Genealogy Podcasts

What is a podcast?  The dictionary definition is

pod·cast
ˈpädˌkast/

noun
1. a digital audio file made available on the Internet for downloading to a computer or portable media player, typically available as a series, new installments of which can be received by subscribers automatically.

verb
1. make (a digital audio file) available as a podcast.

There are, literally, hundreds of podcasts dedicated to genealogy.  Living on Seabrook affords us the opportunity to spend time at the fitness center, walk, bike, and spend a lot of time in the car driving to places like Home Depot and North Charleston.  All these activities can be made better if we take this time and listen.  Of course, you can always listen to audio books - I do that all the time.  But if you want to turn that down time into productive time, you can listen to podcasts on just about every subject imaginable.

The list of genealogy podcasts is immense.  Some of my favorites are:

1. The Genealogy Guys - George C. Morgan and Drew Smith discuss genealogy.  This is the longest-running, regularly produced genealogy podcast in the world!  Really! Check out the website and listen to some of the podcasts in their archives and sign up to receive new ones as they are produced.
2. Genealogy Gems  - Lisa Louise Cooke is well known in the genealogy world and has been blogging about the subject for a long time.  Her podcasts are interesting and informative.  
3. Family Tree Magazine has its own podcast site.  Their podcasts offer some of the best genealogy news and tips.
4. Cyndi's List has been one of my go-to resources for a long time.  Her podcasts are chock full of great information, tips and resources,

I am just scratching the surface here.  If you "Google" or "Bing" Genealogy Podcasts be prepared to be amazed by the amount and diversity available.  Each one of these website gives detailed instructions on how to listen and subscribe to their podcasts as well as how to download them to your listening device of choice (iPod, iPhone, Android device, Kindle, etc.).  I just get everything delivered right to my smartphone which I pair up with a set of wireless headphones and I can take all these great podcasts with me everywhere I go.  Most of today's cars have the capability to plug your listening device into the car stereo system via an audio plug, making it safer to listen while driving.  I listen while knitting and doing housework.  Think of all the things you could learn about genealogy while walking the dog or puttering in your garden plot.  Opportunities abound!  

Happy listening!

-- submitted by Denise Doyon