I am a strong believer in ongoing learning as a mandatory activity for anyone who is looking to progress in their life either personally or professionally. I am continually looking for new options for reading and learning everywhere I go and I try to bring a curious attitude to each new experience. I am always looking for opportunities to learn as much as possible about different ideas, viewpoints, and thinking approaches.
Recently I started spending more time in the car rather than commuting by train where I was able to get a lot of reading done and so I was looking for alternative ways to consume new content. I have used audio books in the past which were interesting, but while I was searching for audio alternatives for the car I came across the idea of Podcasts.
I had always seen the little purple “Podcasts” icon on my iPhone, but I had never taken the time to open it up to see what it was all about. I finally did… and boy am I glad I did! I have discovered a world of learning that is easily consumed in the car. Most Podcasts are brief (30-60 minutes) and incredibly informative. The topics I am listening to are widely varied and I benefit from the fact that they are new every week. By subscribing I am always getting the latest thinking and research.
After a few weeks of constant listening, I highly recommend that you take the time to give Podcasts a try. If you are using an iPhone there is a stock app for consuming Podcast content (just search for Podcasts if you can’t find the app icon).
For either iPhone or Android, you can also download Stitcher which gives you more options for slicing your Podcast subscriptions into categories which allow you to group topics or ideas together. Either way you can quickly pick and choose what you want to listen to or learn about.
You can find Stitcher on the Google Play Store at https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.stitcher.app&hl=en or on the Apple iTunes Store at https://itunes.apple.com/ca/app/stitcher-radio-for-podcasts/id288087905?mt=8.
To get you started I thought I’d share some of the Podcasts I’m enjoying most related to entrepreneurship and innovation. Have a listen, start learning, and let me know what you think. (I’ve shared the Stitcher links, but you can also search them on any Podcast app you prefer).
Tim’s Favourite Podcasts (Right Now)
- Hidden Brain – https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/hidden-brain
The Hidden Brain helps curious people understand the world – and themselves. Using science and storytelling, Hidden Brain’s host Shankar Vedantam reveals the unconscious patterns that drive human behaviour, the biases that shape our choices, and the triggers that direct the course of our relationships. - Mixergy – https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/business-tips-for-startups-by-proven-entrepreneurs-mixergy
Mixergy is hosted by Andrew Warner and features business tips for startups through interviews with proven entrepreneurs in all types of industries. Andrew’s inquisitive interview style provides a ton of interesting information about the businesses, how they build their businesses, and the challenges they are facing or have overcome getting to where they are today. - The EntreLeadership Podcast – https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/the-entreleadership-podcast
Hosted by Ken Coleman, the EntreLeadership Podcast features lively discussions and tips on leadership and business by some of the top minds in the business, like Mark Cuban, Seth Godin, Jim Collins, and Simon Sinek. - How I Built This – https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/how-i-built-this
How I Built This is a podcast about innovators, entrepreneurs, and idealists, and the stories behind the movements they built. Each episode is a narrative journey marked by triumphs, failures, serendipity and insight – told by the founders of some of the world’s best known companies and brands. If you’ve ever built something from nothing, something you really care about – or even just dream about – check out How I Built This hosted by Guy Raz. - Foundr Magazine Podcast – http://www.stitcher.com/podcast/nathan-chan-online-entrepreneur-magazine-publisher-technology/foundr-magazine-podcast-entrepreneur-and-startup-founder
We interview hard to reach entrepreneurs. (Seth Godin, Tim Ferriss, Tony Robbins, Barbara Corcoran, Daymond John, & many more). Unlike most podcast interview series Nathan Chan literally started from knowing nothing. He was just an average guy working in a 9-5 job he utterly hated. He knew nothing about entrepreneurship, nothing about startups, nothing about marketing, and nothing about online or how to build a business. - Killer Innovations – http://www.stitcher.com/podcast/phil-mckinney-podcast/killer-innovations
An award winning nationally syndicated radio show and podcast where award winning innovators are interviewed about how they used creativity and design to create game-changing – killer innovation. Hosted by Phil McKinney. - Innovation Crush – http://www.stitcher.com/podcast/sideshow-network/innovation-crush
Innovation Crush smashes convention to bits by profiling some of the world’s most daring projects and the people behind them. From marketing ideas to technology innovations, disruptive business models, personal development, and everything in between, IC is a one stop shop for all the “who-to-know” and “what to know” you’ll ever need to know. Hosted by Chris Denson. (WARNING: Innovation Crush sometimes tackles more controversial subjects and businesses)
I have several others I listen to (and have even added a number of kids focused Podcasts for when my kids are in the car) but this is a great starting list if you’re looking to explore the world of Podcasts.
If you come across others that you enjoy and think I would enjoy please send them along. I’m always looking for more great learning content.
Enjoy!
Tim Empringham is a passionate advocate for Innovation in organizations of all sizes as a mechanism to drive growth, create uncontested market space, create new customer value, and drive efficiency into the internal organization. His focus is on disruption of thinking and markets through integrative thinking, structured Innovation frameworks, and leadership development of Innovation and Change leaders within the organization.
