* Planet Money - http://www.npr.org/blogs/money/ - mostly looks at quirky aspects of modern culture/society from an economics bent. It is very "light" economics, but the topics are usually interesting.
* EconTalk - http://www.econtalk.org/ - Still pop-economics oriented, but definitely deeper than Planet Money. The people Russ interviews have changed my opinion on controversial issues many times.
* Writing Excuses - http://www.writingexcuses.com/ - I don't currently write fiction and it is very low on my priority list, but hearing authors describe how they deal with all aspects of writing is interesting to me. They cover different kinds of plots, common plot/character issues, and plenty of meta topics about writing/publishing.
* Behind the News with Doug Henwood - http://www.kpfa.org/all-programs/behind-news-doug-henwood - The stuff that Doug thinks are important are usually not the things that I feel are important which is why I like listening to his shows. It's nice to hear different takes on the world.
* Skeptic's Guide to the Universe - http://www.theskepticsguide.org/ - I often listen to this for light half-zoned-out entertainment, but they often talk about science news/history that I wouldn't hear otherwise and are usually entertaining.
* 99% Invisible - http://99percentinvisible.org/ - I think of this as Planet Money for Design. It has introduced me to new ways of looking at cities.
* Quirks and Quarks - http://www.cbc.ca/radio/quirks - Probably my favorite Science news story podcast. I find it has less fluff than Science Friday.
* Brain Science Podcast - http://brainsciencepodcast.com/ - Has some interesting interviews with experts in the current understanding of the brain.
* EconTalk - http://www.econtalk.org/ - Still pop-economics oriented, but definitely deeper than Planet Money. The people Russ interviews have changed my opinion on controversial issues many times.
* Writing Excuses - http://www.writingexcuses.com/ - I don't currently write fiction and it is very low on my priority list, but hearing authors describe how they deal with all aspects of writing is interesting to me. They cover different kinds of plots, common plot/character issues, and plenty of meta topics about writing/publishing.
* Behind the News with Doug Henwood - http://www.kpfa.org/all-programs/behind-news-doug-henwood - The stuff that Doug thinks are important are usually not the things that I feel are important which is why I like listening to his shows. It's nice to hear different takes on the world.
* Skeptic's Guide to the Universe - http://www.theskepticsguide.org/ - I often listen to this for light half-zoned-out entertainment, but they often talk about science news/history that I wouldn't hear otherwise and are usually entertaining.
* 99% Invisible - http://99percentinvisible.org/ - I think of this as Planet Money for Design. It has introduced me to new ways of looking at cities.
* Quirks and Quarks - http://www.cbc.ca/radio/quirks - Probably my favorite Science news story podcast. I find it has less fluff than Science Friday.
* Brain Science Podcast - http://brainsciencepodcast.com/ - Has some interesting interviews with experts in the current understanding of the brain.