I love podcasts! I currently subscribe to over 100. They are how I feed my brain creative and motivating thoughts and ideas. It’s a simple equation of input/output. If I am not ingesting new information, my brain stalls and I find it very difficult to create and be productive. That is why I make sure to listen to podcasts. Below are my top five favorite podcasts for sports professionals — and if you want the other five on my top 10 list, you can click here to access my Sports Professional’s Podcast Playlist
My Personal Podcast Process
Podcasts are a fantastic way to fit education and inspiration into the “in-between” times in your day. Some are as little as 5, 10, or 15 minutes, while others can go an hour or more. But just like your handy DVR, you can pause and come back to them in the middle.
If you have an iPhone, you already have a podcast player, and you can search iTunes and subscribe to your favorites. But there are other apps as well including Overcast for iPhone/iOS, and Stitcher, Pocket Casts and Google Play for Android.
I like to listen to podcasts while I’m in the car or on a plane. I also listen to them while I’m working out and even doing work around the house. They’re perfect to fit into your day at any point when you are doing a task that doesn’t require your full attention, such as:
- Working out
- Traveling
- Cooking
- Working around the house
(P.S. This is called “double tasking” which is very different from multitasking. Multi-tasking is trying to do two things that require your brain power at once, like talking on the phone and answering email; double tasking is when one task doesn’t require your full attention, like walking or dusting.)
I often take notes and capture ideas using Evernote so that they sync to my computer. That way, I don’t have to worry about stopping whatever else I’m doing (walking, working out, etc.) to jot down a note or “aha” moment.
What To Look For In a Good Podcast
For me, a good podcast should hit most, if not all, of the following: they should be
- Inspiring
- Actionable
- Informational
- Interesting
I’ve chosen my top podcasts for sports professional based on the fact that they hit all of these criteria: they inspire me to do and be more in my life and business, they include actionable tips and information I can actually put to use, they share valuable information I might have to pay for somewhere else, and (most importantly) they’re interesting enough to hold my attention over the long term.
1. Sports Business Radio
One of the very first sports podcasts, I first started listening to Sports Business Radio Every on my computer, way before smartphones. Hosted by Brian Burger, SBR focuses on the issues and people directly impacting the sports business.
Favorite episode: Check out Brian’s interview with Danny Keens, Twitter Head of Sports Partnerships.
2. The Business of Sports with Andrew Brandt
Andrew Brandt, the former NFL player agent, Vice President of the Green Bay Packers, and current ESPN football/sports business expert, now hosts his own podcast. Andrew shares insight into the business of sports through interviews with league and team executives, agents, CEO’s and other sports professionals.
Favorite episode: #7 Brad Allen, CEO of NextVR discusses the future of virtual reality in sports.
3. TAO of Sports
Troy Kirby and The Tao of Sports takes you behind the business of sports with interviews of associate athletic directors, sports and marketing executives, sports venue managers and other sports professionals who help run teams, leagues and organizations but who you rarely see.
Favorite episode: #700 (impressive!) with Leon Friedrich and the innovative sports management program at Wakeland High School and Frisco (TX) ISD.
4. SI Media Podcast
We watch them, listen to them and read their work. They are the commentators, studio analysts, sideline reports and print journalists who tell the stories of the games, yet rarely do we get to hear theirs. The Sports Illustrated Media Podcast hosted by Richard Deitsch features interesting conversations with interesting people about the sports media and the process of sports media.
Favorite episode: #51 – Jay Bilas. Do you know which show Jay made his TV debut on in 1979?
5. This Is Your Life With Michael Hyatt
Known as the “virtual life coach” Michael Hyatt provides advice around three areas all sports professionals should master: leadership, productivity and building your brand. It’s not a sports specific podcast and I challenge you to listen to an episode that’s title may not sound like a fit for you because I’m certain you can still take away actionable advice to help you win at work and home.
Favorite episode: Evernote is my digital brain and I can’t live without it. Learn how to get the most out of Evernote.
These are just the first five podcasts on my Sports Professional’s Podcast Playlist Want the rest? Get the full list by clicking here: Sports Professional’s Podcast Playlist
Do you have a favorite podcast not on this list? Hit me up at @odellmccants on social media and let me know your favorites.
About the Author: Odell McCants is President of McCants Sports. A former athlete agent, Odell now specializes in helping colleges, universities, professional teams and leagues identify, recruit and retain top sports executive talent. Odell is also founder of the McCants Sports Institute which provides professional development and leadership training and consulting to sports business professionals.
