9 Podcasts I’m Loving Right Now

I’m always listening to something: audio books, Ted Talks, podcasts, the Bible, etc. Sometimes I need silence, but more times I need stories and words.

This isn’t intentional, but around this time every year, I tell you what podcasts I’m loving. Here’s my list from 2017 and 2018. I enjoy going back to see what podcasts I was listening to in years past, and what I’m still listening to. Some podcasts have been on the list for three years running, while others don’t interest me anymore or were just for a season or series and they’ve ended their run. There are some good suggestions on those old lists so don’t skip them if you’re into podcasts as much as I am.

Here’s what I’m digging right now:

The Bible Binge
I just started listening to the Bible Binge a few weeks ago. Knox and Jamie read a story from scripture and add lots of entertaining/pop culture dialogue and commentary. I find their conversations silly and entertaining, but I’m not sure I would recommend this to someone unfamiliar with the Bible stories they’re telling–I think their takes might confuse actual Bible knowledge to the uninformed. (There is a Bible scholar who weighs in at the end to correct things they’ve done wrong, but it might not be enough for those new to the Bible.)

Young House Love Has a Podcast
This one has been on my list every year. Every Monday, John and Sherry release a 30-ish minute episode discussing home remodeling, house trends, and life stuff. I’ve read their blog for a decade (!!) so listening to them talk on Young House Love Has a Podcast is fun for me. This is one you can listen to with kids in the car, and Harper (a huge DIY/Fixer Upper fan) likes this one too.

My Favorite Murder
I think this one has been on the list every year too. I love true crime, and Georgia and Karen are my best friends that just don’t know I exist yet. My Favorite Murder is, I’ll be honest, not for everyone. If you have sensitive ears, maybe skip this one, but if salty language and really horrible murders told with a side of inappropriate humor is your thing, you’re probably already listening to this and I’m preaching to the choir.

The Next Right Thing
Emily P. Freeman’s The Next Right Thing feels a little like a mindfulness meditation once a week. She’s not releasing new episodes right now, but there are 75 waiting for you if you’re new. Emily’s voice is soothing, and her thoughtfulness makes me slow down every time I listen. I’m a big multi-tasker, but when I listen to this one, I try to do nothing else so I can give it my full attention.

The Big Boo Cast
Melanie Shankle and Sophie Hudson are two Christian authors I like reading so even though their podcast is random conversations between the two of them, I really like it. The Big Boo Cast is clean and funny. One Sunday, I was listening to this in the kitchen while making lunch, and Chris walked through. He asked if their accents were real or they were just talking like that to be funny. So I guess it’s important to mention they have southern accents, and they are very thick accents. I find them enjoyable. You may not.

Up First
Years ago when I was driving to work every morning, I’d listen to NPR. When I transitioned to working from home, I didn’t turn on the news and often only read it if I searched it out (which wasn’t very often). I missed listening to the news, so when I discovered Up First, I subscribed immediately. Each weekday morning, NPR gives you about 15 minutes of news stories to start your day; the minute the girls get on the bus, I push play and catch up on current events while I clean up breakfast and start laundry.

Dr. Death
The story of a reckless surgeon who continually hurt patients (most likely on purpose) but was allowed to keep practicing is addicting and infuriating. Listen to Dr. Death only if you don’t have an upcoming medical procedure. When I started this story, I thought it was so unbelievable that I googled to make sure it was a true story. It is most definitely a true story. Don’t look it up, just listen and be ready to be shocked.

Everything Happens
When I read Kate Bowler’s book Everything Happens for a Reason, I was intrigued with her story, so when she started a podcast interviewing other people with hard or interesting lives, I was on board. Bowler is funny and charming, smart and caring. I really like listening to Everything Happens. If you don’t know were to start with this one, her interviews with Alan Alda and Nadia Bolz-Weber are good (oh, and the Alexandra Petri one is really funny).

Armchair Expert
Okay, so these episodes are a million times longer than they should be, but I listen to them from beginning to end anyway because they’re interesting and funny. Dax Shepard and Monica Padman are really good together, and I find their conversations with celebrities, authors, artists, and anyone else they feel like having on really engaging. I don’t always agree with everything they talk about on Armchair Expert, but I really like hearing the opinions and thoughts of others, especially those who don’t think like me.

Like I shared on this post about electronics, my girls listen to podcasts a lot. These are good to listen to while traveling or when your kids are playing and are used to background noise, but you don’t want the TV on:
Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls
Story Pirates
Potterless (I just downloaded this one for Ellie and we haven’t listened to it yet, but I’m including it in case you have a kid obsessed with Harry Potter too.)
Sparkle Stories
Tumble: Science Podcast for Kids
The Alien Adventures of Finn Caspian

Have something I should add to the list? What podcasts do you love to listen to?

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(Also, it would be ridiculous of me to not mention the Not Terrible Podcast. Jess and I just finished our 39th episode and I’d love for you to listen. The first eight episodes are just Jess then I joined on episode 9. If you like what I write about here, I think you’ll like the podcast too.)