What Can You Gain From Podcasts?

What’s a podcast and how does it benefit you? Read to find out!

If you’ve ever subscribed for a Spotify or an Apple account, you’ve probably seen the wealth of podcasts they offer. “But what’s a podcast?” you wonder... Firstly, don’t be intimidated to check out a podcast! A podcast is just all your favourite blogs, shows, and topics that you enjoy, all in a huge hub of recordings. Isn’t that great?

Let me share a little bit on how I started to listen to podcasts. Before the pandemic, podcasts were foreign to me. I figured podcasts were serious conversations all in one place but boy, was I wrong. I started to explore the world of podcasts a few months into the pandemic. The first podcast that I listened to was mostly related to women’s health and since then it has changed my perspective towards podcasts. With that, I’d like to share a few reasons why YOU should listen to podcasts too!

#1. Easy access

Where can you find podcasts, you ask? You don’t have to look far as they’re available on multiple media platforms such as YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Audible, Patreon, and etc. I’m sure you have a personal account for at least one of those apps mentioned or even if you don’t, you can get started and sign up for free today!

One of the best parts about listening to podcasts is that you can listen to one anytime, anywhere, regardless of what you’re doing. You can easily access them while you’re doing notes, waiting for the train, and cleaning the house. Instead of having to set a time to read or watch media, with a podcast you can explore, download, and listen whenever you choose to. It’s also a great way to practise your listening skills. Think of it as a radio but with the show catered to your preferred topics instead.

#2: Educational and insightful

The ease of access also means that you can gain knowledge from educational podcasts fuss-free. You get to discover world history and science, gain productivity tips, relationship and financial advice, or even learn different languages from around the world and simply learn something new every day through a podcast.

If you’re already a Taylorian, you’ve probably realised the ‘Young Adulting’ banner when you log in to Campus Central. Well, that’s our very own Taylor’s Uni Podcast which offers topics about young adulting, relationships, e-learning, as well as thought-provoking ideas.

If you’re looking for more educational podcasts, TED Talks Daily covers tons of topics from science to nature. Each session has a different length but most of them are around 5 to 10 minutes. You can listen to it while going on a short drive to the local supermarket. I gained a lot of knowledge from the channel itself and I’d highly recommend it to you too!

Other podcasts you should check out: Stuff You Should Know, Philosophize This, Science Vs, BBC Earth Podcast, Myths & Legend

#3. Unwind

Besides learning something new, podcasts are also a great tool to unwind to! There are some days music is just not enough to fill your happy cup. Why not give it a chance and turn to podcasts instead? Some of the podcast channels that you can unwind to are The TryPod, DIVE Studios, Ear Biscuits, and Mamak Sessions. So, tune in to the podcasts and relax. If you are like me, I enjoy listening to people sharing their opinion on a topic, heart to heart talks, and meditation podcasts from certified professionals. Got your favourite drink in hand and ready to unwind with your favourite podcast? YES PLEASE.

Listening to podcasts not only sharpens your listening skills. It can also broaden your knowledge and perspective in life. Well, now that you know the benefits of listening to podcasts, here’s a shameless plug to remind you to check out Taylor’s Uni podcast — whether you’re a Taylorian or not!

Vanessa Chan is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Business at Taylor's University. She is also the Assistant Director of the Editorial Department in Taylor’s AKPK.

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