Free Source of Hope: Podcasts

One of the things that comes up often after a loss is that odd sense of relief you may feel. Maybe it’s relief that you no longer must care for an ailing spouse who finally succumbed to their terminal illness. Maybe it’s relief that you don’t have to argue with that person anymore. Whatever the case, almost immediately following the relief is usually…guilt. Guilt because you shouldn’t be feeling relief if you really missed that person, right? If you really loved them, you wouldn’t be relieved, right?

That question—and more practical ones like it—are addressed in many of the podcasts that you can find for free in your app store or online. I listen to many of these while driving or preparing dinner.

The above question was specifically answered in a podcast I listened to awhile back called the Watch Your Grief podcast and they did a great job of pointing out how unhealthy that thinking is and leading people into a healthier place where they’re not ashamed to speak about it.

There are so many podcasts to choose from that I am only going to highlight a few here. But if you search for a topic or author in your podcast player app, you’ll find a wealth of free resources right there at your fingertips. As with other free resources I’ve recommended before, just remember that they are not all faith-based so you will need to search and listen accordingly.

Here are some of my favorite ones (in no order), but I’d love to know if you have any add. Please share with our community in the comments below.

I’ve also included links to the ones that have graciously interviewed me in case you’re interested 🙂

For grief related topics:

Grief to Great Day
Hope After Child Loss Podcast by The Empty Chair Endeavor
The Nothing is Wasted Podcast
Our Hearts Are Home Podcast
Always Andy’s Mom Episode 182: Jacob’s Mom & Dad
The Good Hard Story with Katherine Wolf
Hope is Here Today GodPrints: Finding Evidence of God
Therapy and Theology with Lysa TerKeurst
While We’re Waiting: Hope After Child Loss
Why Me Project Why Me Project
The HopeCast with Rachael Flick The Hopecast with Rachael Flick-Episode 123-Finding Evidence of God in the Shattered Pieces of Life with guest Jenny Leavitt

For Christian growth and/or resources:

Focus on the Family
halfway there with Eric Nevins
The Strong Women Podcast (There are so many great episodes, but a recent favorite was Gratitude in Suffering: A Reflection on Thanksgiving)
The Proverbs 31 Ministry (I especially liked the episode from Tuesday, November 15th, 2022 as their guest, Taylor Joy Murray was so vulnerable about her rollercoaster ride with anxiety. She addressed the question of… what happens when we try to put a Bible verse over what we are feeling, but it doesn’t change how we feel? What do you do when the Christian solutions for anxiety seem not to be working? Taylor candidly shared her struggles with anxiety and how God met her right there. Then she gave practical ideas for how to navigate those feelings.)
iWitness podcast with Kelly Jo Wilson. She tackles some tough subjects with her interviews, like Lisa Appello’s journey as a widow after losing her husband. Kelly Jo has also graciously interviewed me. What happens to a mother’s faith when tragedy strikes? – IW EP 004 with Jenny Leavitt Part 1
That Sounds Fun! With Annie F. Downs. (I especially enjoyed her interview with Steven Curtis Chapman)
Made For This podcast with Jennie Allen. An interesting one was “What the Bible Says About Our Bodies” from Thursday, December 15th, 2022.

For writers:

The Novel Marketing Podcast
Christian Publishing Show
Your Best Writing Life
Writing Off Social
Pastor Writer (especially for pastors like my husband, but I’ve learned a lot too!)