Remember skimming through radio stations, desperately trying to find something worthwhile to listen to? Like many things that we as parents put up with (dial-up modems and winding cassette tapes, anyone?!), kids these days can listen to anything they’re interested in – from geeky science facts to horror stories to creative narratives of love and loss — at the touch of a finger.
What is this magical replacement to traditional radio? It’s known as a podcast, a term most people are familiar with nowadays. A podcast is, by definition, a an episodic series of digital audio files made available to download through the internet. Listeners can subscribe to their favorite podcasts and can listen either online or offline for ease of use. Better yet, they’re free!
My daughter is a huge fan of podcasts and thanks to her, I’m hooked! We take turns choosing a podcast to listen to on the way to school and it makes the long drive to Education City pass by so quickly. Here is a list of podcasts I compiled that are Muslim tween / teen appropriate (my daughter had a big say in this list!) If you have any recommendations, please drop me a DM and I can add to the site.
Hosted by Mifrah Mahroof, Maheen Malik, and Hidayah Yuswirahim, MLH focuses in on tangible ways to improve both your physical connection to Islam (for example how to wake up for fajr or pray on time) and spiritual connection to the religion. I love that they talk about themselves and the challenges that they face as well. The Muslim Life Hackers Podcast is a great way to think about ways on how to improve and better ourselves as Muslims.
Deenspiration – I’ve mentioned this podcast in a few of my stories. The Deenspiration Podcast is a fun, inspiring and spiritually uplifting Islamic show that provides valuable, easy-to-implement tips, tricks and tools for your Deen. The host, Usman, is a Scottish Muslim brother who regularly invites influential Muslims from around the world to share their gems, wisdom and practical advice that’s designed to help you worship better, fall in love with Islam and developer a closer relationship with Allah (swt).
Seekers Guidance – A podcast that reaches millions of Muslims around the world, connecting you to reliable Islamic scholars and a love of Allah and the Prophetic way. If you have a question about a topic and you want to hear from a scholar, especially if it’s a current topic, this is the podcast to listen to.
Course Correction – A production of Doha Debates and Qatar Foundation, host Nelufar Hedayat tackles the most pressing global problems in a very personal way. Can she live on less than 50 liters of water a day or make it a week without using plastic? From climate change to the gender pay gap, Course Correction dives deep into each topic, as Nelufar hears from local activists and experts, and challenges herself to understand the issues firsthand.
This American Life – One of my favorite podcasts. From WBEZ Chicago Public Radio, This American Life podcast gives listeners touching, humorous and often unexpected vignettes of life in America. Consistently ranked #1 Podcast in the US. Hosted by Ira Glass.
Salam, Girl – Hosted by two energetic American converts Monica Traverzo and Nicole Queen, Salam Girl! is definitely both an original and unique platform for Muslim women to explore their faith and community. They discuss topics such as converting to Islam, mental health and self-care, hijab, and the importance of friendships.
Hidden Brain – The Hidden Brain helps curious people understand the world – and themselves. Using science and storytelling, Hidden Brain’s host Shankar Vedantam reveals the unconscious patterns that drive human behavior, the biases that shape our choices, and the triggers that direct the course of our relationships.
Quran Weekly – Muslim Central is a private Audio Podcast Publisher. Their audio library consists of Islamic lectures, interviews, debates and more, with over 100 speakers and shows from around the world. The Quran Weekly consists of weekly reminders by a group of motivational and inspirational speakers, namely Yaser Birjas, Nouman Ali Khan, Abdul Nasir Jangda, Omar Suleiman and Mufti Hussain Kamani.
