Essential podcasts for freelancers
In between networking events and candid conversations with journalism friends, I listen to podcasts to understand what’s happening in the media and freelance world. Plus, I’m pretty much a podcast fanatic.
Since we’re in a new golden age of podcasting, I’ve put together a list of a few podcasts that could have been helpful to me as a freelancer and a journalist. If you need inspiration, advice on dealing with clients and analysis of the most recent news of the week, get comfy and listen to these podcasts.
Longform: I’ve already dedicated a whole post to my appreciation for the Longform podcast with a pick of some great freelancer episodes. To summarize, the Longform podcast features fiction and nonfiction writers and multimedia storytellers. Podcast hosts Evan Ratliff, Max Linsky and Aaron Lammer round up each guest’s pivotal pieces and discusses them in detail. You’ll hear some useful tips on their creative process from columnists, investigative reporters, authors, essayists and more.
Clients From Hell: Originally a collection of anonymously-submitted, horrific client stories, the Clients From Hell blog and podcast hosted by Bryce Bladon features freelancers across the creative and technical fields, writers, designers, illustrators and so on. I turn to this show for insight into contracts, dealing with clients, blogging tips and other tidbits for helping to grow your business. (Pro tip: head to their blog to read some crazy freelancer stories. You’ll feel a lot better about what you’re going through with your business).
On The Media: I’ve been a fan of On The Media since I was a freshman in J-School. I turn to them for insightful analysis of mishaps, trends and triumphs happening within media. Hosts Brooke Gladstone and Bob Garfield focus more so on the press than films, advertising, television, and other media. Every week, they pick apart media narratives, critique misleading statistics, debunk falsehoods and half-truths and—most importantly—arms listeners with more context to properly consume (and in our case, produce) media.
After listening to episodes of these podcasts, I get inspired and riled up to go out and tell the stories that need to be told. I hope they do the same for you.
Did I miss anything? Leave your favorite media and freelancing podcasts in the comments or send them to contact@thefreelancebeat.com.
