The Design Trust's recommended podcasts for creative businesses
Podcasts are such a great way to learn, get inspired, hear another opinion or just to have a laugh. Perfect to put on in the evenings or on a train journey or while making work.
We asked our community to let us know what podcasts for creative businesses they are listening to, so here is a list of some of your favourite podcasts (for business and pleasure!) as well as our own recommendations. Enjoy!
Podcasts for creative businesses - about business, freelancing, creativity and more
Want to find out more? Click on any of the red headings to get immediate access to these creative podcasts.
aspire with emma grede
This business podcast - focusing mainly on women in business - is a masterclass in ambition, heart, and high performance. Hosted by self-made successful business woman Emma Grede, Emma dives into conversations with visionaries, disruptors, and deep thinkers looking at their habits, philosophies, and strategies. From career advice to mental wellness, business strategy to personal growth, every episode brings insights and real-world tools to help you turn your business (and life) dreams into reality.
Aspire with Emma Grede
The Accidental Creative podcast
Popular podcast for creative businesses since 2005 by Todd Henry on how to make your best creative work, delivered weekly with tips and ideas for staying prolific - brilliant!
Being Freelance
Being Freelance is an independent podcast and community, founded and run by UK based freelancer Steve Folland. Proudly recording in Hertfordshire, just north of London - the podcast now has more than 300 episodes supporting freelancers around what it takes to freelance.
Craft Industry Alliance Podcast
Abby Glassenberg interviews makers about their craft business and how to earn a living through a love of craft. Then they recommend great stuff they’re loving right now.
Creative Pep Talk
The podcast helps creatives make a good living, making good art. Through ridiculous analogies, personal stories and artist interviews by freelance illustrator Andy J. Miller, the podcast hopes to help creatives break free and plan their creative career success.
Creative Rebels with David Speed and Adam Brazier
Inspiring interviews with creative people who have rebelled against the 9-to-5. Some really fantastic conversations here.
Entrepreneurial Thought Leaders
A series of videos and podcasts by Stanford University with candid interviews with entrepreneurial leaders exploring their journeys, sharing personal stories of the ups and downs behind real success. From start-up founders to NASA astronauts!
The Entrepreneurs
Monocle’s weekly podcast interviewing business owners across the globe. Inspiring stories from startups to legacy brands in hospitality, design, fashion, and retail.
the financial feminist podcast
Join money expert Tori Dunlap as she guides you through making more, spending less, and feeling financially confident in an often overwhelming and scary financial world. With solo episodes and special guest interviews, you’ll walk away with resources to get, save, and grow money to gain financial freedom.
Tori Dunlap, The Financial Feminist
The Goal Digger Podcast with Jenna Kutcher
Jenna is a brilliant self-made millionaire who talks simply and honestly about marketing, social media, branding and more as well as about being a working mum and the juggle. Really informative podcasts by herself and with a great selection of guests across the business world. Every week, Jenna redefines what success means and how you can find more joy, ease, and peace in the pursuit of your goals.
How to Fail with Elizabeth Day
Each week Elizabeth is joined by a new interviewee, a respected name in their field, and asks them three things they have failed at and what they learnt from that. It’s great listening!
Material Matters with Grant Gibson
Hosted by writer, critic and ex-Editor of Crafts Magazine Grant Gibson who interviews a variety of designers, makers and artists about their relationship with a particular material or technique. One of our favourite podcasts for creative businesses!
Never Not Creative
Hosts Andy Wright and Sarah Nguyen interview creatives, mental health experts and consultants to share advice, stories and conversations linked to our goals as a community. Real talk about the stuff that matters. From burnout and impostor syndrome to getting paid what you're worth and building a career that doesn't destroy your mental health, Andy and Sarah have interviewed creatives from New York to Sydney to Copenhagen, London and beyond. These aren't polished, corporate conversations. They're honest, sometimes messy, always useful discussions about what it really takes to survive and thrive in the creative industries.
Online Marketing Made Easy
Amy Porterfield is a huge name in the digital marketing world. She built a multimillion-dollar business with online courses and now teaches others how to do the same. The podcast content is perfect for online course creators but she also shares masses of information about digital marketing.
What Works
American small business expert Tara McMullin (Tara Gentile) interviews small business owners in depth about what really works to start and grow their business. One of Patricia's favourite podcasts to listen to while sitting in the bath ...
working hard
Entrepreneur Grace Beverley breaks away from the conventional business podcast rhetoric and instead invites us in to the extraordinary journeys of people from all walks of life who have achieved remarkable success in unique fields. Each conversation brings new lessons and stories that will inspire you to consider what ‘success’ really means to you and how you can achieve it. Grace and her guests open up about the life lessons they wish they had known earlier, sharing insights from their entrepreneurial endeavours, offering advice on health and wellbeing, shedding light on pressing social issues, and being frank about the things that didn’t go quite right.
Working Hard with Grace Beverley
Podcasts for creatives for pleasure
99% Invisible with Roman Mars
Perfect for design-minded folk, this podcast investigates the ways design and architecture play into our everyday lives, making you aware of the world around you in ways you've never been before. Topics range from how Las Vegas influenced modern architecture, the development of birth control pill packaging, and the ways that city planning influenced the growth of urban squirrel populations.
CALL HER DADDY
Alex Cooper's Call Her Daddy is the most listened to podcast by women on Spotify. Alex Cooper asks every guest the questions we all want the answers to. New episodes come out on Wednesdays only on Spotify and guests vary from Jane Fonda to Jay Shetty, Hailey Bieber to John Mayer.
Desert Island Discs
Everyone’s favourite with so many incredible people from scientists to pop stars who share their life story along with the tunes that they would take with them if stuck alone on a desert island. Our Business Club Manager Anne-Marie Shepherd's favourite episodes include Thom Yorke, Ian Wright (you’ll need a tissue), Daniel Ratcliffe, and Mel C from the Spice Girls (quite the revelation!)
No Such Thing as a Fish
A fun fact weekly podcast where Dan, James, Anna and Andy share the most bizarre, extraordinary and hilarious facts they’ve discovered over the last seven days.
Planet Money
A perfect blend of education and entertainment, and makes good on its promise of explaining the economy with stories and some surprises.
Stuff You Should Know
Still going strong after 10 years, this is a brilliant podcast exploring the story behind, essentially everything. Genghis Khan, Barcodes, Tardigrades. Each episode digs deep into a topic and you're never sure what you'll get.
We know there are plenty more wonderful podcasts for creative businesses out there ... Please share what your favourite creative podcasts are in the comments below.