I’m one of those people who loves podcasts.
I’m vaguely aware that there are people out there who don’t love podcasts. This blog is not for them, although it could be. It could convince those people, whoever they are, to finally really allow themselves to like podcasts.
Especially if those people work in the entertainment industry. If those people happen to be actors, writers, directors, cinematographers, comedians, or creators of any kind, there are podcasts out there that can help them learn, grow, and connect with their industry.
So this week, we’d like to share with you a list of 10 of the podcasts we love and think you would too.
Of course, there are so many great podcasts out there we haven’t added in this list and many more we may not have heard of.
1. Audrey Helps Actors - Apple - Stitcher - Web Site - Audrey Moore is an actress who cares deeply about helping other actors. Her podcast is a deep dive with her guests into everything acting - including the difference between theatrical markets, how to take care of your finances, all about agents, and leveling up. It’s like getting coffee with that actor-friend of yours who knows everything about the biz.
2. The Business - Apple - Web Site - Hosted by Kim Masters, a top entertainment industry reporter who works for The Hollywood Reporter, each show features banter about the leading stories with John Horn from the Los Angeles Times and an in-depth interview.
3. Dead Eyes - Apple - Connor Ratliff was hired to play a small role on Band of Brothers in 2000. Before he could step in front of the camera, he was fired by Tom Hanks for having “dead eyes.” 20 years later Ratliff created this podcast to explore why. In the process, he explores themes such as chance, heartbreak, rejection, and turning failure around into something positive. Sounds like it would resonate with people in the entertainment industry, right? But I think anyone could connect with these stories, and the writing and humor make this a show I’d recommend to anyone.
4. How to Build a Happy Life - Website - Produced by the Atlantic and hosted by Harvard professor Arthur Brooks, this podcast explores how we can “build stronger relationships, understand emotions, and develop practical skills to help you on your journey to happiness.” Obviously not a biz podcast, but helpful for humans of any kind!
5. The Moment - Apple - Brian Koppelman is a writer probably best known for the Showtime series “Billions.” I really first became aware of him when he was sharing 6 second bites of writing/creativity advice on Vine. Remember Vine!? Brian is so smart and curious, and he interviews all sorts of guest from other writers, filmmakers, musicians, and athletes. The Seth Godin interviews are especially great!
6. Slash Film - Web Site - Apple - “Since 2005, /Film has been a destination for news, commentary, and criticism on every nook and cranny of the film industry. From blockbusters to indies and everywhere in between, we live and breathe cinema. It's a home for people with unique perspectives about movies, television, and so much more.”
7. Tim Ferris - Apple - Selected 3 times as “Best of Apple Podcasts.” Over 700 million downloads! Tim is an author and self-experimenter who interviews a wide range of guests searching for answers about how the world’s best performers pull it off.
8. The Treatment - Apple - Web Site - “Host Elvis Mitchell conducts in-depth interviews with the most innovative and influential people working in entertainment, art, and pop culture.”
9. TV’s Top 5 - Apple - “The Hollywood Reporter's West Coast TV Editor Lesley Goldberg and Chief TV Critic Daniel Fienberg breaking down the latest industry headlines. The podcast is broken into five segments, offering a deep-dive analysis of the latest TV news and a critical look at current and upcoming shows. Every episode of the weekly podcast includes an in-depth interview with one of the industry's most powerful showrunners or an up-and-coming new voice.“
10. WTF - Apple - Marc Maron has a way of getting his guests to let down their guard. Always a great conversation. His guests are mostly comedians, but also writers, directors, actors, and musicians. Great for people in the biz. Maron’s so engaging and funny and smart and honest and vulnerable.
Do you have a podcast not on this list you love? We want to hear about it - let us know!