A Great Listen

To those of you who love podcast, or to those who are yet to give them the time, like so many people across the globe, I was a 'late starter' to the world of the podcast and it could be argued that for a world class procrastinator being a late starter is standard practice. I'm probably one of very few who can honestly say they have still never listened to a Joe Rogan podcast, and he's supposed to be brilliant, he's been going for years, but maybe because everyone says I should listen to him, maybe that's why I haven’t. When it comes to podcasts I've found myself choosing a path very much along my comfort zone; Mountain Biking, Surfing, Motocross, Adventure and Well-Being of both our planet and ourselves.  I listen to them on the way to work, at work, on the way home, in the bath, occasionally when I'm walking the dog, recently on a plane trip, on holiday and anytime where I get a moment and fancy just chilling out and tuning in. 

Since 2020, I've listened to hundreds of hours of chat and much of that has engaged my brain and inspred some pretty deep self talk.  The podcast is ‘A Great Listen’, and when we find the right one we become a little obsessed, or is that just me? In my mind it’s the host, or hosts that are key, as they have the skills to draw the best from the guests.  I thought I’d add a couple here just to let you in on my choices, and if you know of them already then I need not go on, but if not and you're into the activities above the give them a listen. I do apologise as I couldn’t sit here and describe them all but I’ve outlined a few and included a list of others, and this might be the problem as there are so many great podcasts that meet my needs, I haven't got time to listen to Rogan!  

I came across one called ‘The HKTPodcast’ early into lockdown and since listening I have not missed an episode and gone through every episode in the archive. Hosted by Davi Birks up in Sheffield the guests were mostly riders and discussion was based around their lives. As Covid took hold this became ‘The Lockdown Companion’ and was such a great listen as Davi teamed up with Professional rider Olly Wilkins. Between them they kept the listeners amused and same for a couple of hours every week. When we finally emerged from Covid, they rebranded as ‘The Ride Companion’ and now into the 70th plus episode under this name, Davi and Olly just talk about anything and occasionally touch on mountain biking which is great, guests are always funny and topics of discussion and often very amusing, but at the same time meaningful. I love it and would class myself as a loyal listener and a member of the companionship, always looking forward to next week's episode. As there community has grown they've now had their third annual summer bike Jam ‘Freedom Ride 3’, the first staged during that lockdown easing in 2020, thus the name 'Freedom Ride' and just had their 2nd Xmas meet up. This podcast has truly created a community and that is what Davi set out to do.  My guaranteed weekly listen. 

https://open.spotify.com/episode/3WJ92ezU7LAYh7o0QRdsGp?si=tvE2GB9gT8OsW-H4za6RZg&utm_source=copy-link

My next great find is Jason Fox (SAS -  Are You Tough Enough?). This guy is brilliant, funny and engaging, maybe because of his past. He interviews some amazing characters from the civilian and military world but If I was to suggest one episode to listen to it would be the one where ‘Foxy’ chats with injured Royal Marine Mark Omerod. Mark explains how he became a Triple amputee and from life changing injury to an Invictus games athlete, this is an inspiring story. I might add here that I’ve had the great honour of meeting Mark and his family and taking them surfing, and YES, Mark did stand up on a surfboard and ride a wave. 

https://open.spotify.com/episode/3abQlYHO9jENoLxNl9heSV?si=fb7nCsd1TeGwj4e6prz2Yg&utm_source=copy-link

A recent find that I’m now playing catch up with is ‘Water People’ with Lauren Hill and Dave Rastovich. Two amazing surfers, who have this calm, peaceful, and beautiful way of drawing the best answers form their guests. I’m so new to this podcast but I’m hooked. There’s a couple of real good surf related podcasts, like Surf Splendor, and I need to delve into those archives too but, The Water People has got me, like Rogan got everyone else! The interview with 3 Times World Surfing Champion Jon Jon Florence was like listening to the world's most humble young man, and following that one with Gerry Lopez; the world's greatest stylist ever to stand on a surfboard is a must. 

https://open.spotify.com/episode/4duSDp5vv4PRtMmhrPkfFv?si=N5teDDspQM2W6Dm3kqMSJA&utm_source=copy-link

​Finally my mind takes me to 'The Matt McDuff Show'. A Canadian ‘hell man’ on a mountain bike who is always enthusiastic to expand his knowledge of how and where his guests do what they do, and achieve what they achieve. Matt is such a great interviewer because he likes to delve deep, He likes “Speaking to” aspects of the mindset, health, injury and recovery. Matt also hooks up with Davi from the Ride Companion every now and then and they discuss a book they've read and recommend another. Again I love this as you get the book, read it, and then listen a couple of months later for their review and ‘take-aways’.  Matt McDuff is also out there being an amazing rider, a busy content creator, a trail builder for himself and some of the worlds finest riders, (but thats all worth waiting for too) so there might be long waits between episodes, but don’t worry, there are numerous episodes in the archive and I reckon starting with MTB Freeride Legend Remy Metailler would be a perfect place to start. 
https://open.spotify.com/episode/3fizM8mEuR9PNeumhnY9nf?si=40IKxHKqQh2mS3WLcOYJYg&utm_source=copy-link

I hope you find these podcasts engaging, I know I do. But don't stop there, keep listening, there are some amazing guests, wisdom and experiences shared just in these ones above.  Somethimes we need a little hint about where to look and listen.

Below are a few more links to some other great podcasts that I'm a regular listener too.

The Downtime Podcast
Moving the Needle
We Look Sideways
Surf Splendor
From What if to What Next (Rob Hopkins)
The Brett Tippie Podcast
Gypsy Tales