If you’re embarking on an entrepreneurial journey, you probably know that it’s an exciting (yet, challenging) experience that requires drive, motivation & constant learning.
And, one surefire way to stay informed & inspired is by listening to insightful startup podcasts. These podcasts will offer an accessible and engaging way for you to gain valuable and practical advice from seasoned entrepreneurs.
By tuning in, you can gain an insider’s perspective on the highs and lows of building a business, uncover the secrets of successful founders, and stay updated on the latest startup industry trends.
In this blog post, you’ll discover 7 of the best startup podcasts that will contribute to your growth as an entrepreneur.
Let’s get started.
1. Entrepreneurs on Fire
Source: Entrepreneurs on Fire
First on our list is Entrepreneurs On Fire, a popular podcast that has published 4,000+ episodes & garnered over 156 million listens so far. It’s hosted by John Lee Dumas, a successful entrepreneur and author.
This startup podcast offers daily interviews with other inspiring entrepreneurs, including Tony Robbins, Seth Godin, and Tim Ferriss, among others.
John’s interview style is focused on extracting valuable lessons, delving into his guests’ worst entrepreneurial moments, the lessons they learned along the way, and the steps they took to turn challenges into triumphs.
With its diversity of guests and topics, Entrepreneurs on Fire provides you with many strategies and insights that will help you in various stages of your career.
Two recommended “Entrepreneurs on Fire” episodes:
- BYOB: Build Your Own Business, Be Your Own Boss with Brian Scudamore
- Bill Gates, Warren Buffett, and Lady Gaga: Uncovering How the World’s Most Success People Launched Their Careers with Alex Banayan
Related: Startup vs Consulting: Which One’s for You?
2. How I Built This
Source: Wondery
How I Built This, hosted by Guy Raz and published by NPR, features interviews with renowned entrepreneurs who share the stories of building their brands.
In his interviews, Guy Raz, an award-winning podcaster and journalist, explores the personal struggles, setbacks, and eventual triumphs experienced by each founder.
Unlike typical success stories, this podcast focuses mainly on highlighting the tough moments encountered by even the most accomplished entrepreneurs. This way, you can understand why being resilient and determined is important in your business journey.
Every episode offers valuable lessons on innovation, creativity, leadership, and effectively navigating the different challenges that arise in entrepreneurship.
Two recommended “How I Built This” episodes:
3. REWORK
Source: 37signals
This next podcast offers you fresh and inspiring perspectives on how to build and run a business.
Hosted by 37signals co-founders, Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson, this podcast takes you behind the scenes at 37signals and shares stories from business owners who have embraced a different path to success.
The episodes cover a range of topics, from practical insights into remote work to discussions on business partnerships, project management, and company culture.
Two recommended “REWORK” episodes:
Related: The AI Guide for Entrepreneurs and Freelancers in 2023
4. Masters of Scale
Source: Masters of Scale
Masters of Scale is an acclaimed podcast that offers invaluable insights from the most influential figures in the business world.
Featuring iconic CEOs from renowned companies such as Nike, Netflix, Starbucks, and Slack, the podcast delves into the strategies that propelled these startups into international brands, as well as how they navigate crises.
In each episode, (hosted by LinkedIn co-founder Reid Hoffman) guests candidly share their entrepreneurial journeys, covering aspects like leadership, strategy, management, and fundraising.
Plus, Masters of Scale offers a Rapid Response format, hosted by Bob Safian, which addresses real-time challenges faced by business leaders in fast-changing situations, including crisis response, diversity & inclusion, and leadership changes.
Two recommended “Masters of Scale” episodes:
- The 10 Commandments of Startup Success with Tim Ferriss
- Entrepreneurship as a second act with Gwyneth Paltrow
5. Startup Stories – Mixergy
Source: Mixergy
One of the best startup podcasts to tune into is Mixergy, as it aims to empower ambitious individuals like you and help you build meaningful ventures with a sense of purpose.
Its host, Andrew Warner, conducts interviews with founders who share their real stories & discuss solutions to common issues faced by entrepreneurs.
Two recommended “Mixergy” episodes:
- Pattern for creating a profitable startup? (with Dane Maxwell)
- How Clever Entrepreneurs Turned 3 Air Mattresses Into Airbnb, The Site That Makes Any Home A Bed And Breakfast (with Brian Chesky & Joe Gebbia)
6. This Week in Startups
Source: This Week in Startups
This Week in Startups (TWiST)is another top startup podcast and it’s hosted by Jason Calacanis, an experienced technology entrepreneur.
In each episode, Calacanis explores the latest developments in the startup ecosystem, covering diverse topics such as technology, markets, media, and business trends.
Featuring a wide array of guests, including successful startup founders, investors, and experts, TWiST offers a rich and informative perspective on the multifaceted world of entrepreneurship.
Two recommended “This Week in Startups” episodes:
- Open Office Hours w/Jason: scaling as a solo founder, reducing churn, pivoting to SaaS & more
- The hard lessons from building three startups with Maven’s Gagan Biyani
Related: 5 Best Business Plan AI Generators In 2023
7. Acquired
Source: Acquired
A renowned podcast hosted by Ben Gilbert & David Rosenthal, Acquired tells the captivating stories and strategies of successful companies.
Unlike conventional podcasts, Acquired stands out for its depth-first approach, featuring episodes that span 3-4 hours and are similar to “conversational audiobooks.”
Its guests include prominent figures such as founders and CEOs from industry giants like NVIDIA, Spotify, Uber, Twitter, Zoom, Mozilla, and Sequoia Capital.
Two recommended “Acquired” episodes:
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As the startup ecosystem continues to evolve, it’s important that you keep learning and stay up to date with the latest trends.
Listening to these startup podcasts will not only keep you entertained but also provide you with a wealth of knowledge, perspectives, and practical insights.
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As an investor in many successful ventures like Coffee Meets Bagel, Doorvest, and Squire, Ajay is poised to provide valuable tools, tips, and resources that will help you navigate the startup world.
