I listen to a LOT of audio content. It has helped me get in shape, learn more about my favorite topics, and grow closer to God. I don’t expect you to listen with the veracity I do, but I can promise you that by just listening 8 hours a week will change your life. Hereare my favorites.
This American Life — Consistently number one on iTunes, PRI’s Ira Glass uses an overarching theme, entrancing music, and humor to present stories of everyday people that are funny, sad and moving.
Radiolab — Seth Godin and I agree that this is simply the best audio program ever made. Robert and Jad use sound as a paintbrush to break down the mysteries of science in everyday ways. As if the radio show wasn’t enough, they “deleted scenes” to make additional content just for the podcast. Listen to every single episode.
Catalyst — More than just a commercial for their conferences, it’s a great resource for leaders of all types. Church leaders like Andy Stanley and Erwin McManus show up regularly, as well as business leaders like Guy Kawasaki and Chris Anderson. A great resource for early adopters.
Mars Hill Bible Church / Mars Hill Church – I enjoy listening to the two young, charismatic Christian doppelgangers back to back. Rob Bell and Mark Driscoll gave their churches similar names, preach for an hour and appeal to young adults, yet have drastically different approaches to communication and theology.
North Point Ministries – I know no better communicator than Andy Stanley. He has a deep theology, yet a simple style. Great, no matter where you are in your faith walk.
Stuff You Should Know — Ever wondered How Muppets Work? How to Steal a Nuclear Bomb? How to Fake the Moon Landing? Give Chuck and Josh 15 minutes and you’ll have great ammo for the next boring cocktail party.
The Moth — Real people sharing personal stories on stage and unscripted. Hilarious, heart breaking and enriching.
Two Gomers Run a Marathon — Steven and Anthony are two dudes who have been best friends since growing up in youth group together. Fed up with the legendary lethargy, they try to do something they’ve never done: run a marathon. It is so funny I am afraid of laughing my way into oncoming cars on a run. Moreover, listening to how the deep faith and sincere friendship leads two normal dudes to do phenomenal things makes me want to accomplish more with my life, and dive deeper into my friendships.
Take a listen.
Phyllis Tickle’s The Great Emergence is a deceptively short and easy-to-read breakdown of the current state of North American Christianity. Tickle’s senior citizenship and long time experience as religion editor for Publisher’s Weekly, allows her to levitate above the fray of the modern-hyper-calvinists vs. the pomo-emergents. Her thesis is that every 500 years, Christianity has a garage sale, and we’re in the middle of one right now.
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