Take5: Five Podcasts for Summer

This week's Take5 is a little off of our beaten BubbleUp Classroom path. Usually, we focus specifically on teaching and learning, but this week we are offering up podcast recommendations -- none of which really have to do directly with teaching or education. As I've mentioned in posts before, I think a key part of being an effective teacher is to take on the role of learner regularly.  This summer these podcasts have helped me do just that, while also keeping me entertained.  They have made me think about the world and its history a little differently and in doing so,  I think they'll make me a better teacher when the first school bell rings this August. So savor these last few weeks of summer. Take5 and then take a listen.

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Okay, as a history teacher I have to start with a history podcast. I can't recommend White Lies enough. I feel like I know a good deal about the Civil Rights Movement but this story was unknown to me (even though it clearly was a news story that gripped the nation's attention during the days following Selma). It was riveting and a reminder of how far we've come and how far we have left to go before racial equality is achieved in America. As a white teacher of diverse students, to me listening to podcasts such as White Lies is an essential part of my job.  It gives me perspective and lifts up unheard voices; voices that I need to hear in order to do my best work.

For parents, Good Night Rebel Girls is a must listen for kids. Based on the book Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls, this podcast, highlighting extraordinary women, is a perfect way to end the day or to make that road trip go a little faster without screen time. And frankly, my forty-something self loves listening too. 

I have completely binged listened to BBC's Thirteen Minutes to the Moon this summer. It's a new take on an old tale with layers of science and history woven into America's race to land on the moon. 

Okay, I am one of those Americans who doesn't have HBO, but with the Chernobyl podcast I don't need it. Wow. I came to understand this disaster in a whole new way (without watching the critically acclaimed mini-series by HBO) and in doing so learned more about Soviet culture and the Cold War.  Extra bonus, it's hosted by Peter Sagal, one of my NPR faves.

Yesterday, I finished ABC News's The Drop Out, the true story of media darling, Elizabeth Holmes - the youngest female billionaire in American history, who now awaits the start of her criminal trial for robbing investors of millions. This is a true story of money, influence, technology, business, with a dash of academia. 

Lastly, if you don't have time to listen to an entire series you might want to listen to these stand alone episodes. I loved learning about the life of Ed Dwight in the Almost Moon Man, a podcast episode from the NYT's The Daily. I also keep thinking about this episode of How I Built This which features an in-depth interview with the creator of Peloton, John Foley.  Oh and this Radio Lab episode from a few years back is one of my all time favorites (my seven year old loved it too when I shared it with him). It took what I knew about the mass extinction of the dinosaurs and flipped it on its head (a fun thing to ponder when I checked out the new T-Rex at the Smithsonian a few weeks ago). 

So happy summering, happy listening and most of all, happy learning.

-Corey

P.S. What podcasts are you listening to and learning from this summer? We'd love to hear from you! 

You might also like:​

• We're On a Podcast -- The Answer Key (April 24, 2018)
• Summer recharge: reflect, reach out, re-imagine (June 20, 2017)