The Power of Podcasts: 8 Podcasts You Will Love

I’m a huge podcast fan. I don’t know if that makes me a slow or early adopter, but when I finally got the hang of searching, subscribing and finding a few solid podcasts that match my interests, I was sold. Listening and learning has been a regular part of my diet since early 2015 and I see no end in sight. They’re that great.

If you are a little slower to jump on the bandwagon and are wondering what’s to love, I’ll help you out.  Here are three reasons I love podcasts.

1. Hands free. I love to read, but reading a book takes two hands and my full attention. Podcasts, however, can be listened to in the car, on a walk or, my personal favorite, while doing house chores. Audio books provide the same benefit, but there is something appealing about starting and finishing a podcast in just 20 minutes or so and walking away with new ideas and inspiration. Win!
2. Access. Podcasts are free and available on the fly. How great is that? Each time I’m in the car alone I check the list of podcasts on my phone and listen in as I’m running errands or driving to work. Instead of mindlessly listening to the radio (there is still a time and place for that, for sure) I’m usually thinking over new ideas, learning new parenting strategies, being inspired by other leaders, or getting tips on how to make our homeschool run a little smoother. Win!
3. Content.  There are thousands of podcasts out there today and I’m sure, as with anything, some of them are subpar, but I have found the content of many of them to be fantastic.  Interviews with my favorite authors, inspiring leaders, excellent educators, ministers, organizational experts, you name it, they either host or are being interviewed on a podcast.  People pay good money to buy their books and drive great distances to hear them speak, but I often get to hear them interviewed while I fold laundry.  Win!

 

Life gets monotonous at times.  It just does.  Whether you are a working mom, a stay-at-home mom, a college student or grandmother, sometimes the mundane of life gets boring and it’s tough to see the forest through the trees.  Podcasts are simply another tool to help you stay inspired, keep learning and be encouraged right where you are.  They help me keep my head above water and strengthen my resolve when monotony sets in.

 

So you want to join the fun?  Your interests may be different than mine and finding podcasts you will love has much to do with taste, personality, and your personal areas of focus, but here are a few I love, to get you started.  Listen to them a few times.  Get to know the hosts, learn what kind of topics they cover and decide for yourself if it’s for you.

 

 

Favorite Podcasts for Women

The Happy Hour with Jamie Ivey – A friend of mine introduced me to Jamie Ivey awhile back and I have enjoyed getting to know her guests.  She lands great interviews and makes her listeners feel like they are just sitting in on a conversation over coffee, yet she sprinkles her conversations with truth that I’m often scrambling to jot down in my notebook and chew on later.  Plus, she always asks her interviewees what they are reading.  I love anyone who likes to talk books.  This interview with Sally Lloyd-Jones is one of my favorites.

A Mom’s Mission Field with Tiffany Castleberry – I must admit this is one of my newest finds, but the very first episode I listened to (Pray Big and Do Scary Things – You could have guessed I’d love that one, right?) had me sold and the others have not disappointed so I’m calling this one a winner.  While the title would lead you to believe this is a podcast for moms, the themes of praying big, loving big and serving big are for every woman, not just moms.

Favorite Podcasts for Moms

Inspired to Action with Kat Lee – This was one of the first podcasts that I subscribed too.  Kat is an excellent interviewer and her guests cover the realm of parenting, homemaking, goal setting and so much more.  She is an authentic encourager and yet challenges her listeners as well.  She is the mentor we all wish we had, but lucky for us, we get to listen in and learn from her regularly.

God Centered Mom with Heather MacFadyen – Truth be told, many of my favorite podcasts are hosted by women who I think would be fun to go have coffee with.  Heather is that kind of girl.  She is real and authentic with her guests and there are so many times where I’m nodding my head and saying “ME TOO!” when I’m listening to her interviews.  One of my favorites is this one she did with her husband, Bruce.  The second half really challenged my thinking.

 Favorite Business Podcasts

This is Your Life with Michael Hyatt and Michele Cushatt – Michael Hyatt is a leader in the podcasting world and his ability to cast a vision and consistently deliver wisdom in a succinct and practical manner is a big part of what got him there.  His episodes are hugely motivational and inspiring with a bent toward productivity, business relationships and living your best life.  Plus, I just love Michele Cushatt.  It’s enough for me just to listen to her brave in action.

Brilliant Business Moms with Beth Anne Schwamberger – Much less formal than Michael Hyatt’s podcast, Beth Anne makes her podcast feel more like she is learning right along with you, asking the question her listeners would ask, gaining insights and ideas from interviewees just as you are.  The episodes for this podcasts cover the gamut of business growth, selling on Etsy, social media marketing, content strategy and more.  I’ve found that not every episode is for me, but some have been hugely helpful.

 

Education Podcasts

Read Aloud Revival with Sarah Mackenzie – This is one of my absolute favorites.  Sarah Mackenzie is a classical home educator, but I think any parent intent on raising readers will enjoy her podcasts.  She primarily interviews authors and together they hash out book ideas, strategies for analysis, ideas on developing a reading culture in your home, etc.  One of my recent favorites is this interview with Carolyn Leiloglou on Navigating Fantasy.  Personally, I’ve never been a fan of fantasy, but I have a child who is and these insights were just what this mama needed to hear.

Your Morning Basket with Pam Barnhill – This one is more explicitly dedicated to home educators, but has been a God send for me this year.  This is the first year I have put morning time into practice in my home school and through her podcasts Pam takes what can feel like an abstract idea and breaks it down into a tangible practice that is very doable.  Even more, she re-focuses my heart toward homeschooling, reminds me why I’m doing this and motivates me while naturally dishing out a heavy dose of grace to her listeners.  A breath of fresh air and inspiration to any home schooling mama, for sure.

 

That is probably enough to get you started, friends.  I didn’t even touch on The Busy Mom, The Smart Passive Income, Mom Struggling Well,  At Home with Sally, or a handful of others in my queue.  Search industry leaders like Craig Groeschel, Donald Miller, Tony Robbins, and Lewis Howes – they all have a podcasts waiting for you.  Search topics of history, TED Talks, grammar tips, or whatever else suits your fancy.  I’m pretty sure there is a podcast waiting for you.

Keep in mind, podcasts shouldn’t be another shiny object to distract you from your life or lead you to ignore the things (or people!) that really matter, they are simply a tool to use at appropriate times to keep you thinking, keep you learning, and keep you encouraged.

You can check out my favorites by using the links above or find that little purple podcast app on your phone and start searching to find some podcasts you will love.  Enjoy!

 

What about you?  Are you a fan of podcasts?  If so, what are your favorites?  I’d love to hear about them!