“Anyone who stops learning is old, whether at twenty or eighty. Anyone who keeps learning stays young. The greatest thing in life is to keep your mind young.” -Henry Ford
When we live with purpose, we may or may not live longer but we will live better. To keep our minds active and growing, we need to be open to new thoughts, new ideas and new information. Turns out podcasts are a good way to glean this information.
My friend, Sandy, suggested some podcasts on topics we were researching. At first, I thought, I don’t know how to find a podcast. Do I need an app? Do I Google it? Is there a secret code? And then I noticed on my iPad a little round circle with the word ‘Podcast.’ I clicked it, and a new world opened!
John Lee Dumas says, “there are millions and millions of people that listen and love podcasts that didn’t in 2012.” I’m now one of them.
Sandy listens to podcasts often, whether she is gardening, cleaning the house, sewing or going for a walk. And now that I have found the podcast world, I am an avid listener, too!
I listen with earbuds or on my Echo Dot when I tell Alexa to play my desired podcast, or even just have it playing on my iPad while I play a game at the same time. Many people listen on their smart phones, others on their computers, or through the speakers in their cars. While I am listening to podcasts about writing or psychology, my husband is listening to podcasts about money and world travel. My research tells me the most popular topic for podcasts is comedy.
I used to listen to CBC radio programs. Now they are on podcasts, too. Podcasts are a refinement and an expansion of what I used to listen to on the radio. I can choose any topic, any time. I can listen to all of it, part of it, rewind it and listen again, or I can turn it off and go on to something different.
Some podcasts are amazing, interesting and inspirational. Others ramble and drone and never seem to get to the point. Unlike a television or radio show, many people produce their own podcast, so the range of talent is great.
I’ve listened to podcasts about being in a Louisiana hurricane, finding more joy in life, spiritual matters, the place of comedy in a country’s politics, and bringing up children. You name the topic, there is a podcast.
One podcast I stumbled upon, Dear Daughter, from the BBC World Service was particularly poignant. A Zulu woman and a Xhosa man met at university and fell in love. Although they were from neighbouring tribes that did not have much respect for each other, the two married, and have a four-year-old daughter. Nkule, the mother, describes what she is teaching her daughter: “Learn something bigger.” Nkule wants her daughter to discover life beyond their hometown. Nkule’s message is to meet new people, try new foods and see the world.
I am sending the link to my granddaughter who has a daughter the same age as Nkule’s daughter.
Of course, my favourite podcasts are about writing and how to live a purposeful life. If you haven’t tried listening to a podcast, I hope you explore this expansive world. And if you listen regularly, please share your favourites. Drop me a note and let me know.
Happy listening!
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Laurie Mueller, M.Ed is retired and living in Victoria with her husband, Helmuth. She recently published The Ultimate Guide on What to Do When Someone You Love Dies, available on Amazon. More about Laurie can be found at www.lauriemconsulting.com or on Facebook.