I used to really hate podcasts. To the point that I didn’t understand what all the hype was about and judged people who ranted and raved about their love of them. Now I’m eating my words because I’ve become a MAJOR fan of podcasts. For me, they’ve become a way for me to stay up-to-date on the news, brush up on my medical knowledge, and feed my spirit. They serve so many purposes!

A Misconception I Believed

For a long time, I thought that podcasts were just people talking. No agenda. No purpose. Just babbling for hours about everything under the sun. Basically I thought that they were radio programs. But now I’ve realized that podcasts DO in fact have structure and purpose. Many in fact have specific missions for targeted people groups. And the “conversations” that take place in their 30 minute to hour-long episodes actually multiply into more and more conversations. I’ve been both challenged and encouraged by many of the messages I’ve heard through podcasts. And the information communicated through these brief interchanges engender more dialogues with my husband, friends, family, and co-workers.

Engage. Inspire. Propel.

Podcasts (and more generally teachings) should prompt us to do three things: Engage, Inspire, and Propel. They should ENGAGE our mind, body, and spirit by causing us to lean in and listen to the message being conveyed. They should INSPIRE us to take what we’ve learned and in turn PROPEL ourselves to change. As a One on the Enneagram, I love podcasts because they don’t allow for complacency. I believe we can always BE better, DO better, and LIVE better, and I’m affirmed in that belief as a Christian. God never wants us to settle for “okay” or “so-so” living, he delights in the transformed life. Now I’m not saying that podcasts are the gospel or that they are THE way to a resurrected life, but I am saying that they can serve as a positive supplement to nurture the life you want to live. Whether you want to be learn more about medicine, the arts, politics, faith, current events, cultures, languages, etc., podcasts are a simple and easy way to broaden your mind and engage your thoughts. I compiled a list of a few of my favorite podcasts right now that are fostering the life I want to live. Whether I’m on a mission to be a better healthcare provider, sister in Christ, wife, or friend, these podcasts have helped me along that journey…

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Faith

Ask Pastor John with John Piper
Behind the Bliss with Rachel Awtry
The Bible Project Podcast
Cultivate Your Life with Lara Casey
Daily Grace by the Daily Grace Co.
Dream Big with Bob Goff & Friends
Go and Tell Gals with Jess Connolly
Living Proof Ministries with Beth Moore
Made for This with Jennie Allen
The Next Right Thing with Emily P. Freeman
Radical with David Platt
Rhythms for Life with Rebekah & Gabe Lyons
She with Jordan Lee Dooley
That Sounds Fun with Annie F. Downs

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News

BBC Global News Podcast
The Daily by the New York Times
The Newsworthy with Erica Mandy
Skimm This by the Skimm
Today, Explained
Up First by NPR

Education/Growth

Call Your Girlfriend
The Lazy Genius
Life Kit by NPR
Serial with Sarah Koenig
Ted Talks Daily
This American Life
Unlocking Us with Brené Brown

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Food

Gravy created by the Southern Food Alliance
Spilled Milk with Molly Wizenberg & Matthew Amster-Burton
The Splendid Table
The Sporkful with Dan Pashman

Medical

At Your Cervix with Britt & Steph
The Curbsiders
EM Basic: Your Boot Camp Guide to Emergency Medicine
PANCE/PANRE Podcast with Stephen Pasquini, PA-C
Physician Assistant Exam Review with Brian Wallace
UpToDate Talk
2 Docs Talk

Hopefully these podcasts help to broaden your mind, strengthen your spirit, and empower you for change. We all need a push to step into the uncomfy and many of these podcasts will do just that! My hope is that whatever your goal is in listening to a podcast, you are able to achieve that. Whether you want to brush up on current events, be challenged in your faith, improve your relationships, or deepen your knowledge, there is something for everyone! Step out of your comfort zone today and start walking towards the person you wanna become.

What are some of your favorite podcasts to tune into?
Tell me in the comments below!