Why do I listen to podcasts and why should you.

Summary

• Consider it an audio version of the YouTube (in oversimplified terms), but the host does the job without prez, visual, whiteboard.
• At times ( in commute, when busy in chores), when you can’t read or look at the screen, it’s preferred to consume info in audio format, the podcast is the answer. People make podcasts for all kind of topics. Tech, Financial, leadership, book club, news ….
• You can literally learn a topic or get information about new things. Most channels are in a discussion format. Like, 2 or more people are talking about a topic in a fun, professional but casual way.
• Use any podcast app like Google podcast, Spotify.
• Find a channel you like to follow and just start listening.

Detailed:

Being in tech, it’s crucial to keep learning new things and keep up with new trends. There are tons of ways to do that and it totally depends on your personality. Books and courses( On-demand or live) are good for learning fundamentals in structure way and blogs, Youtube, LinkedIn post etc. are a good way to skim a topic or to keep up with new things.

Podcasts come in the almost same category as youtube Videos or Blogs. Based on the channels/Creator you follow, you can literally learn a topic or get information about new things. But there is more.

More often ( not always), Podcast is in a discussion format. Like, 2 or more people are talking about a topic in a fun, professional but casual way. Trust me It can be less boring and over time you feel you know the creator, so you even understand their sarcastic comments as well 🙂

You can find podcasts channel for all kind of topics – Tech, Financial, leadership, book club, news ….

Direct benefits

• Easy to consume- Audio format, can play at 1.5 or 2X speed.
• Cost – Free, sometimes you get to hear the sponsor ads, easy to skip.
• Learning – New updates, latest tech/trends, new product info, new strategies/lingo list goes on.

Indirect benefits

• Grows your curiosity – You learn how creator thinks, how they ask/formulate questions etc
• You get comfy with different accents – Yes, you don’t realize but it helps 🙂
• You sharp your listening skills – Listening is not a passive task, overtime it will help you retain more information and focus.
• Networking – This one is more like, it depends. You hear a guest on the show, you find them good, follow them on social media so your social feed improves.

How it helps me – All those benefits listed above 🙂 I don’t listen to all the episodes though and I try to prioritize my time to learn fundamentals ( courses/books) or else, I will end up spending whole day listening to podcasts.
I will put together a page later, to list all the blogs, podcasts, resources I find important for Network Engineers. For now, here are some recommendations for a different type of topics.

You can find more by searching in your favourite podcast app, look with Author name of any book, blogs or tech keyword or vendor name.

• Software Daily –> All kind of Dev topics.
• Finshots Daily –> Finance news in plain English ( India Specific)
• Security Now –> All security news/trend topics
• Gestalt IT Rundown –> All kind of tech/networking topics ( they also have very good YouTube channel)
• Packet pushers –> Networking related ( Super good, they have multiple shows)
• Network Collective –> Networking related
• The Hedge –> Networking related
• Scott H Young Podcast –> Productivity
• Deep Questions with Cal Newport –> Productivity
• A bit of Optimism –> Leadership topics
• The Stronger by Science podcast –> Fitness related