It’s been just over a month since our new superintendent Jerry Almendarez took the helm in Santa Ana Unified. One of the clear themes that has already emerged in his approach to leadership is constantly asking people what they are doing to bolster their professional skills and boost their capacity. You shouldn’t be surprised if he starts a conversation by asking you what you are currently reading. Another way that conversation unfolds is to ask about what podcasts you are listening to. He’s bordering obsessive about employing adults who love learning.
I have something of an addictive relationship with podcasts. I love a long drive or a long run while listening to an interesting podcast, including and perhaps especially in disciplines and areas of interest that lie outside of education. I’m sure my poor wife is tired of hearing me reference the latest podcast I am listening to. Perhaps it’s a vice.
Even so, you can imagine how I lit up when asked directly about which podcast I’m currently listening to. How can I choose just one? Here are a few that I particularly love at the moment:
Harvard EdCast
I’m listing the Harvard EdCast first, not because it’s #1 on my list or even my favorite, but in terms of salient issues pressing in education, it’s essential. One of the most incredible parts of a Harvard education is how thought-leaders around the country and the world somehow seem drawn there. The level of access is unrivaled. As a student, in just a year, I engaged in conversations with current and past U.S. Secretaries of Education, presidents of Universities, superintendents in some of the largest urban districts in the country, heads of major philanthropic organizations, etc. The Harvard EdCast is designed to make these conversations and interactions accessible to a wider audience, and provides powerful insight into what is happening in education.
The Daily
There are a lot of ways to get the news. My favorite is the New York Times’ “The Daily.” Instead of your typical news rundown, The Daily goes deep for nearly 30 minutes on a single topic, integrating interviews, audio reporting, and historical background to provide a depth of context and insight that is hard to find elsewhere. Basically, the NYTimes gets to tell you the most important story of the day, and do so in a way that leaves you feeling like something of a mini-expert on the topic.
The Outside Podcast
I love being outdoors, and am fascinated by the stories of athletes and explorers that find themselves at the center of the Outside Podcast. To be honest, I never can really tell what the focus on the podcast is going to be. Sometimes they tell stories about near-death experiences in the wild. Other episodes are dedicated to the science of exercise. The topics range from the politics of the US Interior department to a forensic breakdown of a plane crash in the Andes. Perhaps that’s why I love it. It introduces me to people, places, and professions that often lie far outside my day to day realities and experiences. For me, it’s escapism at its best and keep me dreaming about future adventures.
MacPowerUsers
I love technology, but don’t necessarily consider myself a true power user. I don’t code (yet). This is a show that is unapologetically focused on Apple products. Apple happens to be ubiquitous in my life, as it is in the lives of lots of people. MacPowerUsers is my strategy to learn about the tools that are already in my pocket and backpack. Thanks to this podcast, I’ve set up a local server in my house, set up automated back-ups, installed media servers and had the confidence to address IT challenges that I simply could not have tackled previously. Even the software I use for writing my blog posts (Scrivener) came after listening to an episode of MPU. Of course there are some episodes that are a little beyond my skill set or experience, but I think that’s the point.
Rebel Force Radio
Don’t know how two guys can talk about Star Wars every week for 14 years. A quick listen to Rebel Force Radio will give you an idea.