Now that there are smartphones and podcasts, you can up your business knowledge wherever you are, anytime of day listening to podcasts for startups. Usually delivered in 30-45 minute segments, podcasts let you hear insights from successful entrepreneurs that, 20 years ago, you could only find in books or at expensive seminars. So if you find yourself commuting, working out, or walking down the grocery store aisle, put in those earbuds and get to learning!
Entrepreneur of Fire (EOF)
John Lee Dumas
This is a DAILY podcast of interviews with successful entrepreneurs. The host, John Lee Dumas, sounds a bit like an overly enthusiastic game show host at first listen which can be off- putting but by the time you’ve heard a few episodes, you realize his passion is genuine, and the insights offered by John and his guests are not only wise but directly applicable to your own business.
StartUp Podcast (Gimlet Media)
For anyone thinking about starting a business, this is a peak behind the circus curtain. While we are all suckers for the stories about people going from rags to riches with just a dream, the journey is almost never this romantically traveled. Host Alex Blumberg, using his own story of trying to start a company, pulls the curtain back and shows all the hard work, mistakes, joys and unexpected turns that any aspiring or existing entrepreneur will be able to relate to and learn from.
How I Built This (Gimlet Media)
Want to know how the owners of businesses like airbnb, Spanx and Angie’s List got the idea for their business and made it happen? In-depth interviews with these business owners and many more take you from concept to multi-million dollar business while sharing the trials, failures and lesson along the way.
The Accidental Creative
Todd Henry
Host Todd Henry is a well known author focusing on issues around how to best use your creativity in your work and life. In his podcast, he interviews entrepreneurs, coaches and others who are outstanding at what they do to answer questions around how to bring out your best work and get it to those who most want it.
Seth Godin’s Start up School
Seth Godin
Listen in while Seth Godin, one of the most notable names in marketing, speaks with a class of aspiring entrepreneurs over a three day class. This is not a how-to start a business workshop, but instead, a bit of a philosophy/sociology/anthropology class around what works and doesn’t in today’s marketplace. It is comprised of 15 episodes, each about 20-30 minutes in length and covers everything from managing money to making ideas spread.
The One You Feed
Eric Zimmer
Yes, starting or growing a business takes lots of technical skill and effort. But, due to the unpredictable nature of entrepreneurship and the fact that the onus for success falls squarely on your shoulders, it also involves dealing with a lot of emotional ups and downs. While not a podcast for business per se, the ideas explored around human behavior, managing challenging emotions and moving forward in a healthy and fulfilling way, will resonate with lots of entrepreneurs out there. Guests range from psychologists to buddhists to leaders in business and all have insights into how to “feed your good wolf” so that you can be more effective and happier in the journey.