The 10 Best Startup Podcasts Every Founder Should Listen to in 2025

Running a startup is often described as building the airplane while flying it. You learn as you go, adapt constantly, and absorb lessons wherever you can find them. Podcasts have become one of the best ways for founders to get that learning on the move. They let you hear directly from the people who have built, broken, and rebuilt companies.

The following ten podcasts are among the most insightful for entrepreneurs today. They cover everything from early-stage struggles to growth strategies, culture, and fundraising. Each one offers a different angle on what it really takes to build something that lasts.

1. Masters of Scale

Hosts: Reid Hoffman, co-founder of LinkedIn and partner at Greylock Partners

What’s it About: Masters of Scale explores how successful founders transform small ideas into companies that change industries. Reid Hoffman’s conversations with leaders like Mark Zuckerberg and Sara Blakely reveal the principles and patterns behind sustainable growth. The show balances storytelling with strategy, offering both inspiration and tangible lessons about hiring, culture, and leadership.

Where to Listen / More Info: https://mastersofscale.com/  | Available on Spotify and Apple Podcasts

What You’ll Gain: An understanding of how founders think about scaling, innovation, and long-term decision-making.

2. How I Built This

Hosts: Guy Raz

What’s it About: How I Built This is one of the most personal and revealing podcasts about entrepreneurship. Guy Raz interviews the founders behind iconic companies and draws out their early insecurities, missteps, and breakthroughs. The show emphasizes the emotional and human side of building a business, making it both relatable and deeply motivating.

Where to Listen / More Info: https://www.guyraz.com/ | Available on NPR, Wondery, and podcast platforms

What You’ll Gain: A realistic look at the journey of building from nothing and the mindset needed to stay the course.

3. This Week in Startups

Hosts: Jason Calacanis

What’s it About: This Week in Startups captures the pulse of the tech industry through news analysis and founder interviews. Jason Calacanis brings a mix of sharp insight and frank opinions on trends, funding rounds, and innovation. The tone is conversational but grounded in experience, making it ideal for anyone who wants to stay current with what’s happening in technology and venture capital.

Where to Listen / More Info: https://thisweekinstartups.com/ | Available on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts

What You’ll Gain: Clear perspectives on the latest startup trends, investor behavior, and what drives success in early-stage tech.

4. Mixergy

Hosts: Andrew Warner

What’s it About: Mixergy focuses on the unpolished truth of entrepreneurship. Andrew Warner is known for pushing guests to go beyond clichés and talk honestly about mistakes, pivots, and learning moments. Episodes are practical, often focused on specific tactics that founders used to grow their businesses, from marketing to team management.

Where to Listen / More Info: https://mixergy.com/ | Also on Spotify and Apple Podcasts

What You’ll Gain: Actionable insights from real founders who built their companies from the ground up.

5. Startups For the Rest of Us

Hosts: Rob Walling and Mike Taber

What’s it About: Startups For the Rest of Us speaks directly to founders who are building sustainable, independent companies rather than chasing massive valuations. Rob and Mike draw from their own experiences as bootstrapped founders to discuss everything from launching products to managing burnout. It’s a practical, grounded show that feels like advice from a trusted mentor.

Where to Listen / More Info: startupsfortherestofus.com | Available on all major podcast apps

What You’ll Gain: Practical systems and advice for running a small, profitable company without outside capital.

6. Entrepreneurs on Fire

HostsJohn Lee Dumas

What’s it About: Entrepreneurs on Fire delivers quick, energetic interviews with entrepreneurs who share their biggest wins, lessons, and mistakes. The show’s pace and enthusiasm make it ideal for daily motivation. John Lee Dumas focuses on consistency, mindset, and practical habits that keep founders moving forward.

Where to Listen / More Info: https://www.eofire.com/ | Also available on Spotify and Apple Podcasts

What You’ll Gain: A daily spark of motivation and practical advice from entrepreneurs who have faced similar challenges.

7. The Full Ratchet

Hosts: Nick Moran and Nate Pierotti

What’s it About: The Full Ratchet takes listeners inside the world of venture capital. Nick Moran speaks with investors, fund managers, and founders to explain how deals get made and what VCs look for when evaluating startups. The podcast is clear, transparent, and educational, especially for founders preparing to raise capital.

Where to Listen / More Info: https://fullratchet.net/ | Available on Spotify and Apple Podcasts

What You’ll Gain: A detailed understanding of how investors think and how to prepare for the fundraising process.

8. SaaS Interviews with CEOs, Startups, Founders

Hosts: Nathan Latka

What’s it About: Nathan Latka’s interviews with SaaS founders are short, direct, and data-driven. Each episode covers metrics like monthly recurring revenue, churn rate, and acquisition costs, offering a rare look at real company numbers. It’s ideal for founders who appreciate specifics rather than theory.

Where to Listen / More Info: https://getlatka.com/podcast | Available on Spotify and Apple Podcasts

What You’ll Gain: Benchmark data, insights into SaaS economics, and ideas for pricing and retention.

9. All-In Podcast

Hosts: Chamath Palihapitiya, Jason Calacanis, David Sacks, and David Friedberg

What’s it About: The All-In Podcast is part business roundtable and part debate show. Four accomplished investors and founders discuss technology, economics, politics, and markets with sharp insight and humor. It’s an unfiltered look at how big thinkers analyze the forces shaping startups and global innovation.

Where to Listen / More Info: https://allin.com/ | Available on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify

What You’ll Gain: A deeper understanding of how macro trends influence startup ecosystems and investment decisions.

10. The Startup Ideas Podcast

Hosts: Greg Isenberg

What’s it About: The Startup Ideas Podcast is short and focused on creativity. Greg Isenberg explores emerging business trends and shares frameworks for identifying new opportunities. Rather than interviews, the episodes feel like brainstorming sessions guided by an experienced product thinker.

Where to Listen / More Info: gregisenberg.com/podcast | Available on Spotify and Apple Podcasts

What You’ll Gain: Inspiration and tools for generating business ideas and spotting market gaps before others do.

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