Written by Lidia Vijga, co-founder at DeckLinks
Ever find yourself discovering answers and drawing inspiration from podcasts? I know I certainly do! In this listicle, I’m excited to share my curated selection of the best startup podcasts that have significantly impacted my journey as a B2B SaaS founder. From scaling strategies and product development insights to fundraising tips and leadership lessons, these shows cover the full spectrum of what it takes to build and grow a successful tech startup.
Whether you’re just starting out or looking to scale, you will find invaluable insights for every stage of your entrepreneurial journey. These startup podcasts feature successful entrepreneurs, thought leaders, and industry experts sharing their real stories of business wars, strategic insights, and tactical advice to help you navigate the dynamic startup culture of Silicon Valley and beyond.
Table of Contents
- Masters of Scale
- How I Built This with Guy Raz
- Tech Entrepreneur on a Mission
- The Tim Ferriss Show
- Interviews with Top SaaS Founders by Nathan Latka
- The Low Production High Value Show
- Startup Therapy
- Entrepreneurs on Fire
- GaryVee Audio Experience
- This Week in Startups
- Mixergy – Startup Stories
- The Twenty Minute VC
- Rocketship.fm
- Lenny’s Podcast
- Founder Coffee
Masters of Scale
Masters of Scale, hosted by LinkedIn’s Reid Hoffman, is a weekly show that has become one of the best startup podcasts for entrepreneurs since its 2017 launch. With over 250 episodes across 13 seasons as of May 2023 featuring high-profile guests like Spotify’s Daniel Ek. The show provides entrepreneurs with various insights from successful founders and business leaders coming from Silicon Valley and beyond.
The podcast stands out for its blend of storytelling and practical advice for startup enthusiasts. Each episode, typically 30-45 minutes long, follows a structured format where Hoffman presents a hypothesis about scaling and explores it through success stories from his guests. This approach, combined with Hoffman’s own theories, offers startup founders valuable insights into complex business concepts.
How I Built This with Guy Raz
Next on my list of best podcasts for aspiring entrepreneurs is “How I Built This” with Guy Raz. This NPR production has carved out a unique space in the crowded tech world of business podcasts, joining the ranks of other great podcasts like Masters of Scale and This Week in Startups.
Guy Raz, a best-selling author and seasoned journalist, brings his storytelling expertise to each episode. His approach turns what could be dry business narratives into compelling stories that provide entrepreneurs with valuable insights into building their own business.
Each episode of the podcast focuses on a single entrepreneur and the company they built. What sets the podcast apart is its narrative arc – Raz takes us on a journey alongside startup founders, from their early days, through the challenges they faced, to their eventual path toward financial freedom. Like popular shows such as Entrepreneurs on Fire and Indie Hackers, Raz doesn’t shy away from discussing the real story and obstacles and setbacks startup founders face. This structure provides a holistic view of the entrepreneurial process, something I find incredibly valuable as I navigate my own business challenges.
The guest list is impressive, featuring startup founders from a diverse range of industries. From tech innovators to consumer goods pioneers, the podcast covers a broad spectrum of entrepreneurial experiences. This variety is one of the show’s strengths – there’s something to learn regardless of your specific industry or stage of business.
The podcast is easily accessible on all major platforms, and the NPR website provides full transcripts for those who prefer reading or want to revisit specific parts of an episode or past guests. Additionally, Guy Raz offers a free newsletter, which I’ve found to be a great complement to the podcast, where you can gain insights and behind-the-scenes content.
Tech Entrepreneur on a Mission
If you’re in the B2B SaaS world, you’ll want to tune into Ton Dobbe’s insightful podcast Tech Entrepreneur on Mission where he interviews founders of remarkable SaaS businesses.
As the author of “The Remarkable Effect” and creator of a methodology by the same name, Ton is dedicated to reducing the high failure rates of SaaS startups and scale-ups through his books, masterminds, and consulting work.
What makes Ton’s podcast particularly valuable is the focus on creating exponential value leverage, not just incremental growth. Whether you’re looking to make your SaaS business stand out in a crowded market, shorten sales cycles, win more deals, or become resilient against growth stagnation, you’ll find actionable insights in every episode.
Ton’s interviews bring to life the concepts from his book The Remarkable Effect, offering real-world examples of how successful founders have implemented these strategies. It’s like getting a masterclass in building a remarkable SaaS business, straight from those who’ve done it.
The Tim Ferriss Show
The Tim Ferriss Show, launched in 2014, is a highly successful business podcast hosted by entrepreneur and author Tim Ferriss. Known for his best-selling book “The 4-Hour Work Week, and his long-form interviews (1-3 hours) with diverse guests from business, sports, entertainment, and other fields, the show has surpassed 100 million downloads and features over 750 episodes as of 2023.
Ferriss, leveraging his experience as an angel investor and bestselling author, explores a wide range of topics beyond typical business advice. The podcast covers entrepreneurship, mental health, physical optimization, and creative problem-solving, offering a holistic approach to success and personal development.
The show stands out for its high production quality, detailed notes, and Ferriss’s transparent approach of sharing his own experiments. While the extensive content can be overwhelming, The Tim Ferriss Show serves as a valuable resource for entrepreneurs seeking to optimize both their business strategies and personal growth.
Interviews with Top SaaS Founders by Nathan Latka
As a SaaS entrepreneur who is always looking for ways to scale my startup, I’m a huge fan of Nathan Latka and his interviews with Top SaaS Founders. His impressive library of over 3,000 episodes has become my go-to resource for understanding the ins and outs of building and scaling successful SaaS companies.
In one episode you can learn from a founder who’s bootstrapped their way to $10M ARR, and in another, you are learning from a CEO who’s just closed a major funding round with top-tier VCs. The guest list is diverse and impressive. From bootstrapped startups to venture capitalist-backed unicorns, the podcast covers the full spectrum of SaaS businesses.
The Low Production High Value Show
The Low Production High Value Show is a podcast for entrepreneurs and digital marketers, hosted by Andrew Jenkins, a veteran in social media and digital marketing strategy. In production for nearly three years, the show has become a trusted platform for sharing inspiring stories, strategies, and lessons from leaders across various industries. Guests range from startup founders to established marketing experts, each bringing unique perspectives on growing businesses in the digital age.
The podcast covers a wide range of topics, including content marketing, social media strategies, entrepreneurship, and emerging technologies like AI. Episodes dive deep into practical, actionable insights that help listeners make smarter marketing decisions without relying on high-budget productions. Whether you’re looking to expand your business or refine your digital presence, every episode has something valuable.
What sets this podcast apart is its emphasis on authenticity and efficiency. Andrew’s candid discussions reveal how to maximize results with minimal resources, making it a must-listen for those wanting to achieve more with less.
Startup Therapy
Startup Therapy is a weekly podcast hosted by Wil Schroter and Ryan Rutan, founders of Startups.com. It offers candid insights into building successful startups, drawing from the hosts’ extensive entrepreneurial experience. The show stands out for its authenticity and focus on the human side of entrepreneurship.
Each 45-60 minute episode delves deep into a specific startup challenge, covering topics from co-founder conflicts and fundraising stress to imposter syndrome and work-life balance. The podcast is particularly notable for addressing the mental and emotional aspects of entrepreneurship often overlooked by other business shows.
While the podcast provides valuable, actionable advice for entrepreneurs, its close association with Startups.com can sometimes feel promotional. Nevertheless, Startup Therapy serves as an invaluable resource for founders, offering a grounded perspective on the realities of startup life and acting as a combination of support group, mentorship, and masterclass in startup psychology.
Entrepreneurs on Fire
Entrepreneurs on Fire with John Lee Dumas, launched in 2012, has become a cornerstone in entrepreneurial podcasting. With daily episodes, over 100 million total listens, and more than 1 million monthly listeners, this podcast covers a wide range of topics crucial for business success, from mindset and practical tips to scaling strategies and innovation tactics. Its streamlined format makes it easy for busy entrepreneurs to fit into their schedules. A unique aspect is JLD’s transparency, regularly publishing income reports that offer insights into the business of podcasting.
The podcast’s success hasn’t gone unnoticed in the industry. It has won several awards, including Apple Podcasts’ ‘Best in Business’ award, cementing its place as one of the best podcasts. Additionally, JLD has leveraged his podcast success into other ventures, authoring a book called “The Common Path to Uncommon Success.”
GaryVee Audio Experience
Gary Vaynerchuk, or GaryVee as he’s widely known, is a serial entrepreneur, internet personality, and CEO of VaynerMedia. His journey from immigrant to wine critic to digital marketing guru adds a unique flavor to his podcast, blending street smarts with digital-age wisdom.
You can find “The GaryVee Audio Experience” on all major podcast platforms, and there’s a wealth of complementary content on Gary’s various social media channels and website.
The format of the podcast is as diverse as Gary’s interests. You’ll find a mix of keynote speeches, fireside chats, business meetings, and off-the-cuff rants. Episodes range from quick 5-minute motivational bursts to hour-long discussions. This variety keeps things fresh.
Content-wise, GaryVee covers the full spectrum of modern entrepreneurship. From social media and email marketing tactics to personal branding, from e-commerce strategies to leadership advice, he touches on all aspects of building a business in the digital age. It’s clear that his no-nonsense approach and actionable advice resonate with a wide audience of aspiring entrepreneurs and business leaders.
You can find “The GaryVee Audio Experience” on all major podcast platforms, and there’s a wealth of complementary content on Gary’s various social media channels and website.
This Week in Startups
This Week in Startups, a podcast hosted by Jason Calacanis, blends current events, entrepreneurial insights, and insider information through a mix of news segments and in-depth interviews with founders, investors, and industry experts. Its longevity and adaptation to the evolving tech landscape speak to its quality and relevance.
The show attracts high-caliber guests, offering diverse perspectives on innovation, business models, and emerging technologies. One aspect of the podcast that I particularly enjoy is the “Angel” segment, where Jason and his guests review real startup pitches.
A unique feature of this startup podcast is its live tapings. These events, often held in tech hubs around the world, add an extra layer of energy and audience interaction to the discussions. While I haven’t had the chance to attend one in person yet, I’ve found that even the recorded versions of these live episodes capture some of that electric atmosphere.
It’s no surprise that “This Week in Startups” has been recognized in various lists of top business podcasts. This recognition is well-deserved, given the show’s consistent quality and the value it provides to listeners in the startup world.
Mixergy – Startup Stories
Mixergy – Startup Stories, hosted by Andrew Warner, offers in-depth interviews with successful entrepreneurs, providing authentic insights into the startup world. Originally an event series, it evolved into a podcast featuring hour-long conversations that explore guests’ journeys from initial ideas to ultimate success. Warner’s interviewing style, honed through over 2000 interviews, delves into tough questions about revenue, mistakes, and overcoming obstacles, resulting in genuinely instructive content.
The podcast stands out for its diverse guest list, featuring both tech industry leaders and founders of less glamorous but highly successful businesses. It gives significant attention to bootstrapped companies, offering a counterpoint to the venture capital-focused narratives common in startup media. Mixergy positions itself as an antidote to “get-rich-quick” gurus, presenting realistic accounts of entrepreneurship.
Beyond the podcast, Mixergy offers additional resources including courses and a community forum. Its commitment to honesty about the entrepreneurial journey – including discussions of failures and doubts – makes it an invaluable resource for aspiring and established entrepreneurs alike. The podcast’s evolution mirrors the entrepreneurial spirit it seeks to illuminate, adapting and growing to meet its audience’s needs.
The Twenty Minute VC
I’ve found The Twenty Minute VC hosted by Harry Stebbings to be such a gem in my best startup podcasts lineup. Launched in 2015, this show has grown from a newcomer in the podcast space to a staple for aspiring entrepreneurs and investors alike, featuring interviews with the world’s greatest VCs including Benchmark’s Bill Gurley.
Harry Stebbings, the show’s creator and host, brings a unique energy to the podcast. He started the show at the age of 20, which gives him a fresh perspective that’s rare in the often staid world of VC discussions. His youth hasn’t held him back though – over the years, he’s developed into a sharp interviewer who knows how to extract valuable information from his guests efficiently. In a testament to his success, Stebbings has since launched his own venture capital fund, bringing the insights he’s gained from the podcast into the real world of startup investing.
The podcast covers a broad range of topics crucial to the startup ecosystem, from fundraising strategies and scaling challenges to market trends and investment insights. It balances high-level strategy discussions with actionable tactics, helping listeners stay informed about the broader context of the tech industry.
What I really enjoy about this startup podcast is the host’s ability to demystify the often opaque world of venture capital and high-growth startups. By bringing transparency to topics like valuation, deal terms, and investor expectations, Stebbings helps level the playing field for startup founders from all backgrounds.
Rocketship.fm
Unlike many startup podcasts that focus on founder stories or investor insights, Rocketship.fm explores specific themes in depth across multiple episodes each season. Hosts Michael Sacca and Mike Belsito cover a wide range of topics crucial to tech startups. Their backgrounds in product development and startup founding lend credibility to the discussions and help ground the content in real-world experiences. I appreciate hosts who can speak from firsthand experience about the challenges we face.
From product-market fit to growth hacking, fundraising strategies to team building, every episode is loaded with insightful tips. A key strength is its use of case studies, analyzing successful and failed startups to offer valuable insights into founders’ decision-making processes.
What I find particularly valuable is their focus on practical, actionable advice. These aren’t just theoretical discussions – they provide concrete strategies you can apply to your startup immediately.
Lenny’s Podcast
Lenny’s Podcast, hosted by former Airbnb product lead Lenny Rachitsky, is a valuable resource for tech entrepreneurs, product managers, and growth specialists. Each episode features an in-depth interview with a leader in product, growth, or design from some of the most iconic companies in tech today. We’re talking heavyweights from giants like Google, Facebook, and Netflix, as well as up-and-coming startups that are disrupting their industries.
I appreciate that Lenny doesn’t just scratch the surface. He digs deep into the details of product strategy, user acquisition, retention tactics, and scaling challenges. It’s like getting a masterclass in product and startup growth with every episode.
One of the podcast’s strengths is its focus on current trends and challenges in the tech industry. Lenny and his guests provide insights that are relevant and timely. This helps me stay ahead of the curve and anticipate changes in the startup landscape.
Lenny’s Podcast integrates with Rachitsky’s popular Substack newsletter, creating a rich learning ecosystem for entrepreneurs and product professionals. This startup podcast is more than just a show – it’s a vital resource for anyone serious about product, growth, and startup success in the tech industry.
Founder Coffee
Moving on to more intimate founder stories, Founder Coffee is a biweekly startup podcast hosted by Jeroen Corthout, co-founder of Salesflare. Each episode features an in-depth conversation with a successful founder. What I love about this show is its focus on the personal side of entrepreneurship. Jeroen digs into the motivations, work habits, and life philosophies of his guests, offering listeners a holistic view of what it takes to build a successful company.
The relaxed, conversational tone makes complex business concepts accessible, and you often come away feeling like you’ve just had a mentor session with some of the brightest minds in tech. For startup founders looking to understand the human element behind successful companies, Founder Coffee is a must-listen.
