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.
> I'm driving or walking or cooking or cleaning.
> It's noise that minimally engages
What's a better alternative? Listen to the vacuum cleaner? to the other's cars engines? To the top 10 reggaeton mix?
I use every single "non thinking" activity I do (like driving, cleaning, walking outside, etc) to listen to things that really interest me, from news about the tech industry, to web dev subjects I'm interested on, to astrophysics and general science divulgation, etc.
The amount of stuff I've learnt and the entertainment provided is invaluable to me, and just using time otherwise I'd be just hating my life for being stuck in a traffic jam.
On day's when my brain is functioning properly that's great, it can be really nice. On the days when it isn't I would much rather be listening to some pointless waffle from podcast hosts than dwelling on something I did wrong 15 years ago and how that makes me a terrible person.
This is true for kids (no 24/7 screen time, they need to be bored out of their minds at least once a week) and for adults.
Mind activity. The activity of problem solving, organizing thought, taking decisions - when e.g. you mentally organize your time, you actively problem solve. With the listening, you are processing information, which is different. A lesson in mathematics is radically different from solving mathematical exercises.
But one is all for optimizing time and if you find that meeting information e.g. while driving works well for you, comes natural and fruitful - that is just excellent!
Also, there are the mental breaks, which are necessary part of the whole process like phases in breathing. I am not sure the car is optimal for them though.
All three things have their space.
When I’m able to think deeply with silence or music, I do. Podcasts just fill the gap between those times.
This is a very powerful coping mechanism for me. For someone who is neurotypical, I can easily see how one can form some bad habits.