Are you a bibliophile, devouring books by the dozens, stacked high on your bedside table? I envy you. I’d love to cozy down each night with a good read, but alas, I don’t. Many barely get started then are tucked away, and soon forgotten. If a book doesn’t grab me quickly, it’s swiftly abandoned to join dozens of unfinished tomes lining my bookcase. (I used to be a bookworm in my elementary school years, but since adulthood, it’s all I can do to keep up with my daily Bible Study.)

Alas, I cannot recommend many books.

BUT I CAN heartily recommend something else, something I do almost every day because it is do-able and just as entertaining, insightful and satisfying.

I love listening to PODCASTS.  Mere Christian podcasts enlighten me that I can serve God anywhere, anytime with the right mindset. Family Life Today podcasts challenge me to see things differently and navigate relationships more effectively. True Crime podcasts point to things hidden in darkness finally coming to light. (Like the guilty pleasure of a good dark chocolate, I occasionally indulge!)

I hope, on this Valentine’s Day, that you’ll pick a few podcasts to listen to from the assortment below. Kind of like the Whitman’s sampler my mom used to hide under each of our plates on Valentine’s morning, there’s probably something for you. (In case you do not have Spotify you can click on the bolded italicized titles to find other listening platforms. Here’s where to find The 9 best podcast apps for listeners on any device.)

As a would-be “just the facts, ma’am” detective, and as a Christian, I loved the interview of Homicide Detective, J. Warner Wallace, author of Cold Case Christianity, as he shares his story of coming to faith and presents a factual defense of the reliability of the Bible and evidence for the resurrection. Mere Christians: J. Warner Wallace (Homicide Detective)

Are you tired of the culture wars and taking sides? Have you given up talking to someone out of fear you may alienate them? I was so encouraged by Heather Holleman, Associate Teaching Professor at Penn State (and fellow Military brat) as she winsomely reports how she has effectively overcome current cultural challenges to establish warm relationships. Family Life Today – Six Conversations in an Isolated World: with Heather Holleman

If you liked the previous podcast, here is the follow on. Family Life Today – Overcoming Incivility: with Heather Holleman

Do you love beer, or Ireland, or simply love to see faith worked out for the benefit of others? I’m no longer a beer fan and had never been to Ireland when someone kindly shared this fascinating story. Learn how Arthur Guinness‘ Christian faith inspired him to incredible generosity and creative, compassionate, ground-breaking practices benefiting not only his Guinness Brewery employees but also all of Dublin. Who knew?! Mere Christians: Stephen Mansfield (Author of The Search for God and Guinness)

Does your work seem unimportant in the eternal scheme of things? Do you need to become a missionary to live out the Great Commission? Find out the truth as interviewers Dave and Ann Wilson (Family Life Today) speak with Jordan Raynor, podcast host of Mere Christians and author of The Sacredness of Secular Work. Family Life Today – Help! My Job is Boring! Jordan Raynor

Is it good advice to “follow your heart?” Find out why, or why not, as Dave and Ann Wilson interview Kevin DeYoung, author of Do Not Be True to Yourself: Countercultural Advice for the Rest of Your Life: Family Life Today – Follow My Heart, Or Follow My Head? 

Do you—or someone you know—need encouragement as part of a blended family? Here’s a favorite recent podcast from Family Life Blended: Losing The One I Loved: with Ron Deal, Davey & Kristi Blackburn

Now that you’ve sampled a few “good for your mind & heart” podcasts, savor some of the True Crime mysteries: 

Can you imagine if your loving father confessed to you, on his deathbed, to having committed a major crime in his youth? Listen to interviews with the daughter of the man who spent the last 50 years living the quiet life of a good husband, great dad and all around nice guy—all the while staying under the radar of the law. Smoke Screen: My Fugitive Dad: (some bad language!)

Hands down, if I were able to choose, this would have been my favorite high school class; a Sociology High School teacher thinks of an out of the box way to engage formerly unengaged, slightly bored teens by challenging them to solve the Redhead Murders as their class assignment. iHeartPodcasts – Murder 101: (descriptions of violence and possible bad language!)

Happy Valentine’s, Y’all! Send me some of your favorite podcast episodes!

Rooted In Truth Scriptures:

Growing In Love Practical Application: Share a podcast with someone who needs a quick and easy way to be encouraged or challenged. Much faster than reading a book!