Podcasts are massive right now and I’m fully along for the ride.

They are free, you can listen to them whenever you want and they’re full of information. There’s a podcast covering most areas of interest. After all, every man and his dog has one.

And did I mention they’re free. (Although this is shifting. There are platforms which offer exclusive subscriber content such as Luminary. But most popular podcasts are still free to download and listen to.)

The main times I listen to podcasts is when travelling – in the car, on the bus or train – or when I’m cooking. Being able to listen whilst doing something else is a massive benefit.

What I choose to listen to is largely determined by what mood I’m in at the time. Like when someone suggests getting takeaway pizza but right now what you fancy is a Chinese.

The mood I’m in when stuck in traffic at the end of the working day is entirely dependent on how the day has gone and how forgiving I am of the traffic around me.

But it can vary quite heavily and so my podcast listening choices will too.

Find your next listen

In this post I run through some of the best podcasts I’ve listened to and the very specific reasons you might want to listen to them.

If you’re totally new to podcasts, some of these might be a good place to start. Maybe you’re already a podcast fan but are completely overwhelmed by the unwieldy mass of what’s available and don’t know what to pick next.

Hopefully this list provides a tasteful selection from which to sample your next listening pleasure.

Some relate specifically to business/marketing and some have a broader appeal. I don’t listen to many ‘big’ podcasts so there was no danger of me including them here but I also wanted to make some more unique suggestions that you may not have heard of before.

Of course, you may already know about these ones, in which case, well done you.

Note: I’m not claiming to be a podcast connoisseur who’s listened to everything there is to listen to, but I can assure you that these ones are all good in their own way.

For when you want to hear how fairly well known, reasonably intelligent people would make the world a better place.

Ways to change the world – Krishnan Guru Murphy

One of the most interesting and thoughtful interview-based podcasts I’ve listened to, in which Krishnan Guru-Murphy, Channel 4 News presenter, famous for pissing off Robert Downey Jr and Quentin Tarantino, does what he does best with a wide variety of guests.

The range of people he has on his show is impressive and interesting - Presenters, politicians, musicians, comedians, journalists and more are all given their opportunity to give their views on the world as they see it.

In classic Guru-Murphy style they aren’t there to self-promote and won’t get away with giving meaningless platitudes. He aims to get out of them their real thoughts.

Hear from people you admire and perhaps people with whom you profoundly disagree. No topic is off the table.

For when you want someone to audibly beat you around the head with a giant fluffy TikTok pillow.

The Gary Vee Audio Experience

You may never want or need this and actually I don’t listen to this one much anymore because I started to hear a lot of the same stuff, just repeated in slightly different ways (maybe he’s talking about something different now, I don’t know?). For more detailed thoughts on Gary Vee, read this.

But I thought I’d put it in because for a while I did really enjoy it and I still think it could serve the purpose of kicking you into gear if you’re experiencing a slump in motivation.

Gary doesn’t pull any punches and sometimes that can be helpful. Sometimes it’s just annoying. But he’s always there if you need him.

For when you want to be better at being self-employed.

Being Freelance – Steve Folland

Undeniably the best way of getting better at being freelance is to listen to those who have been there and done it before.

Steve’s long running and joyous podcast follows a simple but effective format and almost always provides some insight that I can apply to my own business.

Interviewing freelancers of various kinds, you get to hear a wide range of experiences that help to inform and potentially encourage your own journey. Hearing about other people’s failures is often as encouraging as hearing about their success because you can be assured that it isn’t just you.

Steve is an excellent and cheerful interviewer and if you have had a bad day, this is bound to brighten it up.

For when you want to be a better copywriter but also fancy listening to a man impersonating his dog.

All Good Copy – Glenn Fisher

The Glenn Fisher audio experience is a whole other experience entirely but does have a character that occasionally pops up who at least partially takes inspiration from Gary Vee’s brand of shouty American marketing.

Mainly interviewing a range of copywriters and marketing folk, this is a must listen for anyone who wants to get the inside knowledge on this weird and wonderful industry.

Filled with tips, opinions and inspiring experiences it’s always good fun and has definitely provided valuable takeaways for a young copywriter.

Also, Glenn adds his own brand of colour to the proceedings. Interviews are broken up by Python-esque character skits and DIY beats and jingles, that all make for one of the most creative podcasts out there.

For when you want to hear one super producer’s incredibly soothing voice ask your favourite artists genuinely interesting questions about their music.

Broken Record – Rick Rubin

Malcolm Gladwell, who started this podcast, describes it as ‘liner notes for the digital world’ and I think that’s a pretty good description.

Rick Rubin, who does the interviewing, speaks with artists about their artistic process and how their records came about.

The conversations feel laid back and real, partly because Rick Rubin sounds like an incredibly chill dude to be around and also because he asks all the right questions. He knows what he’s talking about which makes for a genuinely interesting listen.

Also, the artists play some of their music too – some current releases and some never before heard stuff, like early demos. It’s worth any music fan listening to it for that.

For when you want to hear what your favourite musician/celebrity actually sounds like.

Table Manners – Jessie Ware

Sure, there’s loads of interviews, interview podcasts and chat shows out there but you rarely get the level of ease and carefreeness from the guests that you get with this podcast.

There’s something about gathering around a table to socialise and chat that just loosens people up. And when you have the hospitality skills that Jessie Ware and her gregarious mother clearly have, it’s no surprise that the celebrities that go on her show seem so happy to be their true, relaxed selves.

This entertaining podcast centred around Jessie’s mother cooking a hearty meal allows guests to open up and not necessarily in an exposé, gossipy kind of way.

You just get a far purer and more authentic insight into their lives than most interviews provide. After all what’s more personal than knowing what someone likes to eat.

For when you want to hear a debate on religion but both sides are unbelievably well mannered and cordial.

Unbelievable? – Premier Christian Radio

I listen to a few Christian podcasts but most of them wouldn’t necessarily be relevant to a wider audience. This one, on the other hand, I’ll happily recommend to anyone.

If you’re interested in philosophical debates around religion, the existence of God, various social issues and more then this one has it all. On this show they’re happy to let the debate speak for itself and it isn’t obviously biased.

Debates on these topics can often be acrimonious but this show manages to make everyone sound quite chummy. Moderator Justin Brierley is excellent at giving both persons ample space to air their views and ensures that each debate runs smoothly.

The show pits academics, scientists, theologians, writers, social commentators and philosophers against each other in entertaining and thought-provoking discussions.

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So, there you go, a few to try. If you listen to any of them, do let me know what you think!

I don’t have a podcast but you can have a chat with me about copywriting if you want?… Hit me up.