Top 8 Startup Podcasts Found on Startup Radio

Recently a question was posed in a Facebook group about startups that I’m a part of:

“What are your favorite podcasts about the startup world?”

Being an avid podcast listener, and now having one myself (finally lol), I thought I could answer the question without hesitation. But then I realized that, despite being heavily involved with the #yesphx startup and tech scene here in the Valley of the Sun, I actually wasn’t listening to as many shows about startups as I thought, so I decided to change that.

So for the last few months I’ve been searching out more and more shows on the topic, asking friends and those in-the-know what THEY listen to and what they think has some real value and is worth their time.

Below is my list! In no particular order, these are the podcasts that I’ve found either fun, or valuable, or both. Please feel free to provide your suggestions and recommendations for more shows in the comments too.

[DISCLAIMER: I use Otto Radio as my source of listening to shows, so the links below will be from them and can be found on their featured Startup Radio station, which I am now also managing.]

RECODE DECODE hosted by Kara Swisher

One of tech’s most prominent journalists, Kara Swisher is known for her insightful reporting and straight-shooting style. She hosts hard-hitting interviews about the week in tech with influential business leaders and outspoken personalities from media, politics and more.

IF YOU ONLY LISTEN TO ONE EPISODE:

HOW I BUILT THIS hosted by Guy Raz

How I Built This is a podcast about innovators, entrepreneurs, and idealists, and the stories behind the movements they built. Each episode is a narrative journey marked by triumphs, failures, serendipity and insight — told by the founders of some of the world’s best known companies and brands. If you’ve ever built something from nothing, or something you really care about — or even just dream about it — check out this show.

IF YOU ONLY LISTEN TO ONE EPISODE:

FOUNDERS AND FRIENDS hosted by Scott Orn

Scott Orn of Kruze Consulting interviews startup executives and experts in the ecosystem. How did THEY do it? How can YOU do it?

IF YOU ONLY LISTEN TO ONE EPISODE:

Y COMBINATOR

Y Combinator talks with people who are shaping the future. A show about technology in business, research, and art.

IF YOU ONLY LISTEN TO ONE EPISODE [I’m a fan of Silicon Valley on HBO so the one listed below was really interesting to me]:

MASTERS OF SCALE hosted by Reid Hoffman

How do companies grow from zero to a gazillion? Legendary Silicon Valley investor/ entrepreneur Reid Hoffman tests his theories with famous founders. Guests include Facebook’s Mark Zuckerberg & Sheryl Sandberg, Netflix’s Reed Hastings, Google’s Eric Schmidt, Spanx’s Sara Blakely. With original music and hilariously honest stories, the show sounds like nothing you’ve ever heard.

IF YOU ONLY LISTEN TO ONE EPISODE:

AWESOME STARTUP IDEAS hosted by Vijay Peduru (the shortest show on this list)

Vijay Peduru provides one startup idea every Tuesday. He loves venture capitalists like Paul Graham (Y-Combinator), Naval Ravikanth (angel.co), Marc Andreessen (Andreessen Horowitz) and others. He’s an avid reader of their blogs and listener of their podcasts and speeches. He takes a deep dive and deciphers the startups they invest in and turned successful (acquired or IPO) and uncovers several trends . Vijay then comes up with Startup ideas based on these successful trends and discusses them in this show. Aspiring Entrepreneurs can freely alter and enhance these ideas and can build a startup. No attribution is needed. His motto : “Don’t look back …Keep Rockin…Keep Zoooming”

IF YOU ONLY LISTEN TO ONE EPISODE (but really, its only like 2 minutes long so why wouldn’t you listen to at least 2 or 3?):

The No Sleep Startup Podcast hosted by Dominick Montgomery

No Sleep Startup is a podcast made for creatives. We give tips and insight on the world of business, entrepreneurship, and overall practices in the creative world.

IF YOU ONLY LISTEN TO ONE EPISODE:

THIS WEEK IN STARTUPS hosted by Jason Calacanis

Jason Calacanis and a rotating group of guest experts bring you this weekly take on the best, worst, most outrageous and interesting stories from the world of entrepreneurship. Calacanis, a podcasting pioneer, gives you an insider’s look at what’s happening in the tech industry with his trademark blunt style and good humor. Looking to start your own company? Need strategies for improving your business of motivating your team? Just want to catch up on what’s happening in Silicon Valley and beyond? Your journey begins here.

IF YOU ONLY LISTEN TO ONE EPISODE:

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