Top Merlin Shows
Several weeks ago I was recording a show with the tongue-in-cheek topic of lifehacks when I made a passing reference to Merlin Mann. To my astonishment, one of the other hosts admitted he really had no idea who this "Merlin" was. I quickly informed him I'd be making a list. Here's that list—some hand-picked podcast appearances for the uninitiated. Longtime fans will undoubtedly have qualms with my choices. That's fine for them.
Notice: I haven't included many podcasts featuring Merlin The Technologist. That's purposeful— this is a primer and I want to cast as wide a net as possible.
Start Here
Really, you should listen in this order, and not skip ahead.
Getting There - Merlin Mann Shows Us His Panacea
Erm, so, who even is this Merlin Mann anyway? This is a guest appearance with a really well-done interview. You get a good birds eye view of Merlin's history as a #ThoughtLeader.
Reconcilable Differences - Thrown to the Wolves of Puberty
This episode gives a great introduction to the events that shaped the Mann. You may want to skip to 1:02:22. You may find yourself drawn toward the co-host, John Siracusa (pronounced SUR-COOZY), like a moth toward bright light, but save that for later.
Back To Work - Chigger Bites on the Bus Driver
Offering more background, this is the prototypical episode of Back To Work. You get the beginning of bits that last throughout the series, you get introduced to a great character from Merlin's past, and Merlin helps people.
You Look Nice Today - Expressed As A Vest
Sometimes Merlin does comedy. You Look Nice Today sprung forth from the loins of twitter, where Merlin tooted with Scott and Adam. They decided to make a podcast together. It's influenced countless shows. In fact, the greatest compliment I've ever received about our show is that a listen erroneously classed us in the same league as YLNT. Not true, but I'll take it.
Roderick On The Line - Ep. 182: "House Trotter"
Yes, but can Merlin be an interviewer? Yes. At least when he's probing the life and legends surrounding a raconteur such as John Roderick— indie rock's caped cool-sader (it's like crusader, but without the xenophobic implications). This episode is more recent, but I think it's possibly one of the funniest shows I've ever listened to in the catalog of all podcasting. I mean, "acid droplets beans pork". Need I go on?
Appendices
That's enough for an introduction. Obviously after these five episodes you've not plumbed the full depths. So, if these merely whetted your appetite, here's an extended list, drawn from fan suggestions and compiled by the library elf.
You Look Nice Today
Expressed As A Vest
The Sake Period
Vachina
Lobster Farm
Aunt Nancy
The Tux Age
Roderick On The Line
Ep. 21: "Dead Rubber Girl In My Closet"
Ep. 25: "Supertrain"
Ep. 36: "Uncle Licky"
Ep. 182: "House Trotter"
Back To Work
5: Chigger Bites on the Bus Driver
81: LAMP for Your Productivity
153: Anxiety's a Goat
256: Every Minute Weighs the Same
After Dark: 44: After Back to Work #33
Our introduction to the "Hi, can I axe you a question?" bit.
Reconcilable Differences
#9: Late Bloomer
#12: Hobbit Tendencies
Guest Appearances and Misc.
Inquisitive - 26: I Wasn't Prepared For This, with Merlin Mann
The Talk Show - 57: The Banana Window
43f Podcast: John Gruber & Merlin Mann's Blogging Panel at SxSW
Getting There - 33: Merlin Mann Shows Us His Panacea
The Sound of Young America - MaxFunCon: Merlin Mann on Doing Creative Work
Hypercritical - 79: Grandpa Uncle Joe
Macbreak Weekly - 195: Gold Plated Electrons
The Conversation - 27: Missionless Statements
“Best of Bleu Toot” (and BULK Bag!)
