The World of Podcasts

Since several of you are constantly asking when you get in my car “what the heck is this” I’m listening to… let’s dive in.

I LOVE podcasts. Whether the commute is short or long, you get the opportunity to listen in to someone else’s take or conversation on a topic you may know nothing about – or on the contrary, get to hear a differing opinion than your own and have the necessary alone time to process and reflect on it.

For those looking for recommendations, I will break them down into a few categories and provide links below. As our world continues to transition to more digital content, I highly encourage you to consider this option in lieu of certain video platforms – or even to make the most of your walk/run instead of music to shake things up.

Faith-Based: This is easily the area I spend most of my listening, as it is of paramount importance to me that I stay in tune with the vulnerable and honest voices that dive deep into issues that concern us all.

1 – Catching Foxes. There can’t be enough said about Luke and Gomer, as their witty banter is the sort that everyone (religious or not) can listen in to and appreciate immensely. The brutal honesty, which often comes with emotional meltdowns as life throws crap at us on the daily, is a refreshing change of pace to listen to in the madness of this world. I often find myself laughing at the start of an episode, and sobbing 20 minutes later… and laughing again by the end, because these guys take you on an incredible roller coaster.

2 – The Gloria Purvis Podcast. This incredible woman has been put through a myriad of challenges as this side of media has played catch up with the rest of the world, and continues to hold her head high and tackle the toughest of topics that most would rather leave alone. The subject matter is often intense (in comparison to what others are willing to converse about), and it is so desperately needed in today’s society – because she does it from a place of pure love for all, no matter what.

3 – Saint Dymphna’s Playbook. As one who believes mental health continues to be widely ignored in our society (or rather, our society makes false claims about addressing the issue), Tommy Tighe has graciously taken the time to develop a fantastic set of episodes on the subject. Not only will he dive deep into topics that others are afraid to speak up on, but he does it in a manner that is prayerful – and I often find myself incorporating these quick bits into my daily prayer life as a way to keep the intention of mental health at the forefront of my prayers.

Humor: Because there are times when I simply need to take a break from the seriousness and let loose.

1 – Correct Opinions w/ Trey Kennedy. There is no denying that this personality has captured the hearts of many who spend too much time on social media, and he takes it a step further by exploring hysterical categories like crazy white baby names (that drive us ALL insane).

2 – AJ Presents The GR8R Good. An old college friend continues to stir the pot with Abbey alumni and on demand listeners alike by stating the pure and simple truths that we may or may not want to hear. Though I may not always agree with his statements, he did do the Lord’s work in convincing me to watch HIMYM and understand just how glorious of a television series it really was.

3 – Riled Up w/ Arielle + Matt. This darling couple takes time out of their insanely busy celebrity lifestyle (sarcasm, sort of) to tell us what really gets them fired up, and I am constantly here for it. Often poking fun at each other and their hysterical relationship, it is a breath of fresh air for many who need to simply let off some steam when it comes to an odd argument or situation encountered during the day – because these two have the willingness to go down that rabbit hole with you of verbally taking a bat to that person’s car.

Motivational / Miscellaneous: Because my interests are all over the place, and it can be hard for you to keep up.

1 – New Mindset, Who Dis?. Case Kenny was someone I stumbled across when I needed this form of inspiration the most – quick bits to get your day/week started with the right frame of mind, no matter what part of life may be bothering you at that moment. Once you get hooked on this guy, you’ll find yourself buying his journals and rocking out to his Motivational Mixtapes – and becoming a 1000% better person as a result.

2 – The Catholic Guy Show. For those who can’t listen to Lino real-time on Sirius XM, this is the next best thing. This option ends up in this category – because if you take the time to listen, you’ll realize that this crazy collection of misfits (even with the show name) doesn’t belong in any assigned category. Though Lino and Mark will often berate Tyler over his refusal to give in and convert already, the faith aspect of the topics they cover can often blend into the background as they celebrate being human… and often, the errors/mishaps that come with that blessing as a result.

3 – Everyday Liminality. I know, it is a couple of guys who wear “weird robes” and all… but no, this one still doesn’t go into the Faith-Based category either. These Franciscan brothers do an incredible job diving into the world of entertainment and really doing justice to the work that creators/writers put in to making these shows and movies what they really are. The titles can often really snag your interest too – “Field of Dreams: The Notebook For Guys” speaks to me on quite a personal level, and I feel obligated to share another favorite with you all.

Honorable Mentions: (may or may not be ones that I have appeared on in the past)

1 – Cut. Light. Connect. (yes, this is our own vlog which is different… but alas, I’m biased)

2 – NC F&B Podcast

3 – Music and Booze with Mo

If you enjoy what you find in the black hole of podcasting, please consider subscribing and supporting these cool cats and kittens in any way you can. I find myself often subscribing to Patreons and finding their live shows in hopes of connecting with fellow listeners and creating a more positive environment around us all. Who knows… if you play your cards right, you may end up convincing me to start up my own.