8 of the Most Informative and Inspiring Podcasts for Entrepreneurs

8 of the Most Informative and Inspiring Podcasts for Entrepreneurs

One of the keys to success for any entrepreneur is to learn continually. Entrepreneurs have many opportunities to learn, from formal classes and conferences to mentors and professional networks. However, entrepreneurs also often face a significant time crunch. A great way to learn while on the go is listening to podcasts.

Many podcasts are geared specifically toward entrepreneurs, teaching them skills, inspiring them in new ways, or challenging them to think differently. Some great podcasts that entrepreneurs should check out include the following:

1. This Week in Startups

This Week in Startups

While this podcast focuses primarily on web companies, it provides great insight into the industry and helps entrepreneurs learn from the mistakes and accomplishments of others. Host Jason Calacanis often interviews experts to discuss what is currently happening in Silicon Valley and beyond. Plus, Calacanis provides great advice when it comes to securing angel investments and building companies from scratch. The podcast also offers several in-depth interviews with tech starlets who offer their own take on current trends.

2. The School of Greatness

The School of Greatness

With hundreds of episodes, The School of Greatness is a top podcast with tens of millions of downloads and celebrity guests like Maria Sharapova and Tony Robbins. Host Lewis Howes, the author of bestsellers The Mask of Masculinity and The School of Greatness, explores what separates good from truly great people. The podcast aims to inspire other people with valuable lessons they can apply immediately in their own lives. Many of the greatest business minds have been featured on the show, sharing the invaluable advice they’ve learned.

3. Mixergy

Mixergy

Mixergy provides a sort of on-the-ground look at entrepreneurship. The show features a line of proven entrepreneurs who share their real-world experiences for the benefit of listeners. Offering more than 1,000 interviews, host Andrew Warner often asks the uncomfortable questions about failure that can produce the most meaningful responses. Some of the best thought leaders of the last decade have appeared on Mixergy, and the various stories and ideas shared on the podcast are some of the most powerful around.

4. How to Start a Startup

How to Start a Startup

While the How to Start a Startup content is actually a series of video lectures, they can easily be enjoyed as a podcast. The series was created as a sort of introductory business course for people who want to start their own companies. The content comes from Y Combinator and its chair Sam Altman, who shares a lot of firsthand knowledge that can benefit even veteran entrepreneurs. The various episodes were originally given as lectures at Stanford University but have now been adapted for universal use.

5. Women Taking the Lead

Women Taking the Lead

This podcast is headed by Jodi Flynn, who interviews entrepreneurs and provides recorded coaching sessions. Flynn airs these sessions to benefit other entrepreneurs who may have similar questions and struggles. In addition, she offers targeted advice that touches on the issues most mentioned by her clients. Since the podcast started, she has had the chance to spearhead several important topics, from how to get a solid handle on Type-A tendencies to proven goal-setting strategies that are motivating but not overwhelming.

6. How I Built This

How I Built This

On How I Built This, Guy Raz explores the stories behind many of the leading companies in the world. Raz expertly probes his guests to get them to share their secrets while thoughtfully discussing the hurdles they faced in entrepreneurship. The podcast is a narrative about innovation that also looks at the particular vulnerability of leading entrepreneurs and explores the inner turmoil they needed to conquer on their way to success. The stories on this podcast are a great reminder that even when we feel like we are struggling, it does not necessarily mean we are failing.

7. Support Is Sexy

Support Is Sexy

Writer, speaker, and entrepreneur Elayne Fluker created Support Is Sexy to remind female entrepreneurs that they are never alone on their journeys. Having faced similar struggles, Fluker helps listeners feel seen while providing practical advice on how to proceed.

Fluker has interviewed more than 450 women in many different industries who offer their own advice while pointing to the key resources they used while establishing their businesses. These entrepreneurs come from around the world, giving listeners a fun look into entrepreneurship across cultural lines.

8. The a16z Podcast

The a16z Podcast

One of the most eclectic podcasts on this list, the a16z Podcast is the product of Silicon Valley venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz (known as a16z). Multiple episodes are released each week and they all tackle disparate issues, making the podcast a great way to explore a wide variety of topics.

Episodes typically center around an interview with a startup founder, partner, or analyst, but the conversations are difficult to predict. Often, the podcast focuses on tech trends in general, although it does touch on funding quite often. Interviewees also tackle topical issues to explore how the developments could impact entrepreneurs. This podcast is perfect for entrepreneurs of all experience levels.

About the Author

Joanna RileyJoanna (Jo) Riley is an entrepreneur, investor, and advocate in technology, and is currently the CEO and Co-Founder of Censia. Jo has a highly experienced background in building and scaling companies, which she attributes to her deep passion for people and building technologies that allow people to be their best selves. She brings her wide knowledge of the industry to better transform the way enterprise companies hire talent. You can connect with Joanna Riley at @joannakiddriley on Twitter or on Linkedin. Read her full bio here.