Tech Posts 2: Podcasts
[This is part 2 of our 3-part mini-series on tech tools I use. To see yesterday’s post, click here. It dealt with applications for my iPhone.]
A few months ago, I ran a short series about podcasts to which I listen. At the time, I was still deciding which ones I enjoyed and which I needed to end. Since then, I have really settled into a pattern, and have found a list of podcasts I keep subscriptions open to. Following is a list of the podcasts, and a very brief overview of the content.I decided to divide the podcasts up into how often they are produced, so you might better know how much time you are investing when you add a subscription. Keep in mind that you can listen to individual episodes from iTunes or the websites of nearly all these podcasts.
Monthly
1. Andy Stanley Leadership Podcast. This is Stanley’s sermons, lectures, and interviews that deal with organization. Remove the denominational terminology and look for the meat. (Duration: about 35 minutes)
Weekly
2. The Digital Marketer. The first of the Quick and Dirty Tips (Q&DT) podcasts on this list. This podcast, previously known as the Small Biz Tech Girl, deals with using internet sites and tools to promote your business. I like the reviews of sites and tools and have found many useful. (Duration: about 7 minutes)
3. ESPN First Draft. A seasonal podcast that deals with previewing and projecting the NFL draft. Mel Kiper, Jr., and Todd McShay are regulars. (Duration: about 30 minutes)
4. ESPN Play Ball with Amanda and Melissa. A spin-off from ESPN’s Fantasy Focus podcasts, these two ladies give a woman’s perspective to the world of sports. They aren’t great “radio voices,” but their interviews are usually entertaining. (Duration: about 40 minutes)
5. Get-It-Done-Guy. Another Q&DT podcast, dealing with how to organize everything to “work less and do more.” Many of the tips are very helpful. If you work in an office in any profession, this is a must-listen. (Duration: about 7 minutes)
6. Grammar Girl. Q&DT founder, Mignon Fogerty’s podcast dealing with writing tips. As one who always wants to do better with my grammar, I find GG’s podcast helpful. (Duration: about 6 minutes)
7. In the Bleachers. Right now, this podcast is not weekly, but it is most of the time. This is a podcast dealing with college football. I like it, because it is from a fan’s perspective. (Duration: about 1 hour)
8. Let My People Think. My favorite podcast by far. Ravi Zacharias’ weekly podcast of sermons. While I don’t agree with every Ravi teaches, he truly does the title of this podcast: he makes you think. As I’ve said before, Zacharias is a master illustrator. (Duration: 28 minutes)
9. Make It Green Girl. The Q&DT podcast about going green. I like it because many of the tips also save money! (Duration: about 7 minutes)
10. The Mighty Mommy. (I know, I know.) This Q&DT podcast may be for ladies, but the tips are very helpful. Also, you can get some relief knowing that you aren’t the only one dealing with parenting issues! (Duration: about 5 minutes)
11. Money Girl. One of the original Q&DT podcasts, hosted by Laura Adams. Helpful, but a little too technical at times. Still, good for simple reminders. (Duration: about 7 minutes)
12. iPreach. Of course, I listen to my own podcast!!! There has to be one subscriber out there on iTunes! Seriously, I like to listen so Dale and I can do our best to improve the podcast each week. (Duration: about 25 minutes)
13. North Point Ministries. Andy Stanley’s sermons. While I don’t like his doctrine on a lot of things, I love his ability to get a point home. Good for sermon ideas. (Duration: about 40 minutes)
14. Nutrition Diva. Want to eat better and it still taste good? Monica’s tips are usually very helpful and she has obviously done her research. This has really helped me make sure of my diet as I’ve tried to work through my recent struggles. (Duration: about 6 minutes)
15. Oxford Biographies. A reading of an entry from the Oxford Dictionary of Biography. Droll, but I like history, so I like most of these. (Duration: about 12 minutes)
16. The Public Speaker. The last (of eight) Q&DT podcasts to which I subscribe, Leisa B. Marshall’s tips are very helpful as one who prepares and delivers speeches nearly every week. While most of these tips are basic, reminders are still very good! (Duration: about 8 minutes)
17. Rolling Stone: Live from Rolling Stone (Video). This is a video podcast of an up-and-coming band singing a song. I use this, not because I like the music, but to get a glimpse of modern music. Frankly, it scares me. Since I have been subscribing, only one song has NOT been about a dire subject or loneliness! (Duration: about 3 minutes)
18. Inspiring Words of Encouragement. Zig Ziglar’s weekly podcast covering all types of material. I love Zig’s attitude and his help. My favorite types of podcasts he does are about marriage and family. (Duration: about 12 minutes)
19. Stuff from the B-Side. I used to listen to more podcasts from How Stuff Works, but this is the only one I continue to listen to. This podcast deals with the music industry and how different things come into being. Want an interesting listen? Find the episode on “Why are CDs 74 Minutes Long?” (Duration: about 15 minutes)
Two or Three Times Per Week
20. Dallas Theological Seminary Chapel. Depending on the time of year, this podcast is anything from once per week to 4 or 5 times, but it is usually about 2. I get all types of illustration material from these lessons, and have gained a few sermon ideas. (Duration: about 28 minutes)
21. ESPNU College Basketball. Andy Katz hosts this 3-times-per-week podcast, interviewing coaches, commissioners, and players from all over the world of NCAA hoops. The only drawback is that it is only an “in-season” podcast, so there is nothing to keep you up-to-date with off-season news. (Duration: about 25 minutes)
22. Focus on the Family: Dr. James Dobson on Parenting. These are classic Focus on the Family interviews broken into shorter pieces and broadcast over a few weeks. I love these because they are truly “on subject.” (Duration: about 10 minutes)
23. Focus on the Family: Dr. James Dobson on Marriage. Same as above, just a different topic. (Duration: about 10 minutes)
Five Times Per Week
24. The Dave Ramsey Show. I subscribed, unsubscribed, and started again. I have to admit that I don’t listen to every episode, but I m
ake sure I listen to Debt Free Friday’s. This is only one hour of the show, not all three. (Duration: 46 minutes…remember, no commercials!)
ake sure I listen to Debt Free Friday’s. This is only one hour of the show, not all three. (Duration: 46 minutes…remember, no commercials!)
25. Desiring God. I didn’t listen to John Piper’s podcast for a long time, but he started going through John, so I had to listen. He is currently on hiatus, so the podcast is not running right now, but if you like going really deeply into a text, you can find quite a lot of material here. (Duration: about 45 minutes)
26. Family Life Today. The best family podcast I’ve ever found. This daily radio program is the most practical there is, and covers a wide range of topics, all helping your family. (Duration: 27 minutes)
27. Grace to You. John MacArthur’s daily radio program, nearly always broadcasting one of his sermons from the past. Calvinistic, but still a lot of good ideas. (Duration: 26 minutes)
28. Insight for Living. Charles Swindoll’s daily program, also broadcasting sermons from the past. My favorites are his series, which usually last over the course of two or three weeks. (Duration: 26 minutes)
29. Insight for Living Daily Insight. A brief devotional thought, also from Swindoll. (Duration: 90 seconds, but only about 50 seconds is the devotional)
30. Just Thinking. Ravi Zacharias’ daily program, which breaks down a speech over the course of a week. Ravi is the main speaker on this program, but not the only one. (Duration: 14 minutes)
31. The Leadership Moment. John Hull, president of Equip (founded by John Maxwell), gives a brief leadership thought of the day. (Duration: 1 minute)
32. The Onion Radio News. A funny news program. Pure Onion. (Duration: 1 minute)
33. Real Family Life. A brief devotional family thought from Dennis Rainey, host of Family Life Today. (Duration: 1 minute)
34. Watching Your Wallet. One Wall Street Journal writer gives a tip of the day. (Duration: 1 minute)
No Set Schedule or Seasonal
35. Ask a Ninja. Podcasts based on the silly antics of the YouTube heroes. They only post every so often, but they are hilarious. (Duration: about 5 minutes)
36. Great Speeches in History. Just what it sounds like: audio recordings of great speeches. I wish this was on a more regular schedule. (Duration based upon speech)
37. Duke Blue Planet (Video). An irregular video podcast that takes the viewer inside the Duke Blue Devil basketball program. (Duration: about 6 minutes)
38. ESPN Fantasy Focus Baseball. I don’t even play fantasy baseball anymore, but I love the hosts of these podcasts, and it is a unique way to keep up with the sport. Matthew Berry and Nate Ravitz are the greatest! (Duration: about 30 minutes)
39. ESPN Fantasy Focus Football. The best sports podcast there is. Funny and entertaining, while still being informative. You have to listen for a while to get all the “running jokes,” but, once you get them, you’ll come back for more. (Duration: 30 minutes)
40. Yankeescast. Of course, I listen to a Yankees podcast! A look back and a look ahead format. Very simple, but very informative. (Duration: about 20 minutes)
One question I get asked often is, “How do you listen to all those? When do you have time?” There are two answers. First, I stay behind a bit. I’m not “caught up” on all the episodes of every podcast, and I don’t listen to every single episode, although I would say I listen to over 90% of them.
The other answer is that I listen to these instead of the radio. My car radio is almost never on, and, if I am in the office and doing some work where I could have the radio on in the background, I turn a podcast on and learn something!
I love this format, and it has become a great tool for education and entertainment.
What are some of your favorites?
3 Comments
Tuckerr
Loved your list…and I thought I was a podcast junkie, but I found someone who is just into it as I am.
I like Leo Laporte on the Twit Network. I think I was a techie in my former life. Cranky Geeks or anything with John C Dvorak. But I also enjoy listening to sermons. I must admit, I haven’t listened to yours though. But I shall.
Enjoyed your list.
twitter: tykerman1
mattdabbs
Great list. Thanks for sharing that.
JD
That’s a great list Adam. When Dale was down for the Meeting at Goodwood I asked him about what podcasts he was listening to because its great to hear what others are listening to. Personally, I listen to Rob Bell from Mars Hill, Jeff Walling, iPreach, and a few others. Anyway, thanks for sharing your list.