Headphones on, podcast playing and Autopilot turned on. Since I live in London, I have always loved listening to podcasts. My taste went with my work (or hobby, hard to find where one ends and the other starts). I listen on the road, while running, on the Tube or even when I jump down to the shop. But lately I found myself taking a walk around the block just to get a few more minutes to listen.
One day at work, I swapped podcast subscriptions with my friend, who I knew well. We often discussed good movies and books, so it wasn't surprising that he also had some hidden gems on his podcast list.
The suggestions
When James recommended a few podcasts, I immediately started listening. They offered excellent content across a wide range of topics, opening a new world beyond the usual engineering podcasts. It turns out we both share a passion for history. I tend to jump into details quickly, often increasing the playback speed to 1.4x or 1.6x, sometimes even 2x if the conversation feels too slow. However, this podcast kept me engaged and prompted me to slow down to 1.0x for episodes I feel warrant more attention.
Trust me, you won't regret it
One of Jame's suggestions was Dan Carlin's Hardcore History. Since we both love history, it sounded like a good idea! When I listened to the podcast, I was stunned. A single episode lasting four and a half hours? That’s incredible! I enjoy history, but who would listen to a history podcast for that long? (though I was mistaken, as I learned later).
At first, I didn't even start to listen; I just set it aside and didn't think much about it. James tried to tell me I would enjoy it and suggested I give it a chance. I suppose I was too busy then to pay attention, so I kept ignoring it.
Time went by—maybe a year or two—until COVID struck the world, and everyone stayed home. After 9 pm on weekdays, I would go to the nearest parks and walk about 10 km to stay healthy. While walking is beneficial, I needed something to engage my mind, so I began listening to podcasts again. I recalled James's suggestion about Hardcore History, and walking for hours turned out to be the perfect time to immerse myself in a long journey!
Hardcore History
I downloaded my first episode, 'King of Kings,' and headed out for my evening walk. Just as I was nearing the 10 km mark, my feet got sore after walking for over three hours. At that point, I should have gone home, but I kept going. I hit play on the next episode and kept walking while listening to 'King of Kings II.' It was intense... I finally got home after 1 am, exhausted and completely captivated by the first two episodes—there was no turning back. If you're into historical context and human drama, you'll love Hardcore History. It's an excellent podcast, and despite its lengthy 4-hour episodes, you'll enjoy it... just trust me ;)!