For Keeping Up With the World

The Daily and Today Explained

• What they are: Both are daily news podcasts that break down current events in a way that’s easy to follow.
• My take: I listen to these pretty interchangeably. On a good day, I’ll listen to both, but if I don’t have time I just pick whichever episode sounds more interesting. For me, they’re less about enjoyment and more about making sure I know what’s happening.
• Who will like it:  Anyone who wants to stay informed without constantly scrolling the news. Especially good if you’re busy and just want a quick, clear breakdown of one major story.
• Where to start: Just start with today’s episode—that’s the whole point.

For Politics, Culture, and Strong Opinions

In Bed with the Right

• What it is: A podcast analyzing right-wing ideas about gender, sex, and sexuality, and how they still shape politics today.
• My take: This one feels really thoughtful but still engaging. It helps you see how certain ideas have evolved.
• Who will like it: People interested in feminist theory, political ideology or understanding the cultural roots behind modern politics.
• Where to start: The two-part series on Phyllis Schlafly.

5-4

• What it is: A podcast about the Supreme Court of the United States and how political its decisions really are.
• My take: This is basically anger and sarcasm in podcast form. It’s very snarky and opinionated, but also really effective at explaining complicated legal cases.
• Who will like it: Anyone who enjoys political commentary with personality, especially if you like podcasts that are a little blunt.
• Where to start: “Bush v. Gore” – you’ll immediately get the tone.

Diabolical Lies

• What it is: A long-form culture and politics podcast that digs into media, power and the stories we believe.
• My take: This is my favorite podcast right now but it’s definitely not for everyone. It’s slower and really focused on unpacking ideas.
• Who will like it: People who like deep dives into culture and politics, and don’t mind something more thoughtful and less fast-paced with a little (or a lot) of snark. 
• Where to start: If you are more interested in culture I would recommend “Is There a ‘Skinny Apocalypse’ in Hollywood?” If you want more political analyses try  “Why America Can’t See Gaza”

For True Crime 

Crime Junkie

• What it is: A weekly true crime podcast covering everything from missing persons to major cases.
• My take: I think it deserves the hype; it’s easy to follow and consistently interesting. But if you’re only picking one Ashley Flowers podcast, I wouldn’t start here. As much as I love this podcast, International Infamy, is an even better introduction to the world of true crime.
• Who will like it: Anyone new to true crime (or podcasts in general) and are looking for something straightforward and consistently engaging.
• Where to start:  “Infamous: Darlie Routier part 1”

International Infamy

• What it is: Also hosted by Ashley Flowers, this podcast explores infamous crimes from around the world.
• My take: I binged this one. I really enjoyed the global scope, and the fact that it’s short (only 15 episodes) makes it feel very manageable and easy to get.
• Where to start: Honestly, any of the 15 episodes. Since it’s a short series, it’s easy to jump in anywhere and just go from there.

Final Thoughts

If you’re trying to get into podcasts, don’t try to listen to everything at once. Pick based on your mood. The hardest part is just starting—but once you find the right episode, it’s easy to get hooked.

New York Times is good for quick news and research, if you don’t mind the ads.

William Jewell College Student Senate, the Pryor Leadership Studies Program and Library Services have teamed up for the latest effort to expand the iPad-based “Jewellverse” into the world of news media.  Starting this semester, all students, faculty and staff have access to “The New York Times” online newspaper through a school-wide subscription. Typing in www.NYTimes.com/Passes and registering with a Jewell email will activate a special “Academic Pass”—essentially a free subscription to one of the most renowned newspapers in the country. While not an app in the purest sense because it opens within Safari rather than having its own domain, it still has many merits when it comes to keeping up with current events.

Perhaps one of its major strengths is its aesthetic setup.  For those nostalgic for the feel of an ink-and-paper publication, “The New York Times” app comes about as close as anything computerized can with its famously distinctive heading and paste-up.  With the exception of photographs, most of the layout uses a minimal black-and-white color scheme, further adding to the image of the traditional newspaper that many online news sources lack.  One can click on particular sections or look through the “front page,” which covers a great amount of ground more than an average newspaper would allow.  The emphasis is still on the headline of the day, but the online front page can fit pieces from some 30 different stories, allowing the user a good taste of current events possibly without even venturing to other sections.

The app features many more stories than websites such as CNN or USA Today, which can often take some digging through even to access news from several days ago.  Its user-friendly and resourceful layout allows for no wasted space, keeping important items within easy reach without causing readers to search too hard for them.  One new column for the well-known paper, “The Upshot,” is a particular asset, taking eclectic issues apart through data analysis and deft commentary.  On a single day, topics can range from the upcoming Westminster Dog Show, to surges in occupational therapy cases, to calories consumed at Chipotle.

However, the app is not without fault, and its webpage-like setup is perhaps its greatest weakness. Pulling up the site gives users many of the same features as the app without subscription while there are some subscription-restricted areas that provide benefit, it generally seems to lack many of the bonus features that paid usership can give.  For instance, the advertisement-free format that has worked for numerous companies cannot be found here: even a subscription will not remove the online ads that annoy the typical internet users. Still, lacking a few bells and whistles is hardly the worst problem to have, as it is one that is easily solved. For all other purposes, “The New York Times” app is a great place to begin both for news research and casual consumption.