If you haven’t noticed, there are now more than half a million podcasts available to listen to. What is a podcast? Where do you find them? Are there educational podcasts or health podcasts for seniors? What are the top-rated podcasts for 2020? Let’s find out.
Informative. Educational. Entertaining. Funny.
The top podcasts are all this. If you’ve listened to radio talk shows like the shows that air on National Public Radio, you already have an idea about today’s top podcasts. These are online audio shows, produced and recorded, that you can listen to whenever you like — now, or any time in the future. They cover a wide range of topics — truly something for everyone, including podcasts for seniors — and can last from 15 to 30 minutes or longer.
What do you need to listen?
First, you need access to the internet. On your laptop, you can go directly to the website where the podcast is produced, or you can download a free app like Stitcher to listen to podcast episodes on your mobile phone. The Stitcher app is free, and so are these:
- Apple Podcast
- Podcast Addict
- Pocket Casts
- Acast
- Google Play Music
- Spotify
- Overcast
You can also just search Google with the name of a topic that interests you, such as “cooking”, along with the word “podcast”. Once you’ve found a podcast source you like, you’re ready to “stream” or download episodes of whatever podcast you prefer. So let’s look at some of the top podcasts for people of all ages, podcasts for seniors, and health podcasts for seniors.
A quick survey.
Here are some award-winning podcasts that appeal to a general audience as well as older adults:
TED Radio Hour
The acronym stands for Technology, Entertainment, Design. Based on the original TED Talks on National Public Radio, the TED Radio Hour “is a journey through “fascinating ideas, astonishing inventions, fresh approaches to old problems, new ways to think and create.” You can hear ideas on nearly every subject imaginable.
Stuff You Missed in History Class
Do you enjoy history? This podcast will introduce you to what many of the history books leave out. Stuff You Missed in History Class delivers stories of historical figures like Abraham Lincoln, Allan Pinkerton and female journalist Nelly Bly. You’ll find informative podcasts on topics that include paleontology, obscure royalty, psychiatric abnormalities, the Johnstown flood, the Halifax Explosion and more.
Good Job Brain!
This podcast uses an interactive quiz show format to explore trivia on a wide range of topics. Good Job, Brain is fun to listen to with family as it helps keep everyone’s mind supple and sharp.
The Top 5 Podcasts for Seniors
Here are 5 of today’s best podcasts for seniors to inspire, educate, and encourage you to live your best life in retirement.
Better Health While Aging
Practicing geriatrics specialist Dr. Leslie Kernisan, MD, MPH, and her guests discuss common health problems that affect people over age 60 and the best way to prevent and manage those problems. The Better Health While Aging Podcast offers practical information on improving health and well-being while aging. Episodes feature such topics as Medicare, long-term care, hearing loss, estate planning, and more.
The Not Old – Better Show
Hosted by award-winning journalist Paul Vogelzang, this weekly podcast focuses on issues and topics that older adults might find interesting. Vogelzang interviews fascinating people, from sports stars and celebrities to health experts and ordinary folks who live extraordinary lives. The premise of Not Old – Better is “it’s never too late to pursue your passions and create a life of purpose, adventure and significance.”
Living to 100 Club
The Living to 100 Club podcast is all about aging successfully. Topics include staying “positive in the face of adversity, healthy lifestyles, starting new chapters, and doing what you (supposedly) can’t.” Guests share their stories and give wellness advice. Episodes are about an hour long.
Lux Radio Theatre
Remember the old-time radio shows? Give a listen to this classic radio anthology series, now re-released in podcast form. The popular fictional drama Lux Radio Theatre aired from 1934 to 1955 and has over 900 hour-long episodic radio programs that were originally performed live before studio audiences.
A lifetime of learning and wellness.
Podcasts offer you hours of listening and learning pleasure. They cover a variety of topics to listen to on demand — whenever and wherever the mood strikes you. They’re a perfect activity for seniors, now, while we’re spending more time inside, or any time. For more ideas on leading your best lifestyle in retirement, look to Rolling Green Village in Greenville. We’re a not-for-profit Life Plan Community offering 175 acres of life-enhancing opportunities, friendly neighbors and a full continuum of care.
For more information, contact us through our website, or call 864-987-9800.
