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Podcasts have been gaining momentum as a way to develop both personally and professionally. Researchers estimate that 37% of the US population listen to podcasts at least once a month and 24% do it weekly, which is turning podcasting into a trend that provides value in a convenient and entertaining form. Podcasts also afford you the opportunity for multitasking, since you can listen to them during everyday activities like exercising or driving. Their increase in popularity also guarantees there is something for everyone to enjoy.
As we look to launch our own Podcast in Q1 2022, we want to share some of the podcasts our team enjoys most.
Hosted by developers from the Android platform team, Android Developers Backstage covers topics of interest to Android programmers, with in-depth discussions and interviews with engineers from the Android team at Google.
I learned about “Android Developers Backstage” 7 years ago while watching Google I/O online. It was mentioned as one of the best sources of the recent updates by one of the co-hosts at the event.
The podcast provides fresh insight into what is new in the Android world. Hosts speak directly to the authors of some library or OS feature. They discuss the reasoning behind some architectural decisions and best practices that are really helpful in development. It also helps that the hosts themselves are very funny and deeply involved in the development of Android OS.
What brings me the most value is that this podcast helps me stay on top of incoming Android system-level changes before and after the release of the latest versions. For example, it helped me to find out about changes to Splash screen animations and Toasts updates for the newest Android 12.
I listen to this podcast during my commute every time a new episode is available. I’d say this podcast is a must for every Android developer. Other than that, it may be also helpful for Android QA Engineers and Mobile Product Managers.
In less than 10 minutes, you’ll get a unique mix of research-based life hacks, the latest science and technology news, and more.
I have been enjoying podcasts ever since they gained traction in the late 2000s. I came across the “Curiosity Daily” a few years ago when it was featured in another podcast.
The hosts talk on a variety of topics including science, technology, and social disciplines. They cover small interesting things that you would probably hear on the news or somewhere else, but they make it short and concise. This format allows you to gain some interesting facts without spending too much time.
For example, in one of the episodes, they dig into the details on how immunity evolves, and the differences between the technologies used for vaccine production. People can get a scientific view on the subject and decide whether it’s safe to vaccinate and consider the risks.
Each episode of the podcast is 10 minutes on average, consumable over a break or when you do something that doesn’t require a lot of concentration. For me, the ideal time for a podcast is when I am jogging, exercising in the gym, or riding a bicycle.
Here are a couple more recommendations for everyone:
Guy Raz dives into the stories behind some of the world’s best known companies. How I Built This weaves a narrative journey about innovators, entrepreneurs and idealists—and the movements they built.
I started exploring podcasts since many of our clients are avid podcasts listeners and shared some excellent recommendations. Historically, I’ve been more of a visual learner and heavily trend toward written text. That said, I’ve gained an appreciation for podcasts as I’ve started listening to them during the past year. Some of the key takeaways and benefits have been: 1. Improvement of my listening and recall skills 2. A great way to learn about new topics while completing extensive daily physical therapy for knee surgery recovery 3. There’s so much variety and I’ve been exposed to more content than I could have covered through reading alone.
One of the podcasts I enjoy the most is “How I Built this with Guy Raz”. What I like most about it is the variety of content and the diversity of the participants. Each episode brings you stories on innovators and the companies and movements they have built. It’s really interesting to understand where the initial spark or idea for many of the featured companies came from. Every great idea stems by identifying a problem statement to solve, which is evidenced episode after episode.
What brings me most value from this podcast is the way it helps challenge me to think outside the box by hearing inspiring stories from successful entrepreneurs and business leaders.
The length of each episode varies, and I like to select episodes based on the amount of time I have available. I spend about 30 minutes to 1 hour a day working on rehab for knee surgery and strength and stretching exercises, so the episodes fit well into this timeslot and I simultaneously feel productive both physically and mentally.
Additional podcasts I enjoy include:
A podcast about a better way to work and run your business.
A series of interviews with world-class doers and thinkers so you can better analyze problems, seize opportunities, and master decision-making.
In each episode, Reid Reid Hoffman, co-founder of LinkedIn and investor at Greylock, shows how companies grow from zero to a gazillion, testing his theories with legendary leaders. “Masters of Scale” is the first American media program to commit to gender balance for guests.
I started exploring “Masters Of Scale” about a year ago and, to date, it’s one of my favorite podcasts. I only listen to a few podcasts a month, and the way “Masters of Scale” displays the highlights of each episode’s theme and content makes it easy for me to scroll and select something that feels most interesting to me.
The podcast host, Reid Hoffman, does a great job drawing you in from the very moment you start listening and you have a clear idea of what the episode is about from the start. One of my favorite recent episodes is “How setbacks create momentum” with Robert Reffkin, founder and CEO of Compass.
Every episode I’ve listened to has been interesting. I especially like to listen to the podcasts when I take my dog for an evening walk. It’s a convenient way to learn something new while also taking a walk and getting my dog some exercise.
I’d suggest the podcast to really anyone in business or anyone who wants to feel inspired.
Listen to in-depth conversations with the astronauts, scientists, and engineers who make human spaceflight possible.
I listen to podcasts when I exercise (run, gym), when I’m driving, or when it’s not linked to time but rather to activity. Mixing two activities together makes the time spent worth it for me. Normally, I browse Spotify for available podcasts, and this particular one caught my attention since I love topics linked to science and space exploration.
“Houston We Have a Podcast” keeps me up to date on the research happening at the International Space Station. I believe that the things they do have the potential to change millions of lives for better. Having a product management background, that was always my personal mission – to create products that will impact people in a positive way, so drawing inspiration from other domains helps me to stay motivated and passionate about my work.
Every single episode of HWHAP provides you with tons of insightful things. I’d say that almost everything I’m listening to within this podcast inspires me at work, as sooner or later the results of research in the space industry may encourage the development of new products and services for ordinary people. This way the podcast helps me to stay on top of possible new trends in tech and science.
I’d recommend HWHAP to anyone who is keen to learn more about space, who keeps asking themselves tough philosophical questions about the meaning of our existence, as well as to those who were raised on science fiction stories.
