Bible reading podcast soars on Apple podcasts for January
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A popular daily Bible reading podcast ranked in the Apple Podcasts Top 10 for the third consecutive January. Host Tara-Leigh Cobble says this trend shows more people are “coming home” to a faith they once abandoned.
“We’re seeing a lot of people coming back to religion,” Cobble, host of “The Bible Recap,” told Fox News Digital. “For whatever reason, some of those who walk away or destroy the structure come back home.”
“Bible Summary” is a daily program that teaches listeners the entire Bible in about 10 minutes a day. Launched in 2019 with a modest goal of reaching 300 listeners, it has since grown into a global community with over 500 million downloads. The show recently ranked among the top five Apple podcasts across all categories in the first week of January.
The growth of the podcast has come as interest in spirituality has increased even more. Faith leaders across the US have reported an increase in church attendance since late last year, and Bible sales are reportedly on the rise in the UK and US; Sales in America also show this A jump of 36% last September.
Tara-Leigh Cobble is the host of “The Bible Recap,” a daily Bible reading plan and podcast that hit Apple’s Top 10 in early January. (Bible Summary/iStock via Getty Images)
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Cobble said the show’s continued reach is “exciting” and suggests listeners are “hungry for God’s Word and spiritual growth.”
He’s not encouraged by the typical drop in daily downloads after the New Year, as he believes some people prefer to plan at a slower pace.
“This doesn’t mean people stop reading their Bibles; it just means they start going at their own pace,” he explained. “They miss a day here and there, so they don’t download every day, but they still make the plan around their own schedule.”
“For some people it takes two years to do it, and that’s okay,” he continued. “Each download represents a person interacting with the Scriptures, so each download will always be important to us!”
Printed Bible sales reportedly increased after the death of Charlie Kirk in September. (iStock)
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Cobble gave practical tips to listeners who want to make a habit of reading the Bible. She recommends stacking habits, like incorporating the day’s reading into your morning routine.
“I love listening to the readings on the audio Bible app every day as I prepare my coffee and start my day,” she said. “Then I sit with it. I’ve made it part of my routine.”
She also encourages making the plan with a friend for accountability and shared learning.
“This brings not only the dimension of responsibility, but also a new layer of joy and discovery!” he said.
To help make Bible reading a habit, Tara-Leigh Cobble, host of “The Bible Recap” podcast, recommended making a daily reading plan with a friend. (iStock)
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Most importantly, Cobble emphasized that the goal is not perfection or 100% understanding of every passage, but a deeper relationship with God.
“Remember: Every day you are in God’s Word, you are right on time,” he advised. “Don’t let your perfectionism steal your enthusiasm. Don’t expect to do it perfectly or understand it completely. That’s not what it’s about. It’s about seeking God and His character in the pages of His Word, and every day is a treasure hunt! And He promises that if you seek Him with all your heart, you’ll find Him! So keep digging!”
His ministry is expanding to reach families and recently launched a new podcast called “The Bible Recap Kids,” hosted by “Miss Emily,” which debuted at #1 on Apple Podcasts in the Kids & Family category in January.
The show is aimed at children ages 3-12 and is designed for families to listen and read together. Cobble said the podcast uses age-appropriate language for difficult passages, leaving parents and caregivers with heavier conversations.
“The Bible Recap” podcast network recently launched “The Bible Recap Kids” for young listeners to complete the Bible with their parents. (iStock)
Cobble said he hopes the podcast for 2026 will help people who have strayed from their faith reconnect and grow deeper in the Scriptures.
“After all, everything we do is to help people read, understand, and love the Bible and the God who wrote it!” he said.
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