Here's the definition of a podcast: According to the New Oxford American Dictionary, a podcast is "a digital recording of a radio broadcast or similar program, made available on the Internet for downloading to a personal audio player," but the generally accepted definition has expanded to include video as well as audio. Originally derived from a combination of "broadcasting" and "iPod Â," the word was declared "word of the year" when it was added to the dictionary at the end of 2005.

I love the ones you mentioned and almost all from NPR. I recently discovered The Moth which is people telling stories of something that happened in their life. There was a great one recently about a mom who discovered a very inappropriate email sent to her daughter by a guy the daughter knew. It was kind of funny -- the mom's horror, then how to tell her daughter she had snooped in her email, then confronting the kid who sent it. It was told in a half-joking manner until the end when it was quite poignant. I recommend The Moth. The only thing I don't like about Fresh Air is how they have to promote all their sponsors before they get to the conversation. Here is a link that might be useful: The Moth

Show biz personalities don't interest me, I tend to turn off programs where one is featured. I think Brian Lamb of C-Span (yeah, C-Span) is as good an interviewer as I've ever heard. Now retired from being the company's CEO, he has a weekly one hour program, "Q+A", dedicated to interviewing "interesting people". Whether from government, the media, arts, or whatever. He has no agenda and is a master at coming up with thoughtful questions. Available on TV, the website, or as a podcast. I also like Lawrence Lopate of WNYC. Though he and the program are very New York-centric (which doesn't interest me), many of his interview segments are of broader interest and catch my attention. Like Lamb, he's a thought provoking guy who tries to bring out the best of his guests and topics. Because WNYC is the NY public radio affiliate, they have the right location and clout to get worthwhile guests. I listen to segments of interest in podcast form.

Well, to answer the question, I listen to books through the Talking Books program that is run by the US Library of Congress National Library Service. I do all of my "reading" this way and have done so for the last 25 years. I'm very used to books on tape. Soon they will be converting to a digital format. Of course, being this kind of reader means that I don't often get to take part in discussions of books on boards like this one. I can't just order up a book from the library and expect to get it in time for the discussion. Sometimes I wait many years for a requested book. Just the other day I got one I'd requested 12 years ago, for instance. On the other hand, I get to keep the books for up to a year. I know of no other library with such a generous policy. Back in my student days, we often had to get library books for 24 hours only--and race back with them to avoid stiff fines.