My Favorite ‘Quick to Listen’ Podcasts of 2020

Why someone you love might join QAnon, where the black church is in the Black Lives Matter movement, and why we can’t stop talking about hipster pastors.

Christianity Today December 22, 2020

As a journalist, if I summed up 2020 in one word, it would be disinformation. Part of this year, of course, has been defined by its lack of information. How does COVID-19 spread? How long are people contagious? Is it safe to sing at church? But much of my and my fellow reporters’ efforts have been contending with false claims about billionaires influencing the virus, election hacking schemes, an agenda behind mask mandates, and a little conspiracy theory known as QAnon.

Each week on Quick to Listen, I consider the volume of information that we present. Our episodes on Belarus and Armenia this year took me into parts of the world I knew little about and introduced me to geopolitical spaces I’ve never really had to consider. I realize that the fields of knowledge we bring listeners into are vast and complex, and I’m humbled that so many of you are open to learning this much.

My hope for the show is that we are giving you not only more information but also the tools to fight disinformation, and that you would feel shaped in your ability to ask questions, think critically, and dive into the Bible when you encounter complexity. I aspire to produce a podcast that forms and informs. With that in mind, below are some of my favorite episodes that I believe do both. They are arranged in chronological order from the start of the year forward.

Morgan Lee, Quick to Listen co-host and producer

Check out the rest of our 2020 year-end lists here.

Also in this series

Our Latest

News

Strait of Hormuz Closure Is Hurting Global Aid

Christian aviation and relief groups say increased fuel costs and shipping disruptions make it difficult for them to help the world’s most vulnerable.

What Is Godly Resistance?

Exodus’s midwives can teach us a lot about how to fear God more than the king.

Church-Crisis Content Didn’t Help Me

It offered the certitude of a pat narrative when what I needed was music and literature to interrogate myself.

Public Theology Project

Trump’s AI Jesus Might Be the Messiah We’ve Been Looking For

Perhaps this blasphemous image can expose what we’ve become—and, ironically, lead the way back to what’s real.

Changing Times and Technology

In 1981, CT helped evangelicals navigate debates over Ronald Reagan, genetic engineering, television, and male headship.

Partying in Joy and Sorrow

Christ has freed us to be a party people, even in grief and pain.

News

A New Approach to Native Missions Starts with the Past

Janel Breitenstein

A painful history with church-run schools has many Indigenous people wary of Christianity. Native ministries are working to share the real Jesus.

My Family Resisted Iran’s Regime. My Hope Is Not in Foreign Intervention.

Sara Afshari

Jesus spoke peace to his disciples as they hid. Iranian Christians modeled for me that same resistance with grace.

addApple PodcastsDown ArrowDown ArrowDown Arrowarrow_left_altLeft ArrowLeft ArrowRight ArrowRight ArrowRight Arrowarrow_up_altUp ArrowUp ArrowAvailable at Amazoncaret-downCloseCloseellipseEmailEmailExpandExpandExternalExternalFacebookfacebook-squarefolderGiftGiftGooglegoogleGoogle KeephamburgerInstagraminstagram-squareLinkLinklinkedin-squareListenListenListenChristianity TodayCT Creative Studio Logologo_orgMegaphoneMenuMenupausePinterestPlayPlayPocketPodcastprintremoveRSSRSSSaveSavesaveSearchSearchsearchSpotifyStitcherTelegramTable of ContentsTable of Contentstwitter-squareWhatsAppXYouTubeYouTube