(No Agenda: A Review)
When it comes to podcasts, there are a LOT to choose from. Back in 2012, when I first started listening to podcasts, there was only a fraction as many as there are today. Over the years, I've tried several. Some sucked, some just quit being made, and some have gotten better and better with age. Then there's NoAgenda.
In 2012, I got introduced to podcasts when I was invited to appear on a local pod (PodCulture) produced by my cousin and some of his friends. They covered mostly nerd stuff, and I had just started out as an Indie Author, self-publishing novels on Amazon.
I didn't really know much about pods at the time--I associated them with Apple, which I didn't really care for (I've been an Android phone user since signing up to be a developer and getting the snazzy, custom Dream edition phone).
Starting with PodCulture was a big mistake. The team there had great sound quality, had their show formula down, and produced high quality content, free of charge. They weren't in it for the money, they loved talking about nerd stuff.
After my interview/participation, I began exploring other podcasts. Over the eyars my occasional once-in-a-while listenign became a regular thing. I figured out I could listen to podcasts while working, helping me drown out noise in the office, as well as my ever-irritating tinnitus.
Last year, I discovered NoAgenda--thanks to my cousin, whose own pod had ceased. I wish I'd known about NoAgenda back in 2012. Turns out, they've been podcasting since 2007!
Right off the bat, I'll, say you need to listen to this one. I believe in the quality of this podcast so much that after over a year of quietly listening, I decided to become an "associate executive producer" and donate to the show.
That's the beauty of NoAgenda. There's no fee to listen. It's absolutely free. There's no ads, no sponsors, just donations from listeners that keep it going.
But what is NoAgenda, you might ask? In simplest terms, it's two guys (John C. Dvorak and Adam Curry) pointing out the bullshit modern lamestream media spouts on a daily, nay, hourly, basis. They're kind of like a toned down, tuned-in version of Statler and Waldorf--the two old geezers from the Muppet Show.
Do you really want to listen to a 70-something year old tech guru and a 60-something former MTV VJ? Yes--yes you do.
Is there humor? Why yes, just like the Muppet Geezers, Curry and Dvorak banter back and forth to (possibly unintended) comedic effect; Adam Curry grew up in the Netherlands. He often fails to understand the euphemisms and old sayings John Dvorak regularly lets rip (for example, most recently, "screaming mimis"). Good stuff.
The duo presents news clips from around the globe, breaking down what is really being said, pointing out lies, and giving you the rest of the story. Paul Harvey would be proud.
One of the best advantages to this is that, twice a week, you can catch up on big news, without having to subject yourself to actually watching the news.
But what about the sound quality?
I primarily download podcasts via Podbean (free on Android). Most shows I repeatedly listen to sound "professionally" produced, with smooth sound. Bad sound sucks. Some podcasts I can barely make out what is being said, because my tinnitus is louder than the people who are too far away from their microphones. Not Dvorac and Curry. I'd dare say the sound quality is better than that of the FM morning radioshows they seem to enjoy mocking on a regular basis.
Content? The content is top notch... with one annoying caveat. I don't want to hear Joe Biden, Camel-a Hairbrains, Nazi Pelousy, or any of the other deep state, demoncrat cronies that never stop trying to force their propaganda on the public. I would much rather read what they say than hear their disingenous voices. Alas, NoAgenda does play curated clips, then offers analysis and translation... meaning I have to be subjected to the deep state's audible lies. Thank the LORD it's a pre-recorded podcast I can fast forward through (although it is available for live listening, as its being recorded, if you have the time).
There's also a large NoAgenda community, both online and in person. Listeners do "meetups", which I suspect are more of my felloe Gen-Xers taking the chance to drink and party, than share like-minded political viewpoints.
All in all, NoAgenda has been time well spent. If not for making me listen to the Left, I'd give them five stars. Instead I'll rate them: 4.5 out of 5.
Well done, NoAgenda. I'll keep listening as long as you keep kvetching.
1 comment:
ITM!
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