I love listening to podcasts before going to sleep. It is a habit I developed during the lockdown, which was also when I started my own podcast called Business Class, where I talked about business and entrepreneurship. I listen to podcasts mainly to get information and to help me fall asleep. Podcasts are my alternative to watching YouTube videos and reading books.

Getting myself hooked on listening to podcasts was an accident. I was trying to learn about philosophy during the pandemic to use as part of my patter in my conjuring hobby. I started reading more books on philosophy and even enrolled in online courses to get better in the topic. Then one time, around 9 PM, I was already tired from reading but still eager to learn. The idea of listening to podcasts popped into my head. I searched “philosophy” on my podcast app and started scrolling to check which was the most interesting to me. Then I accidentally found an episode that looked interesting and started listening. Since then, I got hooked. This was in 2020.

Listening to a podcast is like tuning into your AM radio, except that you can pause and continue at another time. Compared to videos, podcasts require more focus and concentration, which I think makes them superior to TV or video as a tool for improving one’s listening and learning skills.

The podcasts I listen to most are those related to liberal arts and the Catholic religion. I think it’s the result of the training I got from my university.

My top podcast choice is Word on Fire, a podcast by Bishop Barron that has been on air for several years. They had an interesting start-up phase, with Bishop Barron creating long-format content despite the conventional wisdom that content needs to be short because of people’s limited attention spans. However, Bishop Barron did not want to oversimplify or dumb down faith, so he continued with his erudite and intelligent content. Today, he has millions of subscribers, and I am one of them.

My favorite podcast episodes are those that discuss philosophy, especially his series called “Ideas Have Consequences” and “Understanding the Present Moment.” In this series, he talks about different philosophers like Marx, Russell, and Nietzsche, and how their ideas have affected our society and people today.

The next podcast I listen to mostly is called The Art of Manliness. It covers topics such as style, fitness, parenting, and humanities, with episodes that are relevant to the modern gentleman. I’ve bookmarked several episodes, including “7 Journaling Techniques that Can Change Your Life,” which discusses how daily writing can provide solutions to problems, create clarity of thought, and ease anxiety. Another notable episode is “Tiny Habits that Change Everything.” In this episode, Dr. BJ Fogg suggests breaking down habits into smaller chunks to avoid being overwhelmed by impossible goals. I appreciated the discussion on the relationship between habits and motivation and the importance of celebrating small successes.

Finally, there’s a local podcast, The Jay Aruga Show, the first conservative podcast in the Philippines. I discovered it during the pandemic. This podcast reminds me of The Ben Shapiro Show and Trent Horn’s podcast for its anti-woke content. I enjoy listening to his episodes because Jay tackles challenging topics like gender ideology, religion, and other issues often ignored by mainstream media. I also listen to his debates on different podcasts where he discusses the SOGIE Bill.

As a bonus, I am adding the podcast of Dr. Jordan Peterson. Dr. Peterson is a controversial figure because of the video where he has a heated argument with some woke student activists that became viral. An episode of his podcast lasts beyond an hour and sometimes reaches almost three hours. This is the type of podcast that you cannot finish in a day. His podcasts are more of a dialogue between him and his guests on different topics ranging from psychology to religion. If you are into deep and meaningful conversations, I suggest you listen to his podcast.

If you want to build a habit of listening to podcasts, I suggest you choose a time that works best for you or simply commit to a specific time of day. In my case, it is before going to sleep. Other good times to listen to a podcast are during commutes or office break time. You can also try catching yourself when you mostly do your doom scrolling, and I suggest you use that time.

By listening to these types of podcasts, gentlemen can expose themselves to relevant social issues, religion, and humanities. Immersing themselves in liberal arts and culture has an impact on a man’s perspective, which can positively influence the people around him by fostering deeper empathy, critical thinking, and a broader understanding of societal and ethical issues. This enriched perspective often leads to more meaningful discussions, stronger values, and a shared appreciation for diverse perspectives within his circle.

These podcasts not only entertain but also educate, making them an invaluable part of my routine.