My name is Melissa and I’m addicted to podcasts. Some people tell me they can watch Netflix on the side or listen to the radio whilst they work, but I’m not one of them. I prefer to listen when I have a job to do which doesn’t require my full creative superpowers and I’m looking for a bitesize episode or two to get me through it.

Podcasts are one of the fastest-growing media broadcast areas, with iTunes subscriptions recently topping one billion. There is a great article here on the growing popularity of podcasts. Podcast listeners are highly sought after because they tend, and this is from the article, to be “well-educated, social sharers who find ways to consume commercial-free media.”

Sidenote: Podcasts are audio files made available on the internet for downloading to a computer or portable media player, typically available as a series, where you can subcribe to new episodes via an app.

From a consumer point of view, I love them because they are a really efficient way of learning and being entertained. Unlike television or video, they don’t demand your full attention and I love that I can listen to some incredible content whilst I’m driving, running or doing other chores. If you like to multi-task because you’re busy juggling work and home like me, then you’ll love podcasts. And all of my favourite podcasts have a website with episode notes, and I do often follow up references to links and videos mentioned in the shows afterwards as well as engaging with the hosts on Facebook and Twitter.

Basically, I am the target demographic. In fact, I find podcasts so engaging that I concentrate hard, and then seek out further connections with the podcast hosts.

Note: This is the kind of audience engagement that entrepreneurs and marketers dream of and why more and more people are starting their own podcast.

 

Some of the first (and still best) podcasts come from (US) public radio. I dipped into a few of these a couple of years ago when I first heard the word podcast being mentioned, but I didn’t really get it. And then, like millions of people, I discovered Serial, which has become the gateway drug to hardcore podcast addiction. Produced by the team behind This American Life, a Chicago radio show, it’s a real-time true crime story told over twelve gripping episodes. I was so into it, that I had to ration myself to only listening to it when I went running (I ended up running every day for two weeks).

One thing led to another and now I’ve got a podcast list full of wonderful shows ready to dip into whenever the mood takes me. If you know me well, you’ll know I panic when I haven’t got a book to hand. Now, I also need to have a kick-arse selection of podcasts on hand as well. I now panic without those too.

I’ve been thinking about creating a podcast where I interview some of the most creative and influential designers and businesspeople I know (it’s on its way), and I’m about to be interviewed for the new Elegant Themes podcast, Divi Nation, which debuted this week. It’s got me wanting to share my favourite podcasts for creatives. It’s an eclectic list, mostly design-led, with a few educational and salaciously entertaining podcasts thrown in for good measure. Enjoy!

Sidenote: I’m going to link to the podcast websites, but the easiest way to queue up podcasts, is to use the dedicated Podcasts app in Apple, on Android or download Stitcher. All of them are super easy to use.

 

1. Serial (the one that got me into this thing)

Why is this my top pick for creatives? The storytelling, the slick production, the bitesize themes – it’s a masterclass in podcasting. It’s a spinoff of of This American Life, produced by Ira Glass, which I also liston too religiously. See? It’s a rabbithole!

2. Todd Henry’s Accidental Creative

This is a properly inspiring podcast and it particularly resonates with me, as I work on my own a lot of the time. If you’re looking for somewhere to start, try this illuminating episode on the Dangers of Comparing Your Work to Others.

3. TED Radio Hour

A classic that I love to dip into when I need to hear something new or don’t know what I want to listen to. I’m going to assume you’ve already heard of TED talks, right? TED radio is a more bitesize version of some of the longer live talks as well as plenty of unheard lectures. Dive in anywhere. It’s all good.

4. After the Jump by Grace Bonney

Grace Bonney is one cool lady. She’s the power behind respected blog, Design Sponge, and runs cult design podcast, After The Jump. The subject matter is ecclectic, ranging from dealing with creative jealousy to killer social media. The first episode I ever listened to was Becoming Your Brand, a subject I like to think I know something about, but I learned plenty.

5. The Moth Podcast

Not just for creatives, but surely to be appreciated by anyone who enjoys the telling of a good story. The premise is true stories told live, with no notes and lots of flair. Be warned, these vignettes are addictive.

6. The Art of Photography

One for the photographers out there. The Art of Photography is a highly respected and varied podcast, tackling wide-ranging issues from gear reviews to the Art of Saying No.

7. The Web Ahead

Nominated for Net Magazine’s 2015 Podcast of the Year, this podcast covers the latest web trends as well as tackling issues that also affect the homeworking web dev. I really like its inclusiveness. It’s easy to browse by topic and I love that it covers solid design principles like typography. One of my fav episodes is about Staying Sane. Dive in!

8. Amy Porterfield

Love them or hate them, list-building content marketers are here to stay. Amy Porterfield is one of the best. She covers a ridiculous amount of content and is particularly strong on social media and is easy to listen to. However, I particularly like this episode on Narrowing Your Niche. As someone who markets to a very narrow niche, there is some great no-nonsense advice there.

9. The Generation Why Podcast

This is actually pretty off-topic, but if you are slowly working your way down the list, or more importantly, you’ve just finished Serial and you’re having withdrawal symptoms, Generation Why will satisfy your true crime cravings. The hosts are intelligent and amiable and ramble their way through an long list of contemporary mysteries and situations from the Bermuda Triangle and the Lochness Monster to the more recent and controversial events. Well researched and entertaining, Generation Why is a fun listen.

10. Divi Nation by Elegant Themes

I’m about to be interviewed for this podcast, so I couldn’t leave it out, right? Hosted by blogger and broadcaster, Nathan B. Weller, this new podcase is going to be sharing stories from across the Divi community. I’ve just enjoyed the first episode, on Solopreneurship enormously. As it’s so new, the iTunes link isn’t available yet, but keep an eye on their Facebook page for new episodes.

I hope that’s inspired you to dip a toe into the murky waters of podcasting. I’d be lost without a list of new episodes ready to listen to, but I’m always on the lookout for more.

What are you listening to, that I NEED to know about?

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