SquadCast’s Team & Community Podcast Recommendations for 2021

My First Million

Sam Parr and Shaan Puri have created an engaging, enlightening, and inspirational podcast around the concept of starting and growing a business, whether offline or online looking at the current trends in the marketplace. You can’t go wrong with Sam and Shaan.

Randy Wilburn, host of I Am Northwest Arkansas

What’s in a Song?

Being married to a songwriter, I am a sucker for songwriting podcasts. If you are into “how the sausage is made” type podcasts, and are a songwriting nerd, this is a new podcast with some amazing guests. The host has been a signed staff songwriter in Nashville, teaches at Berklee College of Music and also published a really good songwriting book.

Dino Cattaneo, host of Authentic Leadership for Everyday People

Scrolls and Leaves

Scrolls and Leaves takes me back to the episodes that are not widely spoken of and ones that I learnt in school history lessons but does not get the recognition of the western world. It truly is history from the margins of the world. Gayathri and Mary Rose do a fantastic job in researching and providing factual arguments.

Arun Sridhar, host of SKRAPS Podcast

A Little Bit Culty

I’ve always had a secret obsession with the subject of cults (and “culty” behavior) so I was thrilled to find this podcast. I’ve learned a LOT from the hosts and their guests – and imagine my surprise after listening to their stories, I realized that a few years ago I (almost) joined a cult, myself!

Paige Friend, host of The Beach Speaks

The Love Doctor

My favorite podcast this year has been The Love Doctor with Dr. Leah Tidey. Full disclaimer, I’ve been on there and I will be again in the next season to come, but it’s been genuinely interesting and I appreciate how she makes sexual health research accessible for folks! She also brings on a wide-range of guests to talk about their respective knowledge. It’s also neat when she brings her husband Levi on to talk about their life, because they discuss incredibly vulnerable topics.

Chris Angel Murphy (they/them), host of Allyship is a Verb

In the Red Clay

I really enjoyed In the Red Clay. It was a very well-rounded bit of storytelling and helped to put Imperative Entertainment on my radar. The story itself is fascinating, but to be told from the point of view of the criminal’s son – as from a father-son relationship – really pulled in new perspectives for me.

Noah Labhart, host of Code Story, Co-founder & CTO of Veryable

World’s Greatest Con

Magician and YouTuber Brian Brushwood tells the story of the most audacious swindle the allies pulled on Germany to win WWII.

Deadair Dennis, host of So, What Do You Really Do?

Bad Queers

My favorite podcast of this year and damn near the whole pandemic so far is Bad Queers. An unapologetically black and queer show hosted by HERs, Shana & Kris. Listening to the show feels like being a queer fly on the wall into conversations between two friends. Queer news/trends, important discussions around intersectionality and how to be an ally (and even a co-conspirator). I have loved every 91 episodes of it.

Leah Jackson (she/her), Founder & CEO Puka Puka Creative

Wild West Extravaganza

I’m a big history podcast buff but there are a few things I like about this one. The host has a great voice that matches well with the content/stories being told. Overall, the host is a wonderful narrator/storyteller and he’s very thorough about getting both sides of events. He’s always open to feedback and encourages others to write in if he’s mistaken on something. He’s also transparent in letting the listener know what his sources are and what’s open to interpretation vs. what’s clear cut. Lastly, he’s very entertaining and doesn’t bore me like some other history podcasts.

This podcast also spurred a huge interest in me to study more about the wild west. After getting some solid book recommendations from the host, I really feel like I was deep diving on these topics and it made me feel great. I guess because I feel like my mental health also improves when I know that I’m truly learning something I’m interested in. You know that feeling when you have a good book and you just don’t wanna stop reading? Having that feeling combined with a podcast is incredible. And it’s an indie one and I love my indie podcasts.

Project Dave, host of Illuminating Mycelium Podcast

Up2

The Up2 podcast is hosted by Adam Kaufman and has an excellent focus on interviewing impressive guests that are “as humble as they are successful.” During the interview, they explore the guests’ challenges, fears, motivations, and what it takes to become a humble leader. On a personal note, Adam helped and encouraged me when I was just getting my show launched.

John Kundtz, host of The Disruptor Podcast

The Dropout

I tuned in to The Drop Out every week to hear a literal play-by-play of the Theranos trial. I was repeatedly struck by how the podcast consistently broke down not only what was happening in the trial, but what those events mean within the narrative of Theranos more broadly, what this all means legally, and who this all impacts. It never got sensational or fell into tabloid-like reporting, but instead was a very approachable, easy breakdown of a very messy story. I was also super impressed that they managed to switch hosts, and yet it didn’t lose anything in its consistency.

Jillian Janflone, co-host of Red, Blue, and Brady

Smartless

The podcast I listen to the most consistently is Smartless. Highly recommend the comedic banter of Sean Hayes, Jason Bateman, and Will Arnett.

Michelle Simone Miller, host of Mentors on the Mic

Hardheaded

I’m the host of my own podcast because of one guy. Chet Sears. A few years back, he walked into my office and said, “We’re doing a podcast.” And, we did. For the company we worked for. I’m still following his lead and learning from him. Now, he’s a co-host on Hardheaded. It’s my best podcast of 2021. Because of Chet Sears.

Greg Harrod, host of Connect Mobilize Deliver

Because of Anita

I listened to lots of great podcasts this year but one stands out: Because of Anita. Her story moved me deeply in 1991 and, unfortunately, continues to have relevance. She’s the only celebrity to whom I’ve ever written a fan letter.

Liz Sumner, host of I Always Wanted To

Pivot

Not breaking around new ground here because it’s won all kinds of awards, but my favorite podcast of the year is Pivot from Vox and NY Magazine. Kara Swisher is one of the greatest journalists of our time. Scott Galloway has incredible insight into the business world when he’s not playing his character of The Dog. I always look forward to their two episodes each week.

Chad Parizman, Principal & Founder, Ader Communications

Lost Women of Science

This is a fantastic expose of the contributions of a little-known female scientist called Cindy Andersen, who discovered why debilitating diseases like cystic fibrosis happen. But the podcast goes into how her achievements in science are not recognised even by her own institution. Hidden gender bias or open discrimination? This one is science communicated through the prism of diversity and inclusion (or lack thereof).

Arun Sridhar, host of SKRAPS Podcast

Lex Fridman Podcast

I love to go deep on complex topics, like math in this case, very quickly and Lex Fridman always delivers.

Zachariah Moreno, Co-founder of SquadCast, Co-host of Between Two Mics: The Remote Recording Podcast, and Crypto Art Show

WTF With Marc Maron

I love quite a few independent podcasts but the episode of a podcast that most recently impacted me is this one from WTF with Marc Maron with guest Kliph Nesteroff. Generally, I love Maron’s in-depth interviews with people I haven’t heard of or thought I knew a lot about.

Rabiah Coon, host of More Than Work

Ghost of a Podcast

Ghost of a Podcast is a weekly astrology and advice podcast, hosted by Jessica Lanyadoo. Lanyadoo is an astrologer, psychic medium, and animal communicator with more than 25 years of consulting experience. She offers guidance that’s practical, inspiring, and helps you help yourself.

Kim Reyes, SquadCast’s Marketing Manager