Starting or managing a small or medium-sized business (SMB) is a journey best guided by those who’ve walked the path before you. Podcasts offer entrepreneurs a chance to gain valuable information and connect with thought leaders in their field.
In under an hour, you can find comprehensive answers and practical advice for business strategy and execution challenges that have weighed on your mind — or even ones you hadn’t considered.
Here are some of the best podcasts for small business owners curated by your friends here at Salesforce.
What we’ll cover:
Top podcasts for small business owners
Whether you’re sipping your morning coffee or driving to your next meeting, these podcasts are your go-to companions for growth and inspiration. Let’s dive in.
1. “The Tim Ferriss Show”
Website: The Tim Ferriss Show
Host: Tim Ferriss
Tim Ferriss, an entrepreneur, author, and early investor in companies like Twitter and Duolingo, is best known for his ability to uncover the strategies behind success. Since 2014, he has hosted a top-rated business podcast where prominent guests share their journeys. Ferriss is admired for asking thoughtful yet approachable questions, allowing his guests to dive deep into their achievements in fields like marketing, entertainment, and motivational speaking.
What really sets The Tim Ferriss Show apart is how Tim takes business ideas and makes them feel doable. Tim has a knack for getting people to open up about the stuff that doesn’t usually make it into interviews — the messy parts, the mistakes, the weird routines that actually work. If you’re running a small business and looking for better ways to manage your time or think creatively, this podcast gives you real takeaways you can try out right away.
2. “StartUp”
Website: StartUp
Hosts: Alex Blumberg and Lisa Chow
Although production concluded in 2020, nearly 100 episodes remain, offering a valuable guide for aspiring entrepreneurs. Hosted by Alex Blumberg and Lisa Chow, the podcast features guests from a variety of fields, including politics, entertainment, activism, media, and customer service. Regardless of their diverse backgrounds, each guest has successfully built something remarkable and is eager to share their experiences.
StartUp feels more like a story than a business podcast. You get to hear what it’s really like to start your business. It’s not perfect or polished, and that’s what makes it so helpful. You hear what people go through behind the scenes, and it reminds you that figuring things out as you go is totally normal.
3. “The $100 MBA Show”
Website: The $100 MBA Show
Host: Omar Zenhom
After launching The $100 MBA course with Nicole Baldinu, Omar Zenhom began hosting a supplemental podcast that has put out over 2,000 episodes in the past decade. While “The $100 MBA Show” occasionally features longer-form interviews, the bulk of the episodes are under 20 minutes, addressing specific questions like “How do I make more sales without being sales-y?” and “What’s the difference between a CRM and email marketing software?” The latter is particularly important, as customer relationship management CRM) tools help increase productivity, streamline collaboration, and support secure business growth.
One of the best things about this podcast is how easy it is to fit into a busy day. You don’t need to set aside an hour. Just hit play during your morning coffee or a quick break. Omar gets straight to the point and explains things clearly, and he gives you something useful every time. If you’re stuck on a small problem or just want to learn something new fast, this show makes learning about business feel less overwhelming.
4. “Masters of Scale”
Website: Masters of Scale
Host: Reid Hoffman
Primarily hosted by LinkedIn co-founder Reid Hoffman, “Masters of Scale” is a detailed look at how C-suite superstars — such as FUBU CEO Daymond John and Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos — were able to take their companies from fledgling startups to multi-million-dollar powerhouses. The spinoff “Masters of Scale: Rapid Response,” hosted by Bob Safian, takes a more timely approach, covering breaking topics like the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) and the potential impact of political events on the business world. Another podcast from the WaitWhat family, “Pioneers of AI,” dives into how AI is changing the world of business and, specifically, small business. Salesforce data shows that 90% of small business owners say AI makes their operations more efficient.
Masters of Scale is like sitting down with some of the most successful entrepreneurs and hearing how they turned their ideas into empires. Reid asks the tough questions and uncovers what really made these businesses thrive. You’ll get a sense of the bigger picture while learning the small, crucial decisions that made a difference. If you’re a small business owner, it’s a great way to understand how big players think and what you can apply to your own growth strategy.
5. “Think Like an Owner”
Website: Think Like an Owner
Host: Alex Bridgeman
Alex Bridgeman launched “Think Like an Owner” as a student at the University of Portland, aiming to uncover how CEOs guide their companies beyond the small-business stage. In 2020, Bridgeman made the podcast his full-time focus, building a library of actionable content to help owners and investors grow their brands beyond expectations.
This podcast gives you a look at how business owners really think. Alex brings on CEOs who share the practical steps they’ve taken to grow their businesses and overcome roadblocks. If you’re looking for advice that’s less about theory and more about what actually works when you’re building something, this podcast is full of real insights you can use right away.
6. “My First Million”
Website: My First Million
Hosts: Shaan Puri and Sam Parr
With a title like “My First Million,” it’s no surprise Shaan Puri and Sam Parr’s podcast has drawn a large audience. What keeps listeners hooked after 700+ episodes is their deep dive into what drives a company’s success. Puri and Parr break down business strategies, interview key decision-makers, and share their own entrepreneurial ideas to uncover untapped opportunities across various industries.
“My First Million” is a great podcast for anyone curious about how businesses succeed. The hosts share what they’ve learned from entrepreneurs and their own experiences. They keep it fun and easy to follow while talking about what works and what doesn’t in business. If you want to hear real stories and get practical tips, this podcast is for you.
7. “The School of Greatness”
Website: The School of Greatness
Host: Lewis Howes
With over 1,700 episodes, “The School of Greatness” has become as much a personal development podcast as a business management one. It explores topics beyond work and finance, including mental health, fitness, spirituality, and human rights. By addressing these essential aspects of building a well-rounded business — and life — it has cultivated a loyal following. If you’re looking to build a successful business and live a well-rounded life, this podcast offers valuable insights to help you grow both professionally and personally.
8. “How I Built This”
Website: How I Built This
Host: Guy Raz
Hosted by NPR journalist Guy Raz, “How I Built This” delivers exactly what its title promises — stories of how “innovators, entrepreneurs, [and] idealists” brought their visions to life and built lasting legacies. Beyond the success stories, Raz digs into the struggles and setbacks his guests faced, uncovering the leadership skills and resilience that helped them push through. The podcast’s appeal lies in its honest storytelling, making it a valuable resource for aspiring entrepreneurs and anyone interested in the real stories behind business successes.
Salesforce podcasts for your business journey
Salesforce offers several podcasts that cover a range of topics related to technology, business, and innovation. Each of these podcasts is a valuable resource for professionals in different areas of the Salesforce ecosystem. You can find these podcasts on popular platforms like Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and the Salesforce website.
Here are some of the most popular Salesforce podcasts:
9. “Trailblazers”
Website: The Trailblazer Community
Host: Walter Isaacson
Trailblazers is a podcast that dives into the stories of people who are changing the business and tech world. Hosted by author Walter Isaacson, it features inspiring interviews with leaders like Marc Benioff and other innovators. If you’re interested in how big ideas are shaping the future, this podcast gives you a chance to learn from some of the brightest minds in the industry.
10: “The Salesforce Admin Podcast”
Website: The Salesforce Admins Podcast
Host: Mike Gerholdt
The Salesforce Admin Podcast is a great resource for anyone working with Salesforce. Hosted by Mike Gerholdt, it features real-world stories and advice from Salesforce admins, product managers, and community leaders. The episodes cover a range of topics, from using AI tools like Agentforce to preparing for Salesforce events like TDX. Whether you’re just starting out or have years of experience, this podcast offers practical insights to help you grow in your Salesforce career.
11: “The Salesforce Developers Podcast”
Website: The Salesforce Developers Podcast
Host: René Winkelmeyer
The Salesforce Developers Podcast is a great way to hear from developers who are actively working with Salesforce. Hosted by Salesforce developer relationship director René Winkelmeyer, it features short, insightful episodes where developers share their experiences and tips. The podcast covers a range of topics, from coding techniques to integrating with Salesforce, making it a valuable resource for anyone looking to deepen their understanding of Salesforce development.
12: “The Salesforce Marketing Cloudcast”
Website: The Salesforce Marketing Cloudcast
Hosts: Martin Kihn & Tina Rozul
The Salesforce Marketing Cloudcast is a must-listen for anyone working in marketing. Hosted by Marketing Cloud’s svp of strategy Martin Kihn and Salesforce’s senior director of APAC product marketing Tina Rozul, the podcast covers practical tips on how to get the most out of Salesforce Marketing Cloud. They share advice on improving marketing campaigns and using data to make decisions. If you’re just getting started, the podcast offers insights you can immediately apply to your work.
BONUS: Podcasts featuring our very own Marc Benioff
Want to hear from expert leaders like Marc Benioff, CEO of Salesforce? These podcasts offer a range of insights into Marc’s thoughts and experiences, making them great resources for anyone interested in his perspective.
Marc has appeared on a variety of popular podcasts. Here are a few notable ones:
13. “Moonshots”
Moonshots with Peter Diamandis: Salesforce Founder Gives the Truth on AI Agents
In this episode, Marc and Peter talk about how AI agents will change the way we work. They explain that instead of taking jobs, AI will actually help us do our work better and faster by handling repetitive tasks. It’s a really interesting listen if you’re wondering how these AI tools will fit into your business and how you can use them to get more done without replacing your team.
14. Lenny’s Podcast
Lenny’s Podcast: Behind the founder Marc Benioff
In this episode, Marc Benioff opens up about his journey building Salesforce from the ground up. He shares the highs and lows, including the key decisions that shaped the company into what it is today. If you’re curious about the mindset of a successful entrepreneur or want to know how to turn your ideas into something big, this episode offers valuable lessons straight from the source.
15. The Logan Bartlett Show
In this episode, Marc responds to Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella’s recent predictions and shares his thoughts on the current reality of AGI (artificial general intelligence). He dives into the rise of digital labor, the multi-trillion-dollar potential of agentic technology, and what the future split between software and agentic revenue might look like. (Back to top.)
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Incorporating business podcasts into your life
Podcasts are invaluable learning resources for small business owners, offering insights and strategies in a convenient format.
And we are here for you every step of the way as you learn. For more ways to grow your business, explore Salesforce for small and growing businesses. These tools help manage and scale your business, making them powerful companions to the lessons you’ll learn from these podcasts.
Start your journey with the Starter Suite today. Looking for more customization? Explore Pro Suite. Already a Salesforce customer? Activate Foundations and try out Agentforce today.
AI supported the writers and editors of this article.
