Do you listen to podcasts? I find I really enjoy the audio format. You can do something while listening, it’s a great way to learn something new and the podcast keeps you company.

A reader asked if I could recommend some podcasts, and here are my favourite 3 sources for podcasts to spark your creativity and learn something new:

Philosophy Bites

“Podcasts of top philosophers interviewed on bite-sized topics” Are we just the product of the things that happen to us, or do we have some control over what we do? What’s the meaning of life? The sense of self, friendship, happiness and tolerance? 15-20 minutes bite sized podcasts on fascinating topics from Philosophy Bites.

BBC

There are a lot of good podcasts from the BBC. Some to look out for are the BBC Documentaries on a variety of interesting topics. Digital Planet is about how digital technology affects our lives around the world. Technical innovation, privacy and social networking overload.

iTunes U

“Learn anything, anytime, anywhere”. iTunes U gives you free access to some of the world’s best thinking—lectures from Oxford, MIT and the Open University, labs from Stanford, films from the MOMA, and much more. Topics include Fine Arts, History, Languages, Business and Science. Learn how to develop your own iPhone app, take painting lessons, a creative writing course, study jazz, learn French or listen to the Yale Entrepreneurial Institute! Everything is possible! iTunes U is a gold mine of knowledge and inspiration! And it’s totally free. All you need is iTunes, and that’s free too!

More Top Podcasts Wanted!

Which are your top recommendations for podcasts?

Tags: growth, podcasts

iPhone photography: Autumn landscape by the lake

This time of year each day comes with subtle or startling changes and it makes me feel so present, my senses alert, my heart happy and grateful.

iPhone photography: Yellow and orange leaves

Sometimes I wonder if I could express my impressions in the form of textile prints and tableware, but the whole industrial process seems pretty daunting!

iPhone photography: Oak and pine tree

On my walks I’ve been listening to CraftSanity podcasts, a recommendation from New York artist Dana Barbieri who is working on a an inspiring Art Book project. I also joined a Facebook group “Faceless for six days”, the idea is to see how it feels to not use Facebook. So be warned, my Facebook footprint will be even tinier than usual!

Saturday’s The Experience Animation and Technology Exhibition 2009 where students of Hyper Island featured interactive and digital art powered by Wii technology turned out to be an exciting sensory overload! A few projects that made a deep impression were Soul Music (create music and light effects by dancing), The Jacksson Pollock Experience (make your own virtual “drip” technique paintings), The Triforce Installation (create ambient sounds and light animations) and the ingenious ThisPlay (hand held touch screen paper displays).

iPhone photography: Orange leaves

Here’s another image with leaves that makes me think of transferring my impressions into pattern design.

Then again, I’m enjoying the ease of photography. The fast process is perfect for capturing ideas and makes such a contrast to the long and sometimes complicated process involved when I create with other techniques.

I hope you’re enjoying your weekend and that next week will glow exhilarating!

Tags: autumn, carpe diem, gratitude, iPhoneography, leaves, nature, orange, podcasts, red, seize the day, yellow