The 8 Best Business Podcasts for Entrepreneurs

Unless you live under a rock, you know podcasts are huge right now.

51% of the U.S population has listened to a podcast, and over 60 million households report enjoying podcasts, according to Podcast Insights. Even better, podcast listeners overall are much more active on every social media channel, and they’re more likely to follow companies and brands on social media.

Needless to say, podcasting is a huge area of possibility for entrepreneurs. However, you might not be ready to start your own.

No problem! You can gain a lot of benefits just from listening to business podcasts. Get encouragement, inspiration, and education as you look to grow in your business knowledge and career.

Better yet, the huge amount of podcasts available for listening means you can find the perfect episode for different moods and needs. Check out our list below.

Your morning brief: The Indicator

There’s a time and place for long listening sessions with lots of info, but sometimes, you just need a few thought provoking stats to start your day.

From the NPR team that brought the ultra-popular Planet Money podcast, The Indicator is “a shorter, more frequent podcast that takes a number or a term from the news and finds context and big ideas behind it.”

The hosts pick an indicator, which could range from a recent job report to a statistical finding in a recent study, and then bring in insights from valuable experts who will inform of the impact on the global economy. It’s fast, accessible, and a great morning motivator.

A deeper overview: The Tim Ferriss Show

Frequently the #1 business podcast on Apple podcasts, the Tim Ferriss show has set the standard for in-depth business podcasts. Each episode features an interview with a high profile expert, and breaks down their habits, routines, tools, and tricks you can take away for your own success.

The episodes can be up to 3 hours long, but they’re packed with useful info and insight. Also featured are company profiles ranging from Five Guys, the Rolling Stone, and Reddit, so make sure to browse and find an episode you’re really intrigued by.

It’s the first business and interview podcast to pass 100,000,000 downloads. All those other listeners can’t be wrong; Tim Ferriss is on to something.

Quality insights: HBR Ideacast

If you’ve read a Harvard Business Review before, you’re familiar with their no-nonsense, results-driven style that permeates everything they review.

In their 20-30-minute podcasts, they continue that style by highlighting major themes from the business world today without beating around the bush. This podcast is useful for those who want a general overview of business and a high level of expertise in a variety of different topics.

The quality of guests they bring on is one of the show’s highlights. From CEOs of companies like Google to former U.S. Presidents, they are able to draw in a level of guests that can’t be beat. It helps when your sponsoring organization is Harvard!

Tech and cultural news: a16z

This podcast features cultural trends and news with a heavy emphasis on technology. If you’re thinking about the future (and you should be as an entrepreneur!), this podcast will help you visualize the evolution of your industry in a world where technology is the center society revolves around.

This podcast features “industry experts, business leaders, and other interesting thinkers and voices from around the world.” Enjoy different points of view multiple times a week with their robust episode release schedule. If you’re fascinated by the way technology connects the world, this is a must listen.

Motivation and methods: Entrepreneur on Fire

A huge part of being an entrepreneur is learning from the mistakes of others. “Learning from the mistakes of someone who has worked and thrived in your industry is a smart move,” says Answer 1. By looking ahead to the successes and failures of industry titans, you can put yourself ahead of your competition.

This podcast, featuring interviews from industry leaders and professionals with years of experience, will help you do just that.

John Lee Dumas, founder and host of the podcast, takes an approachable perspective. His interview style leads to the heart of the matter. You’ll learn how his guest got to where they are and what insights they have regarding others following similar paths.

There are also a lot of free resources, like an introduction to podcasting course.

Get stuff done: Productivityist

Productivity is a sort of buzzwords in a lot of entrepreneurial circles. There’s a lot of talk and sometimes, not a lot of action when it comes to the actual process of getting stuff done.

Host Mike Vardy cuts through the hype with actual, actionable tips and tricks to be the most productive you can be. These 30 minutes episodes cover apps, routines, habit building, and mindset tips with interviews from experts in different industries.

If you’re looking for some encouragement and direct tips to improve your grind, this podcast is for you.

Wake up right: Rise and Grind

You probably recognize Daymond John as one of the judges from Shark Tank. He’s also the founder and CEO of FUBU, and uses his podcast to interview other entrepreneurs, musicians, and athletes who “share the secrets they use to outperform, outwork, and outhustle their way to the top—just like he did.”

Daymond is a huge advocate for waking up early in order to get a head start on the day, and the podcast’s tagline reflects that: “We all get the same 24 hours. It’s about how you use them.”

By sharing secrets and decisions from his own life as well as the insights massively popular guests he’ll bring on the show, you’ll learn that your personal life hugely influences your success as an entrepreneur. If you are looking for someone to inspire you to get your butt out of bed in the morning, look no further.

Learn valuable lessons: The Action Catalyst

Rory Vaden is the co-founder of Southwestern Consulting and author of the NYT bestseller, Take the Stairs: 7 Steps to Achieving True Success. The Southwestern Advantage is the oldest direct-sales company in America, so he’s definitely got some important insights for entrepreneurs who want their businesses to last.

As a consultant and expert in the business world with 45 years of experience, he offers up general business advice. While there are segments regarding all aspects of business, his main focus is productivity.

In every episode, there are bite-sized action steps for people who want to take their ventures to the next level. This podcast truly offers up timeless business wisdom.

More to Consider

Play the King: Each episode of OMI’s Play the King & Win the Day features industry leaders and business professionals that share their stories to help entrepreneurs gain valuable insights. OMI has been in the industry for 20+ years and has a proven track record of delivering impactful CRM, marketing automation, digital transformation, and content development services to help businesses gain competitive age and accelerate growth.

Start listening!

This list is only a starting point for your podcast enrichment. You’ll find that, as you start listening, you’ll find specific podcasts for your industry that align with your goals.

The best thing about podcasts is that you can multitask while enjoying them. Throw one on during your commute or workout, and enjoy thoughts and facts from these industry leaders.

By learning from the best, you will positively alter your trajectory as an entrepreneur. All you need to do is get started.