I follow News, Current Affairs and Business. I'm also interested in Science, Law, History, lots of things.
It depends on my mood to what my favourites are but here are some that I look forward to each week (the news is partly out of interest but partly out of obligation[1]):
Friday Night Comedy Podcast (BBC): Satirical humour. This is actually 2 to 4 shows that change according to the season. I find it interesting and relaxing.
World Technology Podcast (PRI): A podcast that looks at the social impact of technology and innovative ideas to actually improve people's lives
Material World (BBC): A round-up of the week's science news in an entertaining way
Quirks and Quarks (CBC): Another look at the week's science news
I find both informative and entertaining.
All in the Mind (ABC Radio National): A look at research in psycology. I like it because it's so varied: one week could be looking at the future of AI and another week looking at how people who've witnessed atrocities are being helped.
Media Talk (The Guardian): A lively discussion of the week's media news[2]
Mediawatch (Radio NZ National): A look at the week's media news in New Zealand. I like it because the style is a discussion (so maintains interest), and it gives me a window into both NZ and the media there.
The Law Report (ABC Radio National): A look at the legal system in Australia. I like it because I'm interested in the Law (and Rights) and the presenter is able to keep your interest.
Law in Action (BBC): A look at the legal system in the UK. Again it's informative, about a subject I like and it does keep your interest.
In Our Time (BBC): This looks at the history of ideas. It maintains interest by having a presenter and 3 expert guests and it covers some interesting topics.
Radio 4 Choice (BBC): This is a documenatry chosen to represent the BBC. It's usually a little off-beat but there are quite a few gems in there.
Best of the Today Programme (BBC): Snippets from a 3 hour current affairs programme. I like it because it gives me an idea of the topics of the day but, as it's only snippits, it doesn't usually take for ever to go through.
Face the Facts (BBC): Hard hitting investigative series. I like it for the depth and insight it brings to issues.
Business Daily (BBC): A 20 minute programme that covers business and business issues. It's long enough to cover the business news, debate issues and have an essay from a contributor but short enough not to be a pain. I like the balance of topics covered and the fact that it can debate and have essays.
Listen to Lucy (FT): A wry look at business. By looking at business from a different angle, you're entertained and, without realising it, informed too. It gives a good insight to management fads.
White Coat Black Art (CBC): A look at issues in medicine. It's insightful and the presenter, being a doctor, is able to draw more out from the people he interviews (and add his own experience).
Kino im Kopf (M 94.5): A 10-20 minute look at the cinema. I'm interested in films, it allows me to practise my German and the podcast is long enough to cover a lot without getting too long.
Here's a full list of the podcasts I listen to:
Key:
TS - Temporarily suspended (unsubscribed simply so can keep up with them). I will re-subscribe when I have more time to listen to podcasts
EE - Every episode (i.e. if I come a few days later I will make sure I download every episode of this programme).
LE - Last episode (i.e. I only download the last episode, and may be others if there has been a large gap).
ABC Radio National:
All the Mind (LE)
The Law Report (EE)
The Media Report (no episodes since January so suspect this programme has ended)
BBC:
A Point of View (TS)
Best of the Today programme (EE)
Business Daily (EE)
Crossing Continents
Documentaries (TS)
File on Four (EE)
Friday Night Comedy Podcast (EE)
Global News (Every AM programme)[1]
Health Check (TS)
In Our Time (LE)
In Touch (EE)
Law in Action (EE)
Material World (EE)
Newspod (EE)
Profile (TS)
Radio 4 Choice
Start the Week (TS)
The Media Show (EE)
Thinking Allowed (LE)
Today in Parliament
World Business News (EE)
CBC:
Dispatches (TS)
Quirks and Quarks (EE)
The Current (TS)
The House
The World This Weekend (EE)
White Coat Black Art (EE)
World at Six
Deutsche Welle:
Journal D (TS)
Nachrichten (LE)
Wirtschaft (TS)
Wissenschaft (LE)
FT.com:
FT Digital Business (EE)
FT Management (EE)
Listen to Lucy (EE)
Guardian Online:
Media Talk (EE)
Media Talk USA (EE)
hr3:
hr3 Kino-News (EE)
M 94,5:
Kino im Kopf (EE)
NPR:
NPR Hourly News (LE)
On the Media (LE)
O3:
O3 Movie-Minute (EE)
O3 Nachrichten (LE)
PRI:
PRI's The World Technology Podcast (EE)
Radio New Zealand National:
Focus on Politics (LE)
Mediawatch (EE)
[1] After all, in any democratic country voters the selection commitee for the next Government.
[2] Whilst it's informative, the BBC's Media Show isn't as entertaining. I like both but look forward to Media Talk.
