day 8: podcasts.
I’ve found a way to use media to inspire me toward a life of purposeful simplicity, and that’s by listening to podcasts. I’ve never enjoyed audio books because I’m a visual learner and need to see the words to get inside a story. But somehow podcasts are different because most of the ones I listen to are conversations.
If you think about it, social media and TV, while fun and entertaining, seem to always provide us with life examples we shouldn’t follow – whether it’s advertising or celebrity drama or poor choices made by our favorite TV characters. I think that’s okay in small doses. But the podcasts I’ve found actually inspire me to be the kind of person I want to be.
The conversations and talks I listen to help me live purposefully. They challenge me and encourage my creativity. I’m learning about frugal living, travel, reading, writing, homeschooling, and creating. Sometimes they’re just fun, like this movie review. You can listen online, but recently I started subscribing to certain podcasts on iTunes that download automatically to my phone. All the podcasts I listen to are free!
I listen when I’m exercising, which has the added benefit of helping me enjoy exercising. I look forward to that quiet half hour when I’m jogging or walking and can listen to a show. Sometimes I listen while the kids have their room time in the afternoon.
Even if it sounds dull, I encourage you to give podcasts a try. I’ve just barely scratched the surface and have so many more to discover. What are hobbies or character traits or personalities that interest you? Find podcasts about them. You will get to “meet” so many colorful people.
Below is a list of podcasts that I enjoy. If you have any that you like, please let me know!
One Comment
Heather Waugh
What a wonderful idea! I have liked podcasts in the past, but haven’t made a habit of listening to them–usually because when I want to, I realize that I’m away from wifi and one would take too long to download. But before I went to the gym today, I downloaded quite a few and listened to one about beauty from Life in Grace. So good, and it helped me enjoy my workout so much more! Thanks for the great recommendations.