Published: June 30, 2020
They say there’s no rest for the weary, and we know that’s true for many of us. We keep on truckin’ because people are counting on us to get the job done. But it’s not just the work that is leaving us fatigued. The daily news is filled with strife that triggers all sorts of emotions, and that too is tiring. So whether you’re out amidst the uncertainty or isolated at home, here’s a way to take a little break.
Back in the day, radio was the primary source of news and entertainment. Weekly dramatic stories, variety shows, and celebrity interviews were all in the mix. The 2020 version of those radio shows come in the form of podcasts. Podcasts aren’t new, but they are getting more popular with both new shows and new listeners. Some of us though, don’t really know much about podcasts or how to find them.
It’s actually pretty easy, particularly if you have an iPhone. You may not have noticed this app, but it’s likely on your phone already. Look for this icon. When it opens you can search for podcasts on a particular topic, browse by category, or see the list of top shows. When you find one that looks interesting, you can listen to an episode, add it to your library, or subscribe, which will then automatically download new episodes for you. When you want to listen, put on your earphones or connect to your car or home speakers via Bluetooth, and enjoy!
If you have an Android phone, it’s no more difficult, but there aren’t quite as many podcast options. You can download the Google Podcast app from Google Play, where you’ll also find all of the available shows.
There are also quite a few other podcast apps with their own inventory of shows. RadioPublic, Pocket Casts, and Spotify are just three of the ones available for both iOS and Android.
Podcasts are a great way to keep the family entertained on a long car trip, making chores around the house a little less boring, or just keeping your mind on something other than life as it is right now, while you’re zoning out on a lawn chair.
When you have to get back to reality, a few things to know:
- The “new NAFTA” takes effect on July 1st. To make things confusing, it’s got quite a few different names. In the US, it’s the United States–Mexico–Canada Agreement (USMCA); in Mexico, the Tratado entre México, Estados Unidos y Canadá (T-MEC); and in Canada, it’s the Canada–United States–Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) in English and the Accord Canada–États-Unis–Mexique (ACEUM) in French.
- The Canada-US border is closed to discretionary travel until at least July 21, 2020.
- Protests continue in Canada and the United States, so check traffic news if you’re on the road.
Just remember that a little break now and then can give you the boost you need to keep on truckin’ too.
Ameri-Can Logistics Ltd. is a trucking company servicing shipping ports, railroad depots, and communities throughout North America. Operating 24/7/365 with continuous dispatch services, businesses have relied on Ameri-Can to distribute their products to buyers in Canada, the United States, and Mexico, for three decades.
