The 20 Best Religion and Spirituality Podcasts of 2026: Ranked by Real Chart Data
Updated September 2026 · Based on CastFox data covering 25 Apple Podcasts chart snapshots in 78 countries (2026-02-24 to 2026-09-19) and 5M+ indexed podcasts
If you search best spirituality podcasts 2026 you get lists assembled from memory. This one is assembled from chart records. The 20 shows below are the ones that held the top of the US Religion & Spirituality chart across all 25 CastFox chart snapshots taken between February 24 and September 19, 2026, weighted by average rank and by how many of the 78 countries CastFox tracks each show reaches. Every show here appeared in all 25 snapshots, which is rarer than it sounds: the category churns constantly below the top 20.
Religion and spirituality podcasting in 2026 is not one category, it is six. Structured scripture programs that run on a calendar and keep listeners for a full year (The Bible in a Year, The Bible Recap, BibleProject, The Catechism in a Year, followHIM). Short daily devotional and encouragement shows built for the commute (Joel Osteen, Pastor Rick's Daily Hope, Renewing Your Mind, Joyce Meyer). Church sermon feeds that out-chart most media companies (Timothy Keller, Josh Howerton's two Lakepointe feeds, 2819 Church). Long-form theology and apologetics (Pints With Aquinas, The Bryce Crawford Podcast). Faith, family, and culture commentary (Relatable, Unashamed, WHOA That's Good). And a contemplative wing built around meditation practice rather than doctrine (Tara Brach, The Drop the Needle Podcast).
Each card shows the real cover art, the host, what the show is, why it earned its place in 2026, and who it is best for, plus the chart numbers behind the ranking: how many of the 25 US chart snapshots it appeared in, its average US rank across those appearances, and how many countries it charted in on the most recent scrape. You can monitor any of these shows in CastFox for the full profile, including chart history by country, episode history, and contact details.
The 20 best religion & spirituality podcasts of 2026 at a glance
| # | Podcast | Hosted by | Avg US rank | Best rank | Countries charting | Episodes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz) | Ascension | 1 | #1 | 51 | 1,000 |
| 2 | Joel Osteen Podcast | iHeartPodcasts | 9.3 | #6 | 47 | 1,000 |
| 3 | Timothy Keller Sermons Podcast by Gospel in Life | Tim Keller | 9.2 | #5 | 36 | 100 |
| 4 | Live Free with Josh Howerton | Lakepointe Church | 2.6 | #2 | 17 | 597 |
| 5 | BibleProject | BibleProject Podcast | 10.8 | #5 | 25 | 540 |
| 6 | The Bible Recap | Tara-Leigh Cobble | 2.9 | #2 | 15 | 999 |
| 7 | The Catechism in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz) | Ascension | 11.2 | #7 | 24 | 1,000 |
| 8 | Pastor Rick's Daily Hope | PastorRick.com | 18.3 | #12 | 31 | 730 |
| 9 | Tara Brach | Tara Brach | 28.6 | #22 | 43 | 1,000 |
| 10 | The Bryce Crawford Podcast | Bryce Crawford | 15.3 | #4 | 20 | 188 |
| 11 | Pints With Aquinas | Matt Fradd | 19.5 | #14 | 25 | 842 |
| 12 | followHIM | Hank Smith & John Bytheway | 4.3 | #3 | 4 | 900 |
| 13 | The Drop the Needle Podcast | Jim Alstott | 6.3 | #2 | 2 | 79 |
| 14 | Renewing Your Mind | Ligonier Ministries | 21.5 | #17 | 19 | 120 |
| 15 | 2819 Church | 2819 Church | 14.9 | #10 | 11 | 141 |
| 16 | Relatable with Allie Beth Stuckey | Blaze Podcast Network | 12.1 | #6 | 7 | 1,000 |
| 17 | Unashamed with the Robertson Family | The Robertson Family | 9.6 | #5 | 3 | 1,000 |
| 18 | WHOA That's Good Podcast | Sadie Robertson Huff | 14.1 | #6 | 8 | 437 |
| 19 | Joyce Meyer Enjoying Everyday Life® Radio Podcast | Joyce Meyer | 19.4 | #16 | 13 | 21 |
| 20 | Lakepointe Church with Josh Howerton | Lakepointe Church | 16.4 | #9 | 7 | 192 |
Jump to a Show
- #1. The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
- #2. Joel Osteen Podcast
- #3. Timothy Keller Sermons Podcast by Gospel in Life
- #4. Live Free with Josh Howerton
- #5. BibleProject
- #6. The Bible Recap
- #7. The Catechism in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
- #8. Pastor Rick's Daily Hope
- #9. Tara Brach
- #10. The Bryce Crawford Podcast
- #11. Pints With Aquinas
- #12. followHIM
- #13. The Drop the Needle Podcast
- #14. Renewing Your Mind
- #15. 2819 Church
- #16. Relatable with Allie Beth Stuckey
- #17. Unashamed with the Robertson Family
- #18. WHOA That's Good Podcast
- #19. Joyce Meyer Enjoying Everyday Life® Radio Podcast
- #20. Lakepointe Church with Josh Howerton
Rising this month · How we ranked these · How to pick the right show · FAQ
The 20 Best Religion & Spirituality Podcasts to Listen To in 2026
Bible Study and Year-Long Scripture Programs
#1. The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Hosted by Ascension
About this show: Fr. Mike Schmitz reads the entire Bible across 365 episodes, with commentary, reflection, and prayer, following a reading plan built on the Great Adventure Bible Timeline. Jeff Cavins joins for episodes that set the context for each period in the timeline.
Why it made the list in 2026: The single most consistent show in the category in 2026 and the widest international footprint of any title on this list. A calendar-based program that gives listeners a reason to return every day for a year. Chart record: 25 of 25 US snapshots, average US rank 1, best #1, charting in 51 countries on the latest scrape.
Best fit for: Anyone who has tried to read the Bible straight through and stalled in Leviticus.
#5. BibleProject
Hosted by BibleProject Podcast
About this show: The companion podcast to the BibleProject videos: long, in-depth conversations between the creators about the Bible, biblical theology, and how the books fit together.
Why it made the list in 2026: The deepest of the scripture shows on this list and the one most often used alongside another reading plan rather than instead of one. Chart record: 25 of 25 US snapshots, average US rank 10.8, best #5, charting in 25 countries on the latest scrape.
Best fit for: Listeners who want the literary and theological background before they read a book of the Bible.
#6. The Bible Recap
Hosted by Tara-Leigh Cobble
About this show: Tara-Leigh Cobble follows a chronological Bible reading plan and gives a short daily recap of that day's reading in plain, conversational language, aimed at people who have finished a chapter and wondered what they just read.
Why it made the list in 2026: The highest-ranked woman-hosted show in the category in 2026 and a top-three US average rank across the year. Daily, short, and built on a plan you can actually finish. Chart record: 25 of 25 US snapshots, average US rank 2.9, best #2, charting in 15 countries on the latest scrape.
Best fit for: First-time Bible readers who want a guide rather than a commentary.
#7. The Catechism in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Hosted by Ascension
About this show: The companion program to The Bible in a Year: Fr. Mike Schmitz works through the entire Catechism of the Catholic Church in 365 episodes using Ascension's color-coded Foundations of Faith structure.
Why it made the list in 2026: Proof that the year-long format travels beyond scripture. It charted in every US snapshot this year and in more than 20 countries. Chart record: 25 of 25 US snapshots, average US rank 11.2, best #7, charting in 24 countries on the latest scrape.
Best fit for: Catholics who want to understand the structure of the faith rather than read about it in pieces.
#12. followHIM
Hosted by Hank Smith & John Bytheway
About this show: Hank Smith and John Bytheway interview scholars and teachers to prepare listeners for the weekly Come, Follow Me course of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, publishing every Wednesday.
Why it made the list in 2026: A top-five US average rank for the whole year, built almost entirely on a single national audience rather than international reach. Chart record: 25 of 25 US snapshots, average US rank 4.3, best #3, charting in 4 countries on the latest scrape.
Best fit for: Latter-day Saint listeners preparing for the week's lesson, and anyone curious about how that curriculum is taught.
Daily Devotional and Encouragement
#2. Joel Osteen Podcast
Hosted by iHeartPodcasts
About this show: The daily podcast feed from Joel and Victoria Osteen of Lakewood Church in Houston, built around short messages on fresh starts, encouragement, and living what they call your best life.
Why it made the list in 2026: One of only two shows in the category to hold a US top-10 average across the entire year while also charting in more than 45 countries. Chart record: 25 of 25 US snapshots, average US rank 9.3, best #6, charting in 47 countries on the latest scrape.
Best fit for: Listeners who want a short, upbeat message rather than a teaching session.
#8. Pastor Rick's Daily Hope
Hosted by PastorRick.com
About this show: The daily teaching feed from Rick Warren, pastor and author, delivered in short episodes.
Why it made the list in 2026: One of the four daily devotional feeds that charted in all 25 US snapshots, with reach across more than 30 countries. Chart record: 25 of 25 US snapshots, average US rank 18.3, best #12, charting in 31 countries on the latest scrape.
Best fit for: Listeners who want one short message a day at a fixed time.
#14. Renewing Your Mind
Hosted by Ligonier Ministries
About this show: The daily podcast of Ligonier Ministries, launched by R.C. Sproul to help listeners understand who God is through Scripture. Each episode is a single teaching message.
Why it made the list in 2026: A reformed teaching feed that has held a stable US position all year across roughly 20 countries, without a host-driven personality format. Chart record: 25 of 25 US snapshots, average US rank 21.5, best #17, charting in 19 countries on the latest scrape.
Best fit for: Listeners who want doctrine taught systematically in daily installments.
#19. Joyce Meyer Enjoying Everyday Life® Radio Podcast
Hosted by Joyce Meyer
About this show: The radio podcast feed of Joyce Meyer Ministries, carrying Joyce Meyer's teaching on practical Christian living.
Why it made the list in 2026: A long-running daily feed that stayed in every US snapshot this year across more than a dozen countries, with no reliance on guests or news. Chart record: 25 of 25 US snapshots, average US rank 19.4, best #16, charting in 13 countries on the latest scrape.
Best fit for: Listeners who want practical teaching on everyday problems from a woman teacher.
Church Sermon Feeds
#3. Timothy Keller Sermons Podcast by Gospel in Life
Hosted by Tim Keller
About this show: The sermon archive of Tim Keller, founder of Redeemer Presbyterian Church in New York City and author of The Reason for God. The episodes are recordings of his preaching, mostly aimed at listeners who are skeptical as well as those who are not.
Why it made the list in 2026: One of the four most widely distributed shows in the category, charting in more than 35 countries years into its run. Its appeal is that it argues rather than exhorts. Chart record: 25 of 25 US snapshots, average US rank 9.2, best #5, charting in 36 countries on the latest scrape.
Best fit for: Listeners who want theology that engages directly with doubt and with secular culture.
#4. Live Free with Josh Howerton
Hosted by Lakepointe Church
About this show: The teaching feed from Pastor Josh Howerton of Lakepointe Church in Texas, framed around the church's stated aim of helping people know Christ and live free.
Why it made the list in 2026: The second-best average US rank on this entire list and the strongest showing by any single-church feed in 2026. Its US position is better than most network-produced shows in the genre. Chart record: 25 of 25 US snapshots, average US rank 2.6, best #2, charting in 17 countries on the latest scrape.
Best fit for: Listeners who want sermon-length teaching with a direct, practical delivery.
#15. 2819 Church
Hosted by 2819 Church
About this show: The official podcast of 2819 Church, carrying messages from Philip Anthony Mitchell and guest communicators.
Why it made the list in 2026: The most frequently publishing feed on this list, and a rare case of a single congregation holding a US top-20 average for the whole year on volume alone. Chart record: 25 of 25 US snapshots, average US rank 14.9, best #10, charting in 11 countries on the latest scrape.
Best fit for: Listeners who want preaching that leans challenging rather than comforting.
#20. Lakepointe Church with Josh Howerton
Hosted by Lakepointe Church
About this show: The weekly Lakepointe Church feed, carrying teaching from senior pastor Josh Howerton or another Lakepointe pastor. It is the church-wide companion to the Live Free feed.
Why it made the list in 2026: The second Lakepointe feed in this top 20, which is the clearest sign in the data of how much chart weight a single large congregation can carry. Chart record: 25 of 25 US snapshots, average US rank 16.4, best #9, charting in 7 countries on the latest scrape.
Best fit for: Listeners who want the full Sunday service teaching rather than the edited Live Free cut.
Theology, Apologetics, and Philosophy
#10. The Bryce Crawford Podcast
Hosted by Bryce Crawford
About this show: Bryce Crawford talks about Christ and the major topics facing Christianity and the wider culture, in a Christian commentary format published about twice a week.
Why it made the list in 2026: The biggest mover on this list: it climbed into the US top 10 over the last month after spending much of the year lower down, and it is also on the rising section below. Chart record: 25 of 25 US snapshots, average US rank 15.3, best #4, charting in 20 countries on the latest scrape.
Best fit for: Younger listeners who want commentary on faith and current culture in the same episode.
#11. Pints With Aquinas
Hosted by Matt Fradd
About this show: Matt Fradd hosts long-form discussions, debates, and teachings on the Catholic faith, often with guests who disagree with him.
Why it made the list in 2026: The category's main long-form apologetics show and a fixture in every US snapshot this year, with distribution across more than 20 countries. Chart record: 25 of 25 US snapshots, average US rank 19.5, best #14, charting in 25 countries on the latest scrape.
Best fit for: Listeners who want an argument worked through properly rather than summarized.
Faith, Family, and Culture
#16. Relatable with Allie Beth Stuckey
Hosted by Blaze Podcast Network
About this show: Allie Beth Stuckey breaks down culture, news, theology, and politics from a Christian and conservative perspective, in a daily-format commentary show on the Blaze Podcast Network.
Why it made the list in 2026: One of the few shows in the category that charts on news cycles as well as on faith, which keeps its US position stable in weeks when the rest of the category is quiet. Chart record: 25 of 25 US snapshots, average US rank 12.1, best #6, charting in 7 countries on the latest scrape.
Best fit for: Listeners who want the week's news read through an explicitly Christian conservative lens.
#17. Unashamed with the Robertson Family
Hosted by The Robertson Family
About this show: Phil, Al, Jase, and Zach Robertson, with guests, study the Bible and talk about faith and family from West Monroe, Louisiana, in a loose conversational format.
Why it made the list in 2026: A top-five US peak this year on the strength of a family audience rather than a church or ministry, which is unusual at this level of the chart. Chart record: 25 of 25 US snapshots, average US rank 9.6, best #5, charting in 3 countries on the latest scrape.
Best fit for: Listeners who want Bible study that sounds like a conversation around a table.
#18. WHOA That's Good Podcast
Hosted by Sadie Robertson Huff
About this show: Sadie Robertson Huff, author and founder of Live Original, interviews authors, athletes, musicians, speakers, and actors around a single question: what is the best advice you have ever been given?
Why it made the list in 2026: A US top-20 average across the whole year and a top-10 peak, built entirely on guest conversations rather than teaching or a reading plan. Chart record: 25 of 25 US snapshots, average US rank 14.1, best #6, charting in 8 countries on the latest scrape.
Best fit for: Younger listeners who want faith and life advice through guest conversations rather than teaching.
Meditation and Contemplative Practice
#9. Tara Brach
Hosted by Tara Brach
About this show: Meditation teacher and psychologist Tara Brach, author of Radical Acceptance and True Refuge, publishes a weekly guided meditation and talk blending Western psychology with Eastern spiritual practice, focused on mindfulness and self-compassion.
Why it made the list in 2026: The highest-charting contemplative show in the category and the third most widely distributed title on this list, in a genre where the top of the chart is otherwise almost entirely Christian. Chart record: 25 of 25 US snapshots, average US rank 28.6, best #22, charting in 43 countries on the latest scrape.
Best fit for: Anyone who wants an actual meditation practice rather than talk about one.
#13. The Drop the Needle Podcast
Hosted by Jim Alstott
About this show: Jim Alstott hosts conversations with teachers, healers, doctors, therapists, coaches, and artists about spirituality, mindset, and music, covering practices like meditation, sound healing, and reflective writing. Every guest shares the songs that shaped them.
Why it made the list in 2026: An independent show that peaked inside the US top three in a category otherwise dominated by ministries and networks, and the only title on this list built around music as well as practice. Chart record: 25 of 25 US snapshots, average US rank 6.3, best #2, charting in 2 countries on the latest scrape.
Best fit for: Listeners who want the contemplative side of life discussed without religious framing.
Rising This Month: Religion & Spirituality Podcasts Climbing the Charts (September 2026)
These are the religion & spirituality shows moving up fastest in CastFox rankings. We compare each show's average US chart position across the 3 most recent snapshots (2026-09-04 to 2026-09-19) with the 3 snapshots before that. A show that was outside the top 100 in the prior window is marked as new to the top 100. This section is refreshed every month; the main list above changes more slowly because it rewards consistency.
this is kingdom New to the top 100
Hosted by Grace Freeman. this is kingdom new to the US top 100, now averaging #37, with a best US rank of #29 so far in 2026 and a top-100 position in 0 countries on the latest snapshot. hi, there is a place for you here. talking about Jesus, how He shows up in your story, believing in Him. join us here weekly as we deep dive into our favorite General Conference talks. instagram: @this_is_kingdom_
The Alisa Childers Podcast
Hosted by Alisa Childers. The Alisa Childers Podcast moved from an average of #66 to #31.7 (up 34.3 places), with a best US rank of #30 so far in 2026 and a top-100 position in 3 countries on the latest snapshot. Helping you answer Progressive Christianity and skeptical claims against the gospel from a biblical worldview
Undaunted.Life: A Man's Podcast by Kyle Thompson
Hosted by Undaunted.Life. Undaunted.Life: A Man's Podcast by Kyle Thompson moved from an average of #97 to #66 (up 31 places), with a best US rank of #49 so far in 2026 and a top-100 position in 2 countries on the latest snapshot. The mission of Undaunted.Life is "equipping men to push back darkness," and we do this by providing content that leads men to forge spiritual, mental, and physical resilience. On this show, we tackle all of the hot...
The Miracle Files - True Miracle Stories
Hosted by The Miracle Files - True Miracle Stories. The Miracle Files - True Miracle Stories moved from an average of #69 to #44 (up 25 places), with a best US rank of #26 so far in 2026 and a top-100 position in 6 countries on the latest snapshot. Faith based true stories with the same storytelling intensity as true crime podcasts, The Miracle Files explores miraculous events and inspiring human perseverance. Whether you believe in divine intervention or not,...
GET CANCELLED PODCAST
Hosted by Bryan Smith and Kellen Cowan. GET CANCELLED PODCAST moved from an average of #43 to #18.3 (up 24.7 places), with a best US rank of #17 so far in 2026 and a top-100 position in 1 country on the latest snapshot. In a world that worships easy answers and surface-level conversations, Get Cancelled isn’t afraid to dive into the messy, uncomfortable truths. The truth offends before it sets you free! Hosts Bryan Smith and Kellen...
How We Ranked These: CastFox Methodology
CastFox scrapes the Apple Podcasts charts every day in 78 countries and stores every position in the top 200 of every genre. For this list we took the 25 2026 snapshots of the US Religion & Spirituality chart between 2026-02-24 and 2026-09-19, and scored every show that appeared in the top 100 of any of them.
- Consistency (50% of the score): the number of snapshots in which the show appeared in the US top 100. Every show on this list scored 25 out of 25, which is the filter that removes one-week spikes.
- Average US rank (30%): the mean of the show's US chart positions across those snapshots. Lower is better.
- Global reach (20%): the number of tracked countries in which the show was in the genre top 100 on the most recent snapshot. This is what separates a show with a large US following from a show with a global one.
There are no paid placements and no editorial overrides. A few shows on this list would not be our personal picks; they are here because the chart data put them here, and we would rather show you what people are actually listening to than what we think they should be. Chart position is not the same as audience size, so treat the ranking as a measure of sustained popularity rather than a download count. For a deeper look at what chart data can and cannot tell you, read how podcast audience demographics are calculated.
How to Pick the Right Religion & Spirituality Podcast for You
Which are the best Christian podcasts 2026 has to offer?
Start with the three highest-scoring shows of 2026: The Bible in a Year, the Joel Osteen Podcast, and Timothy Keller Sermons. If you want a daily reading plan instead of teaching, The Bible Recap held an average US rank under three across the year, and Live Free with Josh Howerton is the strongest weekly sermon feed by the same measure.
What are the best Bible study podcasts if you want to actually finish?
Pick a program with a calendar. The Bible in a Year and The Bible Recap both follow a fixed daily reading plan, so you always know what today's episode is. BibleProject is the one to add when you want the theology behind a book before you read it, and followHIM works through the Come, Follow Me curriculum week by week.
Looking for the best daily devotional podcasts for a commute?
Pastor Rick's Daily Hope, Joel Osteen Podcast, Renewing Your Mind, and Joyce Meyer Enjoying Everyday Life all publish on a daily or near-daily schedule in a short format. All four charted in every US snapshot this year, which usually means a listener habit rather than a launch spike.
Where are the best meditation and spiritual growth podcasts?
Tara Brach is the highest-charting contemplative show in the category and the only guided-meditation show in this top 20. The Drop the Needle Podcast is the broader option, covering meditation, sound healing, and mindset through interviews rather than practice sessions.
What are the best faith podcasts for women right now?
The Bible Recap is hosted by Tara-Leigh Cobble and is the highest-ranked woman-hosted show in the category this year. WHOA That's Good with Sadie Robertson Huff, Relatable with Allie Beth Stuckey, Joyce Meyer Enjoying Everyday Life, and Tara Brach are the other woman-hosted shows that charted in all 25 US snapshots.
You want long-form argument rather than a short daily episode
Pints With Aquinas runs long discussions and debates on the Catholic faith, and The Bryce Crawford Podcast takes on major topics in Christianity and the culture around it. Both publish roughly twice a week rather than daily.
Want the next 180 religion & spirituality podcasts?
This list is the top 20. The CastFox Religion & Spirituality chart page shows the top 50 updated daily, and PodcastGPT can find shows on any specific topic across 5M+ podcasts.
See the daily top 50 → Search by topic →Frequently Asked Questions About the Best Religion & Spirituality Podcasts
What is the best religion and spirituality podcast in 2026?
By CastFox's chart-consistency score, The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz) is the best religion and spirituality podcast of 2026. It appeared in all 25 US chart snapshots between February and September at an average US rank of 1, and it charted in 51 of the 78 countries CastFox tracks on the most recent scrape. Joel Osteen Podcast and Timothy Keller Sermons Podcast are second and third.
What are the best podcasts about religion and philosophy?
Pints With Aquinas is the clearest fit: host Matt Fradd runs long-form discussions, debates, and teachings on the Catholic faith, and it charted in all 25 US snapshots. BibleProject covers biblical theology in conversation form, and Tara Brach approaches the same questions from Buddhist practice and Western psychology rather than doctrine. All three are on this list.
How is this list ranked?
Each show's score combines three things from CastFox's Apple Podcasts chart data: how many of the 25 US Religion & Spirituality chart snapshots taken in 2026 it appeared in the top 100 of (50% of the score), its average US rank across those appearances (30%), and how many of 78 tracked countries it charted in on the latest scrape (20%). No paid placements and no editorial overrides.
Are church sermon podcasts really competitive with media company shows?
In this category they beat them. Four of the top 20 are single-church or single-preacher sermon feeds, and Live Free with Josh Howerton from Lakepointe Church held an average US rank of 2.6 across the year, ahead of every network-produced show in the genre. Sermon feeds publish weekly, cost almost nothing to distribute, and carry an existing congregation into the chart.
Which religion and spirituality podcasts reach the most countries?
The Bible in a Year charted in 51 countries on the latest scrape, Joel Osteen Podcast in 47, and Tara Brach in 43. Those three have the widest international footprint in the category. Several strong US performers, including followHIM and The Drop the Needle Podcast, chart in fewer than five countries, which matters if you are buying ads or pitching a guest for an international audience.