I have 2 issues with podcasts and only 1 applies to audiobooks. What they have in common is I prefer reading to listening. I'm really not much of a good listener outside of direct conversation. My mind wanders. But I'm mostly devouring very big histories I would mostly not otherwise read. Whatever I get is more than if I did nothing, there's no test, and I really don't care how much I retain. Even if I read them, three years later I'd remember little more than some sweeping threads and outlines and a few anecdotes. And I need something to fill my mind while rucking. I love music, but not as much as I once did. I do love to use time walking to work through my thoughts, and I can't listen to words while doing that so mostly when I ruck I switch between silence and audiobooks.
The problem exclusive to podcasts is the format and most people of the people on them bug the hell out of me. Someone touts an episode on an topic [X]. So I download it.
"In this episode our big topic is [X]. Blah blah my cat is sick and it makes me sad and she threw up her medicine on my couch. Please buy from our sponsor. Bah blah me and my boys had a great time at the last away day and here are boring stories to prove it. Please buy from our other sponsor. Again, the big topic is [X]. But first I want to talk bout [Y]. Again, our first sponsor is awesome. Now a special interview with an actuary about nothing you care about."
