posted
I finally got an iPod, and I'm getting heavily involved in podcasts at work. One of the most interesting programs is Fresh Air. Most of my other programs are weekly, but this is an hour-long daily interview show. The volume of information makes it fascinatingly hit-or-miss.
Some of the shows are goofy fluff pieces like interviews with Will Ferrell, Puff Daddy or the director or Wall-E, which are good brainless fun. Some are filler episodes, interviewing people that I've never heard of and don't care about. Some are interviews with people I've never heard about, but end up opening my eyes to new ideas.
Every once in a while, they have programs that are more deep and valuable in a way that I can't get anywhere else. The one I heard today is one of those.
Today's program interviewed the chief economic advisers for McCain and Obama, then a third party who gave an overview of both candidates' economic policies. Although NPR can sometimes skew left, this was a surprisingly enlightening and unbiased nutshell exploration of the differences and similarities between the candidates. Here is a link
Recently there was an hour-long bio of Barack Obama, chronicling his rise through Chicago politics. Link
Before that was an exploration of the mortgage meltdown. Although it wasn't quite as good as the special This American Life did on the same subject a couple months ago, it was still fascinating. Link
There was an expert's point of view on the USA's recent use of torture as an interrogation tool. Link
And perhaps the episode that left the biggest impression on me was an interview with a reporter who had gathered evidence that the Bush administration is going to try to wage war with Iran before leaving office. Link
Again, many of the political pieces can skew to the left. But there is information on this show that I don't hear anywhere else. You never know what you're going to get with this show, and sometimes it's very good.
Anyone else follow Fresh Air? Any other opinions on these shows?
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posted
I've heard some of these shows on the weekend version of Fresh Air. I have been drawn to NPR on the weekends. This American Life and Car Talk are great.
Posts: 1042 | Registered: Jan 2001
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