Japanese Language

As you've already discovered, the answer is to instead focus your listening on simpler material like Nihongo con Teppei. I'm an acolyte of Krashen's i+1 input hypothesis for second language learning: we progress in language learning when we're exposed to input that is slightly ahead of our current level. I do think intermediate level can be a real struggle because there is tons of beginner-level material out there and (of course) endless native material, but the stuff in the middle is much harder to find. It really does have to be modified/simplified in some way from native level to be effective. Even native materials for kids doesn't always work out because they learn the language differently than we do.

Also, while I read more than I listen personally, within groups of material that we know is an appropriate level it's a good idea to push right past the stuff that's totally incomprehensible--it happens--and concentrate on the i+1 content. Do a quantity over quality approach when possible. I find this naturally easier to do when listening; it's too easy to stop constantly and go on a text parsing or copy/paste spree to dissect sentences when reading.