The 6 Benefits of Listening to Podcasts

Bored of listening to the same playlists over and over again? Time to pick up a new background noise for when you’re studying, or just doing chores around the house. Podcasts are the new music to our ears!

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Now more than ever podcasts are emerging as forms of peak entertainment. There are thousands of high-quality podcasts out there that are catching people’s attention and being incorporated into their everyday life. They entertain, educate, and inspire many. Also, they can be enjoyed in any environment; from being background noise to exercise motivation, podcasts are taking over people’s lives in the best ways possible. Here are the following 6 reasons why podcasts are beneficial, and why you too should get into the habit of listening.

1. They’re free!

Are you tired of everything having a price tag? Well if you have an iPhone or Spotify, you also have the access to podcasts. They are by large offered for free to the public, and if you don’t have the either aforementioned, AudioBooks can be purchased for less than $15 a piece.

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2. You have the opportunity to listen anywhere

If you’re walking or driving somewhere, you can’t watch a movie or a show. If you are shopping, you also can’t play your favorite videogame. This is the luxury of podcasts: you have the opportunity to tune in to your favorite content hands (and eyes) free. All you need is a good pair of headphones and your ears. These amenities follow you anywhere and everywhere.

Whether you are on a run, in the car, or at the grocery store it is easy to plug in your phone and tune in to some quality content of your choice.

3. Music can become boring

The beautiful thing about podcasts is that there is constantly being new content being put out every week. Music libraries can become redundant and boring very fast, no matter how vast you think your collection is. By taking a break from your music, you can come back refreshed and excited about it all over again.

4. Podcasts are conversations more than stories

Unlike the narrative of audiobooks, podcasts are moreso a conversational form of listening rather than just listening to someone read out of a book. There can be so much learned from listening to two individuals talk about something they are passionate about. Conversations are more natural than listening to someone tell you a story. By listening to podcasts you get to hear two or more individuals bounce off of each other and build off of what the other has said. There is less structure, which allows for more room for creativity.

The best of all is that you are allowed to tune out for a bit and return back to listening to the conversation not being lost. If you are listening to someone tell a story or read off of a book, there can be information lost and you have to rewind so that you know what is going on. This brings me to my next point…

5. Podcasts are perfect for mindless chores

Most chores around the house don’t require a lot of brainpower. Podcasts are perfect for passing the time. They allow you to immerse yourself into a creative, entertaining space whether you are cleaning the toilette or driving to work.

6. There is so much that can be learned

Not only are podcasts a form of entertainment, but they can also serve as an educational tool. There is a podcast out there for everything. Trying to learn more about writing skills that you can implement? There is a podcast for that! What if you’re into technology and science? There is a podcast for that as well. For example, podcast Supercharged is a podcast based on productivity and technology that would definitely fit those interests.

You can find and download podcasts from places such as iTunes and Stitcher, as well as apps like Downcast and Pocket Casts.

Last year I really got into podcasts, and it is safe to say that they have changed my life. Instead of listening to music to pass the time, I found that podcasts are much more suitable and entertaining. As well, they make time go by so much faster. I have learned so much from podcasts, and I feel that they have made me into a more productive human being.

One podcast, in particular, has transformed me into a different person. Emma Chamberlain’s Anything Goes is my top favorite podcast, and it has forced me to learn so much more about myself. On this podcast, Emma rambles on about many different topics: from giving relationship advice, to how social media diminishes creativity and is damaging to mental health. Not to mention her voice is so soothing to just listen to in the background. This show is appropriately named, anything really goes on this podcast. The host talks about whatever she wants to talk about that week. I think that is the beauty of it though as it serves as a form of “girl talk,” or it feels as if you were catching up with a friend.

If you have not started listening to podcasts, I highly suggest you should. Who knows, maybe you could pick up on a new hobby or just learn something new!

For more talk on podcasts, check out our article on the top podcasts for writers!

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