Learning is a lifelong commitment that will make you a savvy professional, an interesting counterpart in a dialogue, and the greatest person in the room. Podcasts are a fantastic instrument that can help you absorb insightful information from industry experts, passionate storytellers, and researchers.
Below, we’ve carefully selected a list of good learning podcasts that cover a wide range of topics, from education technology to design, language, and literature. Get ready to boost your knowledge!
1. The Learning Hack
Platforms: Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube
The Learning Hack is essential for those interested in how people learn and how we can improve learning experiences. This is indeed a very important skill in every field. Hosted by John Helmer, this podcast presents the science and practicalities behind modern educational methods, featuring expert guests in learning and development fields. Episodes explore the latest technologies, psychological insights, and effective training techniques, making it a perfect pick for both educators and lifelong learners interested in optimizing their learning approaches. You will get insights into how to learn faster and more effectively. So, no time to wait, put on your headphones, and let’s go!
2. EdTech
Platforms: Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube
For those interested in the role of technology in education, the EdTech podcast is a must-listen. Covering everything from new tools and apps to innovative teaching strategies, EdTech keeps listeners informed about trends in online learning and digital education. The hosts break down complex subjects into digestible, engaging episodes, making them perfect for teachers, students, and just simply anyone. This podcast offers insights that reflect the challenges and benefits of learning with technology, along with actionable advice on using tech to enhance learning outcomes.
3. Trends and Issues in Instructional Design
This podcast takes a deeper dive into the world of instructional design and educational technologies, discussing emerging trends in the field. Each episode explores new research, theories, and real-world applications in instructional design, making it an invaluable resource for those involved in creating and refining educational content. You’ll learn about the newest methods and AI. Here we have more for you, check our summary of Design for How People Learn to get a structured understanding of how to design effective learning experiences and become a great teacher.
4. 99% Invisible
Platforms: Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube
99% Invisible takes a unique approach to learning by exploring the hidden aspects of design in our everyday lives. Hosted by Roman Mars, this popular podcast highlights everything from urban planning and product design to societal structures. Each episode explains in detail how things are built and the reasoning behind those choices, making it a great listen for those interested in the intersections of design, architecture, and human behavior. There are eight main categories of the podcast, and you are free to choose your favorite! And wait, before you go to 99% Invisible, check out the companion book The Design of Everyday Things, which will tell you more about design principles that shape our world.
5. How I Built This
Platforms: Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and NPR One
Guy Raz’s How I Built This is an inspiring podcast that takes you on the journeys of entrepreneurs and innovators, revealing the ups and downs of building successful businesses. As wise people say, the smartest people learn from the mistakes of others. The podcast features interviews with founders from companies like Airbnb, Patagonia, and Spanx. They tell all of the ingredients to a successful business and are sure to inspire you. And, in case you are on your way to becoming a rising star of the entrepreneurial world, we cannot but recommend a summary of the classic of all classics — The Lean Startup summary, written by Eric Ries, summarized by us.
6. Numberphile
Platforms: Available on Apple Podcasts Spotify
Math enthusiasts here? If you’re passionate about numbers and want to dive into the beauty of mathematics, Numberphile is a gem. Created by Brady Haran, this podcast hosts mathematicians and enthusiasts who break down fascinating number theories, strange mathematical phenomena, and intriguing puzzles. It’s accessible even for those with limited math backgrounds. So, don’t be afraid of numbers and equations, Numberphile will make you fall in love with Math. For an extra boost in mathematical confidence, A Mind for Numbers by Barbara Oakley is an excellent accompanying read. As always, we provided a well-structured and brief summary of it for you.
7. The Fluent Show
Platforms: Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify
Moving on to our polyglots. "¿Cómo estás? Wie geht's dir? Comment ça va? どうですか? Want to understand all of the above? The Fluent Show is a podcast dedicated to exploring different facets of language learning. Hosted by Kerstin Cable, the show covers tips, tools, and language-learning methods, as well as interviews with polyglots and linguists. Each episode provides practical advice on building language skills. We promise, no more grammar tables and boring rules. Cable masterfully addresses the challenges of learning multiple languages and suggests new approaches. To deepen your understanding of how the brain processes language, we recommend Bilingual Brain by Albert Costa, which reveals the fascinating effects of multilingualism on the brain.
8. Talk the Talk
Platforms: Listen on Spotify
Talk the Talk is another engaging podcast for language lovers, focusing on linguistics, grammar, and the quirks of different languages. The hosts, who are PHD teachers and linguists, discuss everything from grammar to slang and the evolving nature of language itself. This is a fantastic resource for those interested in understanding how language shapes culture and communication. Each episode will be a joy to listen to for both language experts and curious learners alike.
9. What Should I Read Next?
Platforms: Available on Apple Podcasts and Spotify
Book lovers looking for their next great read will enjoy What Should I Read Next? The name says it all! Hosted by Anne Bogel, this podcast helps readers discover books across genres, and each episode features a guest sharing their favorite books. You are sure to find the book you want to read with Bogel’s knack for thoughtful conversation. On top of that, you will enjoy engaging talks and amazing speakers.
10. Celebrity Memoir Book Club
Platforms: Available on Apple Podcasts and Spotify
And now it’s time for a podcast that will tell you everything about your favorite star! Celebrity memoirs offer unique insights into the lives of public figures, and Celebrity Memoir Book Club brings these stories to life with humor and relatability. The hosts discuss memoirs from celebrities like Prince Harry (Spare) and Britney Spears (The Woman in Me). You will hear humorous yet insightful commentary on the life lessons and stories found in each. This podcast is a refreshing take on memoirs, especially for those who enjoy mixing entertainment with reflection. If you want to refresh some of the recent memoirs that were on everyone’s lips recently, check out the Spare book summary or The Woman in Me.
So, which podcast did you pick for yourself? Maybe, all of them? Just remember that staying curious and continually learning is key to personal and professional growth. With these podcasts, lifelong learning is both accessible and engaging. You will learn about new perspectives on everything from design and technology to math, language, and literature. Choose one of these best podcasts for learning as your next go-to for inspiration and knowledge, and get ready to expand your mind!
