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My Subscriptions

By Eric Zorn

September 30, 2014

Wednesday's column is about the state of podcasting, so I'm offering here a list of the I currently subscribe to. Please put your recommendations and descriptions in the comment thread.

In alphabetical order:

1. 99 Percent Invisible – "A tiny radio show about design, architecture & the 99% invisible activity that shapes our world" hosted by Roman Mars, a friend who used to work for my wife. (19th on the iTunes chart of most popular U.S. podcasts)

2. BackStory--" A public radio program & podcast that brings historical perspective to the events happening around us today. On each show, renowned U.S. historians Ed Ayers, Peter Onuf, and Brian Balogh tear a topic from the headlines and plumb its historical depths."

3. Ben Joravsky Interview -- "Ben Joravsky, award-winning writer for the Reader, talks about his weekly columns with Dave Glowacz of Inside Chicago Government".

4. Chicago Newsroom -- "The big idea behind Chicago Newsroom is that we assemble a small group of involved, knowledgeable people around the table and we yak about the week’s local news. Most often we tap journalists, but you’ll also find historians, political activists, academicians and newsmakers in the mix, too." Hosted by Ken Davis, also a friend.

5. The Daily Show Podcast Without Jon Stewart -- "Takes you behind-the-scenes with the writers, producers, and correspondents who make the show." (26th in iTunes)

6. Face the Nation -- the audio version of the CBS Sunday morning TV political chat show

7. Grammar Girl's Quick and Dirty Tips for Better Writing -- "These grammar, punctuation, style, and business tips will make you a better and more successful writer." Host Mignon Fogarty does not talk down to you, so strap on! (66th in iTunes)

8. Hardcore History -- This is an astonishing podcast crafted by amateur historian Dan Carlin (13th in iTunes)

9. Hardball with Chris Matthews --the audio of the first 10 minutes of the nightly MSNBC program 10. Intelligence Squared US Debates -- "One motion, one moderator, two panelists for the motion and two against. From clean energy and the financial crisis, to the Middle East and the death of mainstream media, Intelligence Squared U.S. brings together the world's leading authorities on the day's most important issues. (25th in iTunes)

11. Meet the Press -- the audio version of the Sunday morning TV political chat show (61st in iTunes)

12. The Memory Palace -- Short, quirky tales from history, elegantly and simply presented by Nate DiMeo

13. -- "The Moth is an acclaimed not-for-profit organization dedicated to the art and craft of storytelling. It is a celebration of both the raconteur, who breathes fire into true tales of ordinary life, and the storytelling novice, who has lived through something extraordinary and yearns to share it." (No. 8 on iTunes)

14. NBC Nightly News-- The audio version of the daily network newscast. You'll be surprised how little you miss the pictures. (54th in iTunes)

15. -- Podcast version of the public radio show that "explores how the media 'sausage' is made, casts an incisive eye on fluctuations in the marketplace of ideas, and examines threats to the freedom of information and expression in America and abroad." (74th in iTunes)

16. Rachel Maddow Show --the audio version of the nightly MSNBC political chat show. Posts about an hour after the show airs live. (87th in iTunes)

17. -- From WNYC in New York, co-hosts Jad Abumrad and offer "a show about curiosity. Where sound illuminates ideas, and the boundaries blur between science, philosophy, and human experience." (No. 5 in iTunes)

18. Real Time with Bill Maher -- The audio version of the Friday night HBO talk show. Subscription includes the "overtime" segment that's online only. (39th in iTunes)

19. Reliable Sources -- the audio version of CNN's Sunday morning media review program hosted by Brian Stelter

20. Re:sound --- "The most compelling and creative audio documentaries and features produced worldwide" from the Third Coast International Audio Festival, a non-profit arts organization at which, full disclosure, my wife is executive director.

21. Savage Lovecast -- Sex and relationship advice from the canny (56th in iTunes)

22. -- I have subscribed to this yet-to-be-aired podcast based solely on the reputation of executive producer of "." Serial will follow one story - a true story - over the course of a whole season. We'll follow the plot and characters wherever they take us and we won’t know what happens at the end of the story until we get there, not long before you get there with us. ... Episodes 1 & 2 will launch on Friday, Oct 3rd. (No. 1 in iTunes.) 23. StartUp -- presents a candid chronicle of his attempt to start a for-profit podcast network in what he bills as "a series about what happens when someone who knows nothing about business starts one." (9th in iTunes)

24. Stuff You Missed in History Class -- (20th in iTunes)

25. Slate’s Daily Podcast -- This is a multi-show feed that includes The Gist with Mike Pesca (50th in iTunes), Hang Up and Listen, the Political Gabfest (95th), the Culture Gabfest, Mom and Dad are Fighting, Slate Money and Lexicon Valley.

26. The Sporkful -- "We obsess over food minutiae in search of new and better ways to eat. We like to say, `It's not for foodies, it's for eaters.' Hosted by Dan Pashman, author of the new book, "Eat More Better."

27. Sports with Frank Deford -- A weekly three-minute diatribe by NPR's resident curmudgeon.

28. Sunday Spin -- Segments and the full WGN-AM show by my colleague Rick Pearson, Tribune policitcal writer.

29. This Week with George Stephanopoulous -- the audio version of the Sunday morning TV political chat show

30. This American Life -- Over time, this groundbreaking, creative documentary program gives you whimsy, outrage and insight. " It's mostly true stories of everyday people, though not always." (No. 2 in iTunes)

31. Week in Review -- the audio version of PBS's Friday evening TV political chat show. Subscription includes the show's "webcast extra."

32. Wendy Snyder and Bill Leff -- Segments and full-show versions of WGN-AM's afternoon drive show, on which I'm a weekly unpaid guest.

33. Wiretap -- A quirky grab-bag of skits and interviews by Canadian Broadcasting Corporation's Jonanthan Goldstein

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Note -- There are shows that I like -- that I've mentioned in my column or here at Change of Subject -- that I've moved out of my regular rotation to make room for new shows but that I still regard highly. "Sklarboro Country," "WTF" "Wait..Wait" "TED Talks" and others.