Out of all the mediums, why should we be listening to music podcasts? Blogs are easy to skim and get the gist of the author’s idea. Well-done videos can be both entertaining and informing. Books are timeless.

So why podcasts?

Well, first, you can listen to a podcast while you’re doing other things. And while it’s true the human brain literally can’t do more than one thing at a time¹, you can do a task that mostly requires bodily movement instead of using brainpower. For example, you can do the dishes, organize your recording studio, or drive somewhere, all while listening to a podcast that helps you become a better musician.

Second, you get tips, advice, and life lessons from artists you’ll probably never speak with in real life. If you think about this, it’s pretty amazing. You can hear directly from Bono and The Edge on how they created one of their tracks. Almost none of us will get the chance to sit down with those two at the local coffeehouse to talk music production. Podcasts offer the unique chance to hear your favorite Songwriters and musicians talk about their creative process.

Third, some podcasts tell stories about past musicians. We can listen to a Journalist or storyteller share about musicians who have risen, fallen, and risen again — and we can learn a lot from another artist’s experiences. And maybe we can avoid similar pitfalls and pursue similar successes.

And lastly, podcasts can encourage us to make better music and more music. There’s something inspiring about hearing an artist’s voice sharing what they know. Plus, if a podcast is done well, it can use the power of music to tap into our emotions, motivating us to keep going and improve our lives.

So here are the best music podcasts for any modern musician who’s looking to better themselves.

These podcasts have a host-interviewee setup and feature some of the most talented Songwriters, artists, and Producers today.

Even though ATWI is thought of as a “Songwriter’s podcast,” it’s great for any musician looking for an inspirational story. Each episode, multi-platinum Songwriter Ross Golan talks with his fellow Songwriters about what goes on behind the curtain of the music industry. The Songwriters Golan sits down with include people like Ryan Tedder, Andy Grammar, Teddy Geiger, Charlie Puth, Julia Michael, and a bunch of others².

Where you can listen: Apple Podcasts, Stitcher.

If you love the process of writing and recording, Song Exploder may hook you. As its website says, it’s “a podcast where musicians take apart their songs, and piece by piece, tell the story of how they were made.” It’s hosted and edited by the founder Hrishikesh Hirway.

He uses the individual tracks from the song, isolates them, and takes the listener through how the artist put the pieces together. You can hear the breakdown of songs from U2, Fleetwood Mac, The Cranberries, Metallica, Yo-Yo Ma, and so many other super talented folks³.

Where you can listen: Apple Podcasts, Stitcher.

The Third Story podcast is about “the stories we never tell.” It’s where art meets the craft, where people’s lives meet their professions. Each episode, host Leo Sidran talks with all different types of creative people, many times musicians. It’s meant to compel the rest of us to create stuff. Stories can do that to us — get us moving toward our creative goals⁴.

Where you can listen: Apple Podcasts, Soundcloud, Stitcher.

The New Music Business podcast is hosted by indie musician and best-selling author Ari Herstand. In each episode, he interviews a music industry person to deconstruct a specific topic in order to help other indie musicians. Herstand is known for his no-fluff approach where he asks the hard questions and pushes for a solid answer. He’s interviewed streaming platform executives, music supervisors, and successful indie musicians.

Where you can listen: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, Acast.

The NDPNDNT podcast is hosted by two full-time indie musicians, Nic D and Connor Price. They interview their fellow indie artists who have made music their career, and they also have entire episodes where they answer people’s questions. I appreciate their no-BS approach to teaching artists how to become a full-time musician, all based on their first-hand experiences.

Where you can listen: Apple Podcasts, Spotify.

For all the songwriters (or aspiring songwriters) out there, The Working Songwriter podcast is a helpful and insightful option. In nearly 200 episodes, host and singer-songwriter Joe Pug interviews acclaimed songwriters like Brandon Flowers of The Killers, Bahamas, and Matt Nathanson. They talk about the craft, the business, and the life of a professional musician in a conversational tone, making it easy to both enjoy and learn from.

Where you can listen: Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, SoundCloud, Spotify.

Questlove Supreme, hosted by Questlove, the Drummer of The Roots, includes interviews with other artists (not just musicians), conversations about pop culture, and plenty of humor. So far, some of the guests have been Solange, Maya Rudolph, and Q-Tip. Any podcast where you learn while laughing is a keeper, as is this one⁵.

Where you can listen: Pandora.

These podcasts are in the realm of music history or stories about music. Not only are they interesting, but they’re also inspiring in that they show us how to be and not be a successful musician.

Using a play on Elvis’ ranch home in Memphis, Disgraceland is all about “musicians getting away with murder,” so to speak. Basically, any time a famous musician falls from grace, it becomes potential material for this podcast. Each episode explores a new and crazy celebrity centered story involving criminal activity. If you like music history, pop culture, and true crime, you’ll probably enjoy these 30-minute stories⁶.

Where you can listen: Apple Podcasts, Stitcher.

In Stay Free, you’ll learn a lot about The Clash, but you’ll also learn about Public Enemy, another politically charged and rebellious band. The host, Chuck D., co-founded Public Enemy after seeking to become “the hip-hop version” of The Clash’s Drummer. So if punk music is your thing, this podcast is your type of venue⁷.

Where you can listen: Spotify.

Mogul is the story of hip-hop and the people within those stories. It’s no longer active because the host, Reggie Ossé (AKA Combat Jack), passed away in December 2017 from colon cancer⁸. But, through the handful of episodes they released, Ossé takes the listeners through the life and murder of hip-hop giant Chris Lighty.

Lighty managed Missy Elliot, Busta Rhymes, LL Cool J, 50 Cent, and many other Rappers. Sadly, he was found dead in his home in 2012. This podcast is the story of Lighty⁹.

Hosted by best-selling Author Malcolm Gladwell, Broken Records is all about the liner notes. For decades, it was the main way (besides the actual music) that people experienced albums. This podcast is trying to relive those days by telling stories of that music. It creates its own liner notes in a way, just in audio format instead of written.

Plus, the two people collaborating with Gladwell are Music Producer Rick Rubin and former New York Times Editor Bruce Headlam¹⁰.

Where you can listen: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher.

These podcasts get right to the point: how can we musicians be better at what we do? How can we reach our musical goals? They mostly involve one or two hosts talking through an idea, and sometimes they involve an interview with an artist.

Songs and Writers is one of the most unique podcasts I’ve heard of in a while.

The hosts, alt/folk duo Michael Dale and Tom Harrison, challenge Songwriters to write a song based on instructions they make up. It could be a certain four chords, a lyric, or even just a theme. Then the Songwriters record themselves through each stage of the songwriting process. It sounds like a neat look into the varying ways different Songwriters create music, and something that may be inspirational to you¹¹.

Where you can listen: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Play.

The DIY Musician Podcast from CD Baby is full of tips for being a musician, mainly focusing on the business and marketing side of things. The hosts, Kevin Breuner (musician/the main host), Chris Bolton (search marketing for the CD Baby), and Chris Robley (co-host/solo artist), take the listener through how to promote your music and just generally keep going.

Any indie musician should give this podcast a try because we all need to know how to do the not-so-fun stuff¹².

Where you can listen: iTunes, Stitcher.

Any musician who’s looking to get paid for making music (which is all of us, right?) should check out Don’t Keep Your Day Job.

Host Cathy Heller, a Singer-Songwriter and founder of sync licensing company Shoot The Moon, offers her knowledge of the music industry. She gives practical steps we musicians can do to make a living in music. She’s very extroverted and passionate, so it seems like an energizing podcast. She also interviews other musicians who have lots of expertise to offer to the listener¹³.

Where you can listen: Apple Podcasts, Soundcloud, Stitcher, Google Play, Spotify.

The Music Production Podcast explores the “technique, philosophy, gear, creativity, and productivity” of producing music. It’s hosted by Brian Funk, AKA AfroDJMac. He sits down with music people who really know their stuff, or he goes solo to share his knowledge of making music, plenty of which he has.

He’s not only a solo artist, but he’s also played in various touring rock bands and he’s an Ableton Certified Trainer¹⁴.

Where you can listen: iTunes, Stitcher, Google Play, Spotify, YouTube.

I’m not expecting you to listen to every single one of these podcasts. But here’s what I would suggest: pick one podcast that sounds compelling from each category and start with those.

I’m betting you’ll be inspired.