Whether I’m preparing for my day, cleaning, driving, or exercising, I likely am listening to an audiobook or a podcast.
I love podcasts because they’re an easy way to learn when you physically cannot read a book. I feel more productive when I can learn something while I’m doing routine daily tasks. Podcasts also help get my brain working and result in some pretty creative ideas. I’ve even found myself assigning certain podcast episodes for classes to listen to and reflect on. Students seem to like this alternative to regular reading assignments.
I regularly am asked about my favorite podcasts. While the list changes as I try new things (some of which I keep, others I move on from), here are my favorite podcasts:
ANN KROEKER WRITING COACH
I enjoy Ann Kroeker’s short, practical writing tips and often get post ideas from them. I don’t listen to all of Ann’s episodes because some of them are focused more on authors, which is not really my thing, but I keep her in my que because I love her tips.
Build Your Tribe and The Chalene Show
Ok, Chalene Johnson is not for everyone. She’s really… pink. I know that’s a terrible description, but Chalene is a really girly, girl. I can’t remember how I found her podcasts initially, but I love both of them and even follow Chalene on Instagram where she’s super active. This is surprising since I’m anything but a girly girl kind of girl, but Chalene knows her stuff and she’s confident in her personal brand.
I first found Chalene’s podcast, Build Your Tribe, which is all about building your business, but focuses on doing so through branding and social media. I assume this podcast was why I started following Chalene on Instagram, just to make sure she really knew what she was talking about. She does.
Through Build Your Tribe I found Chalene’s more blog-style health podcast, The Chalene Show. This show is much more personal. On it, Chalene talks about health, diet, balance, and other lifestyle-related topics. I found that I love this podcast just as much, but totally differently, than the more professional business-related one.
COPYBLOGGER
Sonia Simone hosts this podcast as part of the Rainmaker: FM community. She interviews experts on marketing-related topics. This podcast provides a ton of great advice, straight from the people who know.
CRAIG GROESCHEL LEADERSHIP PODCAST
Craig Groeschel’s leadership podcast was bound to be a hit for me. Craig is my pastor and I love the way he teaches. He clearly tries to really focus on leadership during these episodes, not bringing in much at all about his ministry, which is a nice difference from listening to his sermons. I must have paper available when I listen to Craig’s podcast because I want to take notes the entire time. That’s an excellent sign.
Creative Slide
Creative Slide is Jon Acuff’s new podcast on creativity. Jon is the author of several books I’ve read and loved, including Do Over and Quitter. I haven’t listened to much of the podcast yet, but I enjoy Jon’s humor in his books and on social media. I’m sure his podcast will become a quick favorite.
Dirty John
Dirty John is a true-crime podcast hosted by the LA Times. It’s the story of the violent relationship between Debra Newell, a successful interior designer, and John Meehan, a handsome conman who her family never accepts or likes.
I binged on the Dirty John podcast, then was thrilled to get to hear the journalist behind it speak at a conference. You’ll listen to this one in a day or two.
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!
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.
Lead to Win with Michael Hyatt
This is one of the tougher reviews I’m going to write because the truth is that I don’t like Michael Hyatt’s new podcast, Lead to Win, as much as I should. I say “as much as I should” because I generally love all things Michael Hyatt. However, I was pretty disappointed when he relaunched his reformatted podcast and blog in 2017.
I used to love Hyatt’s blog, Intentional Leadership. I also adored his podcast, This is Your Life. Seriously, go back and listen to it. I’ve heard every episode and learned so much from it.
Lead to Win is just too much like a classroom lecture and too little like a conversation. It’s still a must listen for me, but I’d listen to his old stuff first.
As much as I hate to write it, it seems maybe Hyatt’s business is getting too big to be as relatable as it once was.
ONLINE MARKETING MADE EASY WITH AMY PORTERFIELD
I really didn’t want to add another podcast to my already long list, but Amy Porterfield’s name just kept coming up in my listening and reading. I figured out why once I listened to Online Marketing Made Easy with Amy Porterfield. Not only does Amy have great tips and guests who speak about online marketing, she also provides supplemental cheatsheets for most topics. I love a handy dandy handout!
I use the information from Amy’s podcast to better my own online efforts and incorporate a lot of what I learn into my classroom lectures.
And, the more vulnerable and open Amy has become this season, the more I’ve grown to adore her.
PROBLOGGER
Bloggers all know of ProBlogger Darren Rowse, but I was surprised to learn he also hosts a podcast. The podcast is another way for Darren to share his blogging expertise with the audience. Darren has a ton of credibility on the subject, so it’s nice to learn from someone who knows best.
SERIAL
My students first told me I should listen to Serial podcast. I figured that anything that held their attention must be worth listening to.
I love Serial because it mixes true crime, which is my favorite genre, with good journalism.
I was glad I started listening after the first season ended, so I could listen to every episode back-to-back.
I didn’t love the second season as well as the first, but I still listen. I have high hopes for a third season.
S-Town
S-Town is by the makers of the Serial podcast. It’s about a man named John who hates his Alabama town and thinks some local people got away with murder.
The podcast is worth a listen, but it’s not as good as Serial, for sure.
I’d love to chat with you about it after you listen.
TED TALKS
Listening to TED Talks is kinda a no brainer, huh? All of these topics are presented by experts in some of the most creative ways out there. The storytelling is amazing too. I don’t find every talk interesting, but I just delete those topics.
THE 5 A.M. Miracle
You that you don’t have to start getting up at 5 a.m. or even want to get up at 5 a.m. to enjoy Jeff Sanders’s podcast, The 5 a.m. Miracle. The podcast is about life habits and productivity tricks to help you “bounce out of bed” each morning and move toward accomplishing your major goals each day.
I like Jeff’s practical advice. I also like that he admits to his failures and that he hasn’t always been as successful at moving the needle as he is now.
THE COLLEGE INFO GEEK PODCAST
I spent my days with college students, so I subscribed to The College Info Geek podcast thinking that it could give me some insight into their minds. I also hoped the podcast could enlighten me about how to help my students establish some best practices during their four years in college. What I didn’t imagine was that I would learn a lot myself from Thomas Frank’s strategies on how to be the best possible student. The podcast sometimes gets a bit long and off topic, but I enjoy it overall.
The Marie Forleo Podcast
I freakin’ love Marie Forleo. Yes, sometimes she’s a bit corny, but she’s so funny to listen to and her practice advice on success and life is just too fabulous to miss. Marie is the kind of girl you want to go to a party with because you know you’ll have a great time, but you also trust her to give you sound business advice. She’s your virtual bestie.
THE PRODUCTIVE WOMAN
I can’t remember where I found The Productive Woman podcast. I heard Laura McClellan speak on another podcast, but I can’t remember which one. I was immediately impressed with Laura, who is a lawyer, author and raised five children. I figured she could teach me a lot about productivity. I listened to her podcast just a couple of times before it became one of my favorites. I’m now connected with Laura on all social media and am part of her virtual productivity group. Laura’s advice is practical and her approach realistic and focused.
THE PRODUCTIVITYIST
There are some topics that I just never tire of learning about. Productivity is one of those subjects, and Mike Vardy is the man. The Productivityist podcast gives listeners advice about productivity, time management, habits, and workflow. I love every nerdy minute of it.
The Science of Social Media
I don’t hide that I’m a huge fan of Buffer. I also love their podcast, The Science of Social Media.
If you only have one social media podcast on your list, it should be this one.
The Science of Social Media is a great way to stay informed about trends in the social media industry with information from knowledgable sources who live and work with the tools daily.
Up and Vanished
Up and Vanished is another true crime podcast that I binged. It’s about the cold case involving the murder of Georgia beauty queen and high school teacher, Tara Grinstead. Trust me, you’ll want to hear this one. I’d love to chat with you about it after you’re done.
I know this may seem like a lot of podcasts (and maybe it is), but the great thing about podcasts is that you can just let them gather until you have time to listen. You also don’t have to listen to every episode by a single podcaster if the topic and summary don’t interest you.
I hope you found something here to add to your podcast list, which leads me to my big question:
What podcasts do you find worth hearing?
