I'm often asked this question: 'What's a podcast?' Here's a simple explanation.

It's obvious that the asker has not yet ventured into the wonderful world of podcasts. You don't exactly stumble across podcasts, especially independent podcasts like mine, so I am making a few little videos that open the door. They're simplistic, because the person I've got in mind is a blank slate. Once they get it, they're into that wonderful podcast world of learning, laughing and lolling around.

If you know someone who is curious but only half-interested in podcasts, and you want them to try a particular podcast (not necessarily mine) feel free to share the video or audio version of this little talk. That might help, and someone will thank you, I hope.

By the way, podcasts are terrific for older people. We grew up pre-TV, with radio in our ears.

Hey, I’m Rachel McAlpine and my podcast is Learning How To Be Old. Listen if you might be old one day.

I said listen, not watch. People ask me, what’s a podcast? What’s the point? There’s no video, nothing to see!

So. It’s like a radio programme on your phone. But you pick the programmes that you really like, and listen whenever you like. No screen involved. You can listen while you do the dishes, sit on the bus, go on the treadmill, drift off to sleep — whatever.

And it’s on your phone. Which is in your pocket. If you’re 50, 60, 70,  you’ve got a friend in your pocket. Just search for Rachel McAlpine podcast, or Learning How to be old. Or my website, WriteIntoLife.com/podcast. There's a pile of episodes there for your pleasure, and a new one every couple of weeks.