A couple years ago, we rounded up our favorite podcasts for instructional designers and learning professionals. To this day, it’s still one of our most popular blog posts, so we thought we’d revisit this topic and update our list. Quite a few new podcasts have rolled out since then, and now there’s a learning podcast for anyone and everyone — from the innovator to the culturist. Tune in to our favorite shows below for instructional designers, chief learning officers, learning managers, and everyone in between!
The Innovator — The Learning Innovations Podcast
What this podcast is all about:
Join Doug Bushée and Mike Lenz as they explore the latest trends, tools, and resources to keep you on The Innovative Edge. The Learning Innovations Podcast features interviews from top learning and development leaders, conference recaps, and tactical tips for implementing in your corporate learning environment.
Who this podcast is perfect for:
With bite-size episodes ranging from 20 to 30 minutes long, The Learning Innovations Podcast can be consumed in easy-to-digest learning nuggets during your lunch break, in between meetings, or while walking your dog. It’s great for listeners on the go!
Why you’ll love tuning in:
This podcast is easy to follow with relatable anecdotes and analogies sprinkled throughout. Doug does a great job of explaining complex topics sans any confusing industry jargon. What I enjoy most about tuning in (other than Doug’s super pleasant southern accent) is that this podcast is not sponsored in any way. That means you can listen uninterrupted and feel rest assured that you’re getting 100% unbiased value. This is perfect for listeners who are on the go and need a quick listen!
The Designer — Instructional Redesign Podcast
What this podcast is all about:
Another dynamic duo worth listening to is Cara North and Joseph Suarez of the Instructional Redesign Podcast. This show is brought to you by IDs for IDs who aren’t shy about sharing their opinions on the modern learning design experience. Get ready to put your builder hat on as these two discuss tips for building your professional portfolio, review the best tools for instructional designers, and have conversations featuring IDs working at all levels in different learning environments.
Who this podcast is perfect for:
This one’s for instructional designers — from newbies to students to seasoned veterans — who are seeking advice from IDs working in the modern world of learning and development.
Why you’ll love tuning in:
As a newly released podcast that offers 30-minute episodes, you can binge the entire library over a long weekend. What I appreciate most about this podcast (and you might enjoy, too) is that it’s 100% scripted, meaning there’s little to no unnecessary banter or opportunity for the hosts to go off on an unrelated tangent. As a listener, it’s great to know that you can tune in to each episode assured that you’ll walk away with actionable tips.
The Researcher — Learning To Go
What this podcast is all about:
The Learning To Go podcast (led by one of our very own Innovators, Margie Meachum!) offers a fascinating look at the science of learning. Join Margie on a monthly basis as she sits down with experts in the neuroscience and learning world to discuss how our brain works in relation to knowledge transfer and retention. This interview-based podcast gives an in-depth look behind the curtain on industry leaders and the paths they forge in neuroscience, cognitive psychology, education, and corporate training.
Who this podcast is perfect for:
If learning theory in your heartsong, you’ll love this show! With an extensive backlog of episodes and guest interviews over the years, there’s plenty to learn about the psychology and science behind what makes learning stick.
Why you’ll love tuning in:
As a long-standing show, Margie has really honed her interviewing craft! You’ll love her fast-paced and relatable approach as she keeps the conversation flowing with her guests. Margie facilitates the discussion in a way that is both interesting and relevant with a healthy mix of theoretical and real-life examples.
The Culturist — The TJ Podcast
What this podcast is all about:
Join Jon Kennard and Jo Cook for this hard-hitting, friendly, and informative show produced by the notable publishers of Training Journal and the TJ awards. This relatable duo welcome learning leaders from all over the UK to discuss niche topics, including learning styles, self-development, company culture, AI, action-mapping, working remotely, and more! You can expect to hear teasers for upcoming webinars, recaps from their #TJwow live discussions, and a summary of curated content specific to the UK’s L&D community.
Who this podcast is perfect for:
Are you a learning professional based in the UK? Well then, this podcast might be perfect for you! And of course, for anyone else (like me) who enjoys the dry sense of humor that our friends across the pond are so well known for.
Why you’ll love tuning in:
If you’re looking for a high-energy, entertaining show speaking on niche topics, you’ll love this one! Jon and Jo are not only fun to listen to with their casual repartee, they’re also great about getting straight to the point with their featured guests. With shows being released as often as a few times a week, there’s always something new to explore.
The Traveler — #TLDCast Podcast
What this podcast is all about:
Although more of an audio recap than a podcast, the #TLDCast Podcast is an audio-only summary of #TLDCast— an hour-long, interactive livestream that’s broadcast every weekday and features guests in learning and development, higher education, marketing, and more! TLDC (the Training, Learning, and Development Community) offers a host of resources for learning professionals belonging to their membership program.
Who this podcast is perfect for:
While the podcast is perfect for auditory learners, the live broadcast is the place to be for anyone who wants to feel like they are part of the conversation. This broadcast is great for visual and auditory learners alike in the learning and development community who are interested in not only hearing stories from guests and how they got to be where they are today, but interacting with them in real time!
Why you’ll love tuning in:
With shows premiering every day of the week, there’s no shortage of content to consume. You’ll love the option to choose from a variety of specific topics and featured guests that interest you. And the best part is — you can personalize the way you tune in!
The Learner — Learning and Development Stories
What this podcast is all about:
This season-based podcast (brought to you by Kevin Anselmo of Experiential Communications) welcomes learning and development leaders to share their experience on niche topics from a case study approach. Kevin dons his researcher hat throughout the series as he interviews guests, asking similar questions to each interviewee, then packages up their responses into a series of special reports that you can sign up to receive via his mailing list.
Who this podcast is perfect for:
Anyone interested in organizational learning, but especially those in senior-level positions, will appreciate this podcast. If you’re seeking research-based tactics to apply inside your learning organization, you’ll love this diverse guest lineup that includes leaders in the software, retail, home improvement, and even airline industries!
Why you’ll love tuning in:
If you’re a fan of learning from others who have done the work and seen success, this series might be perfect for you! Tune in to hear firsthand how tried-and-true methods have achieved desired business outcomes before and after training was deployed.
The Intrapreneur — The Millennial Career Playbook
What this podcast is all about:
The Millennial Career Playbook, hosted by our very own CEO, Debbie Wooldridge, and co-hosted by Hy Bender, is a podcast series focused on sharing stories from companies who are doing things right in the Millennial-training world. Debbie and Hy sit down with renowned companies to explore Millennial-friendly training practices, hiring tactics, and innovative techniques to train and retain the incoming workforce.
Speaking of Millennials, have you heard about our signature two-day workshop, The Millenial Project?
Who this podcast is perfect for:
Whether you’re a Millennial seeking more information on specific companies or a learning professional who wants to discover how to craft an intrapreneurial culture — you won’t want to miss an episode! You’ll hear exclusive content never before shared in an open, candid, conversational format.
Why you’ll love tuning in:
If you’re a fan of proven practices, data-driven metrics, and intrapreneurship, then this podcast is for you! Tune in to hear stats, stories, and case studies from top companies who are crafting Millennial-focused strategies that inspire and influence entrepreneurs from the top down!
FREE Download!
Download the first chapter of “Unleashing the Intrapreneur” here and begin to unleash your own intrapreneur today.
Haven’t quite found what you’re looking for in this list? Check out a couple more recommended podcasts for learning professionals that are worth listening to and let us know in the comments if we missed any of your favorites!
