This is part of my 2015 series on podcasts I’m currently listening to . This post lists educational podcasts about numerous topics, including language, law, and more.
The list is in alphabetical order. The name of the podcast is linked to the feed itself (what you’d copy and paste into your podcast app). The “(info)” link will take you to the podcast’s homepage, where available. The “content” field tries to give you an idea what to expect as to language or disturbing content. As for ratings, clearly I like the podcast at least somewhat or I wouldn’t have it on the list at all, so I’m going with a 3-star system.
- Three stars means I look very forward to the next episode and almost always listen to the entire episode.
- Two stars are ones I still really enjoy, but I sometimes skip at least parts of the episode, maybe even half.
- One stars are podcasts that I feel are hit and miss. I will routinely skip sections of the podcast and occasionally skip an entire episode.
- Podcasts marked with the
icon are über favourites. These are the ones I think just about everybody should listen to.
Again, let me know if you have any questions, and don’t hesitate to make suggestions for other podcasts I should listen to.
- Rating: 3/3
- Frequency: every 2 weeks
- Duration: 15 minutes
- Content: family friendly
Comedian Helen Zaltzman takes a word and humorously discusses its etymology and recent history.
- Rating: 3/3
- Frequency: every 2 weeks
- Duration: 30 minutes
- Content: occasional strong language
Discussions of modern language issues, etymology, and other language topics, including great segments with lexicographer Ben Zimmer.
- Rating: 2/3
- Frequency: weekly
- Duration: usually 10–15 minutes
- Content: family friendly
A weekly discussion of the U.S. Supreme Court’s most recent opinions, oral arguments and grants of certiorari.
- Rating: 3/3
- Frequency: every 2 weeks
- Duration: 30–45 minutes
- Content: family friendly
A discussion of goings on at the U.S. Supreme Court with the main host and different panel members.
- Rating: 3/3
- Frequency: sporadic (lately every few months)
- Duration: multiple hours
- Content: no offensive language, some disturbing content
Dan’s oral essays on historical events. He just wrapped up a tremendous six-part series on World War I. I really enjoy this one.
- Rating: 1/3
- Frequency: mostly weekly
- Duration: various (10–60 minutes)
- Content: family friendly
There are lots of different shows that come through the feed. A few I skip entirely, but most are really interesting. I like the front page news segment and some of their interviews.