Fact: I've had the script for podcast #50 ready now for almost two months.

Fact: I haven't been very inspired to actually sit down and record it.

I know, I know...what's the deal, right? I think it's the same slump I hit right around when I said I was going to end the podcast last year. Lack of participation. Not enough time to really record and edit. And this time? I really don't have much to talk about that won't come out sounding like an angry missive. So I've been stowing that until I've got some good news to report (like when I start my new job).

I did get an e-mail this week though about podcasts; they wished to remain anonymous, but wanted to know what podcasts I regularly listen to and get inspiration from for my show.

Well...here it goes!

I currently subscribe to 15 podcasts:

1. A Way With Words (link) - For word nerds like me, this podcast is great. Martha Barnette and Grant Barrett handle listeners' questions on everything dealing with the English language.
Duration: about an hour long

2. Groove Salad Taste of the Week (link) - Rusty Hodge gives some brief snippets on what's playing on Groove Salad on SomaFM.
Duration: less than five minutes

3. Love and Radio (link) - Another NPR podcast. It's kind of hard to describe...it's a little macabre and a little off-center, but the stories and sound effects really draw me in. And you gotta love their business model.
Duration: 15-30 minutes

4. Mostly ITP (link) - Run by Georgia Podcast Network founders Amber Rhea and Rusty Tanton wax poetic on nearly everything under the sun as it relates to Atlanta, GA within I-285. And I mean everything. Each episode is something different, but yet, they all fit together well.
Duration: 10 minutes to an hour

5. News and Notes (link) - Hosted by journalist Farai Chideya, News and Notes focuses on politics, finance, health, pop culture and everything in between from an African-American perspective. Regular contributors include E.R. Shipp, Walter Fields, Julianne Malveaux and John McWhorter.
Duration: about an hour long

6. OSN Podcast (link) - This is a new addition to my podcast roster; a mix show put together by DJ Brainchild. There's only one episode (so far), but I really really hope for many more to come. This is some dope soul music. Do people say dope anymore?
Duration: about 30 minutes

7. Podictionary (link) - "The podcast for word lovers" has been going strong with over 500 podcasts! Charles Hodgson breaks down the cultural and social etymology of everyday words with wit and aplomb. And all the posts have transcripts! Very nice.
Duration: less than five minutes

8. Press Start (link) - This is probably one of my favorite NPR podcasts, not just because they talk about videogames, but because of their diverse cast. Rob Holt is an NPR producer and musician, Kyle Orland is a recent college grad, and Ralph Cooper is...umm...a Black guy. I couldn't find anything on their website about him! It's still a good show though.
Duration: 15-30 minutes

9. Rookie Designer (link) - Great podcast with some insight into the freelance and junior designer realm, including some helpful Creative Suite tips as well as ways to handle "rookie designer" tips. The 'cast is a little heavy on the self-promotion tip though.
Duration: about an hour long

10. Stones Throw Podcast (link) - Sweet mixes from one of my favorite record companies by famous producers like Madlib, J Rocc and Peanut Butter Wolf. If you're into underground hip-hop, you'll dig this.
Duration: 45 minutes - 1 hour

11. Tell Me More (link) - One of the newest NPR shows by journalist Michel Martin. It's sort of like News and Notes, but picks up where it leaves off on some issues, not to mention touch on some things News and Notes doesn't. And Michel's a great interviewer too.
Duration: 5 minutes - 1 hour (some are segments, others are full-fledged shows)

12. The Working Podcast (link) - This podcast is a little bit of heaven for recent graduates, entry-level workers...basically anyone with a job in their 20s and needing some insight. The show is upbeat and hip, the guests are informative without being long-winded, and the show is just right in the duration department. Worth a listen.
Duration: 15-20 minutes

13. This American Life (link) - The crown jewel in the realm of public radio. If you're not listening to this podcast (or at least watching the series on Showtime), consider yourself officially missing out on quality stories.
Duration: about an hour long

14. What Would Rob Do? (link) - Rob Sachs handles one of life's most precarious situations each week -- from a wedding toast to skydiving -- with a quirky, drunken Tobey Maguire type swagger that makes the show a pleasure to tune into.
Duration: 5-10 minutes

15. Youthcast from PRX (link) - This podcast is more teen oriented, and is a great look into the myriad of experiences with the youth of America. Very enjoyable and always something new.
Duration: 15-30 minutes

Yeah, they're mostly NPR-flavored. What can I say? I like to get my news on during my listening time.

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