Business is among the top podcast genres in the US (source: Edison Research), and it’s no surprise—entrepreneurs are hungry for insights. Many listeners tuning into this genre are startup founders navigating uncertainty, making tough decisions, and constantly questioning if they’re on the right path.
The best startup podcasts do more than entertain; they provide clarity, motivation, and, most importantly, actionable strategies to turn chaos into progress. Whether it’s dissecting business models, unpacking leadership challenges, or learning from seasoned founders, these podcasts are invaluable.
We’ve rounded up the top ones every entrepreneur should have in their playlist—each packed with insights that will sharpen your thinking and fuel your journey.
1. Acquired
Source: Acquired
Host: Ben Gilbert and David Rosenthal
Frequency of the episodes: Monthly
Where to listen: Apple Podcasts, Spotify
If you enjoy in-depth business analyses, you should listen to this show. Acquired is one of the best business podcasts out there. It’s a masterclass in business strategy wrapped in captivating storytelling. Hosted by Ben Gilbert and David Rosenthal, Acquired podcast unpacks every crucial decision, challenge, and breakthrough that shaped some of the world’s biggest businesses.
While most business podcasts give you quick case studies, Acquired delivers long-form, detailed narratives – sometimes stretching over three or four hours. That might sound intense, but the way they break things down keeps you hooked. They explore the historical context, leadership styles, financial strategies, and even the quirks of company founders.
The show covers a broad spectrum of companies like Microsoft, Meta, IKEA, and Starbucks. Beyond company stories, Acquired also brings in some of the biggest names in business. They’ve had Mark Zuckerberg, Spotify’s Daniel Ek, and Starbucks’ Howard Schultz on the show, offering direct insights from leaders who have built multi-billion-dollar brands.
2. Invest Like the Best with Patrick O’Shaughnessy
Source: Invest Like the Best with Patrick O’Shaughnessy
Host: Patrick O’Shaughnessy
Frequency of the episodes: Weekly
Where to listen: Apple Podcasts, Spotify
Patrick brings on top investors, founders, and thought leaders to explore not just what they do, but how they think. Invest Like the Best with Patrick O’Shaughnessy podcast aims to help listeners understand the mindsets, ideas, and strategies that lead to success.
Look at the Graham Duncan episode, for instance. Graham explores what makes great talent tick – you should listen if you build teams or invest in people. Then there’s Dylan Field, the founder of Figma, a leading Software-as-service (SaaS) platform, talking about how to shape the future of technology and business.
Beyond individual guests, Patrick does an incredible job of breaking down complex ideas into practical takeaways. Every episode gives you something worthwhile, whether it covers AI’s effect on investing, biotech’s role in shaping what’s to come, or how people build great businesses from the ground up.
3. The Diary Of A CEO with Steven Bartlett
Source: The Diary Of A CEO with Steven Bartlett
Host: Steven Bartlett
Frequency of the episodes: Weekly
Where to listen: Apple Podcasts, Spotify
The Diary of a CEO, hosted by Steven Bartlett, is the top #2 podcast channel in the UK and Australia, according to Spotify’s podcast chart. If you’re looking for a podcast that cuts through the noise and delivers unfiltered, thought-provoking conversations with some of the most brilliant minds in business, health, psychology, and self-improvement – this is it.
Unlike the typical “success story” podcast that glosses over struggles, Steven takes a raw and honest approach. He explores the personal and professional journeys of his guests, uncovering the habits, mindsets, and even failures that shaped them.
Steven is an exceptional interviewer. He asks the hard questions, the ones most people wouldn’t dare to ask, and he isn’t afraid to challenge his guests’ views.
This podcast is really amazing. The blend of deep, analytical discussions with engaging storytelling keeps you hooked, while the quality of guests ensures every episode delivers real value. It’s educational without being dry, inspiring without being cliché.
If you enjoy learning from people who have actually achieved extraordinary things, The Diary of a CEO should be on your playlist.
4. Masters of Scale
Source: Masters of Scale
Host: Reid Hoffman and Bob Safian
Frequency of the episodes: Weekly
Where to listen: Apple Podcasts, Spotify
Masters of Scale is the gold standard of startup podcasts. Reid Hoffman, the co-founder of LinkedIn, and Bob Safian, founder of The Flux Group, host this show. They explore how the world’s most successful entrepreneurs, CEOs, and innovators built and grew their companies.
The podcast covers every growth stage, from the early days of an idea to building companies worth billions. But it goes beyond just business basics, it explores mindset, adaptability, and leadership.
I’m really interested in how this podcast features a wide range of voices, from tech visionaries to fashion moguls. There’s even a Rapid Response series, with Bob Safian as the host, where they break down the latest business trends, like how Generative AI is impacting the workplace.
If you want to get what it takes to grow a company, you need to listen to Masters of Scale.
5. How I Built This with Guy Raz
Source: How I Built This with Guy Raz
Host: Guy Raz
Frequency of the episodes: Weekly
Where to listen: Apple Podcasts, Spotify
Let’s chat about How I Built This with Guy Raz – a podcast that grabs entrepreneurs, dreamers, and people who enjoy a good origin story. This podcast is about innovation, resilience, and the human side of business. Each episode uncovers the story of some of the world’s most recognizable brands, showing us the raw moments of doubt, the near-disasters, and the unexpected breakthroughs.
I think Guy Raz’s interviewing style is one of what built this podcast’s success. He doesn’t just ask, “How did you build this?”. He wants to know more. What did failure feel like? How did you keep going when nothing worked? When did you realize you had something special?
6. Lenny’s Podcast: Product | Growth | Career
Source: Lenny’s Podcast: Product | Growth | Career
Host: Lenny Rachitsky
Frequency of the episodes: Weekly
Where to listen: Apple Podcasts, Spotify
If you’re keen on product management, growth strategies, or just building a great career in tech, Lenny’s Podcast is like an MBA for your ears. Lenny Rachitsky hosts this show, which isn’t just another “startup inspiration” podcast. It’s a treasure trove of genuine insights from top industry players.
What makes Lenny’s Podcast great? The depth. Lenny explores the reasons behind strategies explaining them in ways that challenge your current thinking. Instead of broad, generic advice, you get frameworks, mental models, and battle-tested tactics straight from the experts. And everything is explained interestingly and simply, which makes even tricky ideas seem easy to grasp.
This show is about execution. I really like how the episodes balance high-level strategic thinking with tactical, step-by-step advice. Also, Lenny’s guests are some of the brightest minds in the industry, so you’re learning from people who have real-world experience.
Lenny’s Podcast is a must-list for product managers, startup founders, and growth marketers.
7. All-In with Chamath, Jason, Sacks & Friedberg
Source: All-In with Chamath, Jason, Sacks & Friedberg
Host: Chamath Palihapitiya, Jason Calacanis, David Sacks & David Friedberg
Frequency of the episodes: Monthly
Where to listen: Apple Podcasts, Spotify
The All-In Podcast is a high-energy discussion that discovers everything from Silicon Valley trends to global politics. This podcast is a powerhouse of opinions, insights, and sometimes heated debates. These guys don’t just analyze the news. They break it down, challenge conventional wisdom, and inject their own experiences as investors, entrepreneurs, and industry insiders.
All-In is about understanding the forces shaping our world, whether it’s the latest in AI, crypto, or venture capital.
8. The Tim Ferriss Show
Source: The Tim Ferriss Show
Host: Tim Ferriss
Frequency of the episodes: Weekly
Where to listen: Apple Podcasts, Spotify
Tim Ferriss is known for diving deep into the minds of top performers across industries – entrepreneurs, athletes, authors, and investors. His podcast, The Tim Ferriss Show is a masterclass in success, habits, and high performance, delivered straight from the best in the game.
Ferriss asks the questions that most interviewers don’t, and his curiosity makes every episode feel like a fascinating discovery rather than a scripted Q&A. If you’re into deconstructing world-class performance, hacking your habits, or simply hearing from brilliant minds, this podcast belongs on your playlist.
What do you think? Have you listened to any of his episodes before?
9. My First Million
Source: My First Million
Host: Sam Parr and Shaan Puri
Frequency of the episodes: Weekly
Where to listen: Apple Podcasts, Spotify
Hosted by Sam Parr and Shaan Puri, this podcast is a high-energy brainstorming session. Sometimes they bring in wildly successful guests, from billionaire founders to unconventional money-makers, making every episode packed with lessons and surprises.
My First Million is about thinking like an entrepreneur, even if you’re not one. If you’re tired of generic business advice and want a podcast that makes you feel like you’re sitting in on a brainstorming session with sharp, witty, and wildly successful entrepreneurs, this one’s for you.
10. The School of Greatness
Source: The School of Greatness
Host: Lewis Howes
Frequency of the episodes: Weekly
Where to listen: Apple Podcasts, Spotify
If you’re looking for a podcast that sparks ambition, fuels personal growth, and delivers powerful life lessons straight from the world’s most successful people, The School of Greatness is where you want to be. Hosted by Lewis Howes, this show is about unlocking your potential, pushing past limitations, and becoming the greatest version of yourself.
Every episode delivers real-world strategies. This podcast is about long-term transformation, equipping listeners with the tools, perspectives, and strategies to shift their thinking, habits, and outcomes.
11. THE ED MYLETT SHOW
Source: THE ED MYLETT SHOW
Host: Ed Mylett
Frequency of the episodes: Sometimes
Where to listen: Apple Podcasts, Spotify
THE ED MYLETT SHOW ensures that every listener walks away with valuable insights, regardless of where they are in their personal or professional journey.
Mindset is an outstanding point. Ed doesn’t just preach motivation, he dissects it. He explores the mental shifts necessary to break free from self-imposed limitations, embrace resilience, and pursue dreams with relentless energy. His conversations with guests like David Goggins, Phil Mickelson, and Susan Cain bring a mix of grit, wisdom, and strategy that’s hard to find elsewhere.
Ed challenges you. He pushes you to rethink your beliefs about success, failure, and even time itself. This podcast is engaging, insightful, and filled with real-world strategies. I’m inspired by how Ed blends deep analysis with high-energy storytelling.
Expert opinion
Don’t worry about failure; you only have to be right once.
Co-founder of Dropbox
Conclusion
Startups are tough, unpredictable, and full of lessons and these startup podcasts give you access to the minds of top entrepreneurs, investors, and business leaders. Keep learning, keep building, and keep going. Love this guide? Feel free to share it on your social media.
Frequently Asked Questions
