What are the best podcasts to learn about business growth?

The road to business success is often paved with failures, obstacles, and tough decisions that can make or break a company. But entrepreneurs do not have to navigate this journey alone. 

Learning from those who have been there before can provide valuable insights, inspiration, and motivation to keep pushing forward.

In recent years, podcasts have become a popular source of information and inspiration for entrepreneurs, especially for those who are building and growing businesses in times of volatility and opportunity. 

In this article, we will explore 5 of the top podcasts that are hosted and guested by some of the most well-respected and successful business leaders, covering a wide range of topics that are relevant to entrepreneurs at any stage of their growth journey.

We will also highlight some of the best advice and insights that these podcasts offer, so that both new start-ups and established scale-ups can take the first step toward the next level.

Let’s begin.

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1) The Tim Ferriss Show

The eponymous Tim Ferriss Show is one of the most popular podcasts for entrepreneurs and hosted by Tim Ferriss, the bestselling author of “The 4-Hour Workweek”.

Ferriss has built a reputation for himself as a successful investor, author, and entrepreneur. He's also known for turning his failures into opportunities for growth, making him a relatable and credible source of advice.

Ferriss interviews a wide range of guests, from successful entrepreneurs and investors to athletes, actors, and artists. He delves into their personal stories and explores the habits and routines that have helped them achieve success.

Through his interviews, Ferriss provides a wealth of knowledge on topics such as productivity, self-improvement, and business strategies. He also highlights the importance of mental health and self-care in achieving success.

One of the best pieces of advice shared on The Tim Ferriss Show comes from entrepreneur and author Seth Godin. He advises entrepreneurs to focus on creating value for their customers rather than chasing profits. By creating value, entrepreneurs can build loyal customers and achieve long-term success.

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2) How I Built This

Hosted by seasoned journalist and radio host Guy Raz, How I Built This is a podcast that explores the stories behind some of the world's most successful companies. 

Raz covers everything from politics to music with an expertise and engaging personality that make him a trusted source for entrepreneurs seeking inspiration and advice.

In each episode, Raz delves into personal stories of the founders of successful companies, such as Airbnb, Spanx, and Patagonia, and explores the challenges they faced and the strategies they used to overcome them.

Through these interviews, Raz provides valuable insights into the mindset and habits of successful entrepreneurs and highlights the importance of perseverance, risk-taking, and innovation in building a successful company.

One of the most inspiring stories shared on How I Built This comes from Patagonia founder Yvon Chouinard. 

In that episode, Chouinard stresses the importance of building a company that aligns with your values and having a positive impact on the world. He also advises entrepreneurs to never sway from their mission and purpose — in Patagonia’s case, focusing on creating products that last rather than contributing to the fast fashion industry.

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3) The School of Greatness

The School of Greatness is a podcast hosted by a New York Times bestselling author, lifestyle entrepreneur, former pro athlete, and international keynote speaker Lewis Howes. 

His podcast features successful individuals from various fields, including business, sports, entertainment, and health, who share their experiences and insights to help listeners achieve their goals and live a great life. 

Howes himself had to overcome adversity after a career-ending injury in football, which led him to homelessness and depression. He turned his life around by building his own multimillion-dollar business and now inspires others to do the same.

Howes gets into topics such as leadership, entrepreneurship, personal development, and relationships and boasts a roster of hard-hitting guests, including billionaire entrepreneur and philanthropist Sir Richard Branson and health and fitness expert Jillian Michaels. 

One episode that stands out is Howes’ interview with Simon Sinek, who is known for his book “Start with Why”.

In this particular episode, Sinek shares insights on how to lead with purpose, why it is important to trust your gut, and how to build a culture of trust and cooperation within a team. 

He also stresses the importance of creating a positive work environment where people feel safe to be themselves and where leaders inspire others to become the best versions of themselves.

Overall, The School of Greatness offers valuable insights and advice for entrepreneurs looking to succeed in their business and personal lives. With Howes’ personal story of triumph over adversity and his impressive guest line-ups, this podcast is a must-listen for anyone looking to achieve greatness.

4) The GaryVee Audio Experience

Gary Vaynerchuk is an entrepreneur, investor, and bestselling author who has been able to turn his family's wine business into a multi-million dollar empire. So, it is only fitting that his podcast, The GaryVee Audio Experience, is one of the most popular business podcasts out there.

Vaynerchuk and his long list of impressive guests — including successful entrepreneurs, athletes, musicians, and other industry experts — share their experiences and hard-won lessons to equip listeners with the knowledge and insights they need to succeed in both business and life. 

The topics covered on The GaryVee Audio Experience range from social media marketing and personal branding to entrepreneurship and leadership. 

But one of the key themes that run throughout the podcast is the importance of hard work and perseverance. Vaynerchuk is a big believer in the power of hustle and encourages his listeners to work hard and never give up on their dreams.

One of the best pieces of advice from Vaynerchuk’s podcast is to focus on providing value to others. 

He believes that the key to success in business and life is to focus on giving, rather than just taking. Vaynerchuk encourages his listeners to find ways to provide value to their customers, employees, and communities, and to always be looking for ways to improve.

5) StartUp

StartUp is an award-winning podcast that delves into the nitty-gritty details of starting and running a business. 

Hosted by former producer for This American Life and a co-founder of Gimlet Media (the podcast production company behind StartUp), Alex Blumberg, he showcases top-notch journalism and storytelling in the show through his ability to weave a compelling narrative in each episode. 

StartUp's guests range from successful founders and CEOs to investors, advisors, and other experts in the startup world. They share their personal stories of triumphs, failures, and lessons learned, giving listeners a behind-the-scenes look at the ups and downs of entrepreneurship.

Topics discussed on the show range from fundraising and pitching to investors, to creating a company culture and navigating legal issues. 

One episode that stands out is “How to Divide an Imaginary Pie,” in which Blumberg and his co-founder, Matt Lieber, discuss how they split equity in their company. The episode provides valuable insights for founders who may be struggling with similar issues.

Another episode that truly resonates with listeners is "Burnout," in which the host discusses the importance of taking care of oneself and avoiding burnout, a common issue for entrepreneurs.

They say hindsight is 20/20 and that the past holds the key that unlocks the problems of the present. And this could not be more true in the business landscape.

Podcasts have, indeed, become an excellent resource for entrepreneurs to get a sneak peek of the unique perspectives and experiences of those who have done it all and seen it all. 

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