I love motivation! I love the idea of motivating people! And I get really excited when I get to encourage people. But of course, I get tired—even maybe get burned out at times. When this happens, I find that listening to podcasts is very helpful for me. Motivation begins in the mind. And one of the best ways to motivate your mind is to listen to a juicy podcast that encourages you to live a bold life!
Favorite Best Motivational Podcasts
Here is my list of 10 best motivational podcasts—all of which I’ve personally listened to and connected with. To help create this list, I even asked one of my motivational heroes what she listens to. Each of these deserves the PBL seal of approval.
1. The Mindset & Motivation Podcast
Episode Runtime: 10–15 mins.
iTunes Rating: 4.9 out of 5
To Get You Started, Listen to: “The Difference Between Champion & Everyone Else” (EP. 626)
Ranked as the top motivational podcast on iTunes or Apple Podcasts, “The Mindset & Motivation Podcast” pumps up its listeners to live a life of purpose and passion. Motivational speaker, coach and author Rob Dial makes it his mission to motivate and inspire his listeners to be the best version of themselves—and in just 15 minutes or less!
2. Lead to Win with Michael Hyatt
Episode Runtime: 25–45 mins.
iTunes Rating: 4.9 out of 5
To Get You Started, Listen to: “7 Steps to Thinking Big” (EP. 70)
New York Times bestselling author Michael Hyatt, along with his daughter Megan Hyatt Miller, readily talks about a range of topics to motivate people—especially leaders—in achieving personal development, self-leadership, and personal productivity in life and at work. This podcast is now one of my new go-to leadership-plus motivational podcasts to listen to in this list.
3. Tiny Leaps, Big Changes
Episode Runtime: 15–30 mins.
iTunes Rating: 4.5 out of 5
To Get You Started, Listen to: “How to Beat Laziness” (EP. 356)
Do you want to accomplish your goals for the year but can’t seem to move yourself to do so? Then this show is the one to listen to today. Podcast host Gregg Clunis shares simple and applicable strategies to help you get moving towards self-improvement and development. The best motivational podcasts don’t just stop at sharing “good insights” to motivate you to live a bold life. They offer practical steps you can do to help you make big changes in the long run. And that’s exactly what this podcast does—just look at the title!
4. 7 Good Minutes Daily Self-Improvement Podcast with Clyde Lee Dennis
Episode Runtime: 7 mins.
iTunes Rating: 4.6 out of 5
To Get You Started, Listen to: “Haters Gonna Hate: Here Is How To Deal With Them“ (July 28, 2019)
This one is for those who feel they’re so busy that they can’t stop to listen to a podcast for 15 to 20 minutes. In just seven minutes, Clyde Lee Dennis shares the relevant insights of leading speakers and teachers from all over the world. So put on your earphones and be motivated to live a bolder life by tuning in to one of the most time-efficient motivational podcasts today.
5. The Brendan Show
Episode Runtime: 10–30 mins.
iTunes Rating: 4.8 out of 5
To Get You Started, Listen to: “How to Reignite Your Life” (July 17, 2019)
Brendon Burchard, the New York Times bestselling author of “High Performance Habits,” hosts this show. With weekly episodes, he engages his listeners with topics revolving around self-development and living an extraordinary life. Once you tune in, you’ll feel excited about putting into action what you’ve just learned.
6. Kwik Brain with Jim Kwik
Episode Runtime: 10 –20 mins.
iTunes Rating: 4.9 out of 5
To Get You Started, Listen to: “How to Get Unstuck & Become Creative” (EP. 139)
Jim Kwik, memory and brain trainer to elite mental performers, gives succinct and applicable insights that actually motivate and inspire busy people to achieve and succeed in whatever they put their mind to. From its Kwik Challenges to its topics on overcoming stress and having mental longevity, this podcast is a new favorite of mine!
7. The School of Greatness
Episode Runtime: 30 mins. – 1 hour (with the occasional 5-minute Friday)
iTunes Rating: 4.7 out of 5
To Get You Started, Listen to: “How Champions Win” (EP. 707)
One of my motivational heroes on Instagram is fitness coach Anjuli Mack from New Zealand. Since I was sure that she also had her own motivational heroes, I asked her for her top motivational podcasts. One is former-athlete-turned-lifestyle-entrepreneur Lewis Howes’ podcast. I found it insightful and relevant. It’s a plus that he interviews people who are also in pursuit of greatness. (Thanks for that, Anjuli!)
8. Optimal Living Daily
Episode Runtime: 5–10 mins.
iTunes Rating: 4.7 out of 5
To Get You Started, Listen to: “Stuck in a Rut? 5 Ways to Re-engage with Life and Capture the Human Spirit AND Feel Like Giving Up? by Leon Logothetis” (EP. 1284)
A truly unique podcast, Optimal Living Daily is where Justin Malik reads from some of the best blogs—with author permission, of course—that he and his team think would help people live a better life. It just takes 10 minutes (at the most!) of your day to listen to one of the episodes.
9. The GaryVee Audio Experience
Episode Runtime: 30–45 mins.
iTunes Rating: 4.9 out of 5
To Get You Started, Listen to: “Nobody Has Created Success Without Working” (July 11, 2019)
Here’s another podcast that’s going to make you want to put on your work shoes and head out the door! Entrepreneur, CEO, and public speaker Gary Vaynerchuk publishes an episode every day! And he shares segments of his videos, keynote speeches, and interviews in this audio show. He may let some swear words slip in, but his main points make you think about what’s relevant in your own journey of achieving success. He certainly speaks the truth even though it may be cringe-worthy and painful—which is good because we know that the truth hurts!
10. The 5 AM Miracle Podcast with Jeff Sanders
Episode Runtime: 30–45 mins.
iTunes Rating: 4.8 out of 5
To Get You Started, Listen to: “Whatever You Don’t Want to Do ― Do That” (EP. 272)
Do you find it difficult to wake up early—especially at 5 a.m.? Instead of hitting the snooze button on your phone, why not choose to tune in to Jeff Sander’s morning podcast? With a new episode at 5 o’clock every Monday morning, this podcast will help you happily get off to a running start and boost your enthusiasm and energy. Like what Jeff says on his podcast: Dominate your day before breakfast!
Motivation Translated to Action
Benjamin Franklin uttered wise words when he said, “Never leave till tomorrow that which you can do today.” That includes listening to motivational podcasts. Choose to be in the company of one of the speakers of the best motivational podcasts listed here, and listen to an episode when you feel demotivated and miserable. It’ll just take 10 to 45 minutes of your day to help yourself. Then once you’re motivated, put into action your new-found or reignited motivation. And just like that—you’re one step closer to living a bolder life.
