Do you know you’re meant to have a podcast but you’re still not sure what it would be about? Or maybe you have 400 ideas and you can’t narrow it down to just one. Both are problems I hear about all the time as a podcast producer. Here are 4 books I think everyone should read before starting a podcast, and they have nothing to do with podcasting (well, not directly anyways)!

Podcasting is intimidating. You’re putting all your thoughts, opinions and ideas out there for the world to see and critique. But what if you look at it a different way? Instead, think about all the conversations you’re starting, all the ideas you’re sparking in other people and all the powerful thoughts you have to share with others. That’s the power of podcasting.

How to Know a Person by David Brooks

I’ve struggled my entire life with listening to other people. It could be my ADHD, it could be my crippling anxiety and fear of being disliked. Either way, I’ve spent most of my adulthood trying to think of a good response to the person who is speaking instead of truly listening to what they have to say. This book is a beautiful reminder that we all struggle with knowing others and being know ourselves.

As podcasters we’re constantly walking the line of being known and trying to know others and for that reason I think this book is the perfect read for anyone that wants to sharpen their skills as an interviewer or an interviewee.

Greenlights by Matthew McConaughey

Normally I find books by A-List celebrities totally corny and superficial. We get it, your last movie didn’t do as well as you thought it would and now you want me to read your book. Tale as old as time. But Greenlights isn’t that book. This is a powerful story of finding wholeness in the incompleteness of life. It’s about the vulnerability and honor of following your own path. Podcasting takes vulnerability. Creating media for others to consume will make you vulnerable. This book is perfect for the podcaster looking for the Greenlights in their own life and story and seeing how it will connect with their message and audience.

Building a Brand Story by Donald Miller

I’m always skeptical when someone says a book changed their life – I mean, that’s a pretty audacious thing to say. But this book did change my life as a marketer and business owner. We get so caught up in the perception of our brand from the outside sometimes we’re missing the entire point on the inside. This book brought to light countless missed opportunities in my business, podcasts and work as a marketing professional.

Breaking the Habit of Being Yourself by Dr. Joe Dispenza

The greatest podcasters know how to let go. They can exist in the moment and speak freely, but competently, but for some of us that doesn’t come so easily. This is a must read for anyone that’s over thinking their podcast ideas, or any idea. Let go and create.

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