Ep 161: Subscribe to Podcasts to Learn on the Go

When I was in college, I bought a small recorder. A Sony, I think.

You’re wondering the year? Well, let’s just say I bought packs of cassette tapes for this gadget.

My goal was to record the lectures so I could play them back as I walked or biked across campus, listening to the material a second or third time. I took notes during the lecture, but if I re-listened to them on the go, I only needed to skim my notes to perform well on quizzes and tests.

Ideal Input for Auditory Learners

Many years later someone suggested I might be an “auditory learner.” Though I love to read and I enjoy visuals, their label sounds about right.

Auditory learners like me tune their radios to talk shows, borrow from the library CDs of The Great Courses, download audiobooks, and subscribe to podcasts. Recorded content isn’t for everyone—podcasts may not “stick” with visual and kinesthetic learners, after all—but for me and many other auditory learners, they’re ideal.

The stories, ideas, encouragement and teaching delivered via podcastsprovide valuable input without the need to crack open a book or stare at a screen.

Podcasts Offer Flexibility

Through podcasts, in particular, I can learn while jogging, walking, weeding, folding clothes, or driving down the road. If I’m sick in bed, I can press play to passively take in ideas.

Through podcasts I keep up-to-date with technology, I follow industry trends, and as much as I love audio, I am, of course, an avid reader, so I tend to take in most words from the page or screen and don’t always know how to pronounce them. When I listen to a podcast, people’s voices become familiar, new words roll off my tongue with greater ease, and names of industry insiders become easy to pronounce—with the added bonus that ongoing exposure to the hosts’ ideas and laughter makes them feel like old friends.

So maybe I’m preaching to the choir, and maybe you’re already one hundred percent sold on the power of podcasts to deliver just what you need to boost energy and inspiration—even replacing conferences to some extent—but I’ll say it anyway:

If we subscribe to podcasts, we can learn on the go and supercharge our writing.

Depending on the podcast, the content might even contribute to personal growth and professional development.

All for free.

Find Your Friends

I find podcasts through recommendations from people I already listen to or read. I’ll skim the lists and stop on the titles or subject matter that sounds interesting. I’ll search for the show, sample an episode or two, and then decide whether or not to subscribe.

Sometimes those shows send me down yet another rabbit hole. If I enjoy the guest on an interview-based show, for example, and find out the guest has her own show, I’ll give that a listen. And so I meander, finding more and more podcasts to stimulate my mind and bring me up to speed on best practices and industry twists and turns.

Shows to Sample

In my podcast player, I subscribe to shows that seem like they’ll consistently produce appealing, useful, encouraging material—and a few that are unpredictable. Those surprise me with a perspective completely different from mine. Sometimes I keep listening; sometimes I unsubscribe.

I invite you to sample a few I’ve enjoyed. This is not an exhaustive list, of course, and you might not click with them. If none feels like a good fit, I do hope at least one of the shows leads you to someone else who ends up becoming your next favorite podcast.

Nine Writing-Related Podcasts to Try

Here are nine writing-related podcasts to consider. I’ll include descriptions from their notes, to help you know the direction of that show.

Novel Marketing Podcast

A show for novelists who don’t love book promotion but still want to become bestselling authors, hosted by Author Media CEO Thomas Umstattd Jr, and bestselling author and marketing guru James L Rubart. While their ideas are focused primarily on novelists, many suggestions are transferable to nonfiction writers.

**hope*writers**

This show is hosted by sisters and authors Emily P. Freeman and Myquillyn Smith, marketing guru and author Brian Dixon, and author Gary Morland, Myquillyn and Emily’s dad. This ensemble cast is fun and interactive.

Grammar Girl

Grammar Girl provides short, friendly tips to improve your writing. Whether English is your first language or your second language, these grammar, punctuation, style, and business tips will make you a better and more successful writer.

Create If Writing

For any writer, blogger, or creative who wants to build an online platform without being smarmy, hosted by Kirsten Oliphant.

10 Minute Writer’s Workshop

From New Hampshire Public Radio, A peek into how great writers conjure and craft their work. From creative rituals to guilty distractions…what it takes to get pen to paper. It’s hosted by Virginia Prescott.

The Problogger Podcast

This one is designed to help you build a better blog, hosted by Darren Rowse, blogger, speaker, author, and online entrepreneur.

Beautiful Writers Podcast

Writer Linda Sivertsen brings together the world’s most beloved bestselling authors and creatives for monthly chats on writing, publishing, deal-making, spirituality, activism, and the art of romancing creativity. Original co-founder and frequent co-host is Danielle LaPorte.

Social Media Marketing with Michael Stelzner

Stelzner helps businesses navigate the social jungle with success stories and expert interviews from leading social media marketing pros.

The Portfolio Life with Jeff Goins

Jeff Goins shares thoughts & ideas that will help you to pursue work that matters, make a difference with your art & discover your true voice.

Give One a Chance

Whether or not you’re an auditory learner, I hope you give a new podcast a chance. Pick one, dig into their archives, and see if you might be able to learn on the go.

You may feel like one of those podcasters understands your struggle and wants to provide you with the input you need to overcome and succeed.

Binge listen to your favorites and keep discovering more and more great people who help you feel a little less alone as you dive into your work in progress with greater confidence and motivation.

Resources:

* * *

You can subscribe with Apple podcasts. If you subscribe, rate, and leave a review, you’ll help others discover this content and grow as a writer. You should be able to search for and find “Ann Kroeker, Writing Coach” in any podcast player.