What do you listen to in the datacenter?

I'm retired now, but (in addition to always wearing earplugs) I used to listen to podcasts that didn't require my full attention. As you mention, that's still a distraction. My policy was to pause it for detail work. Yes, that chops up the podcasts a lot. That's the trade-off. (I had tried audio books, but work limited success.) I have a music background. I cannot listen to music while working, period. When the office converted to open plan in a building not designed for it, I routinely wore earplugs plus a noise cancelling headset just to keep ambient music and chatter to a low roar so I could work. (Yes, my ADHD factors in.) Lately for noisy tasks like pushing a lawn mower I have started listening to old time radio recordings. Easy to follow. Occasionally cringe-inducing because of older social norms. (The CBS Radio Mystery Theater from the 70s is usually pretty good for this - writing, acting and production all maintained high standards.)