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I have always loved old time radio. A gripping, well-acted performance allows your mind to imagine infinitely more than the moving images from film or T.V. Don’t get me wrong, I love films – but there’s something wonderful about sitting in a darkened room and listening to a radio drama like “War Of The Worlds”. Especially with headphones! I can’t think of a better FREE! thing to do these days – other than having extra millions to give away – if I had millions to give.

With the economy rewarding very few people other than bail out recipients – and don’t get me started, please. With the increasing financial pressure that many are feeling just to stay afloat, including depression or suffering in some form or another – I wanted to share a few of my favorite podcasts. If I am offering some bury-your-head-in-the-sand solution, that’s all I have to give. Besides, I believe a relaxed hour can offer some inspiration for creativity, or perhaps just some time with your significant other instead of possibly arguing over finances. So, have a listen and forget about life’s problems for an hour or so. It’s FREE!

To begin, there are thousands of podcasts. Two that I love are This American Life “The Super” (Click on Full Episode to listen) and Radio Lab “War Of The Worlds”. This American Life is well produced and hosted by Ira Glass, who is warm and empathetic. He asks great questions. The background music is perfectly sculpted without being syrupy. Every show is fascinating in one way of another. In my opinion you can’t go wrong with 90% of their productions. The other 10% are still well done, but sometimes a bit sad or just not to my personal taste. Its theme centers around slice of life stories about you, me and American family life.

Radio Lab tends to cover a wide range of scientific or sociological subjects. The podcasts are hosted by a two man team who have their own fascinating story. One is young, the other old, smart, and decrepit (like me). They have so much in common that it’s a joy to hear their chemistry as each delivers their side of the particular podcast.

“Radiolab believes your ears are a portal to another world. Where sound illuminates ideas, and the boundaries blur between science, philosophy, and human experience. Big questions are investigated, tinkered with, and encouraged to grow. Bring your curiosity, and we’ll feed it with possibility.”

Anyway both of those linked broadcasts are non fiction and so ridiculously fascinating that you will want to finish them from where ever you are. Warning! Listening in the car may cause lateness to work.

Some of the American Life episodes are archived and may cost ninety-nine cents. If you go to Itunes and subscribe to your favorite podcast then you’ll get most of them for free. Anyway, I don’t want to give anything away about the content of either linked podcast. Trust me.

There are several ways to listen to podcasts. Personally, I prefer downloading to my Iphone or Ipod and then playing them whenever I like. There is an Iphone app called Podcaster that works pretty well, but can be frustrating if you don’t have a wireless connection. It is also FREE. Many of the websites broadcast directly as well. Your listening options are many. Once you get hooked you will want something like iTunes as it will automatically update your podcast.

In my opinion the best explanation for the financial mess we are in is clearly and shockingly revealed in The Giant Pool Of Money (This American Life) It explains how the world economy began investing in real estate, and how the demand became so great it caused the bankers, brokers, and rating companies to lower their standards so they could keep taking huge sums of money. My summary is quite simplistic while the reporting is extremely thorough and balanced. After hearing that podcast I wanted to call every Talk Radio host since no one seemed to understand how the banking mess got started.

Again there are thousands of podcasts. You can learn a foreign language, listen to a Stanford or Yale professor – the subject matter is as wide as the internet and most are FREE. This is the link to Itunes University. (It will want to open your Itunes. If it doesn’t work, goto the Itunes store and look in the top left box called the Itunes Store. If you like short stories you can hear them read by authors on the NEW YORKER FICTION podcast. I suggest going to Itunes and digging around the podcasts. There you will find the most popular – and from there you’ll discover what interests you. If you’re not into podcasts and it’s music you want, then try Pandora Radio. You love Louis Armstrong? Beethoven? Cold Play? Create your own radio station! Pandora – it’s FREE!, it’s wonderful.

I hope you’ll listen to the linked podcasts and let me know what you think. May these episodes lighten your burden, make you laugh, cry or just be entertained. I guarantee you’ll love them or your money back!