In my daily work, there are many repetitive and mechanical tasks that don't require much thinking. During these times, I listen to podcast shows to relieve the fatigue from long hours of work. Today, I want to share some of the shows I enjoy listening to while taking breaks, hoping to provide a new option for those who listen to "Empresses in the Palace" during work.
What is a Podcast#
A podcast is a type of digital media content published and distributed via the internet, usually in audio format. It is similar to traditional radio but has some differences. Podcasts are more like RSS feeds, which can be subscribed to and listened to through common podcast clients; radio is more like a public account, usually dependent on a platform, but both are audio content. Therefore, if the podcast shows I recommend later cannot be found on commonly used podcast platforms in China, you can try using Apple's built-in podcast app or universal podcast clients like Castbox or Overcast.
Podcast Clients#
The podcast clients I have used and found useful include Xiaoyuzhou, Apple Podcast, and Castbox.
Xiaoyuzhou: One of the most popular podcast software and platforms in China, very suitable for listening to Chinese podcast content. As the platform grows, the number of Chinese comments under the shows will also increase.
Castbox: A cross-platform universal podcast client, often used to listen to content that cannot be subscribed to on Xiaoyuzhou, especially English content like Ted.
Podcasts I Am Listening To#
Fun Chats#
Light-hearted and funny chat shows are one of the types of content I often listen to. Under the tedious and complicated work, I prefer to have laughter accompany me rather than serious program content. I often find myself chuckling while working.
Comedians' Chat: A light-hearted and funny chat show recorded by stand-up comedians with the audience, hosted by Lü Dong, Boss Shi, Liu Shou, and others.
Serious Banter: Similar in format to the above, but with different hosts, including Da Lao Wang, Dan Dan Show, and Da Pen, especially the teacher Da Pen, whose unique ideas always make people laugh out loud.
Chat Record: A chat show organized by stand-up comedians Storm, Xiao Ju, and Baboon from Shanghai, similar in format to the previous two shows but with a distinct style and sharper viewpoints.
Double Shot: A chat show organized by Shanghai stand-up comedians Xiao Ju and Baboon, known for sharp viewpoints and very aggressive language, primarily focusing on humorous critiques, especially of certain types of men 😂. Listeners who are sensitive should avoid it 🙉.
Life Chats#
Unlike fun chats that aim for humor, the shows in this category share and discuss a specific theme in a relaxed atmosphere, often providing listeners with valuable insights.
Daily Talk Park: A talk show podcast co-hosted by Li Shu and a young man, discussing popular works in film, music, literature, and anime, sharing travel, food, consumption, and lifestyle, with occasional appearances by various celebrities.
Player One: A podcast planned and produced by Luo Shu and senior podcast producer Ai Wen. The content covers daily life, popular entertainment, literature and art, work experience, professional skills, travel and food, emotional analysis, mental health, fitness, and consumer guides.
Kernel Life Channel: A podcast under Kernel Network, sharing various interesting stories from everyday life.
Story FM: A narrative podcast where real experiences are recounted by the participants, founded by Ai Zhe. The content primarily consists of individual or group narratives.
Secret Talks: In each episode, the host and guests discuss various social issues, cultural trends, historical events, technological developments, and psychological topics. The content is rich and diverse, ranging from in-depth studies to humorous and light discussions, providing insightful and inspiring content for listeners.
Black Water Park: A podcast primarily discussing films, dramas, and anime, hosted by Ai Wen and Jin Hua.
Technology and News#
Jin Jin Le Dao: This can also be considered a chat show, covering technology, education, culture, food, and more. However, since the hosts are mostly professionals rooted in the internet, the show leans more towards technology. Additionally, the sub-column "Tech Stew" discusses current events in the tech field, providing inspiration.
Life Roaming Guide: A casual science talk show that unfolds discussions based on scientific news, gaining a bit of knowledge amidst laughter.
Kernel Network: You should be familiar with this, a podcast primarily focused on games, currently divided into three sub-shows: games, life, and interests.
Learning and Improvement#
Ted Talks Daily: A sub-show of the TED podcast, bringing the latest audio speeches every workday. Host and journalist Elise Hu invites world-leading thinkers and creators to deliver speeches on various themes, from artificial intelligence to zoology.
Huberman Lab: Dr. Andrew Huberman is a neuroscientist and tenured professor in the Department of Neurobiology at Stanford University School of Medicine. This is his own podcast, explaining the brain from a neuroscience perspective in an easy-to-understand manner, and he also invites experts from other fields to help decode the mysteries of humanity. If you find it hard to understand, you can subscribe to his show on YouTube, which has subtitles.
Luke’s ENGLISH Podcast: Suitable for listeners who are learning or preparing for language exams, focusing on British English, covering skills, methods, grammar, vocabulary, and more.
Hidden Brain: A podcast under NPR that satisfies people's curiosity about the world and themselves through storytelling and interviews. It helps listeners understand the unconscious behaviors we may have in life and reveals how biases affect our choices and other psychological and social science knowledge. These shows help us better understand ourselves and others, expanding our horizons.
Mystery and Thrillers#
As a staunch materialist, I am also curious about the boundaries of science 🙈.
Black Cat Detective Agency: A narrative podcast hosted by two female hosts, Mi Zai and Strawberry, telling true crime stories, with each episode featuring a gripping case that keeps listeners on the edge of their seats.
Nida Radio: A podcast hosted by a couple from Sichuan and Chongqing, divided into "Suspense Cases" and "Supernatural Time." "Suspense Cases" explains a real-life micro-horror, suspenseful, and twisted story each episode, while "Supernatural Time" is a ghost story program that "steps out of science."
IN Core Park: A pure ghost story podcast that includes supernatural events experienced by the host, friends, and submissions from netizens. Not for the faint-hearted!
Unresolved: A program hosted by practitioners of metaphysics, discussing topics such as fortune-telling, feng shui, and other metaphysical and folk content from an "academic" perspective.
Safety Exit FM: Not purely a mystery and thriller podcast, it also includes content on movies, music, and casual chats.
Summary#
Podcasts have become a part of my daily life. Unlike Douyin or Bilibili videos, podcasts do not require focused attention and are more suitable as a companion while walking, doing housework, or taking public transport. Thanks to the rapid development of podcasts in China, listeners can easily discover content that interests them. The above are the podcasts I am currently listening to and find enjoyable, and I may continue to update this list in the future. I hope this article can spark more interest among people, and feel free to share your treasure shows in the comments 😋.
What Podcasts Have I Listened To was first published on Jack's Space