I love learning.

If you’re here reading, that probably isn’t a secret and I’m guessing you love it too.

I write every week about my thinking and learning, and it rarely lives in just one place. It doesn’t matter which medium it comes from. I take it all in and layer it. Books. Articles. Conversations. Observations of people. Interactions that feel affirming and ones that stretch me in uncomfortable ways. All of it shapes how I think and how I lead.

I’m also a big podcast listener.

I started out listening almost exclusively to education podcasts as a way to deepen the learning I was already doing around literacy, high-impact instructional practices, coaching, and leadership. A few years ago, I even co-wrote an article for Edutopia with Elisabeth Bostwick titled Making Podcasts Part of Professional Learning, highlighting some of the education podcasts that have anchored my thinking and that I still return to.

But over time, my listening has expanded.

These days, many of the podcasts I go back to most don’t necessarily live in the education space. And yet, they continue to elevate my thinking in education. They challenge how I see people. They stretch my thinking about instruction, leadership, identity, purpose, resilience, creativity, and growth. They influence how I show up in rooms, how I listen, and how I make decisions.

I listen in the margins of my day. While getting ready for work. During a workout. Standing on a line in a store. Sometimes while driving. And to be clear, I value downtime too. There are days when silence is exactly what I need. But when I do press play, I’m intentional about what I’m taking in.

This week, I’m sharing ten podcasts I keep coming back to, ones that are in steady rotation depending on the day and what I need.

This is not a “best of” list. It’s not comprehensive. And it’s certainly not the only space worth exploring. Podcasting has exploded over the last several years, and I feel like I’ve barely scratched the surface. Just like books, some podcasts are ones we return to again and again. Others are waiting on the horizon for the right moment.

These are simply the ones I keep coming back to right now.

They aren’t education podcasts.

But they are absolutely shaping the way I think about education.

Because ideas don’t live in silos. The way we think about leadership, humanity, creativity, resilience, and growth everywhere shows up in how we teach, coach, and lead in schools.

The Podcasts 

I’ve curated a list of podcasts I’m currently listening to. I invite you to click the titles of the podcasts to explore them more.

The Big Deal with Codie Sanchez

Hosted by Codie Sanchez, The Big Deal dives into unconventional strategies for building wealth, ownership, and leverage in life and work. Each episode features candid conversations that challenge traditional ideas about success and risk. Codie and her guests often return to themes of clarity in decision-making and long-term thinking, timeless leadership lessons delivered through real-world business stories and hard-won insights. Recent episodes highlight how embracing a contrarian mindset and focusing on fundamentals can lead to outsized results.

Recent Guests:

• Dr. Shadé Zahrai – Harvard-trained leadership expert and confidence researcher
  
• Ciara – Grammy-winning artist and entrepreneur (discussing manifestation and business growth)
  
• Ryan Serhant – Real estate mogul and star of Selling Sunset, sharing sales and negotiation tactics
  

On Purpose with Jay Shetty

On Purpose is hosted by former monk-turned-author Jay Shetty, and it centers on meaning, mindfulness, and human connection. Jay engages celebrities, experts, and thought leaders in deep conversations about finding purpose and living with intention. The discussions often explore how we lose and rediscover our sense of purpose, an especially relevant theme for anyone in leadership facing change or burnout. Jay’s warm interview style and insightful reflections make complex ideas about happiness and fulfillment accessible and actionable.

Recent Guests:

• Jaspreet Singh – Financial educator (Minority Mindset) sharing practical advice on money and mindset
  
• Mel Robbins – Motivational speaker and author, on setting boundaries and overcoming people-pleasing
  
• Matthew McConaughey – Oscar-winning actor and author, discussing ambition, faith, and defining success
  

ReThinking with Adam Grant

Organizational psychologist Adam Grant hosts ReThinking, where listeners are invited to question assumptions and reconsider what they think they know. Each episode features lively discussions with some of the world’s most interesting thinkers, creators, and leaders. Adam’s mission is to uncover bold insights and surprising science that encourage intellectual humility and lifelong learning. The podcast consistently pushes leaders to stay curious rather than certain, illustrating how embracing the discomfort of “not knowing” can lead to growth and innovation .

Recent Guests:

• Ken Burns – Acclaimed documentary filmmaker, sharing lessons on storytelling, grief, and legacy
  
• Shannon Hale – Bestselling children’s author, on nurturing empathy and young readers in a digital age
  
• Eric Topol – Cardiologist and longevity researcher, debunking anti-aging myths and sharing science-backed health insights
  

The Mel Robbins Podcast (with Mel Robbins)

On The Mel Robbins Podcast, Mel Robbins blends research, storytelling, and tangible tools for improving your life and work. Episodes range from solo deep-dives to interviews, all aimed at boosting confidence, building better habits, and improving self-talk. Mel’s delivery is energetic and relatable, and she often distills complex psychological concepts into memorable takeaways. Listeners frequently come away with practical language and strategies they can apply immediately, to themselves and in their interactions with others.

Recent Guests:

• David Bach – Personal finance expert and author of The Automatic Millionaire, on mastering money habits
  
• James Clear – Habit formation expert and author of Atomic Habits, sharing fresh insights on behavior change
  
• Dr. Betsy Grunch – Neurosurgeon (“LadySpineDoc”), offering a 2026 health reset plan to build strength and reduce pain
  

Evolving with Gratitude with Lainie Rowell

Hosted by educator and author Lainie Rowell, Evolving with Gratitude centers on reflection, gratitude, and intentional living. This podcast has a quieter, more contemplative tone, each conversation invites listeners to slow down and notice the often-overlooked moments that shape us. Guests range from educators to authors and leaders who speak honestly about personal growth and identity. Together with Lainie, they explore how practicing gratitude and reframing challenges can lead to professional growth and deeper connections. The show feels like a gentle nudge toward mindfulness and appreciation, even amid a busy leadership life.

Recent Guests:

• Dr. Maya Shankar – Cognitive scientist and podcast host, on navigating change and finding growth on the other side of unexpected life shifts
  
• Daniel Pink – Bestselling author, discussing how regret can be a powerful teacher for making wiser, more intentional choices
  
• Katherine Schwarzenegger Pratt – Author and advocate, sharing how love, patience, and trust helped her face fears and build confidence
  

The Tim Ferriss Show with Tim Ferriss

The Tim Ferriss Show deconstructs world-class performance across eclectic fields—from investing and tech to sports and art. Tim Ferriss uses long-form interviews to tease out the habits, tools, and tactics that listeners can apply in their own lives. What sets this podcast apart is Tim’s knack for probing questions and willingness to experiment on himself, which leads to in-depth discussions about everything from mindfulness to biohacking. For leaders and learners, the show offers a masterclass in continuous improvement and self-experimentation, all delivered through candid conversations with high achievers.

Recent Guests:

• Steve Young – Hall of Fame NFL quarterback turned investor, on high performance, reinvention, and blending ambition with faith
  
• Arthur Brooks – Harvard professor and happiness expert, discussing meaning, “happiness portfolios,” and why suffering can be sacred
  
• Bill Gurley – Legendary venture capitalist, on investing in the AI era and life lessons from decades of observing tech innovators
  

The Jefferson Fisher Podcast with Jefferson Fisher

Attorney and communication coach Jefferson Fisher uses The Jefferson Fisher Podcast to deliver actionable strategies for navigating tough conversations and setting healthy boundaries. Most episodes are solo deep-dives where Jefferson draws on his legal experience to teach listeners how to stay calm, clear, and confident in conflicts. The advice is highly practical…you’ll often hear step-by-step breakdowns of phrases to use or avoid in specific scenarios. What makes this show compelling is Jefferson’s focus on civility and presence; he doesn’t just want you to “win” an argument, but to handle it with grace and self-respect. This podcast can sharpen any leader’s listening skills and ability to respond (not react) under pressure.

Recent Guest Appearance:

(While this podcast is primarily solo, Jefferson occasionally brings on a guest expert.)

• Robert Greene – Author of The 48 Laws of Power, joined Jefferson to discuss the dynamics of power, manipulation, and protecting oneself from toxic behavior
  

The Daily Stoic with Ryan Holiday

Hosted by author Ryan Holiday, The Daily Stoic is a short-form daily podcast drawing on Stoic philosophy to explore resilience, discipline, and perspective. Each morning’s episode offers a bite-sized meditation on applying ancient wisdom to modern challenges, making Stoic principles accessible and relevant. In addition to these daily insights, Ryan periodically features interviews with thinkers, leaders, and even historians who connect Stoicism to contemporary life. The overarching reminder for listeners is that steady, grounded leadership and personal virtue have always mattered, and perhaps never more so than in chaotic times.

Recent Guests:

• Adam Skolnick – Journalist and author, sharing his journey through impostor syndrome and the art of persistence
  
• Oliver Burkeman – Journalist and productivity skeptic, explaining why the quest to “get on top of everything” is futile and how to rethink our relationship with time
  
• General Stanley McChrystal – Retired four-star general, reflecting on leadership, character, and doing hard things in uncertain times (featured in a special two-part interview on building resilient teams)
  

The Diary of a CEO with Steven Bartlett

The Diary of a CEO features entrepreneur Steven Bartlett in raw, long-form interviews with guests who are remarkably open about their ambitions, failures, and personal growth. Steven’s conversational style encourages vulnerability, often resulting in deeply honest discussions that resonate with what many professionals privately experience (but don’t always say out loud). Topics range from mental health and burnout to innovation and identity, always circling back to the human side of success. Each episode feels like eavesdropping on a therapy session meets mentoring lunch, giving leaders permission to acknowledge their own doubts and dreams.

Recent Guests (last five):

• John Kiriakou – Former CIA officer-turned-whistleblower, revealing truths about surveillance, security, and the personal cost of speaking out
  
• Tony Robbins – Famed life strategist, sharing his outlook on the next decade’s challenges and how to master your mind and emotions
  
• Dr. Anna Lembke – Stanford psychiatrist and addiction expert, discussing how dopamine-driven habits (from social media to substances) are hijacking our brains and how to restore balance
  

The Happiness Lab with Dr. Laurie Santos

Dr. Laurie Santos’s The Happiness Lab explores the science of well-being in a fun and research-driven way. Episodes often feature interviews with psychologists, scientists, or even celebrities, all dissecting what truly makes us happy (and why our intuitions about happiness are often wrong). Recent seasons have presented “guide” series (like Getting Unstuck) focused on habits, relationships, and coping with stress. The tone is deeply rooted in research yet entirely accessible—Dr. Santos translates academic studies into practical advice and relatable stories. As an educator, she brings a warmth and optimism that make you actually want to apply these lessons in your life and work, whether it’s embracing imperfection or practicing gratitude.

Recent Guests (last five):

• David Brooks – New York Times columnist and author, reflecting on redefining success and focusing on what truly matters for personal fulfillment
  
• Dr. Maya Shankar – Behavioral scientist and former Obama White House advisor, sharing strategies for navigating life’s big changes and finding growth through uncertainty
  
• Dr. Diana Hill – Clinical psychologist and author, explaining how to stop pouring energy into the wrong things and align actions with values for a more purposeful life

Access these podcasts on the digital board HERE, or simply click the image to explore.

Questions for Educators Listening Beyond Education

If you’re an educator, here are a few questions I find myself holding when I listen to podcasts outside our field:

• What ideas here challenge how I currently think about leadership or learning?
  
• What language or stories might help me listen differently to students or colleagues?
  
• How does this conversation deepen my understanding of people, not just practices?
  
• What feels transferable to schools, even if it wasn’t designed for education?
  

And if you’re not in education, I’d offer the reverse invitation. Try listening to education podcasts from time to time. Listen to what learners, teachers, and leaders are navigating. The conversations happening in schools are deeply connected to the world we’re all shaping together.

I’ll end where I began.

I love learning. And like books, podcasts meet us where we are. Some stay with us for a while. Others wait patiently until we’re ready. What matters most isn’t how many we listen to, but how we let ideas layer, stretch us, and shape the way we show up.

Which podcasts are shaping your thinking right now, and what are they teaching you about the work you do every day?