Favorite Podcasts

My last post was about some of my favorite reads for 2013.  Here's one about some listening material via podcast. First the podcasts and then some nerdy stuff for those interested in how I listen.

The Podcasts
The World and Everything In It - Some of you are likely familiar with World Magazine. They are expanding their news gathering and reporting services and for sometime have been doing a daily radio news program. Just shy of 1/2 hour with a summary of the day's news and then some further in depth reporting on key stories. There's twice weekly commentary from Cal Thomas, interesting interviews, and some occasional lighter fare. They cover the legal docket - particularly court cases of which Christians should be aware; you'll also get regular updates on the stock market. As I someone else has noted, think NPR, but with a Christian world view.  I rarely miss this one.

Wretched Radio - Todd Friel helpfully and entertainingly reports on (and often skewers) what's wrong in the broadly evangelical community. He also witnesses on air to students on college campuses. The podcast is an approximately 15 minute segment from a longer 2 hour daily radio show. Not sure I could handle 2 hours worth, but 15 minutes is good.  HT: Emily Borkholder

5 Minutes in Church History - Just what it says.  Stephen Nichols gives us 5 minute vignettes from the history of the church.  Interesting, (obviously) brief, and informative.  HT: Andy Lutz

Questions and Ethics with Dr. Russell Moore shows promise, but it's in infancy with only 2 episodes so far; worth keeping an eye (or ear) on. Looking for some good preaching? I haven't listened often, but Truth for Life with Alistair Begg is a good resource (and he has a sweet accent). I like baseball and so the ESPN: Baseball Tonight with Buster Olney podcast is fun for me. I've only just picked this one up during the off season and the episodes are few and far between; probably too much to keep up with once the regular season gets going.

Lot's of other good stuff out there too.

Some Miscellaneous Info
Many of you probably know this stuff, but here it is anyway.  I use my android platform cell phone with the BeyondPod app.  I search for the podcast feed from the app and add it right there on my phone. The app is set to update the podcast feeds early in the morning while I am sleeping and my phone is connected to my home network.  That way I don't incur data charges when I'm out and about and want to listen to something. I already have the episodes downloaded.
If you drive an olderish car with the original stereo (like me in our 2001 vehicle), you might wish for a way to get your phone or mp3 player to play on your radio. My favorite new gadget, because the car stereo doesn't have a jack for my phone to plug into: an FM transmitter for my phone. Makes it nice to listen to my selections in the car instead of whatever happens to be on the radio.  (I didn't pay $50.  I paid $9 plus shipping.  Looks like that deal is up today or tomorrow.)

So there are some ways to redeem the time and make good use of the technology available today.