brain: Gateway To A ‘Bright And Dark’ World.
Brain Stuff from HowStuffWorks.com
What do the brake warning lights mean in my car? (Friday, July 20, 2012) — The brake warning lights in your car light up as part of a routine test. When they stay on, they indicate that there’s something wrong with your brake system. Learn more about brake warning lights in this episode.
How much does 20-pound bond paper weigh? (Wednesday, July 18, 2012) — Your average ream of printer paper is called 20-pound bond paper, but it doesn’t actually weigh 20 pounds. Tune in as Marshall explains this strange American paper naming system — and its metric alternative.
Why is a circular saw louder than a table saw? (Monday, July 16, 2012) — Circular saws are much noisier than table saws partly because of the type of motor they possess. Learn more about universal and induction motors in BrainStuff.
The Coolest Stuff on the Planet
The Mansions of Newport, Rhode Island (Friday, July 20, 2012) — Back in the Gilded Age, Newport was the hub of the summer social season for the rich and famous. People like the Vanderbilts and the Astors built some magnificent mansions which are now open to the public. Join us as we take a tour.
Culturetopia from NPR
‘Breaking Bad’ And A Little Sad (Friday, July 20, 2012) — This week on Pop Culture Happy Hour, NPR Monkey See’s Linda Holmes, Trey Graham, Stephen Thompson and Glen Weldon talk about Breaking Bad, touch on how acclaimed works become punchlines, and get a little choked-up as we do a little housekeeping. All that plus What’s Making Us Happy this week.
Film Junk
Episode 377: Savages (Monday, July 16, 2012) — We cut to the chase with Savages and buy into the magic of Beasts of the Southern Wild, plus we also discuss Lady in the Water, Where the Wild Things Are and the first trailer for Oz: The Great and Powerful.
PopStuff from HowStuffWorks.com
DIY Shows: Good or Bad? (Wednesday, July 18, 2012) — So many people dream of their perfect home — and many decide to take matters into their own hands, armed with inspiration from DIY TV shows. In this episode, Tracy and Holly discuss DIY home renovations and whether TV is helping or making things worse.
PopStuff Isn’t Cool Enough to Be a Hipster (Monday, July 16, 2012) — Hipster. The very word makes people sneer. Why are hipsters viewed with such disdain? And what makes a person a hipster, anyway? Tracy and Holly examine the history of the word “hipster,” as well as the various definitions of what a hipster is, and try to figure out where all the negative press comes from.
Science Talk from Scientific American
Plants Know Stuff (Friday, June 29, 2012) — Daniel Chamovitz, director of the Manna Center for Plant Biosciences at Tel Aviv University, talks about his new book What A Plant Knows.
Sound Opinions
Sound Opinions with Kelly Hogan (Sunday, July 15, 2012) — Singer Kelly Hogan visits the studio. A sought-after collaborator for the likes of Neko Case and Andrew Bird, Hogan’s powerful voice shines through on her solo record, I Like to Keep Myself in Pain. Plus Jim and Greg review new releases from Emili Sande and Hot Chip.
Stuff To Blow Your Mind from HowStuffWorks.com
The Science of Downward Dog (Thursday, July 19, 2012) — About 20 million people in the U.S. practice some form of yoga. In this episode of Stuff to Blow Your Mind, Julie and Robert suss out the claims and revelations — could it really be a telomere fountain of youth? And what poses should a newbie never do?
Eliminating River Blindness (Tuesday, July 17, 2012) — The parasitic worm onchocerciasis uses a bacterial cloaking device to colonize the human body, causing tremendous suffering and even blindness. Luckily, the Carter Center is waging a campaign against the parasite. Tune in to learn more.
Stuff You Missed in History Class from HowStuffWorks.com
Listener Mail Roundup: Collector’s Edition (Wednesday, July 18, 2012) — In a recent episode on George Arents, we asked listeners what kind of book collections they keep. We heard from people with interests ranging from mixology books to a library dedicated to Disney. We also learned about what these collections inspired.
The Amelia Earhart Mystery (Update) (Monday, July 16, 2012) — In this classic episode, former hosts Candace and Katie explore the events surrounding Amelia Earhart’s mysterious disappearance in 1937, and possible theories as to what could have happened. We also cover new developments in this 75-year-old mystery.
Stuff You Should Know from HowStuffWorks.com
Did a cow start the Great Chicago Fire? (Thursday, July 19, 2012) — It’s true: The newspapers of the day reported that a cow (or perhaps its owner) was responsible for a fire that burned half of Chicago in 1871. Yet in 1997 Mrs. O’Leary and her cow were exonerated. Join Josh and Chuck to find out who’s probably to blame.
How Disco Works (Tuesday, July 17, 2012) — Fly, robin, fly indeed. No musical genre has risen and burned out as quickly as disco, and historians are still trying to unravel the animosity aimed at it. Join Chuck and Josh as they dig into disco’s underground roots and its sashay into the mainstream.
WNYC’s Radiolab
Shorts: Double Blasted (Monday, July 16, 2012) — In early August of 1945, Tsutomu Yamaguchi had a run of the worst luck imaginable. A double blast of radiation left his future, and the future of his descendants, in doubt. In this short: an utterly amazing survival story that spans … well, 4 billion years when you get down to it.