Podcasters’ Favorite Podcasts | Part 4 – Player One Podcast

After a week hiatus we are back with another installment of Podcasters’ Favorite Podcasts.  This week we are featuring former Electronic Gaming Monthly News Editor and current Games Producer over at Adult Swim, Chris Johnston from the Player One Podcast.

The Player One Podcast crew is a strong mix of former game journalists, and even though they are no longer on the press side, they still love their games.  Their approach is similar to many other popular podcasts out there, but their casual style and focus on the pure enjoyment of gaming really makes this group stand out.  Not much industry and business talk here, just guys talking games.  They don’t shy away from talking about classic titles along with the new stuff, and even have a “game club” segment where they play through and discuss older games that some may have missed.

Head over to their site and check out the older shows, join in on the discussion in their active forums or shoot them a voicemail for the podcast.  Check out CJ’s podcast picks below and stay tuned for other Player One Podcast members, Greg Ford’s and Greg Sewart‘s picks next week!

Chris Johnston [http://www.playeronepodcast.com | @superpac]

CAGcast (http://www.cheapassgamer.com/forums/podcast.php)

When I first started listening to podcasts I had three gaming-related ‘casts in regular rotation on my iPod. Major Nelson, Gaming Steve and the CAGcast. Nearly three and a half years later only one of those is still part of my weekly routine, and that’s the CAGcast. (And OK, Gaming Steve is long gone so far as I can tell.) What I think a lot of podcasters don’t get right—both the pros and those just doing it for fun—is chemistry between hosts and listeners. It’s really essential and the banter between CheapyD and Wombat on the CAGcast makes each show an enjoyable listen no matter if they’re giving impressions of Fallout 3 or talking about what Japanese love hotel Cheapy and his wife went to that weekend. It’s easy to get two or more professional game writers in front of microphones to talk about games for 90 minutes. It’s another thing entirely to have those two people talk about games and connect with the listener in a personal way. That’s what I like most about the CAGcast. (And I could say almost the same thing for CAG Foreplay, a sister podcast with hosts Shipwreck and Mrs. Shipwreck, which I also listen to whenever there’s a new episode.)

The Fanboys Lunchcast (http://www.thefanboys.com)

I’ll admit I stopped listening to podcasts from professional gaming sites like IGN or 1UP a long time ago. It’s because I’m not all that interested in listening to impressions of games I haven’t played and won’t be able to play for months, or the details of some press event that I didn’t go to. I find very little there to connect with. The Fanboys Lunchcast is the opposite of a pro podcast and that’s exactly why I like it so much. It’s three guys (co-workers) out of Salt Lake City who go to lunch every other week, set a digital recorder down on the table of whatever restaurant they’re at and talk about games for about 45 minutes as they eat and it never fails to entertain. Their opinions are untainted by PR, they’re playing games that are out now and responding to the latest announcements/screenshots/trailers out of a real passion for gaming. And sometimes, most hilariously, the wait staff at the dining establishment will notice the recorder and ask about it on-air. The Lunchcast has a way of drawing you in because they talk about games (and plenty of off-topic things too) just like most do with their friends. I take credit for turning my Player One co-host and friend Greg Sewart onto this podcast.

Jordan Jesse Go! (http://www.maximumfun.org/shows/jordan-jesse-go)

Here’s a non-gaming/tech related one, and one I just recently started listening to that’s rapidly worked its way onto my short list of must-listen podcasts for the week. Jesse Thorn (the host of NPR’s The Sound of Young America) and Jordan Morris (who I believe works an extreme sports network or something like that) put together this very off-the-cuff, extremely funny show where the topics and conversation flow as easily as water from the tap. While it is structured to an extent it feels like most of the content is improved. The talk varies, bouncing effortlessly from pop culture to a story about something they overheard on a plane to creating an alcoholic beverage that best represents themselves. It’s great stuff.

As always, feel free to share your picks in the comments.  We know you are reading this, so get in there!