And the Poddy goes to...

Suddenly a commute became an opportunity to exhale, silence the concerns of my day, and indulge in a delightful combination of diversion and education.

In the quiet months after my daughter learned to drive, my commutes went from chatty times of connection to weak, repetitive mental games such as, “which lane will get me there faster,” “why didn’t I leave earlier,” and other whiney ruminations.

And then—cue sunbeams and angel choirs--I discovered podcasts.

Suddenly a commute became an opportunity to exhale, silence the concerns of my day, and indulge in a delightful combination of diversion and education.

Is it coincidence that I began to take the long road home, the one that avoids traffic and winds through nature? Eventually I figured out that podcasts also made me pedal longer on the bike, clean bathrooms more eagerly, and look forward to pulling weeds.

Today, just for fun, I offer my top ten podcasts by category and why I love them. And with apologies to all decorum, I shall call it the Poddy Awards!

Let’s get to it! My 10 favorite podcasts, by category:

NEWS AND VIEWS

My husband is right: I’d rather bury my Enneagram Nine head in the sand than enter the hostile mud-flinging war zone of hostility and agenda that poses as news today.

The problem is, removing myself from the conversation leaves only the loudest truth-twisters to “educate” the rest of us. I don’t speak up much, but when I do, I’d better be informed. I need a reliable news source with a calmer voice. And because we all gravitate toward hearing only what we want to hear, I also need a way to hear the other side of the story, whether I agree or not. This mission required more than one solution, so in this category, there are two awards.

The News and Views Poddy goes to…

1. The World and Everything in It

Finding The World and Everything In It was a huge sigh of relief. Reasonable voices capture the top news stories and deliver them tastefully and, because this is listener-supported, without ads.

What I love? Calm voices, a variety of presenters (including women), color stories, cultural commentary from a Christian worldview, and even the catchy musical breaks between segments. Because it is broken into several segments, you can listen just to the essential headlines (Biden’s new 2.3 trillion spending bill), or stay for the analysis (how much of the infrastructure bill goes to bridges and roads versus other projects). Some features are weekly, such as Monday’s Legal Docket, Washington Wednesday, and Culture Friday.

The entire 30- to 45-minute meal will include international news, field reporting, an uplifting story, and wrap up with a simple scripture verse and a blessing: “Go now, in grace and peace.”

At last, news that brings both information and hope.

Here is a link to the podcast on the day I posted this, April 8, 2021, but you'll want to find today's news.

2. 5 Things

5 Things is my “other voice,” the one that tells the same stories often from a different viewpoint. It’s quick and to the point, with literally only the top five news stories of the day, about 12 minutes total in length. It’s calm, and I'm often intrigued by the contrasting perspective on the same news stories I’ve heard on The World and Everything in It.

I like being informed about what people are talking about these days, without staying long enough in the rancor to shatter my own inner peace.

This link will get you to the April 8, 2021 podcast, but today's podcast will be a better fit.

LIFE HACKS

I wish I were one of those smarties who has it all figured out. Alas, I’m too interested in Everything to zero in on the target and choose the best way to clean out my Hot Mess room or cook chicken on a Tuesday. But did you know there are people out there whose superpower is figuring out the best way to do everything? It’s a thing in the podcast world.

And my favorite Life Hack Poddy is (drumroll)….

3. The Lazy Genius

“Be a genius about the things that matter,” Kendra Adachi tells us each time we tune in, “and lazy about the things that don’t.”

Kendra’s mind is wired to fix and shortcut and be awesome at all the things. Want to know how to create a morning routine, love people you disagree with, create closing ceremonies to mark the end of a season, or buy gifts for your kids’ teachers? Kendra will teach you how to Lazy Genius it . What I love is that in the process she freely shares the principles for Lazy Geniusing anything else that matters to you. This podcast is just plain fun, accessible, and actually really handy.

So just how do you cook chicken on a Tuesday? With Change Your Life Chicken, Episode 100!

THEOLOGY

Devotionals, sermons and Christian talk abound in the podcast space. But my inner nerd sometimes just wants to dig deep into some systematic theology or hear what smarter minds than my own are talking about. If Christianity is to be believed, my faith should not be shaped by popular opinion or the current trends, but by clarity about the ancient, abiding truth of the Bible.

In the Theology category the Poddy goes to…

4. The BibleProject Podcast

Yes, the same BibleProject that produces those wonderful short-form, animated teaching videos on themes or books of the Bible. (If you have not viewed one of these, feel free to pause right here, and watch the first one you see at https://bibleproject.com/. Great teaching, clearly and engagingly presented.)

In the BibleProject podcast you’re sitting at the table with Tim Mackey and Jon Collins, discussing Biblical themes and scriptures as they prepare for future video productions. We’re wrestling with ancient concepts, asking the hard questions, and benefitting from the knowledge of a Hebrew scholar with an understanding of ancient literary forms. These two know how to tackle what your inner voice is afraid to ask. They make the obscure clear, and somehow manage to be both deep and entertaining.

For a sample, try the series on how to read other peoples’ mail (the epistles). It starts with Episode 201, Context is Crucial, which is uncharacteristically NOT in the studio, but it's a great appetizer for the whole series.

5. Food Trucks in Babylon

This runner-up deserves a mention as well. I’m a great fan of Western Seminary in Portland (aka Babylon), and love listening in on the discussions of biblical scholars on this fledgling podcast. I recently enjoyed the one on church membership (#26, Season 1), and anything with Dr. Gerry Breshears is always a favorite (like #4, Season 1, on spiritual warfare).

“Food trucks” is a reference to the food truck culture in downtown Portland. And Babylon? Well, check out BibleProject’s podcast, What’s The Deal With Babylon?

WORK LIFE:

Because my own career is in Human Resources, I may spend more time than most thinking about work life, job contentment, and how to build a workplace culture that helps folks thrive. But for all of us, our work likely is the biggest single slice of our life pie, and therefore it’s critical to our well-being.

In this narrow category, the award is a no-brainer. The Work Life Poddy goes to…

6. WorkLife with Adam Grant

Institutional Psychologist Adam Grant says, “I study how to make work not suck.”

In his unique podcast, Grant introduces us to great thinkers and fascinating research, touching on themes that impact us daily, such as “Reinventing the Job Interview,” “The Real Reason You Procrastinate,” and “Become Friends with Your Rivals.” Somehow Grant manages to be both entertaining and deep, and I emerge from listening with my brain lit up and curious, feeling smarter and more hopeful.

This one deserves two awards—one for the engaging subject matter and another for the exquisite production work. It’s hard to choose a favorite to sample, but the March 8th podcast, Taken for Granted: Malcolm Gladwell Questions Everything, will give you a taste of the issues Adam Grant is not afraid to tackle.

SOUL FOOD

On days when my soul is frazzled, I reach for a calm voice to remind me of what is true about God. Truth informs my steps, my decisions, my attitudes, my prayers.

In the Soul Food category, the Poddy goes to….

7. The Next Right Thing

My soul heaves a contented sigh just thinking of this lovely podcast.

The quiet, soothing voice that every Tuesday calls us back to who we really are and what really matters belongs to Emily P. Freeman. Wisdom is spoken in well-chosen words in this short, 15-minute podcast, and I’m often scurrying for a pen to jot down a great quote or a question I want to ponder more fully later. Soothing though it may be, Emily’s quietly powerful words call us clearly to truth and remind us of the principles that determine our next right step. She handles scripture carefully for her wider audience, but you’ll find her principles always line up with biblical truth. And when she does include scripture, I love the way she ends with: “This is the word of the Lord. It is absolutely true, and given to us in love. Thanks be to God.”

For a sample of The Next Right Thing, try Episode 162: Is It Time To Move On? Or 154: Remember Who You Are.

PERSONALITY

I have a penchant for understanding you and me and how personality works. Why are we different? How do we bridge that gap and work together well? Where does my gifting lie, and what are my blind spots? How can I become a healthier, more self-aware version of the person God made me to be?

In the fascinating and fun exploration of Personality, the Poddy goes to….

8. Typology

Typology digs deep and finds gold. You may want an introduction to the nine types of the Enneagram before you dive into Typology. But once you have that framework in mind, Ian Cron (yes, THE Ian Cron who authored The Road Back to You with Suzanne Stabile) unpacks personality beautifully as he interviews folks whose names you might recognize, like Amy Grant or John Mark Comer. It’s a bit like listening in on a therapy session as he dialogues with them about the pain and growth points of their own personality type. In the process of learning insights, you feel like you’re making some new friends.

I also find Cron’s turn of phrase delightful. For example, in Season 4, Episode 40, The The Holderness Family Rules of Engagement and the Enneagram: “Just when I think I can nail my passion of envy as a Four, and see it,” and here Ian heaves a deep sigh, “the dang thing shows up in a new outfit. It’s like, oh my gosh, now it’s wearing a mustache and a beard!”

Good stuff; check it out. Laugh, struggle, grow.

EDUTAINMENT

In a way, all podcasts fit into this category, because they are such an easy, engaging, entertaining way to learn, all while you are doing something else. But some Poddies are meant to just plain be fun.

The Edutainment Poddy goes to…

9. That Sounds Fun

On days when I need to let heavier topics go, I default to Annie F. Downs and That Sounds Fun.

Annie brings a rich love for Jesus and a great sense of joy into this interview-style podcast. Annie will introduce you to a lot of movers and shakers, musicians, writers and thought leaders, and you’ll be surprised by what you have in common. You’ll encounter tears and passion and a desire to walk more closely with Jesus on TSF, but you’ll always, always encounter a whole lot of Annie’s throaty laughter, and you’ll be entertained and often inspired to live your life more authentically.

A recent podcast, Episode 279, with Angie Smith + Woven, is a good sample of the fast-moving, joyful nature of this podcast. And if you want an Enneagram primer before you dive into Typology (above), Annie’s EnneaSummer 2020 interviews are for sure the most fun way to learn the basics.

NIGHT TIME PODCASTS

I’m not a great sleeper, so among other tricks, I’ve leaned on some podcasts to fill in the wakeful times and hopefully walk me gently back to sleep. My very favorite is a rich and beautiful, fledgling podcast I hope you will check out.

The Night Time Poddy (and oh, that sounds SO wrong) goes to…

10. At Night: Prayers and Meditations for Peaceful Rest

Everything about these podcasts is soothing: the music in the background, the voice of Amanda Bacon, and the thoughtful way she puts well-chosen words to the reason you may be lying awake, such as “When I’m Overthinking,” or “When The Relationship Is Hard.”

After reading your mind, Amanda turns to scriptures that speak to the need of your weary or worried heart. And in the end, if you’re still awake to hear it, she tastefully wraps up by leading you in a thoughtful prayer.

I’m hopeful Amanda Bacon will keep these podcasts coming for a long time to come, so please help me barnstorm these podcasts and double her listeners! Try When I Wonder How It Will All Turn Out for starters.

. . . . . . . . . .

If you’re new to podcasts, you will likely find it easiest to listen while on the move from your smart phone, though you can listen from your computer as well. i-Phones come with a Podcast app. The Search button will help you find the podcast you have in mind, or use the Browse button to see what else is out there. Tap on an episode to listen, and click the Subscribe button to add the podcast to your Library and automatically download future episodes.

Personally, I Subscribe to put them in my Library, and then Unsubscribe so that I don’t fill all my memory with downloads. When I’m ready to indulge, I click the Library icon, choose a show, and then pick from the available episodes without permanently downloading them.

What are YOU listening to these days?

Tell us why we should give it a try in the Comments.