Happy Tuesday! I love Tuesday’s because on Tuesday’s, some of my favorite podcasts come out! Do you listen to podcasts? If you do not, you should my friend, because otherwise you are missing out.
Podcasts were a refuge for me over the past two years. During a time of great transition, God brought me through it with the solace of some amazing (and not so amazing) podcasts. I tell my people all the time that the Internet is the new Roman Road. I love how God used the Roman Roads during the early church era. It is the perfect example of how God does not waste anything! Anything can be used for His good purposes.
In the times of the early church, right after the death of Jesus, God used the Roman Road system to further the message of Jesus. The roads that the ancient Greeks used to bring great suffering, persecution and oppression, were the same roads used by the early church to bring the message of freedom, salvation, and redemption. God wastes nothing, my friends! As slaves walked the roads under the guard of their oppressors, the first messengers of the Good News took to the same paths. Spreading the church and the message all over Eastern Europe and Asia. Hence, this is how we have the message of Jesus today.
In the same ways, God is using the Internet as His new Roman Road. With the Internet in some of the remotest places in the world, so now is the gospel! And with it- podcasts!
Oh, how I love podcasts! They are the only way I can multi-task. Truly! I loathe the noise of the tv, and as most of us our aware, there is NOTHING good on daytime television! I would rather bang my head against a wall than watch daytime television. Stream watching is one of my greatest weakness, so this is not an option either. Once I start, I cannot stop!
So, since binge watching and daytime television are not an option, God showed us stay-at-home mom’s great mercy and gave us… THE PODCAST!
(The podcast is obviously not just for stay-at-home mom’s, but it filled a great void when I had to stop working and was lonely for good conversation.)
In the past two weeks, I have had a handful of friends ask me three questions:
- What is a podcast?
- How do you get a podcast?
- Who do you listen to?
What is a podcast?
A podcast is like watching or listening to the tv, but way better, because you can easily take it with you wherever you go. Also, you can selectively choose what you want to listen to and when. Which is very nice, especially when in the car (specifically with little listening ears).
Some podcasts are audible, some are video, and some are both.
Based upon my Google search, a podcast is defined as “a digital audio file made available on the Internet for downloading to a computer or mobile device, typically available as a series, new installments of which can be received by subscribers automatically.”- Google definition
How do you get a podcast?
First, if you do not have a podcast app on your phone, DOWNLOAD a podcast player through the App Store on your phone or computer.
Type in “Podcast App” to see what podcast players are available.
Once you download and open the app, suggestions of the most popular podcasts will show up. These suggestions are very helpful and beneficial. Take some time and browse through them. Also, use the search option! You would be surprised at the diversity of the podcast world.
You can find just about anything. There are fix-it and organization podcasts, beauty and fashion podcasts, children’s educational and story podcasts, spiritual and funny podcasts, adult story telling and mystery podcasts, business and finance podcasts… You name it and you will probably be able to find it. To get an idea of what to listen to, think of some of the people, authors, shows, comedians, churches, etc… that you like and search for them. Even if you do not find exactly who/what you specifically searched for, something similar will pop up. Take your time to discover what is out there.
Next, SUBSCRIBE to the podcast you are interested in.
As you subscribe to podcasts, you will see your podcast subscriptions listed under “My Podcasts”.
Each Podcast you subscribe to has two sections: The Unplayed section and The Feed section. If you select a particular podcast, you will see the “Unplayed” section hosts the latest two to three publishings (media files) for a particular podcast. These will automatically download to your phone. The “Feed” section is all the media (every podcast) ever published under that particular podcast.
You can always unsubscribe to a podcast if you do not like it and it will automatically erase from your phone.
Who do you listen to?
Because of the low cost of producing a podcast, we are able to hear voices that we otherwise might not have been able to hear. There are so many great podcasts out there, it is hard to narrow down my favorites. However, in search of some of the great ones, I have weeded out many of the not so great ones. Overall, I have about 2o that I listen to regularly, but I will list my top 5. It just so happens that my top five happen to be the podcasts that stretch and grow me more than anything. You can take them or leave them… but here is what I listen to on a regular basis.
- The RobCast w/ Rob Bell
Rob Bell has been a huge influence on my faith since I was in my early twenties. His thinking always stretches my understand of the Bible and draws me closer to God. - On Being w/ Krista Tippett
It would be hard to disagree that Krista Tippett is the best interviewer out there! She interviews anyone who plays a part in spiritual (and some political) formation in the world. She is non-biased and allows all of her guests to share openly and freely. - Parenting Great Kids w/ Dr. Meg Meeker
If you want strait forward parenting advice from a professional in the parenting arena and an experienced parent, Dr. Meg Meeker is your woman. - Elevation Church w/ Pastor Steven Furtick
Just some good ole’ preaching. - The Liturgist w/ Michael Gungor and Mike McHargue (better known as Science Mike)
This one is great if you have a lot of spiritual questions. They research and bring their best to table through conversation, differing opinions, and diverse stories.
I do not discriminate when it comes to podcasts, however I am very selective. I listen to everything from biographical podcasts, funny, and some political, but these top 5 are always worthy of my mind and heart. Maybe on another post, I will list my top 20, because as I write thinking of all the SO MANY good ones I am leaving out.
For now, this gives you an idea of what I listened to during my loneliest time. These helped me stay connected to the church and grew me more than deeply in my faith than I could ever have imagined.
I hope this helps you my sweet friends- you know who you are 😉
Peace,
P.S. Coming July 2017, we will see a My Gal Tuesday Podcast! More information to come!
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