Every medium has its advantages, and the podcast is no exception. Essentially, as a listener, you’re eavesdropping on a conversation amongst experts, a unique way to ingest inspiration, insights, and lateral thinking on a topic. For those of us who are older and thinking about a career move—whether that’s a job search, a promotion, or a pivot—listening to a podcast can be a useful means of movement. And because most podcasts have a special lens through which the host applies the content, you can easily find one (or a handful) to suit your particular interests.
The podcast world is exploding! Did you know the medium was originally called audioblogging in the 80s, when it first developed? Though a handful of podcast evangelists blazed the trail through the latter half of the 20th century, it wasn’t until 2005 that Apple added the podcast app to iTunes. Then, as podcast software and content producers grew in the decades since, so did the audience. According to podcasthosting.org, in November 2020, there were over 1,500,000 podcasts. And listenership has grown, too. In the U.S., 21% of the population listens to at least one podcast weekly.
If you’re mid- or late-career and wanting to hear perspectives geared to your worklife, here are five podcasts I find especially valuable.
AARP’s Take on Today
Despite the organization’s formerly stodgy image—and the fact that the R stands for Retired—AARP’s work of late is high quality, and they offer really useful resources for older workers. This podcast is no exception, and several episodes deal with employment. A favorite: Host Bob Edwards chats with startups making products geared towards older adults.
SuperAge
As the force behind the excellent website and newsletter Ageist, host David Stewart guides informal and inspiring chats with guests who are over 50 and doing fascinating things. I particularly enjoyed the episode with guest Jonathan Cheung as they discuss Cheung’s expansive reading life.
Second Act Stories
Andy Levine has made it his practice for this biweekly podcast to interview people who have made career pivots. I love these stories because they’re full of hope and passion. Not all of the interviewees are late-career, but that doesn’t keep them from being equally inspiring.
The Big Middle
While this podcast doesn’t deal specifically with career issues—its broader focus is around mid-life and longevity—work is a topic that often presents itself. Host Susan Flory is an engaging and curious journalist whose own journey often inspires me. Kerry Hannon was a recent guest, discussing her new book on working from home and starting a business in a pandemic.
Gap Year Podcast
Gap years aren’t just for college students! Debbie Weil’s podcast is actually geared towards those in midlife who are using an “in-between year” for any number of reasons. Currently, season 3 is all about what Weil calls our collective gap year, the one we’ve all been forced to take because of the pandemic.
Podcasts are such a convenient way to expand your thinking and knowledge—listen in during a workout or a walk or just sitting with a cup of coffee. Expect this category to continue to explode, as content creators vie for our headphone attention and explore all sorts of topics.