Summary: This is an article with all my favorite episodes of podcasts of last couple of years. It will help you to learn and get insights in on various topics including communication, entrepreneurship and work-life balance.
“Do you know a good Podcast to listen to, Freek?”
This is a question people often ask me. In a previous article I listed 10 shows which I listen to. That was in 2016! Since then I’ve listened to many podcast while driving, jogging, biking or flying.
With so many shows available online, which one should you listen to?
This article lists my most favorite episodes from Podcast shows to help you get more learnings and insights in the field of communication, entrepreneurship, business, purpose, leadership, relationships or sales. They will help to inspire you and to motivate you. Some will make you laugh aloud and some will cause a tear in your eye.
For each episode, there a short description of the podcast and a reason why I think you should listen to it. Also, I included the duration of the show (varying from 5 minutes to 2 hours). I also included a You Tube Talk and some Audio books (for purchase).
I just discovered this Podcast from Seth Godin called Akimbo. This first episode I listened to is about the art of tipping and how it tells a story about ourselves. It really helped me to be more gracious and why.
This show gives you a great technique on how to communicate with others when you’re in a difficult situation at work, at home or when you’re stopped by the police. If you’re really into customer service, buy his book on how never to lose a customer again! It’s on my reading list…
I am a fan of the Tim Ferriss show. Every morning I have my own morning routine but Aubrey teaches you a complete new routines by e.g. dancing (alone). I still have to try this. The Podcast motivates me to be in charge of my life in different areas. He wrote a book and this is on my reading list as well…
This long episode is ideal for a road trip. It resonates because I used to work with inmates too and Catherine hoke tells a very touching story about inmates who can finally let go of the past, forgive themselves and move on to be successful parents and entrepreneurs.
So many people are just stressed out. Are you? This episode will help you to become aware of where you are and helps you to deal with negative triggers. It helps you to stay neutral like…Yoda (“Adventure. Excitement. A Jedi craves not these things.”)
What a story! This woman came from Africa to the United states and she tells you about her struggles in her personal and professional life. She tells you how she learned to give talks and presentations and how to deal with grief.
Les Brown is a great storyteller and tells you about the importance of telling stories (“Never make a point without a story, and never tell a story without a point.”)
Want to learn how never to give up and persist? Listen to this episode! I did some sprint triathlons a couple of years ago and this Podcast and the great documentary inspired me to start training again. This episode learned me not only to focus on the goal but also on the journey.
Finally an episode with an engineer who tries to find out what the formula is to happiness after the loss of his son. I can’t imagine how it would feel to lose a child but this Podcast gave me a lot of inspiration on how to deal with grief and find happiness. The latter being an important theme in my life.
I remember exactly where I was when I was listening to this episode. It’s only 6 minutes long and it touched me deeply since this parable helped me to refocus on what’s important in life. If you can’t decide on what Podcast to listen to, listen to this one!
Guido Weijers is a famous Dutch comedian and in this episode of the 100% Inspiration Podcast (in Dutch!), Guido tells about his new theater show on happiness and the scientific approach to happiness.
In this episode Esther tells about her life as a blind person and how she fulfills her purpose. It helped me to appreciate the small things in life and her story is very touching.
Wouter is an engineer and realized that he did not have enough freedom to do what he wanted within the engineering firm where he worked at the time. He teaches that you can achieve anything by just doing.
This is the best episode of the Tony Robbins Podcast where he interviews general McChrystal and Chris Fussel (former navy SEAL officer) talk about leadership. It was an eye opener for me to become aware how important it is to work well together and the importance to share information, regardless where you’re at in the chain of command.
This amazing episode is with Dan Heath on breaking the script and delivering the experiences that really matter. It makes you aware of what they call “defining moments” and how they change us. Read more about this in their book The Power of Moments.
I used to listen a lot to the Art of Charm. One of my favorite episodes is the one with General An Dunwoody. She is the first Female Four-Star General in America. She explains well how to deal with challenges and urges you to fix mistakes rather than walk by.
Mark Zuckerberg, Sam Altman, Mark Pincus and others
Description
This is short episode and a summary of previous Podcasts with famous entrepreneurs including Mark Zuckerberg on Leadership. Just take action, don’t wait. Make everyone a CEO of a company to create accountability and listen while being silent.
This Podcast is from 2016 and based on the book Inner Guidance by Ann Archer. I really enjoyed both the podcast and the book as Ann explains that you can lead your life more effectively, with more harmony, happiness and purpose through inner guidance.
Author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie addresses Harvard’s Class of 2018 on YouTube
Show
–
Featuring
Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
Description
Although this is a You Tube video, you can easily listen to this one without watching it. This speech touched me as Chimamanda explained her way of being honest to herself. She talks about making decisions, about how to tell stories, about failure and how to deal with it and with procrastination.
If there’s ever going to be a film made of this book, I’m not going to watch it! It’s a very entertaining story with beautiful language about a boy who lives on a graveyard. I have enjoyed it so much that it’s worth hearing it again. Better not listen to this story when you’re driving alone in the dark…
I’ve written an article on how to find your why and it’s based on this book. It will help you to discover your own why, why you do things, why you get out of bed so that you can find more fulfillment and passion in your life.
Duration
4 hours & 56 minutes
Tags
#WHY, #Purpose, #choices, #fulfillment
Title
Illuminate: Ignite Change Through Speeches, Stories, Ceremonies, and Symbols on Audible
Show
–
Featuring
Nancy Duarte
Description
I recently heard Nancy Duarte on a Podcast and I decided to listen to the book right away. It explains well how to tell stories. The book itself contains a lot of stories as well! Did you know why the Sun logo is still on the back of the Facebook building? Well…listen or read the book here.
Nonviolent Communication: Create Your Life, Your Relationships, and Your World in Harmony with Your Values on Audible
Show
–
Featuring
Marshall Rosenberg
Description
You always have a choice on how to react. Being aware of your own emotions and being aware of the other’s helps to communicate in a nonviolent way. One technique is just to ask what the other person would like in an ideal situation. If you’d rather read the book, go and get it here.
This was only a selection of my favorite Podcasts! I wanted to include more but I think this is enough for now. You can also listen to my own Engineer Podcast, both in Dutch and English.
If you want to be notified by me on noteworthy podcasts, please feel free subscribe to my special mailing list only for new podcasts.
What is your own favorite episode from a Podcast or from the above list? Let me know in the comment box below. I, and other readers of this article look forward to read from you!
Thank you for reading up to here & sharing this article with your colleagues, friends or family. And please SHARE this article with your network on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and Google + by pressing the buttons below so that they can also benefit from this article on my favorite Podcasts.
Have you seen an error in this article? Let me know! I am grateful!
