If you’re a budding entrepreneur, then you’ll already know that it’s imperative to success that you take on as much advice and information as you possibly can. But reading the right books and following the right blogs is an energy-consuming task – not ideal in a field where maximising your productivity is everything.
Luckily, there’s a simple solution: the podcast. Essentially a form of on-demand radio, you can listen in while you’re driving, cooking dinner or at the gym – perfect, in other words, for the multitasking lifestyle of a small business owner. They are free and easy to access, too, meaning there’s no financial outlay for the invaluable nuggets of wisdom and truth that you’ll inevitably encounter.
To help point you in the direction of said nuggets, we’ve compiled a list of the best business podcasts currently being broadcast, taking in everything from marketing tips to motivational stories in order to guide and inspire you on your entrepreneurial journey.
So, instead of putting down whatever you’re doing, carry on; just make sure you’re hooked up to one of these top shows while you’re doing it!
These are the best entrepreneur podcasts.
13. Building a StoryBrand with Donald Miller
StoryBrand.com via iTunes
Expanding on the ideas originally explored in Miller’s eponymous bestseller, Building a StoryBrand (as the name suggests) is about focusing on the importance of storytelling in marketing – an important concept for startups and small businesses that often rely on clever brand strategies to bridge the resource gap. Seth Godin, Daymond John and Blake Mycoskie are among the recent guests sharing their thoughts.
12. The GaryVee Audio Experience
Gary Vaynerchuk via iTunes
For those who are unfamiliar, the ‘GaryVee’ in question is eCommerce and digital marketing guru Gary Vaynerchuk, whose company VaynerMedia has given digital marketing advice to General Electric and Anheuser-Busch, among others. As a part-time angel investor (Vaynerchuk’s net worth is estimated at around $160 million – or £123.7 million), the former wine merchant is also well placed to advise aspiring entrepreneurs on what exactly it takes to secure funding.
11. TEDTalks Business
TED via iTunes
The beauty of TEDTalks is that even though there is a set general theme (in this case, business), there are no real restrictions on how to approach the topic. Nothing is off limits, and the range of contributing speakers – from unfamiliar names with inspirational stories to big-hitting industry leaders – means that there is almost definitely something for everyone, especially entrepreneurs.
10. Mixergy
Andrew Warner via iTunes
Hosted by Andrew Warner, a former tech startup CEO turned business speaker, Mixergy is a large collection of interviews with proven entrepreneurs across a whole host of industries. What separates it from other similar podcasts, though, is that Warner doesn’t give his guests an easy ride; he asks all the difficult questions and really gets into the nitty-gritty of what it takes to succeed.
9. Masters of Scale with Reid Hoffman
WaitWhat via iTunes
Now in its third season, Masters of Scale – hosted by LinkedIn cofounder Reid Hoffman – tackles a particularly tricky aspect of startup management: knowing when, and how, to scale. Each episode looks at a different scaling approach, with the discussions given validity by some seriously heavyweight guests; Facebook’s Mark Zuckerberg, Starbucks founder Howard Schultz and Netflix’s Reed Hastings have all made recent appearances.
8. The $100 MBA Show
Omar Zenhom via iTunes
Essentially a series of practical how-to business lessons, host Omar Zenhom builds on what he learnt at the Wharton Business School (at least, before he dropped out in frustration at its perceived failure to keep up with the times) and delivers it in an accessible and user-friendly form to, well, anyone who’s interested. If you’ve ever wondered what you can learn on an MBA, but don’t have the time, money or means to embark on one, then this is the podcast for you.
7. The BizChix Podcast
Natalie Eckdahl via iTunes
In a vein similar to other popular podcasts such as She Did it Her Way and Women Who Startup, The BizChix Podcast is aimed primarily at women who are looking to balance their business aspirations with their personal commitments. As a successful business strategist/coach, media mogul and mother-of-three, host and founder Natalie Eckdahl is well placed to lead such discussions. As well as offering advice and interviewing other successful businesswomen, Eckdahl also regularly holds on-air coaching calls with lucky individuals.
6. Business Wars
Wondery via iTunes
Taking the competition between major rival corporations as its starting point (‘McDonald’s vs Burger King’ is a particularly indicative recent feature), Business Wars focuses not so much on the numbers, but on the inventors, leaders and executives behind the brands – and how their decisions, behaviours and ambitions have effectively shaped our consumer society in the process. Host David Brown is a veteran radio journalist, and so knows his way around a story and whether the outcome for the people involved in each episode is success or ruin. There are always plenty of lessons to be learnt from this enthralling series.
5. StartUp Podcast
Gimlet via iTunes
For fledgeling business owners, much of StartUp Podcast’s value is likely to be found in its first season, where founder and host Alex Blumberg documents the trials and tribulations of getting his podcast production company, Gimlet Media, off the ground. It’s an invaluable insight into the entrepreneurial process, from original idea right through to successful execution, and covers ground (such as the correct clothing etiquette when pitching to tech investors) that is often overlooked elsewhere. While later series are perhaps smaller in scope, Startup Podcast is the quintessential startup podcast and should be required listening for anybody who’s serious about growing their idea.
4. HBR Ideacast
Harvard Business Review via iTunes
As the official podcast of the Harvard Business Review, HBR Ideacast’s bar was always going to be high; luckily, with two of the HBR print edition’s senior editors – Alison Beard and Curt Nickisch – guiding the reins, those expectations are well met. Regularly featuring Harvard academics and other senior industry figures, each episode asks challenging questions along a relevant business theme; the results of their findings will undoubtedly leave you with plenty of food for thought in your own venture.
3. Entrepreneurs on Fire
John Lee Dumas via iTunes
Founded and hosted by John Lee Dumas, a former Army officer turned realtor (by way of a failed semester at law school), Entrepreneurs on Fire offers a simple premise: regular interviews with business owners of all backgrounds and success levels. It’s Dumas’ colourful background and subsequent rise to entrepreneurial prominence that is the real star of the show, though. His story is proof that anyone can become successful with the right attitude and willingness to learn, while marketing royalty such as Seth Godin, Gary Vaynerchuk and Tim Ferriss have all made appearances.
2. The Tim Ferriss Show
Tim Ferriss via iTunes
If cameo excerpts are not enough, however, and you want a bit more of the 4-Hour Workweek guru, then you’re in luck. As the first business podcast to exceed 100 million downloads, and with three Best of iTunes awards to its name, The Tim Ferriss Show is a true runaway success. There are over 350 episodes to sink your teeth into, too, all featuring an eclectic mix of guests. Whether it’s Tony Robbins explaining the importance of morning routines, Arnold Schwarzenegger musing on psychological warfare or Jamie Foxx sharing the real secret to success, there is always something within these highly driven minds that can be extracted and applied to your own business.
1. How I Built This with Guy Raz
NPR via iTunes
For any budding entrepreneur, though, How I Built This (a National Public Radio production) is the ultimate starting point. Hosted by respected radio journalist Guy Raz, its roll call of previous guests reads like a who’s who of iconic entrepreneurs, with a particular focus on companies that are hugely influential in millennial culture. As a result, How I Built This has a more contemporary feel, as well as offers a unique insight into the new disruptor trend of modern startups. That’s not all, either: as well as grilling the founders of the likes of Five Guys, Wikipedia, VICE and Whole Foods, Raz also shines a light on some lesser known success stories, such as the entrepreneur inspired by Indiana Jones, the bored Navy SEAL who stumbled upon a multimillion dollar idea and the wannabe rapper who discovered Lady Gaga.
Being an entrepreneur is as much about embracing the lifestyle as anything.
Finding motivation in the right places, following the examples set by those who have found success and taking on board good practical advice wherever you can find it… These podcasts feature all three and will undoubtedly be a positive aid on your entrepreneurial journey, whether you’re just starting out or you’re a seasoned pro.
Who knows? One day, you could even find yourself conducting an interview!
What other great entrepreneur podcasts did we miss? Let us know your favourites in the comments section below!