What the devil is a podcast? A podcast is a broadcast that is usually (but not always) focused on a particular topic, that the listener can download to their phone or pad and listen to at their leisure. Podcasts are a great way to get information about a variety of topics, and have become very popular. News organizations, radio stations, individuals and many others are now using podcasts to delve deeper into stories that more traditional media don’t have the time (or inclination) to report. If you have a newer smart phone, you’ll probably have an app on it to get to free podcasts. You’ll find national, international, and local information that will keep you occupied for hours.
Kevin Friedly and Jay Baker have created a podcast for and about Irvington. Starting last year in November, the pair have recorded their podcasts at 10 Johnson coffeehouse before they closed their doors, and at other locations around Irvington. Jay, a well-known local DJ, and Kevin, a local musician, selected Irvington as a location of interest, and invited local luminaries to talk about their favorite topics. One of their first guests was Al Hunter, author and history-seeker, who writes for these pages. Other subjects including the real estate market in Irvington, Howe High School, the Pennsy Trail, Si Greene’s bar, have been explored as well. Recently, Firehouse Irvington set up for an afternoon at Coal Yard Coffee on Bonna Ave. to talk with Dawn Briggs about the Black Hat Society in particular, and Irvington in general.
The podcasts are well worth tracking down, if for anything to feel like you are eavesdropping on a conversation about the neighborhood. If you haven’t yet, check out Firehouse Irvington on Facebook to see the line-up of available podcasts and when (and where) the next one will be held.
