It’s always interesting to see the types of hobbies that couples share. Some couples attend sporting events, others cycle or hike, and many enjoy cooking or exploring new restaurants together. Luke and I have a number of similar interests, but one of my favorites is our shared love of podcasts. My personal podcast obsession is no secret—it actually predates and might even exceed my love for blogs!—and it was Luke who first introduced me to this amazing medium. (Having grown up on audiobooks and Adventures in Odyssey radio dramas, I was a fairly easy convert.) Now, six years into my listening adventures, my podcast enthusiasm is stronger than ever, and Luke continues to share my sentiments.
Our podcast queues are far from identical: Luke’s technical podcasts hold little interest for me, and I just can’t seem to get him interested in The Boob Group, Satellite Sisters, and some of my other girly faves. 😉 But we do listen to quite a few of the same shows, and though we rarely listen at the same time, we regularly check in with each other to see which shows we’ve heard lately and share our thoughts. Podcasts have provided the content for some of our best conversations, and I’ve found that the shows I discuss with Luke have greater relevance and stick with me much longer than those I consume independently. Here are five podcasts that Luke and I BOTH enjoy (plus two more of my favorites that I think Luke would like, too, if he’d give them a listen).
This Is Your Life, with Michael Hyatt
In a previous life, Michael Hyatt was the CEO of a large publishing company, but in recent years he has established himself as one of the foremost experts on blogging, leadership, and developing a personal platform. This is Your Life is designed to help listeners “live with more passion, work with greater focus, and lead with extraordinary influence,” and while the show is often business-focused, Michael’s thoughtful tips and suggestions are applicable to various other aspects of life. I love Michael’s positivity and his Christian perspective, and his show has taught me a lot about living with intentionally and integrity.
Luke’s Favorite Episode: Getting the Most Out of Evernote
Kendra’s Favorite Episode: Goal Setting for Beginners
The Tim Ferriss Show
Tim Ferriss is a self-help author and entrepreneur best known for The 4-Hour Workweek and, more recently, The 4-Hour Body. Tim is an avid self-experimenter with a goal of determining effective and efficient strategies for approaching work, fitness, and life. Tim brings his insatiable curiosity to his podcast, where he “deconstructs world-class performers from eclectic areas (investing, sports, business, art, etc.) to extract the tactics and tricks you can use.” The show can be pretty crass (be prepared for lots of f-bombs), and the episodes are longer than I prefer, but the fascinating guests and intriguing conversations make this a worthwhile listen.
Luke’s Favorite Episode: General Stan McChrystal on Anti-War Americans, Pushing Your Limits, and The Three Military Tests You Should Take
Kendra’s Favorite Episode: Maria Popova on Writing, Workflow, and Workarounds
The Portfolio Life, with Jeff Goins
Jeff Goins is known for being a writer, but he recognizes that his life is bigger than just his profession. The Portfolio Life is designed to help writers, artists, and other creatives find the work they were meant to do, and design a vocation that encompasses all aspects of their life. Each week Jeff and his guests share inspirational stories of how they’ve found creative success and offer advice on how listeners can do the same. This podcast appeals to the dreamer in me and offers a weekly dose of motivation to continue pursuing my ambitions.
Luke’s Favorite Episode: What To Do When It’s Your Turn: Interview with Seth Godin
Kendra’s Favorite Episode: The Seven Stages of Finding Your Calling
The Smart Passive Income Podcast, with Pat Flynn
Pat Flynn calls himself the “crash test dummy of online business,” and his blog and podcast are where he shares his strategies and advice with others who would like to establish an online career. As a freelancer and aspiring solopreneur, Luke has learned a lot from Pat and suggested that listening to the show would help me to appreciate and support his own dream of becoming self-employed. Pat’s down-to-earth persona makes the show an engaging listen, and I’ve enjoyed hearing the success stories of people Pat interviews on his show.
Luke’s Favorite Episode: An Interview With 10 Year Old Entrepreneur, Enya Hixson
Kendra’s Favorite Episode: Susan Petersen from Freshly Picked on Selling Moccasins
The Model Health Show, with Shawn Stevenson
I’ve shared previously of my love for Shawn Stevenson’s podcast, which focuses on various aspects of physical, emotional, and spiritual health. Shawn’s mission is to help listeners access the best version of themselves “through right nutrition, exercise, and transformational mindset.” His guests include experts in the fields of wellness and life improvement, and each episode is educational as well as inspiring.
Luke’s Favorite Episode: Treating Back Pain, Degenerative Disc Disease, And “Incurable” Diseases
Kendra’s Favorite Episode: The Truth About Birth Control, Balancing Stress, And The Hormone Cure – With Dr. Sara Gottfried
The Good Dad Project
In addition to The Model Health Show, Shawn Stevenson also co-hosts The Good Dad Project, a podcast designed to support dads in being the “best, strongest, and happiest” versions of themselves. Though I’m obviously not in the show’s target demographic, I’ve found its male perspective on parenting to be enlightening (and a refreshing change of pace from the mommy podcasters I generally listen to). I’ve been encouraging Luke to add The Good Dad Project to his podcast line-up, but until then I’ll be listening on his behalf, and compiling pearls of wisdom to pass his way.
Kendra’s Favorite Episode: How to Improve Your Patience Drastically Even on Your Worst Day
Handpicked Episode for Luke: The R.I.C.H. Man Experience & How to Connect with Your Spouse
Freakonomics Radio
Like the books that inspired the podcast, Freakonomics Radio examines real-world behavior through the filter of applied economics. The show features intriguing stories and perspective-altering statistics as it explores “the hidden side of everything.” I’m continually impressed by the show’s ability to draw entertainment from the seemingly mundane field of economics, and I think this podcast would provide Luke with a healthy departure from the instructional shows that tend to dominate his podcast feed.
Kendra’s Favorite Episode: Is America’s Education Problem Really Just a Teacher Problem?
Handpicked Episode for Luke: The Economics of Sleep
Do you and your spouse listen to podcasts? If so, do the two of you listen to any of the same ones? I’d love to hear your suggestions for additional shows that Luke and I can both enjoy!