What’s a Mobituary? (Includes a How-to- Podcast Tutorial)
Let me just say this right now: I am addicted to podcasts! My sister Morgan and my daughter Abby introduced me to podcasts and I have been hooked ever since. One of my favorites is a gem of a listening experience called Mobituaries with Mo Rocca.
Before we discuss this podcast, let me take you back a few years when Morgan gave me a little, red flash drive filled with Radiolab episodes. I quickly became a fan of the program hosted by Jad Abumrad and Robert Krulwich who discussed everything from anesthesia to ants; Dolly Parton to beef allergies; voting systems to football. As podcasts go, it's worth it.
Then, about two years ago, Abby introduced me to Royally Obsessed, a podcast by Kaitlin Menza and Lisa Ryan, who talk about all things Royal. Right now, there are 103 episodes about everything you need (or don't need) to know about Queen Elizabeth and her family.
But, I digress about being royally obsessed, because I promised you information about my favorite podcast: Mobituaries by Mo Rocca of CBS News, Inc. He also has a book called, you guessed it, Mobituaries. I will be picking up a copy soon, so I can write something in a future post.
Mo’s charm and wit come through with ease as he explains things that are no longer; “Mobituaries” for people and things that have come to pass.
"Mo Rocca’s long love of obituaries has him led to create Mobituaries, an irreverent but deeply researched appreciation of the people (and things) of the past who have long intrigued him," the description on the website states. " —from an unsung Founding Father to the first Chinese-American superstar, from Neanderthals to the station wagon.”
Keeping with the theme of the podcast, the January 17, 2020 episode was recorded before a live audience and featured retired New York Times obituary writer Margalit Fox.
Margalit has written over 1,400 obituaries, none of which are to ever be confused with the “paid death notices” we are used to reading in local newspapers. These are journalistically written stories of notable people’s lives and accomplishments, compete with elegant prose and creative turns of phrase.
Margalit discusses how she wrote many advance obituaries about the famous, prominent, and people of impact. She explains that writing about those who are still alive, the undead, is a common practice of newspapers. You see, newspaper editors want to be prepared and ready to go to print when someone important dies. Having an obituary written in advance is a big help. All they have to do at the time of death is add the what, where, when, and how.
This colorful episode also features an “appearance” by the Grim Reaper, who helps Mo host a This-is-Your-Life game featuring some of Margalit’s favorite obituary subjects, such as the inventors of the Etch-a-Sketch, Stove Top Stuffing, and pink lawn flamingos.
How to Listen Podcasts
I enjoy podcasts so much that I often ask my friends if they listen to them as well. They almost always say, "no" and attempt to move the conversation to another direction.
If they gave it a try they would enjoy them as well. But I do believe that some of my friends just simply have no idea how to even listen to a podcast.
Podcasts always seemed a bit mysterious to me, as well: something only the high-tech and hip could navigate. (I've heard that if you use the word hip, then you aren't. Nevertheless, I’ll stick with hip.) Then, hip Abby let me in on the big secret and it consisted of tapping on the podcast icon that was already on my iPhone and something I had previously ignored.
It looks like this:
Once you have clicked on the purple icon, you can search for podcasts by topic or you can simply browse around. If you find one you like you can save it to your podcast library. When new episodes are published, they will appear in the library for you to listen to at your convenience.
This is what it will look like if you choose to search or browse:
I'm sure there are numerous ways to find podcasts, like the Spotify app, but another way is to simply Google the name of the podcast you are interested in, click on the episodes and listen to them on your computer. I, however, prefer to listen to them on my phone, with the Bluetooth connected to my car so I can listen to the episodes through the speakers. You can also use a wireless speaker to listen to the podcasts at home.
I'm sure there are numerous ways to find podcasts, like the Spotify app, but another way is to simply Google the name of the podcast you are interested in, click on the episodes and listen to them on your computer. I, however, prefer to listen to them on my phone, with the Bluetooth connected to my car so I can listen to the episodes through the speakers. You can also use a wireless speaker to listen to the podcasts at home.
If you are ready to delve into the world of podcasts, here are some links to get you started:
Mobituaries - The NY Times obit episode:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mobituaries-with-mo-rocca/id1449045549?i=1000462887787
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mobituaries-with-mo-rocca/id1449045549?i=1000462887787
Royally Obsessed - One of many episodes about Prince Harry & Meghan Markle:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/prince-harry-and-meghan-markle-are-stepping-back/id1365334446?i=100046200091
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/prince-harry-and-meghan-markle-are-stepping-back/id1365334446?i=100046200091
Radiolab - The football episode:
https://www.wnycstudios.org/podcasts/radiolab/articles/ghosts-football-past
https://www.wnycstudios.org/podcasts/radiolab/articles/ghosts-football-past
This article was written by Randi Marodi of the Thompson-Marodi Funeral Home, Inc. For more information about the funeral home, visit www.thompson-marodi.com
Photo sources:
www.mobituaries.com
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/royally-obsessed/id1365334446
Comments
Post a Comment