(Pictured above: Jenna Ellis hosts AFR's Jenna Ellis in the Morning.)
Since its founding in 1991 by Don Wildmon, AFR has been broadcasting across the airwaves with the mission of promoting decency and Christian values. What started as a radio network has since expanded into the world of podcasting, allowing AFR’s message to reach even more listeners.
According to Jonathan Coker, director of AFR, the network technically began offering podcasts in 2014, but it wasn’t until 2016 that it decided to offer all of its live shows as podcasts (digital audio files available for download). He told The Stand that this move was driven by the desire to provide listeners with the convenience of accessing AFR’s content on demand.
“We recognized the growing popularity of podcasts,” Coker explained. “For our listeners who couldn’t catch our shows live on the radio due to busy schedules, podcasting offered a convenient solution. They could easily download our podcast episodes and listen whenever it suited them, without being tied to a broadcast schedule.”
The impact of podcasting
The decision to move to podcasting has proven to be a resounding success for AFR. Coker revealed that the network now receives an average of over 500,000 podcast downloads per month across all of its shows. This staggering number not only highlights the effectiveness of AFR’s content but also demonstrates the far-reaching impact of podcasting.
“AFR listeners appear to be sharing podcasts with their friends and families,” Coker noted. “This kind of grassroots promotion is likely the reason for the rising download numbers.”
Engaging the culture
Coker explained that for AFR, the true value of podcasting lies in its ability to carry out the network’s goal of furthering the mission of its parent organization, AFA: “to inform, equip, and activate individuals and families to transform American culture and to give aid to the church, here and abroad, in its calling to fulfill the Great Commission.”
“Podcasts have proven invaluable for expanding awareness of AFR’s goal,” Coker remarked. “It used to be the case that discovering AFR was a happy accident, just flipping through the stations in the car. Now, we can promote it more intentionally, and it is easy for listeners to share with others.”
In addition, Coker noted that listeners who discover AFR through podcasts often go on to download the network’s mobile app, allowing them to tune in to AFR’s programming even in areas where the network does not have a radio station.
How to get started with podcasts
For those new to podcasting or looking to explore AFR’s offerings, they can start by downloading a podcast app (such as Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, or Spotify) on a smartphone, tablet, or computer. Listeners can search for shows they are interested in, subscribe to be notified of new episodes, and download individual episodes to listen to anytime.
Additionally, AFR has its own dedicated mobile app, available on the Apple App Store, Google Play, and Amazon App Store as well as on platforms like Roku and Alexa. The app not only allows users to listen to AFR’s radio streams but also provides access to podcasts, enabling listeners to download and enjoy their favorite shows on the go.
“By growing the ministry’s podcasting efforts,” said Coker, “AFR is strengthening its role as a voice promoting biblical principles across the nation, reaching more people than ever before through this accessible digital format.”
(Digital Editor's Note: This article was published first in the July 2024 print edition of The Stand. Click HERE for a free six-month subscription to The Stand magazine.)
