Podcasts are all the rage today.
They’re a valuable learning tool.
I picked up some interesting data from Assemble You (an audio learning platform aka podcast courses). It detailed how people use podcasts and their role in workplace learning.
- 92% of respondents said they found podcasts, audiobooks or audio courses an effective way to learn new things.
- 86% of respondents said no to does the company you work for provide access to audio-based learning resources, for example, audiobooks, podcasts or audio courses.
- 86% of respondents said yes to they would be more likely to engage with learning from their employer if supplied with high-quality audio courses.
Pretty clear-cut data for us to ponder, right?
FYI, get a full download of this report from Assemble You on their site.
Audio for L&D
With this data, it feels like you should add a podcast element to your learning stack.
It’s a great platform to diversify your learning experience stack. You don’t need to do the next high-profile production. You can get started in less than 24 hours.
Let me show you how 👇
The simple 5-step podcast framework
Before you even think about buying equipment.
You need to do the following:
- Identify a list of common problems people face.
- Create topic episodes on those themes (niche + broad).
- Collate tools and frameworks to share. Invite an SME if it makes sense.
- Record 3 episodes to test.
- Publish these to a closed group and collect data.
Got this far? Good, now let’s talk tech.
- Buy a microphone from Amazon – nothing fancy. Blue Yeti mic under £100 works.
- Download the Anchor App. Edit and distribute your podcast (note: if external).
- Want this internal only? Use the anchor app to edit and download. Then share on your local workplace collaboration tool or platform.
You now have your very first blueprint to build a podcast.
L&D use cases
A couple of ideas to get your workplace learning podcast going.
1: Onboarding
Onboarding is an often underinvested experience. We forget the emotional cycle that people experience when they join a new company.
Here’s a few ways to use podcasts to help newbies:
- Create a “5 things you should know about our company” episode.
- Host a round table session with recent new starters to share their tips.
- Do a solo episode on key daily tools you’ll need to succeed.
2: Leadership development experience
- Interview a senior manager to tell their story of how they got started as a manager. Collate their tips, advice and frameworks.
- Find your best managers who do x really well and record them breaking down their process.
- Interview individual contributors/team members to share what they look for in their manager to help them do their best work.
My minimalist podcast production process
Here’s my simple process.
- Record my audio through Audacity (a free windows based audio recording and editing tool. It has a small learning curve). sometimes I use Anchor to capture if I’m away from home.
- Edit in Audacity or Anchor. Upload to Anchor and schedule to publish in future.
- Create social posts to schedule on Buffer (my social media management tool of choice).
- Once published I use the free AI tool Headliner to produce mini-clips and a full-length video of the episode.
That’s it!
Great tools for podcasting
13 free tools for starting a podcast on a budget.
The 9 best AI tools for podcasting.
My favourite podcasts for learning
🧠 Huberman Lab (brain food)
📈 The Prof G show with Professor Scott Galloway (finance and economy)
💡 The Tim Ferriss show (learn anything and everything)
🚪 Backstage Careers (the new wave of digital careers)
🔄 Creative Elements (breakdowns of the world’s biggest creator’s processes)
Find these on your podcast platform of choice.
Before you go… 👋
If you like my writing and think “Hey, I’d like to hear more of what this guy has to say” then you’re in luck.
You can join me every Tuesday morning for more tools, templates and insights for the modern L&D pro in my weekly newsletter.
