Since I seem to have a lot more time on my hands without travel thanks to current…things, I’ve been consuming podcasts more and more during my morning workouts. I’ve got a decent list going now and I wanted to share it with you. Here are my favorite podcasts (not including the one that I do for Gestalt IT, the On-Premise IT Roundtable:

• Packet Pushers – The oldest and best is still my go-to for listening. I started back at Episode 3 or 4. i can remember the intro music. And I’ve been a guest and a participant more times than I can count. Greg, Ethan, and Drew do an amazing job of collecting all the info about the networking world and pushing it to my ears daily. When you through in their news feed (Network Break), cloud (Day Two Cloud), DevOps (Full Stack Journey), IPv6 (IPv6 Buzz), and one-off stuff (Briefings in Brief) there’s a lot to consume aside from their Heavy Networking “main” feed. You can sub to any or all of these if you want. And stay tuned because you might hear me from time to time.
• Network Collective – Jordan is one of my old and dear friends. And I’ve been a fan of his work since he started it back in the day. Network Collective has gone through a lot of changes over the years, from flirting with video to changes in the host lineup. But one thing has remained the same. Network Collective captures the spirit and camaraderie of the old Community shows that so many podcasts have gotten away from over the years. When the focus moves to making the podcast into a business or on other topic areas, often the community aspect is the first thing to go. Jordan and Tony do a great job today of keeping the focus on the community.
• Risky Business – This is my favorite security news podcast. It’s slick. Professional. And Patrick does a great job of blending news and interviews with sponsored segments. Risky Business also helps me keep a more global perspective on the world of security. It’s often far too easy to become insular and forget that not everyone lives in the US or faces the same challenges we do. The release cadence of episodes ensures that I always have something Risky to listen to on my walks.
• Darknet Diaries – If Risky Business is the nightly news, Darknet Diaries is the drama that comes on right before. Each episode has a compelling hook to get you listening and then keep you there while the story unfolds. I’ve been known on a few occasions to do an extra lap around the block so I didn’t miss a juicy tidbit in the story. Jack Rhysider has that kind of voice that makes you feel like he’s just about to drop the biggest twist of the century with every statement. You should listen if you like long-form content.
• The Contention Window – Gotta have a wireless podcast, right? Scott Lester and Tauni Odia are good friends from the wireless side of the house that break down the latest news and updates and have fun. Seriously. I don’t think there’s been an episode that I haven’t chuckled at yet. Their recording schedule has been a bit sparse this year with job changes and COVID craziness, but make sure you subscribe so you’ll be updated the next time Scott finishes editing something.
• Current Status – Current Status is a podcast from my friends Teresa Miller and Phoummala Schmitt. I was honored to be Guest #1 back in the day. They’ve tackled some pretty heady subjects over the years. For a while it looked as thought real life had claimed another podcast and left it fallow, but the tenacity of these two ladies can’t be denied. Current Status has been resurrected and is broadcasting live on Youtube every Thursday night. Make sure you grab a drink and join in the fun! You can also subscribe to their feed to pull down the episodes after the fact.
• Nerd Herd Podcast – Not every podcast in my feed is about tech. Sometimes it’s just tech-y friends being nerdy. The Nerd Herd Podcast is all about the nerdy stuff that goes on around us. Rocket launches, app security issues, and even the occasional sing along are a great way to unwind and not think about work for a while. Plus, check out Episode 26 to watch cast favorite Amy Lewis sing her heart out!

Tom’s Take

Consuming these podcasts during my morning walk or run helps me focus on keeping my head in the game as well as keeping up with what’s going on. Plus, I don’t typically trip and fall like I would if I’m reading my phone. Unless Tauni is making fun of Scott again. If you’ve got a favorite podcast (tech or otherwise) that I should check out, leave a comment below. And yes, it’s totally okay if you’re the host! You never know when someone is going to find your hard work and enjoy it!