November 13

Most days I will download a podcast or two. The first one I ever got into (and still my favourite) is Sunday Night Safran. Co-hosted by Fr Bob Maguire, and described as an 'indepth discussion of religion, politics and hoochies', it is essentially the triple j radio show with all the songs taken out. Aside from the interesting topics and humour, its comforting for an ex-pat to hear familiar voices talking about being in South Melbourne or buying bagels on Balaclava Road.

Then there's a podcast of Andrew Denton’s Enough Rope tv show and similarly, beyond appreciating Andrew’s interviewing skills and the guests’ stories, the interviews with Australians remind me of home – not just the accents but the distinct Australian attitudes that come through.

There are literally thousands of podcasts out there - on thousands of topics - not just repackagings of existing shows but also new things created specifically. Of course one of the great things about the internet is that you can get stuff from all over the world. So, for want of much else to write about today, here’s a list of what’s currently on the download:

• The Writer’s Almanac with Garrison Keillor – a daily five minute segment on writers and poets and what happened ‘on this day’ from an American with a very soothing voice (B. refers to this as 'sounds to fall asleep to')
• Creative Screenwriting Magazine - interviews with screenwriters
• Jamie’s podcast – cooking with Jamie Oliver
• Media Talk on Guardian Unlimited – topical media podcast from Guardian newspaper columnists
• Podrunner – music to run to
• Penguin podcast – news of latest releases from the publisher
  

There are more that I listen to occasionally, like Lonely Planet travelcasts and the Ricky Gervais Show and looking at it now it seems like a lot, but ask me what tv shows I watch regularly and beyond Scrubs, I'd be at a loss.