Podcasts We Wish We Could Review

Why do some of the best shows on public radio resist podcast distribution? Do you know about Fresh Air? If you don't, you should start listening today. The host, Terry Gross, is, arguably, the best interviewer on the air. Her guests cover the landscape, from the worlds of politics, music, the visual arts -- you name it.

The show is produced in Philadelphia at WHYY and distributed to public radio stations around the country. Where I live it's on at 3:00 pm and 3:00 am. Most people I know are either at work or asleep at those hours.

So why no Fresh Air podcast? Because it's a hot property and they don't want to give it away. Instead they sell the shows on Audible.com -- and on iTunes -- for about four bucks a show.

And what about Charlie Rose? I haven't seen his shows for sale -- but no podcasts.

Radio needs to be free. At least public radio does.

podcastroundup@gmail.com

Some of the Best Podcasts Here

Some of the best podcasts come out of the public radio affiliate in Santa Monica, Calif., KCRW. I'll provide an overview of what the station has to offer, along with some recommendations, in upcoming posts.

podcastroundup@gmail.com

NPR Podcasts

The other day I was at the NPR Web site to grab some graphics I might be able to use here when I noticed something interesting. NPR seemed to list many more podcasts than iTunes shows for the network. Can this be possible? I'll check it out soon and report back here soon, so stay tuned.

podcastroundup@gmail.com