At the end of last year, I wrote about my challenge to read more and relax. Today, I would like to talk about another way to relax and spend time away from the black screen: listening to the radio, music, podcasts.
I see the irony though that some of the things I listen to are on my black screen devices... But once I press the play button, I do set that device aside or in my bag if I am on the go.
I see the irony though that some of the things I listen to are on my black screen devices... But once I press the play button, I do set that device aside or in my bag if I am on the go.
Radio
I am not going to give you a list here because I am only listening to one radio at the moment: France Inter.
I access it via the app on my iPad and listen to the live programs (they also have a replay if you miss a show you were interested in). As the name indicates, it is a French radio so you would need to understand the language. For me, it is important to connect with my native language since otherwise I only communicate in English (there is such a thing as becoming bad at your own native language when you have spent so many years abroad, nearly 13 for me at this stage!).
I turn it on the moment I wake up and listen to the news while having breakfast. E. is learning French at the moment (more so learning to improve it) so it's a great exercise for this as well. The past few weeks were probably getting a bit boring for him since it was heavily focused on the French presidential elections but thankfully, now that it is over the breakfast programs are a bit more varied.
I listen to the culture show while getting ready for work (yes, I work from home but I like keeping a routine). At the moment, it is quite focused on the Cannes festival but other days it has various guests: writers, musicians, actors, movie directors, etc.
I also turn it on again in the evening while I am preparing dinner. This is usually when the program has a theme and people call to speak about their personal experience and ask questions to the various guests invited. I love how this is very varied and how people take part in the conversation.
Podcasts
I only started listening to podcasts over the past couple of years and found it to be a great way to spend time in transport. I download the episodes I am interested in and line them up on my iPhone before I plan a trip somewhere (be it for a holiday, a walk on my own or just a long bus trip to cross the city).
- This American Life: I really love the variety of stories you can find there. Two of my favourites are: the Poultry Slam, in which you hear stories such as the one of a crazy turkey who terrorised people living in Martha's Vineyard back in 2008 or the one of ethical foie gras made in Spain; the incredible story of Meron Estefanos who started receiving calls from refugees in Eritrea begging for her help.
- Serial: this is from the creators of This American Life (who are also behind the now famous S-Town). Once I started listening to the first episode of season 1, I was hooked! I even recall almost walking straight into an electric pole in the street once as I was so engrossed in listening to an episode. If you are into good investigative journalism, this is for you.
- The Food Chain (BBC): I really like this program as it investigates many subjects relating to the food world. I quite enjoyed the episode about the sound of food since this is really something that intrigues me.
- The Act of Storytelling: this is my friends Lauren Bailey and Nick Cain's podcast which speaks about people impacting the world with art. They are relaunching the podcast soon and I look forward to the next chapter on 10th June.
Music
With my father being a professional guitarist (he even has his own Youtube channel: Alain Dabreteau), I have been listening to a big variety of music since I was born. It would go from classical (especially when he was training for international contests or preparing for concerts in France and abroad) to rock music: the Beatles, Jimi Hendrix, Pink Floyd, the Rolling Stones, Queen and a quantity of others.
Nowadays, I have my very own music library and it contains all of the above plus the tastes I have developed over the years ranging from Fiona Apple, Laura Marling, Camille to Arcade Fire, Coldplay, Phoenix, Belle & Sebastian, The Strokes etc. (there is not enough room here to spread the massive list of singers/bands I listen to).
I obviously like listening to French classics every now and then, especially Edith Piaf, and I am also quite fond of good movie soundtracks (the ones from Amelie or more recently La La Land have played on repeat numerous times).
I usually work in silence but if I sit down for a few hours of editing photos, I often select a relaxing playlist on Spotify in the focus section which has a good variety or I choose a selection of classical music like the Piano 100 which is my current one for background music.
And you? What are you listening to? If you have recommendations (podcasts, music etc.), leave them in the comments below.
I am not going to give you a list here because I am only listening to one radio at the moment: France Inter.
I access it via the app on my iPad and listen to the live programs (they also have a replay if you miss a show you were interested in). As the name indicates, it is a French radio so you would need to understand the language. For me, it is important to connect with my native language since otherwise I only communicate in English (there is such a thing as becoming bad at your own native language when you have spent so many years abroad, nearly 13 for me at this stage!).
I turn it on the moment I wake up and listen to the news while having breakfast. E. is learning French at the moment (more so learning to improve it) so it's a great exercise for this as well. The past few weeks were probably getting a bit boring for him since it was heavily focused on the French presidential elections but thankfully, now that it is over the breakfast programs are a bit more varied.
I listen to the culture show while getting ready for work (yes, I work from home but I like keeping a routine). At the moment, it is quite focused on the Cannes festival but other days it has various guests: writers, musicians, actors, movie directors, etc.
I also turn it on again in the evening while I am preparing dinner. This is usually when the program has a theme and people call to speak about their personal experience and ask questions to the various guests invited. I love how this is very varied and how people take part in the conversation.
Podcasts
I only started listening to podcasts over the past couple of years and found it to be a great way to spend time in transport. I download the episodes I am interested in and line them up on my iPhone before I plan a trip somewhere (be it for a holiday, a walk on my own or just a long bus trip to cross the city).
- This American Life: I really love the variety of stories you can find there. Two of my favourites are: the Poultry Slam, in which you hear stories such as the one of a crazy turkey who terrorised people living in Martha's Vineyard back in 2008 or the one of ethical foie gras made in Spain; the incredible story of Meron Estefanos who started receiving calls from refugees in Eritrea begging for her help.
- Serial: this is from the creators of This American Life (who are also behind the now famous S-Town). Once I started listening to the first episode of season 1, I was hooked! I even recall almost walking straight into an electric pole in the street once as I was so engrossed in listening to an episode. If you are into good investigative journalism, this is for you.
- The Food Chain (BBC): I really like this program as it investigates many subjects relating to the food world. I quite enjoyed the episode about the sound of food since this is really something that intrigues me.
- The Act of Storytelling: this is my friends Lauren Bailey and Nick Cain's podcast which speaks about people impacting the world with art. They are relaunching the podcast soon and I look forward to the next chapter on 10th June.
Music
With my father being a professional guitarist (he even has his own Youtube channel: Alain Dabreteau), I have been listening to a big variety of music since I was born. It would go from classical (especially when he was training for international contests or preparing for concerts in France and abroad) to rock music: the Beatles, Jimi Hendrix, Pink Floyd, the Rolling Stones, Queen and a quantity of others.
Nowadays, I have my very own music library and it contains all of the above plus the tastes I have developed over the years ranging from Fiona Apple, Laura Marling, Camille to Arcade Fire, Coldplay, Phoenix, Belle & Sebastian, The Strokes etc. (there is not enough room here to spread the massive list of singers/bands I listen to).
I obviously like listening to French classics every now and then, especially Edith Piaf, and I am also quite fond of good movie soundtracks (the ones from Amelie or more recently La La Land have played on repeat numerous times).
I usually work in silence but if I sit down for a few hours of editing photos, I often select a relaxing playlist on Spotify in the focus section which has a good variety or I choose a selection of classical music like the Piano 100 which is my current one for background music.
And you? What are you listening to? If you have recommendations (podcasts, music etc.), leave them in the comments below.
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