I’m a voracious consumer of content in the areas that are of interest to me – specifically leadership, entrepreneurship, speaking and personal development.
Interestingly, I’m not a good book reader (fixing that is a goal for 2016). But I do buy lots of books. I just rarely read them.
So a couple of years ago, I decided to try podcasts as a way to continue learning, and to fill time that was normally spent listening to the same songs in my playlists or on the radio over and over again. Now, I listen to podcasts while driving, traveling, exercising, cleaning the house, fixing dinner, etc. Suffice it to say, I’m hooked on learning.
Podcasts have been a great way to feed my brain with ideas, tools and inspiration, and also to find new voices outside of the spaces I typically play in. And because they go with me wherever I go (on my phone), listening and learning is always an option.
I subscribe to quite a few podcasts, but below are the ones that are staples for me at the moment:
Leadership Podcasts:
Andy Stanley Leadership Podcast with Andy Stanley (Subscribe here.)
Andy Stanley is a successful speaker and pastor who has written over 20 books, including Making Vision Stick and Ask It.
Andy is a powerful communicator (leader of one of the largest churches in America), and also a leadership expert. This monthly podcast is an opportunity to attend a leadership masterclass, and learn from CEO’s and leaders who have been there/done that. They share what they’ve learned about leading organizations and teams in their journeys.
Recent favorites: Vision: A Conversation With Frank Blake (Chairman & CEO of Home Depot) – Episodes 1 and 2
This Is Your Life with Michael Hyatt (Subscribe here.)
Michael Hyatt is a bestselling author and former Chairman and CEO of Thompson Publishers. He’s a prolific blogger, podcaster and content creator who focuses on personal development, leadership, productivity, personal platform building, and publishing. (Most recent book: Platform – Get Noticed In A Noisy World)
As a Fan of all things Michael Hyatt, I’ve been learning from him since discovering his blog in 2008. TIYL was the first podcast I figured out how to listen to on my iPhone, and I’ve never missed an episode. Weekly episodes are a conversation between Michael and his co-host Michele Cushatt, whom I adore, and is something every leader, business owner or platform builder should listen to.
Recent favorites: How to Build Your Platform in 30 Minutes a Day and Why Learning to Lead Means Learning to Follow.
Entrepreneurship/Business Building Podcasts:
Build Your Tribe with Chalene Johnson (Subscribe here.)
Chalene Johnson is a motivational speaker, best selling author, fitness celebrity and direct marketer. As the CEO of a business and lifestyle coaching company, she teaches personal and business development systems. (Most recent book: PUSH: 30 Days to Turbocharged Habits, a Bangin’ Body, and the Life You Deserve!)
Chalene has two podcasts (also The Chalene Show), and I listen to both, but I’m listing Build Your Tribe because it’s specifically about creating influence that matters. Chalene is an ever-positive and always perky source of ideas, tips, resources and energy – and she loves to share everything she knows. For free.
Recent favorites: Developing Profitable Products – What You Want to Know Before you Start and How to Earn More in the Next 90 Days)
Online Marketing Made Easy with Amy Porterfield (Subscribe here.)
Amy Porterfield is an author, entrepreneur, social media and online marketing strategist. She has created several extremely popular online training courses related to Facebook marketing, online marketing, and creating effective webinars. (Most recent book: Facebook Marketing All-in-One For Dummies)
Amy is my online BFF. She’s got a voice that’s made for podcasting, she’s built a great brand and reputation as a credible expert for online marketing, list building and creating online training courses. She’s a teacher at heart, and each weekly podcast is a mini-training course where she shares the strategies and tactics that have helped her to build a multiple seven-figure business.
Recent favorites: 7 Ways to Work Smarter in 2016 and 3 Core Beliefs of Truly Successful Entrepreneurs.
The Smart Passive Income Podcast with Pat Flynn (Subscribe here.)
Pat Flynn is a self-described “crash test dummy of online business”. He shares what works (and what doesn’t) in an effort to help his audience understand exactly how to build their businesses better.
Another person that’s just plain likable, Pat has built a loyal audience over the years by sharing exactly how he earns money (including monthly income reports on his blog), and what he’s learned in the process. Each weekly podcast is either an interview with an industry influencer, or a story from someone in his community that successfully applied what they’ve learned.
Recent favorites: Inside One of My Weekly Mastermind Meetings and A Day In The Life of Pat: My Routine, Schedule, and Habits Shared.
Professional Speaking Podcasts:
The Art & Business of Public Speaking with Ken Davis (Subscribe here.)
Ken Davis is a best selling author, humorist and inspirational speaker who has helped speakers, writers and performers build productive careers for over 30 years. This podcast is an extension of the SCORRE™ Conference and the Launch Conference – both conferences that I’ve attended. (Book: Secrets of Dynamic Communications: Prepare with Focus, Deliver with Clarity, Speak with Power)
In this weekly podcast, Ken and his co-host Brian Scheer interview successful communicators who share strategies and tactics to educate, encourage and inspire those who desire to communicate effectively. Each episode also includes a “Road Tip” for how to survive on the road as a speaker/communicator.
Recent favorites: Why You Must Discover Your Story and How to Market Yourself Using Story Framework with Mike Kim and Asking the Right Questions and Knowing When To Begin Building Your Train with Robert D. Smith.
Steal The Show with Michael Port (Subscribe here.)
Michael Port is a NY Times best-selling author, highly successful corporate speaker and trainer, and well-known character and voice actor, who has also created one most comprehensive and high-level public speaking training programs out there – Heroic Public Speaking. (Most recent book: Steal the Show: From Speeches to Job Interviews to Deal-Closing Pitches, How to Guarantee a Standing Ovation for All the Performances in Your Life)
Michael’s approach is that speaking is as an art form, and each speaking opportunity is a performance. In this weekly podcast, he interviews successful speakers, industry experts and authors, and shares how to make the most of every presentation and interaction.
Recent favorites: Speaker Agent Spills the Beans about What it Takes to Succeed as a Professional Speaker and How to Get Decision Makers to Say YES, Get Clients from Speaking, and Decide How Many Speeches to Give.
Voices of Experience – The NSA Podcast Network (Subscribe here.)
Voices of Experience is an audio magazine from the National Speakers Association where top achievers share their experiences on every facet of the speaking profession.
Each monthly podcast includes interviews with successful speakers and performers on a variety of topics related to building a business, delivering a great performance, and marketing your expertise effectively.
Find recent episodes here.
Personal Development Podcasts:
The Brand You Podcast with Mike Kim (Subscribe here.)
Mike Kim is a marketing consultant, communications strategist, and copywriter who focuses on helping people to live their message, love their work, and leave their mark on the world.
Mike has made some pretty big changes in his career over the last couple of years, growing from an artist, musician, Chief Marketing Officer, and now, a solopreneur. Each week, I feel like he’s having a personal conversation about his journey with me as a friend – sharing what has worked for him, and also what hasn’t.
Recent favorites: So, I Quit My Day Job To Be An Entrepreneur and The 3 Identities of Every Personal Brand.
The Portfolio Life with Jeff Goins (Subscribe here.)
Jeff Goins is an author, blogger and speaker who communicates messages that inspire people to live better, more courageous lives, and to help other communicators make a difference. (Most recent book: The Art of Work: A Proven Path to Discovering What You Were Meant to Do)
Jeff’s podcast is a mix of interviews with guests and conversations with his host, Jared Easley. The theme that runs through all of the episodes is that we’re all more than just what we do. Our lives are made up of a portfolio of activities, all of which make us who we are.
Recent favorites: The Seven Stages of Finding Your Calling and How to Do a Do-Over: Interview with Jon Acuff.
The School of Greatness with Lewis Howes (Subscribe here.)
Lewis Howes is lifestyle entrepreneur and author of several books who shares inspiring stories from some of the most brilliant business minds, world-class athletes and influential celebrities on the planet in order to discover what makes great people great. (Most recent book: The School of Greatness: A Real-World Guide to Living Bigger, Loving Deeper, and Leaving a Legacy)
Lewis posts one interview each week, along with a couple of short inspirational monologues. I typically only listen to the interviews, and enjoy them because of the variety of guests and topics. Lewis is a good interviewer, who pulls some interesting insights out of people who’ve found success in some atypical ways.
Recent favorites: Gabrielle Reece on Family, Healthy Living, and Having It All and Casey Neistat on Writing Your Own Rules to Creative Success.
Do you listen to podcasts? If so, what are some of your favorites? Share them with me in the comments!
