It’s summertime and you long for ways to spend time, but not money. Me too! I am always looking to feel like I’m could treat myself. Even though I’m pretty simple person, I do know a good value.
The current trend is tuning into podcasts. And I thought I’d share some favorites with you.
Podcasts For Personal Growth
As you might imagine, you and I are not so different. How is that difficult relationship? Have you been able to turn it around, or at least begin the business of repair? Are you a parent and facing a summer with a house full of kids? I bet you wonder how to manage everything the summer brings and still keep your sanity.
Or maybe your nest is emptying out. Where ever you are, chances are high that you wish something could be different. And, since you are reading this and you know me a little, you probably wonder how God is moving, and how your life could show His love to the world around you.
Here are a few podcasts that may get you going in a right direction. If nothing else, when you listen to certain ideas, you feel like your dreams are possible, and you know that you are not alone because most of them have resources that will help.
- The Open Door Sisterhood – Alex and Krista are two women who are running hard after you. They want to encourage you and provide avenues to do hard things in your life and propel yourself through open doors. Listening to them is like having advice and care rolled up in exciting and timely guests.
I loved the recent one on developing the HEAR method of Bible study. It’s doable. And I’m feeling successful with this grace filled method that builds in days to catch up. An added bonus; it also challenges with memory each week.
And then, the Hey Sister! episodes are more practical how-tos. Something as simple as taking better pictures can really elevate your day.
- Out of the Ordinary These two friends, Christie and Lisa-Jo discuss their dreams, their projects all the while inviting you in for a behind the scenes glimpse into a better ordinary. Many times, the obstacles become avenues to understanding and a wealth of richer relationships.
- Dear Daughters Podcast with Susie Davis. With a warm and engaging voice she frequently interviews and discusses mentoring relationships whether couples, moms and kids, or last week, with her father. There is always a takeaway to practice.
Podcasts For the Inner Bookish Nerd
And those of you who share my bent toward the life of query. You know there is no piece of information that is not worth categorizing or analyzing in some fashion.
- The Center for Lit Podcast Filled with a family of homeschool elites. That is, their insightful and godly discussions have the bonus of educating. I have recently listened to the Radio Read Along where I found a word-for-word reading of The Mysterious Affair at Styles by Agatha Christie. On the other podcast, the Bibliofile, I found in-depth observations useful for teaching or just basic personal enrichment of the texts. Recently, they discussed “After Apple Picking,” by Frost.
- Close Reads Podcast Next The Circe Institute crew here is discussing Sense and Sensibility with the esteemed Karen Swallow Prior. (Of last year’s On Reading Well) Heidi White of the podcast gives an outstanding analysis. Thoroughly enjoy the girls. I can also recommend Forma, Libromania from the same site.
- Longform Listing #347 as the number on the podcast, the guys here have been around a while. Sometimes the guest is too raw or rank for my tastes, so just a heads up: PG rating. Longform podcast definitely feels like an insider peek into the publishing world, whether digital or hard copy, the guys here are in the know. Guests are usually cutting edge media mavens. I always have a takeaway on how current media is trending. I recently listened to an older one regarding the giant squid hunter. The guest is the author of Killer of the Flower Moon, David Grann. I’ve had some traveling troubles, but not to the extent of his in a tiny skiff on the ocean, at night, in a gale. Then you can go online to the longform written piece. I challenge you not to laugh, cry, and sense the wistfulness of holding the gold ring, but dropping it. (Into the fiery chasm from whence it came.)[Sorry, LOTR has so many great lines.]
Podcasts for Professional Writing
Of course, podcasts about the writing life from conception to publication are on my playlist. Someday, you and I will reach that golden shore of our high hopes for completion of the work. You know, the one that I’ve been working on, and that you have been working on for your whole life. Whether it’s partially typed, fully formed, or even already published (fist bump!) you can listen in and know how to take the next step. I always have a take away from these people. I can’t believe they are all free.
It’s a beautiful podcast life.
- The Copywriter Club – Kira and Rob discuss strategies for the freelancing copywriter. I am considering switching, or at least side hustling my way into this niche. Motivating with method, structure, and selling my writing, this occupation pretty much negates much of my USD writing content. And I’m the teacher. But I’m not teaching copywriting, and I probably should be.
- Christian Publishing Show Podcast Thomas Umstattd, Jr. is so lively and enthusiastic. He always has great advice for the bookish writer. You are wanting to know how to step into the river of Faith based published works? This is your guy. The podcast is is filled with practical and strategic ideas and how tos and how not tos.
- Hello Monday Podcast from the folks at LinkedIn. Set in the high stakes world of online connections, this is fascinating. Again, the hosts and the guest can be fairly salty and I do find myself skipping some episodes. It’s PG. And, I find some quality information: trends, strategies for building the email, the digital connections, and generally having an online presence. One recent one discusses the return of the open office setting. Not the cubicle setting, the really open office.
- Communicator Academy: The Podcast. These girls, Kathi Lipp and Michele Cushatt are two souls who love the LORD! Their show is fast paced, practical, and very positive. Their friendship comes through and I always feel uplifted. They both have other areas of expertise ranging from de-cluttering to mastermind groups who can guide your writing life.
Podcasts That Comment on Politics, Living Your Life, and Other Random Ideas
- Family Talk podcast with James Dobson. Listening to Dr. Dobson over the years has enriched my life and influenced parenting and relationships. He still plays some of the shows from Focus on the Family from years past.
- The Ben Shapiro Show The Podcast comments on the news of the day and looks at it through a very conservative Jewish viewpoint. Then on Sundays, he has an hour long guest and recently spoke with Larry Wilmore who is on the opposite spectrum in nearly every area. What’s great, is that the show has civil discourse because it is genuinely interested in the wider view. I don’t always agree with Mr. Shapiro, but he always makes me think. He has a rapid fire delivery, drink your coffee before listening.
- The Portfolio Life with Jeff Goins highlights ideas about work satisfaction, the idea that better is better: not more is better.
- What Should I Read Next? This Anne Bogel has some serious bookish depths. She’s kind of trending away from traditional values a little in her recommendations. The early episodes are better.
So, now you have some ideas. As you can see, the playlist encompasses things I love. And probably a few that you do, too.
Online here at the Emporium, I want to invite you to be creative and go after your dreams.
Thanks for dropping in,
Debra