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There is endless information available and so little time to digest it. I miss the days when I could finish a 500-page book in one sitting, but alas, my mind is full of distractions even when I have the time. Although nothing can replace the experience of reading, I am extremely grateful for the rise of podcasts and audiobooks. They’re the perfect way to multitask, and they often offer concise discussions of topics to satisfy short attention spans. With all the content out there, my only problem is deciding what to add to my “library.” Along the way, I’ve subscribed to hundreds of podcasts that quickly lost my interest. So, I decided to identify the podcasts I actually enjoy, and now I’ll share them with you (I’ll leave out the true crime section because that list would take several pages).
I love that “How I Built This” combines story-telling and practical wisdom. This podcast features interviews with founders of businesses, from Canva to Shake Shack. It’s inspiring to hear how successful entrepreneurs started with ordinary obstacles. How they approached those challenges got them to where they are, and they also needed help from others. Every episode is unique, and the conversations are authentic and energetic.
The Bible Project is great because its content manages to succeed in quantity and quality. In their podcast, the creators of BibleProject.com dissect a variety of biblical topics from theological and scientific perspectives. What I love about this podcast is how it explores questions we all have about the Bible and questions that I never thought of. With almost 300 episodes available, I could listen to “BibleProject” all day and not get bored. Check it out if you want to hear educated observations on subjects ranging from “How to read the Bible” to cosmology.
I discovered the “Until All Are Free” podcast when I searched for real-life insight from survivors and opponents of human trafficking. I want to understand not only the global impact but the experiences of individuals. Behind the podcast is an organization called The Exodus Road, which works to fight human trafficking with a “boots-on-the-ground” approach. The organization also trains ordinary people to identify trafficking around them. The podcast doesn’t have a ton of episodes, but their interviews with survivors, undercover workers, and relevant experts are intriguing so far. I would definitely add this to your list to learn more about the reality of human trafficking and how normal people can help.
“The Cold-Case Christianity Podcast” is hosted by author and homicide detective J. Warner Wallace. At the age of 35, Wallace, who was an atheist, decided to use his investigative skills to examine the accuracy of the Gospel. After realizing the truth of Jesus’ resurrection, Wallace became a Christian and now shares his analysis on various biblical topics. I enjoy listening to his podcast because the discussions get to the point and provide straightforward reasoning and sources. No matter your beliefs, I’d bet you’ll find this podcast interesting. You can play it while working, driving, or doing dishes, so what do you have to lose?
Of course, I couldn’t leave out Sun Valley’s “Loving God, Loving People” podcast. The podcast includes Lead Pastor Chad Moore, Teaching Pastor Robert Watson, and some fantastic guests. The episodes are unscripted and offer genuine conversations about life, God, and how we should give and receive love. From relationships to culture, you can find applicable advice that all points to loving God and loving people.
This is a side note because it’s an audiobook, not a continuous podcast. However, I’ve found that Craig Groeschel's books are some of the few books I actually enjoy more in the audio version. Pastor Craig Groeschel is an engaging narrator whose writing and voiceovers contain personality. Although I haven’t yet finished it, “Winning the War in Your Mind” is my favorite book of his so far. If you struggle with destructive habits, anxiety, or messy thoughts (Be honest, we all do), you’ll benefit from this book's biblical and psychological lessons.
Written Content Coordinator at Sun Valley Community Church. An avid writer since the age of 5, who loves to explore new ideas and places. Inspired by Jesus, books, and travel.