I’m maybe a little bit addicted to listening to podcasts. Last fall I jumped on the wagon with everyone else in the world to follow Adnan Syed’s story on Serial; but even though it ended months ago, I’m hooked on the podcast trend. I listen when I’m doing chores around the house, at the gym, while taking a walk with Nora, in the car, etc. etc. etc. In fact, almost any time I’m “alone” lately, I have a podcast (or audiobook) on. In the last eight months or so, I have listened to A LOT of different shows, but these are my favorites to date.
MY TOP THREE:
The Happy Hour with Jamie Ivey
This really is like having coffee (or wine) with a close girlfriend. Each week, Jamie interviews one of her friends about what God is doing in her life, but also about what show she is binge-watching on Netflix, what she’s reading, what parenting challenges she is facing lately, and more. This is the podcast I listen to as soon as it is released every week and often text with my own friends afterward about the episode. It makes me laugh and really think about some harder topics. I love it!
Recent Favorites – Emily Lex of Jones Design Co. Part 1 & Part 2 and Jess Connolly (I love what she has to say about her struggles with body image!)
Jess Lively has dedicated her whole life to intentional living and even managed to make a career out of it through blogging, podcasting, consulting, and running an online workshop titled “Life with Intention.” Each week on the show she interviews guests about a different topic (health, entrepreneurship, blogging, simplifying, organizing, exercise, writing, balance, parenting, fashion, etc.) through the framework of being your best self. It’s super inspiring and always motivates and encourages me to get more out of my own life. Plus, as a bonus, it introduces me to lots of awesome people on the web!
Recent Favorites – Better Than Before: Mastering Habits Based on Your Personality with Gretchen Rubin (I requested her book at the library immediately after listening to this and have since started reading it!) Also, just last night I listened to the latest episode: Behind the Scenes of The Royal We with Heather Cocks and Jessica Morgan and enjoyed it so much too. The Royal We is now, absolutely, on my “to read” list as well.
This is a fairly new find for me, but I’m really liking it! The hostesses – Sarah Powers and Meagan Francis – have eight kids between them (ages 2 – 17) and, like two close girlfriends, chat each week about hot topics and every day life in the trenches of motherhood. I don’t usually like shows that feature the same person/people every week, but this is an exception. Sarah and Meagan have a dynamic candor between them and easily keep my attention. They also talk about things that are relevant to my life and simultaneously make me laugh, nod, and think. It’s really an hour I look forward to every week.
Recent Favorites – We Hate Fun! (Okay, Not ALL Fun) and Two White Moms Talk Awkwardly about Race
*They also have a great “tutorial” on how to listen to podcasts on your phone right here. Definitely check it out if you are wanting to join this craze and aren’t sure how.
OTHERS I LOVE:
On Faith, Womanhood, and Motherhood —
Sarah R. Bagley (listen to my interview from February here)
On Blogging/Business —
How They Blog (this one is on hiatus right now, but the archives are fantastic)
For Kids — (Sam loves listening to these while he is falling asleep or in the car. I do too.)
So, that’s what’s on my feed these days… What am I missing?!?!? What’s your favorite podcast? When do you listen?
Have a great weekend! We’re having Sam’s birthday party tonight and a relaxing/hopefully productive weekend ahead. See you on Monday!
E
I love Sorta Awesome! I haven’t listened to any of The Happy Hour with Jamie Ivey, but it sounds like it might be a similar concept and tone.
Thank you so much for sharing The Lively Show! It’s wonderful to hear you are enjoying it so far and getting so much out of the episodes with Gretchen, Heather, and Jessica in particular. : )
I also hope you LOVE The Royal We as much as I did!!!
Love,
Jess!
I’ve been loving the Influence podcast and The Lively Show! I also loved the Lively episode with Gretchen. So interesting! I also like the Make It Happen podcast by Jenny Purr and Girls Gone WOD a fitness podcast.
I love scrolling through Marc Maron’s podcast WTF guests and I’m rarely disappointed. Recent interviews with Jim Gaffigan, Terry Gross and President Obama were great. The Grantland podcasts are pretty good, but my favorite is the pop culture Do You Like Prince Movies. I started it because of the name, but I’ve stuck with it because it’s pretty great.
I also LOVED the Royal We. I think you’ll really like it. The Fug Girls really did their research and created a great story.
Oh my gosh, I love Jamie Ivey and The Longest Shortest Time. I’ve also been really into The Sporkful (when I’m sans-kid, because there is some language sometimes). I just made a list of some of your other recommendations to check out – thanks!
Can we PLEASE hang out when you come to DC? I feel like we’d have so much to talk about – as in my new addiction to Podcasts, specifically the Happy Hour, as well! I’m so glad you listed your faves because now that I’m on the bandwagon, I want to fill all my time and need some others. I’ve even been thinking about starting my own, though with the ones you listed, I’ll probably realize my topics are already taken! I’ve also started listening to Big Mama & Boo Mama (Melanie Shankle and Sophie Hudson)’s podcast. They mostly ramble about nothing, but their southern accents and phrases have me laughing out loud through the whole thing!
I love Sorta Awesome and The Big Boo Cast too. Inspired to Action by Kat Lee is also really good. Tsh Oxenrider just started a new podcast to replace The Art of Simple. I can’t remember the new name but if it is as good as her old one I’m subscribing for sure.
Thanks for filling us in on these! I have started listening and loving podcasts. Especially when I’m in the car or exercising. I love The Big Boo Cast (Melanie Shankle and Sophie Hudson). It’s so light hearted and hilarious. Sometimes I feel like I’m in the room with them just chatting away haha!!!
I’m a long time reader (via Erika at Something Beautiful), but never comment 🙂 I LOVE all of these recommendations and have been working my way through them. I was listening to a new episode of The Mom Hour tonight and they totally mentioned your blog and this post! so basically, you’re famous! 🙂
I’m sure you know this, but you got a shout-out on The Mom Hour! I was listening and I was like, ” EEEEEEK! I know her!” 🙂 Hope all is well – Nora and Sam are too cute for words!