I often have difficulty working without some kind of noise. While overall I like the house quiet, I need something rhythmic to keep me focused on what I’m working on. That sounds nutty, I know, how can a distraction keep me focused? I don’t know if it’s different parts of my brain or what, but for the past year, I’ve found that listening to This American Life podcast, while I work, improves my productivity. It’s the combination of soft-spoken storytelling, and the fact that I don’t have to think of a reply. I’m listening, but I know I don’t have to remember it (which ironically, I do remember these stories better than I remember audiobooks I listen to, sometimes). So I thought I’d pass that along. I know you all have music or sports that you might listen to, esp in the wee hours when you’re creating away. But I know for me, singing can be too much of a distraction, and classical music can put me to sleep, so this is kind of a happy medium. And, I get to listen to some great stories, told by wonderful storytellers (Middle School is a person favorite), love Ira Glass… You can subscribe here…