We often get asked how we tolerate the massive amounts of time we spend in the car while working home health (or road tripping).
Automotive University
A more straight forward response is Podcasts
Podcasts are a fantastic method of taking in interesting information that is presented in an engaging and entertaining manner. Due to the wonder of technology our cars automatically connect via bluetooth to iPhones so we can come and go from the car as we please without having to do any set up between patients.
Bonus Tip:
The iPhone allows for podcasts or audiobooks to be played at a variety of speeds. 1.5x is perfect for podcasts without being too distracting. At 1.5x we maximize the information we can learn about without it being obnoxious. Personally, at 2x speed an interview is too compressed and I can no longer follow, however it is great for an audiobook with one, often slowly paced voice to tune into.
Here are a few of our favorite Podcasts for Home Health.
The Tim Ferriss Show –
1-3 hours
About as classic and quintessential as you can get when it comes to podcasts for energized and motivated people looking to better their own lives. Tim Ferriss made a name for himself with he best selling books The 4 Hour Work Week, The 4 Hour Body, and The 4 Hour Chef. Despite the cringe-worthy titles, each book delves deep into self improvement and personal efficiency. His podcast is a set of long form interviews (1-3 hours) with various “elites” from a wide variety of fields. As he proclaims in the introduction his goal is to “deconstruct the habits and behaviors of world class performers.” This is largely true, and quite entertaining. Fascinating in his own right, Tim Ferriss has created a show that is a “must listen” for anyone interested in self improvement or entrepreneurship.
Stuff You Should Know –
45-60min
Easily summed up in two words: Binge Worthy! With nearly 800 episodes, each covering a unique and seemingly random topic, Stuff You Should Know can ruin your life. In a comical and quirky manner the hosts Josh Clark and Chuck Bryant explain topics ranging from historical to scientific and from political to psychological. Occasionally bumbling through the more detailed or conceptual, the result is inevitably educating and entertaining. Also, tangents and rabbit holes galore in this one! I love it, but for some it is distracting.
Senior Rehab Podcast –
30-60min
The offspring of necessity and desperation, the Senior Rehab Podcast is easily the most useful and approachable therapy related podcast on the inter-webs. Host (and personal friend) Dustin Jones began the show after making the transition from outpatient orthopedics and into the shadowy netherworld of home health care. Finding little material for advice and professional direction, he began interviewing experts in various geriatric related fields. The Senior Rehab Podcast is a conglomeration of those interviews presented in a way that is actionable to clinicians of multiple backgrounds and clinic settings.
The Way I Heard It with Mike Rowe –
5-15min
For those with a short attention span Mike Rowe’s The Way I Heard It is a brilliantly constructed bite size story told in a way that only Mike Rowe could. Surprising, emotional, or motivating, each tale presents with a twist that Mike ties nicely into a bow at the end of each episode.
Dan Carlin’s Hardcore History –
3-4 Hours
Dan Carlin is a history junkie and legendary story teller. Admittedly not an expert on any historical topic, he brilliantly weaves dense accounts of historical events into a colorful and engaging storyline. Frequently siting from the historical texts his stories are guaranteed to leave you gobsmacked with a much deeper understanding of how our world has come to be the way it is today.
We often use this one for road trips since the content is heavier than the interview type shows, and we like to discuss it as we go.
The Gait Guys –
45-60min
For the rigorous clinician only. The Gait Guys are a heavily research based presentation of the facts. A fantastic, in-depth view of current concepts, this show will most definitely do one of two things – Expand your mind, or Put you to sleep. Not for everyone.
The School of Greatness with Lewis Howes –
60min
A fellow Ohio boy, Lewis has created a podcast very similar to Tim Ferriss (often interviewing the same guests), but with a more inspirational twist. Great for aspiring entrepreneurs or folks who just need a little boost in motivation from time to time.
Long hours in the car doesnt have to be a waste! Learning is endless, and doesnt have to be arduous. Podcasts are a great way to diversify your knowledge and learn a little bit about everything.
written by Stephen Stockhausen
