One of the reasons that I decided to become a professional Podcast Producer is because I could see how much real learning I was able to do by listening to podcasts during the time that I might otherwise waste. My morning commutes are key learning opportunities. The treadmill also provides at least a good half hour to listen to one of my favorite business-oriented podcasts .

So take it from a “knowledge junkie.” Podcasts are amazing sources of nearly free learning. If you don’t supplement your ongoing education with targeted podcast consumption, then maybe you aren’t serious about getting that next promotion.

These are the 10 business-oriented podcasts that I have found to be exceptional :

  1. CIO Podcast(website| feed)
    overview: Great in-depth podcast for the manager that needs serious technology content. Might be a little overbearing for some. If technology is not your main focus, then you can get away with just casual listenership.
  2. The Engaging Brand Podcast (website| feed)
    overview: A look at how to create a great place to work by motivation and inspiring your people to high performance.
  3. Manager Tools (website| feed)
    overview - Manager Tools is a weekly podcast focused on helping you become a more effective manager and leader.
  4. Inside PR (website | feed)
    overview: weekly podcast on the PR industry with a Canadian perspective.
  5. 43 Folders (website | feed)
    overview: All sorts of great productivity tips and “lifehacks” from 43 Folders creator Merlin Mann. These episodes are a bit shorter than others listed here, so might be a good choice for those with short commutes and the like.
  6. Brain Brew Radio (website | feed)
    overview: Doug Hall consults for corporate giants by day, but with this entertaining podcast he helps the “little guy” by answering callers’ questions about business marketing and product development. This show is just plain fun to listen to.
  7. Entrepreneur’s Journey by Yaro Starak (website | feed)
    overview: Yaro is a young internet entrepreneur from Australia. You won’t want to miss this fascinating fellow.
  8. Diary of a Shameless Self-Promoter (website | feed)
    overview: Well-produced show with lots of great content. Business owners need to learn the art of self-promotion, and this podcast will get you well on your way to self-promotion greatness.
  9. Search Engine Watch Blog (website | feed)
    overview: Everything you ever wanted to know about what Google, Yahoo and the rest are up to next with their ppc plans, measurement tools, algorithms, etc.
  10. Small Business Radio by Promethius Consulting (website | feed)
    overview: O.K. - this is the “shameless plug” portion of this post. We do work very hard to ensure that our podcast is of great value to business leaders. We cover all sorts of topics, but tend to revisit the technical side of things perhaps more than most.