International Podcast Day 2018

It's September 30, which in my personal calendar marks a special occasion: it's International Podcast Day! 

I've been an avid podcast listener ever since I first discovered the world of podcasting. That was in the autumn of 2004, at the time when I had two jobs, and had to take long and boring daily commutes. Thanks to my first iPod, those countless hours spent in public transport - which would otherwise have been totally wasted - transformed into hours spent listening to thought-provoking interviews, exciting radio drama series, and educational programmes.

Podcasting market has since grown exponentially, with podcasts on pretty much every subject imaginable. As with YouTube channels, not all are good, and it can take time to find the ones that will really resonate with you while being at a high level of production quality. To help sift through thousands of podcasts out there, I've compiled a list of top 5 podcasts that caught my attention since last September. This is my third annual list, and since I still regularly listen to all of the podcasts I mentioned back in 2016 and 2017, do have a look at those earlier lists as well.

Ideas from CBC Radio

At the moment I'm subscribed to over seventy podcasts. Granted, I don't listen to all of them on a weekly - let alone daily - basis, but one that I make sure to follow regularly is Ideas, coming from Canada's public broadcaster. First launched in 1965, it's one of CBC Radio's flagship programmes, now available also as a podcast. It's described as a series of "documentaries in which thoughts are gathered, contexts explored, and connections made." If you're into humanities, or just have an inquisitive mind, don't miss this one.

Heaven's Gate

Remember Heaven's Gate, a religious cult involved in a 1997 mass suicide? This 10-episode documentary series presents a unique insight into the workings of this group and the kind of mentality that ultimately led to thirty-nine deaths. It's a captivating story, including interviews with former members, and authentic audio material that wasn't previously publicly available.

Ancient Greek History

There are loads and loads of audio lectures in podcast format, released by prominent universities. With background in Classics, I'm partial to this one. I used it as a kind of refresher course in Greek history, also curious to see how the subject is taught at Yale. Lectures are held by Prof. Donald Kagan (recorded in 2007), and are also available on YouTube, and the Open Yale Courses website, where you can download additional material. The subject matter is presented in a simple and inviting way: it's an introductory course, and you definitely needn't worry that you wouldn't be able to follow. The entire course consists of 24 lectures, each about an hour long. 

And in case the name Donald Kagan doesn't ring a bell, have a look at the 2013 article on him in the Chronicle of Higher Education. He may not be to everyone's liking (ideologically speaking), but as a historian and classicist, he knows his stuff.

The Folklore Podcast

A treasure among podcasts. Hosted by Mark Norman, a British folklorist and researcher, affiliated with the Folklore Society and the celebrated Museum of Witchcraft and Magic. As the title indicates, the podcast - continuously running since 2016 - deals with traditions, customs and myths. Episodes include interviews with leading experts in this fascinating field. On the website, you can support Mark's work by purchasing supplementary e-zines and merchandise. 

Shift Your Spirits

I always aim to feature at least one podcast from the Religion & Spirituality category, which continues to be one of my favourite ones. Over the years, my interests within that category have largely shifted, from more conventional onto those dealing with pagan spirituality or the paranormal. Luckily, there's a good deal of podcasts on these and related subjects, and one of the best ones is Shift Your Spirits hosted by Slade Robertson. It contains talks and interviews in which Slade and his guests address a range of topics, from spiritualism and witchcraft to wellness and astrology. There's something here for everyone who is more into, shall we say, an alternative way of looking at things.

Miško's 6th monthiversary

Last year a beloved pet of mine died, and I publicly vowed never to own a pet again. Mourning will make you say such things. I turned into a plant hoarder instead, cramming my balcony and most of the rooms in the apartment with all kinds of greenery. Without a cat to ruin all my nice things, I could finally dabble in a bit of indoor horticulture.

Now, plants are wonderful as decor, and gardening itself is a perfectly satisfying hobby. However, after a while I started reconsidering my vow. First, there were some things that led me to conclude I might not be a natural born talent for gardening, after all. My once lush specimens of Fatsia japonica, pots overflowing with Hedera helix, a number of supposedly sturdy succulents - plus a few other species - within months all became but a faint memory. I'll save my experience with growing vegetables for another post. Suffice it to say that my home garden proved to be an experiment in survival of the fittest.

More importantly, I just missed having a pet. Plants cannot be a substitute; nor can humans while we're at it. There's simply a unique quality to the bond that develops between a person and his or her animal companion. And so by February, I found myself obsessively googling for dog breeds that would be suitable for a small apartment. In spite of realising that no dog breed would in fact be suitable, ever, I kept visualising my hypothetical dog, and even gave him a name (Bruno). And just when I was on the verge of getting a Boston terrier, Miško showed up.

Showed up in a Twitter feed, that is. In a long line of abysmally depressing political tweets, there were these images of a cutest little male kitten that quickly needed to be adopted. 

I was in two minds for a few minutes, various lists of pros and cons flashing before my eyes. And then I simply messaged the person behind the Twitter account to check if he was still available for adoption. That was 12 June, and by the following Monday, 18 June, he was brought to my place by a woman from one of the local shelters. He was so shy and fearful; a three-month old, with impressively large ears and a long tail. And meowing incessantly while inspecting the new surroundings.

By Day 3 he was comfortable enough to sit and nap near me, but still not too keen on cuddling.

It was by the end of that first week that he started sitting on my desk, closely monitoring what I was up to, but still running away if I attempted to hold him.

Fast forward to September, and we're inseparable. I literally can't do anything without him close by. 

Sometimes too close...

The only exception is when I go to bed: since I had to evacuate all my remaining plants to the bedroom (most of which happen to be toxic to cats), that one is a no-go zone for him. Unless I'm there wide awake to keep an eye on him, reading - or trying to...

Teatime is when he turns into a cuddle monster; by now those afternoon snuggles have become a well established routine.

So, that's us and our first three months together. Maybe I don't have green fingers (the plants I bought in Ikea, RIP), but I dare say I've given this little lad a good home.

P.S. A final thought, for those considering getting a pet: adopt, don't buy.