For a busy social media geek like me, travel time is catch-up time; it's the only time a consultant can, in a guilt-free environment, take a breath and take some time to do some self-education. Personally, I don't have a regular commute, but you'd be amazed at how much podcast listening one can squeeze into 10- and 20-minute trips around Chicago. Also, I'm not adverse, as a busy podcast listener, to building up my B-list podcasts and listening to a backlog of shows in one fell swoop, as I did during the 10-hour drive to Saint Louis and back last weekend.
The point is that podcasts are a time-delayed medium; even news-related shows can be informative and educational a few weeks later. Every single show listed here teaches me something I didn't know every time I listen. What's more, they give me a chance to interact with the host every time, too. If you don't already, try programming your favorite show's listener call-in numbers into your cell phone so you can pause the podcast, call in a comment (using your hands-free headset, of course), and then keep right on listening.
(Oh, and if you're new to podcasting, read here to find out how to download and listen to a podcast.)
The first group are knock-down, drag-out, absolutely essential marketing podcasts. If you're an entrepreneur or into social media and not yet listening, go to iTunes and download them now:
For Immediate Release: the Hobson and Holtz Report. This was one of the first podcasts I ever subscribed to, and it's still my A-list first listen. Shel Holtz and Neville Hobson meet twice a week over Skype to discuss online media in the age of digital communication and marketing. And they never disappoint! At one hour twice a week, this might be the only podcast you have time to listen to, but it's worth it--you don't need to set your Google alert for "social media" if you listen to FIR.
Get It Done Guy's Quick and Dirty Tips Stever Robbins, the witty geek who just happens to also give advice on getting things done, gives one great organizational or productivity tip in each five-minute podcast--an easy listen on your way to the store. Helps with productivity, plus if we ever hit a zombie apocalypse, he's right there with advice on training your zombie army.
Grammar Girl's Quick and Dirty Tips Mignon Fogarty is the grammar geek among grammar geeks, delightful to listen to and more than happy to get all available information and perspectives on even the trickiest of grammar questions. Hey, ya gotta love a girl who can even cover the adverbial malfunction of the presidential inauguration with ease. Her podcasts are also in the five-minute range, so download and few and listen on your way to the gym.
Managing the Gray I can't imagine anyone who doesn't already listen to C.C. Chapman in some form or another, but there might be a few of you out there who have been living in a cave or who dropped your iPod in the lake a few years back and just never bothered to replace it. Managing the Gray is C.C.'s business podcast, his chance to chat and give observations about social media. Always full of energy and great marketing ideas, C.C. is one of my constant iPhone companions (even though he seems to be able to get iTalk to work for podcasting, whereas it only gives me so-so audio quality).
Marketing Over Coffee Shel Holtz turned me on to this marketing podcast, hosted by Chris Penn of the Financial Aid podcast and John Wall of the M Show. These two social media gurus sit in a Dunkin Donuts and talk social media strategy, news and tools. Again, great new information with each show, and the hosts have a fun and approachable dynamic.
Media Hacks I just started listening to this one, and I'm behind. But Mitch Joel, Chris Brogan, C.C. Chapman, and more? What social media geek wouldn't listen to this show? The audio on the first episode made it unlistenable, but it's much improved since then.
Six Pixels of Separation Mitch Joel's conversational show on new media marketing and communications. Sure, like C.C. Chapman, he talks at the speed of light, but I wouldn't cut time from his show at all--just listen as long and as often as you can.
Trafcom News Podcast Donna Pappacosta podcasts monthly from Canada, branding her show as one for people who love communicating. She's got a great, podcast-heavy focus, with detailed tips on making your podcast interesting, engaging and effective. Plus, it doesn't hurt that her honey-toned voice is the best one in podcasting!
What about you? What are your favorite business podcasts? What is on your A list? Your B list?
