Below are my favorite podcasts I listened to this year and the podcasts I'm currently subscribed to.
Podcast Series
1. Blue Babies Pink by Brett Trapp (2016) - My friend Nate recommended this podcast series last fall. It's Brett's story of being a Christian yet struggling with being gay. I was really challenged by listening to it as it created a lot more empathy and understanding for those who are gay but desperately don't want to be.
2. S-Town narrated by Brian Reed (2017) - The fascinating account of John B. McLemore, genius and antique clock restorer, troubled by his self, his town and so many things in the world. Great story-telling about a very unique man.
Stand-alone Episodes (mostly):
1. LGBTQ, The Liturgists Podcast (May 19, 2015) - Along with Blue Babies Pink (above), this episode was formative for me in the way that it humanized the struggle of being gay or transgender. It is mostly interviews with current Christians who face attraction to the same sex and/or identify with another sex. I was especially moved listening to the story of a transgender person who didn't desire the identity felt and who was cast out by family and the church. (Related/Recommended - the best sermon I've heard on the topic, The Gift of Being Gendered by my pastor Matt Miller).
2. Black and White: Racism in America, The Liturgists Podcast (May 19, 2016) - Though the entire episode is a great conversation about history and current state of racism in this country, the first 20 minutes are especially powerful.
3. Match Made In Marrow, RadioLab (November 9, 2017) - Account of a bone marrow receiver meeting her donor and the civil clash of their opposing world-views.
4. Jesse, Heavyweight (November 9, 2017) - really moving story about a man run over by a car seeks out the driver to thank and forgive him.
5. White Haze, This American Life (September 17, 2017) - About a right-wing group called the Proud Boys.
6. "Busted: America's Poverty Myths" #1 - #5, On the Media (January 17, 2016) - A very challenging and interesting series that speak to our incorrect assumptions about poverty.
7. Man of the People, ReplyAll (Jan 19, 2017) - strange and truly fascinating story about Dr. John Brinkley, early 20th century huckster.
8. Emotions Part 1 & 2, Invisibilia (June 22, 2017) - A story about emotions and how they develop and play out in our lives
9. Christian Violence, The Liturgists Podcast (June 6, 2017) - Along with Shane Claiborne, this is mostly about how incompatible the death penalty is with Jesus.
10. Kevin Durant IV: Ask Kevin Anything Part 1 & 2, The Bill Simmons Podcast (August 24 & 28, 2017) - Honest and open dialogue from one of the NBA's best players.
11. Sir Richard Branson - The Billionaire Maverick of the Virgin Empire, The Tim Ferris Show (October 9, 2017) - As you can imagine, one of the richest men on the planet has led a very fascinating life. Not knowing much about him before, I came away liking him.
12. Oliver Sipple, RadioLab (September 22, 2017) - Story of a man saving the president's life and hating the attention he receives
13. The Enneagram, The Liturgists Podcast (August 23, 2016) - I've benefited a lot from better understanding the Enneagram. While not my first deep dive, this was a great walk through each of the nine types.
14. Starbucks' Howard Schultz Doesn't Sleep--But Don't Blame Coffee, Here's The Thing (September 27, 2016) - Cool perspective on the history and ethos of Starbucks and it's founder.
15. The Culture Inside, Invisibilia (June 8, 2017) - About implicit bias and our unconscious selves
16. Shots Fired: Part 1 & 2, RadioLab (March 17 &24, 2017) - Reporter searches for truth in a case of a police officer discharging his weapon in the line of duty.
17. Driverless Dilemma, RadioLab (September 26, 2017) - Discussing the famous trolley problem along with the future of driverless car technology.
18. Names, The Liturgists Podcast (August 15, 2017) - "An exploration of what names are, how they shape us, and what happens when we change more than our label can accommodate."
19. Null & Void, RadioLab (May 12, 2017) - All about the concept of jury nullification
20. Steve Erickson Saw Trumpism Coming, Here's The Thing (November 7, 2017) - About a novelist who, with this 1995 essay, American Weimar, spoke about the growing fury and polarization of the country.
Currently Subscribed To:
The Bill Simmons Podcast
The Relevant Podcast
Relevant is Doing a Sports Podcast
RadioLab
This American Life
Invisibilia
The Liturgists Podcast
WTF with Marc Maron
The Tim Ferris Show
Here's the Thing with Alec Baldwin
Any recommendations?
