The WALKING podcast

Jon Mooallem is a longtime magazine writer, and a few years back he started recording himself on walks near his home on Bainbridge Island. That is the whole concept. He describes what he sees. A slug on a wet log. A piece of litter that confuses him. The sound of rain hitting madrone leaves. There are no interviews, no guests, no tight edits. It is maybe the most minimal podcast ever made, and it turns out that is exactly why it works. Listening feels like borrowing someone else's attention for 20 or 30 minutes, which is a strange and useful thing when your own brain is wound too tight. Mooallem is funny in a dry, observational way, and because he writes for a living he notices things most people walk right past. The show picks up and disappears for long stretches at a time, so there is no pressure to keep up. It is perfect for walks where you want something thoughtful but not demanding, when a narrative show would be too much. A cult favorite among people who have found it, and worth adding to any walker's rotation.