Exec Summary

Staying on top of technology is a moving target. For me, tuning in to a select few technical podcasts, and even being part of the community, has become a cornerstone of my ongoing learning. A recent highlight: my submission about Turso was featured on the latest episode of PythonBytes, and I even got a shout-out on the show. This post shares some of my favourite shows, why they’re invaluable, and why committing to a couple of good channels is time well-spent if you want to keep your knowledge sharp (in addition to courses and reading).

Why Technical Podcasts?

Podcasts are the perfect fit for squeezing quality learning into my weekly routines: during morning walks, commutes, or a quick break between work tasks. But it’s not just about passive listening: subscribing to a few reliable channels means you tap straight into the minds of builders and doers from across tech.

Top reasons I think podcasts are worth the investment:

• Curated, up-to-the-minute news: Hosts sieve through the noise so you don’t have to.
• Real stories & context: You get not just the what, but the why and how behind new developments.
• Diverse voices: Hear from practitioners, researchers, and the odd industry legend.
• Community: You can contribute, get a mention, or even shape a discussion!

My Go-To Technical Podcasts

Here are some of the podcasts that have earned a spot on my (alphabetised) shortlist (most are available as audio podcasts too):

Notes:

• Some channels like ArjanCodes and Hynek Schlawack deliver opinionated and deep technical content that I dip into when the topic is interesting.
• Others, like PythonBytes and Talk Python To Me, are great for regular updates.
• Channels covering DuckDB and Posit PBC focus on data science and tools I rely on without any great sales pitch.

This curated mix keeps me current across coding, AI, data science, and tooling with diverse perspectives from top voices and communities.

Recent Highlight: PythonBytes & Turso

Recently I contributed a note about Turso (a contemporary SQLite-like platform), and it was picked up by the PythonBytes team (thanks Michael). Hearing my name and contribution shared on air was a buzz, not just validation, but also a reminder of how engaged and open these tech communities are. It’s that two-way street that really transforms a podcast from "background noise" into an active learning resource.

How Podcasts Keep Me Up To Date

• Efficiency: Turn otherwise idle time into micro-learning sessions.
• Contextual learning: Hear about trending libraries, new tools, and deeper tech trends interpreted by experts.
• Discover new ideas: Podcasts often introduce me to projects or approaches I wouldn’t find by just skimming tech news sources (and I'm not a fan of X).
• Stay connected to the community: Submitting stories, questions, or feedback creates connection and sometimes even direct dialogue with hosts and other listeners.

Why Pick a Few Channels?

Committing to just a handful of thoughtfully chosen podcasts means you avoid information overload and get deeper, higher-quality content that matches your professional interests. Equally there is only so much time in any one week to dedicate to viewing. The return on this investment is not just tech know-how, but also a sense of belonging and momentum in a fast-moving field.

Final Thoughts

Whether you’re a seasoned engineer, an aspiring data scientist, or someone just trying to keep up, there’s huge value in making a few great tech podcasts part of your routine. You’ll learn what matters, hear it from people who actually use the tools, and sometimes, if you chime in, become part of the conversation yourself.

If you’ve got a favourite show or episode, feel welcome to let me know. I’m always looking for more voices to learn from!