Ten podcasts to travel with
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Apart from the inestimable Indie Travel Podcast, what should you have on your iPod?
Travel Podcasts
You should certainly have some travel podcasts! Here’s a few currently-running shows that we have kicking around on our iPods.
1. The Amateur Traveller
Having recently hit the 200 episode mark, Chris Christensen’s shows are mainly destination focussed and include interviews with travellers from around the world. It’s a perfect complement to our practical travel advice approach. iTunes.
2. Beautiful Places in HD
These photo-essays with scatterings of video recount a US-centric look at … beautiful places in high definition. I find it a bit annoying as they won’t sync over to my iPod touch (and my Powerbook struggles and jitters with video playback these days), but these short shows highlight some excellent photography. iTunes.
3. Galavanting
Hosted by Kim Mance and Maren Hogan, Galavanting is a “web travel series” comprising five- to ten-minute video episodes of places in Europe, Asia and the Americas. It’s got a fun yet professional feel and is always entertaining. Syncing to iPod is a bit hit and miss with different videos in different formats, but it seems to be improving. iTunes.
4. This Week in Travel
A new audio show covering travel news and events, hosted by Chris Christensen, Gary Arndt, Jen Leo and regular guests (like me, in episode seven). This podcast is great for people who want to keep up with gossip and views on consumer and industry events. iTunes.
5. Japan Podshow
Like Tokyo, this podcast is varied, interesting and little too kooky at times. Mainly audio, with the occasional video episode thrown in, Japan Podshow is hosted by two expats and attempts to give advice for travellers while also giving insight into culture and daily life in Japan. iTunes.
6. Irish Fireside
Ireland is a really enjoyable place to travel and have some craic, but I can’t get excited about it the way some people do. If the Emerald Isle really flicks your bic, then this is definitely the show for you. Corey and Liam are engaging hosts and are truly passionate about the culture and country. iTunes.
General knowledge and current events
Of course, being well-rounded global citizens means we get beyond the niche and into the wider world. Here’s three shows that help keep us connected with past and present.
7. iTunes: Meet the Author
An irregular podcast which brings together “Meet the author” presentations from Apple stores. Currently in the archives are Guilermo del Toro, Nick Cave, Nick Hornby and Stephen Fry. An insight into creative process and the passions of excellent writers. iTunes.
8. In Our Time with Melvin Bragg
This is one of the few re-published radio shows that I listen to as a podcast. In Our Time brings together three guest experts each week to speak with host Melvin Bragg about wide ranging topics from evolutionary biology or quantum physics to the literature of Victorian England or the Siege of Vienna. Wide ranging in scope and always full of well-considered theories and opinions. iTunes.
9. The Bugle
In a long line of satirical news and current affairs shows, the Bugle brings together Andy Zaltzman and John Oliver (of Daily Show fame) to discuss worldwide news events. I enjoy this over most similar shows because of the international scope of things: Andy is based in the UK, 
while John resides in the States. And you have to get your news somewhere, right? iTunes.
Free audiobooks
Listening to a book or two is a great way to pass the time during long transits.
10. Librivox
Librivox isn’t so much a podcast as a massive project to turn the world’s public domain texts into free audiobooks. Free like beer and free like speech. Most novels, texts and collections of poetry are available in an iTunes podcast feed, which makes downloading each chapter a cinch and helps to keep things easily organised. Site.
And, of course, the Indie Travel Podcast is always worth a listen too!
How do I subscribe to a podcast?
A “subscription” to most podcasts (including all the ones listed above) is completely free and takes seconds. If you have iTunes installed on your computer, it’s as simple as clicking the iTunes link for each show then the “subscribe” button.
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What have we missed?
Do you love these shows? What else do you enjoy? Share your favourites in the comments.
