If you have been wondering where I have been lately, don’t worry, I am still here.
However, I haven’t been gaming, and I haven’t been listening to music or watching movies. I haven’t been reading much either. Nope, everything for which Caught Me Gaming stands for has been swept aside as I immerse myself in killing my Swoncho with knitting needles (more on that in a future post). And, while I’ve been knitting a ton, I must admit to picking up another hobby which has lead me down a rabbit hole of sorts: listening to awesome podcasts. I have listened to several in the past, but never have I sought out my next ear candy podcast like I have this month. I could say, “somebody stop meeeee,” but I don’t really want to be stopped! There is some good stuff happening in this new podcast land I have discovered, and I look forward to what else is around the corner! Allow me to share some of what I have found with you…
Retro Fandango
I have pointed this podcast out before, but if you haven’t listened to Retro Fandango, I highly recommend it. I know, I know, I am a bit biased: the hubs co-hosts it, and I have been a guest twice (shameless self-promo time!). But, who can pass up lively discussions on video games, movies and science fiction? Over the last several months, hosts Buried On Mars and RamVox have dedicated podcasts to the Alien and Predator movie franchises, and if you are a fan of both movies, you will want to partake! Their next franchise will be the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movies and games, happening this April. Retro Fandango is a total recommend – always entertaining, and something for every gamer geek or movie buff.
You can find Retro Fandango on podbean here: cartridgeclub.podbean.com
Also available on iTunes under “Cartridge Bros”.
The House on Loon Lake (episode 199 from This American Life)
I always like a good true story, steeped in mystery and curiosity. I stumbled upon a random Reddit thread (I lurk on Reddit every so often – there are some great stories on there) that pointed me to a podcast that upon one listen, piqued my interest enough to get the bug to search for other content. The House on Loon Lake, a This American Life-produced true story tells of Adam Beckman’s epic search to solve a mystery. As a child, visiting a small town in New Hampshire one fall day, he, his brother and a friend find a boarded up house that they could not resist exploring. Inside they find the remnants of the people who used to live there. The cupboard full of dishes, cans still in the pantry, clothes in the closet, personal effects left behind… it was like the people who lived there just evaporated. Who lived there? What happened to them? Why did they leave their stuff behind? I’ve always been fascinated with stories like this, even when the true reasons behind the abandonment weren’t as interesting. The House on Loon Lake is an emersive story that keeps the listener in mind, providing details that one could envision while listening. Providing a mysterious and haunting soundtrack also makes this story irresistable.
Start to Continue Podcast
This weekly podcast has two TV insiders, Bill and Joe, discuss everything from music, movies, TV, video games and Transformer figurines (which they refer to as TFs or in some cases Trannys), while hilariously busting each other’s balls. The hubs had pointed me to this podcast last week, as I have known co-host, Bill, for many years but wasn’t aware he was producing any podcasts. I have since enthusiastically plowed through all 20 episodes of this hilarious and interesting podcast, and I totally recommend it.
Find their podcast via their blog: http://stcpod.blogspot.ca/
Follow them on twitter @STCpod
Available on iTunes, Podomatic and Stitcher.
Serial
If you haven’t heard of Serial, you need to rectify that immediately. Produced by This American Life, its first season explores journalist Sarah Koenig’s search for answers in the case of teen, Adnan Sayed and his conviction in the murder of his ex-girlfriend, Hae Min Lee. This winding tale will grip you, leaving you wanting more. Combining Koenig’s storytelling, taped interviews with Adnan and other people involved in the case, as well as an atmospheric music score, you are made to feel this is how storytelling podcasts should be. I am already on the 8th episode and can’t wait to hear more.
Get the podcast here: http://serialpodcast.org/
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That is four of the podcasts I am listening to right now. So many podcasts! And with a 50-minute commute to and from work, I have the time! I am discovering new podcasts weekly!
Are any of you listening to some awesome podcasts? Let me know in the comments!
Caught Me Gaming 
No podcasts these days, no.
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Unfortunately, no. I used to listen to the Kevin Smith podcast for a while, but I sorta drifted from that …
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Not really though. There was a Metal one I used to enjoy but it stopped. I know Eva loved Serial! She’s liking one called Criminal now if your into the true crime stuff.
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Not really *anymore*. Don’t know where “though” came from!
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Haha, got it! I am digging Serial, and Criminal is next!
You can tell Eva that the Generation Why podcast is also great – true crime, mysteries, conspiracy theories…but with an American take. But, you can’t go wrong with a Ted Bundy podcast! 😉
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Definitely not! I remember watching a doc about him on TV. It was fascinating. I’ll tell Eva about that one.
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I heard someone from serial being interviewed on Q, though alas on the radio – it would have been nicely meta to be listening to a podcast about a podcast.
I was intrigued by it and I’m glad to hear it’s well worth hearing!
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I confess to being a podcast noob. I don’t even know how it works. Do you pay to listen to these? Is it like internet radio but anyone can do it? If it’s a music podcast, how do they get around copyright? I just don’t know. Of course I could Google out. Still, I might be the only person on here who doesn’t even know what these things do or how they go.
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I am a noob too. I am new to podcasts and how it all works, but here is what I know: Simply put, yes, anyone can do a podcast. Anyone. My husband is one such fella. All you really need is reach (post to iTunes, podomatic, podbean, stitcher – those are podcast server sites. You can even use Google Drive if you wanted). The ones I mention here are free. There are some that are paid, but I would never pay to listen.
Music blogs, I am not completely clear on, but I would assume, it depends on fair use or “for the purposes of critique”.
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Podcasts ain’t sounding like they’re up my alley. I can’t stand listening to all the talking on the radio (see my radio series on the KMA) so I can’t see how this would be much different.
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Well, to me, listening to a podcast is a choice. And often you can hear some great stories, or learn something new. On the other hand, with the radio, the DJ can hijack the airtime with their useless blather, which I can’t stand. Podcasts might not be up your alley. They aren’t for everyone.
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Yeah, I think it’s the talking I don’t like. I can’t listen to books on audio CDs either. Guess I just don’t like to listen to people yap! Hahaha
I wouldn’t doubt there’d be good stuff mixed in there, though, too. Ah well.
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I am obsessed with Marc Maron’s WTF Podcast. Great interviews with comedians, actors, writers, musicians, and whoever he feels like having on.
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I am having a blast with these podcasts, let me tell you. I have the time on the road to and from work, so it’s great to listen in while driving.
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I can download the WTF episodes onto my iPod so I can listen to them in the car. I listen during my workout , then finish listening while waiting for the kids at school. It’s great. I need to start Serial at some point.
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This is exactly what I needed. Love me some Retro Fandango and am a decent fan of TAL too. Will check out the others!
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