I got a new toy.
A new purposeful toy–well, at least that is what I’ve said.
I purchased my first iPod (mp3 player).
The primary reason I purchased an iPod was for podcasts.
Clarification: Podcasts are simply mp3, the most common audio format available. It is the most common because anyone can use it. Many different mp3 players are available. iPod is the brand name for the Apple mp3 player–the most popular player.
Podcasts are audio (and sometime video, called vodcast by some) program / messages that can be subscribed to. Meaning that once you subscribe each time your turn on your podcast receiver–iTunes for iPods the audio program is automatically downloaded. (If you have another brand of mp3 player or if you want to use Windows Media Play or other media play I recommend Juice to manage podcast subscriptions. Not as easy as iTunes but it does work.)Â If you already use RSS (Really Simple syndication) to subscribe to blogs, you may be able to use it to subscribe to podcasts–I use google reader and it has that capability.
You can subscribe to podcasts without an mp3 player–just use your computer. I recommend iTunes it is the easiest and most widely supported.
That was for those who might be new to podcasts.
Why did I want to listen to podcasts?
For learning and growing.
There is an amazing amount of free material available. For example:
Audio read through the Bible
Sermons
News
Thought I’m still new to this, here is what is on my iPod now:
Northpoint ministries–Andy Stanley (I’m listing to a great 6 part series on margins in life)
Mosaic–Erwin McManus
Dallas Seminary Chapel messages
1 Year through the Bible–Tom Dooly
Mission Network News
3 Part series on Christian Theology by Alister McGrath
ABC News (I’m looking from something better).
You may even be interested in Romans: The Transforming Power of the Righteousness of God podcast (go to the bottom of the page and click either subscribe through iTunes or RSS depending on your podcast preference).
What podcasts do you listen to?
