FamilyLife. Help for today. Hope for tomorrow. 

A Christian organization helping couples build healthier marriages and families.

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FamilyLife Podcast Information

What is a podcast or podcasting?
Podcasting makes an audio file, typically an MP3 file, available online for downloading via an automatic "feed." You can then hear the podcast whenever you want from your computer or a portable media player.

What do I need to hear a podcast?
The first thing you need is podcast subscription software. Your options include the latest version of Apple's iTunes (which has the software built in), Juice, or other software (NOTE: these links take you away from FamilyLife.com) to manage your podcast subscriptions. At this point, you will already be able to listen to podcast audio from your computer (provided your computer has a sound card and can play MP3 audio files). If you want to make your podcasts portable, you will need to transfer them from your computer to a portable media device.

How much does it cost to use FamilyLife's podcasts?
FamilyLife's podcasts are free for you to use, but expensive to produce and serve. If you find our podcasts helpful, we encourage you to make a donation to our ministry so that we can continue to make them available to you.

How do I subscribe to a Podcast?
For those new to podcasting, we've provided the following detailed instructions with accompanying screenshots (for iTunes) to help you.

1. Download iTunes to your computer (PC or Mac).

2. Install iTunes on your computer.

3. Open the iTunes application.

iTunes screen shot #1

4. In the horizontal menu appearing at the top, click "Advanced" and then "Subscribe to Podcast."

iTunes screen shot #2

5. After a dialogue box pops up, enter the podcast URL into the text area.

iTunes screen shot #3

Please sign-up for our podcasts to get the podcast URL for FamilyLife Today or Real FamilyLife.

6. In the podcast directory on the right-hand side, you will find the title of the podcast. By default, the latest program should be downloading to your computer. At the far left of the podcast title, an orange circle with a rotating arrow should display. This means a program is in the process of being downloaded.

iTunes screen capture #4

7. Preceding the podcast title, click the filled-in triangle. This will display more FamilyLife programs available for download (typically the last two weeks). The program being downloaded will have an orange circle with a rotating arrow too. Any other programs not downloaded will have a button labeled "GET" next to it. You can click on "GET" to download the other programs.

iTunes screen capture #5

8. Once the program is finished downloading, select the program you'd like to listen to. Then, you can either double-click the program title and it will begin playing or click the play button at the top of the application window.

9. The next time you open iTunes, the application will automatically check to see if the latest FamilyLife podcast is available for download.

10. For instructions on transferring audio (including podcasts) to your Apple iPod, visit this article on the Apple website. Your instructions will vary if you have an MP3 player from another manufacturer.