Ear Worthy

I reviewed this podcast in February 2024. So now, I am doing it again. Why, you may ask, would I review a podcast a second time or even more than that? First, podcasts, especially independent podcasts, grow, mature, and get better over time. The hosts become more comfortable, and the options for guests expand, leading to better episodes. To be clear, Mr. Erick Taylor Woodby was solid right from the first episode, but his experience, growth, and commitment to excellence have m

When some people retire, they luxuriate in the peaceful repose of an uncluttered schedule and eradicated work stress. Others travel or take up a hobby such as pickleball or mahjong. Still others, find a pursuit close to the career they just left. It’s an understatement to say that Jeff Zacharia knows about wine. It’s more accurate to state that Jeff may know more about wine than most people around the world. After all, Jeff Zacharia is a third-generation wine merchant and the

Book review podcasts can be compared to wines. Each has its own individual taste, but they are all essentially wines. Book review podcasts, well, review books, but every such podcast offers a twist on that familiar format. Or, at least, the good ones do. Secret Life of Books is a good one indeed. It's a weekly podcast hosted by Princeton English professor Sophie Gee and former BBC arts director Jonty Claypole, focusing on the hidden, often scandalous backstories of classic l

Blended families, far from being an exception, are more often the norm in the U.S. today. Approximately 17% of U.S. children (roughly 1 in 6) live in a blended family, defined as households with a stepparent, stepsibling, or half-sibling. Additionally, about 40% of married couples with children are in blended families, with 1,300 new stepfamilies formed daily. Over 100 million Americans are part of a steprelationship. Then we have the myth of the evil stepmother, a pervasive

NaVell Lee has lived in the shadow of the Delaware Memorial Bridge for his entire life. In podcasting terms, he is the most famous person from the area, eclipsing actor Bruce Willis from Carney’s Point, who, as far as we know, is almost 500 episodes behind Mr. Lee in podcasting experience. NaVell J. Lee, a Signal Award-winning interviewer, developed and hosts The Buzz — BuzzWorthy Radio, an award-winning entertainment media outlet and podcast that began in 2009. The Buzz — Bu

First, I love the title Planet Possible. It’s a self-descriptive name for a show that focuses on climate change, nature conservation, and water. It’s not one of those alarmist titles like The Planet Is on Fire! Second, Niki Roach may be one of the best climate change/conservation podcast hosts in the industry. Third, I admire the focus on water supplies and conservation. After all, 0.007% to 1% of Earth’s total water is readily available, fresh, and drinkable, despite water c

The most famous Leo Tolstoy quote about family happiness is the opening line of his novel Anna Karenina: “All happy families are alike; each unhappy family is unhappy in its own way.” This maxim suggests that functional, happy families share similar foundations (love, stability), whereas dysfunctional families face unique, individual issues. Everybody Knows But Me unpacks family secrets and the messy, emotional truth of whom the people you love really are. When she was just 1

Music podcasts come in as many varieties as there are music genres. Some music podcasts cover the top musical artists and their body of work. Other shows go deeper, much deeper, and analyze the thousands of talented musicians who don’t get the acclaim they deserve. Pick A Disc is a music podcast that goes deep indeed. If you’re someone like me, who likes to hear new music, then you’ll love this show. Here’s how the show works. Pick A Disc is a music podcast hosted by Matt L

One of the many attributes I admire about The Howdy Beans podcast is how the YouTube version is audio with a static image. There’s no pretense that anyone wants to watch someone speak into a microphone for 45 minutes, talking about books, movies, or video games. I like what the host Luke the Human (or “the Elder Bean”) tells us by this action: “Go about your business. Nothing to watch here. You can relax and listen.” The Howdy Beans Podcast , hosted by Luke the Human (or “th

People flow in and out of our lives all the time. Bosses, co-workers, acquaintances, friends, family, and sadly, romantic partners. What we know of them is scandalously little. What’s happening in the interior monologue of their lives is often blockaded by emotions that range from pride to shame. That smile that someone brings to the office every morning, that practiced mask of calm, or the hollow and rehearsed, “Have a great day,” underscores the flimsiness of what we really

Ever wonder why there are so many movie podcasts? So have I. The answer, I believe, is based on the unique role movies play in any nation's culture. Films act as a social adhesive, prompting conversations on the world around us. What movies have you seen lately is, in many ways, a more potent social lubricant than a glass of Pinot Noir or Jameson on the rocks. Always On Film fulfills that role perfectly. What's different about Always On Film from the thousands of other movie