The hosts reflect on the previous year's highlights, sharing engaging listener statistics. They discuss their transition from radio to podcasting and the most popular episodes, emphasizing exploratory conversations over debates. Exciting future guests are revealed, alongside the announcement of the Exiles in Babylon conference. The complexities of evangelicalism are examined, particularly regarding social justice and transgender experiences. The importance of diverse narratives for fostering understanding is at the forefront of the discussion.
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Quick takeaways
The podcast experienced impressive growth in 2024, achieving top global rankings with about 10,700 daily listeners reflecting its engaging content.
The host emphasizes the mission of fostering inclusive discussions on theological and cultural issues, planning diverse future guests and events.
Deep dives
The Significance of Logos Software
Logos is highlighted as a premier Bible study software that enhances the studying process significantly. Users can easily input scripture passages and access a wide range of commentaries and scholarly analyses immediately, which saves time and effort compared to traditional methods that require handling multiple physical books. The software's powerful search engine capabilities allow for comprehensive insights, making it a valuable resource for pastors, seminary students, and those leading small groups. Furthermore, its recent affordability and a trial period offer an accessible entry point for new users eager to deepen their biblical understanding.
Podcast Growth and Milestones
The podcast experienced remarkable growth in 2024, achieving approximately 4 million streams, which translates to about 10,700 daily listeners. This places it in the top 0.5% of all podcasts globally, a significant milestone reflecting its consistency and dedication. The host expresses love for podcasting due to its ability to foster curious conversations with diverse individuals, and he emphasizes the importance of engaging with experts to gain deeper insights. Even with a slight decrease in apparent listenership, this adjustment is attributed to changes in how Apple records streams, suggesting that the audience may have remained stable or even expanded.
Listener Demographics and Engagement
The demographics of the podcast's audience reveal a diverse age range, with around 20% of listeners aged 65 and older, showcasing its appeal to both younger and older generations. A slight decline in female listenership, from 40% to 34%, is noted, although the overall balance of guests is consciously maintained to promote diversity. The host strives for an equal representation of male and female guests in order to foster inclusivity in conversations. The audience's engagement is further evidenced by the variety of topics that resonate with listeners, indicated by the performance of specific episodes.
Mission and Future Plans
The mission of the podcast is to encourage thoughtful Christian engagement with theological and cultural issues through diverse conversations. Moving forward, the host plans to introduce several notable guests, aiming to cover a wide range of perspectives and topics that are relevant to contemporary discussions. An upcoming highlight is the Exiles in Babylon conference, which will feature speakers addressing critical issues such as evangelicalism and social justice, encouraging thoughtful dialogue among differing viewpoints. This plan reflects a commitment to understanding and addressing both sides of complex matters while offering the audience a comprehensive platform for learning.
2024 has been a good year for Theology in the Raw, and we're looking to make 2025 a GREAT year! In this first of the year, I look at listener statistics and demographics, the most popular episodes, future guests, the exiles25 conference, the mission of TITR, and much more.
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