Working Bitches | Podcasts for Creative Entrepreneurs

I’m new at this whole podcast thing. For a while there, podcasts and videos just weren’t in the cards for me. I find it impossible (and slightly nerve wracking) to listen to things or watch potentially inappropriate videos while the girls are around. But since Ellie started preschool, I’ve dipped my toes into the podcast pool—and I’m hooked.

It started with Serial. If you haven’t listened to it, you should stop everything and follow that link. It’s awesome and I will wait here patiently while you binge listen. If you have listened to it and need something to fill the void, check out Invisibilia. It is also awesome.

Somehow, after Serial I followed a path that has slowly led me to become sort of a business-y podcast nerd. If you told me that a couple of months ago, I would have laughed in your silly face. Pshhhhht. Listening to someone talk about business for pleasure. Yeah right.

But it turns out that there are a bunch of bad ass ladies (and men too—like Nick Loper) that cater to a new kind of businessperson. We’re talking about creative women in yoga pants and top knots laboring over silkscreens to print you witty t-shirts. We’re talking about moms who are juggling babies while writing blog posts and sassy marketing copy for small business owners (who, me?). People who don’t pull on business suits or report to bosses (unless three-year olds count—and they totally should), but are trying to create something of their own, on their own.

It can be scary and frustrating and can leave you feeling like you suck and everyone hates you more often than not. But these podcasts, run by women who have been there and done that, make those feelings sort of evaporate—at least for a little while. They make you realize that you’re not alone in these feelings and they have given me insight that I never thought I’d be exposed to while sitting alone at my desk in my leopard Snuggie.

I’m totally obsessed and on the prowl for more, but here are six podcasts for creative entrepreneurs that I have thoroughly enjoyed:

After the Jump was one of the first of these podcasts that I got into. Hosted by Grace Bonney from Design*Sponge (who I just love), After the Jump features a lot of interviews with designers, shop owners, and independent artists who share their struggles and triumphs and a little bit of what their day-to-day looks like. These interviews give so much insight into the behind the scenes of small businesses.

Jess Lively, host of The Lively Show, strongly believes in living from values-based intentions. Her interviews show how we can use this approach in so many different areas in life to achieve success. She speaks so clearly and passionately that you can’t help but nod your head and get excited to dig in and get to work.

I love a girl who keeps it real, and Tiffany Han does exactly that ( would you expect anything less from the woman behind 100 Rejection Letters???). Her podcast, Raise Your Hand Say Yes with Tiffany Han, features interviews with creatives that go behind the scenes to get to the secret to their success. With topics like Feeling the Fear, Doing the Work, and Starting, Tiffany covers things that we all struggle with and shows how other people get through it.

I hate the word plucky because it often comes across as slightly condescending—like awww, look at that plucky young girl! (is it just me?)—but at the same time, I think it’s a great word to describe Elise. She’s the type of woman who gets an idea and sees it through. She makes things happen. Elise Gets Crafty introduces listeners to smart and really interesting people who are just like her. They share what they’ve learned along their small business/creative journeys and really get your wheels turning.

Explore Your Enthusiasm is the type of podcast that always has me reaching for pen. Tara takes questions or problems and breaks them into actionable solutions—but she never tells you what to do. In fact, she encourages you to figure out what’s best for you in particular instead of following a static template. She shares valuable lessons she’s learned and is totally fascinating to listen to.

Being Boss is brand spanking new (there are only three episodes so far) and hosted by a couple of bad asses: Kathleen from Braid Creative and Emily from Indie Shopography. I love them. The podcast takes a look at the issues facing creative entrepreneurs. So far they’ve tackled Doing the Work, What To Do When You’re Freaking Out About Money, and Redefining Professional. There have been so many nuggets of awesome tucked into each episode so far—I can’t wait to see where they go with this!

Do you listen to podcasts? They’re perfect for when you’re driving or running or doing work that allows you to listen to something. I want more! If you have a favorite, let me know about it in the comments! And they don’t just have to be podcasts for creative entrepreneurs. I’m open to anything fabulous. 😉

Also, if you found this post helpful, check out some of my other small business posts. They include tips, tricks and interviews with some pretty fabulous Girl Bosses.

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