In what is quickly becoming an annual tradition, Ascension’s record-breaking podcast The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)™ featuring Jeff Cavins has once again hit #1 on the Apple Podcast charts in all categories.
#1 Show for the Second Year in a Row
This is the second year in a row for The Bible in a Year podcast to inaugurate the new year at the top of the charts. After the show’s launch in January 2021, it held the #1 position in all categories from Jan 2 – 18, 2021, a feat never before accomplished by a religious program.
The Bible in a Year went on to be the #1 podcast in Religion & Spirituality for the majority of 2021, and maintained a steady presence in the Top 40 podcasts in all categories. The show averaged nearly a half million daily downloads in 2021 and reported 170 million total downloads and 4 billion minutes of listening time by December 31.
Listeners Hail Podcast as a Life-Changing Experience
Ascension’s website and social media pages are awash in testimonials from Bible in a Year listeners, such as the more than 34,000 5-star reviews for the show on Apple Podcasts:
- “Best download of the year,” raves listener spbryan. “Father Mike… I have shared your podcast with Catholics who left the Church, with those who are in the Church and with Protestants here in the Deep South where I live. All listened – you have given us a gift. … Your words make everyone feel like you are their priest. … You have reached so many souls this year. My brother started attending Church again after listening – I could go on and on – thank you – thank you – thank you.”
- “SUCH A BLESSING!” writes Mewantzen! “This is the first review I’ve left for a podcast, and I feel so compelled to do so after listening to the ending episode. The ending episode was so so beautiful – Fr. Mike demonstrates his love not only for this project but also his flock of sheep that have partaken in this journey with him. I thank and praise God for the Word of God I was finally able to listen to for the first time.”
- “A must,” effuses tony bleyer. “Wow. So great. instead of feeling sad from the news, be uplifted by The Bible in a Year!”
Additional testimonials can be found in Ascension’s 84,000 member dedicated BIY Facebook Group, on Ascension’s website, and on Apple Podcasts.