IT pro picks: podcasts, books, shows, movies & activities

In many places around the world, this time of year marks the unofficial start of “vacation season.” The good news is that hard working, essential IT pros can take a break. The not-so-good news is that sometimes things can get a little boring.

Well, if you’re an IT pro who is about to take some much-deserved time off — or you’ve already started your vacation — then fear not! We have put together a big list of recommended podcasts, books, YouTube channels, TV series, movies, and activities (stuff like hobbies and pastimes that are fun, inexpensive, and you can enjoy them almost anywhere). There are five in each category, and are ideal if you have some extra time on your hands.

Recommended podcasts:

• Darknet Diaries: Have you ever wondered what really happens on the “dark web”? Then you’ll love Darknet Diaries. Host Jack Rhysider explores topics like data breaches, hacking campaigns, ransomware, and other aspects of cyber crime. The podcast also features gripping true stories. One listen and you’ll understand why it has a huge international following.

• B2GPod: Venture capital investor veterans Bill Gurley and Brad Gerstner dive deep into the high tech — and high stakes — world of tech startups, and explore topics such as AI, cybersecurity, and more. They look at what’s happening, and what they think is likely to happen, through the perspective of investors and business decision-makers.

• Accidental Tech Podcast (ATP): Three tech enthusiasts — Marco Arment, Casey Liss, John Siracusa — explore tech news, product reviews, programming, software development and more. The trio focuses on Apple products, but there’s still plenty of quality content and engaging discussion for non-Apple users. One of the most popular features is the “Ask ATP” segment, which answers questions submitted by listeners around the world.

• The Cloudcast: If you’re interested in learning more about the world of cloud computing — everything from architecture to emerging tech to security to storage and more — then you definitely want to tune into the Cloudcast. Hosts Aaron Delp and Brian Gracely tackle various cloud-related topics in an informed, engaging and entertaining way.

• This Week in Tech (TWiT): Finally, no geeky podcast menu would be complete without TWiT! Host Leo Laporte and a roundtable of insiders dive into the latest tech news, trends, and developments covering AI, robots, security, and more.

Recommended YouTube channels

• Unbox therapy: This channel focuses on revealing what the out-of-the-box experience looks and feels like for highly-anticipated products from major brands like Apple, Google, Sony, etc. Host Lewis Hilsenteger’s authentic enthusiasm for tech is delightful. He’s like a big (and very, very smart) kid.

• Fireship: This channel features tutorials and tips on a variety of topics related to mobile, web, and cloud development. Fireship’s popularity has surged recently, climbing from about 1 million subscribers last year to nearly 4 million now. This growth is hardly surprising and long overdue. The channel’s founder, Jeff Delaney, is “an IT pros IT pro” who is phenomenal at creating highly-focused videos that embrace project-based learning.

• CNET: This channel explores a diverse mix of tech news, trends, updates, issues, and overall “tech life culture.” Essentially, if something is part of the tech world — or it’s going to be shaping the landscape in the near future — then it will be covered on CNET. A warning, though: the channel has over 23,000 videos, so you go down the CNET rabbit hole you may want to set your alarm — or else you might find that your “quick look” turns into a 4-hour marathon session (it happens to all of us).

• WebDevSimplified: As the name suggests, this channel delivers a growing inventory of tutorials and other resources for learning web development skills. There is something for everyone: from those just starting their tech journey, to seasoned developers who have worked for some of the world’s biggest enterprises. The channel’s creator and host Kyle Cook has a knack for explaining complex concepts in clear, practical terms.

• Devolutions: The Devolutions YouTube channel features on-demand webinars, how-to videos, expert tips, video podcasts, and more — all designed to help you get the most out of our products, while you increase productivity and security in your organization. All of the videos are created in our very own in-house production studio, so they always look and sound professional. And many are hosted by our talented Product Marketing Advisor, Yann, so you know they are fun and focused. Check out this article to learn more about what the Devolutions YouTube channel has to offer, including an overview of our curated playlists.

Recommended books

• The Phoenix Project: by Gene Kim (et al): Bill is an IT manager at a (fictitious) company called Parts Unlimited. He is in charge of an initiative with the code name “Phoenix Project” that is critical to the future of the business. Sounds exciting, doesn’t it? Well, it would be, except the initiative is massively over budget and behind schedule. The CEO tells Bill that he must fix the mess in 90 days, or else the entire department will be outsourced. With the help of a prospective board member and his mysterious philosophy of “The Three Ways,” Bill starts to see that IT work has more in common with manufacturing plant work than he ever imagined.

• The DevOps Handbook: by Gene Kim, et al: This book is considered the definitive guide for applying the principles revealed in “The Phoenix Project” and putting them to work across the entire business. The revised second edition features multiple new case studies from organizations including Adidas, American Airlines, Target, and more.

• The Hard Thing About Hard Things: by Ben Horowitz: In this global bestseller, Ben Horowitz offers essential advice on how to build and run a startup. The book is loaded with practical advice on how to manage some of the toughest problems on the road to success.

• The Art of Deception: by Kevin D. Mitnick: Using many fascinating true stories of successful cyberattacks on business and government, Mitnick explains why firewalls and encryption are not enough without addressing human factors in security. He provides invaluable advice on preventing social engineering hacks.

• The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy: by Douglas Adams: This classic follows the misadventures of Arthur Dent, the last surviving human, and his alien friend Ford Prefect, as they travel across the galaxy encountering unforgettable characters. At the heart is the fabled Hitchhiker’s Guide, which many believe predicted the smartphone.

Recommended TV series

• Battlestar Galactica (2004 - 2009): Focuses on the crew of the Galactica as it struggles to protect a small civilian fleet — the last remnants of its species — against the Cylons. This series is gripping, exhilarating, and at times spiritual.

• Star Trek (1966-1969): Yes, it’s campy and politically incorrect, but it laid the foundation for one of the greatest sci-fi franchises of all time. Prepare to explore strange new worlds with Klingons, Romulans, Gorn, and Tribbles!

• Silicon Valley (2014-2019): A tech satire series that follows engineer Richard Hendricks and his startup journey. The show is funny, sharp, and surprisingly realistic.

• Mr. Robot (2015-2019): Follows cybersecurity engineer Elliot Anderson, who suffers from mental health disorders, and joins the hacktivist group "fsociety." This intense thriller is widely praised for its storytelling.

• Andor (2022-2025): Chronicles Cassian Andor’s transformation from thief to spy to hero, leading up to Rogue One. With a massive budget, the series is visually stunning and narratively rich.

Recommended movies

• Sneakers (1992): A classic tech thriller about a group of security experts blackmailed into stealing a powerful black box. It's gripping, funny, and full of surprises.

• The Matrix (1999): Neo, a hacker, discovers the world is a simulated reality and joins the human rebellion. It’s iconic and worth a rewatch.

• Lord of the Rings Trilogy (2001-2003): Skip the debate — just watch all three. Whether the theatrical or extended versions, the journey is epic, emotional, and unforgettable.

• The Social Network: Tells the story of Facebook's origin, offering insight into tech entrepreneurship and ethics. Especially noteworthy is the confrontation scene between Saverin and Zuckerberg.

• Interstellar: Astronauts travel through a wormhole to save humanity. Emotional, scientific, and visually spectacular, with a breathtaking Hans Zimmer score.

Recommended activities

• 3D printing: Affordable and easy to start. See TechRadar's top 10 3D printers. Watch this video for project ideas.

• Board games: Disconnect from screens and challenge friends or family. See Devolutions' favorite picks.

• Home brewing: Start with a kit and experiment! You can even brew non-alcoholic beers.

• LEGO: Not just for kids. Creative, relaxing, and fulfilling. A great way to “zone in” and “zone out” during vacation.

• Metal Earth: Create amazing models from metal sheets using pliers. Start with something cool like the Millennium Falcon.

• Video games: Check Metacritic's top-reviewed games for what to play next. From Zelda to GTA IV, there’s something for everyone.

Over to you!

What do you think of our recommended podcasts, YouTube channels, books, TV series, movies, and activities? Have you checked any of them out? What did we miss? Please share your own recommendations!