On the eighth day of Christmas, Spin Sucks gave to me…eight podcasts to subscribe to, seven blogs to read, six online courses, five effective storytelling rules, four productivity tools, three books on writing, two marketing trends, and a professional goal for 2019.
According to Edison Research, which has continuously studied podcasts since 2005, the:
highly targeted nature of podcasts, combined with the trust that listeners have in their favorite hosts, provides the ability to gain access to an engaged and receptive audience.
Podcasts are chosen by the listener (you!) so they are more relevant to your interests, your hobbies, your career, your likes.
You don’t have to rely on what broadcasting companies deem relevant—you get to pick and choose.
To help you whittle down some of your choices, today we have the eight podcasts every communicator should consider subscribing to and listening to (and, if you like it, give it a review on iTunes!).
Podcasts: Digital Download
One of my favorite all-time humans is Paul Sutton.
We disagree about almost everything and I love him to pieces for it.
Our relationship is what one might wish we were all able to have…it would certainly create world peace.
Respectful discourse.
Plus, it’s super fun to debate him. We don’t do it often enough.
So, if you’d like to hear someone talk about the things in our industry that are oftentimes the direct opposite of what I think (and also very similar, in many ways), check out Digital Download.
A good place to start is with the year-end episode he and I recorded together.
Podcasts: May the Best Brand Win
Earlier this year, I had the genuine pleasure of being invited to be on May the Best Brand Win as a guest.
Scott Robertson produces his podcast live—and they do it at 4:00 p.m. CST.
When he invited me, I told him that was awfully risky because that’s wine:thirty around here.
But I behaved and chatted with him completely sober.
And it was a ton of fun!
He’s crazy organized and very strategic about what he discusses—and he makes sure his guests are as well-prepared.
We talked about the latest and greatest marketing news, some tips and tools, and we went in-depth into the PESO model.
If it’s not on your list, I highly recommend it.
He’s a great host and lots of fun to listen to.
Podcasts: Women Worldwide
One of the nicest people on this entire earth is Deirdre Breakenridge.
Seriously.
For those of you who know her, I can see you nodding your heads.
For those of you who don’t know her, fix that. Stat.
She is kind, thoughtful, crazy smart, and genuinely nice.
It’s always a great pleasure to get to hang out with her, whether on a phone call, a Zoom chat, in person…or just listening to her interview women (and some men) about their business lives.
All of you can do exactly that if you subscribe and listen to Women Worldwide.
She’s talked to women around the globe who are doing interesting things—not just in communications.
It’s definitely one to add to your list.
Podcasts: Marketing Over Coffee
The genesis of Marketing Over Coffee was that John Wall and Christopher S. Penn would meet for coffee and talk about all things digital.
Today, of course, it’s evolved, but you still get the same great voices with the same great advice.
It truly is filled with advice and conversations you only get outside of the office.
And, in today’s crazy digital world, in-person conversations just can’t be beat…and nothing truly replaces them.
This is a great example of why getting together is not just fun, but often necessary.
Podcasts: For Immediate Release
Shel Holtz was one of the first (if not THE first) podcasters in communications—and For Immediate Release is one of the best in the industry.
Every week, you can expect to spend time with experts on different communications topics, including news of the week, artificial intelligence, dark, social, and more.
PLUS!
He runs the FIR Podcast Network, where you can easily find any and all podcasts related to your area of expertise or interest.
Three cheers for Shel!
Hooray! Hooray! And…hooray!
Podcasts: The PR Resolution
Stella Bayles, the co-founder of CoverageBook, is the host of The PR Resolution—a fun and interesting podcast for communicators.
She explores a hot topic in each episode and, with the help of an expert, dispels any myths and breaks down the jargon.
But I’m going to be honest…my favorite part of the podcast is in how it’s recorded.
She told me her producer makes her sit in her closet, in her Manhattan apartment, to record each episode.
That way, there aren’t any echos or strange noises. Everything is definitely covered up and all you can hear are the voices.
So if you’re ever looking for a way to make a better recording, take Stella’s producer’s advice and sit in your closet.
And take my advice and subscribe and listen to her podcast.
Podcasts: Writing Excuses
Writing Excuses explores the excuses we make when we don’t sit down to craft our art.
Their goal is to help listeners become better writers.
Whether you write for fun or for profit, whether you’re new to the domain or old hands, Writing Excuses has something to offer.
They have lots and lots and lots of episodes so, if you want to just check out one season, we recommend you go with season 10.
The Gini Dietrich Podcasts
Too ego-centric?
I didn’t want to include them all separately…that didn’t seem fair to the other great podcasters in our space.
But I also want you to subscribe and listen to the podcasts I either host or co-host.
They are:
- Spin Sucks: We launched Spin Sucks earlier this year and they are quick episodes meant to give you something to implement right after you listen. I think the longest episode we’ve had is a whopping 15 minutes. Next week’s is a whopping 11 minutes. You’ll learn something very fast and have something new to try by the time you make it to the office (or walk around the block with your dog).
- Agency Leadership: Agency Leadership is a podcast I co-host with Chip Griffin. It launched just nine or so weeks ago and we aim to provide information on all aspects of running an agency. So far, we’ve covered hiring, financials, responding to RFPs, and growth. Check it out!
- Inside PR: Inside PR has been a labor of love for Joe Thornley, Martin Waxman, and me for many, many years. We discuss public relations, social media, digital marketing…and where everything meets and intersects.
Get to it! And, like I said, reviewing podcasts is super helpful for the podcaster. It’s what iTunes uses to present it in search.
So, if you like any of the aforementioned podcasts, take a few minutes to review them. I know everyone will appreciate it!
What Are Your Favorite Podcasts?
Now it’s your turn, my friends.
What are your favorite podcasts that will make us better communicators?
