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I’ve published 253 articles since I started working for MarketWatch as a columnist six years ago.
Most are about my passion: Technology. I spend my time going through pages and pages of peer-reviewed documents, patents and articles. Recently I’ve added more podcasts to my daily mix.
Here are some of my favorites:
1. a16z Podcast
I’m not an investor in traditional markets. That doesn’t mean I don’t plan to become one. But I need to learn, and when I try to put myself in an investor’s mindset, I like to tune in to the a16z Podcast. If you’re like me and want to learn from someone who discusses tech trends, news and all things innovation while putting an investor’s spin on it, give Andreessen Horowitz’s brainiacs a shot. Andreessen Horowitz, or a16z, is a Silicon Valley venture-capital firm founded by Marc Andreessen and Ben Horowitz, two gurus in the industry. I especially loved this episode, which perfectly illustrates what the podcast is about.
2. This Week in Google
Love it or hate it, Google, whose holding company is Alphabet GOOG, -1.74% GOOGL, -1.67%, is everywhere we go. You can find news through Google, but for me, listening to what Leo, Jeff, Stacey and their guests have to say is a better option. This Week in Google, or TWIG, is a fun podcast. The hosts are witty and do a great job of keeping me in the loop on all things Google (and things outside Google). They record live, every Wednesday at 4 p.m. Eastern time.
3. How We Got to Now
As the future is coming at us fast, understanding how we got here is instructive. Host Steven Johnson from How We Got to Now weaves engaging tales of breakthroughs and discoveries made by scientists and engineers of the past, explaining how they could help solve present challenges. The science is varied — DNA, AI, smartphones and more.
4. The Foundation
Just like its name says, this podcast is about the personal building blocks that made the world’s most interesting entrepreneurs, leaders and CEOs into who they are now. It’s about tech as well, but the approach is to start from the beginning: childhood, interests, ambitions, growing up. It provides an unparalleled view into lives of people whose work we admire, and for that, I find what The Foundation does is unique and inspiring. Fun fact: The last episode I watched was about Leo Laporte, one of the hosts of TWIG, which is on this list.
5. TED Talks Technology
Much like the rest of the TED lineup, TED Talks Technology is about brilliant minds sharing breakthroughs, demos and visions that have the capacity to change the present and shape the future. My suggestion: Check out “Why ‘biofabrication’ is the next industrial revolution.” The podcast features a ton of equally awesome topics, and I’m sure you’ll find something that piques your interest.
What’s the podcast you return to for inspiration, information or at least entertainment? Let me know in the comment section below.
Jurica Dujmovic is a MarketWatch columnist.
