A lot of women consider homekeeping drudgery. It is something that must be done over and over. It’s not like a project that has a beginning and ending point. It isn’t something that earns you accolades or gets you published. You aren’t going to become famous keeping a home, and most of the time no one is even going to notice what you’ve done throughout the day.
I’ve written before about the monotony of homemaking as well as homemaker burnout, but this post isn’t about breaking up the day or even how to be a good homemaker. It’s about being encouraged a little bit at a time.
One of the best ways I’ve found to be encouraged in my homemaking endeavors is to listen to audios that are specific to homemakers. I may not have time to sit down with a book, but I can put on a podcast and keep going with my day. Even now, as I’m recovering from having baby #9, I’m finding great encouragement in listening as I nurse my little one. In fact, last night I sat on the floor outside my toddler’s door and listened to a podcast as I kept watch over his nighttime escape attempts. (He is almost 2 and naps and bedtime have become a struggle because he’s too busy to sleep!)
I thought you might be interested in what is currently in my podcast queue as well as some free downloads I’ve found online that are specifically geared toward the homemaker.
I was only able to find 16 of Melissa Ringstaff’s podcasts on iTunes, but after searching a bit, I found 65 Days worth of her From Calm to Chaos podcast series on her blog, AVirtuousWoman.org.
Laura’s podcasts cover everything from homeschooling to freezer cooking to teaching Scripture to your children! She currently has 11 podcasts available for download on her website.
Biblical Womanhood free mp3 downloads
The link above goes to all the free downloads from Sovereign Grace Ministries on the topic of Biblical Womanhood. I love Carolyn Mahaney’s down to earth practical speaking style!
Donna Otto currently has 301 podcasts available with topics on everything from Scripture to communication in marriage. The link above (and all following) are iTunes links. You can listen via the Podcasts app on your Apple device or download the iTunes app to your computer or other device. Many of these podcasts are also available on Stitcher.
I heard so many good things about Keri Mae’s podcasts, I couldn’t wait to add her to my queue. I am currently listening to the Downsizing Our Home series.
Years and years ago, I took the information on FLYlady and ran with it, transforming my home in the process. As our family grew, many of FLYlady’s tactics didn’t work as well as they once had, but still today, I use things I learned from her to keep my home running smoothly.
Lisa has some great information on organizing. I enjoy reading her blog, but it’s especially nice to be able to listen to her organizing tips when I don’t have the time to read.
Topics on organizing your closet to finding the time to cook! The audio quality isn’t the best, and there are only 10 very short episodes, but they were very good.
Over a hundred episodes, all nice and short, so you don’t have to carve out a lot of time to listen. Topics range from how to clean a washing machine to how to make your home smell good.
I know Dana (aka Nony the Slob) personally, and just love her! She has been blogging through her personal deslobification (as she calls it), and encourages other women to learn to keep a decluttered and “clean enough” home with practical real-life tips.
By the way, Nony’s 2 ebook set (affiliate link) is on sale all of January for $5 total (usually $5 a piece!) – no coupon code needed.
Who knows, maybe someday I’ll make a podcast! Until then, I hope you enjoy the ones I’ve listed!
Did I miss one of your favorite homemaking podcasts? Know of any free mp3 downloads that would encourage the homemaker? Let me know!
Jennifer Capes says
Thank you Amy! Already feeling encouraged! I listened to Heavenly Homemakers Memorizing Scriptures while making breakfast. I pray you are feeling better & healing well from your c-section. I also had a “set-back” after #6. The day after we brought him home we discovered my daughter had the chicken pox! So, one by one they fell. The baby & I had to be quarantined in our bedroom because my mom said I’d never had it. Thankfully, I carried the anti-bodies & never got it, but I later thought what a beautiful time it was to enjoy my new baby! I was also able to get a lot of mending done! Lol.
Laura says
Thank you for this list! I *love* listening to podcasts while I’m decluttering/tidying when my husband is home to help out with the kids (or they’re napping/in quiet time) – it keeps me on track and motivated. I’ve been listening to the A Slob Comes Clean podcast regularly but haven’t tried the other ones.
Ashley Cozzens says
I was seriously just wondering where to look for podcasts that would be more tailored to my interests! Thanks for putting this together!
Amy says
I’m planning to put together more specific lists in the future, but the best way to find them is to Google “your interest” + podcast and then look for those on iTunes. iTunes doesn’t seem to have a “topic” search that works very well. 🙁
Rachele says
Thank you for this list. I used to hate being in the kitchen, it’s in the back corner of the house, I call it my cave. 🙂 I hated being there until I started using that alone time to listen to sermons, or books. My favorite series to listen to is, In Praise & Defense of Marriage, Motherhood and Homemaking by Albert N Martin. The whole 18 part series is on sermonaudio.com.
Amy says
Thank you! I’ll check that out!
Kelsey says
Thank you so much! I’m listening to the downsizing episode right now. Really high quality recording.
Lacey S says
I am so excited about this post, I can’t even tell you!! I JUST learned about podcasts and how to get them on my kindle on Tuesday and have been loving them all week! I also spend time sitting in my boys’ room at night to work on training them to stay in bed and have found podcasts are a fantastic way to make good use of that time. I am sure when my little one arrives in a few weeks it will be a great hands-free nursing activity too! So far I have only discovered Marriage, Parenting, and basic Christianity themed ones. I can’t wait until quiet time this afternoon to check out all these that you have shared!! 🙂
Dawn says
Thank you so much for these!! I sat right here and subbed to some as I was reading. I am late to the game, as usual, and have just started listening to podcasts. I can’t wait to try some of these.
Jaminthia says
Thank you for the list. I love listening to podcasts while the children are napping and I can prepare for second shift.
I look forward to checking these out.
Congrats on baby #9.
Anita says
Hi Amy,
Thank you for sharing these podcasts, it’s a super convenient way for me to learn and be encouraged in my homemaking and homeschooling. I am really loving Donna Otto’s Homemakers by choice podcast and my house is starting to look better for it!
Bless you!
Cheryl says
Thank You for this post, I love to listen to podcasts while I’m in the kitchen, I never knew these existed! I’ve got a big backlog now LOL.
RG says
Thank you so much for this list. What a blessing. Any ideas for good podcasts for kids and teens?
Sharon Roller says
I have started a new homemaking podcast and I currently on my tenth episode! If anyone would like to check it out you can at virtuousmother.com/podcast/
Thanks,
Sharon