Top Podcast Recommendations for Aspiring and Veteran Entrepreneurs
Contents
Introduction
The rising importance of podcasts for entrepreneurs
Podcasts for entrepreneurs: Getting started
For the established entrepreneur
Diving deeper into specific niches
Conclusion
TL;DR – Summary
Podcasts are a gold mine for entrepreneurs, offering easy listening on the go, expert insights, and deep dives into varied topics.
"Start Up" by Alex Blumberg and "How I Built This" by Guy Raz are foundational podcasts for those starting their entrepreneurial journey.
Experienced entrepreneurs can dive into specialized insights with "The Game", "B2B Revenue Vitals", "Acquired", and "Venture Unlocked".
Niche podcasts like "My First Million", "E-Commerce Master Plan", and "Tech Sales Craft" offer deep explorations of specific topics.
Podcasts are not just about learning; they foster community engagement, providing valuable interactions with hosts and peers.
Introduction
As entrepreneurs are always on the move, podcasts are a gold mine of insights, wisdom, and detailed expertise. No matter if you're taking your first steps in business or you've been in the game for a while, there's a podcast tailored just for you.
The rising importance of podcasts for entrepreneurs
In 2023, there are 464.7 million podcast listeners worldwide. People enjoy podcasts because they feel like online conversations, sparking inspiration and offering solutions. Entrepreneurs especially find value in podcasts for several key reasons:
Easy listening on the go - Unlike articles or videos, podcasts let you multitask. Whether you're working out, commuting, or just taking a walk, you can easily fit a podcast into your day.
Learn from the experts - A lot of podcasts are made by top professionals in various fields. This means you're getting genuine, well-researched info straight from those who know best.
Deep dives into topics - Podcasts can really dive deep. They give listeners a full understanding of topics in a way that shorter content might not.
Now, as entrepreneurs develop, their podcast tastes often change. They might start with broad insights and later want more specific information. I've seen this in my own experience. When I began my entrepreneurial journey, I listened to general topics. But as I grew and learned, I realized there was more I didn't know. My podcast choices shifted from broad topics to more specialized ones.
Podcasts for entrepreneurs: Getting started
Success stories vary, but in the early stages, hearing about successful journeys can be a rich source. They inspire new ideas you can test in your own business, and just as consistency shapes a business, the same goes for tuning into podcasts. When you're just beginning your entrepreneurial adventure, two English podcasts might resonate with you:
Start Up - Alex Blumberg, the founder of Gimlet, hosts this podcast. It offers an honest peek into the ups and downs of launching a startup. By sharing conversations with co-founders, employees, and investors, listeners get a real feel for the startup scene. However, after a while, I felt Alex's approach was too broad, and with limited seasons, you might find yourself wanting more.
How I Built This - Guy Raz dives deep with founders of famous brands, sharing their paths and challenges. These interviews give new entrepreneurs valuable insights from those who've walked the path. But over time, I felt the format became repetitive. After going through a lot of the interviews, I eventually lost interest and only came back for interviews with brands I was personally interested in.
As you evolve and your business matures, your podcast tastes will shift too, so let’s look at some podcasts more established entrepreneurs next.
For the established entrepreneur
As a veteran entrepreneur, you are typically looking for 1) deeper insights into 2) more complex problems and 3) specific to the vertical that you are in. This has meant that I shifted my podcast listening habits from content that is like an entrepreneurship 101 course to content produced by hardcore entrepreneurs, revenue leaders, and other specialists. Here are a few podcasts that stood out to me:
The Game - Alex Hormozi from Acquisition.com is the voice behind this podcast. He dives into the three core pillars of business-building central to his entrepreneurial approach: sales and marketing, products and offers, and team leadership. If you're active in the entrepreneurial community, you've likely come across him, and his podcast is worth the listen.
B2B Revenue Vitals - Chris Walker zeroes in on the B2B SaaS world, emphasizing fresh go-to-market strategies and highlighting budding trends. While Chris might not be the pioneer of content strategy (credit might go to HubSpot for that), he certainly shaped the dialogue around demand creation with his business, Refine Labs. Active since around 2019 or 2020, Chris's insights have evolved, and he now discusses intricate subjects like attribution in large-scale B2B tech firms.
Acquired - Bell and David serve listeners an in-depth analysis of prominent tech giants. Their episodes, backed by thorough research, take listeners on a journey through the intricacies of corporations like Nvidia, Intel, and Amazon. Occasionally, they chat with venture capital giants such as Sequoia or A16Z. They don't skimp on details - sometimes, one company's story spans multiple, three-hour-long episodes. It's not just a treat for tech enthusiasts, but also a valuable resource for public market investors.
Venture Unlocked - Samir's podcast is a treasure for anyone with an eye on venture capital. With interviews from leading VCs and insights on the latest trends, he provides a well-rounded view of fundraising. Since the venture scene is heavily influenced by trends, understanding current shifts can be crucial for fundraising. If you're in a trending sector, raising capital is smoother. Conversely, if you're in a declining segment, challenges arise. Samir offers current insights to navigate these waters.
Alright, I have now armed you with a few high value podcasts. There are many more good podcasts than I can list here, but the ones on top should be packed with insights that move the needle for your business. But we are not quite done yet…so stay tuned.
Diving deeper into specific niches
Let’s wrap up our recommendations with podcasts that can help you dive into a specific topic, covering everything that you need to know about niche topics like e-commerce and technology sales. Niche podcasts provide a deep exploration of specific topics. This detailed coverage offers insights that broad content might miss. These podcasts often host experts with profound knowledge in their areas. Listening to such specialized voices can be enlightening. Moreover, they explore varied viewpoints within a field, enhancing your understanding and sharpening critical thinking.
If you aim to broaden your knowledge, consider these niche podcasts:
My First Million - Sam and Shaan dive into an array of subjects, from business matters to current events, giving listeners diverse insights. Their discussions, usually 30 to 45 minutes long, are casual and free-flowing. While they often discuss business, they also touch on topics like Joe Rogan's take on vaccine policies in the US. However, I sometimes find their content a bit too tangential for my taste, especially when I'm seeking concrete expertise to aid my business growth. But for a relaxed, varied discourse, it's worth a listen.
E-commerce Master Plan - If you're in the e-commerce industry, this podcast is essential. It offers key insights, and my advice would be to use specific keyword searches on your podcast platform to pinpoint the exact expertise you need. In this case, the focus is on e-commerce and tech sales.
Tech Sales Craft - Anyone navigating the tech sales arena will find this podcast helpful. It delivers practical strategies and insights.
E-Commerce Master Plan and Tech Sales Craft are just two examples of niche podcasts produced by specialists that I find myself going back to whenever I am looking to crack through super specific challenges.
Conclusion
Podcasts offer a wide range of topics and insights, perfect for all kinds of entrepreneurs. Whether you're interested in machine learning, the history of the internet, or how customers behave, you can find a podcast that fits your needs. But the value of podcasts goes beyond just learning. Listening to podcasts also helps you connect with others. By talking with podcast hosts, giving feedback, or discussing episodes with friends, you can learn even more and feel part of a bigger community. And as businesses and technology change, it's essential to keep up. Podcasts help with that. They give you the latest information, new ideas, and different ways of thinking, making them a great tool for anyone in business.
So, whether you're new to business or have been around for a while, there's always something new to learn from podcasts. Dive in and see how they can help you.
Lastly, I'm always looking for new podcasts. If you have one you really like, let me know in the comments. I might start listening to it! And if you have any questions or thoughts about this post, drop a comment. Let's talk!