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 Best of CMJ 2012 (Tuesday, October 23, 2012) — Each fall, hundreds of little-known bands descend on New York City for the annual CMJ Music Marathon. On this edition of All Songs Considered, recorded live at the Judson Memorial Church in NYC, host Bob Boilen talks with Thor Slaughter (yes, that’s his real name), Music Director for KWVA radio in Eugene, Ore., and Emmy Black with Bar/None Records. The three share memories of this year’s appropriately titled “Music Marathon” and talk about some of their favorite discoveries, including the trippy, psychedelic group Ghost Pal, the country-tinged garage rock band Turbo Fruits and the fantastically named duo Foxygen.
Book Reviews from The New York Times
Book Review Podcast (Friday, October 26, 2012) — This week, Robert Christgau talks about Pete Townshend’s new memoir; Amanda Foreman discusses J. K. Rowling’s novel The Casual Vacancy; and Gregory Cowles has best-seller news. Sam Tanenhaus is the host.
Books Podcast from NPR
NPR: 10-25-2012 Books (Thursday, October 25, 2012) — Stories this week: 1) From Ship To Sherlock: Doyle’s ‘Arctic’ Diary 2) Portis ‘Miscellany’ Makes A High-‘Velocity’ Collection 3) America’s Facebook Generation Is Reading Strong 4) A Reminder To Tolkien Fans Of Their First Love 5) Running Toward Redemption On ‘Ransom Road’
Brain Stuff from HowStuffWorks.com
Can cans and string really be used like a telephone? (Friday, October 26, 2012) — You’ve probably heard of this trick before: Connecting two cans with a piece of string in the bottom of each can will supposedly allow people to speak over a distance to one another. Tune in as Marshall Brain explains how it works in this episode.
How does gravity work? (Wednesday, October 24, 2012) — Gravity affects us every single day, but how does this oh-so-common force of nature work? Tune in to this podcast from HowStuffWorks.com to take a look at the nuts and bolts of gravity.
Why is there a small hole on the top of spray can lids? (Monday, October 22, 2012) — Many spray can lids have a tiny hole at the top. Check out this HowStuffWorks podcast to learn more about spray cans, shipping and air pressure.
The Coolest Stuff on the Planet
Thank You, But Our Dracula is in Another Castle (Friday, October 26, 2012) — Bran Castle is often hyped as “Dracula’s Castle,” the fortress of the historical figure who inspired the “Dracula” novel and legend. But is it really? And who was this Vlad Dracula guy, anyway? Matt and Rachel unravel the mystery in this episode.
Culturetopia from NPR
Halloween Stories And Very Good Taste (Friday, October 26, 2012) — This week on Pop Culture Happy Hour, NPR’s Linda Holmes, Stephen Thompson, Glen Weldon and guest Tanya Ballard Brown talk about various Halloween topics. Candy corn, yay or nay? Should one dress their dog or cat in costume? Also, traumatic parental costuming decisions and why the holiday has become less scary for kids. Next, they talk about the concept of “good taste.” Is there such a thing and who’s in a position to say what it might be? All that plus, What’s Making Us Happy this week, including Macklemore, ‘Nashville,’ ‘Adventure Time’ and a book about Weird Al.
Film Junk
Episode 390: Argo, Samsara and The Imposter (Monday, October 15, 2012) — We give Argo the go ahead, marvel at Samsara and review The Imposter (again), plus we also discuss Little Shop of Horrors, 30 Minutes or Less, E.T., The Poughkeepsie Tapes and In the Mood for Love.
Freakonomics Radio
We the Sheeple (Wednesday, October 24, 2012) — Politicians tell voters exactly what they want to hear, even when it makes no sense. Which is pretty much all the time.
PopStuff from HowStuffWorks.com
Scary vs. Sexy? (Wednesday, October 24, 2012) — Women who want to let out their sexy side on Halloween have all the choices in the world. But what about ladies who don’t want to go bare? Tracy and Holly discuss the body shaming, freedom of expression and bizarre designs of the sexy costume trend.
Train Wrecks of the Proposal Variety (Monday, October 22, 2012) — Public proposals are more and more common, but why is this a trend? Is the epic staging and expense of a lavish spectacle to pop the question the way today’s grooms prove their love to would-be brides? And what happens when the proposer gets turned down?
Science Talk from Scientific American
Whale Mimics Human Speech (Friday, October 26, 2012) — A captive beluga whale has altered his normal songs to more closely approximate human pitch and rhythms. Christopher Intagliata reports.
Sound Opinions
Sound Opinions Live with Ty Segall (Sunday, October 21, 2012) — Grab those earplugs – loud guitars ahead. Ty Segall and his band join Jim and Greg for a live taping of Sound Opinions at Chicago’s Lincoln Hall. Later in the show, Jim and Greg review much-buzzed new records from R&B newcomer Miguel and indie rock royalty Grizzly Bear.
Stuff To Blow Your Mind from HowStuffWorks.com
The Science of Haunted Houses (Thursday, October 25, 2012) — There’s a lot more going on at your local haunted attraction than costumes and chainsaws. In this episode, Robert and Julie venture to Atlanta’s Netherworld Haunted House to learn about the science and art behind the ghoulish shenanigans.
How do Animals Map the World? (Tuesday, October 23, 2012) — Humans aren’t the only map masters on the planet. In this episode of Stuff to Blow Your Mind, Julie and Robert explore the amazing ways that animals turn space into place and navigate the world around them.
Stuff You Missed in History Class from HowStuffWorks.com
What really happened in Salem? (Wednesday, October 24, 2012) — In 1692, girls in Salem Village experienced fevers, pains and strange behavior. A doctor deemed the affliction supernatural, and the girls pinned the blame on several people. These accusations led to a witch hunt — but what was really to blame?
Ghosts of History: A Haunted House Tour (Monday, October 22, 2012) — Whether or not you believe in ghosts, the tragic histories behind some homes are enough to send a chill down your spine. In this episode, we look into the real stories behind five historic houses that are believed to be haunted. Tune in to learn more.
Stuff You Should Know from HowStuffWorks.com
Exoskeletons: How’s it coming? (Thursday, October 25, 2012) — Since the 1960s, the Pentagon has called for a suit that can make a soldier jump higher, run faster longer and generally be a badder dude. It’s only now that the materials needed are coming of age. Listen in to learn the state of exoskeleton technology.
How Commercial Jingles Work (Tuesday, October 23, 2012) — You probably can recite five right now. Commercial jingles are designed to hijack your working memory and implant a product or service and they really work. Learn about the history of these insidious and catchy advertising vehicles with Chuck and Josh.
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.