top 10 podcasts to help you live your best life

As a lifelong enthusiast of audiobooks and meaningful talk radio, it’s only natural that I hop on the podcast train! As it turns out, so many of my favorite authors and bloggers have AWESOME podcasts too. And through their podcasts, I have been introduced to a whole new list of amazing authors and bloggers and podcasters that I never would have known otherwise. Incredible, right?!

Just as with blogs, there are podcasts with a TON of different subject matters. The ones I tend to gravitate towards, are the same as my reading style. I love anything that is going to open my eyes on ways to be a better mom, wife, writer, Christian–and well—just a better person in general. I’ve created a list to share of the BEST podcasts I’ve found that keep me entertained, teach me useful things and introduce me to more helpful people and things while I multi-task folding laundry or doing other household chores, drive or even hit the gym. Originally, I was going to break them down by category (i.e. faith, finance, business, parenthood, etc.) but I found that almost every single one of these podcasts integrates more than one of these categories into their core message. Faith one topic that spanned all categories most. So, here are 10 podcasts you’ve GOT to check out

1. The Proverbs 31 Ministries

The Proverbs 31 Ministry podcast started in June of 2018, and offers interview-style podcasts, designed to help you with a specific challenge you’re experiencing in your life. I love how this podcast has helped me to look at my challenge du jour from a place of faith and biblical wisdom. Placing God at the center of things helped me to recalibrate my perspective on how big (or small) my conundrum is in the scheme of things. Suddenly, that thing that was squeezing the breath out of me has tightened its grip—and knowing who is ultimately in control helps me to just breathe better. There are so many relevant topics for women and mothers to choose from. They have a beautifully designed website and app as well. Be sure to check them out!

2. Hello Mornings

This is a podcast hosted by Kat Lee (co-hosted occasionally by Heather MacFadyen- host of Don’t Mom Alone podcast). Like many other podcasts, it holds a lot of its episodes in an interview format. Other podcasts offers 5 minute-ish devotional reading and lesson. One of the things I love the most about this podcast is how the devotionals are thought-provoking and offer a mini bible study approach. It’s the PERFECT length of time to incorporate into my Miracle Morning routinea. If you’re looking to know the bible just a little bit better, be sure to check this podcast and awesome website out.

3. Don’t Mom Alone

Podcast creator, Heather MacFadyen, is a long-time blogger, and mother of four boys. Her blog was built on encouraging moms to be God-centered. Helping them create spiritual disciplines reminding them of God’s presence. After the birth of her 4th son, Heather experienced a breakdown. Upon working with a counselor, she came to the eye-opening realization that she was missing one very important element in her life at the time—other people. (Something I can relate to all too well as a seriously independent, and introverted human being, and moving to a town where we knew virtually no one.) Raising small children puts most of us moms in a form of social isolation if we aren’t careful. And it’s something that Heather had experienced in a major way. (Also something I can relate to all too well as a fiercely independent, and introverted human being, and moving to a town where we knew virtually no one.) After focusing on integrating back into her community, Heather also began transitioning her successful blog into a podcast as well, where she focused on interviewing her mentors. (Then known as “God Centered Mom.”)

Women all over the world were listening to Heather’s podcast. That’s when she and one of her listeners created a podcast club where women all over the world could come together in a community of moms online, using hashtag #DontMomAlone. Moms comment that the podcast is helping change their motherhood, that they are refined instead of broken. One mom wrote, “You helped me feel like I can do better, but all my efforts matter.”

4. Parenting Great Kids

Podcast creator Dr. Meg Meeker brings over thirty years of experience as pediatrician, mother, and author to her podcast. Her philosophy is that strong adults come from strong adults. She’s written six best-selling books, including:

• Strong Fathers, Strong Daughters.
• Hero: Being the Strong Father Your Children Need
• Strong Mothers, Strong Sons

Here are Dr. Meekers words about her blog:

Parents are trying to navigate children through a world they themselves don’t often understand. That is why I created the Parenting Great Kids podcast, to help moms and dads just like you simplify what can often feel daunting. I tackle a wide variety of relevant topics, answer your real questions and share YOUR stories and concerns. Expect honest and integral conversations with a variety of wonderful guests.

You can find her blog by clicking here.

5. Dave Ramsey

Dave Ramsey is pretty much a household name at this point—at least it has been one in ours for years. And for good reason, his solid approach to money management is inspiring! I always leave one of his podcasts feeling like my husband and I can conquer our budget—and the world—and it’s GREAT! Over the past 20-year, Dave has grown a loyal following, and helped thousands of people conquer their debt, and even become wealthy, with a Christian-based approach to money management.

Dave is best known for his book The Total Money Makeover: A Proven Plan for Financial Fitness. Dave has had a call-in style radio show for years, which is now available each day via podcast! I love listening to the stories of others and learning through they’re experiences and Dave’s expert advice. It’s also so inspirational to listen to the special calls on Friday where normal couples who have followed the Dave Ramsey plan have conquered their debt and are able to scream “WE’RE DEBT FREE!!!” into the radio. It gives me chills every single time—and I love celebrating their success with them.

6. Rachel Cruze

Rachel Cruze is a public speaker, turned tv show and podcast host, author of NY Times Best Selling Author of books such as Smart Money, Smart Kids: Raising the Next Generation to Win With Money and Love Your Life, Not Theirs: 7 Money Habits for Living the Life You Want. She is also known for being the daughter of Dave Ramsey, and provides a unique experience, having grown up using the money principles that Dave preaches on every day.

In her podcast, she helps people to understand how to incorporate responsible money management into our marriage and family life to build a strong foundation for both. Her topics include how to go to Disney World without debt, keys to having great relationships and tips on saving money on everyday items…among other things. I love her fresh and spunky approach to living a life you love, within your financial means.

7. Chris Hogan

Chris Hogan is part of the Dave Ramsey team, and author of the book Retire Inspired: It’s Not an Age, It’s a Financial Number and Everyday Millionaires: How Everday People Created Extraordinary Wealth, and You Can Too. Upon reading his book, it’s just so easy to like Chris, and to get on board with him and his money management style after hearing his personal story and what led him to the Dave Ramsey team.

Chris spent his early years on the management side of the debt collection industry. Dealing with people and their money issues day-in and day-out, Chris realized the weight that these problems had on individuals and their marriages and families. He set out on a mission to help others solve their money problems and even to set themselves up for financial success for years to come! It seems only natural that he found his way to Dave Ramsey, and quickly became an important part of the team.

It’s no surprise that, if I love Dave Ramsey’s podcast, this would be on my list of faves as well. As Chris’s approach is centered around the Dave Ramsey philosophy but focuses more on what normal, everyday people can do each day to set themselves up for a comfortable, and even wealthy, retirement.

8. Christy Wright

Okay, I’m going to take a moment just to say that I am no way affiliated with, or paid to advertise, Dave Ramseys team of awesome individuals! It just so happens I was introduced to most of them through Dave Ramsey’s website/podcast/email/etc, and grew to love them because their ideals match mine—so they are really easy to relate with.

Christy Wright is an author, certified business coach, and mom to two young boys. She grew up in a single parent household, where she watched her mother build a very successful business from the ground up. She offers personal, first-hand knowledge that comes from the heart. Her passion lies in helping women realize their value as an entrepreneur and honor their God-given talents and potential. As a small business owner and blogger, hearing her story, and those of her guests on the show, inspires me and offers great ideas on how to build my business better.

9. RISE Podcast

This podcast is hosted by Rachel Hollis, best known for her blog The Chic Site, and New York Times best-selling book Girl, Wash Your Face. She offers a refreshingly real voice on motherhood and helping us to say “enough is enough” to being too hard on ourselves and striving to “do it all.” Her podcast offers “tangible and tactical tools for your life and business.” RISE is mostly an interview-style series of bold conversations with business powerhouses and personal development leaders.

Although Rachel and I will have to agree to disagree on a few topics she is passionate about (mainly women separating their role as mom from their business life—let’s face it, as a mother, there will always be overlap in this area. Our kids are first in our hearts and our heads, and that is nothing to be ashamed of), I do enjoy her light and thoughtful interview style, and have been introduced to many of my new favorite bloggers and podcasts through her show.

10. Achieve your goals

This podcast is hosted by Hal Elrod, author of best-selling book The Miracle Morning, and many other variations of this book. This weekly podcast takes on the feel of his best-selling book, dedicated to empowering you to reach your goals through solid, practical advice and tried-and-true strategies brought to you by leaders in the industry.

There are a whopping 250+ episodes to choose from that offer practical advice and solutions on topics ranging from “How to Use the Miracle Equation to Become a Millionaire” to “Creating a Miracle Morning for Couples.”