I frequently am asked about my favorite podcasts. I get this question more frequently now that podcasts seem to be making a comeback in popularity.
I didn’t listen to many podcast for a couple of years while I was completing two reading challenges. Not setting a reading challenge this year means I have more time to revisit my favorite podcasts.
My two favorite podcasts are This is Your Life with Michael Hyatt, which I have listened to for years, and a new favorite, Serial.
Michael Hyatt is one of my favorite bloggers. I love his practical advice, which carries over well to the podcast format. Michael also creates accompanying show notes for each of his podcasts, allowing listeners to visit his site for links and other related information. I learn a lot from Michael’s podcasts. I also get many great work and blog ideas there. If I only have time to listen to one podcast, it’s always This is Your Life.
My students first told me I should listen to Serial podcast. So, while driving to Colorado on family vacation, I gave it a shot. I immediately was addicted. I love Serial because it mixes true crime, which is my favorite genre, with good journalism. I was glad I started listening after the season ended, so I could listen to every episode back-to-back. I can’t wait for the next series to begin. Until then, I’m listening to Undisclosed, which is a podcast by a group of attorneys who still are working on the case featured on Serial. Here’s my only advice about Serial… Don’t even start it unless you have time to get hooked.
Here are the other podcasts playing in my ear:
The Mind of a Murderer
My students advised me to add The Mind of a Murderer to my podcast list after I complained about having a Serial hangover. I have watched Dr. Michelle Ward, criminal psychologist, on her show with the same name. The podcasts are interesting and disturbing. Some stories are better than others. I just skip the ones I don’t like.
Jay Today
On Jay Today, Jay Baer gives you three-minute lessons on business, social media and digital marketing. I originally found out about this podcast from Jay’s Instagram account. I like Jay’s relatable style and respect his expertise. I tend to save several episodes of this podcast and listen to them back-to-back, since they’re so short. FYI, I also listen to Jay and Jeff Rohrs podcast, Social Pros, which is about social media practitioners and how they do their work.
Hit Publish
In Hit Publish, Pamela Wilson shares tips for beginning online marketers. The podcast is part of the Rainmaker:FM series, which you can subscribe to as a unit. However, I don’t like all of the podcasts in the group, so I just subscribed to the ones I like.
Editor-in-Chief
Stefanie Flaxman is not the most well-delivered podcast host I’ve ever heard, but Editor-in-Chief is a natural fit for me. I love Stefanie’s advice on becoming a better writer, specifically in the digital age. For a mass communications professor, this podcast was an obvious to add to my list. This podcast also is part of the Rainmaker: FM series.
The Lede
The Lede is a weekly content and marketing podcasts hosted by Jerod Morris and Demian Farnworth. I actually just listened to an episode of The Lede this morning. It was about whether we celebrate failure too much. The hosts made some good points that got me thinking about society’s focus on failure as a positive thing. The Lede also is part of the Rainmaker: FM series.
Hack the Entrepreneur
I am not an entrepreneur, but I enjoy Jon Naster’s podcast Hack the Entrepreneur. The podcast provides tricks, skills, etc. that help with solving business problems. I especially loved the episode with Seth Godin. What an interesting guy!
Confessions of a Pink-Haired Marketer
I first listened to Confessions of a Pink-haired Marketer because it’s part of the Rainmaker:FM series. To be honest, I didn’t think I would keep listening to it. Sonia Simone’s voice bothered me a bit in the beginning, and voice is an important factor in whether I enjoy a podcast. But, I loved Sonia’s advice so much that her voice grew on me. I loved her post on Productivity for Flakes, but not because I could relate… or could I?
No Sidebar
In No Sidebar, Brian Gardner helps you learn how to build your online presence. Brian absolutely is the guy I want to learn this information from. The quality content keeps me listening to this podcast, which also if part of the Rainmaker: FM series.
HBR Ideacast
The HBR Ideacast is a weekly podcast from leaders featured in Harvard Business Review. I like this podcast, but some episodes can get a bit dry. I tend to delete the ones about subjects that aren’t applicable to me.
Marketing Smarts
Marketing Smarts is the podcast from MarketingProfs. It is an interview-type podcast on marketing. I always learn something when I listen to it.
Happier with Gretchen Rubin
I would not want to be friends with Gretchen Rubin. Ok, that’s a bit of an overstatement, but she does seem like she could be a nag… always talking about habits, happiness and routines. She sometimes reminds me of the know-it-all kid in your elementary class. But, here’s the thing, Gretchen actually knows what she’s talking about. That’s why I listen to her life advice on Happier with Gretchen Rubin. I could give or take the advice from her sister, Elizabeth Craft, who also does the podcast with Gretchen. I’m not sure what about being a TV writer and producer has to do with happiness. I find her less credible.
TED Talks
Listening to TED Talks is kinda a no brainer, huh? I just delete the topics I’m not at all interested in.
Manager Tools
Can you tell that I love leadership podcasts? Manager Tools is a weekly podcast about becoming a more effective manager and leader.
Beyond the To Do List
Beyond the To Do List is a personal productivity podcast. I’m all about working smarter and getting more done, so I love this one.
Social Zoom Factor
I knew Pam Moore in the social space for a while before I started listening to Social Zoom Factor, her podcast on marketing and brand management. Pam lends credibility to her topics, which is important to me. I also find that she doesn’t give the same advice as everyone else, which is refreshing.
Get-it-Done Guy
This may be my dirty little podcast secret. I love Get-It-Done Guy. Stever Robbins’s advice on working less and doing more is practical and his delivery cracks me up. Stever’s podcast is part of the Quick and Dirty Tips series, which also hosts Grammar Girl. Some of you who know me may be surprised that Grammar Girl podcast is missing from this list. I just can’t learn about grammar from a podcast. I read the Grammar Girl blog instead.
So, this is what’s playing in my ears. It may seem like a lot, but the great thing about podcasts is that you can just leave them there until you have time to listen. I listen to podcasts while I get ready for my day, while I do housework and during my commutes. I feel more productive when I can learn something while I’m doing routine daily tasks.
Ok, I’m dying to know.
wildpitcher says
mindycrary Hungry Like a Wolf, ever since you mentioned it in a tweet
bluecarpaintedgreen says
Wow! What a helpful list. I’m going to check some of these out. I enjoy entrepreneurship podcasts, too. (Michael Hyatt is one of my faves, too.) I also like Sandi Klein’s Conversations with Creative Women and (http://the51percent.podbean.com/) and Fuel to Launch (http://fueltolaunch.com/).
ErikJFisher says
Thanks for the mention!
bgardner says
profkrg Thanks!
soniasimone says
profkrg Just be careful if you listen while you drive. My voice can be very … soothing. 😉