Podcasts can be a great way to get information, or be entertained. The selection can be pretty overwhelming though, so we wanted to showcase the top finance and business podcasts.
Are you still listening to the radio on your morning commute? One of the greatest life hacks we know of is making use of that dead time with podcasts and audiobooks. It’s truly amazing how much you can learn in what would have been wasted time in the past. We’re big fans of podcasts, obviously, but it can be really hard to find the best ones to listen to. Here’s our roundup of what’s been the most helpful, and why.
Found in the Rockies
Whether you’re an entrepreneur in the Rocky Mountain area, or elsewhere, this is an excellent podcast that has told some stories that are really inspiring and unique. The host, Stefanie Sample, is an entrepreneur herself in Missoula, Montana, and member of the Young Presidents Organization. She seems to have a rare talent for pulling the really interesting and impactful nuggets of a story out from the broader context.
The entrepreneurs the show features are relatable, and approachable. Whereas some podcasts can focus too much on those who have advanced quite far in their companies, Found in the Rockies is telling stories that make entrepreneurship seem possible for first timers. This one is worth checking out, particularly if the Silicon Valley tech podcasts feel unapproachable, or a bit full of themselves.
Found in the Rockies focuses on stories from entrepreneurs in Montana, Utah, Idaho, Colorado, and Wyoming. There’s some conversation about ecosystem development and the journey leading up to founding a company that’s really helpful too. Definitely give this one a listen.
LISTEN TO FOUND IN THE ROCKIES
The Tim Ferriss Show
Tim Ferriss may be the greatest interviewer of our time. He’s likable, easy going, and has a phenomenal talent for cutting to the core of a matter and getting some really valuable insights to come forth. Tim focuses his podcast on the top performers in the world.
That makes his podcasts less approachable than some, but extremely useful for getting insight from the leaders of businesses, movements, and other organizations that don’t often give long-form interviews. The Tim Ferriss show also has hundreds of episodes, making it easy to find something for everyone. If you’re just getting into podcasts, this is an amazing place to start.
Guests on the Tim Ferriss Show have included titans like Dr. Jane Goodall, Neil Gaiman, and Tony Robbins. If you want to find life hacks, reading recommendations, and the secrets of success of some of the world’s most accomplished people, start here. Tim Ferriss has become a celebrity and notably successful businessman himself, so he’s really good at teasing out important advice.
LISTEN TO THE TIM FERRISS SHOW
The All In Podcast
Hosted by technology investors and entrepreneurs, Jason Calacanis, Chamath Palihapitiya, David Sacks, and David Friedberg. and the All In Podcast is less about business than it is the state of business. Whether you’re wondering about recent changes in venture capital, NFTs, meme-stocks, inflation, or the impact of vaccine rollouts, the All In Podcast has some of the most intelligent and colorful commentary out there. If you don’t listen to any other podcast on business, listen to this one.
It’ll keep you informed, educated, and aware of what some of the smartest people in the space are thinking and doing. It’s very Silicon Valley centric at times, but it’s definitely still worth listening if you don’t live there. The hosts are on both ends of political spectrum too, which adds a unique and helpful perspective.
One thing to note about the All In Podcast is that it’s pretty unfiltered. The hosts often riff off of each other, and have no problem saying exactly what’s on their mind. That means that you get lot’s of good insight and a lot less political correctness than you get in some other podcasts. If you’re okay with that, this one is not to be missed.
Masters of Scale
The Masters of Scale podcast is made by legendary entrepreneur and investor, Reid Hoffman. Each episode features leaders from the tech world who are achieving hyper-growth, with principals and conversation designed to help other entrepreneurs. Reid Hoffman famously co-founded LinkedIn, and is a principal at Greylock Capital.
Notably, Masters of Scale was the first media program of any kind to commit to gender balance for its guests. The episodes are truly fantastic and Reid has a great interview style. This one moves fast and will give you a better education on growing a business than can be found almost anywhere else.
Examples of people who have been guests on Masters of Scale include Bob Iger, Executive Chairman of Disney, Tyra Banks, Model and Entrepreneur, and Richard Branson, Founder of the Virgin Group. These people are some of the most successful in any industry, and you’d be hard pressed to find a more open and honest forum for their advice than this podcast.
How I Built This
NPR hit podcast gold with How I Built This. The concept, while not dissimilar from some other podcasts on founding companies, is particularly well crafted to get to the meat of the stories in founding companies. That includes the good, the bad, and the ugly. Host Guy Raz is a seriously talented interviewer and goes out of his way to make sure that his audience is getting value from each podcast. There are hundreds of episodes to choose from, so you’re not likely to run out of great content anytime soon.
Guests on How I Built This have included Sara Blakely of Spanx, Lara Merriken of Larabar, Kevin Systrom of Instagram, and many more. If you like founding stories, you’ll be both entertained and educated by this podcast.
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, How I Built This included stories of resilience from entrepreneurs. Maybe it’s just that misery loves company, but these have been particularly helpful in helping business owners find good ideas for keeping their businesses operating, and even growing through the pandemic.
Conclusion:
Podcasts are an amazing way to get the most important information distilled by experts and delivered to you in a convenient and usually free format. This is one of the best ways to make use of your commute time, or any other time that you can be listening to something. They’ll help you be more informed and better at your job, your relationships, and virtually anything else.
Business and finance podcasts are particularly helpful for those who are working to improve their career. The lessons you can glean from the most successful people in your industry, or in the world generally are impossible to come across otherwise. The business and finance podcasts above are the best of the bunch (and we’ve listened to most of them). Be sure to check them out!