I listen to podcasts almost exclusively while I'm driving — particularly on the way to and from work. I use Overcast1 and have a playlist set up to begin a new show as soon as one ends.
That's awesome, except when the podcast that ended is really good.
Let's say I'm listening to Connected, and Federico mentions an awesome new app. I can't download it now — I'm driving. No worries, Myke says that he's going to put it in the show notes. Super! I'll just check it out later in the day.
Except.
Connected ends on my drive to work. Analog(ue) begins. Everyone starts talking about their feelings, and I forget all about the shiny new app that I want to check out.
Best case scenario: I actually remember at some point in the future, and have to go hunting around in Overcast for the player episode's show notes. 1
Worst case (read: most likely) scenario: I never remember to check out the show notes, and an app developer never gets his $.99. I also never get an awesome app.
The Solution
At around the five minutes remaining mark, Overcast should send a link to the show notes to my Instapaper account. That way, I never have to remember to look at the show notes — they are waiting in my Instapaper queue.
Why not subscribe to the show notes through RSS?
It's silly to read the show notes before I listen to the podcast. I often fall very far behind on podcasts, but not on RSS. I imagine that's pretty common.