Life as an independent worker can become lonely. There’s no more floor full of coworkers or office chat anymore. Furthermore, it can be lonely when you don’t have a community of people who understand your work style.
When your friends and family choose traditional careers, they won’t always get what you’re going through. It’s in these moments that you need to find community elsewhere. On some days, you’ll need motivation. Other days, you’ll need advice. And finally, you’ll need to hear from people who just get it.
So, where do you find those people?
Enter podcasts. Podcasts are like recordings of a radio show segment. Most are available for free, and you can find a podcast on virtually any topic.
They’re a great way to find people who can empathize with your lifestyle, continue your education, and find new ideas or inspiration. With podcasts, you have the potential to be a part of a global community of creative entrepreneurs.
Here are the top 7 podcasts we recommend for freelancers, as well as some of our favorite episodes.
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The Freelance Podcast
Steve Folland began freelancing in 2013 as a video & audio creator. He has spoken at various events about the freelance lifestyle and finding a work-life balance, and he’s the host of The Freelance Podcast. The show features stories from over 200 freelancers who share their journey, advice, and tips with listeners.
Steve is the primary interviewer and facilitator of the conversation, but it’s his guests that shine. Each episode features a story from one freelancer. His guests live all around the world and work in a variety of different fields freelancing. Some of the professions you’ll hear about include musicians, copywriters, illustrators, experiences designers, and brand strategists.
Interviews cover topics such as making the leap to freelancing, finding clients, increasing rates, and more. Here, you’ll hear from all kinds of people who support themselves by freelancing. Each individual shares a different approach to self-employment and the challenges that accompany it.
The show is perfect for anyone thinking about freelancing or for those already working independently. Whether you’re looking for some inspiration or actionable advice, The Freelance Podcast provides both.
Here are some of our favorite episodes.
Nothing is a Mistake – Email Conversion Strategist Eman Ismail.
Don’t Let Frustration Stop You – Illustrator James White.
When Clients Grow, You Grow – Photographer Ira Giorgetti.
The Strategy Hour Podcast
Boss Project 
Abagail Pumphrey and Emylee Williams are the masterminds of Boss Project (formerly Think Creative Collective). They work to help creative entrepreneurs get a handle on the chaos involved in running your own business. Their services include a community of creative entrepreneurs as well as courses to help run your business.
But, you don’t have to be a paying member to access their Strategy Hour Podcast. The podcast features advice on growing your creative business, and it’s filled with actionable marketing strategies you can implement right away.
Hosts Abagail and Emylee are blunt and honest about the challenges and successes they face in their own business. They also feature other notable entrepreneurs on the show. Nathan Barry of ConvertKit and Ankur Nagpal of Teachable have both made appearances.
This show is perfect for independent workers looking to move from side-hustle to business owners. In particular, it covers marketing strategy, business systems, and productivity.
Their advice is delivered in a no-nonsense style with behind-the-scenes looks at all kinds of businesses. Check out our top episodes for freelancers below.
How to Perfect Your Pitch without Icky Sales Conversations.
How to Listen to Your Audience So You Can Create Services that Sell with Sarah Peck.
How to Replace Your Income in 30 Days After Being Laid-Off.
The Fizzle Show Podcast
The Fizzle Show helps creative workers do what they love and get paid. The show was founded by Chase Reeves, a designer turned entrepreneur. His journey started with freelance design work and ultimately led to him founding Fizzle.co, a communal education platform.
If anyone can empathize with the frustrations of creative businesses, it’s Chase. He’s seen it all. His podcast, the Fizzle Show has released a new episode every week since 2013. The panel of hosts includes Chase, Corbett Barr, and Steph Crowder.
This high-energy show covers all aspects of running a creative business. Popular topics include business essentials, productivity, motivation, and work-life balance. Entrepreneurs like Omar Zenhom (Webinar Ninja) and Noah Kagan (Sumo Group) have shared their advice and experiences on The Fizzle Show.
The Fizzle Show is a great option for freelancers who want to learn from someone who’s been there. The episodes are full of motivation and tough-love honesty that’s going to help you achieve your goals.
Here are some of our favorite episodes for freelancers:
Freelancing Success with Preston Lee from Solidgigs.com.
Balancing Your Business Mind and Creative Brain with Chris Do.
4 Things Learned in 8 Months of Freelancing.
Trailblazers.FM
Stephen A. Hart’s Trailblazers.FM podcast is the #1 Interview style podcast (4.9 out of 5 stars on Apple podcasts). Hart has experienced all of the ups and downs of the entrepreneur life, from 6-figure debt to millionaire status.
Now, Stephen specializes in branding, entrepreneurship, and marketing. He helps entrepreneurs and leaders build amazing personal brands. But, he also shares their inspiring journeys on Trailblazers.FM. His podcast features stories of black entrepreneurs, leaders, and professionals at the top of their fields. He releases new episodes weekly and has an archive of over 200 episodes.
Trailblazers.FM shines a light on black excellence in a variety of fields. Topics include Leadership, Creatives, Wealth, and Business. This show is perfect for people seeking a mix of motivational stories and actionable tips.
Some of our favorite episodes for freelancers include:
Kwame Christian: The Art of Negotiation.
Squeaky Moore: How to Pitch Your Content, Product, or Self.
Stephen A. Hart: How to Develop Your Personal Brand Blueprint.
Goal Digger
Jenna Kutcher is the host of the Goal Digger podcast. She’s also the CEO of a multi-million dollar empire and a mother. Additionally, she chooses not to define herself too rigidly. Instead, she’s known for her plethora of skills including digital marketing, coaching, and activism.
Her podcast serves up business wisdom in a live-workshop style, and it’s all recorded in a closet! Despite the humble studio, Goal Digger is full of inspirational stories. Namely, it includes advice on productivity, social media strategy, and business hacks.
The Goal Digger Podcast has been featured in Marie Claire, Forbes, and on Good Morning America. It’s also been listed as a Top 10 Business Podcast.
Host Jenna includes stories from her own journey of becoming a self-made millionaire, as well as stories of other women who are dominating their fields.
We do have on caveat about this show: Recent reviews suggest that the quality of her show’s latest episodes might be dipping. However, her early content earned Goal Digger a loyal following among ambitious and entrepreneurial women.
The Secret to Happy Clients with Olivia Herrick.
How I Booked 25 Weddings with Zero Experience.
Dear Jenna: I’m Scared to Raise My Prices.
Smart Passive Income
Pat Flynn started Smart Passive Income after he was laid off from his job in the 2008 economic recession. First, he built his own successful online businesses. But, since then, he’s been helping people build wealth by helping people.
While he doesn’t have experience as a freelancer, his show provides tips for creating a meaningful business. He tells his own story from an ego-free point of view and brings on successful business owners to share their experiences. For example, guests on the show include well-known names in online businesses such as Tim Ferriss and Gary Vaynerchuck.
The show often features topics like finding profitable niches, overcoming the obstacles to success, and creating your ideal lifestyle with your business. He also covers the latest marketing strategies and how to use them to achieve growth.
Although Smart Passive Income focuses primarily on online businesses, the ideas can be easily applied to freelancing. Furthermore, it’s a great resource for those who want to add passive income streams.
Here are some of our favorite episodes for freelancers:
Time Management Strategies in 2020.
How to Actually Make Progress and Grow Your Business – A Conversation with James Wedmore.
Finding Fringe Hours and Work-Life “Balance” with Jessica Turner.
Side Hustle Pro
Nicaila Matthews Okome is a full-time podcaster and entrepreneur who started out with a side hustle. Her show, Side Hustle Pro celebrates other black women who, like her, turned their side hustles into full-time businesses.
Since its inception in 2016, the show has been featured on the TODAY Show and been named “the perfect entrepreneur podcast” by Mashable. It features an impressive range of work and proves that you can make a living doing anything.
Okome’s guests run side hustles in everything from jewelry and apparel to real estate investment and hospitality. On her episodes, she covers what it takes to grow a side hustle into a full-fledged business. Topics include business foundations, dealing with fear, and investing in your side hustle.
The show is ideal for freelancers who have already started their side hustle and those freelancing with a full-time job. If you’re thinking about freelancing but not sure what type of service you can offer, Side Hustle Pro has more than enough examples for you.
Our favorite episodes for freelancers include:
How to Run Your Side Hustle in One Day.
How to Lay the Foundation of Your Business When It’s Still a Side Hustle.
How to Start Charging for Your Expertise and Stop Doing Things for Free.
Conclusion
As a freelancer and business owner, it’s important to continue your education and stay in touch with changes that affect your industry. The best part is that you don’t need more degrees or tuition to keep learning.
The road to being an independent creative doesn’t come with a map. But that doesn’t mean you can’t find amazing resources along the way. Podcasts are a great way to find new ideas, motivation, and people you can relate to. Additionally, they can provide actionable advice that you can use to fuel your business.
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