My Top 10 Favorite Podcasts (Right Now)
A few weeks ago, I shared with you 10 of my favorite blogs. Today, I’d like to share 10 of my favorite podcasts. It was tough to create a real “Top 10” for these, so they’re not in order of most- to least-favorite (or vice versa), but I really don’t think you can go wrong with any of them.
The “Top 10”
- Tales from the Mouse House – One of my favorite Disneyland podcasts. People say to “put your money where your mouth is”, and I did, by becoming the sponsor. They share “hidden treasures”, food & attraction reviews, and their thoughts on what makes Disney awesome. Focused almost entirely on the Disneyland Resort and how to get the most enjoyment out of your visit, there was no way I could not put them on the list. {RSS, iTunes}
- WEDWay Radio – I love Disney history, and nobody covers it like Matt & Nate Parrish. They invest the time and effort to produce a quality podcast with thoroughly researched information, and you can tell they do it because they love it. {RSS, iTunes}
- Faith, Hope, and Nerds – I only recently discovered this podcast, hosted by two guys who originally started with a Disneyland podcast (they still talk Disney from time to time), and it’s quickly becoming one of my favorites. Their About page describes the show better than I can. “Faith, Hope & Nerds is a weekly Christian Podcast featuring the real life questions, stories and answers from two Christians wanting to understand who God is and why He’s so interested in us. In short, Faith, Hope & Nerds is like a small group, only weirder and with less Ranch dip.” {iTunes}
- Take Him with You – Similar in concept to Faith, Hope & Nerds, but with less Disney, more general geekiness, and more experience. Along with the peek insight the family life of the couple that host it, they also tackle a “big subject” about the Bible and/or faith. They are passionate about showing people that Christianity isn’t about following rules or being “spiritual” (in a condescending way), it’s about a real relationship with a real God. {RSS, iTunes}
- Straight Thinking – I mentioned Ken Samples in my Top 10 blogs, and he makes this list too, as the host of this podcast. Straight thinking “Highlights the importance of the life of the Christian mind and evaluates critical issues in light of the historic Christian worldview,” Sometimes they cover some big or deep subjects, but in a way that makes me think but never goes over my head. {RSS, iTunes}
- I Didn’t Know That – Also from Reasons to Believe, this is an “unscripted” show where two or three members of the RtB staff/scholar team answer questions sent in by listeners. The scholars answer off-the-cuff, as they don’t get to see the questions ahead of time, which makes it even more engaging and interesting than it might be otherwise, as we get to hear them think their way through questions. Speaking of the questions, they are wide ranging and sent in by kids and adults alike. If you’ve ever had questions about the Bible & science, apologetics, etc., this is for you. {RSS, iTunes}
- Living on the Edge– Practical messages to “help Christians really live like Christians.” I love that the episodes are relatively short (around 30 minutes) and easily understandable, while never watering down the Gospel. {RSS, iTunes}
- This is Your Life – Michael Hyatt’s podcast. As the former head of Thomas Nelson Publishers and a highly respected author and speaker, Michael gives great insight and suggestions into personal development, leadership, productivity, publishing, and building your platform. A must-listen for authors and speakers (and those who aspire to be). {iTunes}
- Grammar Girl’s Quick and Dirty Tips – I’m a grammar nerd, and this weekly 10-minute or so podcast addresses a different grammar issue each time. Some of them I’m glad to hear because I see people make that particular mistake all the time, and others I’m glad to hear because it answers a question I have or teaches me something I didn’t know I didn’t know. For the record, that last sentence is grammatically correct. {RSS, iTunes}
- Freakonomics Radio – I’m also an information junkie, and the more unusual or unexpected the application of that information the better, as long as it’s actually being used to ultimately answer a practical question or solve a problem. Freakonomics does just that, tackling an unbelievable variety of issues from the perspective of economists. It’s entertaining and challenges my thinking. {RSS, iTunes}
Honorable Mentions
The only reason these aren’t in the list above is that I made myself stop at 10 and I reached that many before I got this far in my list. They’re still highly worth your time.
- Anomaly – The feminine perspective on “all things geek.” Since I’m not a woman, this gives me a great insight and greater appreciation of things in “geek culture”. They’re fun to listen to, excited, passionate, and knowledgeable about their subject matter, and they use an awesome song for their theme.
- PassPorter Moms Podcast – Disney travel advice, tips, fun, and great interviews from Jennifer and Sara, the two ladies behind the PassPorter weekly newsletter and the PassPorter travelguide/planner/organizer/keepsake for the Disney Parks, Disney Cruise Line, and more.
- Introvert Entrepeneur – Two words you may never have expected to see together, but they really aren’t mutually exclusive. Beth Buelow interviews some great guests and they talk about how introversion is misunderstood, how introverts can use their unique strengths in the marketplace, and more. My favorite part? The question she asks every guest at the end.
- Discover Vineyard Worship – A great way to get introduced to new worship music or learn more about some of your favorite worship songs, this bi-monthly podcast shines a light on new songs emerging from within the Vineyard Churches in the US and abroad. It also includes a pdf chord sheet of the featured song.
- EntreLeadership – Lessons from Dave Ramsey on business, team building and leadership. Each podcast features expert guests like Simon Sinek, Dan Cathy, Chris Guillebeau, key leaders from Dave’s company, and of course, Dave Ramsey himself. To be very honest, this one might have made my top 10, but the end always seems to self-congratulatory for me.
I could have listed many others that I like (if I don’t like them, I don’t listen), but these are my top choices right now. I hope you discover some new ones yourself from this list!
Question: What is one of your favorite podcasts and why? Talk about it in the comments below, or on our Facebook page.
Randy Crane is passionate about helping Christians, especially those with a Disney affinity, to discover and connect to their GOD-GIVEN PURPOSE AND VALUE, to build their lives to achieve TRUE SUCCESS AND MEANING, and to POSITIVELY IMPACT their world. For more than two decades, Randy has been leading individuals and teams into a greater joy and child-like appreciation of the world around them, equipping them to reach beyond what they have previously experienced and build a God-given identity and purpose. Ready to experience that for yourself? Tell us where to send SIX free videos all created to help answer the 3 questions you need to experience PEACE, FREEDOM, and PURPOSE!