OLooking for new ideas or insights? Here’s what we’re listening to right now…
The explosive growth of podcasts is truly remarkable. The 2021 data tallies 1,750,000+ podcasts and more than 43 million episodes (podcasthosting.org)—startling numbers when you consider there were only 500,000 active podcasts just three years ago in February 2018.
If you’re a pod head, you get it. But if you’re not a regular subscriber, you might be wondering how it is that podcasts have grown to become such an essential digital medium. Here’s an interesting perspective from Vulture.com: “…these humble chunks of audio have emerged as the most significant and exciting cultural innovation of the new century…These voices provide us with information, yes, but also inspiration, entertainment, enlightenment, emotional engagement, companionship, and, above all, a sense that, in even our most arcane obsessions, we are not alone.”
Read the full article here: https://www.vulture.com/2019/03/the-great-podcast-rush.html
To that point, our list of favorites (below) proves there really is a podcast for everyone. Take a look, or listen, to The Shamrock Best of 2021 Podcasts, curated by our team:
Business + Marketing
Business Made Simple with Donald Miller. The best-selling author (Building A Story Brand) and business coach hosts this engaging and informative show with a variety of guests—from athletes to business moguls to actors—focusing on practical advice about how to grow your career and create a company that’s healthy and profitable. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/business-made-simple-with-donald-miller/id1092751338
The Anthony Iannarino Show. In his podcast, this best-selling author and guru in B2B sales training and sales leadership, interviews people with powerful ideas that help you “be more, do more, have more, and contribute more.” A great practical, no-nonsense approach to sales.https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-anthony-iannarino-show/id1539409051
Leadership + Empowerment
The Tim Ferriss Show. Ferriss is a self-experimenter and acclaimed author, best known for The 4-Hour Workweek. In his podcast, he deconstructs world-class performers from eclectic areas (investing, chess, pro sports, etc.), digging deep to find the tools, tactics, and tricks that we can all use. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-tim-ferriss-show/id863897795
Jocko Podcast. Jocko Willink is a decorated retired Navy SEAL officer, author of the book Extreme Ownership: How U.S. Navy SEALs Lead and Win, and co-founder of Echelon Front, where he is a leadership instructor, speaker, and executive coach. His podcast explores all aspects of leadership and building successful teams. https://jockopodcast.com/
Self-help + Balance + Financial Health
Ten Percent Happier with Dan Harris. After a panic attack on live TV, ABC news anchor Dan Harris had to make some changes. In his book Ten Percent Happier, Harris recounts his journey from skeptic to meditator. In his podcast, Harris talks with meditation pioneers, celebrities, scientists, and health experts about training our minds. https://www.tenpercent.com/podcast
The Mindset Mentor with Rob Dial. In this #1 rated motivational podcast, Dial helps you learn how to overcome self-limiting beliefs by gaining insight and clarity on your life’s purpose and vision. He guides listeners through strategies for helping to achieve goals. https://robdial.com/podcast/
The Dave Ramsey Show. Learn from the master—insightful interviews about how to save money and make smart financial decisions. His mantra: make small wins with money that add up to better, lifelong habits—so you’re always confident about the future. https://www.daveramsey.com/show/archives
Invest Like the Best. Host Patrick O’Shaughnessy explores the ideas, methods, and stories of people that will help you better invest your time and money—not only personal finance topics but pragmatic business guidance, too. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/invest-like-the-best/id1154105909
Interesting + Fun Stuff
Morbid. A True Crime Podcast: It was born out of a genuine love for true crime and all things spooky. The show covers serial killers, unsolved mysteries, spooky history, paranormal activities, conspiracy theories, and a lot more. https://www.morbidpodcast.com/
Conspiracy Theories. Twice a week, these fascinating broadcasts delve into the complicated stories behind the world’s most controversial events and possible cover-ups. https://www.parcast.com/conspiracy
Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend. Late night host O’Brien realized that despite thousands of interviews, he had never made a real and lasting friendship with any of his celebrity guests. So, he started a podcast to do just that. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/conan-obrien-needs-a-friend/id1438054347
The Joe Rogan Experience. With over 1,500 episodes and counting, the JRE has been running for almost 10 years and is one of the most listened-to contemporary podcasts. It offers in-depth conversations with a variety of guests, ranging from celebrities and entertainers to scientists and athletes covering everything from existence of aliens to psychedelics. https://open.spotify.com/show/4rOoJ6Egrf8K2IrywzwOMk
Questlove Supreme. A fun, irreverent and educational weekly podcast that digs deep into the stories of musical legends and cultural icons led by Questlove. Each episode is driven by conversation
ranging from the guest’s origins (along with a few never-before-revealed secrets to their success) passions and current projects. https://www.iheart.com/podcast/1119-questlove-supreme-53194211/
30 for 30. Original audio documentaries from the makers of ESPN’s acclaimed 30 for 30 film series, featuring captivating stories from the world of sports and well beyond. These broadcasts explore how sports, competition, athleticism and adventure affect our lives and our world. http://www.espn.com/espnradio/podcast/archive/_/id/19472136
Food/Cooking
Recipe Club. From the mind of chef and founder of Momofuku, Dave Chang, the podcast explores the best ways to cook a popular dish. Each week, Chang and Chris Ying are joined by a rotating cast of culinary experts to prepare, eat, and judge three different recipes of the same dish. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/recipe-club/id1540003023
Home Cooking. Samin Nosrat (of Salt Fat Acid Heat fame) teams up with musician and podcaster Hrishikesh Hirway to answer questions about what to cook at home during the quarantine (and keep you company). Each episode features quarantine cooking questions, stories and anxieties from listeners, plus a celebrity guest and a loose ingredient theme. https://homecooking.show/
News + Noteworthy
NPR’s Fresh Air from WHYY. This Peabody Award-winning weekday magazine of contemporary arts and issues is one of public radio’s most popular programs. Hosted by Terry Gross, the show features intimate conversations with today’s biggest luminaries. https://www.npr.org/podcasts/381444908/fresh-air
Malcom Gladwell’s Revisionist History. In his podcast, the author of five New York Times bestsellers goes back and reinterprets something from the past: an event, a person, an idea. Something overlooked. Something misunderstood—from social issues, to politics, to pop culture. http://revisionisthistory.com/
Consider This from NPR is worth a listen also, for the more serious stuff on the news front. https://www.npr.org/podcasts/510355/considerthis
That’s a wrap on what we’re listening to right now at Shamrock. Did your top picks make our list? Join the conversation on our Facebook page.
