I admit it – I’m addicted to podcasts. I’m not sure when it started, but I can’t stop listening!
There are so many benefits to listening to podcasts for moms, and I want to share them with you.
I’m going to give you the top 3 reasons for listening, and my favorite podcasts to listen to, in case you’re not sure where to start.
What on earth are podcasts?
First of all, if you are not familiar with podcasts, they are basically a recorded program that you can listen to on your computer or download to a mobile device and listen on the go. It’s kind of like listening to the radio, except you get to listen to EXACTLY what you want, and theres minimal or no advertisements involved.
Some shows have “sponsors” which means the host will mention the business name and some benefits of the particular company or product, but it’s very different than typical ads you hear on the radio.
How do I access podcasts?
You can access podcasts in a number of ways. One way is to simply listen directly on a website. Another way is to go into iTunes and search podcasts, or if you have an Android, you can download the Stitcher App (and I’m sure there’s others) and you can access them that way. There are thousands of podcasts to choose from out there, so if you are looking for a particular topic, you could type into google “[topic I’m looking for] podcast”.
Why should I listen?
I’m sure you are saying, “But I’m a MOM! I’m busy – how in the world am I going to find time to listen to a podcast? And why should I add to my list of things to do?” Well, I’ve got some answers for you:
Podcasts are perfect for making housework go by quickly.
Dishes. Laundry. Vacuuming. These are typically part of my daily routine – or at least every few days. And I have to admit that I don’t really enjoy doing those things. However, what I have discovered is that if I can have something to listen to or watch while I’m doing them, they go by much faster. And while binge-watching Netflix is always an option, it’s not necessarily the best option.
Enter podcasts. Grab your phone & earbuds, and you can listen to a podcast while you do any of those household tasks. Of course, if you are a stay-at-home mom like myself, you’ll likely be interrupted several times, but it still is more enjoyable for me than just listening to nothing or the random animal noises my daughter likes to make.
Podcasts are a way to develop in any area you desire.
I’m a big believer in life-long learning. I have NO desire to go back to college, but I do enjoy learning. Podcasts are a great way to learn without homework! Just choose a topic, or area you need to develop in, and I can almost guarantee there will be a podcast about it. Below you’ll see my list of favorites, but if those don’t interest you, I am sure you can find some that do!
I have found that the more I have been listening to podcasts, the more it has stirred my own thoughts about various topics. They have given me things to think about, things to implement in my everyday life, and things I want to share with others.
Podcasts are a way to hear an adult voice in the midst of your day.
Let’s face it, as moms – especially stay-at-home and homeschooling moms – we often long to have a conversation with a real person. That’s probably why Periscope became quite popular among homeschooling moms – it gave them a chance to share their thoughts with the world and get feedback. Although podcasts are not quite the same, since you’re not interacting live with the host, they do still provide another adult to listen to during your day.
If you are not a stay-at-home mom, or if you just find yourself in your vehicle a lot, shuttling kids to and from school, practices, and friends’ houses, then listening to podcasts during your drive is a great option as well. I have about a 25 minute drive every time I go to “town” do to groceries, etc, so I just connect my phone up with my bluetooth in my car, and then I have something to listen to the entire time.
Hopefully you can see the benefits of listening, so now you might be saying, “But where do I start? There are SO many choices.” Indeed, there are. And honestly, I much prefer to listen to podcasts that someone else has recommended than randomly scroll through the lists of ones available, listening to bits of them at a time until I decide if it’s worth it.
So I’ve compiled a list of a few of my favorites, with a little description of why I enjoy it.
Here’s my favorite podcasts for Christian women and moms:
{FOR MARRIAGE}
ONE Extraordinary Marriage | Sex. Love. Commitment
Yes, that’s right, this one talks about sex – quite a bit, actually. This was the first podcast I started listening to in the past year, and I honestly love it.
Tony and Alisa are very open and honest about their marriage – about the struggles they’ve had, about the challenges they have overcome, and about how they make it work on a day to day basis.
And sex – they discuss sex. I recommend starting way back at episode #1 and then moving forward from there, although you can certainly jump around based on the particular concerns you may have. However, their story will make the most sense if you listen to some of the initial episodes.
I stumbled onto this podcast after posting something on Instagram with the hashtag “staymarried”. I discovered this couple who have a great blog as well as a newer podcast – all about helping couples stay married. I really like their down-to-earth style, and the podcasts are a bit on the shorter side (at least some of them). I’m excited to continue listening, and I think this one will provide some great tips for the marriage retreat that my husband and I are planning.
{FOR MOTHERHOOD}
I just found this podcast, and I’m already in love with it. This is by a mom of boys, Heather MacFayden, and although she has 4 boys and I have one girl, I can relate to so much of what she says. I also discovered one episode that is super helpful for me at this exact moment in my parenting.
Something that Kirk Martin shared in this episode was “I’m a big fan, especially of moms, taking care of themselves… Moms, if you don’t care enough about yourself, to take care of yourself physically, emotionally and spiritually, why would anybody else care?”
This is completely in line with my philosophy. I absolutely believe that we moms MUST take care of our own needs in order to continue to be good moms. It’s just not possible for us to constantly give without every taking time to be filled up (again, I feel listening to podcasts are actually a way for me to do self-care).
Kat Lee is a blogger, and I actually found her first by listening to her blogging podcast, and then I came across her motherhood podcast. I really enjoy listening to her, because she is very down to earth, and also gives very practical and helpful tips for motherhood.
This podcast is currently on hiatus, but it’s still available to listen to the past episodes, and I highly recommend it.
This podcast is hosted by my friend, NJ Rogner, and it’s designed specifically for, you guessed it: working Christian moms! She interviews a variety of women who share their stories of being moms who also work full time or part time or who have their own business. It’s a great encouragement for any mom who either wants to work or has to work.
You can listen to NJ interview me on the podcast here.
TILT Parenting: Raising Differently Wired Kids
If you are a mom to a differently wired kid, this podcast is for you. You’ll learn about raising kids with learning differences, gifted and twice-exceptional kids, ADHD, and more. The host is kind, thoughtful, and a mom to a differently wired kid herself.
{FOR LEADERSHIP & PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT}
The Carey Nieuwhof Leadership Podcast
When it comes to leadership podcasts for church and business life, this one is definitely a fave! I love Carey’s interviewing style, which focuses on the guest but also provides powerful insights and meaningful questions along the way. This podcast is great for church leaders, as Carey does interview a lot of pastors and ministry leaders. However there are lessons that can be applied for all aspects of life, and he does interview business leaders as well.
Listen to episode 216 where I was able to be a guest as part of Carey’s book launch team!
This podcast provides tales of leadership and life from Jo Saxton and Pastor Steph. If you are involved in ministry or church life at all, this podcast is an excellent choice to develop personally and in your faith.
Craig Groeschel Leadership Podcast
This is a monthly podcast hosted by Life Church Pastor Craig Groeschel. The content he provides is top notch, always worth listening to. There is no fluff; Craig gets right to the point, and it always is practical and actionable advice.
Lead to Win with Michael Hyatt
If you haven’t heard of Michael Hyatt, he is a former CEO turned full-time blogger. He also has this great podcast where he shares some really incredible wisdom about life. He touches on a variety of topics, ranging from marriage to business to dealing with suffering. He is a Christian, but his podcasts are not overly “preachy”, and I believe anyone can benefit from hearing this podcast.
This podcast is great for any mom who wants to be more productive. While it’s not geared specifically to moms, I think we can all gain something from it. The host, Laura McClellan, is great at providing valuable information about organizing, developing healthy work habits, and task management. This is perfect for a mom who also works from home or works outside of the home.
No list of podcasts would be complete, in my opinion, without including Chalene Johnson. She has 2 podcasts, but I’m only including this one in my list since her other podcast is more geared towards business. I absolutely love listening to Chalene, because she is matter of fact, honest, and provides great value.
She is always sharing practical tips that you can implement in your daily routine to improve various aspects of your life. Whether it’s fitness tips, weight loss, building confidence, or goal setting, she covers it all. If you are ever in a funk, just not feeling energy or enthusiasm for life, take a listen to Chalene, and your outlook will probably change.
The Christian Woman Leadership Podcast
This podcast is hosted by yours truly and my co-host, Holly Cain. We provide resources, encouragement, and inspiration for Christian women leading in ministry or business. We interview incredible women who are leaders in their churches, communities, workplaces, and homes.
We know that there are some unique challenges women face as leaders, and we attempt to tackle these issues and provide you with tools to help you embrace your gifts and lead with confidence.
{FOR Faith & MINISTRY}
Hosted by my friend Merritt Onsa, this podcast is all about pursuing your God-shaped dream. Merritt thoughtfully interviews women who are pursuing or living out their dream, and she also shares solo episodes designed to encourage you in the journey. What I love about this podcast is that it is solidly Biblical, thought-provoking, and inspiring.
This podcast is hosted by Elisa Pulliam, a wonderful friend that I met online but has since become a friend “in real life”. The podcast focuses on giving you a fresh encounter with God and his word. You’ll hear Biblical principles and practical ways to live out your faith in your everyday life.
Alisa’s podcast is all about apologetics, theology, culture, and more. It’s quickly become one of my favorites. I absolutely love Alisa’s style and her solo episodes are my favorites. While she does interview some great guests, I enjoy her teaching episodes the most, as she does a great job of making sometimes tough and complicated subjects easy to understand.
If you are a pastor’s wife, this podcast is for you! Jacque Garner does a mix of interviews with other pastor’s wives as well as solo episodes providing tips and teaching on living the pastor wife life. She is down to earth, funny, and a total sweetheart.
Listen to episode 50 where Jacque interviews me about being a pastor’s wife!
Do you struggle with making decisions? Are you a chronic over thinker (hand raised over here)? This podcast by Emily P. Freeman provides you with practical and faith-based advice on how to slow down and discern your next right thing in love. This is a solo podcast, and Emily tells stories and shares her thoughts in her calm, peaceful voice.
It’s no secret that I’m a fan of Jennie Allen, founder of IF: Gathering, and this podcast is hosted by her. Jennie interviews various people who are involved in ministry on some level. Some of the people she talks to are Christine Caine, Lysa TerKeurst, and Bob Goff. The podcasts give encouragement, inspiration, and guidance for women in particular. As a pastor’s wife and leader of a women’s small group, I find these podcasts very beneficial.
In particular, I really enjoyed the most recent episodes of “Presence Series”, which is from the Catalyst conference. My favorite was Quieting the Voices: Shutting out the Noisy World. It was incredibly powerful to hear the stories of women who are actively serving in their church communities as well as facing very difficult challenges.
Note: it does not look like this podcast is being updated, but I’m leaving the link as there are a few episodes you may want to check out.
This is a podcast put on by Lifeway Women. Mary Margaret Collingsworth interviews various women who are marked by a hunger for God. They discuss various aspects of living out your God-given calling in your life. I really enjoyed this episode with Angie Smith. After having done the Seamless Bible study by Angie Smith, it was really encouraging to hear her share about some of the situations she has faced as a mom, author, and follower of Jesus.
Developing the habit of listening to podcasts can have many benefits for your personal wellness as a mom. I have found this habit to be inspiring and motivating to me, and I’m always learning something new. You can start new habits anytime, and I hope you will consider creating a habit of listening to podcasts.
Please comment below and let me know If you listen to podcasts already, what are some of your favorites OR If you haven’t listened but are going to try it out, tell me which one you’re going to check out first and why!
Thanks for this list! My husband loves podcasts, I’ve wanted to listen to more of them, I just haven’t taken the time to sort through them all. If your looking for a good App to listen to them on. Pocket Cast is a great one. It is one you pay for (one time purchase) It’s the one my hubby prefers and he listens to A LOT of podcast.
You’re welcome! I hope you’re able to try out some of these and let me know what you think of them. Thanks for the suggestion on the app – I will check it out!
I like how you have broken this down and made it accessible for the newbies like Me. This sounds like exactly what I need.I’m tired of listening to some of the less inspiring news of 2015 and looking for a new spin on things. I will start with God centered mom because that’s what I’m striving to be.
Thank you for sharing this Esther!! I love podcasts and you have shared a few I didn’t know.
For marriage, my favorite is from http://www.onlyyouforever.com Caleb and Verlynda are amazing and have helped Ryan and And in a really tough season last year. Check them out!
You’re welcome Ana! So glad it was helpful 🙂 I will definitely check out that podcast too! I love finding new ones to listen to, and personal recommendations are the best.
Even as a busy mother, I now realize that I should be listening to encouraging podcasts since you mentioned that they are perfect for making housework go by quickly which could help me do my tasks without stressing over it. Because you said that they are a way to develop in any area I desire, an inspirational podcast can help me become a better mother and wife to my family. I do agree that listening to these can be a way to hear an adult voice in the midst of my day as you stated which can really motivate me to see the best things in life and become an inspiration to my children so I’ll look for some and listen to ones I’ll find soon.