Five podcasts to listen to for business inspiration

A solid roster of podcasts can be your secret weapon when it comes to feeling energized and motivated in your work.

Taking a quick respite to learn something new — or to think differently about the way we do things — makes us more thoughtful in our lives and careers. To that end, we’ve curated some of the best listening for professionals who are looking to be informed, inspired, and entertained.

Short, easily-digestible episodes mean you can sneak in some personal and professional development while you file paperwork, sip coffee, or make your morning commute into the office. Add these shows to your media diet to hear incredible stories, practical tips, and the latest in business news.

1. HBR IdeaCast

The Harvard Business Review (HBR) produces a handful of stellar podcasts, but this one is my favourite of the bunch for the razor sharp guests they bring on and the breadth of topics they cover. HBR IdeaCast delivers weekly inspiration through topical discussions on issues that are top of mind for the modern professional. Hosts Alison Beard and Curt Nickisch interview the best and brightest academics and business leaders on industry issues and workplace cultures. Honourable mentions go to After Hours and Women at Work — two other HBR shows worth a listen.

2. WorkLife

WorkLife host Adam Grant just wants you to find joy in your work, really. Grant is an organizational psychologist who talks to interesting folks who have unlocked the secrets to being happy at work. This TED-produced original podcast looks at solutions to real-world problems people encounter in their work life, whether that is learning to like networking, or dealing with jerks in positions of power. Check out WorkLife for some tips and tricks on how to carve out some happiness in the daily grind.

3. Girlboss Radio

Tune into Girlboss Radio for some femme-powered content with an uplifting bent. The CEO and founder of Girlboss, Sophia Amoruso, is in conversation with women-identified executives, entrepreneurs, and innovators who are overcoming obstacles and changing the game in their respective fields. Find out how these women in leadership positions got their start, and hear advice not just on how to survive, but how to thrive in your career.

4. How I Built This

NPR’s Guy Raz delves into the backstories of some of the most notable companies and innovations. Find out how giants like SoulCycle, AirBnB, or Five Guys were built into international phenomena, from the ground-up. How I Built This features interviews with the brains behind the operation. Hear from creators and innovators directly about how they found success following their passions.

She’s deep into an episode of How I Built This.

5. ZigZag

Manoush Zomorodi and Jen Poyant reflect on the lessons learned from their journey to co-create a media production company, Stable Genius Productions, as creative partners. One of the charms of ZigZag is the openness with which the hosts share their experiences of what it was like to take a leap of faith, quit their jobs to start a company, and not entirely know what they were doing along the way. Zomorodi and Poyant invite special guests on the show to explore issues in journalism, blockchain, female entrepreneurship, and that startup life.