When you’re looking for professional development or just some food for thought while you walk the dog or commute to the office, podcasts offer an easy way to stay on top of trends and learn new things. And while there are lots of leadership and marketing podcasts that cover a range of industries, you can find inspiration and encouragement from nonprofit-specific podcasts, too.

We’ve put together a list of ten podcasts that provide helpful advice and insights no matter where you are in your career or communications program. Get your playlist loaded with voices that can help you reach your goals and tap into your passions.

Leadership Podcasts

Hear stories of perseverance and hope that inspire, plus get practical tips for handling common workplace issues that can take focus from your mission.

Nonprofits are Messy

“Hosted by Joan Garry, the ‘Dear Abby’ of the nonprofit world, Nonprofits Are Messy is a discussion of the most pressing issues faced by nonprofit leadership.”

Must-Listen Episode: New Power and the Building of Movements, With Henry Timms

How I Built This

“Guy Raz dives into the stories behind some of the world’s best-known companies. How I Built This weaves a narrative journey about innovators, entrepreneurs and idealists—and the movements they built.”

Must-Listen Episode: Lonely Planet, Maureen and Tony Wheeler

Without Fail

“Candid conversations with people who have done hard things: what worked, what didn’t and why. Hosted by Alex Blumberg.”

Must-Listen Episode: Relentless, How One Guy Brought the Internet to America’s Schools

Nonprofit Leadership Podcast

“The Nonprofit Leadership Podcast features discussions covering the most critical issues, trends and opportunities facing nonprofit leaders and those engaged in social innovation.”

Must-Listen Episode: What kind of impact is the “Age of Automation” that we are living in, having on our Nonprofits?

Ask a Manager

“Each week on the Ask a Manager podcast — a partnership with HowStuffWorks — I take calls and talk directly with listeners about how to deal with clueless coworkers, toxic bosses, impossible employees, and much more.”

Must-Listen Episode: My Team is Overworked – And I’m the Boss

Marketing Podcasts

Get technical tidbits, explore best practices and learn new strategies with these communications and marketing podcasts.

The Smart Communications Podcast

“The Smart Communications Podcast helps busy nonprofit leaders build their communications skills and develop their organization’s voice. Every episode shares insights and practical tips to help you leverage strategic communications to advance your nonprofit’s mission.”

Must-Listen Episode: Should nonprofits rebrand when overhauling their websites?

Actionable Marketing Podcast

“Weekly interviews, strategy, and advice for the marketing pro ready to make sh*t happen.”

Must-Listen Episode: How To Use Conversion Psychology To Get Better Results With Joanna Wiebe

Copyblogger FM

“Copyblogger FM is a weekly, short-form broadcast hosted by Sonia Simone. Each week, she and a cast of rotating experts analyze the week in content marketing, copywriting, email marketing, conversion optimization, mindset, and much more.”

Must-Listen Episode: Getting Your Big, Scary Projects Finished: A Conversation about Growing Gills

MozPod

“An SEO podcast focused on sharing lessons from digital marketing experts. Episodes are led by instructors from Moz Academy and we discuss a wide variety of digital marketing concepts, from common terminology to recent changes and best practices.”

Must-Listen Episode: How to Measure the Value of PR

Marketing School

“Marketing School brings you 10 minutes of actionable marketing advice every single day. Get the right tips to take your business to the next level and get to work right away.”

Must-Listen Episode: When to Keep, Cut, and Consolidate Your Content

Bonus List: Team Favorites

If you’re looking for commentary and insights outside of strictly professional topics, we recommend these podcasts from our team’s personal playlists.

Hidden Brain

“Hidden Brain helps curious people understand the world – and themselves. Using science and storytelling, Hidden Brain reveals the unconscious patterns that drive human behavior, and the biases that shape our choices.”

Must-Listen Episode: Spoiler Alert! The Psychology Of Surprise Endings

Code Switch

“We’re a team of journalists fascinated by the overlapping themes of race, ethnicity and culture, how they play out in our lives and communities, and how all of this is shifting.”

Must-Listen Episode: Talk American

Radiolab

“Radiolab believes your ears are a portal to another world. Where sound illuminates ideas, and the boundaries blur between science, philosophy, and human experience.”

Must-Listen Episode: Post No Evil

Crazy/Genius

“Big questions and provocative conclusions about technology and culture, hosted by The Atlantic’s Derek Thompson.”

Must-Listen Episode: Tech Was Supposed to Be Society’s Great Equalizer. What Happened?

Did we miss any of your favorite leadership or marketing podcasts? Feel free to share your recommendations in the comments below and tell us why you think the nonprofit community should tune in.

Comments

  1. The Social Media Engage Podcast should be added to this list! It is a new podcast providing social media tips and strategies for nonprofit organizations.