There are thousands of podcasts for 20-somethings. In fact, podcasts are quickly becoming one of the most popular mediums for consuming content. According to Edison Research, podcast listenership has grown 37.5 percent in the last three years, with 55 percent of Americans tuning into podcasts in 2020.
Podcasts open a world of free, unlimited content for you to listen to while you go about your daily life—from working to folding clothes or taking a walk. For those 20-somethings who are here to change the world, podcasts are a great way to get inspired, learn new skills and uncover secrets of the successful people who came before you.
But don’t listen to just any podcasts. These 10 shows were created for people who are here to take action and change the world.
Buy the Book: 10 Questions That Answer Life’s Biggest Questions
1. Mindset Reset Radio with Jessica Thiefels
I launched my podcast in April of 2020 and never looked back! On Mindset Reset Radio, I chat with guests who challenge our perspectives and flip our mindset so we can get more intentional in life, business, and career. My goal is to help millennials bring intention into everything they do—so if you’re ready to live life with intention, this podcast is for you.
Join our community of intention-getters on Instagram, @JessicaThiefels, and then tune in to enjoy candid conversations, practical advice, and real-life stories of strength, growth and triumph.
2. She Makes Money Moves with Glamour and Samantha Barry
Samantha Barry, editor-in-chief of Glamour, felt like finance was the ultimate feminist issue for women in their 20s. So she set out to change the traditionally fashion-based magazine to include more financial content—and this podcast came out of that mission.
Each episode is centered around one woman’s journey with money, so that it’s relatable and puts a face to each financial story. If you want to change the world, run your business, or break out of limiting patterns, you need to understand your finances. Listening to money-related podcasts is the perfect way to get started.
3. Superwomen with Rebecca Minkoff
Rebecca Minkoff went from an innovative designer to an overall force in women’s empowerment. She co-created the Female Founder Collection, hosts events, and has millions in her superwomen community (read more about it in this Forbes article).
In her podcast, Minkoff aims to remove the filters of life to show listeners navigate vulnerability in the real world. She aims to show you how loss can make you stronger and how you can make your inner superwoman truly shine. From CEOs to celebrities, artists, and thought leaders, guests get real with Minkoff, with each episode having an overarching theme, such as “be your own boss,” or “lean into courage.”
Hearing the journey of others who changed the world will no doubt inspire you on your path to do the same.
4. On Being with Krista Tippett
On Being is a radio and podcast series hosted by legendary Krista Tippett and is one of the best podcasts for 20-somethings navigating this crazy life while changing the world.
As their website describes: “On Being, as it has evolved, takes up the great questions of meaning in 21st-century lives and at the intersection of spiritual inquiry, science, social healing, and the arts. What does it mean to be human, how do we want to live, and who will we be to each other?”
One thing that makes Tippett’s podcast different is that they release both the edited and unedited versions of each episode—you get to choose which one you want to listen to. Learn more about Trippet’s philosophy in her recent webinar series with Salesforce.
5. RISE Podcast with Rachel Hollis
Rachel Hollis, bestselling author of Girl, Wash Your Face, brings her trademark candid conversation into the world of podcasts as she interviews business and personal development leaders. Each episode offers valuable takeaways and life lessons to help you bolster and nurture your own evolution.
For example, fellow bestselling author Elizabeth Gilbert explains how to reclaim your magic, Hollis shares tips on disaster-proofing your business, plus plenty of interviews with global entrepreneurs and game-changers.
6. Second Life, with Hillary Kerr
If you’re a 20-something looking to change the world, odds are you also want to change your current career trajectory, goals, or personal passions—or maybe you already have. What you may be finding is that change is hard. More importantly, figuring out where you want to go when you feel stuck is even harder. That’s what makes Second Life such an inspiring and informative podcast.
Host Hillary Kerr interviews powerhouse women, including CEOs, actresses, entrepreneurs, authors, who excelled after a pivot from their initial career. For example, she talks with Catherine McCord, a former Calvin Klein model turned founder and cookbook author and Kelly Oxford, a stay-at-home mom who was discovered on Twitter and became a NY-Times bestselling author.
The awesome part is not every guest was famous or successful before their pivot, which shows you the magic of a second act.
7. Super Soul Conversations with Oprah Winfrey
If you’re talking about changing the world, Oprah’s name no doubt enters the conversation. Few people have had such a lasting impact in the 21st century or built such a legendary empire, and on her podcast, she interviews guests that only Oprah could book.
Super Soul Conversations offers a little bit of everything. Oprah tackles current social issues, candidly interviews celebrities and CEOs alike about their lives and struggles. She also dives deep with spiritual leaders. There are so many episodes that you can pick and choose the guests who really speak to you.
8. Revisionist History with Malcolm Gladwell
Revisionist History is one of the original podcasts that captivated listeners of all backgrounds. Malcolm Gladwell, bestselling author and staff writer for The New Yorker, dissects relatively unknown events and topics by taking social science and research to the next level. Each episode focuses on a new event, and while it might seem like a historical narrative, Gladwell always brings it back to an overarching commentary on society and culture.
Most importantly, each story makes you question what you thought you always knew. To expand your outlook and mindset dive into some episodes of Revisionist History, you won’t be disappointed.
9. Unlocking Us with Brené Brown
Besides being another bestselling author whom I admire, Brené Brown is a professor, lecturer, and one of the most well-known self-help thought leaders. Brown only recently got into the podcasting game in early 2020, but her episodes follow her trademark style of exploration, experience, research, and storytelling.
As Brown explains, “Episodes will include conversations with the people who are teaching me, challenging me, confusing me, or maybe even ticking me off a little. I’ll also have direct conversations with you about what I’m learning from new research, and we’ll do some episodes dedicated to answering your questions. We don’t have to do life alone. We were never meant to.”
If you’re looking for guidance on your path to changing the world, let Brown show you the way.
10. Happier with Gretchen Rubin
Your twenties can be a hell of a decade—you’re figuring out who you are, what you want to do, and who you want to do it with. We could all use a little more happiness on that journey. Gretchen Rubin is an author who tackles the concept of being happy in her NY -Times bestselling books and her podcast.
Her co-host (and sister), Elizabeth Craft, often refers to Gretchen as a “happiness bully” and as she talks with her guests, Rubin offers actionable advice and strategies to help you create habits that lead to more joy.
The Best Podcasts for 20-Somethings Changing the World
These podcasts for 20-somethings cover a lot of ground—from vulnerability and mindset to happiness and business. Subscribe to each one and then tune in when you need to feel inspired, want some fresh ideas, or just have a hankering for some interesting dialogue so you can move more powerfully toward your dreams.
