The Top 7 Podcasts for Entrepreneurs
If you’re an entrepreneur, chances are good that you’re busy. Very busy. And always on the go. Not only that, but you love to learn new things, hear inspiring stories and interviews, and keep up with the latest trends in your industry. The problem is that all this continuing education takes time, which we have established you have in short supply.
So let me ask you this: How often during the day do you find yourself doing mindless tasks, such as walking, biking, driving somewhere, exercising, doing house chores, running errands, and so on? I’d be willing to bet it’s a large chunk of your day.
With an MP3 player and a few podcast subscriptions (which are free), all that mindless time could be pulling double duty. You could be listening to podcasts, to audiobooks, and to your own music. It’s like tailoring your own personal radio station, and carrying it around with you. Podcasts are a great, time-saving way to learn about entrepreneurship, to get inspired, and to keep up to date with the trends and happenings of the startup world.
I’ve been listening for about a year now, and this list represents the best of what I’ve found. It makes a great starting point, but it’s by no means a comprehensive list, so please add your favorites below.
Since you’re busy, let’s start with the conclusion. You absolutely can’t miss Entrepreneurial Thought Leaders and Venture Voice. If you’re not already subscribed, open up iTunes and get them now. These two are the cream of the entrepreneurial podcast world. Get as many back episodes as you can handle, and pencil in a few long runs and a lot of driving.
- Entrepreneurial Thought Leaders - This is by far my favorite Entrepreneurial podcast. It’s a recording of a weekly seminar at Stanford, sponsored by its Technology Ventures Program. Each episode is a lecture and a Q&A session with a big-name entrepreneur or entrepreneurial thinker. The episodes are about an hour long, and often filled with wisdom, great advice, and interesting stories. Raid the archives.
- Venture Voice - What does it take to start a successful business? Gregory Galant runs a very successful podcast, and as a result, he interviews some of the biggest names in tech entrepreneurship. I personally think interviews are one of the best formats for podcasts, and Greg’s Venture Voice is no exception. He asks great, insightful questions, and his successful interviewees don’t hold anything back. Get a look inside the minds of these entrepreneurs. One or two hour-long episodes a month.
- Entrepreneurship - powered by PodTech - A similar idea to Venture Voice, this podcast provides interviews with important players in the entrepreneurship arena. The episodes are shorter, around 15-30 minutes, and also more frequent at about three a month. An interesting podcast, though I think the short episodes aren’t long enough really glean some insight and to do the interviewees justice. Also, check out “Hot Startups” from PodTech.
- Chicago GSB Podcast Series - This weekly podcast from the Chicago Graduate School of Business puts some very prominent thinkers on the podium. I’ve heard some amazingly great speakers, as well as some very boring ones and the content isn’t always entrepreneurial. From their own blurb, “We’re pleased to bring you leading business figures sharing their thoughts and insights into current topics affecting companies and organizations around the globe.” Hmm...maybe a little broad.
- Conversations with Experts - Patsi Krakoff and Denise Wakeman host an interesting weekly conversation with a recognized expert in some aspect of Internet Business. It’s a new expert every week, and I’ve heard some shows on here that are solid gold for an internet entrepreneur (and also some that aren’t). This show is tailored towards independent professionals and small business owners, especially on the internet.
- StartupNation Podcast - This biweekly radio show is available online, without commercials! It “provides in-the-trenches expertise on how to start and grow your dream business.” It’s a good show with a lot of different sections, which also means that it ends up being somewhat superficial.
- Internet Business Mastery - Hosted by Sterling & Jay, a couple of young, colorful internet entrepreneurs, this show is fun to listen to. It’s a good show if you’re just getting started, and its focus is heavy on information product marketing. Episodes run at about 30 minutes, and 1 or 2 a month.
Hope you enjoy ‘em. Let me know what you think, and please add your suggestions below, as I’m always looking for new listening material.
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Posted by Cesar Gonzalez on 09/25. (4) Comments • (0) Trackbacks • Permalink
