The Talk Show With John Gruber - Podcast Rankings and reviews

I like this show. I’m a “tech enthusiast,” which just means I follow tech through various websites and newspapers, and indulge mostly in Apple products. John is a great host—he’s knowledgable and funny and his personality shines through—and the topics are interesting (if you’re an Apple fan). I do wish for more coverage of the social component of tech. John’s thoughts are always well-researched and, well, thoughtful, so I’d like to hear more about his view on tech’s role and influence in culture-at-large, particularly around issues of equity & equality. To that point, I know the world of Apple/tech writers is small and niche, but I’d love to hear more interactions with a more diverse group of people. As with any tech writing, it often can feel like an echo chamber of mostly straight white men. Nonetheless, a wonderful podcast. Thank you John for putting so much effort into it.

There’s only a handful of podcasts I can stomach for more than a few episodes. However, Gruber’s “The Talk Show” is one I never tire of. The casual conversational format, mixed with the informational current events of the tech industry is a blend that keeps me listening and returning. Easily in my top 5.

I used to listen to a large number of tech podcasts. Most have a pair or a small group of hosts, and almost invariably I dislike listening to at least one of them, typically the ones not named John. I stick with each podcast for as long as I can to hear what the host named John has to say, but eventually I am driven away by the non-John-named hosts. This show has only a John-named host, and while he talks to non-Johns, most of them are OK and if I don’t like a particular one I just bail and come back for the next episode. Sometimes there are even two Johns on the show, which is pretty close to my ideal. I get that some people don’t like THIS John (everyone likes the other one) but while there are things about him I should dislike (Yankees, etc.) I just find him funny, insightful and informative. So, The Talk Show remains a favorite.

I find The Talk Show to be always worth a listen. Excellent chat. Good banter. The fiery, chaotic yin to Daring Fireball’s well-considered yang.

I remember when this podcast was THE podcast to listen to each week or every other week. Today I’ve officially unsubscribed. Gruber just doesn’t seem to care anymore, and/or is perfectly comfortable with putting in as little effort as possible. And it amazes me that, from an outsider looking in, it appears his business and influence continues to hold strong, even when he clearly has been phoning it in for years. Say what you want about Rene Ritchie, but that man deserves all of the success that comes his way. He works hard. And I recognize that I’m not a paying customer, but if I’m giving my time and my following, I choose to follow people that still care.

He doesn’t respond to anything other people say. He only forms a new thesis and digresses each time he opens his mouth, but never actually responds to what was said to him. In the Dieter interview he was incapable of engaging Dieter on the subject of his documentary without putting everything through an Apple lens. Myopic is an understatement. Also, sometimes he sounds drunk and he breathes heavily into the mic which triggers my misophonia.