7 Great Business Podcasts You Need To Follow
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In today’s fast-paced business world, finding time to absorb valuable insights can be challenging. This is where business podcasts shine, offering concentrated wisdom during commutes, workouts, or daily routines.
“From entrepreneurship to marketing strategies and leadership development, exceptional business podcasts deliver actionable advice and inspiring stories from industry leaders.”, says the team from the Justin Chopin Podcast.
How I Built This with Guy Raz
NPR’s “How I Built This” takes listeners behind the scenes of some of the world’s most successful companies. Host Guy Raz masterfully interviews founders about their journey from initial concept to market dominance. What makes this podcast particularly valuable is its unflinching honesty about the struggles entrepreneurs face. Founders openly discuss their failures, moments of self-doubt, and the unexpected pivots that ultimately led to success.
Recent episodes feature companies like Airbnb, Shopify, and Zappos, with founders sharing intimate details about raising capital, building teams, and navigating market challenges. Raz’s thoughtful questioning reveals the human side of entrepreneurship—the sleepless nights, financial gambles, and personal sacrifices rarely visible from the outside. These authentic narratives provide both inspiration and practical lessons applicable to businesses at any stage.
Masters of Scale with Reid Hoffman
LinkedIn co-founder Reid Hoffman created “Masters of Scale” to explore how companies grow from zero to billions. What distinguishes this podcast is its unique format—each episode tests a theory about scaling through conversations with renowned founders and CEOs. Hoffman’s insider perspective as both a successful entrepreneur and investor brings remarkable depth to discussions.
The podcast excels at connecting seemingly disparate business concepts into cohesive scaling strategies. Episodes often feature unexpected guests sharing counterintuitive wisdom, such as Airbnb’s Brian Chesky discussing the power of doing things that don’t scale, or Netflix’s Reed Hastings explaining how strategic risk-taking drives innovation. Hoffman skillfully distills these conversations into frameworks that listeners can apply to their own growth challenges.
The Tim Ferriss Show
While not exclusively business-focused, “The Tim Ferriss Show” consistently delivers invaluable insights for entrepreneurs and professionals. Ferriss, author of “The 4-Hour Workweek,” deconstructs the habits, routines, and strategies of world-class performers across industries. His long-form interview format allows for deep exploration of subjects rarely covered in traditional business media.
What makes this podcast essential is its emphasis on personal optimization as the foundation for professional success. Episodes frequently examine how top performers manage time, handle stress, make decisions, and maintain physical and mental well-being. These discussions offer a holistic approach to business excellence that acknowledges the interconnection between personal habits and professional achievement.
HBR IdeaCast
Harvard Business Review’s “IdeaCast” delivers concentrated business insights in digestible 20-30 minute episodes. This podcast transforms complex research and management theories into practical strategies through interviews with leading thinkers and practitioners. The production quality and editorial rigor reflect HBR’s reputation for excellence.
Recent episodes have addressed timely challenges like managing remote teams, navigating economic uncertainty, and implementing ethical AI. The podcast’s academic foundation distinguishes it from more anecdotal business content, providing evidence-based approaches to contemporary challenges. For professionals seeking intellectual substance without academic jargon, “IdeaCast” offers an ideal balance of theoretical depth and practical application.
WorkLife with Adam Grant
Organizational psychologist Adam Grant explores the science of making work more meaningful in his podcast “WorkLife.” Rather than focusing on specific business strategies, Grant examines the human dynamics that underpin successful organizations. Episodes investigate questions like how to build trust, foster creativity, and develop resilient teams.
The podcast’s strength lies in its scientific approach to workplace culture. Grant translates psychological research into actionable leadership practices, often challenging conventional wisdom about motivation, collaboration, and productivity. His engaging style makes complex concepts accessible, while his academic background ensures content is grounded in solid research rather than management trends.
Business Wars
For those interested in competitive strategy, “Business Wars” provides dramatic narratives of corporate rivalries that shaped industries. Each multi-episode series examines conflicts like Netflix vs. Blockbuster, Nike vs. Adidas, or Ferrari vs. Lamborghini, revealing the strategic decisions that determined market winners and losers.
The podcast’s storytelling approach makes business strategy engaging and memorable. By examining competition through historical context, listeners gain insight into how market position, innovation timing, and leadership decisions influence long-term outcomes. These business battlegrounds offer valuable lessons in competitive positioning, market disruption, and adaptive strategy that remain relevant across industries.
The Pitch
Similar to “Shark Tank” in podcast form, “The Pitch” records real entrepreneurs pitching to investors. Listeners experience unfiltered fundraising conversations, including tough questions, negotiation tactics, and investment decisions. This transparent view of the pitching process provides invaluable education for anyone seeking capital.
What makes “The Pitch” particularly valuable is its follow-up segments, where founders return to discuss what happened after securing (or failing to secure) investment. These updates reveal the challenges of executing business plans and managing investor relationships. For entrepreneurs planning to raise capital, this podcast offers a masterclass in communicating value proposition, addressing concerns, and negotiating terms.
These seven podcasts represent different approaches to business education, from inspirational founder stories to evidence-based management practices and competitive strategy. Whether you’re an aspiring entrepreneur, a growing leader, or an established executive, incorporating these shows into your learning routine will provide continuous professional development delivered directly to your earbuds.
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