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!
21 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.
The 21st Century Creative
Podcast hosted by creative business coach and poet Mark McGuinness to help creatives succeed amid the demands, distractions and opportunities of the 21st century. Check out the interview with our Director Patricia van den Akker too!
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.
The Autonomous Creative Podcast
Jessica Abel’s brand new podcast devoted to revealing the truth of what it takes to be a professional creative and build a life around creative work. Every two weeks, Jessica goes behind the scenes with professional creatives in a wide variety of fields to find out what it took for them to be able to quit the day job and build a creative career.
Being Boss
Aimed at female creative entrepreneurs and freelancers who want to make money doing what they love. Emily Thompson and Kathleen Shannon dig into the successful mindsets, habits, routines and boundaries of creatives.
Being Freelance
More than 200 episodes to listen to about 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.
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 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.
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 down behind real success.
The Entrepreneurs
Monocle’s weekly podcast interviewing inspiring business owners across the globe.
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.
How I Built This with Guy Raz
Featuring interviews with entrepreneurs and founders who share the backstories of some of the most noteworthy start ups and companies of our day, including Whitney Wolfe of Bumble, Airbnb’s Joe Gebbia, and Roxanne Quimby, the founder of Burt’s Bees. Perfect for any aspiring entrepreneurs.
How to Fail with Elizabeth Day
Each week Elizabeth is joined by a new interviewee, a respected name in their field, and asks them what they have failed at and also what they learnt from that. It’s great listening!
Illustration Hour
Bi-weekly podcast which sadly ended in April 2020, about the craft and business of illustration and design with in-depth interviews with illustrators, artists, art directors and graphic designers at various stages in their career. All the episodes are still available and worth a listen.
Make / time podcast
Conversations about craft, inspiration, and the creative process. Listen to leading makers and thinkers talk about where they came from what they’re making, and where they’re going next. Hosted by Stuart Kestenbaum.
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!
MONEY CLINIC with CLAER BARRETT
One of Anne-Marie’s favourites, the FT’s money-making expert Claer Barrett responds to real-life money questions from a range of guests. Every episode is packed with nuggets, tips and takeaways shared by top FT writers and financial experts. Super helpful in many ways.
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
On Design with Justyna Green
Insightful conversations with the ‘most inspiring designers and artists and what inspires them’.
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 …
6 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 cuts through the BS with every guest and topic, asking 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 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!)
Getting Curious with Jonathan van Ness
A weekly exploration of all the things Jonathan van Ness (of Queer Eye, Gay of Thrones) is curious about. Jonathan invites experts in their respective fields to share their knowledge as they get curious about anything and everything under the sun.
No Such Thing as a Fish
A fun fact podcast where Dan, James, Anna and Andy discuss their favourite facts unearthed in the past seven days. A new episode is released every Friday from 2pm.
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.
Great list – thank you for sharing! My recommendation to add is How to Own the Room by Viv Groskop. Absolutely fantastic series of interviews on the subject of public speaking in all its guises, from keynotes lectures, to pitching to investors, to speaking to clients. And SUCH an interesting range of women she has interviewed over the various series.
Hallo Patricia and Anne-Marie, what a fab collection of things to listen to in my studio with terrible wi-fi! Thanks very much. I’ve got another one I enjoy and it’s aimed at creative folk and makers of all sorts. Make a Plan, Make it Happen by Josephine Brooks. Think it used to be called On the Make. She’s also got a nice YouTube channel and Instagram that I dip into every now and then.
My addition to the list is The Daily Pep by Meg Kissack, where she shares short and snappy insights, reminders and stories to help you build a wholehearted creative life that feels good, is sustainable and joyful AND leaves the world a brighter place.
https://therebelrousers.com/dailypep