Tools and Podcasts: Things to Listen to

By Laura

If you ever see me around College with my headphones in, chances are that I'm listening to a podcast. I have about 100 titles in my app of choice, and I use playlists to manage them and stay on top of what I want to hear next. They keep my brain ticking over, and introduce me to ideas and people I might not meet otherwise. Some of the shows below are ones I bump to the top of my list as soon as they release a new episode. Others are ones I'm hoping to dive into and make the most of. 

If you have any suggestions to add to my list, drop me a line and let me know!

Getting Things Done 

Naturally, the juggernaut of productivity systems has its own podcast. Having watched some of David Allen's videos, I'd expect this to be surprisingly practical, down to earth and sensible.

Oprah's Super Soul Sunday [exclusive to Apple podcasts]

Oprah has the pull to get some seriously big names on her show, and the relaxed format of a podcast gives her and her guests a chance to really dig through topics. One to listen to for inspiration and getting a mood boost when you need it.

Beyond the To Do List

This is always top of every list of productivity podcasts, known for its interesting guests and practical approach. I also enjoy the chatty style, as the host seems to have a way of pulling the best out of guests. I might not always agree with them but they always make me think.

Back to Work

Two veteran indie podcast makers talking about work, productivity and the world in general. Expect irreverance, technology, surprising insights and a couple of good friends talking about what makes them tick.

hey, girl

Another in the 'sit down and get inspired' genre, Alex Elle present these short chats with people she thinks you'll find interesting. That's it, that's the show. I love shows like this, as you never know who you're going to meet.

Cortex and Conduit

These are two shows on the same podcast network, Relay FM, and superficially, they're both about productivity. But the two sets of hosts are very different, and the tones of the shows mean that if one isn't for you, you might like the other. Both are personal deep dives into what makes the hosts tick, how they manage their lives, and how they feel about that.

Above the Mess

While this podcast is currently (early 2022) on haiatus, I recommend digging into the back catalogue for some great discussions on how to manage complicated workloads. In particular, I found the discussion of how to manage life while also managing ADHD very helpful They don't shy away from the theory as well as the practical, and the balance of both needing to live a fulfilling live, and needing to earn a living

Podcast Apps

Both Google and Apple have built-in podcast players that are generally okay. But if you've been frustrated with them, you might want to try one of the other options out there. Obviously you can get podcasts on Spotify and Audible as well, but if you're looking for a more fully-featured podcast experience, you might want to try one of the below. While some are paid-for, most offer a free tier or free trial, so try before you buy, and see what suits the way you want to listen

Pocket Casts (Android and iOS)

Castro (iOS)

Stitcher (Android and iOS)

Overcast (iOS)

Castbox (Android and iOS)

Podcast Addict (Android)

Podbean (Android and iOS) [note: this app also lets you create and host podcasts within the app, if you want to give it a go yourself!]