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Call me old-fashioned, but I’ve only recently discovered podcasts.
I mean – don’t get me wrong, I knew of their existence, but a bit like a prehistoric creature eating leaves in the middle of the industrial revolution, I was kinda just going about my daily business, leaving others to their growing relationship with their earphones.
But, gradually, I discovered the charm of a podcast. Charms plural, actually.
- You can listen while you’re getting on with something else, rendering them super time-efficient for busy mamas like me
- You can be entertained and educated in one fell swoop
- You feel like you’re building a relationship with the same regular host/s, getting to know their sense of humour and integrity as you listen
- You can grab some deep thoughts in just 15-20 minutes
- Podcast apps make it super easy to search for new podcasts, find the episodes you want, play and pause as many times as you like
So for those of you also partial to the wonders of podcasts, and looking for something enriching to accompany your commute or washing up, here’s my pick of the best Christian podcasts for women. (Many of them would be great listens for men too, of course, but most have female hosts and are largely aimed at a female audience.)
And for those of you not yet convinced of the role of podcasts in a busy mama’s life, why not download the podcast app for your phone and indulge in one of the following? I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised.
Ask NT Wright Anything
- Typical episode length: 25min
- Hosts: Justin Brierley with NT Wright
- Country of origin: UK
- Vibe: Questions on absolutely anything answered in style by theologian NT (Tom) Wright
- Listen if: you’re interested in thrashing out the big issues of our faith, the Bible and culture. NT Wright, hosted by Justin Brierley, answers listeners’ questions about everything from suffering to science, financial wealth to faith deconstruction. It’s a fascinating listen, with Wright’s wisdom and warmth radiating – and short episodes too!
Bare Marriage
- Typical episode length: 1hr
- Hosts: Sheila Wray Gregoire (of To Love, Honor & Vacuum blog) and Rebecca Lindenbach
- Country of origin: Canada
- Vibe: Insightful, Biblical discussion on everything related to marriage and sex
- Listen if: you’re tired of the pat answers given by the church on these issues in the past, and suspect that some false interpretation of Scripture has been damaging to many of us. Sheila’s fascinating research and Biblical ponderings will set you straight!
Better Still
- Typical episode length: 45min
- Host: Tori Camp
- Country of origin: USA
- Vibe: Encouraging stories of God working for good when things seemed like they weren’t working out
- Listen if: life hasn’t gone the way you expected, or you’re in a difficult season right now. Tori’s guests include a church planter whose church ended up closing, a lady who found herself unemployed, and a single woman with wisdom to share about how God has blessed her singleness. In every case, the focus is on God’s goodness which shines through in unexpected ways. A must listen.
Bible Binge
- Typical episode length: 50min
- Hosts: Knox McCoy and Jamie Golden
- Country of origin: USA
- Vibe: Biblical slant on contemporary culture
- Listen if: you’re into movies or Netflix boxsets, and are keen for a discussion about how themes of faith and spirituality weave themselves into popular (secular) culture. The episode I listened to was about the role of faith in the Royal Family (fascinating to hear US hosts discuss the British monarchy!), but other recent episodes include Thor, Midnight Mass and The Incredible Hulk.
Bible Recap
- Typical episode length: 10min
- Hosts: Tara-Leigh Cobble
- Country of origin: US
- Vibe: daily Bible commentary/devotional on a freely-available Bible reading plan
- Listen if: you’re trying to get into a daily Bible reading habit, but need someone to kick you up the backside! The Bible Recap is such a great way to read the Bible. You download the free annual plan here (either the whole Bible or just NT), then listen along each day for Cobble’s helpful explanation and commentary on the passage.
Confessions of a Crappy Christian
- Typical episode length: 35min
- Host: Blake (@thegirlnamedblake)
- Country of origin: US
- Vibe: honest, authentic conversations about all sorts of average-controversial topics
- Listen if: you want to get to the heart of things like the prosperity gospel, sexuality and divorce with those who have lived experiences within these situations. What I found fascinating about this podcast, despite its name, was that it’s actually fairly orthodox in belief – I was expecting something a lot more liberal and post-evangelical, but the ‘crappy’ refers to all of us, and the fact that we need a Saviour. I loved it!
Dare to Be
- Typical episode length: 30min
- Hosts: Natalie Grant and Charlotte Gambill
- Country of origin: US/UK
- Vibe: Christian self-help, encouraging women to be their best
- Listen if: you want punchy truth about a wide range of issues relevant to your life – people-pleasing, rejection, worry and more – based in the Bible. I’d say that, for this podcast to work, you need to be regularly in the Word yourself, as the Biblical input is often minimal. That’s not a bad thing, however – it’s not, after all, a Bible devotion podcast, it’s an empowerment/self-help podcast. And with so much spurious advice all over the Internet, it’s great to have a podcast where the wisdom comes from a basis of Biblical truth.
Delight
- Typical episode length: 40min
- Hosts: Adam Curtis and Leah Sax
- Country of origin: UK
- Vibe: Conversations with guests on different areas of discipleship, designed for for new Christians
- Listen if: you’re a new Christian – BUT as a veteran, I still found this podcast lively, entertaining and deep, with much to mull over. Listen if you’re interested in looking at things like evangelism, friendship, worship and the church from a British Christian perspective, with humour and fun.
Don’t Mom Alone
- Typical episode length: 50min
- Host: Heather MacFadyen
- Country of origin: US
- Vibe: relaxed, fun mom-chat but with perceptive insights from a range of guests
- Listen if: you’re a parent, and want to glean other parents’ wisdom on a whole range of topics affecting marriage and family life, but in an entertaining way. I listened to the episode on honouring others (ahead of the Christmas season), and found it really helpful and practical. Highly recommended!
Elisabeth Elliot
- Typical episode length: 40min
- Host: Elisabeth Elliot
- Country of origin: US
- Vibe: the sermons, teaching and other thoughts of Elisabeth Elliot (widow of Jim Elliot)
- Listen if: you want to hear the challenging wisdom of Elisabeth Elliot, a Christian who lived radically and inspirationally for Christ in the twentieth century. As her words were recorded prior to the digital age, the audio quality is not always brilliant – I found some of it fairly quiet and hard to hear – but the quality of the content is superb. If you’re looking for a wake-up call, this is it – but be prepared to get uncomfortable!
Faith in Kids
- Typical episode length: 40min for parent-oriented episodes; 20min for family-oriented episodes
- Host: Ed Drew, Amy Smith, James Cary
- Country of origin: UK
- Vibe: encouraging Christian parents to nurture their children’s faith
- Listen if: you’re looking for inspiration in the area of your family’s faith life. This is actually two podcasts in one: the faith in KIDS episodes are designed to be listened to by the whole family (hello, family devotional done entirely for you!), the faith in PARENTS episodes are designed to equip and resource parents as they encourage their children in faith. I love the friendly, humorous style of the presenters, as well as the interviews with authors and other experts.
Get your Marriage On
- Typical episode length: 35min (but varies fairly widely)
- Host: Dan Purcell
- Country of origin: USA
- Vibe: Christian married sex talk that you can trust!
- Listen if: you’re a married Christian who wants to develop a healthy and exciting sex life, within a godly, Biblical framework. Dan Purcell is a committed Christian who hosts all sorts of interesting guests on his show to talk about things like prioritising date nights, improving orgasm frequency, and using sex toys in a spouse-honouring way. (Also don’t forget to check out the amazing Intimately Us app that Dan created for improving sexual intimacy within marriage – the basic version is totally free, with loads of helpful features!)
The Glorious in the Mundane
- Typical episode length: 40min
- Host: Christy Nockels
- Country of origin: USA
- Vibe: chilled-out observations on life and faith from musician Christy Nockels
- Listen if: you like Christy Nockels. And you won’t know unless you listen. Seriously! While some episodes feature co-hosts, this whole podcast is really focused on Christy’s thoughts, observations, musings and wisdom – much of it relating to her recent book. If it’s your thing, you’ll love it! I certainly found much of value in the episode I listened to. But if she doesn’t float your boat, then there’s probably not enough variety of speaker in this podcast to keep you listening. Give it a whirl, though – it’s easy on the ear but provoking for the mind.
The Hopeful Activists
- Typical episode length: 1hr (older episodes nearer 20-30min)
- Hosts: Abigail Thomas and Rich Gower
- Country of origin: UK
- Vibe: social justice thoughts from a Christian perspective
- Listen if: you’re interested in the big social issues of our time (the arms trade, racial equality, politics, climate change etc) and want to listen to good people discuss them with real knowledge and experience. Some big names show up here: Paul Kerensa, Ben Lindsay, Chine McDonald and more – so it really is packed full of value. Listen and learn – I did!
Journey Women
- Typical episode length: 50min
- Host: Hunter Beless
- Country of origin: USA
- Vibe: Interviews with big-name Christian leaders
- Listen if: you’re keen to hear from Christian authors, speakers and influencers in all spheres, both men and women. I love that this podcast focuses mainly on theology, but covers such a wide range of topics. I enjoyed Jackie Hill Perry talking about how we “image” God – other recent topics include salvation, sanctification, heaven, hell and creation. Occasionally there’s a more practical topic, for example Jen Wilkin on mentoring younger women. A conversational, entertaining podcast bursting with Biblical knowledge, wisdom and insight.
The Messy Table
- Typical episode length: 50min
- Host: Jenn Jewell
- Country of origin: USA
- Vibe: real-life topics addressed by a variety of interesting women
- Listen if: you enjoy down-to-earth honesty from other women. This podcast feels like a lovely cuppa with a new friend! I really enjoyed listening to former model and mum-of-three Katrina McCain talk about people-pleasing and the pursuit of perfection. Her strong faith, powerful testimony and fascinating experiences in the world of modelling combined for a really entertaining and thought-provoking listen. Highly recommended!
The Orchard
- Typical episode length: 40min
- Hosts: Rachel and Amy Hughes
- Country of origin: UK
- Vibe: relaxed, informal Bible chat with two sisters
- Listen if: you’re keen for some godly female discussion around Bible passages and themes. It’s a new podcast, there’s only been one season so far, but it covered the Fruits of the Spirit (Galatians 5), and I’m keen to see which theme the girls choose next. Rachel and Amy are sisters who are married to cousins Tim and Jonny Hughes. Both women have years of church leadership experience under their belts, and Amy recently got ordained, so their wisdom is worth listening to, and the joyful communication style makes for a podcast which is entertaining too. Charismatic evangelical.
Out of the Ordinary
- Typical episode length: 30min (but varies hugely)
- Hosts: Lisa-Jo Baker and Christie Purifoy
- Country of origin: USA
- Vibe: Quirky, powerful conversation rooted in Scripture
- Listen if: you want to bring Jesus into everyday life. The episode I listened to was about Halloween, and totally turned on its head everything I’d ever thought about the festival, expressing alternate views to mine in such an attractive and God-honouring way that I was hooked! If you want to consider how your faith mingles with your life, this is the podcast to try.
Pardon the Mess
- Typical episode length: 40min
- Host: Cynthia Yanof and guests
- Country of origin: USA
- Vibe: Down-to-earth, humorous, thought-provoking discussion about faith-based parenting
- Listen if: you’re a Christian parent looking for wisdom and practical ideas as you raise your kids – but packaged up in an entertaining way. This show features some big-name guests such as Max Lucado and Jackie Hill Perry, but Cynthia Yanof is a relatable and engaging host, and I loved listening to her.
Parenting for Faith
- Typical episode length: 25min
- Host: Rachel Turner
- Country of origin: UK (Rachel is American but based in the UK)
- Vibe: Super-helpful, punchy discussions on various aspects of faith-based parenting
- Listen if: you’re looking for practical help as you raise your kids to love God, such as how to answer tricky questions, how to foster a love of church, dealing with Halloween, gaming, bullying – and so much more. Plus if you have an area you’d like Rachel to advise on, you can submit it – she regularly answers questions from listeners. Check out my review of the Parenting for Faith course, or of Rachel Turner’s excellent book Parenting Children for a Life of Faith.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
- Typical episode length: 40min
- Hosts: Kaley Olson and others
- Country of origin: USA
- Vibe: relevant godly wisdom for all women, all life stages
- Listen if: you’re a fan of author and speaker Lysa TerKeurst, as this is her ministry; as president, she sometimes co-hosts too. I found this podcast deep and insightful, with interesting guests, and topics ranging from theology to applying the Bible, and from parenting to mental health. Pertinent topics, articulate speakers and encouragement galore. A really worthwhile listen.
Revive our Hearts
- Typical episode length: 25min
- Host: Nancy DeMoss Wolgemuth with guest speakers
- Country of origin: USA
- Vibe: Relevant Bible teaching applied to practical areas of women’s lives
- Listen if: you’re a Christian woman of any age (speakers represent all life stages/ages) looking for solid Biblical teaching from a variety of Christian female speakers, hosted by a more mature Christian woman. This podcast features a mixture of talk-based content and the more interview/discussion type content you might expect from a podcast. I really appreciated both.
Risen Motherhood
- Typical episode length: 35min
- Hosts: Emily Jensen and Laura Wifler
- Country of origin: USA
- Vibe: godly insights for exhausted Christian parents
- Listen if: you want nuggets of encouragement and challenge in the looooong journey of motherhood. The Risen Motherhood brand is well known now, with a bestselling book (featured in my post 30+ Best Christian Books for Moms) and blog as well as this podcast. Whether it’s a discussion of social media, prayer or obedience, Emily and Laura have got your back, and the Risen Motherhood episodes will be balm for your soul.
Rhythms for Life
- Typical episode length: 35min
- Hosts: Rebecca and Gabe Lyons
- Country of origin: USA
- Vibe: practical wisdom for slowing down
- Listen if: you feel like you’re living life at an unsustainably fast pace. Each episode, husband-and-wife team Gabe and Rebecca Lyons lead you through four rhythms for reducing stress and anxiety – rest, restore, connect and create – with the help of various special guests. It’s a great listen for those needing a bit of a re-set, with some discussion to get you thinking, as well as practical ideas for living more intentionally.
She Reads Truth
- Typical episode length: 50min
- Hosts: Rachel Myers and Amanda Bible Williams
- Country of origin: USA
- Vibe: easy-to-listen-to Bible devotional discussion
- Listen if: you’re struggling with daily times in God’s Word. The She Reads Truth reading plans are available for free on their website, and this weekly podcast then expounds and discusses the passages you’ll be reading through the week. With the help of special guests – many of whom you’ll have heard of – Rachel and Amanda open up interesting lines of thought which will help you get the most from your personal Bible reading.
Shielded by Grace
- Typical episode length: 40min
- Hosts: Anna and Charley
- Country of origin: UK
- Vibe: Biblical truth on a number of issues relevant to women
- Listen if: you want to hear all sorts of current issues spoken about from a Biblical perspective. Anna (married mum) and Charley (single 30-something) bring wisdom to women of all ages and stages on a number of different topics: singleness, counselling, friendship, quiet times and more. The episode I listened to was on Self Care and Self Denial – I found it extremely pertinent, provocative and worth sharing with others.
That Sounds Fun
- Typical episode length: 1hr
- Host: Annie F Downs
- Country of origin: USA
- Vibe: Fun, quirky discussion about Annie’s favourite books, music, restaurants and more
- Listen if: you want a Christian podcast which doesn’t feel overly preachy. Annie’s enthusiasm is infectious, as she interviews Christian celebs (plus others who will hook you, even if you’ve never heard of them) and discusses all kinds of Christian topics, as well as sharing the best of life: food, music, travel and more. Highly entertaining.
Two Sisters and a Cup of Tea
- Typical episode length: 25min
- Hosts: Felicity Carswell and Sarah Dargue
- Country of origin: USA/UK (one host in each country – but both are British)
- Vibe: Bible exposition from two sisters
- Listen if: you’d appreciate some external input into your Bible reading. Sisters Felicity and Sarah lead us through different Bible books (so far they’ve covered Habakkuk, James and Esther) with some basic exposition to help you understand what you’re reading. This podcast feels aimed at younger Christians – it’s not one to attack the tricky questions of Scripture, but it’s solid and helpful, and there is much to commend it. Conservative evangelical.
Unsung Stories
- Typical episode length: 30min
- Host: Laura Smith
- Country of origin: Australia
- Vibe: gospel-centred discussions with ‘unacclaimed’ mamas
- Listen if: you want to hear ‘normal’ mamas share the treasures God has taught them in their different journeys. I was hugely encouraged by the episode on ‘Identity’ with mum-of-four Sarah Hartley, while other episodes cover suffering, special needs parenting, perfection and more. Hearing from regular parents like us is unexpectedly inspiring, and reminds us that God has so much wisdom to pour out on us too! Solid, evangelical truth expressed conversationally.
Worthy
- Typical episode length: 50min
- Hosts: Elyse Fitzpatrick and Eric Schumacher
- Country of origin: USA
- Vibe: a celebration of women as worthy
- Listen if: you’re looking for a podcast which defines Biblical feminism. Worthy features interesting, entertaining interviews with all sorts of women, celebrating the role God has given them in the church, home and society. There’s a real passion for getting to the heart of the Bible, with deep truth being communicated by the fascinating range of guests, including celebs like Joni Eareckson Tada and Christine Caine, alongside less-familiar names.
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Christian podcasts for women in their 20s
If you’re a young adult and looking for Christian podcast recommendations to speak into your life-stage, here are my picks (scroll up for more details on each):
- Ask NT Wright Anything
- Better Still
- Bible Binge
- Confessions of a Crappy Christian
- Delight
- The Glorious in the Mundane
- The Hopeful Activists
- The Orchard
- Two Sisters and a Cup of Tea
- Worthy
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Which podcasts do you enjoy? Add them in the comments!
What a great list of podcasts! I’d love for you to check out All God’s Women, my women of the Bible podcast. I just launched season three with thematic studies each month. January is Worn Out Women and includes Bible studies to go with each week’s podcast episode.
Oh this sounds good Sharon! I’ll give it a listen – thanks for letting me know.
This is what I’ve been wanting for about a year!! Thanks Lucy- for me, time to think and take on board new stuff is definitely when I’m clearing up, with no hope of sitting down and reading something. I’m starting this year excited about what I will listen to and hopefully learn. 😀
Oh that’s so good Beth! I’m so pleased to hear that this post has been helpful (although sorry it came a year too late!) x
Thanks, Lucy, I’ve just added about 8 to my lists, so I’ll have a listen over the next month. Mich x
Wow Mich, you’ll be busy! So glad, hope you find a few gems. xx
So thankful to be part of this fantastic list! Hoping to check out some of these that I hadn’t heard of!
So grateful to have you here Tori! 🙂