I’m a massive podcast junkie (not surprisingly, considering that I produce my own podcast), listening to shows covering a wide range of topics, usually for several hours each day. I think that this new method of content distribution is so cool, and it always surprises me when I discover how in the dark many people still are about podcasting.

For example, I was recently in a room of music education majors. They were all griping about having to put together a podcast. Of all things! What possible use could this skill have in a future music education career? I can’t help but recall a recent post about this group of 6th graders–maybe they could teach the college students a thing or two about podcasting!

All ranting aside, I love this technology. If you haven’t given podcasting a try yet, then check out one of these below, or give my podcast Contrabass Conversations a listen if you’re looking for a weekly dose of double bass content!

1. Filmspotting – This show has long been my gold standard for podcast production values and quality of content, and I have frequently used it as a model for my own Contrabass Conversations podcast. This marvelous podcast features film reviews, thematic movie marathons, top five lists galore, and the always entertaining Massacre Theater segment. Though I was sad to see co-host Sam Van Hallgren leave the show, I am enjoying the banter between Sam’s replacement Matty Robinson and Adam Kempenaar.

2. Amateur Traveler – This is another benchmark podcast in terms of production values and quality content. Hosted by Chris Christensen, this podcast features an enhanced version for iPods (or iTunes on the Mac or PC) with photos of the locations being featured. Chris interviews guests about their excursions to all sorts of exotic locales, and the results are fresh and entertaining. I always look forward to seeing a new Amateur Traveler appear on my iPod!

3. No Agenda – Do you remember Adam Curry? The MTV guy with the hair? Well, he also happens to be one of the fathers of podcasting, and in addition to his Daily Source Code, our Podfather (yes, that’s what people call him) co-hosts a podcast with tech pundit John C. Dvorak. The title describes the show content very accurately–no music, no planning, no ads, no talent (or so they say–actually, these guys are overflowing with talent and imagination), and no agenda. Though this is a new podcast, it has become the first thing I listen to when I see a new episode appear. Both of these guys are brilliant, quirky, and funny, and their take on the world of both tech and non-tech is endlessly entertaining and informative.

4. MacBreak Weekly – My man Leo Laporte! In addition to being one of the nicest guys on the planet, Leo is the mastermind (or Chief Twit) behind the tech podcast network TWiT.tv. Though I love all of his podcasts (This Week in Tech and Net at Nite happen to be another couple favorites of mine), the entertaining band of miscreants that make up the MacBreak Weekly lineup keep me laughing and nodding during the entirety of each show. Consisting of a very loose format with tons of ‘ratholes’, this group of Mac enthusiasts is sure to put a smile on your face with their great Mac content and rapport.

5. Musicians Cooler – Dave Jackson (host for the Musician’s Cooler podcast) is also the operator of the School of Podcasting and the host of almost a dozen podcasts. Dave is a very entertaining and informative host, and this podcast focuses on how musicians can beeter market themselves, get gigs, and the like. Dave recently featured the audio rendition of my car explosion story on one of his episodes! Check out all his offerings at davidjackson.org.

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