Every Friday I drive one hour to watch my grandson for the day. It’s not too long of a trip, but when I’m by myself I find myself getting tired unless I have something to keep me awake. Sometimes I listen to music, but after a while, that gets too mesmerizing, lulling me to sleepiness. For an alternative, I used to find a talk radio show to listen to, but now I cue up my favorite podcast on Spotify, and I’ve found that does the job of engaging my mind, entertaining me, and giving me something new to think about so that I stay alert. I’ve started really enjoying some of these podcasts, so that now I listen to them when I go on a walk or even when I’m doing mundane chores around the house.
So, in case you need a new podcast to listen to, here are my current top 5 favorite podcasts:
- The Holy Post
https://www.holypost.com/podcasts
This podcast is a conversation with Phil Vischer, Skye Jethani, and Kaitlyn Schiess. And in case you don’t know, Phil Vischer is the creator of Veggie Tales and the voice of Bob the Tomato. As could be expected, he approaches the big topics they take on with humor, wit, and a bit of silliness. They tackle church issues, theology, the American culture, social issues, and politics. It is thought-provoking and never dull, with a bit of Phil’s quirkiness, a smidge of Skye’s skepticism, and a pinch of Kaitlyn’s deep theological thoughts. This one makes me want to jump into the conversation with them, sometimes agreeing with them and sometimes not. But I always learn something new and often hear a different point of view than what I’ve heard before. They are good at finding the middle ground on some current topics that are typically very divisive. I highly recommend this one!
- The God Journey
https://www.thegodjourney.com/
This podcast is a conversation between two friends and authors, Wayne Jacobsen and Kyle Rice. They talk about personal issues, faith issues, current trends, and more. My husband and I have been reading books by Wayne Jacobsen since the 1990’s. You may recognize his name from having co-authored The Shack. I really appreciate his fresh approach to faith, his emphasis on letting go of the guilt of religious obligation, and learning to live free in the genuine grace of Father. He often talks about “living loved,” and many of his conversations explore what it means to do just that. If you don’t listen to his podcast, pick up one of his books. He Loves Me (Learning To Live In The Father’s Affection) is a good place to start.
- History Chicks
https://thehistorychicks.com
The newest podcast I’ve found is this one. History Chicks is great if you find history fascinating, as do I. These two ladies, Beckett Graham and Susan Vollenweider, give detailed stories about famous and not-so-famous women from history. They pull in all sorts of interesting details, and give good recommendations if you want to do any more exploring on your own. I find their stories engaging and entertaining and a breath of fresh air, compared to the doldrums of many history classes.
- Learning How To See
https://cac.org/podcast/learning-how-to-see/
Another favorite author that my husband and I have read for years is Brian McClaren. He has now joined the staff at the Center for Action and Contemplation and has this podcast where you will find him in conversation with such names as Richard Rohr and Gareth Higgins. He explores topics that teach us how to see past our biases and be transformed in the way we think about the world, how we see ourselves engaged in that world, and how we view God. Like the Center where he works, his approach is contemplative, yet also advocates ways to act on faith. I find both parts very challenging: 1. How can I slow down and practice contemplation? and 2. How can I act on my faith in the way I engage with people and society around me?
- Wait Wait Don’t Tell Me
https://www.npr.org/programs/wait-wait-dont-tell-me/
My last recommendation isn’t exactly a podcast, but you can find it on Spotify or your favorite streaming platform right beside your podcast lineup. I used to have to wait for this show to come on the radio once a week, but now I can listen to it whenever I want and catch up on past episodes I’ve missed. If I’m in the mood for something lighter, Wait Wait Don’t Tell Me is fun and entertaining. I like trivia, and this show has game show questions presented by the host Peter Sagal, and answered by guest comedians as well as callers into the show. It always makes me laugh, as well as testing my knowledge of current news topics, both well-known and obscure.
I’d love to hear what your favorite podcasts are. I’m always looking for more. Tell me in the comments!
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