Podcasts That Every Entrepreneur Should Listen to in 2021
This list of 30 podcasts has been created to help you best prepare for the entrepreneurial journey ahead. These podcasts are relevant for first time founders, as well as those who’ve done it all before — they will serve as great refreshers and sources of inspiration.
Recently we shared our book recommendations for entrepreneurs selected by the Antler founders, advisors, and our team. As an addition to that list, now we’d like to share our favourite podcasts that in our opinion every entrepreneur should listen to in 2021.
HBR IdeaCast
recommendation from Kanwal Bhatia, co-founder and CSO at Metalynx, our portfolio company from London
A weekly podcast produced and hosted by editorial staff of Harvard Business Review featuring the leading thinkers in business and management. It’s a series of lively interviews with industry professionals, scientists and journalists, covering one general topic or issue per episode. It’s categorized as a management and marketing podcast, but it covers much more. Whether you’re fresh out of college, a mid-level manager or a CEO, you’ll be inspired by these thoughts and advice.
Girlboss Radio with Sophia Amoruso
recommendation from Nonnie Wanjihia Burbidge, co-founder & CEO at Try Cooked, our portfolio company from Nairobi
On Girlboss Radio, you’ll hear honest conversations with trailblazing women. These women go deep on what it takes to build a successful career or grow a business with staying power — while living life on their own terms and navigating personal and professional curveballs. Expect hilarious, vulnerable conversations that humanize the known, champion the unknown, and laugh a little at the absurdity of life.
The NfX Podcast
recommendation from James Stewart, Antler Launch Academy alumnus
This podcast provides great content for those who are building a startup. It’s usually very practical — how to fundraise, how to onboard customers, how to think about pricing, how to know if you want to sell your company, and more. But it’s also ‘big thinking’ about major industries and opportunities.
How I Built This
This podcast produced by NPR is about “innovators, entrepreneurs, idealists, and the stories behind the movements they built”. The host, Guy Raz, dives into the stories behind some of the world’s best known companies.
Max, co-founder & COO at CoLogic, our portfolio company from London, particularly liked the episodes about Five Guys, Southwest Airlines, and TOMS.
Catherine and Sneha, co-founders of Uncover, our portfolio company from Nairobi, recommend the episode featuring Sara Blakely, founder of Spanx.
How to Start a Startup
recommendation from Henrik Feldt, co-founder and CEO of Logary Analytics, our portfolio company from Stockholm
Sam Altman and the folks from Y Combinator offer up an amazing course in “How To Start A Startup” at Stanford. Course includes lectures from: Sam Altman, Dustin Moskovitz, Paul Graham, Adora Cheung, Peter Thiel, Alex Schultz, Kevin Hale, Marc Andreessen, Ron Conway, Ben Silbermann, Alfred Lin, Patrick and John Collison, Aaron Levie, Reid Hoffman, Keith Rabois, Ben Horowitz, Marissa Mayer, Hosian Rahman, Kirsty Nathoo, Carolynn Levy, and more.
The Peter Attia Drive
recommendation from Michal Kubis, entrepreneur at Antler Singapore
Expert insight on health, performance, longevity, critical thinking, and pursuing excellence. Dr. Peter Attia (Stanford/Hopkins/NIH-trained MD) in his deep-dive conversations with leaders in their fields, focuses on maximizing longevity, and all what goes into that from physical to cognitive to emotional health.
Masters of Scale with Reid Hoffman
recommendation from Rob Cossins, co-founder and CEO at Scribe, our portfolio company from London
Original podcast hosted by Reid Hoffman, co-founder of LinkedIn and Investor at Greylock. In each episode, Reid shows how companies grow from zero to a gazillion, testing his theories with legendary leaders.
Rob especially recommends the episode with Brian Chesky, co-founder of Airbnb. “It’s a fantastic example of dreaming big and envisaging what an “11 star” experience would look like for your clients, with obsessive attention to detail. Designing the extreme, to then work backwards to something more realistic in product development.”
The Twenty Minute VC
recommendation from Enrico Faccioli, CEO & co-founder at Seedata.io, our portfolio company from London
The Twenty Minute VC takes you inside the world of venture capital, startup funding and the pitch. Discover how you can attain funding for your business by listening to what the most prominent investors are directly looking for in startups, providing easily actionable tips and tricks that can be put in place to increase your chances of getting funded. The podcast also provides analysis of the current technology market, advice and suggestions on the latest investing trends and predictions.
A Bit of Optimism by Simon Sinek
recommendation from Innocent Mugenga, co-founder and CEO of Aline, our portfolio company from Stockholm
During these times, we are all having to find new ways to connect. Simon Sinek talks with people that inspire him, about love, life, leadership, and silver linings. The hope is that we all leave with something we need these days… A Bit of Optimism.
London Real
recommendation from Robert Hangu, co-founder & CTO at CoLogic, our portfolio company from London
London Real is a video talk show that introduces you to the most fascinating people in the world. For those tired of being spoon-fed from the mainstream media, this is a fresh, unscripted and unedited look into the world of real people. From activists to scientists, authors to fighters, politicians to drug smugglers — their real stories, uncensored and uncut.
Creator Lab — interviews with entrepreneurs and startup founders
recommendation from Alvin Carpio, entrepreneur at Antler London
Conversations with leading entrepreneurs, non-profit founders, award winning designers, educators, artists and everything else in between. The host, Bilal Zaidi, goes in-depth with them about entrepreneurship, the highs and lows, ideas, growth, and everything else startup founders are interested in learning about.
Business Wars
recommendation from Mohit Agrawal, entrepreneur at Antler Singapore
Netflix vs. HBO. Nike vs. Adidas. Business is war. Sometimes the prize is your wallet or your attention. Sometimes, it’s just the fun of beating the other guy. The outcome of these battles shapes what we buy and how we live. Business Wars gives you the unauthorized, real story of what drives these companies and their leaders, inventors, investors and executives to new heights — or to ruin. Hosted by David Brown, former anchor of Marketplace.
What Mohit likes about this podcast is that they have 5–6 episode seasons where they compare two competitors, one of which is a disruptor.
Secret Leaders
recommendation from Harry Wilson, co-founder of FlowSpace UK, our portfolio company from London
This podcast features raw, personal stories of some of the world’s greatest business people: founders of companies like Slack, BrewDog and Jo Malone; investors like Arlan Hamilton and thinkers like Jim Collins. It reveals the key turning points, biggest challenges and most valuable learnings from their journeys, so you’ll get inspiration and tangible ideas to succeed at life.
Screw It, Just Do It
by Alex Chisnall, Advisor at Antler
“Screw it, Just Do it” is the #1 rated, twice-weekly podcast in which Podpreneur Alex Chisnall (who is also an Advisor at Antler) chats with individuals who have exhibited a ‘Screw It, Just Do It’ attitude to their lives. The risk-takers, the doers and the dreamers that have exhibited the perseverance and determination to do things their way. No matter what anyone else told them. The winners, and the losers.
They talk us through their successes and failures and offer actionable tips for those following in their footsteps. Alex then adds his weekly Saturday Solo Episode in which he gives his take on the guests he’s chatted to & the topics they covered.
Women Taking the Lead
recommendation from Assieh Khamsi, Global Marketing Director at Antler
It’s a podcast containing conversations and audio blogs to help women develop their leadership. Each episode gives insights and how-to’s in the areas of leadership development, personal and professional development. The aim of Women Taking the Lead is to inspire you to overcome self-doubt so you can enjoy your work life, earn the money you deserve, create more time for fun, develop relationships that support you, silence your inner critic, and make working on your mindset for success a top priority.
Knowledge Project by FS
recommendation from Ishaan Malhi, Venture Partner at Antler Singapore
Packed with timeless insights and ideas direct from the source, each episode of The Knowledge Project will upgrade your thinking and change the way you see the world. Master the best of what other people have already figured out.
The Pitch
recommendation from Gita Lalloo, Marketing Analyst at Antler Amsterdam
Where real entrepreneurs pitch to real investors — for real money. The Pitch takes you behind closed doors and into the world of startups: how people sell their ideas, what makes investors tick, and how these initial conversations can bloom into business deals — or die on the vine.
Gita especially recommends the episode Can a Zebra Survive in a Unicorn World? (#61, Hearken), it shows how VC/investing can fit in with mission driven businesses versus purely profit driven and how the two concepts aren’t necessarily mutually exclusive.
The Goal Digger
recommendation from Julia Nilsson, Marketing Manager at Antler Stockholm
Host Jenna Kutcher brings you productivity tips, social media strategies, business hacks, and inspirational stories that can help you design your dream career. Jenna shares tangible tips and hacks that she used to become a self-made millionaire in photography, online courses, Instagram sponsorships, and navigating the world of being a #girlboss social media influencer. Along with sharing her best kept secrets, she interviews the best in the industry (Amy Porterfield, Jamie Ivey, Melyssa Griffin, Lori Harder, Cathy Heller and so much more) who will share their secrets to ensure you are seen, heard, and hired.
Bloomberg Studio 1.0 by Emily Chang
recommendation from Ollie Forsyth, Global Community Manager at Antler
Emily Chang sits down with the biggest influencers in technology and media, from Mark Zuckerberg to Marc Andreessen to Aaron Sorkin, to find out who they are, how they got there, and where they’re going. Studio 1.0 is a series of in-depth conversations with the very people shaping the future of business, illuminating their vision for what comes next.
Speaking of Ollie, he is hosting an amazing podcast of his own!
The Makers Podcast
by Ollie Forsyth, Global Community Manager at Antler
The Makers Podcast is a show founded on conversations about mental health and success, discussed with the most fascinating people from all walks of life; from acclaimed entrepreneurs, to actors and actresses, tv and sports stars, and musicians, and many more.
Unlocking Us with Brené Brown
recommendation from Estee Chaikin, Marketing & PR Director Amsterdam
Conversations that unlock the deeply human part of who we are, so that we can live, love, parent, and lead with more courage and heart. This podcast is real, unpolished, honest, and reflects both the magic and the messiness of what it means to be human. The episodes include conversations with the people who are teaching, challenging, confusing, or maybe even ticking off a little.
Acquired
recommendation from Anders Hammarbäck, Partner at Antler, Nordics
Every company has a story. Learn the playbooks that built the world’s greatest companies — and how you can apply them as a founder, operator, or investor.
Anders especially recommends two episodes: IPO of Doordash and IPO of AirBnB. Both are packed with analytics, anecdotes and insights of two tech success stories, all the way from inception till today.
The Strategy Hour
recommendation from Karolina Szweda, Global Marketing Associate at Antler
Get actionable strategies and killer marketing tips to grow your creative business. Say goodbye to the “side-hustle” mindset and hello to getting paid (and paid well) to do what you love. Hosts Abagail Pumphrey and Emylee Williams share all the ins and outs of their experience growing a successful 6-figure online business. The episodes cover a wide range of topics, including growing an online audience, email automation, diversifying your products and offers, generating more sales online, social media, outsourcing, affiliate marketing, productivity, systems, and how to treat your passion like the real business it is.
The Prof G Show
recommendation from Puja Disha Bharwani, PR & Marketing Director, Southeast Asia
Every week best-selling author, professor and entrepreneur Scott Galloway answers questions from his listeners on who’s winning and losing, and how you can get ahead. Other professors, practitioners, and entrepreneurs join Scott to contribute ideas, alternate opinions, and insights to help you thrive at work. It’s a no mercy, no malice take on how you can level up your game in the world of business.
WorkLife with Adam Grant
recommendation from Yasmine Morrison, Venture Capital Associate at Antler US
You spend a quarter of your life at work. You should enjoy it! Organizational psychologist Adam Grant takes you inside the minds of some of the world’s most unusual professionals to discover the keys to a better work life. From learning how to love your rivals to harnessing the power of frustration, one thing’s for sure: You’ll never see your job the same way again.
My first million podcast
recommendation from Harini Janakiraman, Global Head of Technology at Antler
It’s a podcast for “business builders, schemers, and dreamers”. My First Million aims to celebrate builders, even if they fail. And give their listeners the tools to help them turn the scheme into a reality. Both hosts — Shaan Puri and Sam Parr — have built and are operating successful businesses, so they know what they’re talking about.
In Depth by First Round Review
recommendation from Anouk Banlier, Portfolio Management Associate at Antler
In Depth is a new podcast from First Round Review that’s dedicated to surfacing the tactical advice founders and startup leaders need to grow their teams, their companies and themselves. Hosted by Brett Berson, In Depth covers a lot of ground and a wide range of topics, from hiring executives and becoming a better manager, to the importance of storytelling inside of your organization. But every interview will hit the level of tactical depth where the very best advice is found.
North Star Podcast
recommendation from Caroline Healey, Recruitment Manager at Antler US
A deep dive into the stories, habits, ideas, strategies and methods that drive fulfilled people and create enormous success for them. The guests are diverse, but they share profound similarities. They’re guided by purpose, live with intense joy, learn passionately, and see the world with a unique lens. Each episode lets us soak in their hard-earned wisdom and apply it to our lives.
Invest like the best
recommendation from Magnus Grimeland, founder and CEO of Antler
Patrick O’Shaughnessy, the host of Invest like the best, speaks with investors, founders, and CEOs willing to share their lessons learned. His mission is to capture and openly share the world’s best business and investing knowledge. Whether you are an entrepreneur, aspiring investor or an established money manager — you will hear from the best around to level your game up to the next level.
🎧 Antler VC Cast
by Jussi Salovaara, Managing Partner & Co-Founder at Antler, and Puja Bharwani, PR & Marketing Director at Antler
Antler VC Cast takes a look at the transformation that is taking place in an increasingly global and digital world. In this series we feature the stories of exceptional people who are playing a key role in building and shaping the next wave of tech. We want to know their story — how they did it, the challenges they faced, how they overcame them.
Listen to the Antler VC Cast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, SoundCloud, Amazon and Podtail.
No time to listen? Read the highlights of these exciting conversations with exceptional people on Medium.
Let us know about your top podcast recommendations in the comments below!
📚 See the list of books that every entrepreneur should read in 2021 here.
This article was written by Karolina Szweda, Global Marketing Assoociate at Antler.
Antler enables exceptional people to create exceptional companies. If you want to become a startup founder, find the perfect co-founder and create impactful companies to shape the future, apply now and begin your Antler journey.
