My 5-hour drive down to Art & Soul this afternoon breezed by thanks to my trusty iPod full of crafting podcasts. If you're new to the world of podcasting, a podcast is a digital media file, or a series of such files, that is distributed over the internet using syndication feeds, for playback on portable media players (like an iPod) and/or your personal computer. I've been addicted to podcasts since October of 2005 when my best friend Carrie came out to visit. Carrie is one of those people who has always been tech-savvy and she's always into the latest & greatest trend (except she doesn't have TiVo... how can you live in this day & age without TiVo?). I digress...
During her visit, Carrie showed me a handful of her favorite podcasts and I'm addicted. I'm not normally a spoken word person. I can't stand talk radio. I struggle to listen to books on tape. Podcasting is different because I can find programs that discuss my passion - paper crafting!
As I was driving along today, listening to my iPod, it dawned on me that I should share some of my favorite podcasts with you. You don't need to have an iPod (or any MP3 player for that matter) to listen to a podcast. The computer you're on right now will do the trick (assuming you have speakers)! Here are my faves:
- ScrapCast: This has been my tried & true scrapbooking podcast. Lynnette's shows are fairly lengthy and handle one topic at a time (adhesives, vacation albums, color, etc.). Her archives have over 31 episodes, so there should be something for everyone. Unfortunately, her most recent episode was in December 2006. I don't know whether she plans to produce future episodes, but there are plenty in her archives to inspire you! You can subscribe via iTunes.
- CraftCast: Host Allison Lee gets big names on her show -- Carol Duvall, Gwen Gibson, DIY's Jennifer Perkins, just to name a few. Her shows are dedicated to all crafts including paper crafting, jewelry making, knitting and mixed media. I've been able to pick & choose the episodes that are of interest to me.
- Diva Craft Lounge: I've been acquainted with Scrap Diva Danielle Forsgren for years. I first met her in 2000 at a scrapbook convention in California (with Carrie, of course). She now has her own radio show with co-host Rayme Royale (aka The Duke of Crafts). The guests are fantastic (Heidi Swapp, Ali Edwards, Becky Higgins, Lisa Bearnson, Jenni Bowlin, Renee Pearson, Suze Weinberg, Stacy Julian...pretty much everybody). The rapport between the two hosts is pretty good. Unfortunately, I haven't been able to load it through iTunes, which means that I have to go back and download each episode seperately. Truly annoying, but worth it in the long run.
- Advice on Scrapbooking: This photography-based podcast is perfect for scrapbookers. There aren't a lot of episodes, but the handful available are worth listening to!
- Inspirational Wednesday: On Carrie's suggestion, I downloaded the most recent episode of this podcast and listened to it for the first time today. It appears to be two crafting girlfriends (Toya & Adrienne) having a good time. You kind of want to have a good time with them! I'll definitely listen to future episodes.
- Wholly Scrap: This was my hands-down favorite podcast, but it is no longer in production. Producer Angie Pederson (author of The Book of Me) decided that it wasn't her thing, which is a damn shame. However, her back episodes are available to download through iTunes. She began each episode with recent news in the paper crafting industry. I loved learning about new products before they hit the market. I've written her begging that she continue the shows, but so far I've been unconvincing. I guess she has her hands full with her various websites and marketing projects. Bummer.
Once you've joined me in my addiction to crafty podcasting, spread your wings and check out the wide world of podcasting. Here's a brief list of my favorite non-crafting related podcasts:
- NPR's The Writer's Almanac: Each day, Garrison Keillor recounts the highlights of this day in history and reads a short poem or two. I feel smugly smart after listening to this and I love his tagline: Be Well and Do Good Work.
- NPR's Wait, Wait, Don't Tell Me: A news quiz show good for a laugh or two. If you get a chance, download the March 24th episode with Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer. I laughed so hard I almost peed my pants.
- Lostcasts: I'm willing to admit that I'm a geek. A huge geek that theorizes the deeper meanings and mythologies behind the TV show "Lost". This is my eagerly awaited geekfest discussion of the previous week's episode. And my favorite podcast. Shut up.
- Grey's Anatomy: Producers Betsy Beers and Shonda Rhimes dish about our favorite characters. I know it is a soap. But I need to know, will George leave Callie for Izzy? Will Christina & Burke make it to the altar? Is McDreamy going to dump Meredith (oh, please say yes...) If you're a fan of the show, you'll love the podcast.
- Organization Station: This soothes my OCDs. And makes me want to clean out my closets.
In researching these links for you, I just discovered a half dozen more podcasts to download. Aaah... the joys of the internet. Happy listening!
OMG - you (and Carrie) are brilliant! I never thought about podcastiing craft shows!!!!! THANK YOU! I believe my commute just got better!
Posted by: Jennifer Sizemore | Monday, May 07, 2007 at 08:30 AM
I'm so glad I found your blog. It's got so much info. I live in Delaware, but I'm in the DC area often since my in-laws live there.
I'm going to have to try some of those podcasts. I have an iPod, but I use it just for music. I'm not sure if I'd be a good listenern in the car.
Have fun at Art & Soul. I'm hoping to go next year.
Nerissa
Posted by: Nerissa | Monday, May 07, 2007 at 08:28 PM
Well, girl, you just made my day with your comments about Wholly Scrap. And let me tell you, I do miss podcasting. It definitely IS my thing, and it was one of the hardest decisions I had to make to put the show "on hiatus". I still refuse to say that I "quit", because I loved it so much. I love(d) designing the shows, and the tech-geeky aspect of it. I still hold hope in my heart of getting back to it. You're right in that my other (paying) projects are taking up every moment of my time.
The industry news, at least, is still available, if only in print format, at ScrapbookingIndustryNews.com. I have been able to keep up with the blogging (on all three of my blogs), because I can do that in minutes, rather than hours.
Thanks so much for your fabulous comments about Wholly Scrap. Please know that I hope as much as you do that I can eventually return to it.
Posted by: Angie Pedersen | Monday, May 07, 2007 at 11:33 PM
Fantastic topic Korie! You've inspired me to blog about my favorite podcasts too. Thanks for the links to some I haven't yet tried. I'm always up for new content.
When will you start your own podcast? I'm sure you'd have quit a following....I'd listen!
Posted by: CarrieB | Tuesday, May 08, 2007 at 04:19 PM