Lately, I’ve been looking for some alternative ways to lighten up my reading load without losing pace on keeping up on news and trends. It’s finals season at MSU and I’ve been reading (and rereading) a lot lately, and I’ve found a nice break in podcasts. For starters, most are free (every podcast on my list is free). Also, the shows are portable if you have an iPod; just subscribe to the shows of your choice through iTunes and download the shows daily.

Here are my five recommended podcasts:

1. New York Times: Front Page. Read by James Barron, this podcast is a daily sample of the items discussed on the front page of the New York Times. It’s a nice way to start the morning and to hear a little bit about what’s going on in the world.
2. NPR: Talk of the Nation.  In contrast to the above NYT podcast, Talk of the Nation is more a more in-depth analysis of issues facing the country. I think this is a great compliment to academic studies because the conversations here are very thoughtful and I’ve noticed some things I learn in class, especially relating to economics and political science, are discussed here.
3. PRSA Conference podcasts. By now, you know the PRSA and PRSSA Conferences are great. If you missed it, or if you were there and missed some of these sessions, these podcasts are great professional development opportunities.
4. The Creative Career. Allie interviews authors and professionals who discuss their careers and give advice for young professionals. This podcast is very helpful and something we all can relate to.
5. Buzz Out Loud. Have you ever wanted a talk show about technology? I know I have. BOL is a great recap of the day’s news on everything relating to technology, the Internet and social media. Each episode is a bit lengthy, but it’s good background noise or exercise entertainment.
6. New York Times: The Ethicist. I love this show. It’s helpful in understanding daily ethical dilemmas we face, but also quite entertaining, too. Read by Randy Cohen, he answers questions from readers about how to resolve situations the ethical way. If you think Randy Cohen is as cool as I do, check out his blog.

What are your favorite podcasts? Anything to add?