Sidebar Episode -- Mid-Year Check-In: Growth, Numbers, and What’s Next
About this episode
Lance Smith reflects on the growth and impact of the podcast during the first half of 2026.
Sidebar Episode: 2026 Midyear Review (Episode 266) Hello again, everybody! Join host Lance Smith for a special midyear check-in on the Bible Difficulties and Answers Podcast. Whether you’ve been listening since our 2023 trailer or you’re just joining us, this episode is packed with encouragement, gratitude, and the latest numbers showing how God continues to use this little podcast. We take a honest look back at the first half of 2026: • 11,755 downloads — a strong 70.8% increase over the first half of 2025 • Average ~1,959 downloads per month and ~245 downloads per episode (up from 143 last year) • On pace for over 23,000 downloads in full-year 2026 • International growth exploding: U.S. at 65.17%, with big surges from Singapore (13.94%) and Canada (10.70%), plus listeners across the UK, Germany, Hong Kong, and many more countries • Desktop listening surging (Windows at 29.77%, Google Chrome leading sources at 27.72%) alongside strong mobile numbers We also celebrate the ongoing Tuesday Contradictions series (born from your feedback) and the well-loved Sunday series walking through C.S. Lewis’ Mere Christianity. Plus, Lance shares listener patterns, favorite moments, and why…
More episodes of The Bible Difficulties and Answers Podcast
- Tuesday Contradictions: Matthew 23:1-3 – Should We Do What the Pharisees Say to Do?
- Sunday Series — Mere Christianity: A Conversation for the Common Hall – Book Two, Chapter Three: The Shocking Alternative
- Numbers 31—How Can God's Judgment Against Midian Be Morally Right?
- Tuesday Contradictions: Matthew 22:39 – Does God Approve of Slavery? Unpacking a Tough Question
- Sunday Series — Mere Christianity: A Conversation for the Common Hall – Book Two, Chapter Two: The Invasion
- Numbers 25:8-9 — 23,000 or 24,000? Solving the Baal Peor Mystery
Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the The Bible Difficulties and Answers Podcast podcast page.