Learnercise & Driveducation

It started with cassette tapes, then transitioned to CD's, evolved to an Audible.com subscription, and now I'm obsessed with podcasts. This is the story of my own ongoing quest for knowledge and lifelong learning. At least that part of the quest that doesn't involve books, articles, live events, and conversations with my friends and mentors.

In the early days this was more of a driving phenomenon. When I was in my car commuting or driving from one sales call the next, I would listen to audio programs, or audio books. It was generally non-productive time, and at least I could make use of some of it by learning something new.

In recent years I find that I spend even more of my time listening since my smartphone allows me to conveniently consume audio content at other times outside of the car.  I can listen while I'm physically active, but have a few brain cycles to spare, like when I'm at the gym or exercising outdoors.

It's been months since I've listened to a book on Audible, after listening to close to 100 titles. Audible has been replaced by my podcast new obsession. Podcasts give me the ability to consume a wider variety of content more quickly. Instead of listening to a few chapters of a book that might be 6-8 hours in length, or longer. Now I can listen to several episodes in a single session.

Lately I've been working on a streak of 10K+ step days as tracked by my Fitbit. As I write this I'm up to 51 days in a row, and if you're one of those who I'm connected with on Fitbit, that is why I'm crushing you on the leaderboard. I grab my phone and head out at o'dark thirty for a 60-90 minute walk with Izzy (the family chiweenie), and ravenously consume this podcast content. I love starting my day this way. I find inspiration, news perspectives, unique information, and just enjoy listening to the voices and conversations of really passionate people.

Are you listening along with me? I'd love to know from my extended network what you're listening to. Please leave a comment below. Some of my best discoveries have been from the recommendations of friends. That and the podcasts other podcasters talk about on their shows.

Here's what I'm currently listening to most regularly: 

Marketing Podcasts:
The Marketing Book Podcast - Douglas Burdett
The Duct Tape Marketing Podcast - John Jantsch
Content, Inc - Joe Pulizzi
This Old Marketing - Joe Pulizzi & Robert Rose

Sales Podcasts:
Ignite Your Sales Team - Rich Cohen & Todd Toback
The Brutal Truth about Sales & Selling - Brian Burns
In the Arena - Anthony Iannarino (why did you stop Anthony?)

Other Podcasts:
Achieve Your Goals - Hal Elrod
The Model Health Show - Shawn Stevenson
Cool Things Entrepreneurs Do - Thom Singer
The School of Greatness - Lewis Howes
Gather Geeks - Audrey Gallien & Brandt Krueger
The Tim Ferriss Show - Tim Ferriss