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
Local Natives, The Who, Gospel Claws, IO Echo, More (Thursday, November 15, 2012) — Bob Boilen has had a ban on seeing arena rock shows for more than 30 years, but it may ending. He recently saw The Who at a mega-dome concert, performing one of Bob’s favorite albums in its entirety. On this edition of All Songs Considered, hear a cut from that record and why Bob loves it so much. Also on the show, hear a cut from the upcoming Local Natives record, Hummingbird, the band’s much-anticipated sophomore followup to 2010’s Gorilla Manor. We’ve also got some fantastic new discoveries, including the ambient-rock group IO Echo, dreamy electronica from Blackbird Blackbird, and the mesmerizing voice of singer Angel Olsen.
Book Reviews from The New York Times
Book Review Podcast (Friday, November 16, 2012) — This week, Charles McGrath talks about Alice Munro’s Dear Life; Leslie Kaufman has notes from the field; J. D. Biersdorfer discusses Sean Howe’s history of Marvel Comics; and Gregory Cowles has best-seller news. John Williams is the host, filling in for Sam Tanenhaus.
Books Podcast from NPR
NPR: 11-15-2012 Books (Thursday, November 15, 2012) — Stories this week: 1) ‘Round House,’ ‘Forevers’ Win National Book Awards 2) ‘Antidote’ Prescribes A ‘Negative Path To Happiness’ 3) ‘Testament Of Mary’ Gives Fiery Voice To The Virgin 4) Ian McEwan’s ‘Sweet Tooth’ Leaves A Sour Taste 5) Philip Pullman Rewrites The Brothers Grimm
Brain Stuff from HowStuffWorks.com
What is an Omega-3 fatty acid? (Friday, November 16, 2012) — Omega-3 fatty acids are essential to the human body. Tune in to hear Marshall Brain explain the chemistry of fat molecules and fatty acids, Omega-3s in particular, in this podcast from HowStuffWorks.com.
What does RSVP mean? (Wednesday, November 14, 2012) — Most people are familiar with the concept of replying to a party invitation via R.S.V.P., but what exactly do those letters represent? Learn more about the origins and practices of etiquette in this episode of BrainStuff.
Is there a way to compare a human being to an engine? (Monday, November 12, 2012) — Human muscles are essentially biological engines. In terms of efficiency, biological engines are amazing. Listen in as Marshall Brain calculates human efficiency in this episode.
The Coolest Stuff on the Planet
Lake Baikal (Friday, November 16, 2012) — A trip to the lake can be a lot of fun, especially if that lake is one of the biggest in the world. Find out why Siberia’s Lake Baikal is a must-see in this video podcast from HowStuffWorks.com.
Culturetopia from NPR
Let’s Talk Turkey (Friday, November 16, 2012) — This week on Pop Culture Happy Hour, NPR’s Linda Holmes, Stephen Thompson, Trey Graham and guest Barrie Hardymon talk about Thanksgiving and the culture thereof. They choose some favorite seasonal episodes from ‘Friends’ and ‘Sports Night.’ But why is there so little Thanksgiving-themed pop culture out there? They also get into the nuts and bolts of the advice column and discuss some favorites, like ‘Miss Manners’ and ‘Savage Love.’ All that plus, What’s Making Us Happy this week, including new movies ‘Silver Linings Playbook’ and ‘Anna Karenina.’
Film Junk
Episode 393: Skyfall and Wreck-It Ralph (Monday, November 12, 2012) — We review Skyfall and Wreck-It Ralph plus we also discuss the World War Z trailer, how to deal with late arrivals to a movie theatre, Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs, Ecstasy of Order: The Tetris Masters, and Safety Not Guaranteed.
Freakonomics Radio
Mass Transit Hysteria (Wednesday, November 14, 2012) — Adding more train and bus lines looks like an environmental slam dunk. Until you start to do the math.
PopStuff from HowStuffWorks.com
If the Shoe Fits (Wednesday, November 14, 2012) — It’s the shoe show! Despite their best efforts to buck gender stereotypes, both Tracy and Holly love shoes. Running shoes, Louboutins, bound feet, the role of the shoe in storytelling – Holly and Tracy cut a wide swath through the landscape of soles.
PopStuff’s License to Kill (Monday, November 12, 2012) — Even casual viewers love James Bond. Tracy and Holly load their custom weapons and fire out a discussion about why this character has endured, how 007 became a symbol of greatness for England, and of course, which Bond actors they prefer.
Science Talk from Scientific American
Scientific American after Sandy (Wednesday, October 31, 2012) — Scientific American Editor in Chief Mariette DiChristina brings us up to date on the state of our New York City-based operation after Sandy. Recorded October 31 at 2:30 P.M Eastern time.
Sound Opinions
Sound Opinions with John Cale (Sunday, November 11, 2012) — John Cale co-founded the Velvet Underground with Lou Reed, but he hasn’t been sitting on his laurels. This week, the inveterate art rock experimenter is live in the Sound Opinions studio.
Stuff To Blow Your Mind from HowStuffWorks.com
How to Think Like a Child (Thursday, November 15, 2012) — Sure, a kid’s unique perspective allows him or her to see Puff the Magic Dragon and say the darndest things. But, as Julie and Robert discover, children are born scientists and their way of viewing the world serves as a fine example to adults.
Consider the Packrat (Tuesday, November 13, 2012) — It’s true: the word “packrat” is more than slang for hoarders and collectors. Join Robert and Julie as they discuss the pint-size rodent’s love of decoration and den-building. Plus how do their toilets aid cowboys and archeologists? Tune in to find out.
Stuff You Missed in History Class from HowStuffWorks.com
The True Story of the Chevalier d’Eon: Part 1 (Wednesday, November 14, 2012) — Recently, London’s National Portrait Gallery acquired a portrait of the Chevalier d’Eon, the first oil painting in its collection to feature a man in women’s clothing. Learn how Louis XV’s underground foreign policy led d’Eon to acquire a female identity.
Johann Dippel and the Elixir of Life (Monday, November 12, 2012) — Johann Konrad Dippel was born in 1673 at Frankenstein Castle. Originally a theology student, Dippel began dabbling in chemistry, medicine and alchemy. Today he’s remembered for creating a panacea that was used on a variety of ailments. How did he do it?
Stuff You Should Know from HowStuffWorks.com
How Meth Works (Thursday, November 15, 2012) — You know how when you do a lot of crystal methamphetamine you get meth mouth, where your teeth decay? Of course you don’t! So check out this in-depth look on the most widely-abused hard drug in the world. Even tweakers will learn something new.
How close are we to holographic environments? (Tuesday, November 13, 2012) — Star Trek was famous for its holodeck, a completely immersive holographic environment that could be any space a user wanted. Thanks to telemersion technology built for business conferencing, we’re starting to get close to that holodeck after all.
WNYC’s Radiolab
Shorts: What’s Up, Doc? (Tuesday, November 06, 2012) — Mel Blanc was known as “the man of 1,000 voices,” but the actual number may have been closer to 1,500. Bugs Bunny, Porky Pig, Tweety, Barney Rubble — all Mel. His characters made him one of the most beloved men in America. And in 1961, when a car crash left him in a coma, these characters may have saved him.