Our lives are filled with in-between times. Times when we are sitting and waiting. Waiting for our kid to be finished with soccer practice, waiting for our name to be called at the doctor’s office, waiting for the light to turn green, waiting for our spouse to come home from work, waiting the email to be returned. It seems like we are waiting more than ever right now. What do we do with those in-between times? What are doing while we wait?
Over the next few weeks our staff here at HSLC will be sharing with you what we do when we are waiting.
Our first topic: Podcasts. Podcasts are perfect for times when we are waiting. You can listen in your home, your car, on a walk, while doing chores, while doing nothing at all. Some of the podcasts we are listening to are meant to inspire, to educate, to challenge, and to make us laugh. Here are our favorite podcasts. What are some of yours?
This American Life episode: Birds and Bees
Recommended by Sean Bendickson, Office Administrator
A weekly public radio podcast. Each week they choose a theme and put together different kinds of stories on that theme. Sean particularly recommends the recent episode: “Birds and Bees.”
Dolly Parton’s America
Recommended by Danielle Dadashi, High School & Online Minstries Director
In this intensely divided moment, one of the few things everyone still seems to agree on is Dolly Parton, but why? That simple question leads to a deeply personal, historical, and musical rethinking of one of America’s great icons. This 9 episode journey into the Dollyverse is hosted of Jad Abumrad and features a number of deeply personal interviews with Dolly Parton, those closest to her, and even college students who are studying Dolly Parton as part of their official course work!
Wait, Wait, Don’t Tell Me
Recommended by Pastor Katy and Becky Cole, Director of Children’s Ministries
NPR’s weekly current events quiz. Have a laugh and test your news knowledge while figuring out what’s real and what you’ve made up. Fun Fact—Pastor Katy actually appeared as a contestant on an episode in February of 2017 and was given the nickname Foxy Sachse by one of the panelists!
The Bible for Normal People
Recommended by Becky Cole, Children’s Ministry Director
What is the Bible and what do we do with it? Join Pete Enns and the Bible for Normal People in exploring questions of faith.
Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend
Recommended by Pastor Katy
After 25 years at the Late Night desk, Conan realized that the only people at his holiday party are the men and women who work for him. Over the years and despite thousands of interviews, Conan has never made a real and lasting friendship with any of his celebrity guests. So, he started a podcast to do just that. Deeper, unboundedly playful, and free from FCC regulations, Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend is a weekly opportunity for Conan to hang out with the people he enjoys most and perhaps find some real friendship along the way.
Challenging Christianity
Recommended by ALL HSLC Staff
Do you consider yourself spiritual but non-religious? Agnostic? Or maybe you grew up in a church but don’t believe what you were taught there anymore? Challenging Christianity exists in that space between being all-for or all-against religion. Join us in asking questions that challenge current notions of Christianity.
Code Switch
Recommended by Becky Cole, Children’s Ministry Director and Danielle Dadashi High School & Online Minstries Director
Code Switch is a race and culture weekly podcast from NPR. The hosts explore issues of race, identity, and culture in nuanced and complex ways.
Goop Fellas
Recommended by Sean Bendickson, Office Administrator
What drives people to change, to heal, to reinvent themselves? Seamus Mullen and Will Cole get at the catalysts that bring people into their purpose.
The Mystery Show
Recommended by Danielle Dadashi, High School & Online Minstries Director
“This is one of all-time favorite podcasts! Host Starlee Kine solves mysteries (very, very small ones) in the most interesting ways. It only ran for one season, but was named one of the best podcasts of the year, and is all the better, because there are only 6 episodes! And don’t worry about any mysteries being too scary. Topics include a lost belt buckle, why Britney Spears was holding a certain book, and the surprisingly-difficult-to-pin-down height of actor Jake Gyllenhaal” Danielle
NY Times Daily
Recommended by Pastor Katy
The Daily is a daily news podcast and radio show by The New York Times. Hosted by Times political journalist Michael Barbaro, its episodes are based on the Times' reporting of the day with interviews of journalists. Episodes last 20 to 30 minutes, and new episodes air every weekday.
Oprah’s Super Soul Conversations
Recommended by Becky Cole, Children’s Ministry Director
Hear Oprah's personal selection of her interviews with thought-leaders, best-selling authors, spiritual luminaries, as well as health and wellness experts. All designed to light you up, guide you through life's big questions and help bring you one step closer to your best self.
Fresh Air
Recommended by Pator Katy
From WHYY, the Peabody Award-winning weekday magazine of contemporary arts and issues, is one of public radio's most popular programs. Hosted by Terry Gross, the show features intimate conversations with today's biggest luminaries.
The Daily Show with Trevor Noah - Ears Edition
Recommended by Becky Cole, Children’s Ministry Director
Listen to highlights and extended interviews in the “Ears Edition” of the Daily Show with Trevor Noah.
Harry Potter and the Sacred Text
Recommended by Becky Cole, Children’s Ministry Director
This podcast creates time in your week to think about life’s big questions. Because reading fiction doesn’t help us escape the world, it helps us live in it. Each week, they explore a central theme through which to explore the characters and context, always grounding themselves in the text. They engage in traditional forms of sacred reading to unearth the hidden gifts within even the most mundane sentences.
Dirty John
Recommended by Danielle Dadashi, High School & Online Minstries Director
“I love true crime podcasts. This series takes a deep dive into the life of John Michael Meehan. There are twists and turns, and I absolutely couldn’t stop listening! The podcast was so successful it spawned spinoffs and even a mini-series. Unless you want major spoilers, don’t google it first, just sit back and listen to all 8 episodes as the story unfolds (it is true crime, so you won’t want to listen with kids around).” Danielle
Podasts for Kids
Story Pirates
Recommended by Pastor Katy
Story Pirates is a group of world-class actors, comedians, improvisers and musicians who adapt stories written by kids into sketch comedy and musical theater.
Wow in the World
Recommended by Pastor Katy
Hosts Mindy Thomas and Guy Raz guide curious kids and their grown-ups on a journey into the wonders of the world around them. They go inside our brains, out into space, and deep into the coolest new stories in science and technology
Brains On
Recommended by Ruth Hanley, Preschool Director
A GREAT podcast on kids science questions including things like “Do mermaids exist?” “What happens when we sleep” and “What are genes?”
Forever Ago
Recommended by Pastor Katy
A history show for the whole family! Every episode explores the origin of just one thing — like sandwiches, video games, clocks and more — while teaching listeners to think critically about history.