Favorite Podcasts

 Recently I was talking with some blogger friends about our favorite podcasts, and so I thought it would be fun to share some of my go to ones with you! Podcasts are great to listen to when getting ready in the morning and even when working out. 

|| Crime/Mystery ||

SERIAL

Description: Serial is a new podcast from the creators of This American Life, hosted by Sarah Koenig. Serial unfolds one story – a true story – over the course of a whole season. The show follows the plot and characters wherever they lead, through many surprising twists and turns. Sarah won’t know what happens at the end of the story until she gets there, not long before you get there with her. Each week she’ll bring you the latest chapter, so it’s important to listen in, starting with Episode 1. New episodes are released on Thursday mornings. Serial, like This American Life, is a production of WBEZ Chicago.

My Thoughts: This is one of the most famous and probably one of the most mentioned podcast, but I loved it so much I thought I'd just include it. This is extremely interesting and never gets boring! This is an episode by episode podcast which means you need to start at episode 1 and listen to them in order.

My Rating:★★★★★

UNDISCLOSED: The State Vs. Adnan Syed

Description: In the wake of Serial, much new evidence and information has been discovered and uncovered thanks to the investigations of attorneys Susan Simpson, Colin Miller, and the Adnan Syed Legal Trust. “Undisclosed” will examine and explore the case in greater detail, from an investigatory perspective instead of a narrative one.

My Thoughts: This is a great sequel to Serial if you can't get enough of Adnan Syed and want a more investigatory view. But like Serial, this to is an episode by episode podcast.

My Rating: ★★★★☆

UNSOLVED: A murdered teen, a 40- year mystery
Description: 14-year-old John Zera was a freshman at Franklin High School when he was killed in 1976. In a seven-part podcast, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reporter Gina Barton traces the case through decades of dead ends and false starts to find the present and a new hope for finding a killer.
My Thoughts: I just started this, so I don't have concrete thougts about it yet but I'm enjoying it so far. 
My Rating:★★★☆☆

|| Life ||

THE SCHOOL OF GREATNESS with Lewis Howes
Description: Lewis Howes is an author, Lifestyle Entrepreneur, former pro athlete and world record holder in football. The goal of the School of Greatness is to share inspiring stories from the most brilliant business minds, world class athletes and influential celebrities on the planet; to help you find out what makes great people great.

My Thoughts: I have a weakness for all things Sports, including athlete autobiographies. So this podcast is right up my ally. This is a great motivational podcast that teaches you to continue to follow your passion.

My Rating:★★★★★

THE HAPPY HOUR with Jamie Ivey

Description: The Happy Hour Podcast is hosted by Jamie Ivey, and each week she brings a guest to the show. During the happy hour they will discuss anything and everything just as if you were around the table with your own girlfriends. Jamie loves to connect with women and encourage them as they journey through life. These conversations will make you laugh and cry all in one. The Happy Hour will be something you look forward to each week. You will be encouraged as you listen to other women talk about the simplest things in life to the grandest. Grab a cup of coffee and enjoy the conversation!
My Thoughts: This is such a fun podcast to just sit and enjoy. It's just and funny and down to earth show that definitely feels like you are on a coffee date with the ladies.
My Rating: ★★★★☆

THE LIVELY SHOW
Description: The Lively show is a weekly podcast designed to add a little extra intention to your everyday. Episodes will touch on various aspects of our lives including possessions, personal habits, relationships, and career. Entrepreneurship and online business also appear from time to time. There is a special emphasis on the blogging world and each episode is designed to uplift, inform, and inspire.
My Thoughts: This is a wonderful podcasts for fellow bloggers looking for entrepreneurial inspiration for daily life.
My Rating: ★★★★☆

MAGIC LESSONS
Description: Magic Lessons are road maps for the path to creativity, the extra nudge you need when you're feeling stuck. In alternating episodes, Elizabeth Gilbert talks to people who are facing creative challenges and to guest experts, to offer perspective, advice, and inspiration. 
My Thoughts: This is another good podcasts for the new year. It gives a stimulating look at creativity and the creative process.
My Rating: ★★★☆☆

KERRY SHOOK MINISTRIES
Description: Pastor Kerry Shook shares the life changing message of the Bible in a creative, practical, and relevant way. Kerry and his wife, Chris, founded Fellowship of The Woodlands with eight people in 1993. In fourteen years the church has grown to 15,600 in average attendance each Sunday.
My Thoughts: His books are life changing and his podcasts didn't disappoint either! Inspiring messages of hope and truth.

My Rating: ★★★★★

JOEL OSTEEN
Description: Welcome to the weekly audio Podcast from Joel Osteen. Joel and Victoria Osteen are pastors of Lakewood Church in Houston, Texas, a vibrant and diverse church that Forbes calls the largest and fastest - growing congregation in America.
My Thoughts: I've listened to his sermons for years as well as reading his books. And I  His dynamic messages inspires you to live out your life with more vigor and purpose.

My Rating: ★★★★★

CRAZY LOVE by Francis Chan
Description: Sermons by Francis Chan, best-selling author of Crazy Love, Forgotten God, Erasing Hell, Multiply, and You and Me Forever. Francis is the host of the BASIC.series (Who Is God & We Are Church). Currently, he is planting churches in the San Francisco area. For more information visit: crazylove.org.
My Thoughts: Chan has such electric energy and speaks the truth with such passion! Definitely a must!

My Rating: ★★★★★


|| Catholic ||

WORD ON FIRE SHOW
Description: Join Bishop Robert Barron for a weekly podcast on faith and culture.
My Thoughts: Anything by Bishop Barron is AMAZING, so you really can't go wrong with this.
My Rating:  ★★★★★

UMD NEWMAN CATHOLIC CAMPUS MINISTRY
Description: Weekly homilies by the sought after youth speaker, Fr. Mike Schmitz.
My Thoughts: Guys, it's FR. MIKE SCHMITZ! Yep, I think I made my case.
My Rating: ★★★★★

CATHOLIC ANSWERS LIVE
Description: Catholic Answers LIVE is a daily, call-in radio program of Catholic apologetics and evangelization airing live from 6-8 pm ET. Hosted by Patrick Coffin.
My Thoughts: I have been listening to this for years! I especially love when they have Tim Staples on or Fr. Wade Menezes.

My Rating:★★★★★ 

What are your favorite podcasts to listen to? Have you listened to any of these? What are your thoughts?