Podcasts to make you smarter

By CW Contributor on 9/5/2019

Looking to spruce up your dinner conversation with some obscure facts or tantalising tidbits of information? Perhaps you need to brush up on your knowledge of Impressionist painting, the plays of Seneca or the exact science of particle physics.
Podcasts have changed monotonous commutes for the better by carving out a tranquil space in the day not only to listen, but also to learn. From weird science to gripping history, these are the best podcasts to make you smarter.

On history: BBC Radio 4’s In Our Time

There is a deluge of history podcasts on the scene, but for digestible history soundbites, it’s got to be BBC4 Radio’s In Our Time. Listen to veteran broadcaster Melvyn Bragg bring together academics to discuss the political machinations of the Medici, the rich history of the Samurai, or the rise and fall of the Roman Republic. Bragg has a remarkable talent for bringing history’s personalities to life, as well as an august voice that can soothe any commute.

On economics: Planet Money

NPR’S Planet Money has been bringing the macro and the micro of economics to listeners since 2008. Planet Money takes a topic which can often be daunting, and makes it relatable through fascinating and quirky case studies; for example, the price of a can of coke or the raw salmon industry in Japan, as well as serious economic issues such as the credit crisis. World markets are no longer panic-inducing enigmas.

On business: How I Built This

Another NPR hit, How I Built This invites some of the world's most successful entrepreneurs to talk about how they developed their business from idea to multi-billion dollar empires. Interviewing the likes of Bumble’s Whitney Wolf, Airbnb’s Joe Gebbia, and Whole Foods’s John Mackey, these inspiring stories packed with failure, serendipity and triumph will make you want to get out and start your own venture.

On science: The Infinite Monkey Cage

For some of us, science lessons are all but a distant memory, save for a few vestigial formulas from the periodic table. Rediscover the joys of chemical reactions, astrophysics and the human anatomy with scientist Brian Cox and comedian Robin Ince as they bring together a panel for a witty, lively discussion about the basics of science. You might not be taking home any Nobel prizes any time soon, but you can certainly impress your friends with some pearls of wisdom about the secrets of the solar system or artificial intelligence.

On art history: The Lonely Palette

The Lonely Palette strives to ‘return art history to the masses one painting at a time’. In each episode, host Tamar Avishai hones in on a single artwork which could be anything from Donatello’s Madonna of the Clouds (c. 1425 –1435) to Marcel Duchamp’s Fountain (1917). Avishai recreates the effervescent atmosphere of the art gallery by interviewing museum visitors about their first impressions and then discusses these works in relatable layman's language and through wonderfully evocative storytelling.

On design: 99% Invisible

One for design and architecture fans, 99% Invisible spotlights any designed element in our lives, revealing rich histories of our material surroundings which often go unnoticed. From the history of the straw to abandoned shopping centres, this podcast will encourage you to see the world with fresh eyes.

On philosophy: Philosophy Bites

Feeling a little lost in Plato’s cave? Confused by Cartesian duality? British authors David Edmonds and Nigel Warburton interview top philosophers on a wide range of existential and cerebral topics covering everything from classical concepts to modern day quagmires. This is one philosophy podcast we Kant get enough of.