Nerd Alert

I am an avid collector. Not of stamps or butterflies, or socially acceptable things things like records or art. I'm a collector of information. I love random facts, stories of origin, historical trivia, useless statistics- really any information that gives me insight into how people and the world work. One of my favorite ways to acquire this information is through podcasts. In an effort to invest in my intellect I've been consuming an exorbitant amount of podcasts, and loving every fact-filled moment. Here are a few of my favorites:


RADIOLAB:  The RadioLab podcast combines a curiosity of science, philosophy, and sociology with great sound engineering. It's the perfect combination of information and entertainment. The episode on Patient Zero practically had me in tears. It's what I imagine it must have been like in the time when people would gather around their radios and listen to Orson Welles, or CBS Radio Workshop- storytelling at its finest.

Stuff You Missed In History Class: This may be the nerdiest of my indulgences, but I have to say- it makes me so happy. This podcast is one of many put out by Discovery Channel, and it focuses on the stories from history that you probably never heard; the scandals within monarchies, feuds between inventors & explorers, the origins of myths and legends... are you judging me yet? Seriously, it's the best.

Freakonomics: My newest obsession is the Freakonomics podcast. This show looks at the economics behind almost any subject imaginable; parenting, education, food, even garbage. Had I known that economics was so fascinating in high school, it may have had a serious impact on my collegiate studies. Thankfully I've listened to enough episodes to award myself an honorary minor in nerdery.



These podcasts have made my considerable daily commute feel like time well spent. Everyday I learn something new that is completely outside my area of expertise or education- facts and ideas I would never consider without the generous work of these intellectual authorities and storytellers. There are dozens more I could point you to, and probably will at some point, but for now- these three are worth checking out.