A few years ago, back when I still had a long commute, I started listening to podcasts to reduce my driving-related stress. I live in a congested area, and driving, while necessary for my job(s) at the time, felt like such a waste of time. But podcasts transformed these periods into little relaxing learning bubbles instead of the ragey black holes they once were. In the time of Covid-19, I’ve heard people say they don’t listen to podcasts anymore because they don’t have commutes, but I slap my wireless headphones on and listen while doing the dishes, folding laundry, vacuuming, cooking, and working out. It’s a way to motivate me to do things I’d rather not do (looking at you, dishes). Pairing podcast listening with a physical activity also helps me focus on the podcast instead of feeling restless the whole time.
Below is a list of my favorite podcasts for academics. This doesn’t include the creative writing or really nerdy planner podcasts that I subscribe to, but let me know if you want those recommendations in the comments. Also give me your recommendations! Academic pods are often on limited season runs, so I’m always looking for new ones to listen to 🎧
ALSO, don’t forget your favorite academic podcasts when you go to nominate for Kairos Awards for work in the field of Computers and Writing! Deadline: June 1st, 2021.
Academia
Just love this podcast so much. I could listen to these hosts all day. Been reading one of the host’s academic research blogs (thesiswhisperer) for years. This pod is just delightful and I look forward to it every two weeks. Description: Inger and Jason talk about work, but you know – not in a boring way. Practical, implementable productivity hacks to help you live a more balanced life. Find us on Twitter: @thesiswhisperer and @jasondowns.
This pod is really new and responds to academic stress in the time of the Covid-19 pandemic. It’s been interesting to hear global perspectives (as well as different career stage perspectives) on how the pandemic has affected academia.
A pod specifically for women in higher ed. A lot of great interviews here!
I’m a new listener to this one, but I like nerding out over other people’s productivity stories 😜
This Prof Life: Women of Color in Higher Education
New listener, but love what I’ve heard so far! Description: This Prof Life Podcast focuses on Women of Color (WOC) in higher education and empowering their voices. The experience can be enlightening and different at the same time. You will hear the challenges, successes and strategies women use to navigate academia. Join Dr. Pat Sanders, a Full Professor of Communications, as she talks to women who work in the academy.
A lot of good advice here, especially the episode on making your career 90% awesome. It inspired one of my own recent blog posts! Description: The podcast for academic womxn who want to write and publish more while rejecting the culture of overwork in academia. Cathy Mazak, PhD, helps you create the career (and life) you want by centering your writing.
A new pod, but I’ve listened to all the episodes. Very interesting topics relevant to a lot of academics even if they tend to focus on tenure. Description: Professor-ing is a new podcast from the NCFDD where faculty share the R&R – the real and realer about life in academia. Find out more at http://www.FacultyDiversity.org/ProfessoringPod
This Most Unbelievable Life Podcast
I would describe this as an indulgent pleasure to listen to. It is rambling and organic, lacking a lot of the “structure” of other pods, but that’s also what I love about it. Description: This podcast, hosted by Drs. Cheri Spiegel and Paul Fitzgerald, covers all things as they relate to two college professors in this modern age. Enjoy! If you have a topic that you would like us to cover, blast them over!
A podcast with great examples of public scholarship strategies. I love learning how higher ed folks use different platforms to distribute their research. Totally cool for this here nerd.
Teaching / Pedagogy Pods
Been a fan of the Hybrid Pedagogy blog for years, so I was super excited to learn there is a podcast extension of that work. Description: “Conversations about critical digital pedagogy, hosted by Chris Friend. From the makers of Hybrid Pedagogy. We interview authors, educators, and provocateurs who challenge us all to become better teachers and learners.”
I’m a new listener, but definitely interested in some of these topics. Description: This is the space where we explore the art and science of being more effective at facilitating learning. We also share ways to increase our personal productivity, so we can have more peace in our lives and be even more present for our students.
Composition Pods
This pod got me into listening to comp podcasts! A lot of good episodes on multimodal and digital composition. Highly recommend for any comp academic. Description: A podcast hosted by Shane A. Wood and sustained by the voices of others. Teachers talking writing.
I absolutely love this pod for multimodal comp. I send the episodes “Multimodality Pulling Into the Station” and “The Weird Possibilities of Academic Podcasting” to anyone interested in teaching with podcasts or making an acadmic podcast. Description: Rhetoricity is a quasi-academic podcast that draws on rhetoric, theory, weird sound effects, and the insights of a lot of other people. It’s something that’s a little strange and, with luck, a little interesting. The podcast’s description will evolve along with it. So far, most episodes feature interviews with rhetoric and writing scholars. The podcast is a project of Eric Detweiler, an assistant professor in the Department of English at Middle Tennessee State University. For more on Rhetoricity and his other work, visit http://RhetEric.org.
A lot of great episodes about digital rhetoric and multimodal! Description: The Big Rhetorical Podcast (TBR) was conceptualized in the spring of 2018 at Illinois State University. This podcast is a digital platform for scholars of rhetoric and composition, as well as other disciplines, to talk about relevant scholarship within the field while engaging in a lively, academic dialogue. The Big Rhetorical Podcast is hosted by Charles Woods.
Also a lot of great episodes on digital and multimodal composition. Description: Writing Remix is a podcast about language, art, and pedagogy and how the art of writing is in essence the art of the remix.
Research Pods
Love this pod and have learned so much about different, sometimes alternative research methods. I’ve even assigned some episodes (notably episode 3 in Season 1: The Literature Review) for students to help them understand research writing in a different way. Description: Welcome to Do Better Research, a learning-focused podcast about research methods. My name is Dr Suzanne Albary, and I’ll be guiding you through research methods to become a better researcher, both for academic study and professional practice. Check out Do Better Research for interviews with active researchers from all sorts of disciplines to hear how they use certain methods, what methodologies work for them, and their top tips for doing better research.
I’m a new listener to this one, but definitely intrigued by the concept! Description: About Practice is a podcast about the divide between research and practice in education and how those on either side of the divide can build bridges to the other. It is hosted by Ryan Estrellado and Joshua Rosenberg.
I learned about this podcast after hearing the hosts present on their work at NeMLA 2021! Description: Our goal is to make complex theory accessible, prompt conversations about uncomfortable topics, and provide tangible resources. Gray Matters is an inclusive space for all backgrounds and abilities. We aim to center disenfranchised voices and experiences. Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/graymatters6/support
This is a history pod and a great example of public history content! Description: Professional Tour Guides in Washington DC share the true and sometimes scandalous stories from history, DC travel tips and hacks, hidden gems and hilarious stories of what we’ve heard on tours.
A cool pod with different research topics. I especially liked the Women’s Writers Project episode.
New listener, but I really liked the episode on Inspiring Scholar-Activists. Description: A podcast about bridging art, activism, and academia to build more just futures. On each episode, host Cathy Hannabach interviews the scholars, dancers, authors, artists, and filmmakers imagining collective freedom and creating it through culture.
Hope you found at least one new pod to listen to! I’ve been a listener/student of the genre for a while, and I’m now thinking about making my own podcast! If I did, would you give it a listen?
Stay tuned for (hopefully) more posts this year about teaching, composition, digital literacy, and academia. Feel free to follow me on Twitter: @litambitions
Tawnya Azar 