Viral Now - 30 Podcasts You Should Listen to If You've Thought of Starting Your Own Business

Podcasts, similar to wide leg pants and Mohawks, are experiencing a huge comeback. Popularized by the iPod in the early 2000s, these short-form audio files experienced huge (albeit short-lived) success. Originally, the files were too large and painful to download and a lot of the topics were a bit abstract and obscure for the average taste, so the podcast slowly died — until now.

The Podcast is back and better than ever! Apple reported that podcast subscriptions via iTunes broke the billion mark^[1]. Technology has changed the face of this audio file. Downloading is no longer necessary, they can be listened to anywhere, and within their niches the topics are mainstream. Best of all, they are free!

Top 30 Podcasts Every Entrepreneur Should Hear

Gone are the days when we had to learn things the hard way. Experience may be the best teacher but having access to critical information can save time, money, and a ton of aspirin. Being an entrepreneur is tough. It can be lonely and a ton of work if you are doing it right. Having access to solid information at the right time could mean the difference between your startup exploding into a huge success or slowly fizzling out and joining the ranks of the 90 percent that fail.^[2]

An easy, efficient, and portable way to get great information concerning all things entrepreneurial is by listening to podcasts. We’ve assembled a list of 30 podcasts that should be on the play list of every entrepreneur:

1. The Dave Ramsey Show

This podcast is a must for every small business owner. The Dave Ramsey Show is a no-nonsense, savvy, innovative approach to all things financial. Dave gives advice, tips, and resources to help manage your personal and business finances well. His unique approach to business and finance has made his business a huge success and his perspective is well respected in the financial sphere. His podcasts come from his live radio show which is also available in video. During each show he tackles a topic and answers questions live on the air.

2. StartUp

This podcast gives advice to young entrepreneurs who are newbies to the startup game. This one tackles topics that are critical to a new business such as naming your business, building your brand, how to value it, and how to bring in partners and investors.

3. Mixergy: Start up Stories

Mixergy is hosted by Andrew Warner and features his interviews with some of the most cutting-edge, relevant business people of today. What is especially unique about his interactions with his guests is that some of the more engaging topics morph into business courses taught by the interviewed business experts. Not only do you get to hear some advice and personal stories, you are also given the opportunity to learn from the masters themselves.

4. School of Greatness

If you are looking for a bit of inspiration and the motivation to keep going, this is the podcast for you. Hosted by former professional arena football player Lewis Howes, this podcast focuses on helping you be the best version of yourself. It wakes you up and challenges you to live intentionally.

5. Entrepreneur On Fire (EOFire)

This award-winning podcast airs seven days a week and features incredible stories, advice, and a fresh perspective on creative ways to run your business by industry heavy hitters. Host John Lee Dumas ensures that you have an actionable take away from every show.

6. Powderkeg: Igniting Startups

Just the name alone should have you fired up and ready to listen. The website bills Powderkeg as “The untold stories of entrepreneurship beyond Silicon Valley.” These are stories of successful startups in the tech industry. The host, Matt Hunckler, delves into some of the top minds of this market including investors and innovators. It is tech focused but there are principles discussed that can be applied to any business endeavor.

7. EntreLeadership

This is another Dave Ramsey project. This one delves into the dynamics of creating, owning, and operating a business empire, in addition to building your brand and learning how to operate with integrity. He uses his own experience and offers tips from the likes of Mark Cuban, Simon Sinek, Set Godin, and other heavy hitters.

8. Profit. Power. Pursuit.

This podcast is a must for creative types. It offers lessons on the mechanics of running a business while leveraging the tactical and strategic components necessary for success in the highly competitive creative marketspace.

9. HBR IDEACAST

HBR IDEACAST is the Harvard Business Review’s podcast. HBR is the premiere resource for business news and research. According to their website, their podcast provides analysis and advice from leading minds in all things business. While HBR does require a membership fee to access some of its articles and information, the podcast is free.

10. THE $100 MBA

The $100 MBA is a daily podcast that is quick and to the point. This 10-minute podcast is hosted by Omar Zenhom and gives practical, real-world actionable advice by a leading industry expert. This is great for those who don’t have a lot of time or want just the information without a lot of chitchat.

11. THE ENTREPRENEUR’S RADIO SHOW

If you are looking for a bit of inspiration and are interested in the stories of how others climbed to success, The Entrepreneur’s Radio Show is for you. This show is all about self-made millionaires and prosperous entrepreneurs who started with nothing. The show’s topics cover the entire spectrum of business, ranging from harnessing ingenuity to how to create an emotional experience for your customers.

12. BBC BUSINESS DAILY

BBC Business Daily is a podcast that focuses on global business news. It examines big issues facing the global economy, demystifies the world of money and international business, and explains trends. It gives a broad perspective of business and is great for those with international business interests.

13. THE WALL STREET JOURNAL ON SMALL BIZ

The Wall Street Journal on Small Biz is a weekly podcast that primarily focuses on all things small business. This podcast provides a wide array of topics that keep you engaged and intrigued. The topics which range from lying on a resume to how sports logic applies to business are captivating and provide a unique perspective on business issues.

14. Self-Made Man

“Forge your Destiny” is this website’s tagline. This podcast is not necessarily entrepreneurial. It’s more geared toward teaching you how to be your best self. It is motivational with a plethora of self-help content.

15. The Broad Experience

This quick 20-minute show hosted by Ashley Milne-Tyte tackles some of the big issues facing women in the workplace. The discussion explores topics such as race, communication styles, being a professional woman with or without kids, and how to survive sexism in the business world.

16. Jocko Podcast

Named one of the best podcasts of 2016 by Apple, this inspiring podcast offers life lessons on work ethic, leadership, discipline, and even fitness. The show is hosted by retired Navy Seal officer, Jocko Willink and his ability to turn any story into a teachable moment makes this podcast worth your time.

17. The Action Catalyst

The Action Catalyst podcast is all about productivity and building momentum. The host, Rory Vaden, is a New York Times bestselling author and Co-Founder of Southwestern Consulting, a multi-million dollar global consulting practice. He gives real answers to tough questions such as “What’s the fastest, cheapest way to recruit amazing people?” (Visit his website for the answer!)

18. DUCT TAPE MARKETING

This podcast, hosted by John Jantsch is a monthly or bi-monthly broadcast. John covers primarily marketing and sales topics. He answers questions and touches on subjects like Chatbots, interpreting body language, keeping pace with changing SEO tactics, and so much more. If you are looking for ways to enhance your marketing strategy this podcast is definitely for you.

19. 500 Startups Podcast

This relatively new podcast airs weekly and features interviews and talks with startup founders, influencers, and entrepreneurs. 500 Startups is a Silicon Valley seed fund and accelerator and focuses on how to get your startup off the ground and keep it growing at a manageable pace during its infancy.

20. The Tim Ferriss Show

The Tim Ferriss Show is the top-ranked business podcast with over 100,000,000 iTunes downloads. Tim is a New York Times bestselling author and investor extraordinaire. What makes his podcast so popular and engaging is that he interviews successful people in a multiplicity of genres, fields, and art forms. He translates their strategies into business practices and finds ways to incorporate seemingly unrelated topics and fields into successful business practices.

21. Youpreneur FM

Youpreneur, hosted by Chris Ducker, is dedicated to helping you create, enhance, and revamp your brand. He tackles everything from digital storytelling to using Instagram as a marketing and branding tool. He offers a fresh look at branding and leveraging all the available tools to effectively communicate your brand.

22. This Week in Startups

This podcast is for those who want to know what the exciting new trends are in the world of technology. Each week, host Jason Calacanis interviews a guest entrepreneur to find out what’s happening right now in the tech industry. This podcast is cutting-edge and is a mix of current events and trends, company profiles, and insider gossip. This is the podcast for those techies who need to be in the know.

23. The Full Ratchet

This podcast is “Investing 101”. It is designed to teach entrepreneurs how investors think, how to market to them, and how to entice them to buy into your company, your brand, and more importantly, you. Host Nick Moran ensures that you walk away with clear and actionable information on how to be a savvy investor and how to attract investors.

24. Andy Stanley Leadership Podcast

Andy Stanley’s podcasts focus on leadership and how to cultivate your vision and develop others around you. His content is culturally relevant and provides practical insights for life and leadership. Last month’s podcast was a conversation on how to create a culture of continual improvement. He knows that any business is only as strong as its leader and he shows how to lead with passion while avoiding burnout.

25. a16z Podcast

According to Andreessen Horowitz (a.k.a. a16z), “Software is eating the world.” Horowitz wants to teach tech companies how to leverage technology without becoming slaves to it. He interviews and engages tech experts and business leaders through spirited discussions concerning this this “devourment” and helps tech companies devise a plan. His chats focus on tech news, industry trends, and the future of technology. If you want to keep pace with trends and survive the future, this podcast is for you.

26. The Twenty-Minute VC

This short and sweet weekly podcast hosted by Harry Stebbings is geared toward venture capitalists. Each week two experts in the world of venture capitalism share their wisdom, insight, and predictions in a concise and informative interview. This podcast is suited for investors but it is also a wellspring of knowledge for business-minded individuals, novice investors, and entrepreneurs.

27. Social Pros

This is a podcast every entrepreneur (or anyone looking to market anything) should hear. Jay Baer of Convince & Convert and Adam Brown of Salesforce are the tag-team co-hosts of this podcast. This show is an insightful and intelligent look into the essential world of social media marketing. They get advice from experts associated with global icons such as Dell, ESPN, and IBM concerning the trends and how-tos of social media marketing.

28. The #AskGaryVee Show

The #AskGaryVee podcast is hosted by entrepreneur, CEO, investor, vlogger/social media personality, and public speaker Gary Vaynerchuk. Each show is a Q&A with Gary in which he answers questions concerning everything he’s into. He gives tips, tricks, and secrets of the trade. This show has something for every entrepreneur. Whether you are starting a YouTube channel or a high level tech startup, Gary can teach you something.

29. Smart Passive Income Podcast

Earning a passive income is the new financial trend currently sweeping the globe. It is also every entrepreneur’s dream. Making money while you sleep — who wouldn’t want that? Pat Flynn is an expert in this area. He has built his online empire almost entirely through the use of passive income. He shows you how to target your energy and efforts now so that you can relax and reap the rewards long after you’ve quit working.

30. Unemployable Podcast

This podcast is for those who — like host and creator Brian Clark — find it impossible to stick to the mundane, mediocre lifestyle that traditional nine-to-five offers. This podcast encourages those who have a phenomenal work ethic but were built to march to the beat of their own drums and are destined to forge their own paths in this world. Brian teaches you how to follow your passion in a very intentional and methodical way. This podcast is not for the lazy, the trifling, or those who give up easily.

Listening to podcasts is a quick and efficient way to increase your knowledge base, maximize the use of downtime, get motivation and insight, and learn from industries’ top leaders. Spending your time doing things that matter, sharpening your skills, and learning from the masters is one of the best ways to solidify your success. These podcasts are a great place to start.

Reference

[1]	^	Washington Post: Podcasts are Back and Making Money
[2]	^	Forbes: 90% of Startups Fail: Here’s What You Need to Know About the 10%

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