Creative Processing with Joseph Gordon-Levitt As someone who is driven by a creative approach to everything I do, I am always looking for new ways to learn about how others look at creative problem solving. This podcast series from Joseph Gordon Levitt is a super accessible entry point into learning how some of the most creative minds across different industries think. He talks to everyone from filmmaker Rian Johnson to professional poker player Liv Boeree. Joseph Gordon Levitt is someone I have a tremendous amount of respect for and his HitRecord community, which I’ve written about before, is something I admire deeply. Listen to the podcast here

Reply All I particularly love podcasts that tell stories in an interesting and creative way. Reply All is probably the very best of that kind out there. While it has stuttered somewhat since it’s original host ignominiously left the show, it still manages to cover some of the most interesting stories I’ve heard in podcast form. Each episode follows a little thread from the internet and spins a masterful yarn, and the end result is always a far grander meditation on life and the world we live in. A great entry point is # 158 The Case of The Missing Hit. It has all the hallmarks of their great storytelling, with a unique perspective on the oddities of life in the age of the internet, and, best of all, it has a proper little mystery at its core. Rarely have I been so swept along in a story, and I wont spoil it for you, but in broad strokes it dives into the curious case of a catchy pop song that nobody seems to remember. And like all good tales, the ending is absolutely terrific. Listen to the podcast here

Mike Birbiglia’s Working It Out We can learn so much from comedians, who have a real gift for turning the everyday into compelling, funny stories. One such comedian is Mike Birbiglia, who is a consummate pro at crafting tales from his life into thoughtful and funny stories. If you haven’t seen any of his specials, they are well worth a look (several can be found on Netflix). On his podcast he welcomes a different comedian or creator each week, and together they work out original, untested material. It is a disarmingly easy listen and gives you unrestricted access to the creative process from some of the finest creative brains in the world. I have learned something from almost every single episode. Time well spent. Listen to the podcast here

Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend I’ve always been a huge admirer of Conan as both an entertainer and comedian, and these interviews are hilarious and deeply moving at times. Conan is able to switch tones and tempo with such ease, and his pre-show banter with his production team is as engaging as the podcast itself. There’s a perfect blend of tomfoolery and serious introspection, and it often hits something really truthful. Which is Conan’s superpower. All in all, it makes for a really pleasurable listening experience. Some of my favourite episodes include Jameela Jamil, Bruce Springsteen, Sarah Silverman and Weird Al Yankovic Listen to the podcast here

How I built this with Guy Raz If you aren’t already listening to the podcast series How I Built This, you’re truly missing out. A thoughtful and insightful interview series that talks to entrepreneurs, moguls, innovators and creators from around the world, to understand how they built some of the most recognisable brands and companies around. The informal and honest conversation uncover so much about what it takes to create something from nothing. Compelling content, well told. Listen to the podcast here

Song Exploder This fascinating podcast series (and now also a Netflix series) is one of the very best at illuminating the creative journey. It is a brilliantly simple premise. Each episode picks a single song, and through a conversation with the songwriter and other contributors, it documents the creative journey of the song to completion. Not only is it a fascinating look at how some songs are truly more than the sum of their parts, but it also gives a rare peek behind the curtain of some of the most successful musicians of all time, and, more importantly, the ingenuity that underpins their work. In addition to learning more about some of my favourite artists of all time like Wilco, U2, Bjork and Hozier, it has really opened my ears to artists I would never have otherwise encountered. There isn’t a bad episode amongst the catalogue, and I defy you to listen to an episode and not be excited about hearing the featured song in its entirety at the end. Listen to the podcast here

As someone who adores great storytelling, I am very drawn to the work produced by Gimlet Media, who are masters of the art. Late in the year I stumbled upon Heavyweight, a terrific podcast centred around personal stories. Each episode is a cleverly constructed journey that begins with a person who has an unresolved moment in their past ( a heavy weight) and the host, Jonathan Goldstein, takes them (and the listener) on a journey to resolve or reckon with that moment. It’s a simple premise that could easily fall apart in the hands of a lesser storyteller. If you’re looking for a new podcast to kick off the new year, this one is a doozy. Listen to the podcast here