The 20 Best Business Podcasts to Help You Level Up

What We Like and Dislike About These Business Podcasts

Before we jump into the list, we'd like to give you a taste of what you'll find in general, how we think you can benefit, and something to be careful with.

Regularly stimulating your mind with fresh ideas from successful business people is a good habit to establish. 

One thing we believe strongly in here at Lean Labs is that to win your market, you need to be different from your competitors and be able to communicate that difference to the world.

If you get stuck doing the same things you've been doing for a decade or parroting what you see your competitors doing, you'll never reach market domination. 

That's one of the ways business podcasts can help you. 

You'll find some wonderfully innovative ideas and perspectives in these podcasts that will help you think more creatively and find new solutions to your customers' problems. 

These podcasts can help you make your business better.

Make Customer Acquisition Your #1 Competitive Advantage

At the same time, don't take the ideas you'll hear in these episodes as instruction manuals for strategies you should implement in your business without careful consideration and customization. 

For instance, you're going to hear a lot about content marketing in these shows. These people believe in content marketing or they wouldn't be producing podcasts. We're also big believers in content marketing, but the market has changed. 

It doesn't work in the same way that it used to and some of the luminaries we've listed below haven't realized it yet.

The Inbound Marketing methodology that worked a decade ago is now broken. Consumers used to want to do their own research and do careful research and comparisons before they would engage with a salesperson. 

So, marketers built complex customer journeys that moved the prospect through the funnel at a deliberate pace, with lead magnets that led to more offers and resources, and finally asked for a conversation.

But consumers no longer want to do their own research, sifting through the mountains of largely identical pieces of content that inbound marketers have flooded the internet with. 

They want to get their problems fixed quickly and they don't want you to be shy about offering it. They just don't move through the funnel step-by-step like they used to.

We used to be inbound marketers, but we recognized the shift and have pivoted to give the consumer what they want when they want it. We call this solution Growth Marketing.

So, as you listen to the best business podcasts, listen for trends that match what you're seeing in your own business. 

But also recognize that even the most successful business people can get stuck in old modes of thinking because these modes helped them reach their goals a few years back.

The 20 Best Business Podcasts for Marketers

1. RISE Podcast

This is one of the hottest business podcasts hosted by Rachel Hollis, the CEO of Mogul.

In this podcast, she hosts interesting and impactful conversations with other marketing and business powerhouses, and each episode provides takeaways you can implement in your own business. 

Recent episode topics include:

• 5 Paths to Growth That Can Change Your Life!
• 5 Hacks to STOP Getting Distracted, Build Laser Focus & Get More Work Done
• UNLOCK Your Creativity: Specific Tactics & Strategies for Unleashing Your Creative Potential

By the numbers:

• Average Length: 45 mins
• Episodes Produced: 378
• iTunes Rating / # of Ratings: 4.4 / 15,700
• Frequency: Every Tuesday and Thursday

2. The Tony Robbins Podcast

This is one of my favorite podcasts to follow. Tony Robbins brings you into some of his most impactful conversations, and even some audio from his "interventions" that help to illuminate the internal struggles that so easily derail our success.

This podcast can teach you to thrive regardless of your circumstances and to maximize your effectiveness in your job, business, and life.

Recent episode topics include:

• LET IT GO! Michael Singer on Removing Blocks and Finding Joy
• The Power of Perseverance | Shazam Co-Founder Chris Barton on Making the Impossible Possible
• Your Success is 80% Psychology | How to Use Mindfulness and Meditation to Prime Your Nervous System for Peak Performance

By the numbers:

• Average Length: 90 Mins
• Episodes Produced: 100
• iTunes Rating / # of Ratings: 4.3 / 100
• Frequency: Sporadic

3. Online Marketing Made Easy

Amy Porterfield is well known in the business world as a subject matter expert in entrepreneurship and marketing. In this podcast, she pulls back the curtain to give substantive answers to questions like:

• How do I start an online business?
• How do I grow my email list to thousands of subscribers?
• How do I sell more and grow faster?

This podcast offers tons of great business masterclasses and guides, helping you to take immediate action and implement effective strategies in your own business.

Recent episode topics include:

• 10 Ways to Repurpose ONE Single Piece of Content
• How to Plan Your First (or Next) Photoshoot
• How to Do a "Course Call" to Validate Your Digital Course Idea with Jamie Trull

By the numbers:

• Average Length: 45 mins
• Episodes Produced: 601
• iTunes Rating / # of Ratings: 4.9 / 4,000
• Frequency: 2 x per week

4. The Goal Digger Podcast

Jenna Kutcher hosts the Goal Digger podcasts, and fills every weekly episode with tips, strategies, and hacks to excel in business, social marketing, making money online, and even designing your dream career. 

The star-studded guest list includes Amy Porterfield, Jamie Ivey, Melyssa Griffen, Lori Hader, Cathy Heller, and many more. While her podcast focuses on women entrepreneurs, the tips and strategies she and her guests share are valuable to anyone and everyone who has a hand in growing a brand.

Recent episode topics include:

• Goal Digger Coaching: How to Start and Grow a Podcast
• This Angel Investor Specializes in Music + Startups
• Could You Make Money with Affiliate Selling?

By the numbers:

• Average Length: 45 mins
• Episodes Produced: 681
• iTunes Rating / # of Ratings: 4.9 / 11,300
• Frequency: 2x per week on Mondays and Wednesdays

5. The GaryVee Audio Experience

Known for his enthusiastically brazen delivery, successful entrepreneur Gary Vaynerchuk delivers practical entrepreneurial advice on everything from digital marketing to business culture in this weekly podcast. Vaynerchuk has gone on the record saying "the future is audio and voice."

After utilizing online marketing strategies to grow his family's wine business from $3 million to $60 million, Vaynerchuk transformed himself an online marketing legend. He founded several companies, wrote a few books and appeared on TV shows like Ellen.

Vaynerchuk holds nothing back in sharing everything he learned along the way in his #AskGaryVee Show episodes. In the show's newer #podSessions segment, he features three to four guests from various walks of life to discuss tech, entrepreneurship, and culture.

"I shoot the shit with friends and celebrities to give you an inside look into new perspectives, mindsets, and obsessions with what’s going on in our world," says Vaynerchuk.

Recent episode topics include:

• Attention is Worth More Than Money | A Business Meeting with Racks Hogan
• A Business Meeting with Jason Khalipa
• #TBT | A FIRE Keynote at Inbound 2012

By the numbers:

• Average Length: 30 mins
• Episodes Produced: 2,000
• iTunes Rating / # of Ratings: 4.9 / 480
• Frequency: Daily

6. The Digital Marketer Podcast 

Equal parts strategic and entertaining, Perpetual Traffic provides an inside look at how today's top marketers are acquiring leads, conversions, and sales through paid traffic. What makes Perpetual Traffic stand out? It's more tactical than most of the other top business podcasts.

Listeners learn digital marketing strategies they can immediately begin employing to lower cost per acquisition (CPA), increase email click-through rates and maximize Facebook ad campaigns. The weekly podcast is produced by Digital Marketer and hosted by Keith Krance, Ralph Burns (Dominate Web Media) and Molly Pittman (Digital Marketer).

Beyond sharing their practiced knowledge, the trio often interviews real people to discuss how they overcame their struggles with digital marketing. This is one of the best business podcasts for anyone wanting to enhance their online marketing skills beyond the basics.

Recent episode topics include:

• How to Amplify Your E-commerce Business Using Facebook Ads
• Why This is Still the Best Time to Be a Facebook Marketer
• Cambridge Analytica: What You Need to Know

By the numbers:

• Average Length: 45 mins 
• Episodes Produced: 313
• iTunes Rating / # of Ratings: 4.8 / 151
• Frequency: Weekly

7. The Influential Personal Brand

The Influential Personal Brand is co-hosted by Rory & AJ Vaden, co-founders of the Brand Builders Group. Rory is the author of the New York Times bestseller Take the Stairs: 7 Steps to Achieving True Success. In his podcast, Vaden combines veteran insights with positive encouragement to inspire listeners to take action.

Though the show dishes advice on a variety of specific topics, the central theme is one of productivity. Each episode contains a set of bite-sized, action steps for those who want to implement Vaden's advice. The show also invites a different guest expert each week. If you're looking for a productive kick in the pants, look no further.

Recent episode topics include:

• Doing Business With Friends of Friends With David Burkus
• Gender Roles and Rules in Leadership with Amanda Johns Vaden
• Attention Pays with Neen James

By the numbers:

• Average Length: 45 mins
• Episodes Produced: 367
• iTunes Rating / # of Ratings: 4.9 / 257
• Frequency: 2 x per week

8. Social Pros Podcast

Hosted by Jay Baer (Convince & Convert) and Adam Brown (Salesforce), Social Pros is one of the most well-known marketing podcasts on the planet. The show was recently named the best podcast at the Content Marketing Awards. Each week, the guys invite social media experts employed by the world's biggest brands to discuss their successes, failures, and metrics.

Nowhere else will you hear the behind-the-scenes scoop about companies like Dell, IBM, and ESPN. Uniquely, each episode ends with a series of rapid-fire questions that often generate surprising answers. If you're serious about mastering social media, this is your podcast.

Recent episode topics include:

• How to Elevate and Empower Your Social Team
• Exactly What to Say In Social Media
• How to Harness The Power of Social So You Never Lose a Customer

By the numbers:

• Average Length: 45 mins
• Episodes Produced: 500
• iTunes Rating / # of Ratings: 4.7 / 148
• Frequency: Weekly on Fridays

9. Entrepreneurs on Fire

Entrepreneur on Fire has interviewed more than 2,000 successful entrepreneurs to date, including Seth Godin, Tim Ferriss, and Tony Robbins. The podcast was created exclusively for small business owners and aims to provide actionable advice for its listeners each episode.

Host John Lee Dumas is known for posing thought-provoking questions that shed light on his guest's entrepreneurial highs and lows.

Notably, the podcast won the "Best of iTunes" award for its superb content. If you're looking for a business podcast you can listen to every day, Entrepreneur On Fire is for you — Dumas releases a new podcast seven days a week!

Recent Episode Topics Include:

• Colombian Coffee and Investing in Businesses in Emerging Markets with Adam Jason
• How to create your IRRESISTIBLE offer with Lisa Sasevich
• How Wade Foster connected the world with Zapier

By the numbers:

• Average Length: 25 mins
• Episodes Produced: 2,000
• iTunes Rating / # of Ratings: 4.8 / 3,700
• Frequency: Daily

10. Your Partner In Success Radio

Podcast host Denise Griffitts describes herself as "a happy nerd in stilettos." The long-time virtual assistant industry expert, online business manager, and web developer brings together leaders from a wide range of disciplines each week.

Your Partner In Success features a delightful mix of interviews with everyday entrepreneurs who have managed to create sustainable businesses that continue to grow.

Griffitts' warm personality has engendered her a loyal following of listeners who tune in every week for practical wisdom, insights, and tips. If you're interested in learning about a wide variety of industries, verticals, and specialties, this may be the podcast for you.

Recent episode topics include:

• Joanne Douglas & Alfred Renna: Negotiating New York
• What Authors Should Know and Nobody Tells Them
• Aaron Levy - Engaging Your Millennials

By the numbers:

• Average Length: 1 hr
• Episodes Produced: 300
• iTunes Rating / # of Ratings: 4.8 / 54
• Frequency: 3 x per week

11. How I Built This

Have you ever wondered about the individuals behind the world's biggest brands?

How I Built This explores the real-life experiences of founders behind companies like Five Guys, Kate Spade, and AOL as they built their small businesses into household brands.

Host Guy Raz interviews a different entrepreneur each week to reveal what it takes to grow a multi-billion-dollar brand. The podcast is produced by NPR and features the level of top-notch production quality, storytelling, and thoughtfulness you would expect from a major news outlet.

Recent episode topics include:

• FUBU: Daymond John
• Orangetheory Fitness: Ellen Latham
• Stitch Fix: Katrina Lake

By the numbers:

• Average Length: 1 hr
• Episodes Produced: 508
• iTunes Rating / # of Ratings: 4. / 28,700
• Frequency: 3 x per week

12. The Tim Ferriss Show

Best known for penning The 4-Hour Workweek, Tim Ferriss is an unconventional entrepreneur, productivity guru, and author. The New York Times called Ferriss a "cross between Jack Welch and a Buddhist monk."

In this podcast, Ferriss deconstructs world-class performers from a diverse arena of specializations including investing, modeling, and chess.

His goal? Ask his interview subjects targeted questions that reveal tools, tactics, and tricks listeners can mimic in their own lives. Every episode also features a Q&A where guests answer listener-submitted questions.

Recent Episode Topics Include:

• Astro Teller, CEO of X - How to Think 10x Bigger
• Inside Out with Katie Couric
• Karlie Kloss - Entrepreneur and Supermodel

By the numbers:

• Average Length: 2 hrs
• Episodes Produced: 667
• iTunes Rating / # of Ratings: 4.6 / 14,900
• Frequency: 2 x per week

13. The $100 MBA

The $100 MBA is a 10-minute podcast hosted by Omar Zenhom. Each week, Zenhom invites business leaders to share their best lessons, concepts, and examples with his audience. The difference between The $100MBA and other business podcasts?

Zenhom skips over backstories, avoids promotions, and eliminates fluff. One listener likened the podcast to astronaut food: "Small, lightweight, easy to consume, and PACKED with nutrition." The podcast received a Best of iTunes award and is quickly becoming a favorite among time-strapped, small business owners.

Recent Episode Topics Include:

• 5 Ways to Increase Your Email Open & Click Rates
• 4 Ways to Improve Your Customer Service Today
• Q&A Wednesday: What would you do differently if you started your software company all over again?     

By the numbers:

• Average Length: 25 mins
• Episodes Produced: 2,000
• iTunes Rating / # of Ratings: 4.9 / 2,200
• Frequency: Daily

14. Beyond The To-Do List

While most podcasts in the business category focus on success stories, Beyond The To-Do List favors a different approach: It emphasizes failures. Host Erik Fisher invites guests to share their real-life situations of failure, before analyzing and highlighting ways that listeners can avoid or overcome similar situations.

Most of the content revolves around personal productivity, project management, and goal setting. No matter the topic, Fisher never loses sight of the overall purpose of productivity: Living a meaningful life. If you're looking for insights into how others approach a variety of projects, this podcast is for you.

Recent Episode Topics Include:

• Ryan Hanley on Making and Overcoming Excuses and Blocking Time for Margin to Be Creative
• Distractions: Nir Eyal on Becoming Indistractable
• Bonus: Imagined Life Season 2 Preview

By the numbers:

• Average Length: 45 mins
• Episodes Produced: 461
• iTunes Rating / # of Ratings: 4.4 / 808
• Frequency: Weekly

15. The Biz Chix

The Biz Chix is a podcast for ambitious women seeking guidance on how to become more productive entrepreneurs.

The programming aims to tackle the unique challenges faced by women in the workforce, providing listeners with both practical tips, strategies, and encouragement.

Host and career coach Natalie Eckdahl, MBA, is a trusted advisor to many high-performing women. She is married with three children and is experienced in outsourcing at home and at work.

Listeners also have the opportunity to meet Natalie and fellow Biz Chix at her annual leadership conference for women entrepreneurs, BizChix Live.

Recent Episode Topics Include:

• From 11 Clients to 100,000+ with Amanda Tress of the Faster Way …
• From Full Time Entrepreneur to Full Time Employee with Danielle Liss [High Performing Women]
• Closing the Sale with Nikki Rausch [High Performing Women Series]

By the numbers:

• Average Length: 45 mins
• Episodes Produced: 335
• iTunes Rating / # of Ratings: 4.9 / 591
• Frequency: Weekly on Thursdays

16. HBR IdeaCast

Don't have the time to read Harvard Business Review? The organization now publishes a biweekly podcast synthesizing insights from recent articles.

HBR editor Sarah Green also interviews industry titans like Google’s Eric Schmidt. Averaging 10 to 15 minutes in length, IdeaCast is one of the most convenient informative podcasts in the entrepreneurial community.

Recent Episode Topics Include:

• How to Be Less Distracted at Work — and in Life
• Dematerialization and What It Means for the Economy
• What Great Coaching Looks Like

By the numbers:

• Average Length: 25 mins
• Episodes Produced: 649
• iTunes Rating / # of Ratings: 4.3 / 1,600
• Frequency: Weekly on Tuesdays

17. Mixergy

Mixergy host Andrew Warner is known for asking his guests uncomfortable questions. His goal? Dig deep into the nuances of their entrepreneurial successes and failures. Mixergy claims "the ideas and stories are so powerful that hearing them will change you."

Remarkably, Warner has interviewed more than 1,000 startup founders and business owners to date. If you are an ambitious entrepreneur bootstrapping your next startup, Mixergy might be your new favorite podcast.

Recent Episode Topics Include:

• Marathon Series: The co-founder of Skype joins me in Estonia
• Exclusive interview with the founder of a $1.9 billion dollar cyber security company
• SupportNinja founder opens up about mental health

By the numbers:

• Average Length: 1 hr
• Episodes Produced: 2,230
• iTunes Rating / # of Ratings: 4.5 / 513
• Frequency: Weekly

18. Copyblogger FM

Copyblogger has long stood as one of the top names in the field of compelling written Web content. It’s an accessible, short-form broadcast where experts analyze the week’s big news in areas like content marketing, email marketing, and conversion optimization.

Copyblogger FM is a weekly, short-form broadcast hosted by Sonia Simone. Each week, she and a cast of rotating experts analyze the week in content marketing, copywriting, email marketing, conversion optimization, mindset, and much more.

Recent Episode Topics Include:

• The Past, Present, and Future of Online Learning
• How to Get More of the Right Things Done
• Why the Future Is Still Email

By the numbers:

• Average Length: 30 mins
• Episodes Produced: 223
• iTunes Rating / # of Ratings: 4.6 / 290
• Frequency: Weekly on Mondays

19. Masters of Scale

If you need award-winning business advice from Silicon Valley and beyond, this is the podcast for you. Reid Hoffman interviews iconic CEOs from Nike, Netflix, Slack, and more.

They share their strategies that grew startups into global brands, and how to manage the tough times that will inevitably come.

Recent Episode Topics Include:

• ALL-STAR EP: Spotify’s Daniel Ek — How to build trust fast
• ALL-STAR EP: Burberry & Apple’s Angela Ahrendts — How to Unite a Team
• Rapid Response: Live with urgency, w/Bozoma Saint John, former Netflix CMO

By the numbers:

• Average Length: 30 mins
• Episodes Produced: 381
• iTunes Rating / # of Ratings: 4.6 / 3,800
• Frequency: Weekly
  

  20. Growth Team Radio

  In our very own podcast, host and CEO of Lean Labs, Chris Dubois, interviews various members of our team.
  
  Every episode touches on different aspects of how we approach growth marketing. It's a casual and informative discussion with nuggets of actionable insights you can use to drive growth in your company.
  
  By the numbers:
  
• Average Length: 35 mins
• Episodes Produced: 7 (it's new!)
• Frequency: Weekly on Tuesdays

Scale Faster

As you know, an entrepreneur's education is never complete.

Podcasts are an easy way to incorporate continued learning into your weekly routine, but even the best business podcasts won't have the same effect as actually trying out the concepts.

Struggling with where to start? Our Growth Playbook is an excellent place to find actionable insights.

Peek behind the curtain and see how we drive growth for our clients.