As we work to build out the largest coworking campus in the world, one thing we’ve heard from the Founders already working with us is the seemingly infinite library of beneficial podcasts. Whether helping pass the time on the treadmill or sitting in traffic on the way home, podcasts have become an exceptional channel for in-depth interviews and are quickly becoming one of the fastest growing advertising mediums in the industry. According to data from 2017, over 42 million Americans listened to podcasts each week, and the overall growth of listeners continues to rise between 10% and 20% each year.As we work to build out the largest coworking campus in the world, one thing we’ve heard from the Founders already working with us is the seemingly infinite library of beneficial podcasts. Whether helping pass the time on the treadmill or sitting in traffic on the way home, podcasts have become an exceptional channel for in-depth interviews and are quickly becoming one of the fastest growing advertising mediums in the industry. According to data from 2017, over 42 million Americans listened to podcasts each week, and the overall growth of listeners continues to rise between 10% and 20% each year.
While there are dozens of valuable podcasts for startups ranging from business and finance to leadership, the three below jumped out to us as the top options for an entrepreneur ready to dive into the podcast world:
How I Built This With Guy Raz:
This is an obvious one, as any opportunity to learn firsthand how billion dollar companies like Instagram, Southwest Airlines, Home Depot and Starbucks got their start is a great resource. But what also separates this podcast is the sheer variety of business founders that they have interviewed and the amazing stories that come from them. Did you know that the founders of AirBRB once sold Obama/McCain themed cereal to raise money to pay off their credit cards? Or that Clif Bar’s were named after the creator’s father? With 78 podcasts to listen to, you’ll have some catching up to do, but each one is well worth the commitment.
The Tim Ferriss Show:
Another obvious inclusion, but Ferriss’ dedication to the entrepreneurial mindset has quickly made him a go-to when it comes to learning the valuable intangibles it takes to be an entrepreneur. An accomplished author, motivational speaker and self proclaimed “human guinea pig,” Ferriss seems to hold extensive knowledge of every one of the wide variety topics that come up in his interviews. Additionally, his interviews include unique but valuable questions that let the listener get a better idea of what makes the interviewee tick. Examples like “What was the best purchase you have made under $100?” both bring a lighter weight to the conversation but also give listeners valuable recommendations helpful tools in starting a business.
Startup:
Created by Alex Blumberg, cofounder of Planet Money, and former 538 senior editor Lisa Chow, Startup was the original offering from podcasting company Gimlet Media, which is now home of more than a dozen additional popular podcasts. The first two seasons follow the full startup lifecycle of two separate businesses, including, in the ultimate meta-moment, the development (from scratch) of Gimlet Media itself, kicking off with Blumberg’s initial meeting with billionaire investor Chris Sacca. Later seasons have branched out to the stories of other startups, but the engaging storytelling of the originals has never wavered and Startup remains a valuable podcast tool for entrepreneurs of all shapes and sizes.