Things you should know about me: 1) There's nothing I love more than a perfectly worded sentence. 2) I'm a sucker for a good marching band. 3) Whenever I discover something cool and new for me, I become obsessed with it until it obliterates all sense of self and I become a new person.

As of late, I've been on a “high” concerning #3 above and the thing I'm currently obsessed with is the world of podcasts. Unashamedly, I've been listening to hours upon hours upon hours of podcasts. I was never on the podcast bandwagon before (for reasons I cannot even explain to myself) but NOW I am fully on the bandwagon and let me tell you, there’s no going back. I am here to inform you about the MUST-LISTENERS and spread awareness that podcasts are life-changing.

List of essential podcasts to start off with:

1) Invisibilia – A must-listen about the unseen forces that drive us. It beautifully combines narrative storytelling and scientific research to create an opportunity to see your own life differently within each episode. Ordinary, everyday things unpacked and unloaded to make you think more deeply than you ever have before.

2) RadioLab – An investigation told through various stories all centered around one topic. It has amazing reporting of incredibly interesting “human interest” stories.

3) This American Life – Similar to RadioLab, this covers various stories loosely relating to one idea. The producer, Ira Glass, is a genius, leaving you with an insightful rollercoaster of emotions in each episode.

4) Serial – One story is unfolded over the course of a whole season. The host, Sara Koenig, follows the characters and plot wherever they may lead, creating a gripping and surprising investigative re-telling of real life stories. SO GOOD.

5) S-Town – A new podcast by Serial and This American Life about a guy named John from Alabama who asks that Brian, the host, investigate the murderous happenings of his town that he despises. This podcast has many twists and turns, “but when someone else ends up dead, the search for the truth leads to a nasty feud, a hunt for hidden treasure, and an unearthing of the mysteries of one man’s life.” This is a work of art, if you ask me!!!

6) Stuff You Should Know – Different topics about everything in this world. Josh and Chuck are hilarious and intelligent, informing us on everything there is to know about the world around us.

7) She Explores – “Inquisitive women in the outdoors, on the road, and besides. A podcast for and about women who are inspired by time spent outside.” How can you not get inspired by that??

8) Ted Radio Hour – BECAUSE WHO DOESN’T LOVE A GOOD TED TALK?? Guy Raz, the host, puts together a couple related TED Talks centered around a common theme and interviews the original speaker. A really interesting, thought-provoking look at fascinating ideas.

Things I've learned while becoming an avid podcaster:

1) People’s stories are my FOOD.

2) As said perfectly by my wonderful cousin, “I love hearing so many individual stories and perspectives and finding wonderment in so many people’s lives and so many elements of the world that I never would have known about or been excited about before…They are meaningful and make you question and appreciate and be amazed by many things.” (I give credit for the list of amazing podcasts to this cousin, who opened up the door to this spectacular world to me.)

3) Learning about the world around us is not only cool and exciting, but it is essential to fully engage in the world we live in. By learning about different people’s stories, we gain perspective of other circumstances outside our own, which makes us able to connect to and appreciate so much more to different world views. .

4) I am constantly amazed and continually find wonderment in God’s creation through these podcasts.

5) Inspiration is never in a drought during a good podcast session!!

Now you have no reason to not become an avid podcaster!!!