6 Reasons Why Listening To Podcasts Can Benefit Your Life

Podcasting is the latest way of sharing and spreading information. Some people also say podcasts are going to replace blogs as they are easy to consume and also entertaining. Only time will tell that. However, podcasting is an American way of sharing information and it has been there for a long time. In earlier times, people use to broadcast them live on the radio.

They are also more personal than TV talk shows and radios. Some of the podcast hosts really open up about their personal life and share stories that motivate and inspire the listeners. Some podcasts don’t show the speaker; they are audio only. While others show both audio and video. I like the latter format.  

Here are 6 reasons how listening to podcasts can benefit your life.

1. Podcasts are a great alternative to books

Not everyone likes to learn in a structured way. In fact, there are some cultures in which it is frowned upon to take a systematic approach to learning and problem-solving. I know it is unlike American culture but there are some pros in learning things by osmosis. A podcast is a talk show where one or more than one people share their personal stories, experiences and knowledge.

For instance, listening to a podcast from someone like Neil Degrasse Tyson is far more entertaining than reading his books. His books don’t create the same dramatic effect that he is able to create in his podcasts. Consequently, listening to a podcast can be more beneficial than reading books. The listener gets to emotionally connect with the podcast host. Therefore, a better learning experience.

2. They provide entertainment

It is very rare that a top podcast on YouTube or Spotify is uninteresting or boring. Entertainment is a huge factor when determining how well a podcast is going to do on these platforms. No matter how much value a podcast creator provides via his/her content, it is not going to blow up unless it is entertaining.

Listening to podcasts is like watching a TV talk show. But the only difference is that podcasts are not scripted and are unfiltered. So, a listener gets to know what their heroes like Elon Musk and Mike Tyson actually think and feel. In my opinion, Joe Rogan Experience and Joey Diaz are the most entertaining podcast on YouTube. They are also packed with knowledge and interesting facts.

3. They are authentic and genuine

Unlike TV talk shows, podcasts are created by people who are doing great things in life and are willing to share their knowledge and experience with us. Joe Rogan and Tim Ferriss are the best examples of such people. They both had already achieved so much in their life before they started to share their experience with people.

I accept that scripted TV talk shows can also be entertaining. But spontaneity and authenticity are two values that most successful people live by and also seek in other people. Jocko Willink is another example of a genuine and authentic podcaster. Jocko makes listening to podcasts a pure pleasure as he shares stories from his days in the United States Navy.

4. You get to learn from industry experts

Tom Ferry shares his knowledge on the real estate investments in North America on his YouTube channel. He not only educates people about investment but also teaches them how to become a real estate agent and grow their business in the same field. By listening to podcasts similar to Tom’s, you will not only gain knowledge of your desired industry but also get inner circle insights that are not openly discussed anywhere else.

5. It’s a great companion during the commute

It’s a good habit to listen to audiobooks while commuting to work or just traveling. Audiobooks are great at providing you with precise and step by step knowledge. But they can be flat and boring sometimes. Listening to podcasts while commuting has some additional benefits that the audiobooks don’t.

Podcast are entertaining and keep you in a social mood. Especially, when you are returning home. Audiobooks can put you in work-mode. Moreover, you can also listen to podcasts while working out in the gym, taking a walk in the park, running, etc. I feel like they have a perfect mix of entertainment and learning.

6. Most of the great podcasts are free of cost

Audiobooks cost more than $10. Even if you listen to one audiobook per week, your monthly expense on them goes up to $40. These $40 can be easily saved or used for something else. Most of the great podcasts are absolutely free of charge. You can stream or download them anytime you want. Moreover, listening to podcasts from several different authors may also give you a glimpse of what they are all about. This helps you buy the perfect audiobook for your needs.

I hope these reasons are enough to motivate and inspire you to add this new habit to your daily routine. This is one of those habits where you don’t have to do much. Just search for your favorite topic on YouTube, sit back and relax. You could support these content creator by donating a few bucks if you want but most of them don’t even ask for donations. So, there is nothing to risk or lose.