my favorite podcasts.

I’m having so much fun with podcasts these days!

I sort of dabbled in listening to them last year, then took a break for awhile, and now I’m back full-force. I think it just took me some time to find out what I do and don’t enjoy. Your tastes may be completely different from mine, but I thought I’d take a few minutes to share the podcasts I’m listening to these days in case you want to check them out. Or, better yet, in case just the idea of listening to podcasts inspires you to go out and find some that you love.

But a couple of things before I do that:

Firstly, when do I listen? I started by listening to podcast episodes only when I went running (which, realistically, is just 2-3 times a week). But lately I realized they are perfect for those nights at, oh, about 8:00, when the kids are all in bed, and I’m lying prone on the couch, too exhausted even to pick up a book. I just snuggle under a quilt, and turn on a podcast episode (or three). Sometimes I’ll listen to an episode during our quiet afternoon rest time too.

I also began turning them on when I’m by myself in the car, rather than reaching for the radio, and I’m so much more interested and energized by that than mindless pop music (although I freely admit that sometimes mindless pop music is fun too).

Another note: I recently downloaded the Overcast app for my phone, and for whatever reason, I much prefer to use that for podcast episodes than the app that came with the phone.

And finally, I’ve found that there’s a secret to successful podcast listening (at least for me): Do not play the comparison game!

Seriously, you guys: the great thing about podcasts is that I hear conversations with all kinds of very interesting people. People I admire! People I want to learn from!

But the flip side of that is that sometimes I start comparing myself to those people, seeing where I fall short, and entering a cycle of guilt and despair. Sometimes I even need to take a break from podcasts.

But seriously. This is ridiculous.

I’m discovering that learning to truly enjoy podcasts is an exercise in realizing that it isn’t always about me. Learning about someone else’s strengths and successes does not turn a highlight onto my weaknesses and failures. It’s just a way to enjoy all kinds of different people and celebrate their stories, and also to discern what ideas I can try for myself and which I can let go. Does that make sense? It’s actually a liberating habit to develop. I truly hope that in this way, podcast-enjoying will make me a more mature person.

Ok, here’s my current line-up. I never get all caught up with my subscriptions, but that’s fun for me — I like having different shows to choose from depending on my mood.

 

-Read Aloud Revival

If you’re a parent or teacher or anyone who spends time with kids, may I highly recommend the Read-Aloud Revival Podcast with Sarah Mackenzie? Of this entire list, it’s the very last that I’d give up, because it has had such a wonderful influence on me as a parent. The tagline is “Helping you build your family culture around books,” and you’d think that for a big reader like me, that would be natural.

Well, I’m discovering through the podcast that anyone can use inspiration, even in areas they love. Sarah Mackenzie interviews so many fun and wise people, who encourage me to read great books and to read great books to my kids. Not at all in a high-pressure, hours-a-day way; in a simple, fun way. It’s also responsible for getting us hooked on audiobooks, which I’ll write about soon. I love it!

 

-The Sorta Awesome Show

Ok, the Sorta Awesome Show is a new podcast for me — I’ve only listened to one episode. But it feels like just plain fun. Chatty and entertaining, with interesting hosts who talk about the entertainment industry, books, online relationships, and personality types.

 

-Homeschool Snapshots

Homeschool Snapshots is a great podcast for homeschoolers. I’m always curious to know how other people homeschool — which philosophies they use, curriculum, daily routine, what caused them to decide to homeschool in the first place. And Pam Barnhill asks such great questions to spark conversation with these folks. Many of her interviews are with families who have been homeschooling much longer than us, and I love gleaning from their wisdom. My favorite episode so far is her interview with Susan Wise Bauer.

 

-Your Morning Basket

Your Morning Basket is another Pam Barnhill podcast, specifically about a homeschool practice called “Morning Time.” I’ve wanted to implement Morning Time into our school day for over a year, but it wasn’t until I began listening to this podcast, that I got the practical ideas I need to make it work for our family. I think there’s great value in listening to the practices of lots of different people so that I can pick and choose what works for us. I’ll elaborate on our morning time (which we call our “Morning Meeting”) soon, but it has breathed so much life and joy into our day together. We love it!

I’d like to take a brief minute for a tangent here: if you’re a new homeschooling mom and feeling in need of a mentor, please consider listening to podcasts! It’s like suddenly finding yourself with a plethora of mentors of all different kinds and ages. And go at your own pace — if you find yourself on information-overload, take a break for a bit, implement some things, and come back later when you need more ideas.

I’m growing so much in areas ranging from homeschooling a large family to planning out our year to figuring out what philosophies I gravitate toward, just by listening to great conversations. Yesterday I stumbled upon a gold mine: this list of Sarah Mackenzie’s favorite home school talks/podcasts. I can’t wait to get started with it.

 

-The Simple Show

The Simple Show with Tsh Oxenreider was the first podcast I ever listened to. I’ve long followed her blog, The Art of Simple, and have always been interested in her family because they’ve lived overseas at different times, and even spent last year traveling around the world. She interviews all kinds of people who are living intentionally in interesting ways — and often in interesting places!

 

-What Should I Read Next?

Ahhh, I may have saved the best for last. This is such a fun new show, with my long-time book hero, Anne Bogel, of Modern Mrs. Darcy. Can I just say that she has a perfect radio voice and personality? And she’s just so clever! So here’s what the podcast is about: Anne invites a guest on the show and asks them questions about their reading habits: What are three books you love? What’s one book you hate? What are you currently reading? And, Is there anything you’d like to change about your reading life? And then she works her magic to come up with a list of book recommendations for the guest. But of course in the process they have an awesome and entertaining conversation.

It’s literary matchmaking! And her guests often describe their talk with Anne as “book therapy.” This is probably my very favorite podcast to listen to, and I often find myself grinning for an entire episode. Book people are just so fun!

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So there you have it, friends. One of my favorite new hobbies. And it’s free!

Happy Thursday!