My Top 4 Podcasts in 2018: Everything You Need to Know About PR, Content Marketing and Storytelling

If there is one thing you will learn about me, it is that I can’t live without podcasts. Since I consider myself to be a life-learner, I find that listening to podcasts fit easily into my on-the-go lifestyle and allow me to consume my favorite content any time I want. As a result, I am able to expand my knowledge base and apply what I’ve learned to the challenges that confront me on a daily basis. In the same way, I think finding podcasts that touch on pain-points or real-world problems can be an invaluable resource for you and the health of your business. That said, I wanted to share with you my top four podcasts for 2018.
 
 
This Old Marketing: Content Marketing with Pulizzi and Rose
 
When I started to dive into content marketing seriously, I use to listen to This Old Marketing all the time. Every week the two host, Joe Pulizzi and Robert Rose, hold discussions about the latest trends in the content marketing world. As a novice, I found it helpful to get a broad view of the major trends that were dominating the content marketing space. In hindsight, the advice I gained from this podcast was instrumental in majority of projects I secured in my first year. It helped me educate clients on “big picture” ideas and get them excited about the future!
 
However, I’m sad to say that the This Old Marketing is no longer an active podcast in 2018. The duo recorded their final episode last December. Although the show may have reached an end, Joe and Robert left behind an archive filled with rich material for anyone serious about getting ahead with their content marketing this year. That is, no matter where you stand in the process, be it a beginner or seasoned vet, This Old Marketing has something to offer to you.
 
 
The GaryVee Audio Experience
 
Gary Vaynerchuk is one of my favorite entrepreneurs, YouTube personalities and all-around human beings. What I like most about the Gary Vee Audio Experience is how in depth he goes on a myriad of topics. From a content marketing perspective, he tackles a load of high-level topics such as the science of going viral or building a personal brand on your favorite social media network. More importantly, Gary isn’t afraid to get personal. He openly talks about advice he has followed in his lifetime that has brought him tremendous success and soul-crushing failure. I appreciate him for his authenticity and I think you will too.
 
If you are an up-and-coming entrepreneur or content marketer, you’ll definitely want to add the GaryVee Audio Experience to your podcast list.  Given Gary’s long entrepreneurial history, he is able to speak authoritatively and unapologetically about the real, the fake and the super dumb in the digital marketing industry. Moreover, he’s not going to you give you a bunch of academic theories or regurgitated opinions that might work. To the contrary, he provides real-life examples that have been successful, dissects them and articulates the reasons why they get results.
 
Above all, Gary will say some real sh#% from time to time that will motivate you to get off your ass and get stuff done. He’s that friend you hate talking to because he doesn’t have a filter, but you respect him because he’s not going to sugarcoat the truth. I don’t know about you, but I tend to do better in life when there are people around that are willing to have those uncomfortable conversations.
 
Either way, there’s loads of life and business lessons that can be applied from his wisdom. Don’t take it for granted.
 
 
 The Janet Murray Show
 
I discovered The Janet Murray Show in early 2017. The timing couldn’t be more perfect as I was starting to do some serious media relations work for my clients. At the time, I had very specific questions and this podcast seemed to have all the answers. For instance, I learned everything from how to pitch TV producers to building relationships with influencers for campaigns. Indeed, Janet demystifies much of the hype around PR and simplifies the content in each episode so that it is digestible and easy to follow.
 
For that reason, I’d be remiss not to recommend The Janet Murray Show. Specifically, I think this is great for small business owners who don’t have much time or the manpower to execute a media relations plan. Not only are the episodes short and sweet, but the advice she gives isn’t difficult to implement. Moreover, Janet has expanded the show into the digital marketing arena. Before she focused solely on PR, but she recently changed the name and subject matter of the show to reflect the diverse taste and interest of her audience.
 
Needless to say, publicity for your business won’t come without some trial and error, but if you are serious about unleashing the power of PR for your business, then this podcast has to be in your top five before the end of 2018.
 
Snap Judgement
 
Snap Judgement is an outlier on this list; it doesn’t offer any technical advice or industry insights like you’ve come to expect. Despite this fact, it has mastered one aspect better than any other podcast I’ve come across – great storytelling.
 
Essentially, each episode boils down two or three amazing stories of people who have been through the most unusual circumstances in the world and have lived to tell it.  As you dive into each individual story, you’ll begin to relive those moments with the person and feel deeply connected to them in a way you haven’t felt with most human beings. That is, the stories are so organic and raw that they tap into a very tribal part of the soul that is hard to find in today’s busy world. Due to the stellar sound production and conversational style of the show, you’ll walk away thinking “Damn, my life is boring as f$#@!”.

All fun and games aside, I recommend this podcast because it can teach you how to sell a great story. Glenn Washington, who is the main host and narrator for the show, does a great job getting you pumped for the journey you are about to embark on with the subject. At the beginning of each episode, he hooks the audience with a lot enthusiasm and vivid imagery. In the real world, landing a story in the media today is a combination of creativity, experience and timing. For small business owners and entrepreneurs, learning how to write great hooks for your stories can be a rewarding experience if you invest time in the research and delivering the pitch to the right people.
 
I’d advise listening to the show a couple times a week if not to generate ideas than to be entertained. The more creative and enthusiastic you are, the better results you get overtime.
 
At any rate, I hope one of these podcasts brings some value to your life. They’ve definitely been good to me and opened my eyes to new ways I can approach my profession. 

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