Sidebar Episode -- Mid-Year Check-In: Growth, Numbers, and What’s Next

Sidebar Episode: 2026 Midyear Review (Episode 266) Hello again, everybody! Join host Lance Smith for a special midyear check-in on the Bible Difficulties and Answers Podcast. Whether you’ve been listening since our 2023 trailer or you’re just joining us, this episode is packed with encouragement, gratitude, and the latest numbers showing how God continues to use this little podcast. We take a honest look back at the first half of 2026: • 11,755 downloads — a strong 70.8% increase over the first half of 2025 • Average ~1,959 downloads per month and ~245 downloads per episode (up from 143 last year) • On pace for over 23,000 downloads in full-year 2026 • International growth exploding: U.S. at 65.17%, with big surges from Singapore (13.94%) and Canada (10.70%), plus listeners across the UK, Germany, Hong Kong, and many more countries • Desktop listening surging (Windows at 29.77%, Google Chrome leading sources at 27.72%) alongside strong mobile numbers We also celebrate the ongoing Tuesday Contradictions series (born from your feedback) and the well-loved Sunday series walking through C.S. Lewis’ Mere Christianity. Plus, Lance shares listener patterns, favorite moments, and why these “numbers” really represent people opening their Bibles and wrestling with God’s Word. This episode is full of gratitude, honest reflection, and excitement for what’s ahead in the second half of 2026. Slow thinking still beats fast answers—thank you for being part of this community! Links & Ways to Connect: • Website: https://bibledifficultiesandanswers.podbean.com • Email questions: [email protected] • Facebook Group: Bible Difficulties and Answers (great conversations happen here!) • Support (optional): https://buymeacoffee.com/lancesmith If this podcast has encouraged you, please: ✅ Tell two friends about it ✅ Leave a 5-star rating/review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Podbean, etc. ✅ Join the conversation in our Facebook group New episodes drop regularly—subscribe so you never miss one!