Like lots of you creatives out there, I do my best work when I’m plugged into my trusty iPod. When I’m in the studio without it, I feel like an appendage is missing. Now, I love me some good dance music - from the Jackson 5 to Pharrell, you will find them all in heavy rotation at home. The trouble is that I can’t seem to keep my seat once I hear those beats, and I’ve unfortunately learned that flailing about with a live torch is not a good plan. (Seriously. Don’t do it). So, for my auditory happiness at work, it’s all about the podcasts - the nerdier, the better.
Oh, iPod. You complete me.
Podcasts
I love me some NPR podcasts, ESPECIALLY the ones that involve dorky games, like Wait Wait Don’t Tell Me and Ask Me Another. Other personal faves include Freakonomics, The Moth, Radiolab and This American Life (duh.).
I canvassed my fellow CBL members to see what podcasts they are listening to (and also so I can add to my own ever-growing rotation). Kendra dorks out alongside me with Professor Blastoff (have you listened to this? YOU SHOULD) and is possibly the biggest TEN (TBTL podcast acolyte) in the Bay Area. Sharon shares my adoration for 99% Invisible, and Alyson goes food nerd with Cooking Issues, hosted by Dave Arnold.
NERD GAMES FTW! (image via NPR)
Music
Now it turns out that my fellow CBL folk are not as wont to set themselves on fire when listening to music in the studio, and they had some great faves to share.
Pandora appears to be the medium of choice for music listening at work. Alana gets down to the Hip Hop BBQ station ( I can attest to the fact that this is LEGIT) and spices it up with a little Black Keys radio. Sharon mixes Neil Young and Rhianna in her musical cocktail. Alyson hits the Motown station, and Kendra kicks it old school, listening to an ACTUAL RADIO (KFOG 104.5, in case you’re wondering)
How about you, creatives at large? What are your favorite things to listen to while working?