An introduction to 'The Podcast Compendium'

I had never planned to listen to a podcast. To be honest, I had never heard about a podcast until in the middle of 2018, on a lazy mid-afternoon, I visited one of my cousins in downtown Mumbai. While I was appreciating the collection of books in his library, he mentioned that lately he had started spending more time listening to podcasts than devoting hours to reading. Initially I thought he was talking about listening to audio books, so I avidly nodded more like in an agreement, and named the latest one which I had been listening to at that time. He smilingly clarified that he was talking about podcast and not an audio book, and I was looking at his face wondering I should again nod, indicating we are in agreement on this too, or sheepishly admit that I didn't know what he was talking about.

My cousin realized that this episode was becoming a little bit embarrassing for me, more so because I had always claimed to be in tune with the times, especially when it came to anything as new as a podcast! He simply unlocked his iPhone and showed me the app. I realized that for a long time now, I had been ignoring the in-built apps from Apple and had been more busy with those with whom I had already been much familiar with before migrating from android to iOS. I clicked on the 'Podcasts' app in my iPhone and felt as if a whole new world had opened up in front of me, one which had been in a simultaneous existence, however very quietly.

As I started exploring this new world, I decided to rely on my cousin to guide me on which one to listen to, same way as we would ask each other to recommend a great book to read. He mentioned a couple of them, while I was still fascinating about accidentally getting a chance to get into something new and exciting. Then he gave me a valuable piece of advice, which came very handy for me. He said that same as for books, liking or disliking for a podcast depends upon what you are looking for in it. And I decided to explore the newly opened up world like a child!

Fast forward from that day until now, I have been hooked on to a few podcasts, listening to them on a regular basis, almost always during my morning walks/jogs. The best part I like about the podcasts is that they are available in plenty, I can choose them according to my own taste or need, and unlike audio books, they almost always match in length with my average walking/jogging daily routine, which varies from half an hour to an hour plus, depending on how busy my day is. I must say that it's a great source of learning and entertainment and many times peps me up sufficiently enough for the entire long day ahead.

Lately I had listened to the renowned author and motivational speaker Robin Sharma of 'The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari' fame, on Jay Shetty's podcast 'On Purpose'. In this episode titled 'ON How To Release Your Toxic Beliefs & Getting Back To Your Higher Nature', which was launched on 13th January 2020, Robin inspired me to serve others by sharing his personal examples, as well as those of legends like Martin Luther King Jr., Mahatma Gandhi, Nelson Mandela, Mother Teresa, Steve Jobs, etc., to name a few. He prompted me to seriously think about how I could serve my friends, family, my extended community and even the whole world.

After a lot of reflection, I have decided to launch my new blog titled 'The Podcast Compendium'. With my latest initiative, I'm attempting to share with my readers a collection of concise but detailed information about handpicked podcasts on subjects as diverse as 'Self Help', 'Health', 'Energy', 'Entrepreneurship', 'Trends', 'Life', etc. I wish to bring forth the best learning from each of these chosen podcasts in the form of blogs and share it with those who want to gain from reading them. Podcasts being a relatively new concept, I realize that quite of few of my readers are yet not aware of them, as I wasn't a couple of years back. I am trying to serve this particular set of people with my initiative. Please wish me all success!

PS: 'Serendipity', my first blog, will remain active simultaneously with 'The Podcast Compendium' on Blogger, my chosen medium to share my ideas with the world.

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