Category: audiocasts

MUST LISTEN – The Adventure Podcast

On By Rick McIn audiocasts, cycling, hiking, product endorsementsLeave a comment

Every week I listen to Dave Adlard and Kraig Becker discussing adventures around the world.

Always entertaining.  And informative.

They’ve just posted their official 100th episode:

Our Favorite Podcast Moments

Through 100 Shows

 

____ Here’s my review of the very start from Dec 24, 2017. 

For years Kraig has been my main source of news on outdoor adventure on his site called The Adventure Blog.

He and Dave are co-hosting an extension of that site with a weekly online radio show.

Both are gear nuts. From episode 1 they’ve already convinced me I NEED two products:

The new Omni smart helmet. Indegogo.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

And a Dji spark drone.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

Check out the podcast here.

FAVE Podcasts – Pivot & Prof G Show

On By Rick McIn audiocasts, economics, government, internetLeave a comment

One MUST LISTEN for me twice a week is Pivot.

That’s Tech guru Kara Swisher and my business guru Scott Galloway.

Galloway is hilariously cynical and critical. 😀 And smart.

Preview or subscribe on iTunes.

… a sharp, unfiltered look at the technology industry, with provocations, predictions and insights from two leading voices in the worlds of journalism and marketing.

Scott Galloway just launched his own podcast called the Prof G Show.

Unfortunately the first episode coincided with the pending economic collapse of the world. Galloway opted to bring in as his first guest one of the most respected Finance experts in the world Aswath Damodaran.

I came away feeling much more optimistic about the other side of this crisis.

IF corporations (and we individuals) have enough liquidity to last out the shut down, the economy could boom again.

My Apple Watch 5 Review

On By Rick McIn Apple, audiocasts, books, hiking, product endorsements, travelLeave a comment

I went decades without a watch ‘cuz TIME ain’t the boss of me.

When I finally got around to trying Apple Watch 3, I was instantly hooked. It’s an essential part of my life now. I can’t live without a smart watch. 

LOVE IT. 

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

Having broken two Apple Watch 3 faces already, when I decided to upgrade the 5 I paid the extra for Apple Care. It covers everything for 2 years.

The normal warranty is 1 year and does not cover cracked glass, the most common way to break it.

In addition, for even more protection, I added an OtterBox Exo Edge Rugged Apple Watch Case.

Watch a video on that product.

Initially I thought the much cheaper Apple Watch 3 would do everything I need.

… Until Rene Ritchie convinced me to upgrade to the 5. Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

How much does it cost?

If you have to ask, you can’t afford it.

Get a Casio. 😀

the BUSINESS of American Politics

On By Rick McIn audiocasts, economics, ethics, governmentLeave a comment

I’ve followed politics in the USA since G.W. Bush was elected a second time in 2004. I had one question:

Why are so many Americans so stupid?

And why are Americans so close to a 50/50 split in so many elections.

Here’s one possible explanation. Many, MANY make a lot of money when American elections are close: lobbyists, consultants, media, broadcasters. They have incentive to try to keep it close.

In the most recent two-year election cycle, the political industry generated roughly $16 billion in revenue. Meanwhile, customer satisfaction — that is, from voters — is at a historic low. (Photo: Bill Pugliano/Getty)

Freakonomics audiocast:

Some say the Republicans and Democrats constitute a wildly successful industry that has colluded to kill off competition, stifle reform, and drive the country apart.

America’s Hidden Duopoly (Ep. 356)

Re-emergence of American Anti-Semitism

On By Rick McIn audiocasts, ethics, governmentLeave a comment

One of my favourite podcasts is The Daily.

This is one of their best. Listen here:

Re-emergence of American Anti-Semitism

American Anti-Semitism is a much more complicated issue than I thought.

The racist President clearly encourages anti-Semites. Recall how Trump defended these A-holes.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

Yet he consistently defends Israel. Why is that?

I finally learned that white extremists want Israel to survive so American Jews will flee there.

Podcasts are booming

On By Rick McIn Apple, audiocastsLeave a comment

Recall when pundits were saying podcasting is dying?

Not so.

Apple Podcasts currently hosts north of 550,000 active shows, a bump from the 525,000 the company reported back in April — that’s a considerable jump from the 3,000 programs it hosted when the program launched back in 2005. …

Tech Crunch

I’ve been a daily listening fan since they started.

On The Media has been my favourite for perhaps the last decade.

Most people still get their audiocasts from iTunes. It’s not perfect. Nor is the Podcast app on IOS.

On the upside Apple is quite strict about who gets hosted. I never hear of any Nazi podcasts on the platform, for example.

 

 

I love This American Life

On By Rick McIn audiocasts, product endorsementsLeave a comment

For some reason I’ve not been listening to the highly acclaimed audiocast much over past years.

That’s got to change. I’ll be listening every week from here on in.

Recommended – #638 – February 9, 2018 – Rom-Com

 

my AirPods

On By Rick McIn Apple, audiocasts, music, product endorsementsLeave a comment

I’ve cursed Steve Jobs 10,000 times for not perfecting wireless headphones.

The new Apple AirPods are good and bad.

The good? No wire tangles. They fit. They don’t fall out. Battery life is excellent. You can tap them to start and stop play.

The bad? Bluetooth is not 100% reliable. Audio cuts out quite often. There is no volume control without Siri. They are expensive at US $160. And … not everyone thinks they look cool wearing them. 🙂

Audio books and podcasts are important to me. I’ll get good value out of that $160 over the lifetime of the AirPods.

Still, I’ll normally use them in preference to my regular headphones.

Click PLAY or watch the Johnny Ive pitch on YouTube.

Here’s a real world review. Good and bad. Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

The fit and sound exactly like Apple earbuds.

On The Media audiocast

On By Rick McIn audiocasts, education, ethics, human rights, product endorsementsLeave a comment

On The Media is my favourite podcast.

WNYC’s weekly investigation into how the media shapes our world view. Veteran journalists Brooke Gladstone and Bob Garfield give you the tools to survive the media maelstrom.

The most recent episode  is super —  This is Not a Safe Space. It explores the issues of students feeling safe on campus and academic freedom of speech.

 

White male patriarchy results in bullying on campus for anyone who is not a white male. Something like 1/5 women will STILL be sexually assaulted in their College years.

 

We want all students to feel safe while simultaneously protecting freedom of speech. The two are not mutually exclusive.

 

UE Roll Bluetooth speaker

On By Rick McIn audiocasts, music, product endorsements, travelLeave a comment

So far I’m very pleased. Small form factor. Very durable. Good for travel. Good for my Coaching presentations.

I was inspired to buy a UE Roll when the speakers in my old laptop stopped functioning.

ue-roll-waterproof-bluetooth-speaker-618x520

Wirecutter:

After listening to 30 of the most promising new Bluetooth speaker models on top of the 48 we originally tested last year, we think the UE Roll is the best choice for most listeners. It combines above-average sound quality with a waterproof, travel-friendly design that practically begs to be slipped into your suitcase or laptop bag. You can find speakers in the same price range that sound a little better, but in our opinion, you can’t find one that matches the Roll’s combination of sound quality, design, utility, and price.

The Best Portable Bluetooth Speaker