When you spend most of your day working alone, the silence can be loud. Maybe it’s the lack of small talk, or just needing a bit of background buzz that doesn’t distract. That’s where podcasts come in. They fill the space with stories, ideas, and voices that keep you going. When managing productivity in remote work, the right podcast can help make your workday a little less solitary and a lot more engaging.
Podcasts have exploded in popularity over the past decade, with over half of Americans tuning in and 32% listening monthly. They’ve become a go-to for learning, motivation, and even a bit of company throughout the day. Remote workers, especially freelancers, side hustlers, or full-time employees with flexible schedules, have embraced this format.
With this surge in podcasts, we’ve rounded up the best ones for you – ones that inspire, teach, entertain, and help you stay focused even on the most chaotic days.
Why You Should Be Listening to Podcasts While Working Remotely
Remote work isn’t a trend anymore; it’s the new normal for millions. And it’s easy to see why. With more flexibility and a reduced remote work carbon footprint, employees can better manage their time, focus on personal growth, and even take on side gigs. In fact, around 24% of Americans are now part of the digital gig economy.
But working from home can feel isolating. That’s where a remote worker’s music playlist and podcasts can come in handy. Podcasts bring fresh ideas, expert advice, and real stories right into your workspace. So, whether you’re seeking motivation or just a friendly voice in the background, tuning in can boost your mood and your productivity.
10+ Remote Work Podcasts to Tune in to
Without further ado, let’s look at our favorite podcasts that can help you make it through the remote work week.
Inside stories from people building the future of work.
If you’ve ever wondered how remote teams actually work, The Remote Show pulls back the curtain. Brought to you by We Work Remotely, this podcast features honest conversations with founders, CEOs, and team members who live and breathe remote work. They talk tools, time zones, company culture, and all the messy stuff in between.
One episode you shouldn’t miss? The chat with Buffer’s CEO, Joel Gascoigne. His take on transparency, async work, and scaling a remote team is refreshingly real. Whether you’re new to remote life or deep in it, this one always delivers something useful.
Less hustle, more intention—your new productivity toolkit.
Hosted by productivity expert Mike Vardy, this podcast is for anyone trying to work smarter, not harder, especially from a home office. Mike breaks down the buzz around to-do lists, time-blocking, and habit-stacking without making it feel overwhelming. What sets this show apart is its friendly, practical tone.
Each episode feels like a casual chat with someone who genuinely wants to help you get things done without burning out. Guests range from authors and coaches to everyday folks making big changes. If you’re juggling priorities or feeling a bit scattered, this podcast might just be your weekly reset button. Don’t miss out on its episode on bringing fun back to work, featuring Bree Groff.
Real-life journeys from people who work where they want.
Dreaming of taking your laptop on the road? Digital Nomad Stories gives you the real talk on what that lifestyle actually looks like. Hosted by Anne Claessen, this podcast feels more like a personal travel diary than a how-to manual. Anne interviews freelancers, remote workers, and entrepreneurs who’ve turned the world into their office, sharing both the highs and the growing pains.
If you’re even thinking about working from abroad, check out their podcast with Rosie Bell on freedom and time management as a nomadic lifestyle entrepreneur. Many other episodes can inspire and prepare you for the move, too.
Real talk for thriving in remote and hybrid teams.
Hosted by Wayne Turmel and Marisa Eikenberry, Long-Distance Worklife feels like a weekly check-in with two people who really understand the ups and downs of remote and hybrid work. Produced by The Kevin Eikenberry Group, the podcast covers everything from virtual team communication to leadership strategies and the mental load of working from home. What makes this show special is how much attention it gives to the human side of work, like handling loneliness, burnout, or building trust from a distance.
Its episode on breaking free from screen fatigue is a must-listen. It talks about how remote work takes a toll on your energy and focus, and offers clear steps to restore balance in a digital-heavy day.
Where the future of work is already happening.
Oyster’s New World of Work explores the bigger picture of how businesses and employees are redefining what it means to work today. The show brings in voices from across industries (startups, HR leaders, and remote-first companies) to talk about everything from asynchronous communication to cross-border hiring. It’s perfect for remote workers and decision-makers who want to stay ahead of modern workplace trends.
One must-listen episode is “The Power of Global Teams with Tony Jamous,” in which Oyster’s CEO shares a powerful take on how building distributed teams can improve business and lives. It’s insightful, inspiring, and a great snapshot of this podcast’s content.
Simple happiness tools for a more positive remote day.
This award-winning podcast brings down-to-earth advice on habits, happiness, and mindset. It’s perfect for keeping your spirits up during long stretches of remote work. Episodes are short, practical, and often feel like chatting with a good friend.
If you want to give it a try, listen to episode 82: Make a List (If You Want). It discusses whether a two-column “to‑do vs. could‑do” list might suit you better. It’s engaging and helps turn overwhelm into small wins.
Creative focus and energy for working thinkers.
The Accidental Creative (now Daily Creative with Todd Henry) is a show geared toward creative pros. It equips you with tools to stay sharp under deadlines or brainstorm on demand. Each episode provides specific strategies to keep your creative flow, even when you’re isolated behind a screen.
Todd Henry’s standout episode on “Three Tactics for Unleashing Your Best Work” is worth listening to. It outlines clear steps to focus, collaborate, and perform under pressure. Though originally an Accidental Creative episode, it embodies the podcast’s goal of helping you stay prolific and balanced.
A thoughtful take on remote culture and leadership.
Hosted by Pilar Orti and Maya Middlemiss under the Virtual Not Distant banner, 21st Century Work Life is a deep dive into distributed work, online collaboration, and the emotional challenges of working apart. With over 350 episodes, this podcast blends practical strategies with personal insight, covering topics from belonging to productivity frameworks.
The episode featuring Henry O’Loughlin of Buildremote is a must-hear. It’s a smart, forward-looking conversation where they talk about how post-pandemic shifts are reshaping work culture, from four-day weeks to creator economy structures.
Big-name interviews that unpack high performance.
While not exclusively remote-focused, The Tim Ferriss Show is packed with actionable wisdom on productivity, routines, and mindset—the same principles that can help remote workers thrive. Guests range from authors to entrepreneurs, and episodes often touch on topics like workflow, deep work, and digital tools.
One of its best episodes features Cal Newport and Tim Ferriss, where they talk about the void of remote work. Newport and Ferriss reflect on how the ideas of the 2007 book have come true—and where remote work still challenges us. It covers deep work, burnout, and working life design in a remote era. Stream it to dig into the interesting convo!
Witness the future of remote work through one founder’s lens.
Hosted by WordPress co-founder and Automattic CEO Matt Mullenweg, Distributed is a podcast that examines the deeper elements of all-remote teams: culture, leadership, tech, and human connection. Matt brings on diverse guests from the tech, HR, and startup worlds to learn what makes distributed teams succeed and where they often struggle.
In an episode, Leo, co‑founder of Buffer turned a mindfulness coach, speaks candidly about isolation, emotional resilience, and the “loneliness spiral” experienced by remote workers. He offers actionable tools to maintain mental well‑being in a world without in‑office camaraderie. It’s an insightful episode you must not miss out on.
Practical tips for working well across distance.
Hosted by Lisette Sutherland, this show is packed with stories and tools from remote-first teams around the world. It’s trusted by leaders and individuals looking to boost collaboration, efficiency, and connection across distance.
“Question your tech with meeting owl” is one of its most recommended shows. In this episode, Lisette interviews Rebecca Corliss, VP of Marketing at Owl Labs. Rebecca shares how the Meeting Owl device enhances hybrid meetings and ensures everyone in the room feels seen and heard, especially remote attendees. Listen for valuable insights!
Career advice you can actually use, especially when remote.
Hosted by Mac Prichard and produced by Mac’s List, this podcast is a career hunter’s gold mine. Whether you’re job searching, career-switching, or trying to grow into your next role, each short episode delivers practical, expert-tested advice. The tone is warm and real, no fluff, just smart insights to help you map your path forward.
If you’re interested, listen to its first episode, which focuses on networking to get a job. Nathan Perez, who co-authored The 20‑Minute Networking Meeting, shares how to conduct effective informational interviews, make great impressions, and connect with people who can truly help your career and eventually land the job you want.
13. Mastering Remote
Expert conversations designed for distributed team leaders.
Hosted by Jovian Gautama and backed by Arc.dev, this bite-sized podcast offers single-topic analysis on remote leadership, collaboration, and team culture. Although it originally launched under the name Outside the Valley, the show has since rebranded to Mastering Remote, and both titles now refer to the same podcast series.
One particularly valuable episode is the classic “How To Build Social Connections & Trust In Remote Teams”, which leans into practical strategies for nurturing trust and relationships when your team is spread across the globe.
Wrapping Up: Workdays Don’t Have to Be Boring Anymore
Remote work isn’t just about emails and video calls. It’s about finding rhythms, tools, and inspiration that turn boring workdays into exciting, fulfilling ones. The podcasts listed above don’t just share advice; they help reshape your mindset, energy, and creativity throughout the week.
Whether it’s improving focus, building better habits, or simply staying connected, these episodes offer something real for every type of remote worker. And just like we refurbish and retrieve company laptops to give them a new lease on life, maybe all your workday needs is a fresh perspective or a new routine to feel brand new. Why stick to dull when you can tune in and upgrade your 9-to-5?