What Are Your Favorite Podcasts?
In just a few short weeks, I’ll begin my new position at The Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia. And…I…am…completely…and…totally…thrilled!
When folks ask me about the job, they almost always ask, first, about the start date and then, second, about the commute. When I tell them it’s an hour drive door-to-door (with good traffic!), they almost immediately ask what I’m going to do with the time and I just as quickly answer, “Thank goodness for podcasts!”
And it’s true. I love listening to podcasts. While many have commented that we’re in a new golden age of television – and I totally agree – I also think we’re in a new golden age of radio. And just as we wouldn’t have predicted that multiple cable channels, on-demand features, and immersive programming would rejuvenate television, nor would we have ever predicted that podcasts and the internet would rekindle radio. But it has and those of us with commutes are grateful.
After rehearsing this much of the conversation with folks, they usually next ask me what podcasts I particularly enjoy. And I make no claim to uniqueness when I say that my top three go-to podcasts are Radio Lab, This American Life, and Freakonomics. After that comes Wait, Wait, Don’t Tell Me, On Being, and the TED Radio Hour. After that comes Stuff You Should Know, Snap Judgment, and Philosophy Bytes.
While I could give you reasons for my preferences, I’d be more interested in hearing what some of your favorites are and why because, let’s face it, I’m going to be listening to a lot of podcasts over the next few years! Thanks for sharing your favorites, and have a great weekend!
Judge John Hodgman! It’s incredibly thoughtful but also incredibly funny– Hodgman approaches seemingly trivial relationship disagreements with a careful and insightful approach, masterfully walking the line between taking people’s problems seriously and helping them remember to not take themselves too seriously. The recent “Hunter-Gaveler” episode was my introduction the podcast, and is a great example of the podcast at its very best.
I agree! Judge John Hodgman is excellent!
My favorites are Pray as you go, nice 10-13 minute reflection on a particular scripture reading of the day.
I also like to listen to Divine Office IF you pray any part of the Liturgy of the Hours, the different parts of the Liturgy of the Hours are available and lastly for the longer commutes if you want some substantive theology Boston College puts out Boston College C21 Center. Covers a variety of topics and speakers.
Science Friday, along with Ted Talks and On Being.
David, You’ve named my top three already. I love Pray-as-you-go. Wonderful daily scripture reflection, variety of music selections and british accents to die for. Good luck in Philly
Ted Talks, the Moth, and Working Preacher are three of my regular podcasts. I miss you on Working Preacher, though I noticed that you are on this week’s episode. Have you ever considered creating a new podcast in your new position? I do like the conversation format of WP.
I forgot one more-Garrison Kieler’s reports from Lake Wobegon on A Prairie Home Companion.
In addition to podcasts, I often listen to On Line Courses, particularly the ones offered by Yale University — they’re free!
I enjoy NPR’s Pop Culture Happy Hour, which comes out each Friday. It provides smart conversation about a variety of topics, and it often makes me laugh out loud. While it is not specifically about anything theological or spiritual, I find that it nurtures the creative parts of my brain that help me “do theology” in daily life.
Check out our Podcast Easter People. We try and do a faith version on Pop Culture Happy Hour. The Podcast is Centered out of Virginia Theological Seminary.
David-
I go through an amazing amount of podcasts and audiobooks each year. I too love Radiolab, Snap Judgement, the Moth, and of course Sermon Brainwave. I’m guessing that Writer’s Almanac is in your repertoire already, and I look forward to the News from Lake Wobegon each week. I like the Dinner Party Download & Studio 360 as well.
Dear David,
First of all, let me say that I hope you will be able to continue your devotional website …in the Meantime after you begin your work at Philadelphia seminary.
I get a lot of value from listening to Humankind on my XM radio and I learn a lot about the world around me by listening to Only a Game. I enjoy all of the podcasts you mentioned above as well.
I know that you and the faculty, staff, and students at Philadelphia will enjoy working together. They are so blessed to have you. God empower and bless you in your new vocation!
P.S. It was good to have you at our Virginia Synod assembly!
How about Day1, the weekly ecumenical radio program you’ve preached on a few times? 🙂
Check out http://day1.org, and click on the link to the iTunes podcast.
Praying for you in your exciting new role! Hopefully you’ll come back and preach on Day1 sometime once you’ve settled in!
I love love love Thrilling Adventure Hour, Pop Culture Happy Hour, and Ask Me Another. I also listen to the Nerdist Writers Panel and Slate Culture Gab Fest very regularly.
On the faith side, Pray-as-you-go is indispensable in my prayer life on commute days. And, as Randall said, we’d be honored if you checked out Easter People.
Dear
You may be aware that a recent post of yours was published on LivingLutheran. I really appreciated what you had to say, and mentioned it in in a comment to a The Lutheran column by editor Dan Lehmann.
See http://www.thelutheran.org/article/article.cfm?article_id=12107
Bruce Roberts
To the Best of our Knowledge (TTBOOK) out of Wisconsin Public Radio is great. You can download their current and archive either from their own site or off of itunes.