There are lots of podcasts out there, especially about entrepreneurship. But one stands out as a long time favorite. How I Built This with Guy Raz sits down with a different founder each episode and walks through their company’s origin story. As you would expect, each story is full of VC rejections, management team disputes, all night development sessions, and down-to-the-wire bank transfers. Each conversation provides valuable lessons learned not only about starting a business and managing a team, but also about

Guy has a talent for asking just the right question at the right time to tease out interesting anecdotes that provide fascinating depth to each story. He effectively builds rapport with each interviewee. It’s like they’re in the room with you talking to a close friend.

One of my favorite things about HIBT is that it gives so much depth to the companies around you every day. You see a bag of Boom Chicka Pop on the shelf at CVS and think about Dan and Angie and the kettle-corn machine they purchased on a whim. Or you see a pair of Spanx and think about Sara Blakely sneaking around to manufacturers trying desperately to keep her idea a secret, or the careful consideration she put into selecting the now-famous name.

Some of my favorite episodes to get you started:

• BOOMCHICKAPOP: Angie & Dan Bastian
• Framebridge: Susan Tynan
• Headspace: Andy Puddicombe and Rich Pierson
• Lärabar: Lara Merriken
• Peloton: John Foley
• Spanx: Sara Blakely
• Stonyfield Yoghurt: Gary Hirshberg
• Sweetgreen: Nicolas Jammet and Jonathan Neman
• Whole Foods Market: John Mackey
• Zappos: Tony Hsieh

Overall + Rating

Whether you are an aspiring entrepreneur, business enthusiast, or just a consumer interested in knowing more, HIBT is an excellent podcast full of first-rate stories. Often, my favorite episodes are the ones I least expected. Happy listening!

Score: 9.5/10