I am addicted to podcasts. In my opinion, the podcast is the best media form that has sprung up in recent years. Not only are they an avenue for disseminating quality information on various subjects, they are also an easy mechanism for even the most amateurish to generate conversation and introduce the world to people and ideas that we simply need to know about.
A few years ago, I did a graduate program at Johns Hopkins in science writing. We briefly covered podcasts, and I remember one of the professors commenting that podcasts would not be a long term, viable option for generating enthusiasm and communication about science. I scoffed at that statement then and still do. If anything, podcasts are a way to draw people into topics and ideas that maybe they’d never otherwise take a listen to.
So, without further adieu, the following list contains my favorite and go-to podcasts. Some I’ve listened to for years, others I visit only occasionally, and a couple are either new or ones that I recently stumbled upon and find fabulous. I encourage you to give these a listen, and pass on any podcasts that I need to add to my listening queue.
- The Robcast – What can I say? I love Rob Bell and his podcast for SO many reasons. He started this podcast kind of as a lark based on someone’s suggestion and records in the “Back House” in his back yard. He covers basically everything that delights and intrigues him, from theology to music to people he finds fascinating. Some days he interviews people, other days he waxes poetic on whatever he is currently chewing on, and recently, he’s done a three-part running commentary series on all the books he’s written. Bell’s ideas were a theological game changer for me starting about six years ago, and he’s just a crazy fun person to listen to. I am also beyond excited to see him live on his Introduction to Joy tour next month.
- Wait, Wait Don’t Tell Me – If you listen to NPR, you should have heard about this radio show/podcast. If not, go immediately listen to an episode. WWDTM is a news trivia show featuring some of the best comedians like Paula Poundstone, Mo Rocha, and others. The show producers manage to find some of the most fantastical and ridiculous news stories to ask the panelists about. Some famous person is interviewed and then pulled into the trivia game as well. This is my favorite lawn mowing and road trip podcast because it keeps me hysterically laughing for a full hour at a time. One day I will be so lucky as to make it the Chase Bank Auditorium in Chicago for a live taping.
- Newsworthy with Norsworthy – This podcast is hosted by Luke Norsworthy, a Church of Christ pastor in Austin Texas, who I happened to go to college with. I didn’t know him well at all, and honestly thought at the time that he was a never-serious, white boy with dreads, youth pastor type. Well, he has impressed me well with this podcast. He’s pulling in great people for interviews, covering a lot of Christian and theological perspectives. Richard Beck, Shane Claiborne, Rob Bell, Richard Rohr, on and on and on. And while Luke can be goofy and joke around on his show, he is definitely a deep thinker, and I humbly stand corrected about my first impressions of him.
- Sounds True-Insights at the Edge – This is one of the podcasts I’ve listened to for the longest. I don’t even remember how I found it, but Tami Simon’s ability to bring in diverse spiritual teachers from all walks of life has really worked to stretch my mind. Some of the spiritual teachings that have most helped me were from people featured on this podcast. Pema Chodron, Don Miguel Ruiz, Caroline Myss, and so many others were first introduced to me here. Some of the interviews on this show can get pretty deep, and every so often I’ll listen to an episode where I just don’t buy the teaching at all. But I very much credit Tami Simon with presenting us with so many spiritual paths to investigate and learn from.
- On Being with Krista Tippett – This podcast is another that is actually a radio show. Krista is a journalist who pulled away from her conservative Christian roots to find a broader, more encompassing spirituality. She interviews theologians, artists, poets, journalists, social justice activists – all in the search of wisdom, meaning, and evidence of our greater interconnectedness. If you want a podcast where spirituality, culture, and art intersect, this is a good place to visit.
- The Rich Roll Podcast-Rich Roll is an ultramarathoner and triathlete with an amazing story. He was an alcoholic and unhappy lawyer who let the athleticism of high school and college go, finding himself overweight and out of shape. After an epiphany struggling to walk up a flight of stairs one day, along with the encouragement of his wife, Rich turned his life around. He became a vegan and began pursuing some amazing athletic feats, which he talks about in his book, Finding Ultra. (I recommend reading or listening to this book….it’s really good).Now on his long-form podcast (think 1.5 to 2 hours per episode), he dives deep into conversation with others about fitness, nutrition, spirituality, leadership, self-development, sustainability, and so many other topics. If you want to be inspired to get off your couch and start making some serious life changes, check this podcast out.
- Good Life Project – This podcast has something for everyone. Jonathan Fields interviews basically anyone worth listening to these days. I mean, SERIOUSLY. Brené Brown to Liz Gilbert to Seth Godin to Scot Harrison to Michael Pollan to Courtney Carver to Matthieu Ricard, and a BUNCH of other people that I still need to become aware of. It’s a show that mixes inspirational stories with motivation to get out and the things that bring meaning and purpose in life. Ya just can’t go wrong with this one.
- You Made it Weird with Pete Holmes–I first learned about Pete Holmes through Rob Bell. The two of them are great friends. A couple of years back I was lucky enough to see them on tour together in Boston, and my small claim to fame is that I sat in like the third row of the audience. Pete is a comedian, and a quirky one at that – BUT, he has a deep side, too. He left the conservative religion of his youth but is reconstructing his spirituality now along the same spiritual teacher lines that I am – he name drops Ram Dass, Alan Watts, Richard Rohr, etc, all the time. And yes, I’m jealous because he’s like the billionth podcaster I know who has gotten to meet and talk to Richard Rohr. I think I’m going to start a podcast simply so I can try to bribe an hour of Rohr’s time. Pete interviews a range of people, from theologians to comedians. His style and sense of humor might not sync with everyone, but he’s worth giving a solid listen to.
- Awaken with JP Sears Show– I loved JP from the very first silly YouTube video of his that I saw. He makes fun of everything from eating vegan to using essential oils to “Prancer-cizing”, all to make very good points. He points out bad logic or our inflexible ways of thinking through a ridiculous persona. But, also like Pete Holmes, he has a serious side that he likes to express in very non-serious ways. Last year he started an Awaken with JP online community, consisting of weekly videos and a Facebook group. I was a part of the group for a while (but left only because I needed to divert the membership fee to some other life crisis) and it was really good! In fact, if you’re gonna join an online group to pursue spiritual awakening in the real world, I totally recommend it. I recently stumbled upon his podcast and have found it to be just another delightful outlet of his personality and what he has to offer the world. Definitely check him out!
- Dance Floor Podcast– I go to a Mennonite church in Indianapolis, and this summer we suddenly had a new guy leading worship. As it turned out, his name was Clint Reed and he and I discovered we used to attend the same church for years but had never met. He and a friend of his, someone I also had mutual friends with but had never met, Larry Mitchell, started up this podcast. This is a local goodie that opens up the conversation about our doubts, finding connection and meaning, and seeing what God might be up to. May I especially recommend the episode where my friend, Bob Brown, talks about smashing the patriarchy.
- The Minimalists–The pursuit of minimalism has dramatically changed my life. And no one can pursue minimalism these days without hearing about Joshua Fields Millburn and Ryan Nicodemus. They’ve written books, they go on tour, they have a documentary on Netflix, they have a podcast. On their show they discuss all different aspects of minimalism, from philosophy to tangible tips to help reduce our consumerism. The best part: they aren’t the minimalism police. They’re real people who live in the real world who just want to show others that it isn’t “stuff” that makes us happy.
- Main Street Vegan–Anyone who eats plants should listen to this podcast. Victoria Moran literally covers EVERYTHING about plant-based eating and vegan living. She talks to medical experts, plant-based athletes, theologians, chefs, clothing designers, animal rights activists, etc….basically every possible nuance of the vegan world. If you’re plant-based already, or curious about it, give this how a listen.
- Another Name For Everything– In honor of my birthday this year, Richard Rohr started a podcast. Just kidding, I tell myself that to pretend like he even knows that I exist. I hope there really is a heaven just so I can finally meet him, since it doesn’t look like it’s going to happen in this life. Richard Rohr is probably one of the greatest single influences on my life, and he has no clue. If you haven’t read his books, like Falling Upward, Everything Belongs, etc., you really, really need to. I’ve been listening to his latest book, The Universal Christ, on Audible and think it might be his pinnacle work. However, if you don’t delve into his books, introduce yourself to him through his podcast, which is a 12-part conversation about the book.
A few other podcasts that I’ve enjoyed immensely in the past and still dip into:
Invisibilia, Hidden Brain, and S-Town (I’m an NPR junkie, what can I say?)
The Enneagram Journey and The Road Back to You (great podcasts on the Enneagram, and Suzanne has the best soft-spoken Southern accent – I’d probably listen to anything she said just based on her voice.
The Fundamentalists with Peter Rollins and Elliot Morgan – Rollins is another great theologian (with a fantastic Irish accent) that I learned of thanks to Rob Bell
And finally……a podcast that I haven’t yet listened to but want to simply because the name is fabulous…….Persiflagers Infectious Disease PUSCAST!
What other podcats should I be listening to?
Scientuality 