Despite my microscopic attention span, I have always enjoyed reading books. I tend to gravitate toward books that communicate ideas, especially when those ideas are connected to the human experience. I enjoy reading books by old dead guys like GK Chesterton, Soren Kierkegaard, and Fyodor Dostoevsky, but I also appreciate modern spiritual writers like Fredrick Buechner, Philip Yancey, Don Miller, Anne Lamott and Rob Bell. However, during my undergrad years (I like to say “undergrad years” so that people might think I had “post-grad years”), the rigors of studying and writing papers combined with a part time job and the unavoidable need to “have a life” often left me with very little time for reading; especially reading non-fiction books for pleasure. However, regardless of course load, work load, or social liveliness, one thing is always a constant in the college experience: the iPod. So, download, subscribe and wedge those trademark white earbuds in on your way out the door for class. Here are five non-lame Podcasts for your mind, heart and soul.
Peachtree Presbyterian Podcast – Why not keep up with what’s going on back home?
The Mars Hill Bible Church Podcast – Mars Hill Bible Church of Grandville, MI (not to be confused with Mars Hill of Seattle), is home to one teaching pastor you may have heard of (Rob Bell) and another you may not have (Shane Hipps). Although Rob Bell is the author of several best selling books, Shane Hipps is an incredible teaching pastor who comes from a very unique Mennonite background. Other guest you will hear from Mars Hill include names like Peter Rollins (a personal favorite) and John Ortberg.
The Bored Again Christian – Proclaims itself as “Arguably the #1 Christian music podcast on iTunes, or whatever that means”, I’d say there is no argument. Like many of you I tend to cover my ears when I hear the words Christian and music smashed together, but “Just Pete” over at Bored Again puts together a podcast of good music and conversation that is relevant. A post on the BAC blog puts it nicely…
Why should the Devil get all the good tunes,
The booze and the neon and Saturday night,
The swaying in darkness, the lovers like spoons?
Why should the Devil get all the good tunes?
Does he hum them to while away sad afternoons
And the long, lonesome Sundays? Or sing them for spite?
Why should the Devil get all the good tunes,
The booze and the neon and Saturday night?
Listen for music from singers, songwriters and bands noted for spiritually introspective music like Sufjan Stevens; David Bazan (formerly of Pedro the Lion); The Elms; and regular 11o5 contributor, John Black as well as some bands you may think less likely to find their way onto a “Christian Podcast” like, The Arcade Fire, Sunny Day Real Estate and Monsters of Folk (a Conor Oberst side project).
The Relevant Podcast – The folks at relevant magazine have put together a fantastic podcast that features segments on new music (currently highlighting The Civil Wars), culture and society, (they recently had a great interview with Tony Campolo), as well as film and television.
Let My People Think – Ravi Zacharias holds the rare trait of being a first rate intellectual but also a great communicator. His “Let My People Think” podcast is a must listen for philosophy majors, and those who find their heads spinning from the rhetoric spewed out in Ethics class or that religious studies class you thought would be a good idea to take as an elective.
Happy Listening….
