Where Do I Get My Best Ideas?
25 Podcasts You Need To Check Out
Happy Monday from Las Vegas, Nevada
I just got back from a fun trip to Austin with my mom. It is a beautiful, energetic city with amazing food (brisket especially) and tons to see and do. We saw standup comedy, dueling pianos, and my mom had her first taste of micro-mobility (scooters and e-bikes).
This week (on a completely unrelated note) I wrote what I’ll humbly call “the state of podcasts in 2021” according to a sample size of one—me.
Podcasts are where I get ideas for this newsletter, find awesome people to interview, and learn about the topics I’m most interested in.
Podcasts have exponentially expanded how often we listen to smart people have long-form structured conversations, and I am so grateful to be alive in a time when this is possible.
I’ve been an avid podcast listener since 2016. These are the 25 shows that have stood out the most.
My Favorite Podcasts & Why
Current Four Favorites
My current favorites are deeply tied to my current interests: crypto, preventing the downfall of civil society, self-improvement, and meat.
Let’s get into it.
The Mikhaila Peterson Podcast
Mikhaila Peterson has made herself popular by sharing how she transformed her health through a radical elimination diet. By only eating ruminant meat (beef and lamb) and salt, she cured lifelong rheumatoid arthritis and major depression.
If you are new to this story, this 20-minute talk is helpful. (Don’t Eat That!)
She is an assertive interviewer who is completely unafraid to speak her mind in a time when so many are hesitant to make noise online.
Mikhaila is very transparent about her personal struggles and brings on guests that match her life challenges. Her main topics include optimal health (sleep, diet, other hacks), personal productivity, moderate political perspectives, understanding new technology, and tips for success in business and investing.
My First Million
Sam Parr and Shaan Puri use My First Million to share new business ideas and give ideas for capitalizing on growing trends.
The hosts are serial entrepreneurs and angel investors. Together with different guests every week, they brainstorm ideas that they encourage the audience to run with, start, and discuss in their Trends Facebook group and online forum.
Whereas many other business podcasts are thought-leaders regurgitating their talking points or winners walking through the highlight reel of their life story, Shaan and Sam have a unique dialogue based on what they and their guests would do with more time and attention.
What businesses would they start if they were back starting with zero?
How would they do it?
REAL AF with Andy Frisella
Andy is the founder/CEO of 1st Phorm, a massive supplement and fitness brand.
Andy’s previous show, The MF CEO project, was one of the most popular business podcasts of all time. In the process of making that show, Andy invented and popularized the 75 HARD, one of my favorite health, fitness, and mental toughness challenges.
Andy has an abrasive “fuck you” attitude that I admire. Every episode starts out with some variant of “if you don’t like this show, don’t listen! If you are offended, find another show!”
I respect this counter-push to an overly sensitive typical internet user.
As a bonus, Andy doesn’t run any ads on the show, despite the fact that it is in the TOP 0.01% of all global podcasts. At the time of writing, Andy’s show is #50 of all global podcasts according to Chartable.
Andy is deeply concerned with the weakening of society and the weakening of individuals, which is why he advocates for doing the 75HARD to develop mental toughness.
Andy will share perspectives you will not find on MSM (mainstream media) which I consider very healthy. With disagreeing viewpoints, you are saddled with the responsibility of making your own conclusions.
How deep are your convictions if you are afraid to have them challenged?
The Pomp Podcast
Anthony Pompliano is definitely a role model of mine.
He is pioneering a new career category of the “solo-capitalist creator.” This newish term refers to mostly autonomous investors, entrepreneurs, YouTube/TV personalities, and writers. One person who does all of those things… to be clear.
With their own media distribution, thought-leadership, and network, people like Pomp often have access to great deals, ideas, and people which creates a positive feedback loop of success.
The podcast itself is light-hearted casual conversations with incredible thinkers about Bitcoin, finance, and other business topics.
A Long List of Honorable Mentions (21 to be exact)
Deep Questions with Cal Newport: Get reminded of all of the ideas from Cal’s books (Deep Work, So Good They Can’t Ignore You, Digital Minimalism, A World Without Email).
Scott H Young Podcast: Scott is one of my all-time favorite online writers. He shares insights into all aspects of learning, self-education, and self-improvement. He writes long detailed articles that I somehow never get around to reading. His podcast narrates them.
Science Friday with Ira Flatow: I haven’t listened in 4 years, but this was by far my favorite podcast in high school. Learn about cutting-edge research in the sciences.
How I Built This with Guy Raz: The most professionally produced entrepreneurship podcast, almost exclusively with household names. (Side note: I’d like to point out that I only have two NPR podcasts on this list! I think that is a big win for podcasts!
Marketing Secrets with Russell Brunson: Few people have mastered anything quite as well as how Russell has mastered online marketing. LISTEN TO THIS PODCAST AT YOUR OWN RISK. You will fall deep into his sales funnels and probably end up buying some books and courses. Nobody can resist Russell’s smiling face and cheery energy. NOBODY.
The Joe Rogan Experience or The Jordan Harbinger Show: Hear From A-Listers That Few Others Podcasts Will Be Able To Get.
The Tim Ferriss Show: Tim’s guests are always ahead of the curve on new trends.
Bitcoin Audible: The best articles about Bitcoin with great narration. These articles are challenging to read but come to life with a great narrator in Guy Swann.
The Danny Miranda Podcast: Danny is the youngest podcast host mentioned in this email. Inspiring interviews and very relatable because Danny is in his mid 20’s.
Impact Theory with Tom Bilyeau: While most hosts clearly enjoy doing their podcasts, Tom’s energy is truly on another level because he is so deeply mission-driven. His goal is to teach about growth mindsets to basically the entire world.
What Bitcoin Did with Peter McCormack: Peter brings on repeat guests extremely often which creates an almost sitcom feeling that is uncommon among the other shows on this list.
IndieHackers with Courtland Allen or Leveling Up with Eric Siu: Entrepreneurship interview podcasts that really press their guests to share specific numbers about users, revenue, and funding.
Creator Lab with Bilal Zaidi or Modern Wisdom with Chris Williamson: Two more solid interview shows.
Female Startup Club by Doone Roisin: Profiles of female entrepreneurs with a big emphasis on eCommerce.
The Guest List Las Vegas with Jake Gallen: City-specific podcast about leaders in Vegas (similar shows probably exist for your city).
Talk2Much: NFT themed podcast with an emphasis on the metaverse.
BookThinkers LifeChanging Books: Authors, authors, authors. Many of your favorite nonfiction books are summarized for your enjoyment.
Ben Greenfield Fitness: The most esoteric, niche, and specific health and fitness advice you’ll find.
Thank You For Reading!
Topic suggestions for future newsletters are always welcome.
I’ll be the first to admit that 23/25 of these podcasts have male hosts. If you have more diverse podcasts recommendations, I’m open to suggestions!
Until next time,
Louis
The Hyperlinks
Two Quick Clicks
(1)💡Good Idea 💡: Pocket Network (Web3 Infrastructure)
Recent podcast guest Sheldon Gilbert shared how many of the best tech career opportunities are in internet infrastructure. With an infrastructure skillset, you are positioned to survive regardless of the success of any specific underlying project.
That’s what really excites me about the Pocket Network.
I’ve heard a lot of people say “Blockchain is here to stay, but I’m not sure about ETH/BTC/XPR/XYZ/WTF coin.”
Instead of creating yet another crypto project, Pocket is building infrastructure to support Web3 projects. To my understanding, Even if a ton of Web3 projects don’t make it, Pocket will likely continue to stay in business.
(2) 📕 Book I Enjoyed 📕: Black Sheep by Brant Menswar
A short book about choosing 5 personal values and living in accordance with them.
Podcast Updates 🎧
LK #78 with Sheldon Gilbert: Blockchain Helps Underserved Communities.
LK #77 with Brandon Green: Is Bitcoin Good for Humanity?
LK #76 with Scott Rieckens: Financial Independence, Retire Early Q+A
LK Content Coming Soon 📅
No new episode next week, but these are some in the pipeline.
David Bailey from Bitcoin Magazine and BTC 2021
Peter McCormack, Host of What Bitcoin Did & Nassim Taleb heckler
Nick Velasquez, Author and Skill Acquisition Expert
Photo of the week — Tourists in Austin
According to every tour guide, this is the go-to social media photo from Austin.
