Podcasts

Getting Started with Podcasts

To coincide with the launch of the Mike Murphy SeniorTimes series of podcasts (details will be announced via www.seniortimes.ie shortly) we give you a simple guide to getting started...

Podcasting has taken the world by storm in recent years with hundreds of new shows released every day all over the world. Yet there’s still plenty of confusion about what a podcast is: how and where do I listen?

Given the huge choice out there, what shows should I listen to? Well, what to listen will always be a bit subjective, so we can come back to that one. First of all, what do you need to listen to a podcast? The simple answer is very little: a phone, computer, or tablet with an internet connection. A podcast is simply a piece of audio you can listen to any time – you can listen directly online, or download the show and listen later. Best of all, the vast majority of podcasts are completely free to listen to.

A podcast might be a show that originally aired on radio but which you can then listen to online. Or, more commonly, it’s a piece of audio available only as a podcast. Just like books or films or websites, there are thousands of new ones every week: chat shows, interviews, investigative journalism, true crime stories, documentaries, audio dramas, and lots more. Once you get hooked, you’ll never be short of something to listen to.

How Do I Listen?

So how do you get started? Most people listen on Apple Podcasts (also called iTunes) or on Spotify, but there are lots of other podcast players you can use too (Stitcher, PocketCasts and RadioPublic are three good ones). If you already have Spotify on your phone or computer, there’s a whole section just for podcasts. Browse the categories or type the name of the show you want and start listening.

68 Senior Times l May - June 2020 l www.seniortimes.ie If you have an iPhone, the “Apple Podcasts” app is already there on your phone – just open it, find a show and hit play. If you have an Android phone (like a Samsung or Huawei) you could listen on Spotify, or you can download a podcast player app: PocketCasts, RadioPublic, or Podcast Addict are all good. 69 Senior Times l May - June 2020 l www.seniortimes.ie

You can also listen on your computer on any of the players above, or just google the name of a show and you’ll find lots of links to play it. Generally, though, it’s handier to listen on a phone.

You can keep track of all the shows you like by hitting “subscribe”, and you can easily see when new episodes of your favourite shows are out.

Any recommendations for some great shows?

Once you’ve got the technical side out of the way, you can sit back and start listening. There really is a podcast for everyone, with great shows coming out of the US, UK, Canada, Australia and, of course, Ireland. A quick google search will find you a podcast on any interest, from knitting to rugby, stamp collecting to German history, yoga to language learning.

Some of the most popular American shows include This American Life, compelling stories of everyday life tied together by a theme; 99% Invisible, about the things in our designed world we rarely consider but often couldn’t live without; Malcolm Gladwell’s Revisionist History looks at things overlooked or misunderstood in history.

In the UK, the BBC has a huge range of podcasts; their recent 13 Minutes to the Moon, on the Apollo 11 mission, was a big success. The Guardian makes Today in Focus, a daily news show, or there’s The Totally Football Show, which does what it says on the tin.

On the Irish scene, there’s plenty of choice. For myths and storytelling, try Fireside, for sport there’s Second Captains or for film try I Know that Face.

If you love a good book you could check out Words To That Effect or Behind the Bestseller. RTE’s long-running Documentary on One is also available as a podcast.

Mike interviews Michael D. Higgins

Mike interviews Denis O’Brien

Presenter John Low

Mike interviews John McColgan

Irish Broadcasting legend Mike Murphy returns to the airways with a series of podcasts where he interviews high-profile names including President Michael D. Higgins, Businessman Denis O’Brien, Deirdre Purcell, Ryan Tubridy, John McColgan, Marty Morrissey, Senator Mary Louise O’Donnell and more.

This Podcast series opens with an in depth interview with Uachtarán na hÉireann, Michael D. Higgins

The series has been produced by Senior Times Magazine and episodes will feature everything from Retirement planning , financial advice, lifestyle interests such as travel, wine appreciation, health and well-being.

Why not take time out to listen to episodes from the new Senior Times Podcast Series presented by Irish Broadcasting Legend Mike Murphy. This Podcast series has hit the No 1 spot on Apple iTunes Irish Podcast Leisure charts .

To Listen to Episode 1. Mike Murphy Interviews President Michael D Higgins https://soundcloud.com/user-682413562-561358898/senior-times-podcast-episode-1

Episode 2. Mike Murphy Interviews Billionaire Denis O Brien https://soundcloud.com/user-682413562-561358898/senior-times-mike-murphy-talks-to-denis-obrien

Episode 3. Classical Music Collection presented by our very own John Low https://soundcloud.com/user-682413562-561358898/senior-times-classical-collection-ep1-b

The podcast is available on all leading platforms including Apple iTunes iCloud and Spotify or by visiting www.seniortimes.ie

Available from March 8th

The Senior Times Podcast Presented by Mike Murphy

Join the Revolution! The Podcast revolution is transforming media consumption worldwide – and nowhere more so than amongst Irish Over 50s.

Presented by Mike Murphy - one of Ireland’s best-loved broadcasters, The Senior Times Podcast will feature the same blend of features, news, profiles, comment, lifestyle and information that has made Senior Times Ireland’s No.1 magazine for older readers.

Published bi-monthly since 2002, the magazine is celebrating its 100th issue!

In this first season, Mike’s Special Guests will include Denis O’Brien, Terry Prone, Pat Henry, Mary Louise O’Donnell - and more! And to launch this exciting complement to Ireland’s No.1 magazine for older readers, we have privileged access to Áras an Uachtaráin for an extensive interview with President

Michael D. Higgins.

in association with