In 2021, a movement transpired. Fr. Mike Schmitz, a Catholic priest from Minnesota, released a podcast titled Bible In A Year. As you could probably surmise, the podcast took the listener through all 73 books of the bible over the span of 365 days.

After its release, the podcast ascended to #1 globally and was the subject of numerous news stories—catapulting Fr. Mike to fame. But the podcast didn’t flame out after 2021. Every year since, it has consistently ranked #1 in the Religion & Spirituality podcast category. As of right now, Bible In A Year is on the cusp of a billion downloads.

The Bible in a Year podcast with Fr. Mike Schmitz is incredible.

What gives? It isn’t like Fr. Mike was the first person to develop a yearly bible reading plan. However, he was the first person to journey through the bible in such an organized and compassionate way. By reading different books simultaneously, offering heartfelt prayer, and then analyzing the daily readings in such a straight-forward/loving way, he brought God to millions and won over a massive audience. In fact, this audience extends not just beyond Catholics to Christians of all denominations but to people of completely different faiths—including those with no faith at all.

I joined Fr. Mike during the inaugural year in 2021. The experience opened my eyes and brought so much clarity to how the New Testament fulfills the Old Testament. It was such a comprehensive and rich experience that it truly defined my year.

In 2025, I did it again. Realizing I probably waited too long for another very detailed reading of the bible from front to back, I made the pledge to journey with Fr. Mike for the second time. But this past year my bible odyssey was enhanced just a bit thanks to the participation of someone very close to me…

My mom.

Upon deciding that I would do Bible In A Year again, I asked my mom if she wanted to do it as well. There was no arm twisting needed, she simply and immediately said yes. We listened independently and only checked in periodically with each other about the latest episodes. However, knowing she was listening motivated me even more to listen to God’s word with Fr. Mike each day. Even though we didn’t discuss the content on a regular basis, I would find myself during the podcasts thinking, I bet my mom appreciated hearing that or I wonder what my mom thought about that?

This year, the different letters from Paul spoke to me. When reading the different books that he authored, I found comfort in the fact that a well-documented sinner like him could become one of the greatest Christians to ever walk the earth. I guess there is hope for me. From an Old Testament perspective, I tried to listen closer to the prophets. Jeremiah stood out to me and his devastating account of Jerusalem’s destruction in Lamentations made it obvious why he is often referred to as the “Weeping Prophet.”

Hearing the accounts of the wars, murders, and atrocities in the Old Testament proved difficult for me at times just like it did in 2021. However, I think Fr. Mike’s commentary stuck with me a little more this time around: The world was broken but God was still present. Things were so bad and people were so evil that progress took time to achieve but God guided the positive steps forward…even if some of those steps were baby ones.

But for as difficult as some of those Old Testament books were, the beauty and promise of the gospels made up for any apprehension that bottled up inside of me. I never tire reading about the incarnation of Jesus, His ministry, and His Resurrection and the way that Fr. Mike presented and preached about these four sacred books were the absolute best days in my 2025 Bible In A Year journey.

Friends, we are just one week into 2026. If you are looking for something to do that will truly make this year unforgettable, give BIAY a try. Simply listen to a couple of the podcast episodes per day for the next week and then you will be caught up and primed to listen to a single episode per day for the rest of the year. Of course, don’t let a yearly goal confine you. The truth is that you can listen to Bible In A Year at your own pace and stretch out the podcast over the course of three years or five years.

However, in the end, the mission should be simple: read the bible. Whether you use a podcast or not, read God’s Word. I have always needed to do a much better job at following my own advice and thankfully Fr. Mike Schmitz offered a helpful option. If you think he could assist you as well, give Bible In A Year a try and please don’t hesitate to reach out to me if you need support or have questions. Don’t Blink.