“Radiolab” – Very Exciting Radio

I’m currently in training for The Ride to Conquer Cancer, a 250km bike tour to raise funds to support cancer research, treatment, and care at Montreal’s Jewish General Hospital. When cold or rainy weather keep me from riding outdoors, I train on a stationary bike at the gym. The human equivalent of a hamster wheel, the stationary bike allows me to pedal like a maniac without ever actually getting anywhere. Apparently this is fun for hamsters, but for human beings, not so much.

Hence, my favourite training tool (second only to my trusty padded shorts) has become the Radiolab podcast. Produced by New York’s public radio station, WNYC, Radiolab is a science program, but it’s so much more than that. It’s got the relevance of quality journalism, the allure of a great story, the epiphanic impact of church — and all the intimacy of excellent radio. Can you tell I’m a fan?

Here’s the link to a recent episode on the theme of “Limits” — the limits of the human body, of the mind, and of modern science. I recommend listening while doing something sisyphean, but it’s probably not required.