I’m a podcast junkie. I probably need some sort of twelve-step program to wean myself off of them but I AM NOT READY SO MIND YOUR BUSINESS.
Podcasts are the best, aren’t they? Smart, witty, funny people to help with the daily commute or the morning grumpies or the long workout or the evening unwind.
Here are a few that I’ve been loving lately.
Disclaimer: By “loving,” I don’t mean “agreeing with in every area.” Some of these have occasional content with which I vehemently disagree. That’s part of the fun in listening to podcasts. They make you think!
The hosts are hilarious. The show is fantastic. Del and Stephanie talk about relationships and marriage and conflict and problem solving. They make me laugh every time.
Each episode features a question sent in by a listener as well as their take on a recent news or culture story. They do their own sound effects too, which is something to behold.
Del and Stephanie have coined a lot of phrases that my husband and I use all the time like “hot gum.” (Episode 2)
Q2L is Christianity Today’s podcast on faith and current events, usually hosted by editor in chief Mark Galli and assistant editor Morgan Lee, with special guests who range from theology professors to pastors to politicians.
It’s a podcast that, like the magazine itself, has evangelical convictions with deep thoughtfulness, reflection, and hard questions.
Sometimes I couldn’t disagree more with their guests and other times I love them. It’s a good reminder that the stream of Christianity is a lot wider than my own little Presbyterian world.
If you like the West Wing (the TV show, not the White House annex), drop everything and listen to this. You’re welcome.
If you don’t like the West Wing, then this whole thing will make no earthly sense to you. Though Josh and Hrishi are pretty funny guys regardless.
How I Built This is NPR’s weekly podcast on big companies, brands, and ideas and how they came to be. They cover technology (a couple of months ago they featured Steve Case, founder of AOL), fashion (Kate Spade’s Kate and Andy Spade), home goods (Crate & Barrel’s Gordon Segal), and more.
It’s fascinating for me, as a 30-something, to hear stories of people who, when they were in my phase of life, risked their financial future on an idea, a flash of brilliance, or just a wing and a prayer.
I’ll admit that I have a bit of a nerd-crush on Malcolm Gladwell. He’s a journalist, a New Yorker columnist, and the author of a bunch of bestsellers on the way the world works.
Revisionist History tackles areas of life that seem straightforward but actually have a more complicated past than we might realize.
Did you know Wilt Chamberlain couldn’t shoot a free throw, Bowdoin and Vassar have a bit of a food war going, and golf courses in Scotland are open to the public on Sundays? Me neither.
What podcasts are you listening to?
Courtney Ellis 
I’ve been looking for some good podcasts! Thank you! I occasionally listen to the Relevant podcast. It’s long, so I usually split it up over 2-3 workout sessions. : )
LikeLike
Oooh, I haven’t tried the Relevant podcast! Thanks for the tip!
LikeLike
Oh thanks a lot Courtney! I’m already way behind on my podcast listening, all I need is a few more fascinating-looking ones like these to add to the list. JK of course. I can’t wait to check these out.
When my attention span is short, I enjoy listening to Q&A podcasts such as The Narrow Path and Pastor’s Perspective. The latter speaks from a Dispensational perspective, so I have finally learned why some Christians believe we are living at the very end of days. It’s always good for me to learn apoint of view I know little about.
Thanks, Courtney. I really enjoy reading your stuff, and I am old enough to be your mama.
LikeLike
Thanks so much, Cheryl! (And I agree – sometimes it feels like listening to each podcast I want is like trying to drink from a firehose!). Thanks for reading, and for your kind words.
LikeLike