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10 Podcasts Every MBA Student Needs to Listen To

Published: Nov 05, 2019

 Education       Grad School       MBA       
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These days, it seems like you’re either a podcast person, or you’re not a podcast person. If you are (or you’re trying to be), you know that the sheer number of options is kind of mind-boggling. Everybody has a podcast, and you can find one for any topic that interests you—from politics and the arts to hobbies and television shows (HBO just launched one for Watchmen, and I wasn’t a podcast person until this morning).

For those looking to learn a thing or two on their daily commute or between classes, podcasts are an excellent way to get information on-the-go and in short, digestible segments. MBA students, in particular, can stay abreast of industry trends and glean valuable insights into the next phase of their careers. But with so many podcasts out there, it’s not always easy to sort through all the noise. To that end, we’ve put together this list of 10 podcasts every MBAs should subscribe to right now—in no particular order.*

1. HBR IdeaCast

  • Whose podcast is it? The Harvard Business Review; hosted by senior editors Alison Beard and Curt Nickisch.
  • What do they cover? Thought-provoking discussions on a wide range of topics, from gender equality to AI and robotics, featuring CEOs, academics, and other thought leaders in business management.
  • When are episodes released? Weekly (Mondays).
  • How long are episodes? Typically 20 to 30 mins.

2. Knowledge@Wharton

  • Whose podcast is it? University of Pennsylvania, Wharton School of Business.
  • What do they cover? CEOs, Wharton faculty, and other prominent figures provide their analyses of global business trends, breaking news, market research, and more.
  • When are episodes released? Multiple times per week, sometimes multiple times per day.
  • How long are episodes? Typically 20 to 45 mins, with occasional outliers.

3. The Tim Ferriss Show

  • Whose podcast is it? Tim Ferriss, entrepreneur and bestselling author of The 4-Hour Work Week, among others. 
  • What do they cover? Often the #1 business podcast, and three-time winner of the “Best of iTunes” awards, this podcast covers virtually every topic under the sun related to productivity, self-discovery, industry news, and personal growth. Celebrity interviews, from Malcolm Gladwell to Arnold Schwarzenegger, are a staple of this popular series. 
  • When are episodes released? Weekly (Wednesdays).
  • How long are episodes? Most episodes are close to 2 hours, with shorter episodes running 1 hour to 1 hour and 30 mins, and longer episodes going a few minutes over 2 hours.

4. Exchanges at Goldman Sachs

  • Whose podcast is it? Goldman Sachs.
  • What do they cover? Experts at Goldman Sachs get together to “exchange” knowledge and ideas on the latest developments in various industries, markets, and the global economy. 
  • When are episodes released? Variable; October 2019 had two episodes, while September 2019 had five (once per week, no specific day).
  • How long are episodes? Typically 15 to 45 mins.

5. How I Built This with Guy Raz

  • Whose podcast is it? Guy Raz, NPR correspondent and “one of the most popular podcasters in history.”
  • What do they cover? How I Built This explores the stories between some of the world’s best and most innovative companies, charting the journeys of the entrepreneurs and big thinkers who built entire movements.
  • When are episodes released? Weekly (Sundays).
  • How long are episodes? Variable; most episodes are 45 mins to 1 hour, but longer episodes can be as long as 1 hour and 15 mins.

6. GirlBoss Radio with Sophia Amoruso

  • Whose podcast is it? Sophia Amoruso, businesswoman, and founder of Nasty Gal also one of Forbes’ richest self-made women of 2016.
  • What do they cover? Through honest and far-reaching conversations with trailblazing women, GirlBoss provides invaluable insights on how to grow a business while navigating industry-enshrined obstacles and personal growth.
  • When are episodes released? Twice weekly (Tuesdays and Thursdays).
  • How long are episodes? Typically 35 mins to 1 hour, with occasional outliers.

7. The McKinsey Podcast 

  • Whose podcast is it? McKinsey & Company.
  • What do they cover? Conversations with experts at one of the world’s largest consulting firms on a range of topics and issues concerning the future of business—from renewable energy and urban development to women in the workforce and corporate culture.
  • When are episodes released? Approximately biweekly (no specific day).
  • How long are episodes? Roughly 20 to 30 mins (longer episodes tend to skew to 32 or 33 mins).

8. EntreLeadership

  • Whose podcast is it? Management consulting firm EntreLeadership; hosted by business coach Alex Judd.
  • What do they cover? Lively discussions and invaluable business advice from some of the world’s most prominent executives, investors, and thought leaders, including Mark Cuban, Seth Godin, and more.
  • When are episodes released? Weekly (Sundays).
  • How long are episodes? Typically 40 mins to 1 hour, with occasional outliers.

9. Bloomberg Businessweek

  • Whose podcast is it? Bloomberg Businessweek; hosted by award-winning journalist Carol Massar and bestselling author Jason Kelly.
  • What do they cover? All the latest news from the world of business and finance, including interesting stories of global technology, politics, economics and more.
  • When are episodes released? Almost daily (Monday through Friday), with few exceptions. Multiple episodes per day.
  • How long are episodes? Variable; most episodes are 20 to 45 mins, but many are over 1 hour or under 15 mins.

10. Entrepreneurs on Fire

  • Whose podcast is it? John Lee Dumas, an industry-renowned entrepreneur, author, and podcaster.
  • What do they cover? Interviews with entrepreneurs and industry leaders who are “truly on fire”, sharing their secrets to success.
  • When are episodes released? Three times per week (Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday).
  • How long are episodes? Typically 15 to 45 mins, with occasional outliers.

With so many excellent podcasts out there, not even Watchmen's Dr. Manhattan has time to listen to them all, but these are just a few of our favorites. What are some of yours?


*Editor’s note: Since many of these podcasts are available on multiple devices, apps, and platforms, we linked to their websites so readers can download or stream episodes on the medium they prefer.

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