by Liz Busby
The world of podcasts is constantly expanding. Presently, it seems podcasts are numerous as the sands of the sea. Just when I think all the available space has been filled, a new podcast will catch my eye, and I’ll think, “How come no one has thought to do that before?” and scramble to subscribe in my podcast app. Even though I am constantly listening to podcasts, I can never seem to keep on top of them all.
Over the last few months, I’ve been working to capture and categorize as many Mormon-themed podcasts as I can which I now bring to you in this Mormon Podcast Directory. I have included podcasts from across the spectrum of belief and various sects of Mormon thought. (Though I have drawn the line at podcasts actively spreading fake news or hatred (either for the LDS church or other groups), I haven’t listened to every podcast, though, so let me know if you have concerns.) All the podcasts below have posted at least one episode in the last year with the exception of completed miniseries podcasts which are also included. The categorization of these podcasts is somewhat arbitrary and based on limited information.
My goal with this directory was to help people looking for a certain type of podcast find the one that sings to them and to showcase the diversity of content being produced. You can view the most up to date version of the directory in this Google Doc. (This version also includes a separate sheet for defunct podcasts which may be of interest.)
The unfortunate thing is that this podcast directory will almost certainly be out of date almost immediately. If I’m missing a podcast or you think I’ve miscategorized one, please email me (contact@lizbusby.com) so that I can correct my list. I can’t promise regular updates, but I think every year or so might be sufficient to give an idea of the scope of Mormon podcasts out in the wild.
Arts & Literature Podcasts
Perhaps most relevant to AML’s mission, this category contains publishers’ podcasts, podcasts with interviews with authors of creative works (interviews with scholars are in another category, though there’s some crossover), and podcasts commenting on the arts from a Mormon perspective.
Called to Create: An LDSPMA Podcast
From the Booth (BYU International Cinema podcast)
Pop Culture on the Apricot Tree
Writing Westward (more Western lit than Mormon, but has included Mormon authors)
BIPOC Podcasts
A small but important category for podcasts dealing with the experiences of BIPOC Mormons. I would love to find more entries for this category!
Ke Alaka’i: The Podcast (BYU-H podcast; not always BIPOC, but much of their content features BIPOC Latter-day Saints)
Come Follow Me Podcasts
Perhaps the most mainstream category of Mormon podcasts, I would guess that the majority LDS church members listen to at least one. These podcasts provide discussion and supplemental information to the LDS Church’s Come Follow Me scripture study curriculum. I’m least confident that I’ve found every podcast in this category.
Latter-day Peace Studies presents: Come, Follow Me
LDS Guided Meditation & Mindful Reading
Meridian Magazine—Come Follow Me
Real Talk: A Come Follow Me Podcast
So What? A Come Follow Me for Teens
The Savior Said: A Come Follow Me Podcast
History Podcasts
It was difficult to distinguish between these podcasts and those in the scholarship and theology categories, but in general, these podcasts are more narrative and not limited to discussing a specific scholar’s work in each episode.
Cold (true crime podcast set in Utah; cases may have Mormon elements)
Dialogue Heritages (complete)
Sunstone Mormon History Podcast
The First Vision: A Joseph Smith Papers Podcast (complete)
The Nauvoo Temple: A Joseph Smith Papers Podcast (complete)
The Priesthood Restored: A Joseph Smith Papers Podcast (complete)
Unfinished: Short Creek (complete)
Women’s Rites (season 1 was on the Community of Christ; season 2 is not Mormon related)
Zion’s Suffragists (complete)
Interview Podcasts
Again, difficult to distinguish from the scholarship podcasts that focus on interviewing scholars, but the podcasts in this category cast a wider scope for interviewing ordinary and celebrity Mormons.
All In (LDS Living)
Conversations with Terryl Givens
This is the Gospel Podcast: A Storytelling Podcast
LGBTQ Podcasts
Varying widely on their relationship to the LDS church, these podcasts share a focus on issues relevant to LGBTQ Mormons.
Strangers No More (finished this year)
Mormon Perspective Podcasts
My catch-all category that includes any podcast that has a Mormon-influenced perspective. Included are mission-focused podcasts, podcasts from specific regions of the LDS church, podcasts for families, children or singles, and many post-Mormon podcasts.
De Kast van Mormon (Dutch)
Funeral Potatoes for the Singles Ward
Wardless: A Post-Mormon Field Guide
Words of the Prophets: A General Conference pocast
News Podcasts
Exactly as the title hints, these podcasts cover news related to Mormons. Several of these podcasts also have occasional interviews or topical episodes.
Politics Podcasts
These podcasts deal primarily with politics from a Mormon perspective.
Scholarship Podcasts
There is some overlap here with the history and theology podcasts, but these podcasts focus on scholarly issues. Many frequently have episodes tied to recently released books and so might be of particular interest to AML. Others deal with non-religious research from scholars who happen to be Mormon.
Seek Learning (BYU Education Department)
So You Want to Talk About Mormonism
Speeches and Articles Podcasts
These podcasts either rebroadcast speeches or read aloud written articles. I find the various themed BYU Speeches podcasts quite interesting, a great way to introduce some serendipitous connections with older material.
Arthur Reads the Book of Mormon
BYU Speeches: By Study and By Faith
BYU Speeches: Classic Speeches
BYU Speeches: Overcoming Adversity
Daily Prophet: Talks from leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Theology Podcasts
These podcasts overlap somewhat with the history and scholarship categories, but generally they focus on discussing theological and philosophical questions. These range across the spectrum of belief and non-belief. Again, the categories are somewhat arbitrary and I haven’t listened to every podcast often enough to make really granular distinctions.
Pesquisas Mormonas (Spanish)
The Book of Mormon, Digging Deeper
Therapy Podcasts
Often hosted by a therapist, life coach, or mental health advocate, these podcasts focus on everyday living from a psychology-informed Mormon perspective.
Depression, Bipolar & Anxiety — living as a Latter-day Saint
Latter-day Saint Life Coaches: The Podcast
Latter-day Saints Dealing with Pornography in Marriage
Mormon Mixed Faith Marriages Podcast
Women’s Issues Podcasts
Podcasts in this category focus on the experience of Mormon women from a wide range of perspectives.
Edified: Insights for LDS Women
I would mention Programa Diario, a Spanish-language LDS Perspectives podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/mx/podcast/programa-diario/id1538195198
Hosted by R. de la Lanza, author of Eleusis, it is now complete.
Added to the spreadsheet! Thanks, Gabriel!
Can you add “In Good Faith”?
http://www.BYUradio.org/ingoodfaith
There are a couple of podcasts with this name—ours is the one with the green logo. 🙂