The evidence speaks volumes: women bring distinct strengths to leadership roles. They inspire increased productivity in alignment with company missions, according to the American Psychological Association. The Pew Research Center has found that people are nearly three times more likely to view women as more intelligent than men. And organizations with women in leadership are perceived as fairer overall, according to researchers Mansi P. Joshi and Amanda B. Diekman at Indiana University Bloomington.
Despite these proven capabilities, McKinsey and LeanIn.Org’s latest Women in the Workplace report reveals a concerning trend: the leadership pipeline is weakening at entry and manager levels, with young women particularly affected by age-related barriers.
The good news? There’s a wealth of expertise available to support women in navigating leadership obstacles—from mastering C-suite dynamics to executing strategic career moves to establishing your executive presence. Here are 12 must-listen leadership podcasts for women to add to your queue.
Leadership Fundamentals And Strategy
If you’re looking to build core leadership capabilities, Harvard Business Review’s Women at Work delivers practical wisdom straight from the source. Hosted by HBR staffers Amy Bernstein, Amy Gallo and Emily Caulfield, this podcast tackles real-world challenges like executive presence, board service and high-stakes negotiations with a perfect blend of expert insights and personal experiences.
For those seeking to lead authentically, Dare to Lead with Brené Brown stands out. Brown’s conversations with change-makers and culture-shifters explore the intersection of courage and leadership, offering fresh perspectives on vulnerability and resilience in professional settings. Brown and her guests dig deep into what makes great leaders tick, examining everything from building trust to having difficult conversations.
Industry-Specific Leadership And Organizational Dynamics
Executive Access, hosted by former Microsoft executive Jamie Tozzi, gives listeners an insider’s view of corporate leadership. Through candid conversations, Tozzi draws out the pivotal moments and hard-won lessons from successful executives.
For women blazing trails in male-dominated spaces, Winning Season hits different. Host Jacqueline V. Twillie speaks directly to the realities of being “the only” in the room. Drawing from her work with Fortune 500 companies, Twillie helps listeners command respect, handle difficult negotiations and turn potential setbacks into opportunities.
For a fresh take on success in the tech world, consider Leading Women in Tech. Host Toni Collis’ in-depth interviews with tech leaders and founders dig into the barriers and opportunities in this fast-moving industry, providing both strategic insights and tactical tips.
Especially relevant for these times, Jenni Catron’s Lead Culture zeros in on what makes organizations thrive. Going beyond the theoretical, each episode offers pragmatic approaches for building engaged teams and vibrant company cultures that drive results.
Entrepreneurial Insight And Career Transitions
For women contemplating entrepreneurial leadership or pivoting out of corporate leadership, MaYapinion brings a unique perspective. Having made the leap from corporate leadership to entrepreneurship herself, host Maya Roffler explores both worlds, combining business strategy with honest discussions about the emotional and professional challenges of charting your own path.
Another standout podcast is This Woman Can, which speaks to mature professionals charting their next chapter. Host Janice Sutherland tackles the nuanced pain points around workplace dynamics, age discrimination and the art of reinvention after 40. Sutherland’s talent for helping women reframe their experience as an asset allows listeners to push back against “overqualified” labels to leverage decades of expertise in new ways.
Professional Development And Growth
If you’re looking for more general career advancement advice, Career Contessa, hosted by Lauren McGoodwin, gives listeners practical advice on everything from salary negotiations to office politics, with tangible strategies for building success on your own terms.
And if you need leadership advice that fits into a busy schedule? Fixable delivers. Leadership experts Frances Frei and Anne Morriss pack each 30-minute episode with clear frameworks for moving through common leadership hurdles.
Rounding out the essentials, Women Taking the Lead features Jodi Flynn’s interviews with successful leaders who share their paths to overcoming self-doubt and leading confidently. Flynn’s thoughtful questioning style draws out nuggets and guidance you can apply to your journey.
Finally, for a broader perspective on leadership psychology, ReThinking with Adam Grant explores the science of success through conversations with diverse achievers, from Nobel laureates to Olympic champions. Grant’s skill at connecting behavioral research to real-world leadership challenges makes complex concepts accessible and immediately applicable.
Along with these must-read leadership books, these 12 leadership podcasts for women offer a powerful playbook for leadership at every stage. Whether you’re launching your leadership journey, navigating fraught transitions or at the pinnacle of your career, there’s knowledge here to light the way. And as we approach Women’s History Month, there’s no better time to add these voices to your professional development playlist.