June has been good so far, ladies and gentlemen! I hope to have some great official news to announce soon, but in the meantime I’d love to let you know how I educate myself about art, theater, history, science, music, and other important topics. An artist should have a lot of knowledge about the world, in my opinion. As an actor-musician, I may be called upon to play a person from another time, another country, or another mode of life. I’m a podcasting fiend – it’s the best way to stay awake on the morning subway ride, and a fantastic way to learn about new concepts, ideas, and nuggets of information. So, whether you are a podcasting nut like I am or have yet to delve into this mode of learning, read on!
New York History: The Bowery Boys!
Two guys from Chelsea research and give you good chunks of history about New York history – people, places, landmarks, concepts, etc. Anyone who is in the performing arts – especially theater – should pay attention to episodes like the recent Sardi’s history podcast, Tin Pan Alley, Steinway, or Times Square.
The How Stuff Works Podcast Series
This is a fun grouping of podcast series from a variety of outlooks. I personally love the Stuff You Should Know, Stuff You Missed in History Class, Stuff Mom Never Told You audio podcasts, and the Stuff They Don’t Want You To Know and Coolest Stuff on The Planet video podcasts. I also just learned about the Stuff To Blow Your Mind and Stuff From the Future video podcasts, so I’m going to check them out! They also have an iPhone app!
WNYC’s Soundcheck – on Radio and RSS/iTunes!
It’s all about music from all forms of human experience. From ballet to funk to indie to rock and musical theater, even down to the science of how the brain processes music (as in this episode), all topics are discussed.
Big Ideas Audio Podcasts and Videocasts
Audio and Video from speeches, interviews, and seminars from some of the most intelligent, well-researched, and knowledgable scholars and enthisiasts on earth, talking about a huge range of topics. Listen to Oliver Sacks on his book “Musicophilia” or Umberto Eco on Beauty and Ugliness. Lecturer finalists – so you know they’re interesting – are highlighted.
Neil deGrasse Tyson’s StarTalk Radio
With a rich voice that would make any geek girl melt, and always with a funny or incredibly learned sidekick helping him out, Neil deGrasse Tyson hosts this radio/podcast series, which tackles the science of the Universe. It’s the next best thing to having your own pocket Astrophysicist on hand!