5by5

One of the best collection of podcasts around today are produced by the 5by5 network. Dan Benjamin heads up the group and hosts most of the podcasts.  Dan is a natural host and makes his co-hosts even better.  Any wannabe podcaster should listen and study Dan. He is one of the best.

The podcasts are more Mac and Apple centered.  My favorites are The Talk Show with John Gruber and Back to Work with Merlin Mann.  Gruber is one of the best writers on Apple and technology in general and runs the website.  I always feel like I’m getting the most up-to-date information on Apple after listening to The Talk Show.  As a warning, both Dan and John love James Bond movies and discuss them at the end of each show. They are nearing the end of the series and will start a new round of movies soon. Since I’m not a James Bond fan, I’m hoping I like the next group of movies.

Back to Work is less Apple-centric.  Merlin Mann is known for his website 43 Folders and for his work with the Getting Things Done methodology.  Merlin is very Mac knowledgeable but talks more about how you work and not letting your fears of failure prevent you from trying.  What is the selling point for me though is how funny Merlin is. He is laugh out loud funny, which is wonderful when you’re listening in your car.  When you’re listening at work, you might have some explaining to do.

These are two of the best podcasts around today.  But 5by5 got even better with the inclusion of the Mac Power Users podcast.  Hosted by David Sparks and Katie Floyd, Mac Power Users has been around for a couple of years and is a truly outstanding podcast. You don’t have to be a Power User to learn from it.  David has the Mac Sparky website plus wrote Mac at Work.  Katie has the KatieFloyd website. They are both attorneys and present more of a business aspect of Macs.  This is one of my can’t miss podcasts, and I’m thrilled Mac Power Users is on the 5by5 network.

So if you’re looking for good technology and Apple-centered podcasts, check out the 5by5 network.  You won’t be disappointed.