
As a solopreneur, youâre busy and jamming at making your business and side hustling run smoothly. But you know the value of a little focused direction and inspiration in making more happen, right? Podcasts have really started to break out over the last couple years as a way to learn more while weâre at the gym or running around. Theyâve certainly become a background playlist to my everyday. Through all that listening time, Iâve been listening to more business news and insights. I generally walk away from each half hour show with at least one insight I can immediately apply to my work.
So here are some of my favorite business-related podcasts below. Iâve curated them over the past few years to be my companions while I travel, run, fly and drive around the globe. Hope they keep you company and inspire you with some sparks of new insights or trends you should be paying attention to as well!
Guy Raz, the host of this podcast, is just the personification of curiosity. He really dives into the lives and habits of his interviewees. And you get the benefit of hearing all about their trials and tribulations of developing their products and companies. More recently, really enjoyed the episode with Alexa von Tobel and live episode with Alexis Ohanian and Steve Huffman. Great content about pushing through and also co-founder relationships.
This podcast makes economics, market trends and finance approachable. Not every episode will be relevant to immediate business impacts but listening to the three hosts will definitely make you curious about broader market trends and make you think about what to be pay attention to on a regular basis. Also, itâs still refreshing to hear a female voice in podcasts. Cathy OâNeil was a fantastic co-host when she was on, and Anna Szymanski is just as impassioned and ready to dive in with her perspective.
Tbh, I downloaded this on a whim while I was taking MBA classes. I thought it might be a good (boring) supplement to my Barronâs subscription. But itâs been great! A weekly overview of macroeconomic trends, global trade, etc. I know that sounds a little âhow could anyone get excited to hear about this stuffâ but itâs delivered in a super digestible way and again, brings you up to a 30,000 foot view of what to think about in the world around you.
I listen to about half of these episodes, along with a few other BBC programs. If youâre based in the US, itâs critical to be more mindful of sourcing global news and content. This program along with From Our Own Correspondents and Desert Island Discs is really a great daily habit.
Shankar Vedantam. You will get to know that name. While youâre focused on your business, itâs always great to infuse your thinking with how the human brain actually works. Listening to Shankar talk about the patterns and psychology that directs our decision-making and actions will inevitably turn you into a stronger business person. The âMe, Myself and IKEAâ episode from last May is a great one to start with in this show.
Roman Mars has been in the podcast game about as long as anyone. For most of us listeners, he was the person who originally drew us into podcasts. I first heard him speak at a Fast Company Innovation Summit, and Iâve been listening to his take on the world ever since. Much like Hidden Brain, I listen to this podcast because it focuses more on very human stories and explores why we do the things we do. And Roman Mars is a fantastic storyteller â take notes.
The Tim Ferriss Show & The Tony Robbins Podcast
As much as I didnât want to like these podcasts, I canât help it. Theyâre a solid injection of inspiration whenever you need it. Yes, Tony tells the same stories over and over again (so you will be able to repeat them to others). And Tim has a penchant, like Alec Baldwin (in Hereâs the Thing, another favorite), to share over his interviewees. But both of them do several things very well: score incredible interviewees, self-promote like crazy, and share some very practical insights. So hereâs my suggestion: Listen to them ahead of pitching clients, when youâre developing sales materials, or ahead of stepping into your office space. Draw inspiration from their interviewees. Remember to think about and deliver your story to your clients. And keep up the hustle, it will pay off over time!
Hope you enjoy listening to these podcasts. Iâll be sharing some more entertaining ones from comedians and others I listen to when Iâm really wanting to zone out â usually on a long run â next week.
In the meantime, would love to hear which ones you find most interesting and useful. Have you found any that are totally relevant to your specific business? Or that talk about managing finances in a compelling way? I havenât yet but am always on the hunt. Continuously adding to my playlist â and wishing I had more time to dive into these!
Hope to one day start our Lance for Freelancers podcast.
In the meanwhile would love if you’ll download the Lance ios app.