Meeting with your faith community for services may feel like a fresh drink of water every week. Where do you go for camaraderie and encouragement the rest of the week, though? While turning to the divine is helpful, sometimes you need to hear from someone with an audible voice who talks you through issues of faith and life (bonus points for new music or movies to try!). The next time you need a mid-week boost, give one of these podcasts a listen.
"A Drink With a Friend"
Oxenreider and Haines chat about everyday life, but their conversation centers on deeper meanings. Their focus is sacramental living, which is choosing a life with the intention of seeking the presence of God no matter where you are and what you are doing. To that end, they discuss books, movies, nature and other places they find hints of holy presence. This podcast serves as a good reminder that your spiritual life doesn't have to be put on hold at the door of the church.
"The Happiness Lab"
Best known for her Yale classes "Psychology and the Good Life" and "The Science of Well-Being," Dr. Laurie Santos hosts a podcast that teaches these same principles. Most people want to be happy but chase after things that, once attained, don't actually achieve that goal. Based on rigorous research in the field of psychology and other related disciplines, Santos debunks common myths about happiness and offers insight into what the experts say it takes to truly be happy in your day-to-day life.
"Therapy for Black Girls"
Dr. Joy Harden Bradford is a mental health expert who focuses on equipping Black women and girls to nurture their well-being. Whether you are looking for the steps you should take to find the therapist who is right for you or a community that understands the effects of society's demands, Dr. Bradford has tools that can help you cope. This podcast combines historical background, cultural analysis and practical advice, presenting the big picture when it comes to understanding how to thrive in your daily life.
"Happier With Gretchen Rubin"
Stemming from the wisdom shared in her book "The Happiness Project," Rubin continues the conversation, along with her sister Elizabeth Craft, advising followers on how to cultivate the traits that lead to long-lasting happiness. She shares tips on how to muddle through the trickier parts of living a life open to the messiness of family and community so that you (and those around you) can reap the benefits of connection.
"The Minimalists"
Many people operate under the impression that they would be happier if they just had more. Joshua Fields Millburn and Ryan Nicodemus challenge this assumption, showing how being content with what you have is a better path to the good life. They offer practical advice on how to break your addiction to things so that you can shift your focus to the parts of your life that matter most.
"The Good Life Project"
Jonathan Fields hosts conversations with people who have confronted challenges in their lives and want to share the story of how they overcame them to succeed and thrive. The content doesn't stop with nice stories, though. Each guest offers insight on how listeners can face their own fears and identify the steps they need to take to make their own lives extraordinary.
People of faith thrive in community, but meeting with others once or twice a week is not always sufficient to provide the motivation you need. It makes sense to seek out other resources that can supplement the connections you make at church. If you are looking for inspiration throughout the week, it's likely that you need to look no further than your favorite podcast app.
