Success is impossible if you don't learn and grow. And that can be a real challenge because starting your own business (or working at your dream job) can literally consume all your waking hours.

How, then, can you broaden your horizons and "sharpen your saw" (as the saying goes) without sacrificing what little free time you've got left? The answer is simple: Listen to these five truly amazing podcasts on a regular basis:

What It Is: "Founders help each other by telling their stories and teaching what they do best."

Why It's Great: While entrepreneurs are, as a group, more articulate than average, they have a tendency to get "into the weeds" pretty easily. Mixergy's host, Andrew Warner, has the gift of bringing out the best of what each interviewee has to offer.

Bottom Line: Andrew Warner is entrepreneurism's Terry Gross.

What It Is: "Weaves a narrative journey about innovators, entrepreneurs, and idealists--and the movements they built."

Why It's Great: As NPR host Guy Raz evolves and unfolds each story, you don't just learn about business but about the human condition and how people change their lives, behave under stress, and cope with success and failure.

Bottom Line: Worth listening to...even if you're not all that into business.

What It Is: Interviews "featuring the leading thinkers in business and management from Harvard Business Review."

Why It's Great: Where Mixergy focuses on entrepreneurs and specific techniques, HBR Ideacast focuses on big issues that affect everyone. The two most recent casts are near/dear to my heart: "Why Meetings Go Wrong" and "Why Open Offices Aren't Working."

Bottom Line: Like an MBA but at .000001 percent of the cost.

What It Is: "Helps women entrepreneurs master your mindset, grow as a leader, refine your strategies, build your team, and gain visibility in your industry."

Why It's Great: I'm not really qualified to comment on how well this podcast serves its intended audience but it is VERY popular. Personally, I listen to Natalie Eckdahl because it makes me more aware of the unique challenges that women face in the business world.

Bottom Line: A must-listen, regardless of your gender.

What It Is: "Gives you the unauthorized, real story of what drives companies and their leaders, inventors, investors, and executives to new heights--or to ruin."

Why It's Great: Let's face it: The business world is full of drama, and few scenarios are more dramatic than when companies go mano-a-mano with an industry at stake. Added bonus: These stories make you glad you don't work for a big company.

Bottom Line: Game of Thrones meets Mad Men. 'Nuff said.

Published on: Nov 6, 2019