I've changed my mind about podcasts...

I thought the audio podcast was losing steam. I was having a hard time finding a place for it in my schedule and flow. I know a lot of people listen to podcasts when they workout or mow the lawn, but that was boring for me.

Over the past few months I've really been having bouts with insomnia. I can't shut my mind off. It runs through things I'm excited about and things I'm tormented about. Basically, if I'm stressed, happy, sad, excited, neutral or breathing... I can't sleep. This problem is not new for me. What's worked for years is to read myself to sleep. But, I'm to the point now that I can't stimulate my brain AT ALL, or it's a deal breaker. Tylenol PM has stopped working. Ambien stopped working. Rx stopped working. Running myself to the point of exhaustion didn't work either. I had to try something new.

What's been working for the past few weeks is to flip through mindless magazines and look at the pictures until my mind eventually shuts down and I fall asleep. That's the win. The loss is that I'm losing the 1-2 hours of nightly reading time I used to look forward to. I'd smoke through books and periodicals to keep learning new stuff.

I'm still looking for my regular reading spot in the day...but in the meantime...I had to find something else to supplement that loss of substance. And, that's when I changed my mind about podcasts.

Every morning, I've got about 1 1/2 hours to wake up and get ready for the day; put on my make-up and what-not (I put a lot of effort into looking like I don't put in a lot of effort). I've been listening to some new podcasts and I'm LOVIN it. Great way to start the day. Here's a few on my rotation right now...

• Potential Podcast: The leaders @ Flamingo Road. I've been picking up some great leadership and multi-campus insights.
• Relevant Podcast: Companion podcast to the magazine. God. Life. Progressive Culture. And, lots and lots of laughing. I laugh OUT LOUD quite frequently listening to these guys.
• Ted Talks: Inspired talks by the world's greatest thinkers and doers. Technology. Entertainment. Design.
• This American Life: There's a theme to each episode, and a variety of stories on that theme. It's mostly true stories of everyday people, though not always. A different experience.

I'm addicted.

Comments

[David Morris]

Each week I cannot wait to download the This American Life podcast. I listen to it via ipod in my car and there have been a number of times where I have circled the block a few times to finish a story. Look forward to checking out those you have listed.

[Heredes]

We're Kem Myer fans too!! :)

Let us know when you're in South Florida so you can stop by and hang with us!

Wishing you and the GCC team the best -

Heredes & the Potential Podcast team

[blair farley]

i have been finding my way to more podcasts lately as well. My buddy Jason does a really engaging podcast... it is entertaining and he has some really cool ways for reaching his community. http://www.jasonharper.cc/blog.htm or you can search out Jason Harper on iTunes.

[Abby]

Can you really get better than Ira Glass? Maybe Garrison... Love the new page look.