I had the same thought, especially towards the end of the article when he described how he listens to a podcast with his wife, while grocery shopping.

While I'm certain grocery shopping isn't the most mentally stimulating form of activity, it's still "quiet time" (relatively, anyway) that my brain craves.

I remember growing up before smartphones were ubiquitous. I never had an iPod or mp3 player, so I'd just be alone with my thoughts for 40 minute bus/subway rides. It sounds like torture today, but I actually look back on that with some bittersweet jealously... simpler times.

I reviewed the situations that I listen to a podcast (there are quite few):

1. In the car, because it beats listening to radio commercials 2. Washing up at night, because I hate washing dishes but putting something on distracts me enough to power through.