Audio communication has come a long way since the 1930 census first asked our ancestors whether they owned a “radio set.” Now, instead of gathering around a big wooden box for news and entertainment, you can listen to your favorite programs via MP3 player or online streaming audio. And rather than tuning in at a program's regularly scheduled time, you can listen to the podcast at your leisure.

This technology would certainly seem foreign to our forebears — and maybe it's a little alien to you, too. If you're not familiar with podcasting, you're missing a great source of information and inspiration: Numerous family history podcasts have popped up, featuring interviews, research ideas and more. As the host of two of those programs — the Genealogy Gems Podcast <genealogygems.tv> and Family Tree Magazine Podcast <www.familytreemagazine.com/podcast> — I've learned the tricks to finding and using podcasts. Let me show you how to tap into the wealth of genealogical information for your ears.