You can find the previous year’s selection here:
My podcasts 2024
I do spend a lot of time listening to podcasts, generally in between things, like travelling. However, there is a limit to how many you can consume in a week and that’s why I need to be very discerning about what I listen to.
Regulars
These podcasts are ones that I generally won’t miss an episode of.
Windows Weekly
The latest Microsoft news with some fun and entertainment along the way. Paul Thurrott’s musing make this podcast alone something worth listening to. I still miss Mary Jo Foley I will admit and the show just isn’t as good or enjoyable. I still have no interest in the whiskey part of this show, which I now just fast forward through. I still also find that the show is more ‘ranty’ than informational which can get a bit much at times.
The Tim Ferriss Show
Some really great advice, business insights and strategy. Also lots of life lessons that I have found work really well for me. A weekly must listen for me. Some, I do skip through and some can be quite tough to get through because they are so long, but a worthwhile investment of my time. I am finding these shows are getting longer and longer making them hard to squeeze in but I do try and listen to them all.
Hardcore History
These tend to be quite long, like reading a book, but a very good and very interesting. Luckily, they are not that frequent, so it can make a nice change from all the tech stuff. There hasn’t been much content here of late which is disappointing. If you love history and an interesting story, then this is the podcast for you.
The Intrazone
All the latest news and information about SharePoint, OneDrive for Business, Teams and more directly from Microsoft. Pretty short, which makes it easy to consume. Can try a bit hard to be ‘funky’ at times but good way to stay up to date with the Microsoft collaboration news.
Sync Up
A podcast focused on the Microsoft files experience around OneDrive from Microsoft. More content has dropped but they seems to spend so much time at the beginning of the ‘learning’ about the guests and what do they like etc. I’d really prefer they just get into the content. I’m here for that not, not to take a deep dive into the personalities.
Darknet Diaries
Really well produced cybersecurity focused podcast. Has a nice variety of topics and the content is good and well researched. If you enjoy the security side of IT you’ll love these episodes. Seems to me that Jack has run out of content for these for the time being. recent episode have deviated away from main theme in my opinion. Less regular episodes and the topics are becoming broader, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing but the context has changed.
No such podcast
Giving this a go as it is officially from the US National Security Agency (NSA). Has had some interesting topics but doesn’t provide much actionable knowledge down at the SMB level but I am still finding it enjoyable.
Microsoft Threat Intelligence Podcast
Has some interesting content but tried to be a too ‘whacky, zany and trendy’ at times. Rather high level security information but give good information on the whole threat landscape and interestin personalities and technologies there. Generally around 20 minutes at double speed, so easily digestible.
Once off podcasts
Think of these more of a book you’d read or a TV show you’d watch.
The Lazarus Heist
Another well produced podcast from the BBC that follows the trails of and attempt to steal and launder billions of dollars. Apparently, additional episodes are coming later this year. If you like Darknet Diaries, you’ll like this.
I churn through these mostly at 2x speed to allow me to get through as much content as possible. I do have a few other podcasts on my current podcasting app. I am always on the lookout for good podcasts business, technology, history, whatever. So if you can recommend something you like, I’m all ears. These days, if you have a topic of interested, you’ll find many podcasts you can listen to. Don’t be shy to try them and throw away ones that don’t suit you until you find what you like.
I’ve found that many podcasts have disappeared over the last year and I have been more judicious on what I spend my time listening to. It has to provide valuable information or be enjoyable to listen to and I have become much stricter on those criteria. I have a tried quite a few new podcast in the last year but none of them really stood up to my requirements.
Finally, of course, there is my own podcasting effort:
Need to Know podcast
which covers the Microsoft Cloud (typically Microsoft 365 and Azure) as well as business topics. I encourage you to have a listen and me know what you think. 2025 will be the fifteenth year that it has been available.
Hopefully, there is something of interest to you in what I listen to. Feel free to let me know as well as any recommendations you may have, as I said, I’m all ears! All of these I listen to directly on Spotify these days.
CIAOPS 