What I’m Listening To

Okay, last week I got a huge number of suggestions of podcasts to check out. I mean, it was crazy to get…

…zero suggestions.

So, I’m going to share with you what I listen to.

Before doing that, though, let me give you a few ways I “listen” to these.

1. I usually listen on double-speed. On an iPod (or iPhone, like I have), you can listen to podcasts at regular speed, or you can choose to listen twice as fast. Most of the time, I choose this option.

2. I am not trying to memorize everything that is said. Podcasts are for information, but not memorization. I am simply looking for ideas or entertainment.

3. I don’t stay “caught up.” There are some podcasts that I let build up a few episodes, then I listen to several while driving or just times when I’m alone. Usually, there are around 8-12 podcasts on my phone that I have not listened to.

With that out of the way, here’s the list, in alphabetical order, with a little information about the podcast. (The links will take you to the websites associated with the podcasts, but all are available for free on iTunes.)

1. Albert Mohler: The Briefing. This 5-day-per-week podcast is about 12-15 minutes per program. Dr. Mohler, President of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, takes a look at the daily news from a Christian worldview. This is a must-listen.

2. Albert Mohler: Thinking in Public. Mohler’s weekly podcast that is interview-based. Each week, Mohler interviews an expert in a certain area and, again, gives a Christian perspective on the topic of the day. Most weeks, this program is about 45 minutes in length.

3. Andy Stanley Leadership Podcast. A monthly podcast that I was was more often! Each month, a short clip of a leadership speech by Andy Stanley is given, followed by a brief interview with Andy, where the message is given a little more application. The podcast is usually 15-25 minutes in length.

4. Ashville Road church of Christ. My friend Drew Kizer preaches at Ashville Road, and I love hearing him preach!

5. Be a Better Husband Podcast. This weekly podcast explores different areas to help husbands. This is a one-on-one interview podcast most of the time. Each week is usually a little under an hour.

6. The Beatles Complete on Ukulele. No, I’m not kidding. Basically, each week a Beatles’ song is remade using different instruments (always including a ukulele. If you’re a Beatles’ fan, this is a lot of fun.

7. Brian Preston’s “Money Guy” Podcast. Preston does this podcast (and also his blog) as a hobby, so it is not updated regularly, though he shoots for every other week. Quite practical if you like money information. About 45 minutes usually.

8. Behind the Pulpit. Part of The Equip Network, this weekly podcast is designed to help preachers with the art of preaching. Wayne Roberts and Bob Turner, who work at the Bear Valley Bible Institute of Denver, give great tips each week. Usually, the program is about 35 minutes in length.

9. CBSsports.com College Basketball Podcast. The best college hoops podcast I’ve found. The main reason I like this podcast is because it is updated throughout the year. In the off-season, it is weekly. During the season, the podcast is usually updated 2-3 times each week, with each program lasting about 20-25 minutes. Currently, the podcast also has the greatest opening music of them all (but they have said they are going to change).

10. The Dave Ramsey Show. One hour of Ramsey’s daily radio program, commercial free. My favorite money podcast, and a great encouragement each day. Without the commercials, the podcast is right at 40 minutes.

11. Desiring God Sermons. John Piper’s sermons from Bethlehem Baptist Church. Each week, Piper preaches for about 45 minutes. I usually let these “build up,” then listen to several in a row, and I only listen to Piper’s sermons. Almost always, Piper’s lessons are expository through a book.

12. Dickie Speaks. Dick Vitale’s podcast is a lot of fun. He updates it about twice a week, but each update is only 1 or 2 minutes in length.

13. The EntreLeadership Podcast. Dave Ramsey’s podcast that is accompanying his new book, EntreLeadership. The podcast usually contains a lesson from Ramsey, followed by an interview with a great leader from the business world. This podcast comes out every other week, and is usually 30 minutes in length.

14. Equipped Today. The Equip Network’s devotional program. Steve Higginbotham shares brief devotional thoughts to get your day started right. This is updated most days with a 90-second thought.

15. ESPN: Baseball Today. As you can see, this is the first of several ESPN podcasts I enjoy. Eric Karabell and a rotating other hosting slot give great MLB information. During the season, the podcast is 5-days per week. In the off-season, it is usually weekly, and each is about 40 minutes.

16. ESPN: Fantasy Focus Football. I love fantasy football, and this podcast fuels that love. During the NFL season, this is daily. Off-season, monthly. About 35 minutes, expect on Fridays during the season, when games are broken down. Those shows are about an hour.

17. ESPN: Football Today. Ross Tucker (former NFL player) and Matt Williamson (former NFL scout) break down news and games. I love Williamson on this program. Daily during the season, twice weekly in the off-season. Same time format as Fantasy Focus.

18. ESPN: Page 2 Podcast. This is the podcast from ESPN’s sarcastic site, Page 2. Mike Philbrick and DJ Gallo look at the lighter side of sports. The podcast is about 25 minutes, and runs 3 days each week.

19. ESPNU College Basketball. As much as I love college hoops, and as heavily as ESPN covers it, this podcast leaves so much to be desired. It is hit-or-miss, even during the season at times. If they need a host……….. (just saying!).

20. ESPNU College Football. Maybe the most well-done podcast ESPN does. During the off-season, the show is bi-weekly with Beano Cook as the guest with host Ivan Maisel. During the season, Maisel hosts the podcast daily with a different emphasis each day. If you even like college football, you’ll love this program. Most of the shows are about 25-30 minutes.

21. Evernote Blogcast. I know, you are tired of hearing me talk about Evernote. But I love the product and enjoy keeping up with the latest news. The three hosts have a lot of fun with the show, which adds to the show. Also, if you use Evernote, their “use cases” will be helpful to you. Usually, this podcast is monthly, and is about 50 minutes.

22. Family Life Today. A podcast from the daily radio show from FamilyLife of Little Rock, Arkansas. This is my favorite family program. About 25 minutes each day, Monday through Friday.

23. Focus on Marriage. This podcast leaves a little to be desired with regularity, but usually comes out 2 times each week. It is only about 6-8 minutes each time, and features clips from Focus on the Family’s radio program. Great interviews, and a very quick listen.

24. Focus on Parenting. The same format as the Focus on Marriage podcast, but featuring tips and interviews dealing with parenting.

25. Get It Done Guy’s Quick and Dirty Tips to Work Less and Do More. Stever Robbins gives weekly tips to be more efficient, or to get through a difficult time. The program is only about 7-8 minutes each week, and Robbins is (literally) a comic, so there is great humor in this show, as well.

26. If Truth be Told. Cliff Goodwin’s sermons from the Ironaton church of Christ in Talledega. Goodwin often preaches in series format, so the listener can be thinking about a particular topic for several weeks. I got to know Cliff some at Polishing the Pulpit this year, so I am enjoying hearing his sermons. Usually, they are about 40 minutes in length.

27. In the Loop with Andy Andrews. Andy Andrews is a great author, so I was thrilled when I learned that he had a podcast. His podcast comes out every other week, and is about 25 minutes of leadership information. I highly recommend it.

28. Let My People Think. One of my favorites, this is Ravi Zacharias’ weekly podcast. Apologetics-based, the sermons are very deep, but will truly help the listener to think! Each week, the podcast is 26 minutes.

29. Ministry Geek this Week. Another program from The Equip Network, Ministry Geek this Week shows ministers how to use technology in their work. The podcast is weekly, and is 1 hour each week. Michael Hite, Dale Jenkins and Caleb O’Hara host the show and do a great job.

30. NFL Podcast with Peter King. This is a new podcast this year, with one of the most well-known sports’ writers of our time. King gets the best interviews and does a great job of getting stories you can’t find anywhere else. The show is once per week, at about 40 minutes each time.

31. Northpoint Community Church. The weekly sermons from this Atlanta-area congregation. I only listen when Andy Stanley is the speaker, and his lessons are about 35-40 minutes in length.

32. Old Time Rock and Roll. I just found this podcast a few weeks ago, and I love it! Twice each week, former schoolteacher Lee Douglas plays 90 minutes of 1950s, 60s and early 70s rock, and incorporates great stories, too. If you love the history of rock music, this is a must-listen, though it is a bit long each time.

33. One Word. Daniel Howell and Jacob Evans are on a hiatus from One Word right now, but it will come back, and I recommend you subscribing for when they do. Each week, the two study a singular word from the Bible in a lighthearted, but deeply Biblical way. This is a podcast on The Equip Network and is very well done. It is about 25 minutes in length.

34. Sermons: West Huntsville church of Christ. My friend Glenn Colley preaches at West Huntsville, and I always enjoy hearing his lessons. Usually, the lessons are under 30 minutes in length.

35. Stuff You Missed in History Class. I majored in history at Freed-Hardeman, but I still, well, I still missed a lot of, um, stuff. So, I like Stuff You Missed in History Class. Two students of history give the stories behind better known stories in a well-researched, but highly entertaining way. The podcast comes out twice on most weeks, but each show is under 30 minutes, with most being under 20. [By the way, I would like to find another history podcast to add to this one. Leave suggestions in the comments, please!]

…additionally, I cohost iPreach each week with Dale Jenkins, and (of course) I highly recommend it!

…also, I like to check on Eureka! (a restoration history podcast) and download lectures from Freed-Hardeman, Bear Valley, and Memphis School of Preaching for trips. These are free on iTunes as well.

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There you have it. What are your thoughts? What am I not listening to that I should be? Any surprises on the list?