20 Great Podcasts to Inspire and Improve Your Writing

23 Oct 2020

20 GREAT PODCASTS TO INSPIRE AND IMPROVE YOUR WRITING

As professional writers, we at The Writers For Hire (TWFH) are constantly looking to hone up on our skills while staying attuned to current trends and developments in the writing world.

And we have found that listening to podcasts is a fantastic way to do just that!

Whether you are tuning in while working out at the gym, or listening during your commute to work, podcasts are a great resource for gaining knowledge and inspiration — not to mention some fantastic stories to tell at parties!.

We have found, though, that not all podcasts are created equal.

So, to find the best podcasts streaming today, we compiled a list of what our talented writers at TWFH are listening to now.  And here’s what they had to say…

Creative Writing

Suzanne Kearns

The Creative Penn with Joanna Penn

Joanna is a best-selling author whose podcast includes interviews, inspiration, and information related to making a living as a writer.

Carol Kim:

The Portfolio Life with Jeff Goins

Goins is the author of the book, Real Artists Don’t Starve, as well as a speaker, consultant, and blogger. In his podcast, he discusses how to identify your life’s work, ways to express yourself (your portfolio), and how to go about creating it.

88 Cups of Tea

This fantastic podcast is for creative writers of all kinds! The podcast features interviews with writers, filmmakers, Ted Talk speakers, and other creative individuals who discuss their storytelling journey and the life of a writer, including publishing and the ups and downs all writers experience.

Children’s Books

Carol Kim

The Children’s Book Podcast with Matthew Winner

Matthew is a school librarian and founder of the former podcast, All the Wonders. His insightful podcast features interviews with authors, illustrators, and others in the children’s book industry.

Literaticast with Jennifer Laughran

Jennifer is a senior agent with the Andrea Brown Literary Agency, representing children’s book authors. In her podcast, she interviews authors, other agents, and editors about the business of children’s book publishing.

Picturebooking with Nick Patton

Nick is a children’s book author who interviews other picture book authors and illustrators about their books and their experiences as authors.

Tips and Advice for Writers

Flori Meeks

The Copywriter Club

The Copywriter Club Podcast is a great listen for copywriters looking to build a profitable business. Through their interviews with writers and other professionals, they share ideas, tactics, and strategies to strengthen your writing and business skills.

Carol Kim

Manuscript Academy

This free podcast features interviews with agents, editors, and authors on the craft, business, and community of publishing.

Write or Die with Kat Cho and Claribel Ortega.

Kat and Claribel are authors of middle grade and young adult books. Through their podcast interviews, they share real-life stories of writers who didn’t give up, and are now living out their dream.

Writing Excuses

Run by a group of writers, this podcast features 15-minute segments with tips on how to become a better writer.

Tyler Omoth

Helping Writers Become Authors

This wonderful podcast is full of great advice for aspiring writers, presented in ways you probably have never heard before.

Language

Flori Meeks

Duolingo

This popular language app recently launched a podcast, which is currently available in three languages—Spanish for English speakers, French for English speakers, and English for Spanish speakers. The podcast features easy-to-follow stories, designed to help users strengthen their language skills.

Jennifer Rizzo

A Way with Words

This fun podcast is all about the roots of various sayings, regional dialects, family expressions, and slang throughout history. It is a must for people who are fascinated by language and its origins.

Genealogy and Family History

Jennifer Rizzo

Extreme Genes

For genealogy buffs and professionals alike, this podcast is highly entertaining and educational. The host, Scott Fisher, interviews professional genealogists as well as hosts of popular ancestry shows to get helpful tips and ideas for researching family history.

Family Secrets

This inspirational podcast is a collection of interviews with master storytellers who have discovered, and written about, long-hidden family secrets.

History

Kathy Rinchiuso

The History Chicks  

This fascinating podcast introduces listeners to the little-known stories of incredible women throughout history.  

Mobituaries with Mo Rocca

In this intriguing podcast, Emmy winner Mo Rocca explores the people and things of the past that have always intrigued him: from Neanderthals and JFK impersonators to the Orphan Train and sitcom deaths.

You’re Wrong About

Hosts, Mike and Sarah, are journalists obsessed with the past. In their weekly podcast, they discuss—and challenge each other about— a person or event that’s been miscast in the public imagination.

Entertainment

Kathy Rinchiuso

Armchair Expert

In this hilarious podcast, Dax Shepard interviews fellow actors and celebrities about the “messiness of being human.” While it may not be as educational or informative as some of the other podcasts listed here, it is definitely one of the most entertaining!

Erin Larson

Irish Music Stories with Shannon Heaton

While not exactly writing-related, this wonderful podcast provides a lovely break from current events. And, as an added bonus, the host just happens to be Erin’s sister!

Author
Jennifer Rizzo 
Jennifer Rizzo, also known as "Rizzo," is a Denver-based writer with a passion for writing, genealogical research, travel, and languages. She studied Spanish at the University of Guadalajara in Guadalajara, Mexico and also lived and studied in Ancona, Italy. She also holds a certification for International Tour Management through the International Guide Academy. Since joining The Writers for Hire, Jennifer has written on vast array of topics and has done many in-depth genealogical research and family tree projects. She has worked as Project Manager for various client projects, including: family history books, websites, RFPs, blogs, autobiographies, and SOPs. She enjoys working closely with clients, and loves any opportunity that allows her to indulge her creative side.

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