So you're fed up with Radio 1 - makes you feel too old. Radio 2 is pretty good, lots of new music, but sometimes it's just a bit naff. Don't do classical music so Radio 3 is out of the question, and Radio 4 is too talky when you want music. Radio 5 is ok when the footie is on, and Radio 6 is pretty damn good apart from the rap records and the fact I never have a DAB signal. And just to complete the set, Commmercial radio is frankly irritating, on account of their tedious playlists that submit you to Blondie every fifth record or the last Ollie Murs din.

Don't get me wrong, I LOVE radio, but there are times where it just gets so formulaic or 'safe' that I just yearn for something a bit left field or risky. That's when I discovered podcasts.

If you have a Sonos system or similar (I have a Logitech Squeezebox in several rooms), you'll know that you world has changed now you have access to your entire music collection through your wifi, a zillion internet radio stations, Napster (other sites are available) and just about anything else anywhere in the world.

It was this system where I stumbled across the humble podcast. By simply putting in a few details of the type of music you want, your world is opened up to a myriad of podcast shows on just about any subject. Like The Beatles? You've got it. Just want to hear 70s album tracks and no hit singles, you've got that too. If Hawaiian hula floats your boat, you can bet there's someone podcasting about that as well.

The reason I took up podcasting is that I had friends that wanted a fresh departure from the safety of radio playlists - what's wrong with mixing a 60s hit single next to a prog rock rarity buried on side 4 of a concept album from the 70s and then the latest album cut from Django Django? Nothing at all, but you won't hear it on any radio station. They don't think anyone wants to listen. My friends love the uncertainty of what might come next - whether it be something they know or something they have absolutely no idea existing until they hear it on the podcast. It might be yesterday's new track, or it might be something from 1960 or anywhere in between.

Being brave and not afraid to play a good mix (and this is the point, it has to be GOOD) will get your listeners coming back for more. I was astounded when I started to see my listening figures coming in, from very little promotion on Twitter and Facebook, and very soon I was up to 55,000 listeners and it's still rising. Hell, I would continue to podcast if I have 3 listeners - I just LOVE doing it and get a satisfying buzz from knowing someone out there likes the same music I do.

So broaden your horizons, try a few podcasts and I bet you'll be coming back for more. You can even get them from apps on your mobile or tablet, or through iTunes. And if you care to listen to my very own RetroPod Rock podcasts, I'll be very grateful and can guarantee you one thing - you'll not be disappointed in the diversity and quality of any of the tracks. RetroPod Rock can be found here - and thanks for listening.