On the 8th of March, we celebrated International Women’s Day. It is a day dedicated to the global celebration of the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women from all around the world. It’s a day steeped in rich history, having been commemorated annually for over a century! Yes, that’s right! The first documented International Women’s Day took place in 1911.
As our way of celebrating all the incredible women out there, and joining the ongoing challenge of fighting for gender equality, we’ve put together a list of our favorite podcasts for strong women by strong women. From taking names in business and conquering your goals, to inspiring heroic tales and heartfelt conversations, these podcasts focus on girl power in all its dynamic, beautiful, and formidable forms. Add these shows to your library, and you’ll have a whole host of incredible women in your corner, cheering you on and equipping you with all you need to face the world.
1. Before Breakfast
They say you should slay your dragons before breakfast, and that’s exactly what Before Breakfast equips you to do. And what better way to start the day feeling motivated and empowered than with this stellar podcast. Proof that dynamite comes in small packages, in each short, daily episode, host Laura Vanderkam arms you with practical strategies to help you manage your time more effectively, work efficiently, and conquer everything that is required of you as the strong, game-changing woman you are! Before your morning cup of joe even has a chance to cool, you’ll be filled up with everything you need to get your mind focused on slaying all that the day ahead holds.
2. Goal Digger Podcast
For all those business babes and entrepreneurial queens out there, Jenna Kutcher and her Goal Digger Podcast is just what you need! Not only is Jenna a self-made millionaire (WOW!), entrepreneur and all-round business powerhouse, but she’s also the friend and mentor you want in your corner to encourage you on your own journey. If you’re a budding entrepreneur, wanting to enhance your marketing and business skills, or just need some extra motivation on your way to world domination, subscribe to this podcast, like yesterday! It’s crammed full of valuable content, but it’s also inspiring listening to Jenna’s experiences and the insights she’s gleaned on her own journey. One of the main (of many) reasons we recommend this podcast is because of Jenna’s honest and transparent approach. She openly shares stories of her failures and mistakes, not only her successes, which is so helpful and needed as it can help curb our tendency to beat ourselves up when we feel we’ve missed the mark.
3. The Marie Forleo Podcast
If the great Oprah Winfrey calls someone a thought leader for the next generation, then you know that person must have something special. And Marie Forleo definitely does! Author of the wildly successful Everything is Figureoutable, she also hosts The Marie Forleo Podcast, a show where she inspires and motivates us to pursue the woman we want to be and the dreams we want to achieve. Her manner is instantly likeable, the episodes are punchy and full of energy, and you’ll feel yourself pumped and rearing to go in a matter of minutes. Listening to Marie is like having your own personal cheerleader in your corner, cheering you on to set those big goals and dream those big dreams. And as a woman, having another woman encouraging you and building you up is sometimes all we need to blow the dust off our hope and desires, take the plunge, seize the day, and all the other steps you need to do to see your dreams become reality. Equipped with the knowledge that everything is, in fact, figureoutable, there will be no stopping you!
4. Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls
If you want to know more about some of the incredible women who changed the world, then look no further than Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls. Based on the New York Times bestseller of the same name, this podcast is a great way to learn about all the phenomenal women from all over the world who have done, as well as those who continue to do, astonishing things in a variety of fields and who made waves in their spheres of influence. This podcast is a great way to inspire women young and old to do the impossible, to dream bigger, and to aim higher. This podcast is inspiring company for your commute, or, as the name suggests, a great way to drift off to sleep. It’s perfect for the whole family, as everyone can learn a thing or two from these remarkable women, and get inspired to be kind, to be courageous, and to get out there and change their world.
5. The Melissa Ambrosini Show
Named a self-help guru by Elle Magazine, Melissa Ambrosini and her podcast, The Melissa Ambrosini Show, want to propel all women into living their lives to the fullest, giving us all the tools we need for that major mindset shift of learning to love ourselves. This podcast is set to help you get the best out of every facet of your life. There are interviews with experts from all walks of life – a vast variety of health and wellness specialists and thought-leaders – and together, you learn more about what it means to live authentically and how to holistically create and live an exciting, fulfilled life. As women, more often than not, throughout our lives, our self-esteem takes a crippling hit, but with each episode, Melissa encourages us to understand our self-worth, know our value, and learn to love ourselves again. Her positive energy and all that valuable insight her guests bring to the table will have you dusting out those negative cobwebs covering your ambitions and self-belief and get you seeing yourself and all your potential with new, positive eyes. You’ll be inspired to become more introspective, focusing on those areas that need healing and a little TLC, and you’ll soon remember just how great you are and all that you can accomplish.
6. She Podcasts
If you’re a female podcaster, then you are definitely going to want to check out She Podcasts. Hosted by powerhouses, Elsie Escobar and Jessica Kupferman, She Podcasts is the ultimate show to turn to if you are looking for some super cool ladies to help you along your journey as you navigate the world of podcasting. They are insightful, full of personality, and a whole lot of fun – not to mention, packed with all the information, tips, and tricks you could possibly need for starting and maintaining a successful podcast. They cover every aspect of podcasting from every angle, never shying away from telling you like it is, and they never sugarcoat the challenges or the pitfalls you will likely face in running your show. They are authentic and real – and true industry pros. But what makes this show so special is the way they support female podcasters and those in other aspects of the industry. Proof of this support is the group of over 10k female podcasters they have gathered around them, and with whom they have created an environment that is encouraging, supportive, and informative for all of those in the podcasting community. This show is a testament of all that women can accomplish when they stick together and have each other’s backs.
7. Decoder Ring
If you love insightful conversations about cultural phenomenons, philosophical debates, or, dare-I-say-it, political shenanigans, with your BFF, then you are going to fall for Decoder Ring hook, line, and sinker! In each episode, host, Willa Paskin, explores the ins and outs of some of our societies most bizarre habits, discovers why we collectively obsessive over famous people or infamous objects, or peels back the layers of absurd habits. If you’re a gal who loves to be in the know or have a never-ending thirst for random knowledge and unusual facts, then Decoder Ring will quickly become your favorite listen. Not only that, but you’ll love the follow-up conversations or debates you’re bound to have when you and your friends get together. It’s really a great listen for women who are determined to stay curious and learn all they can about the world around them.
8. Living Fully Alive
Mary Hyatt is one inspiring woman! She was able to do what so many of us long to do – step out of the shadows, shake off our insecurities and begin to take charge of our lives and start living fully alive and wholly awake. Every episode of Living Fully Alive presents us with mindset shifting ideas, inspiring conversations with inspirational guests and thought-provoking interviews with experts tackling a variety of topics, from success to feminity, body confidence to dealing with our emotions, we’re guided in a thought-provoking and eye-opening inner journey to living our lives to the fullest through Mary’s wise and authentic guidance. If you want to expound your self-growth exponentially, and feel more empowered as a woman and learn to love and appreciate the skin you’re in, the let Mary Hyatt equip you to live fully alive.
Closing Thoughts
Women supporting women is a powerful thing. And a world where there is gender equality and safety for all is one worth fighting for, and these are just some of the incredible female-led podcasts to encourage you, inspire you, and motivate to be all you can be and more. Whether you want to learn to leave your insecurities in the past and face tomorrow with newfound confidence, or you want to just explore all the facets that make you who you are, these podcasts are sure to help you be and become the woman you are destined to be. And in doing so, we will help to ensure that the future for all the girls that follow after us is bright, equal, safe and full of possibilities.
