In recent years, podcasts have exploded and the medium shows no signs of slowing down. According to Pew Research, podcast listenership is on the rise.
However, with this proliferation of content, it can be overwhelming to narrow down the selections and choose a show to listen to.
While iTunes can help whittle down the selection process with its New and Noteworthy section, which showcases popular emerging shows, one of the most trusted ways to discover new content is much more old fashioned: by person-to-person recommendations.
Here we feature a list of top podcasts, as selected by Voices Co-Founder and CEO David Ciccarelli, who has a special interest in content that’s aimed at informing, entertaining and delighting entrepreneurs and leaders.
David’s List of Podcasts for Business Development
There are two kinds of podcasts in this category:
- Those who tell their stories and share insights with the audience in a one-on-one fashion.
- Those who feature industry expert guests, who impart wisdom via Q&A or storytelling.
Beyond featuring shows that interview top-notch guests, David’s top podcast shortlist is made up of other shows that highlight practical, real-world experience. Several of these also focus on providing actionable advice for business owners and entrepreneurs.
“Through podcasts I might hear of a new tool or a survey of interest. It’s useful to look at what other companies are doing. Chances are, if it’s valuable enough for them to mention in a podcast, then it’s worth taking a look,” David says. “Podcast mentions are a good gauge for enthusiasm.”
1. Talent Culture #Worktrends
Hosted by Meghan M. Biro
Podcast Description from iTunes
#WorkTrends is a live podcast and Twitter chat hosted weekly by Meghan M. Biro. The interactive event focuses on The Future of Work, with a sharp lens and even sharper guests.
This podcast invites guest to join in as they discuss technology, people, future casting, workplace culture, recruitment and much more.
#WorkTrends is held every Wednesday from 1 to 2PM EST and from 1 to 1:30PM EST, and features knowledgeable and entertaining guests. At 1:30PM the show hosts move onto Twitter to answer questions from the TalentCulture Community and other participants. Look forward to an engaging and lively discussion!
You can subscribe to the TalentCulture #WorkTrends podcasts on BlogTalkRadio, iTunes and Stitcher.
Links
- Download or subscribe in iTunes
- Twitter: @TalentCulture
2. Work that Matters (WTM)
Hosted by Shawn Murphy
WTM is a top ranked leadership podcast in iTunes & a weekly show featuring leaders exploring the richness of doing meaningful and purposeful work.
Podcast Description from iTunes
The way we work needs to change. The way we lead and manage needs to evolve. This podcast is for new managers, middle-managers and start-up founders who recognize the needs for change and want to do something about it.
Action starts by creating a work environment that helps employees do work that matters. Host Shawn Murphy of SwitchandShift.com brings you two shows a week, featuring top leadership authors, start-up founders, managers, and practitioners.
Links
- Download or subscribe in iTunes
- Twitter: @switchandshift
3. Masters in Business – Bloomberg View
Hosted by Barry Rithotlz
Podcast Description from iTunes
Bloomberg View columnist Barry Ritholtz looks at the people and ideas that shape markets, investing and business.
This podcast contains dozens upon dozens of episodes, and is heavily focuses on guest interviews. Some examples of interviewees include:
- Saadia Madsbjerg, managing director of the Rockefeller Foundation.
- Professor Richard Thaler, Director of the Center for Decision Research at The University of Chicago Booth School. Thaler is also the co-director (with Robert Shiller} of the Behavioral Economics Project at the National Bureau of Economic Research.
- Nick Murray, financial advisor, premier industry speaker and the author of eleven books for financial services professionals.
Links
- Download or Subscribe in iTunes
- Twitter: @business
4. The Globe and Mail – the Risk Takers – Entrepreneur Stories
Hosted by Sarah Efron
Podcast Description from iTunes
The Globe and Mail’s Risk Takers is a podcast about the entrepreneurs who risk everything to grow their businesses. Hosted by Globe and Mail Small Business Editor Sarah Efron. Produced by Sarah Efron and JP Davidson.
Links
- Download or Subscribe in iTunes
- Twitter: @Globe_Careers and #TheRiskTakers
5. Manager Tools ** Top Pick
Hosted by Mark Horstman and Mike Auzenne
Podcast Description from iTunes
Tired of management theory? Want to learn specific skills to help improve your management performance? Then Manager Tools is the podcast for you! Manager Tools is a weekly business podcast focused on helping professionals become more effective managers and leaders.
Each week, we discuss specific actions for professionals to take to achieve their desired management and career objectives.
Manager Tools won Best Business Podcast Award in 2006, 2007, 2008, and 2012 as well as the People’s Choice Award in 2008.
Go to http://www.manager-tools.com/testimonials to read what others are saying about the impact Manager Tools has had on their careers and lives.
Links
- Download or subscribe in iTunes
- Twitter: @managertools
6. The Growth Show
Hosted by Kipp Bodnar and Meghan Keaney
Podcast Description from iTunes
The Growth Show is a podcast for executives and entrepreneurs that shares stories on what it’s really like to grow a business, a movement, an idea, or a team.
Each week, the hosts sit down with someone who has achieved remarkable growth and unpack how they did it.
Get exclusive updates on the podcast, a sneak peek at upcoming guests and more at www.thegrowthshow.com, and if you’re listening on iTunes, please make sure to subscribe.
Links
- Download or subscribe in iTunes
- Twitter: @TheGrowthShow
7. On Brand
Hosted by Nick Westergaard
Podcast Description from iTunes
On Brand is a podcast for brand builders, by brand builders hosted by Nick Westergaard of Brand Driven Digital.
Each weekly episode features an in-depth interview with a branding thought leader or a practitioner from a notable brand.
Conversations focus on the art and science of branding today while including actionable insights and tips that listeners can implement right away.
Most weeks we’ll also publish a short 5-minute Social Sound Bite with the latest social media and digital marketing news, trends, and tips. For show notes and more, please visit http://onbrandpodcast.com.
Links
- Download or subscribe in iTunes
- Twitter: @BrandDrivenTeam
8. Andy Stanley Leadership Podcast **Top Pick
Hosted by Andy Stanley
Podcast Description in iTunes:
Welcome to the Andy Stanley Leadership Podcast, a conversation designed to help leaders go further, faster.
Andy Stanley is a pastor, communicator, author, and the founder of North Point Ministries in Alpharetta, Georgia.
Additional Notes:
Some of David’s favorite episodes include:
- EP. 11: Creating High Performance Teams
- EP. 49: Better Before Bigger
- EP. 52: Listen, Learn and Lead
Links
- Download or subscribe in iTunes
- Twitter: @AndyStanley
9. Mixergy Startup Stories
Hosted by Andrew Warner
Podcast Description in iTunes:
Mixergy.com “Learn from Proven Entrepreneurs.”
In over 1,000 interviews, Andrew Warner asks uncomfortable questions to dig deep into the success and failures of the most successful business founders and thought leaders.
The ideas and stories are so powerful that hearing them will change you. If you are an ambitious entrepreneur crafting your next upstart or startup, there is no greater “street smarts” education than Mixergy.
Go to http://MixergyPremium.com and unlock the full back catalog of audio & video interviews, plus over 200 cheats heets and over 200 exclusive courses taught by real experts on topics like “Mobile App Design,” “Pre-selling,” “How to have a profitable launch,” “Affiliate Marketing,” and “How to Raise $1 Million from Investors.”
Additional Notes:
“This podcast is great because the host gets really good guests on the show,” David says. “This is a great podcast for those who are interested in going behind the scenes of how people build companies, from profitable meditation sites to smart luggage and everything in between.”
Links
- Download or subscribe on iTunes
- Twitter: @Mixergy
The Benefits of Becoming a Podcast Listener
Podcasts offer a great way to join the conversation, no matter the topic or niche. Never before have the key learnings and lessons taught by industry leaders been so accessible.
And even better, we now have a great way of learning not just from the top players – but from our peers as well, as more and more people are invited to become guests on shows.
Podcasts provide a way to passively learn new tips and tricks while you maximize your time. For instance, you can listen in as you’re driving, or doing the dishes. And if there’s one thing that’s certain, it’s that an entrepreneur’s time is at a premium. Why not make the best of every minute?
Thanks to this growing medium you can:
- Tap into the minds of the best and brightest leaders
- Dive into sub-topics of business, such as:
- Marketing
- Leadership
- Entrepreneurship
- HR
- And more!
- Absorb course material, hands-free
- Take advantage of downtime, such as while you’re driving, getting ready in the morning or cooking dinner
- Share your experience with a wider audience by becoming a guest!
What Keeps Your Business Moving Forward?
Clearly, there is no shortage of podcast content for those looking to sharpen their business skills. This shortlist of nine podcasts for entrepreneurs and leaders just scratches the surface!
We’d love to learn how you’re staying up to speed on your industry.
- What books are you reading?
- What podcasts do you listen to when you’re looking for inspiration?
- What else do you do to keep active?
We’d love to hear your recommendations and learn what you’ve been up to.
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