The 11 Best Motivational Podcasts for Entrepreneurs (2023)

The HBR IdeaCast is a weekly podcast covering hot topics in the workplace such as mental health, attracting and retaining talent, the complexities of artificial intelligence (AI) and effective leadership.

Hosts are Alison Beard and Curt Nickisch, veteran business journalists and senior editors Harvard Business Review, interview a variety of academics, entrepreneurs and writers focused on technology—but not to the exclusion of other industries. Previous guests have included former IBM CEO Ginni Rometty, who discussed the need for workers to adapt and learn new skills, and actor/director Ron Howard, who provided insights into career longevity and collaborative leadership.

While discussions typically focus on company level rather than small business issues, entrepreneurs of all stripes can benefit from hearing experts share their focus areas and how they relate to current business and societal trends.

5. good life project

Host: Jonathan Fields

Theme: motivation

good life project, A popular motivational podcast that asks and discusses the big questions about what makes life meaningful and fulfilling. Host Jonathan Fields talks to guests about topics like the science behind motivation, the meaning of happiness, and the value of empathy — sometimes sharing actionable advice along the way.

Most entrepreneurs want to live a meaningful and fulfilling life, but juggling the many responsibilities, daily decisions, and sometimes stressful issues of entrepreneurship can be challenging. Hear good life project can help break down daunting business and personal challenges into smaller, more manageable tasks.

Guests include academics, celebrities, and spiritual leaders, as well as speakers like researcher, podcaster, and author Brené Brown, who focuses on traits like vulnerability and empathy. Expect practical strategies from Fields and his guests that can help with creativity, decision-making, and finding joy amidst the challenges of everyday life.

6. DTC POD: How the best brands are born

Host: Ramon Berrios and Blaine Bolus

Theme: Straight to the consumer

Perhaps the only people who get excited about listening to conversations about product sourcing, profit margins, supply chain trends, affiliate programs, and data-driven marketing strategies are direct-to-consumer or DTC entrepreneurs. if that’s you DTC POD: How the best brands are born is an informative listening experience.

Hosts Ramon Berrios and Blaine Bolus delve deeply into the decisions DTC business owners make. Guests include startup founders from industries ranging from food media to technology. Expect DTC experts to share their professional experiences in consumer markets, addressing topics ranging from wellness trends to Instagram influencer marketing.

Any entrepreneur who needs information on shipping, venture capital investing, product design, public relations, manufacturing, accounting, among other important aspects of running a DTC business, can gain insight from this podcast.

7. Happier with Gretchen Rubin

Host: Gretchen Rubin and Elizabeth Craft

Theme: Luck

Author Gretchen Rubin co-hosts this podcast with her younger sister, television writer and producer Elizabeth Craft. The conversations between the siblings are about, yes, happiness.

Entrepreneurs listen Happier with Gretchen Rubin can learn strategies for dealing with anxiety, use the sense of touch for difficult conversations, and find joy in life’s little luxuries, to name a few. These practical insights are intended to help listeners to personal growth and professional success. The hosts’ “happiness hacks” can help you focus and spark ideas, or teach you how best to network with industry professionals or clean up workspaces.

8th. Side Hustle School with Chris Guillebeau

Host: Chris Guillebeau

Theme: Part-time entrepreneurship

If you’re currently a full-time employee but have a part-time job in e-commerce, like making and selling small batches of hot sauce or making candles, we’ve got plenty of useful tips for you Side Hustle School with Chris Guillebeau. The daily podcast is broken up into easy-to-follow, bite-sized chunks of six to eight minutes and is perfect for entrepreneurs on the go.

Presenter Chris Guillebeau covers listener case studies on part-time work and provides sound advice on transitioning from a part-time job to a full-time business, raising finance and attracting new clients, and other challenges of maintaining a side hustle while in employment. And don’t miss the Failure Friday segments, as select listeners share their own entrepreneurial disasters — from an Airbnb flop to a fashion blogger’s failed attempt to go viral by wearing salad hats. listener of Side Hustle School can learn from the mistakes of others.

9. planet money

Host: Amanda Aronczyk, Mary Childs, Karen Duffin, Jacob Goldstein, Sarah Gonzalez, and Kenny Malone

Theme: Global Economy

Entrepreneurs benefit from a deeper understanding of the global economic landscape; Being informed about new tariffs, bottlenecks or tax regulations helps entrepreneurs stay one step ahead of potential disruptions. planet money delivers business and business news in concise half-hour segments with analysis and personal stories through on-site interviews. Listeners may learn about the role race plays, who gets audited by the IRS, how long high interest rates will last, and other forward-looking financial news.

10 rework

Host: Kimberly Rhodes, with Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson

Theme: management and working life

When an entrepreneur’s battered startup begins to flourish, they often have a team or teams to lead and are responsible for running aspects of a business they barely knew existed (think creating a culture guideline). Questions you might have been afraid of: How do you build a diverse team? How do you balance work and private life when you don’t work more than 40 hours a week? – will be answered on the rework podcast.

Host Kimberly Rhodes will be joined by Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson, co-founders of 37signals, a software company known for building the project management platform Basecamp. Rhodes encourages podcast listeners to call, email, or tweet any workplace-related questions they wish to ask.

11. The Happiness Lab

Host: dr Laurie Santos

Theme: Luck

The host is Yale Professor Dr. Laurie Santos The happiness lab Podcast and covers all aspects of happiness, which is beneficial for business owners who often get tunnel vision at work. Santos’ happiness research is grounded in science and sociology and expressed in accessible podcast form. Guests include academics and wellness professionals who, with Dr. Santos will talk about everything from self-improvement to the dangers of diet culture to the benefits of yoga and spiritual practice. While The Happiness Lab doesn’t exactly give “lucky tips” but practical life advice on how to deal with a more fulfilling mindset.