8 podcasts for the spiritual searcher

Organized religion may be on the decline, with more Americans than ever identifying as atheist, agnostic or religiously unaffiliated. But spirituality's grip is tenacious, with the search for meaning taking different paths.

A growing number of Americans identity as "spiritual but not religious," a trend that tracks with the explosion of interest in practices like meditation and astrology that transcend traditional religion. If you are spiritually curious, podcasts make it possible to curate your own diverse radio diet.Here are eight podcasts about spirituality and religion that should be on your radar, from Christian sermons and Muslim slice-of-life stories to skeptical undercover investigations.

1. 'On Being'

With "On Being," Krista Tippett explores what it means to be human and live well, through conversations with scientists, artists, politicians and more. The focus is not on any particular belief system or denomination, but on the abstract forces — beauty, nature, loss — that can shape an inner life. When Tippett was awarded the National Humanities Medal in 2014 for her work on the show, the Obama White House praised her in a statement for "embracing complexity and inviting people of all faiths, no faith, and every background to join the conversation." That remains the podcast's strong suit today.

2. 'Oprah's SuperSoul Conversations'

Oprah Winfrey brings her trademark empathy to weekly sit-downs with artists, leaders and entrepreneurs in a format that encourages candor and self-reflection. The podcast, a spinoff from Winfrey's OWN show "SuperSoul Sunday," is closely aligned with the principle of mindfulness, as Winfrey encourages listeners to "take time to be more fully present" and "more connected to the deeper world around us." Though some episodes are overtly religious most take a broader view of...