Podcasts are a great option for staying on top of what's trending (or not so much!), new design perspectives, and to get inside the crazy-interesting minds of admired innovators and designers.
Podcasts allow you to make the most of idle time by listening while commuting, traveling, carpooling, or even cooking dinner. There are a lot of podcasts out there, and choosing the best one to commit your time to can be a daunting task. So, I put together a list of my top 10 can't-miss podcasts on innovation and design, plus one that is not specifically innovation-related but gets your mind turning. You can thank me later.
New and notable innovation podcast picks:
1. Passive Income for Designers – Dustin Lee
This is a powerful idea that designers need multiple income streams, especially one that does not require you to bill by the hour. Dustin Lee's perspective on ways to do this are unique and specifically appealing to designers.
2. The Product Startup – Filip Valica
The idea of DIY product development is really good for creating truly innovative products that have not been done before. The risk is you have to constantly reinvent the wheel learning things that are not essential to exploring your core innovation. Use this podcast and host Filip Valica as your guide, but don't be afraid reach out and pay for expertise to speed up the process.
3. Branding Blowout – Karen Leland
The importance of brand development supported by integrity cannot be emphasized enough. Karen Leland knows how to guide you to brand your startup as an innovator from the get-go. Listening to Branding Blowout makes learning about branding and marketing fun and entertaining.
4. Innovation Ecosystem – Mark Bidwell and Roddy Millar
Learning from an “Intrapreneur” can be extremely valuable to entrepreneurs looking to create a strong innovative culture that will carry as a company grows into the billions. Mark Bidwell and Roddy Millar have the most amazing top-level guests. Although you may not have heard of them because they are outside your industry, their stories and struggles are universal.
5. On the Shelf – Timothy Bush
Tim Bush is an inventor's dream guide through the madness of a mass-retail world. If you have any desire to get your products on a retail shelf, you need to do more than listen to this podcast. You need to absorb and follow his advice. Been there, done that. I can verify that his experience is real and his guidance is golden.
6. Inside Outside Innovation – Brian Ardinger and Josh Berry
In “The Valley” the talk is all about building an innovative culture, proving that the view of innovation is broader than just launching. Brian Ardinger and Josh Berry give you great insight into the conversations that go on inside and outside “The Valley,” as companies approach the latest ways to innovate and build an innovative culture.
Innovation podcasts you should have already downloaded:
7. Killer Innovations – Phil McKinney
Phil McKinney is one of the most knowledgeable innovators out there, and you need to know who he is. He has an amazing background, with years as CTO of HP and experience advising dozens of other startups. This is one of the most killer resources for innovation–you won't want to miss it.
8. The Everyday Innovator – Chad McAllister
Chad McAllister has a great approach to talking with guests and provides lots of useful tips and tools. This is one of the best shows for product managers or non-tech founders, offering conversations that keep you coming back for more.
9. Private Label Podcast – Kevin Rizer
A great podcast for those seriously considering launching their products on Amazon. Kevin Rizer is more than an Amazon passive-income guru. He and his guests are strategic guides that will help you build a million dollar brand using private labeling.
10. Innovation Crush – Chris Denson
Full of daring launches and cautionary tales, this podcast offers stories straight from the movers and makers. It will open your eyes to the realities of the innovation game.
Special Bonus Pick:
Revisionist History – Malcolm Gladwell
Best-selling author Malcolm Gladwell is revisiting history–each week for 10 weeks, Revisionist History will go back and reinterpret something from the past: an event, a person, an idea. Something overlooked. Something misunderstood. My personal favorite–“Hallelujah: How does genius emerge?“–explores different types of innovation through the lens of Elvis Costello's song “Deportee.”
When the greatest minds in design and innovation are willing to share their wisdom and knowledge, listen up. A huge part of innovation is learning to evolve as the world around you evolves. Even if you don't agree with every perspective you hear, you are developing your own perspective as you listen. Make the most of your idle time and take notice as your inspiration (and conversations) soar.
This article was written by Tracy Leigh Hazzard for Inc.com.
Photo credit: Getty Images
