Podcasts can be defined as digital audio programs that are available for download over the internet. Alternatively, we can say that radio shows which are hosted over the internet and are accessible to people around the globe are called podcasts.
Podcasts, in other words, are a form of audio entertainment media available online. Today, podcasts are one of the most popular forms of entertainment available online and have progressed beyond being just downloadable radio shows. The evolution of podcasts and their intriguing history throws light on how they became one of the most popular modern-day media.
History Of Podcasts
Podcasts are a form of media content that was developed in 2004, by MTV video jockey Adam Curry in the form of “iPodder.” iPodder was a program that let a user download internet radio broadcasts to their Apple iPod. That’s how the term “podcast” came into the picture, taking its name from ‘iPod’ and ‘broadcasts’.
Unlike the conventional methods of delivering content on large scale i.e. via Television and radio shows, podcasts are an easy medium of connecting with the audience for content creators. The Internet has opened such a vast field for creators that they can broadcast and spread their words from anywhere and at any time.
And the best part about podcasting is that creators don’t even require any broadcasting license or any sort of permission for running their podcasts. All that is required to host a podcast show is an internet connection, a microphone, sound editing software, and a hosting platform. That is all it takes to host a podcast today.
Benefits Of Listening To Podcasts
Podcasts have been around the corner for quite a while now. Evolving from a better version of audio blogging, podcasts today have become more popular than blogs as people prefer to have something to listen to while doing their day-to-day chores. That’s exactly what the main concept behind podcasts is, to provide people with all sorts of content with which they can learn a lot about several things and save time.
Now that we know the meaning, history, and concept behind podcasts, let’s take a quick look at some of their benefits. These are the top benefits of listening to podcasts:
- Podcasts tend to stimulate imaging powers more than reading and watching, which causes its audience to pay more attention. Since the audience has to picture the whole scenario just by listening to the audio, they get used to mental imagery and as a result develop great imagining skills.
- In addition to providing informational and entertaining content, podcasts also help us become good listeners just by improving our focus.
- Another good thing about listening to podcasts is that you get to learn new things. It might sound obvious but it’s worth a mention. Since podcasts come in a wide variety of lengths it makes it easy for listeners to listen to an episode even when they only have half an hour to spare.
- And the greatest advantage of listening to podcasts as compared to watching television is that one can listen to them on the go! People can now learn new stuff or be entertained whenever they want and wherever they want.
- Podcasts cut down on screen time. Scientists have proven the significant strain that screen time causes on the eyes, and there is additional speculation that it is also bad for the brain. Podcasts not only provide an entertaining alternative to visual media but also require no reading and watching energy. Thus being friendly to our eyes.
- Another benefit of podcasts is that podcasts can be a great source to earn money online. Setting up premium content for subscribers, one can easily make a good amount through hosting podcasts.
- A lot of professional medical experts also host podcasts, discussing various health topics. Listening to them can surely benefit us and save us time and money for a doctor’s visit. Here are some of the best nutrition podcasts.
Best Nutrition Podcasts
1. The Fed and Fearless Podcast
Owned by registered dietitian Laura Schoenfeld, The Fed, And Fearless Podcast is one of the most popular podcasts worldwide when it comes to health and nutrition. Laura and her expert guests focus mainly on topics like invisible illnesses, PCOS, IBS, childbirth, etc. With most episodes longing between 20 to 50 minutes, this is the perfect podcast to listen to on evening walks and in the morning post-workout.
2. Sustainable Dish Podcast
Sustainable Dish is a podcast show company owned by the author, and nutritionist, Diana Rodgers. The podcast covers eco-friendly eating, regenerative food production, and healthy living from leading experts in their fields. Each episode lasts for about an average of 45 minutes and is worth a try if you are looking for the best nutritional podcasts.
3. Body Kindness
Run by registered dietitian Rebecca Scritchfield’s podcast Body Kindness, emphasizes greatly the importance of accepting one’s own body. The episodes last around 30 to 60 minutes. Are you being too conscious about your body? If you are having trouble deciding the best meal for you because you’re too worried about your body image then this is the ideal podcast to listen to.
4. Dishing Up Nutrition
In this podcast series, professional dietitians and nutritionists talk about food and its relationship to everything in people’s lives, from health to mood and relationships. The flow is upbeat and motivational. Each podcast lasts about 45 minutes and the time flies like magic. Listening to the Dishing Up Nutrition Podcast feels like seeking legal advice from a lawyer.
5. The Doctor’s Kitchen
Dr. Rupy Aujla, General practitioner, and the author believe that food has all the power to prevent and treat disease and illness. His podcast The Doctor’s Kitchen is full of research-based tips for healthy eating and optimum nutrition. Each podcast lasts about an hour.
6. Alix Turoff Nutrition Podcast
Alix Turoff is a registered dietitian who believes improper food habits are the main reason why people inappropriately gain or lose weight. The Alix Turoff Nutrition Podcast runs on a science-based approach to nutritional education and mindful eating so health goals like weight loss become easy to achieve and physically and mentally the body remains fit. The episode lasts between 35 to 50 minutes.
7. We Do Science
The Performance Nutrition Podcast – The Performance Nutrition Podcast intersects the listener with world-leading experts in nutrition and the latest science-based research on athlete health, accounting for sport, recovery, and mindset. Its science-based approach helps the listeners to understand the logic behind different health and performance topics. Maximum episodes last about an hour or so.
8. Intuitive Eating for the Culture
Christyna Johnson, RD, the “Encouraging Dietitian,” runs Intuitive Eating for the Culture Podcast. In her podcast, Intuitive Eating for the Culture, Johnson explains through her story by sharing her personal experience of overcoming disordered eating, negative body image, and anxiety to help inspire others when it comes to food choices and their self-image. Episodes last between 40-60 minutes.
9. Diet Doctor
The Diet Doctor podcast is run by Dr. Bret Scher who seeks to empower people to revolutionize their health. Dr. Scher talks mainly about nutritional topics ranging from low-carb and keto diets to intermittent fasting and dietary protein. Most of the episodes are about 1 hour long.
10. Food Psych Podcast with Christy Harrison
In the Food Psych Podcast with Christy Harrison, Christy Harrison MPH, RD, CEDRD shares her personal experience with disordered eating to encourage listeners to let go of guilt related to food. She interacts with guests on various topics related to body image, food, eating disorders, exercise, non-diet nutrition, and more. If you’re looking for an anti-diet platform, this podcast may be for you.
How to listen to podcasts?
For the audience, podcasts are just modern-day radio shows which are broadcasted over the internet. Hence, to listen to podcasts, you must have a device (laptop/phone) with a steady internet connection. You can then listen to podcasts by hopping over onto any of the podcast telecasting platforms. Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, Pocket Casts, and Podcast Addicts are some of the most popular podcast platforms.
How to start your podcast?
Other than being a source of entertainment and informational internet radio for the audience, podcasts are also a great source of earning for content creators. Creators can earn through podcasting through advertisements and sponsorships.
Here’s how you can become a creator and get started with your podcast in 8 easy steps –
Gather information – Identify your subject of interest and collect all the necessary information.
Start listening to other artists – Once you have decided on your stream, start by listening to other artists who are on the same board to picture a basic idea of how and why they became popular.
Find which format suits you and your content the best – There are various formats of podcasts available like talk shows, monologues, interviews, non-fiction, and fiction narratives. Choose what fits the best for you and your content.
- Create a name for your podcast – Give your podcast a suitable and enchanting name to attract subscribers.
- Write your script – According to the type of your format, choose your content and write an outline of it.
- Record your podcast – Once done with writing the script, record your podcast.
- Editing the podcast – Now that you are done recording your audio file, process it finely. Cut the unnecessary content out. Remove and fix sound quality issues.
- Uploading the podcast – Upload your audio file at Podcast hosting platforms. They store your audio files and provide you with an RSS podcast feed that links to your podcast.
Wrapping It Up
Now that we know the meaning, history, and benefits of the podcast, let’s see whether listening to podcasts has any downsides to it or not. Since podcasts are usually free and generally educational, many people listen to podcasts as often as they can, which is not such a great idea. Podcasting is time-consuming, not searchable, has accessibility problems, and limited audience. Podcasts consume a good amount of time especially when the file is larger. Plus, it consumes a lot of data. These were some of the quick downsides of listening to podcasts.