Looking for inspiration between meetings?
We’ve scoured the internet for the best L&D podcasts to add to your learning routine.
If you have search fatigue after hunting for a podcast that suits your unique role in the L&D market, we’ve got you covered. At Absorb HQ, we’re big fans of podcasts. The medium continues to thrive with 90 million Americans listening to weekly podcasts and 47% listening to podcasts monthly. As learning advocates, what better way to stay inspired as an L&D professional than by learning during your lunchtime walk or gym session?
To help us all out, we’ve rallied our team to compile the perfect shows:
- Best for improving learner retention and engagement
- Best for enterprise success stories
- Best for ambitious learning designers
- Best for strategic L&D leadership
- And more!
There are so many great podcasts to discover, so scroll through to find the top L&D podcasts based on your topic of interest.
Excellence at Work podcast
Best for data-driven L&D solutions
IMAGE: EXCELLENCE AT WORK PODCAST
The industry is adjusting to changes in AI, how success is measured, and continuous experimentation in talent management strategy. The Excellence at Work podcast will get you excited for the bright future of L&D with blueprints for navigating every area of digital transformation, from nurturing leadership development in a globalized world to integrating AI into your learning development strategy.
Past guests: Kimberly Williams, CEO of Absorb Software and Anna Sargsyan, AllenComm's Chief Learning Officer
Start with: The L&D Landscape: Navigating Challenges and Opportunities
Subscribe: YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts
Return on Intelligence podcast
Best for strategic L&D leadership
IMAGE: RETURN ON INTELLIGENCE PODCAST
Craving the tips you need to up your L&D leadership game? Check out our very own Return on Intelligence podcast, hosted by leadership expert Rich Fernandez from SIY Global. Each episode dives into the brilliant minds shaping industries like AI, HR technology, workplace management, and L&D research. With insights from trailblazing guests, you'll walk away more informed, confident, strategic— and ready to take on the next challenge in your L&D journey.
Past guests: Dr. Nikki Mirghafori, artificial intelligence scientist and internationally recognized Buddhist teacher and Gary Hamill, co-author of Wall Street Journal bestseller Humanocracy
Start with: How to create and measure the impact of L&D
Subscribe: YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts
Marketing for Learning podcast
Best for strategies to promote your learning content
IMAGE: MARKETING FOR LEARNING PODCAST
Hosts Ash and Han know how to create a campaign around learning content. Their lively delivery of topics in learning communications and awareness campaigns is fit for listening during your lunchtime walk to get a burrito bowl. Expect a mix of mostly bite-sized and some longer interview-style episodes with fun anecdotes and real-world examples. A recent episode even describes the recent comeback of 90s band Oasis as inspiration for marketing your courses.
Past guests: Sam Goodman, ITPEnergised’s L&D Manager and Laura Card, Director at Manpower Group
Start with: The Bandwagon Effect or When Learning Incentives Backfire
Subscribe: Spotify, Apple Podcasts
Impact Learning Visionaries podcast
Best for use cases in emerging technologies
IMAGE: IMPACT LEARNING VISIONARIES PODCAST
Get ready to add some zest to your learning strategy. Host and emerging tech veteran Jason Haddock invites bold minds of the L&D industry who are redefining what it means to deliver training and development. The guests are imaginative, methodical, and, at times, whimsical! Have a listen to discover the joy of learning about new technology like data analytics, human performance technology, XR, gamification, and more.
Past guests: Rory Sacks, former Senior Learning and Development leader at Investopedia Academy and Dr. Shannon Putman, XR and education entrepreneur
Start with: Impact Learning Visionaries Podcast Se3 Ep7 ft Cathy Hoy
Subscribe: YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts
Neuroscience Meets Social and Emotional Learning podcast
Best for improving learner retention and engagement
IMAGE: NEUROSCIENCE MEETS SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL LEARNING PODCAST
Our industry is starting to understand how to use technology like gamification to revive tired legacy LMS content—but how does it actually work? Listen to Andrea Samadi’s podcast to learn why all brains need accessible, intuitive, research-based learning experiences. This special show is in its twelfth season, with each series covering a different theme or topic to help you get into your learners' minds. And no need to be intimidated by the word ‘neuroscience’. Episodes like ‘Priming the Reticular Activating System to Achieve Our Goals in 2023” are delivered with Andrea’s beginner-friendly language and anecdotes from popular science communicators like Andrew Huberman. The side benefit? You’ll probably become the most interesting person at the conference cocktail reception.
Past guests: Chris Marshall, author of ‘Decoding Change’ and Ike Diogu, professional basketball player for Nigeria’s national team
Start with: Exploring Neuroscience and Gamification in Financial Literacy Education with Dr. Alexis Samuels
Subscribe: YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcast
The Edge of Work podcast
Best for enterprise success stories
IMAGE: THE EDGE OF WORK PODCAST
Tuning in to The Edge of Work podcast is like walking into a boardroom meeting with an invisibility cloak and listening in on the secrets of an enterprise’s success. Hosted by Al Dea, this podcast always puts the future of work front and center. Al interviews thought leaders, innovators, and change-makers who are transforming how we work, lead and scale global organizations. Whether it's workplace culture, leadership trends, or new strategies for team success, The Edge of Work offers actionable insights to help you thrive as an ambitious L&D professional.
Past guests: Jolen Anderson, Chief People and Community Officer at BetterUp and Sarah Tilley, SVP of Talent Acquisition and Management at ServiceNow
Start with: How ServiceNow is Designing and Delivering a Holistic Talent Strategy
Subscribe: Spotify, Apple Podcasts
What Works podcast
Best for HR leaders
IMAGE: WHAT WORKS PODCAST
These 20-minute episodes for HR leaders are perfect for fitting into your workday. Join corporate L&D legend Josh Bersin and his team as they take turns interviewing guests in manufacturing, wholesale retail, HR technology innovators and much more. This podcast is interspersed with solo episodes from Josh where he shares his hot takes on the latest articles and news in HR technology.
Past guests: Susan Podlogar, former CHRO at MetLife and Kathi Enderes, SVP and Global Analyst
Start with: “So HR is Making You Miserable?” How HR Can Make Their Jobs Better. E176
Subscribe: Spotify, Apple Podcasts
The Business of Learning podcast
Best for someone new to the L&D industry
IMAGE: THE BUSINESS OF LEARNING PODCAST
In seven seasons of The Business of Learning, hosts Michelle and Sarah provide a wealth of knowledge. Each episode invites experts to have in-depth conversations that look at all sides of learning and development providing helpful insights, viewpoints, and tips for people within the industry. They also cover current topics that can help industry workers keep up-to-date with the latest trends within the vertical.
Past guests: Dr. Amy DuVernet, CPTM, director of training and development at Training Industry and Shauna Begley, founder of ModernWork and head of the Business Information Technology program at British Columbia Institute of Technology.
Start with: The Business of Learning, Episode 71: Learning Reinforcement - Delivering Learning that “Sticks”
Subscribe: YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts
Learning Uncut podcast
Best for strengthening your team’s performance
IMAGE: LEARNING UNCUT PODCAST
Whether you’re a new LMS administrator or a senior leader, host Michelle Ockers covers a stimulating mix of tips, trends, and case studies. This podcast is perfect if you think it's time to start thinking differently about your role and how you collaborate with different functions in your workplace’s learning strategy.
Past guests: Dinye Hernanda, L&D expert at Digital8.ai and Michelle Perry-Slater, Development Director at Kairos Modern Learning
Start with: Future-proofing Your Organization with Adaptive Skills
Subscribe: YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts
ifyouaskbetty podcast
Best for ambitious learning designers
IMAGE: IFYOUASKBETTY PODCAST
If you like overhearing the juicy industry insights in the dark corners of a conference venue, Betty Danewitz has you covered. Betty brings her L&D friends and over two decades of L&D experience together to gab about honest takes on what’s holding L&D teams back, possibilities in emerging L&D VR technology, and insightful pop culture epithets—like how lessons from the Barbie movie can be applied to everyday L&D.
Past guests: Dr. Luke Hobson, Assistant Director of Instructional Design at MIT and Hayley Penrod, Senior Accessibility Specialist at Salesforce
Start with: Take charge of your own development
Subscribe: YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts
Share your own podcast recommendation
Listening to a serial podcast in L&D can have surprising benefits! Every day at work we need to make decisions, and those decisions require continuous learning. Although we can see the latest trends for our industry on LinkedIn, X or TikTok, podcasts are a more substantive way to start turning your daydreaming into your next strategy.
We want to know—are we missing any podcasts you're loving right now? Share this list of Top 10 Podcasts for 2024 on LinkedIn along with your own podcast recommendation.
