Check out “Hello Nature,” the most outdoorsy new podcast on streaming services. PHOTO CREDIT: podtail.com
I’ve never been much of a reader. I’m not one of those people on a plane who tune out the engine roar with a book. No, I’m the passenger who looks out the window, listens to music and sips my complimentary drink (Seagram’s Ginger Ale is my go to). If I’m gonna take in information, it’s through a podcast.
While there are many good podcasts I’ve listened to, I’ll keep it to three: the podcast of the month, the podcast that offers me a dose of sports and the podcast that never goes as planned.
The first of an eight-episode series called, “Hello, Nature” was just released this past week. Host Misha Euceph, brings her listeners to America’s National Parks. Episode one opens with the history of Yosemite, and those that came before, in establishing and taking care of this historical land.
Now, why do I bring up a podcast about national parks? Well, visiting them has always brought my family together, and I have an adoration for the West in particular because of these stunning landscapes. The first episode educates us about the Black and Chinese histories of Yosemite. Something I found stunning was the southern route into Yosemite Valley was 23 miles long, built by hand, taking just four months to finish! Originally, 50 Chinese civilians were hired to work on the road — originally intended for wagons — but eventually, that number grew to 300. Along with describing the historical nature of the park, Euceph talks with rangers about John Muir, who is considered to have made Yosemite a federal protected area.
Being a full-time college student, I’ve become more invested in sports than ever before. Special opportunities here on campus have allowed me to get closer to the athletic programs. However, I’ve learned that the daily responsibilities of a college student can really isolate oneself from the rest of the world, and keep you from the nightly baseball games or basketball tournaments or, god forbid, missing NFL Sunday.
The podcast that keeps me from completely leaving the professional sports world is “Pull Up with CJ McCollum.” McCollum is a starting shooting guard for the Portland Trail Blazers and podcast host. I’ve tuned in since I was in high school. In a typical episode, he starts by offering fans an update on his life at home and on the court, as well addressing any pressing news on the global stage. While his podcast is similar to other sports talk shows, he doesn’t just interview players — he’s also a wine enthusiast. If you fall in the category of not having a favorite NBA team, or maybe you’re just interested in basketball with a side of wine, then you need to pin this podcast.
Last but not least, iHeartRadio’s “The Ron Burgundy Podcast” starring fictional San Diego native, Ron Burgundy (from the famous “Anchorman” films, voiced by Will Ferrell) alongside producer-writer Carolina Barlow. The show has been such a success that they’re currently on season four. In my opinion, most, if not all of the episodes, have not disappointed. I chose to include this in my top three because it stands out from other podcasts I listen to. This one is so unscripted that when the original plan is to interview Bruno Mars, a raccoon enters the studio, leading Ron to yell at Carolina to get face-to-face with the raccoon and try to shoo it away.
As the listener, you can’t let your ears take a break — not even for ad breaks, which gear towards seatbelt safety and how foolish you’d be if you didn’t wear one. He compares the dangers of owning a pet leopard named Chauncey to not wearing a seat belt. If you’re curious about what happened to Chauncey, he escaped Ron’s home and fell in love with a leopard at the zoo named Cathy Laforge. If you’re a helpless romantic, looking for a new comedy show or are a fan of murder mysteries, then you’ve got some listening to do.
Whether you’re driving down a long road, going for a nice brisk walk around campus or in the library with your airpods in, put on one of these podcasts. I promise you won’t be disappointed.