Memorial Baptist Church

If you've never podcasted before, you are missing out.  I've been podcasting for a while and have found it's a great way to grow and be challenged in my walk on a daily basis.  I want to give you a few pointers and some links to some good podcasts to get you started on your way to being a podcast guru.

First of all, you do not need to own an iPod to be a podcaster.  This is a common misconception made by the general public.  They hear the word "pod" and automatically assume that an iPod is needed.  Don't let the word throw you.  Personally, my family has 3 iPods and we use them all.  We have an iPod shuffle (that you can buy for $49), a video iPod, and I just bought Hillary an iPod Touch.  While you do not need an iPod to be an avid podcaster, I would recommend purchasing one because they are now cost effective and come in very handy in everyday life.  I am proud to admit that I rarely listen to the radio in my car nor do I subscribe to a radio service.  Instead, I get to listen to what I want to, when I want to.  But enough with my iPod sales pitch ;)

You will need to download some free software if you haven't already downloaded it.  It's called iTunes and you can download it for free here.  iTunes is simply software that allows you to organize your music and videos and listen to them when you want.  If you do own an iPod, it is also how you get your music and videos from your computer to your iPod.  iTunes will handle your podcasts.  Once you subsribe to a podcast, iTunes will actually download the files on its own and will have them available for your listening/viewing pleasure.

Once you have iTunes open, go to the "advance" drop down menu and select "subscribe to podcast."  Then just paste the podcast links I have below and you are on your way.  Once you've subscribed to some podcasts just click on the "podcasts" icon and words in the left hand column on your iTunes interface.  It will display all the podcasts you have subscribed to.  You can select which files you would like to watch or listen to and enjoy. 

Here are some recommended podcasts from my personal library

• http://www.memorialbaytown.com/Rss.aspx?ContentID=88159 - Memorial Baptist Church // Baytown, TX // Brad Hoffmann



• itpc://web.mac.com/brook.hills/Brook_Hills_Podcast/The_Church_at_Brook_Hills/rss.xml - The Church at Brook Hills // Birmingham, AL // Dr. David Platt



• http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?id=82014403 (clicking on this link will open it in iTunes, you will need to subscribe to the podcast through iTunes) - The Village Church // Highland Village, TX // Matt Chandler



• http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?id=129084376 (clicking on this link will open it in iTunes, you will need to subscribe to the podcast through iTunes) - Breakaway Ministries // College Station, TX // Ben Stuart

You can also search for more podcasts through iTunes itself.  Just select the "iTunes Store" on the left column on your iTunes interface and search for podcasts on the upper right corner where it says, "search iTunes store."  Let me know if you have any questions.

Happy podcasting...