5 Must-Listen Podcasts For Marketing Mavens
First off, let me say that there are hundreds of fantastic podcasts that could have made this list, but I am only one person, so I’ve narrowed things down to five podcasts that I, and many others, have found fascinating, inspiring and educational. I’ve worked in the digital marketing space for almost a decade and these are podcasts that I’ve found myself returning to time and time again. Whether it’s for a little soul searching, design inspiration or practical things to guide your work in the digital space, these are five must-listen podcasts for marketing mavens.
How I Built This With Guy Raz
Squarespace, Burt’s Bees, Spanx, The Chipmunks (yes, those high-pitched rodents we all know and love… or hate, depending on who you talk to) — what do they all have in common? They all started somewhere. Yes, I know, cheesy and anticlimactic, but true! When you think of big brands or big-name successes, you likely don’t think about how they arrived where they are today. In this podcast, Guy Raz, does an amazing job interviewing the founders of some of the world's best-known companies and talking through the journey that got there.
WHY MARKETING MAVENS SHOULD LISTEN TO HOW I BUILT THIS
If you’ve got that entrepreneurial spirit or just need a motivational pick-me-up to help get you back in the game — whatever game that may be —this podcast is a must. Start by listening to the brands you know, but be sure to listen to the ones you don’t! Each has their own story that will have you thinking about the brand/business in a new light by the end. It’s inspiring to hear the trials and tribulations people go through to make their dreams and businesses happen. If you need something that is going to make you say “YES I CAN!” this is it.
EPISODE RECOMMENDATIONS:
Goal Digger With Jenna Kutcher
Let’s talk about Jenna for a second. She’s a self-made millionaire who has built a digital empire on great content across various platforms.She is someone who empowers women and promotes body positivity and she’s a local gal, living up in Duluth, Minn. Get it, girl! But let’s get back to her podcast. She describes the show as a “live-workshop style business podcast that is helping thousands redefine success and chase bolder dreams.” Whether you’re trying to launch into Instagram fame or make a shift in your career, Jenna has more than 240 episodes spanning various topics that will educate, inspire and motivate you to do what you need to do.
WHY MARKETING MAVENS SHOULD LISTEN TO GOAL DIGGER:
Who better to listen to than another marketing maven? Jenna constantly pulls from her own experiences and shares her secrets of success from her one-time side-hustle turned full-time career while also offering tools and courses related to digital marketing and business, photography and brand building. Goal Digger is a great listen for anyone who wants real-life tips and examples of things to consider when pursuing one's passions. Or for anyone looking for ways to expand experiences in their career. Something I enjoy about the Goal Digger is that Jenna is not only someone who actually provides helpful information, but she is also relatable, endearing and passionate about what she is doing.
EPISODE RECOMMENDATIONS:
Food Blogger Pro With Bjork Ostrom
Marketing Maven and Minneapolis food blogger Lindsay Ostrom along with her husband and partner-in-crime, Bjork, make up the duo behind the delicious food blog Pinch of Yum. After finding success on their blog, and having received a constant stream of questions about how they built their success, the couple started the Food Blogger Pro podcast as a place to teach people what they have learned over the past eight plus years.
WHY MARKETING MAVENS SHOULD LISTEN TO FOOD BLOGGER PRO
No, you don’t have to be an aspirational food blogger, or aspirational blogger for that matter, i to listen to and appreciate this podcast. Lindsay and Bjork are business and marketing professionals who have found success in building their brand. A brand that just so happens to be focused on food content. Although a lot of what they cover is for bloggers, the topics and tips could be adapted to various types of businesses. You can expect to find topics on brand building, content creation and site optimization, as well as some inspirational interviews that will have you eager to take action in your own career..
EPISODE RECOMMENDATIONS:
99% Invisible With Roman Mars
With a smooth, silky voice and a deep appreciation for the unnoticed, Roman Mars and his podcast have captured my heart and my mind. 99% Invisible does a deep dive into the the things we don’t think about. From unnoticed architecture to the evolution of birth control packaging, 99% Invisible brings light to the, oftentimes unappreciated, design that shapes our world. With more than 250 million downloads, Roman Mars is doing something right.
WHY MARKETING MAVENS SHOULD LISTEN TO 99% INVISIBLE
As marketers, we’re always looking to be inspired and, as we all know, inspiration can come from anywhere. 99% Invisible has unexpectedly inspired me countless times. From episodes discussing packaging, seed vaults and how emojis are created, I’ve been pleasantly surprised at how unnoticed designs directly impact my world (and my work) everyday. I’ve found myself sharing episodes with colleagues on numerous occasions, not just for the joy of listening to the sultry voice of Mr. Mars, but because the topics were totally relevant to our work. Whether you’re a creative who already has a deep appreciation for design or an account executive looking to broaden your horizons, 99% Invisible covers a wide range of stories that will have you thinking about day-to-day objects, commutes or even your work in new and interesting ways.
EPISODE RECOMMENDATIONS:
Person in Lotus Position (Ever wonder the process behind how an emoji is created?)
National Sword (Recycling works...right?)
Oprah’s SuperSoul Conversations
Oprah’s SuperSoul Conversations are meant to help you awaken and discover a deeper meaning in the world around you. If that sounds like an incredible feat to accomplish, well, who better to entrust the journey to than one of the most accomplished media executives, producers and philanthropists in the world? Oprah’s SuperSoul Conversations are a selection of interviews with thought-leaders, best-selling authors, spiritual luminaries and health and wellness experts that Oprah believes will light you up, guide you through life’s big questions and help bring you one step closer to your best self.
WHY MARKETING MAVENS SHOULD LISTEN TO OPRAH’S SUPERSOUL CONVERSATIONS
At the end of the day, we’re all just trying to be our best selves, whether that’s at work or at home. Many colleagues and friends have often recommended this podcast to me. You may have even seen one of your favorite influencers mention it on his or her Instagram story (I know I have), and there is a reason for it. As I previously mentioned, inspiration can hit us unexpectedly, but we’re always looking for it. This podcast is inspiration for the soul, which is necessary for anyone looking to excel and grow as an individual. The next time you’re exhausted from a rough day at work or just looking for something new to listen to, head out for a walk, pop in your headphones and press play on a Super Soul Conversations. You’ll be glad you did.
EPISODE RECOMMENDATIONS:
Apple listeners check out all episodes here!
Stitcher listeners, check out all the episodes here!
There you have it. Five must-listen podcasts for marketing mavens. Again, these are podcasts that I personally love and, dare I say it (again), inspire me. I hope you find value in them as well. If you have a podcast you think would be worth adding to this list, share it with us on social! I know I am always looking for something new to listen to so please, give your favorite podcast you think marketing mavens should listen a shout out.
//image by Rakhmat Suwandi