Staying on top of the latest business trends is vital for today’s CEOs and business leaders. While it seems like there aren’t enough hours in the day to consume all the great content available, podcasts provide an excellent way for you to learn on the go.
The top business podcasts not only feature brilliant minds dishing out great advice but also provide inspiration for new ideas and ways of thinking. Whether you’re commuting to work, working out, or traveling for business, podcasts are a valuable tool for productive learning.
From candid interviews with founders to shows analyzing the technologies shaping the future, the right podcasts can give you strategic insights into the world of business. Here are the top 10 podcasts that every CEO should be listening to:
1. How I Built This
“How I Built This” is a podcast hosted by Guy Raz that delves into the stories behind some of the world’s best-known companies. He discusses the trials and tribulations faced by innovators, idealists, and entrepreneurs as they built their iconic companies. Notable guest stars have included the founders and CEOs of companies like:
- Airbnb
- Spanx
- Ben & Jerry’s
Each episode provides a deep dive into the journey of these individuals, from the initial idea to the many challenges faced and the eventual success.
2. The Tim Ferriss Show
“The Tim Ferriss Show” is a renowned podcast hosted by Tim Ferriss, who is best known for his book “The 4-Hour Workweek.”
The podcast stands out in the business category and is frequently ranked the #1 business podcast on Apple Podcasts. It has surpassed 900 million downloads, making it one of the most listened-to podcasts globally.
Notable guest stars on the show span a wide range of fields and include celebrities, entrepreneurs, authors, and experts, such as:
- Mark Zuckerberg
- Brene Brown
- Matthew McConaughey
- LeBron James
- Dr. Jane Goodall
Each episode delves into the lives and routines of these world-class individuals, extracting tactics, tools, and habits that listeners can adopt. Topics range from favorite books and morning routines to time-management tricks and exercise habits.
3. Masters of Scale
An award-winning podcast that delves into the many intricacies of scaling businesses, “Masters of Scale” is hosted by Bob Safian and features in-depth interviews with some of the business world’s most influential figures.
The podcast discusses their journeys, challenges, and strategies in building and scaling successful companies. “Masters of Scale” has a reputation for hosting industry leaders who have played pivotal roles in shaping the culture of major companies, including:
These guests share invaluable insights into the dynamics of creating and maintaining a thriving company culture.
4. The Prof G Show
Hosted by NYU Stern marketing professor Scott Galloway, “The Prof G Show” offers a sharp, in-depth analysis of the major tech companies impacting today’s world.
Galloway dissects many aspects of firms like Amazon, Apple, Facebook, and Google, covering their:
- Business models
- Competition strategies
- Valuations
Some of the most popular episodes of “The Prof G Show” include deep dives into Prime, Alexa, and Amazon Web Services. Galloway takes complex business concepts and explains them in an entertaining way that not only educates but also intrigues.
5. Beyond 7 Figures
“Beyond 7 Figures” provides tactical advice and strategies for growing a business past the seven-figure revenue mark.
Host Charles Guadet, the CEO of Predictable Profits, draws on his experience scaling companies as well as being the go-to coach for seven and eight-figure founders as he interviews executives from other fast-growing companies and discusses a wide range of challenges and strategies that emerging companies face. Some of his popular episodes dive deep into topics like:
- Building predictable revenue streams
- Market positioning
- Achieving scale through processes
- Team building
- The pitfalls and traps that keep many seven-figure companies from growing
Gaudet emphasizes high-impact changes leaders can make to their hiring practices, operational workflows, and mindsets. These changes are accessible and can help CEOs drive scalable growth.
6. The Pitch
“The Pitch” is a unique podcast that allows you to listen to real entrepreneurs pitch their companies to real investors. This podcast is hosted by Josh Muccio, and each episode features a new business idea. Founders present their:
- Company vision
- Business model
- Traction so far
- Funding needs
After their presentations, they’re grilled by investors with tough questions. This podcast provides a strategic look into how investors think, evaluate, and poke holes into businesses to identify their true investment potential.
And for CEOs, the show highlights techniques you can use to craft a compelling pitch, respond well under pressure, and exude confidence when fundraising for your business.
7. B2B Engagement Podcast
The B2B Engagement Podcast, hosted by enterprise B2B sales and marketing platform Kaon Interactive, takes listeners into discussions with leaders of the world’s largest companies, including IBM, HPE, TE Connectivity, and more.
B2B Engagement Podcast’s conversations focus on real-life challenges faced by the sales and marketing teams of global B2B companies and practical solutions. The audience gets a glimpse into high-level discussions of strategies that power some of the highest-performing companies, such as:
- Adapting to change
- Sustaining innovation
- Serving customers in complex B2B environments
- Improving sales effectiveness and customer engagement
The B2B Engagement Podcast brings highly substantive conversations that impact the complex environment of B2B enterprise growth.
8. Masters in Business
“Masters in Business” is a podcast that features weekly interviews with leading investors, economists, and financial experts to help you gain valuable knowledge in markets, economics, and personal finance.
The host, Barry Ritholtz, digs into his guests’ backgrounds, failures, and philosophies to learn what drives their success. Popular episodes include discussions on:
- China’s economic outlook
- The psychology of money
- Career advice
- Causes of the Great Recession
This podcast aims to demystify complex topics like risk management, behavioral economics, and valuation models.
9. The $100 MBA Show
A no-nonsense podcast, “The $100 MBA Show” provides practical business lessons and advice in bite-sized episodes.
The host, Omar Zenhom, provides real-world advice on topics like:
- Marketing
- Business finance
- Leadership
- Productivity
Podcast topics range from effective email management and best hiring practices to business travel hacks and budgeting tricks. Zenhom draws from his own experience founding and exiting multiple successful companies to coach listeners on the essential skills needed to launch and grow a business.
10. HBR IdeaCast
“HBR IdeaCast” comes from the Harvard Business Review and features inspiring ideas and interviews with some of today’s top business thinkers.
The episodes explore numerous themes and topics, including:
- Understanding psychology
- Improving productivity
- Building resilience
- Navigating hybrid work
- Driving innovation
- Learning the impact of technology on leadership
Podcast guests have included researchers and acclaimed authors who discuss insights from their work. There’s also a recurring segment of the podcast called “Now What,” where experts address listener questions on overcoming specific leadership challenges.
For CEOs, “HBR IdeaCast” provides intellectual fuel and evidence-based advice to sharpen your strategies and leadership capabilities.
Utilizing podcasts to grow
The business realm is one of constant change, making ongoing learning critical for CEOs and business executives. Podcasts offer a convenient way to stay sharp by absorbing insights from industry leaders while on the go.
So, beyond the tactical lessons, these shows can help fuel your innovation and vision. Podcasts are a great tool for self-improvement because they provide actionable wisdom, allowing you to invest in personal development that ultimately transfers to better strategic decision-making and more evolved business leadership.
