No longer listening to podcasts

Something has been bugging me about podcasts for quite a while. I was getting a bit daunted by my ever increasing backlog of episodes, they were another visual cue of more things to-do.

In a way I resonate with Mark’s words. I listen to about a dozen podcasts (give or take a half dozen) each week. Some weeks it’s a joy. I’m able to dive into topics in my mind, and learn about things around me, all while moving forward in my own world.

Other times it’s a great weight, pulling me down and sucking me in; limiting my creativity and increasing my already present anxiety about life.

Sometimes I allow myself to listen to podcasts on deeper topics, such as politics or religion. But often it becomes too much and I pull back, choosing topics related more to tech and in general not having a direct impact on the lives of myself and those I love.

Because of limiting my time on social media these past few months I’ve found a desire to fill the void with something good. Part of that has been filled with more writing, but I also have found more time for podcasts.

It’s all an ebb and flow of sorts, a way of figuring out how we’re going to fill the day.

One tip for me is avoiding any of the top podcasts. I much prefer topics that are indie based, likely only having a few thousand listeners, and not watered down for millions (alongside the advertising dollars that would bring). That’s helped a lot, and the ads on smaller shows are often simpler, easier to skip, and less consumerist.

Via mark hysted.