Hellobee

One thing that I have discovered in my first few years as a SAHM is my love of podcasts. A podcast reminds me of an audio version of a blog. You can subscribe to those that interest you, and new episodes are usually available on a regular basis. They often feature more conversational content, and many are done by a host who interviews other experts on the subject that is the focus. You can subscribe to these through iTunes, or if you are an Android user there are many free players that can be downloaded (I use one called Pocket Casts and it is pretty user friendly!).

I first began listening to podcasts of church messages that I missed, but later discovered that there was a whole world of other subject matter that is also available to listen to. I have found that these help a lot to keep my mind active during long walks with the stroller, and now I listen to these while I am cleaning, cooking, and driving. Sometimes even turn them on in the background when I am playing outside with Little Lion.

One of the best parts of finding this new media is that you can go back and listen to all of the archived episodes, as well as keeping up with the new ones. I find myself binge listening to content, much like I would binge watch shows on Netflix! As podcasts are becoming more and more popular, the variety of what is available is growing.

Below I have linked to the ones that I listen to on a regular basis! At the websites you can find more information about each, and you can also find them by searching for the name of the podcast through the search feature of the app you plan to listen through.

1. Life Listened Network – This is a collection of shows put together by Meagan Francis, the author of The Happiest Home blog. The shows include The Home Hour, The Mom Hour, The Style Hour, and The Write-at-Home Moms Hour. I love the entire series of shows! The hosts are relatable and are many years into their parenting journey. I find it to be a really helpful perspective, since I am still in the trenches of the infant/toddler years, to hear about what life might look like a little further down the road.

2. The Jillian Michaels Show – This show focuses on health and wellness. Jillian and her co-hosts are quirky and conversational, and it often feels like you are sitting around listening to good friends chat.

3. The Nutrition Diva – This is a very short podcast, but she covers a huge variety of nutrition-related topics, often explaining the research behind a lot of trends that tend to appear in the nutrition world. She takes a very moderate approach to nutrition, and I find her responses to be well researched and trustworthy. There is also a full text transcript of each of her shows on her website, so you can go back and read the information in text form if you want to learn more later. She includes links to her sources of research in her show notes as well. I have learned a lot from this one!

4. Serial – This podcast is a little different. It tells a true life story, and each episode reveals a little bit more. If you haven’t already heard this one, I would highly recommend not starting it until you can binge listen! I listened to all 12 episodes in 2 days! It was the equivalent of a book you just can’t put down, except that you can still carry on with your life while listening (something you can’t do with a book in your hand!).

5. This American Life – I just discovered this podcast recently and have only heard a couple episodes, but I am hooked. The host chooses a topic for each show and then explores several real life stories that fit the topic. I am a huge fan of memoirs, so I love listening to the stories of people’s lives.

6. North Point Community Church – This podcast features the messages from a large non-denominational Christian church based in and around Atlanta, Georgia. I find the messages to be very well delivered and based in scripture, but also very applicable to real life. This church is similar to my own, but I sometimes I enjoy listening to additional messages throughout the week and I really love these.

Do you listen to podcasts? If you have one you love, please share! I would love to add to my subscription list!