Listen Up! 8 Best Podcasts for Learning on the Go

“We spend a quarter of our lives at work, but too little time thinking about how to make it better.”

This is the premise of organizational psychologist Adam Grant.

On his podcast WorkLife, the author of ‘Originals: How Non-Conformists Move the World’ takes us inside unconventional workplaces, such as The Daily Show with Trevor Noah and International Space Station, to explore ideas we can all take to our daily work.

Start with: ‘How to Trust People You Don’t Like’ (iTunes)

Did you know you can also enjoy TED Talks in audio form?

Each episode of TED Radio Hour is curated around a theme, with excerpts from various TED Talks, supplemented with made-to-audio interviews. Topics range from business, to health, to psychology, to politics, always with takeaways that can be applied to both professional and personal life. The podcast is hosted by Guy Raz, a name many podcast fans will recognize.

Start with: ‘Success’ (iTunes)

Hosted by the former news journalist Manoush Zomorodi, Note to Self explores the multi-faceted and often complex impacts of technology, gadgets, and data on our everyday lives.

As a self-proclaimed “guide to an accelerating world”, Zomorodi brings her topics to life through experiments and conversations with listeners and experts.

Start with: ‘I Didn’t See Your Text’ (iTunes)

Produced by Harvard Business Review, HBR IdeaCast features leading thinkers from business, academia, and beyond.

Through interviews, analysis and advice, host Sarah Green Carmichael covers a range of topics from why corporate sustainability is falling short, to how artificial intelligence can improve our work, to the mental preparation secrets of athletes.

Start with: ‘Why Everyone Should See Themselves as a Leader’ (iTunes)

Masters of Scale offers inspirational and educational insights for anyone on a digital and/or entrepreneurial journey.

In conversation with legendary leaders, host Reid Hoffman (co-founder of LinkedIn and investor at Greylock) shows how companies have grown from zero to a gazillion. The podcast is the first American media program to publicly commit to a 50-50 gender balance for guests.

Start with: ‘Grit Happens – Nancy Lublin, CEO & Co-Founder of Crisis Text Line’ (iTunes)

In his eponymous longform podcast, Tim Ferriss of the 4-hour-workweek fame meets high-profile people from sports, business, entertainment, and arts to discover how they have reached the top of their game.

Listening to all the personal stories will make you want to dial up your courage, go out, and perform the hell out of your career.

Start with: ‘Joseph Gordon-Levitt – Actor, Filmmaker, and Entrepreneur’ (iTunes)

From the team behind the popular meditation app, Radio Headspace talks to athletes, scientists, and members of the Headspace community on how our minds help us reach our goals – and change our lives.

You’ll learn what motivates us, why we think the way we do, and how we make decisions. The weekly podcast is a great companion for when you embark on your meditation and mindfulness journey.

Start with: ‘Packcast Roundtable: Happiness’ (iTunes)

Pursuing Health is hosted and run by four-time CrossFit Games athlete and Medical Resident Julie Foucher. She states her mission as “inspire and empower others to live healthier, more fulfilling lives” and this is reflected in her podcast, with topics covering all aspects of health, from weight loss and nutrition to training and coaching.

Start with: ‘Austin Malleolo on CrossFit and Corporate Culture’ (iTunes)

What are you listening to up your game? Share your favorite podcasts in the comments below.