The Best Education Podcasts to Keep Learning

Questions about what's on the horizon in education will always arise, as the industry landscape shifts and adapts; What new technologies can we expect in the classroom? How will remote learning affect the students of the future? What can students do to study smarter, not harder? How can they pay for college without going broke?

Naturally, such big questions elicit discussion and debate — which is where podcasts are an invaluable resource.

In this article, we'll explore education podcasts that not only discuss industry trends but also help fill your head with knowledge.

11 of the Best Education Podcasts

Covering a wide gamut of topics, from classroom tech and tuition fees to skills development, school leadership and even post-college subjects like buying your first house, take a look at our top picks for shows to keep your finger on the education system pulse.

1. The EdTech Podcast

The EdTech Podcast is a weekly podcast that's all about well-informed, tech-savvy conversations surrounding the EdTech industry. As you can probably tell from the title, this is a podcast that dives into all things education and technology. 

EdTech is hosted by Sophie Bailey, who has served as head of content at Bett, the world's largest education technology event. Sophie also enjoyed a 10-year career in tech events, including at Informa Telecoms and Media (the founders of the Mobile World Congress).

This well-loved podcast is downloaded at least 2000 times each week by listeners across 145 countries — and for a good reason. 

The EdTech Podcast covers a broad range of topics, including online learning platforms, the latest in classroom tech, digital strategies, removing barriers in skills development, AI EdTech, and so much more.

What we love about this podcast:

• Short 30-minute episodes

• Up-to-date industry information

• Host is beyond knowledgeable in her field

• Well produced with great guests

If you're looking for a way to stay up to date on the latest in education technology, this is the podcast for you!

"Covering schools, higher education, and lifelong learning. Our mission is to improve the dialogue between 'ed' and 'tech' for better innovation and impact."

Listen on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Website

2. MindShift by KQED

MindShift by KQED is one of the best education podcasts for its content and approach. This podcast was launched in 2010 with  KQED and NPR. The podcast covers teaching strategies, educational technology, student wellbeing, and more.  But it isn’t just information, they come up with actions for teachers to take these lessons into the classroom.

Every episode brings a new perspective from educators, researchers, and thought leaders in the field of education.

What we love about this podcast:

• The range of topics covered and the honest conversation behind them

• Well-produced, enjoyable listening

• Topics are engaging for those in and out of the education industry

Listen on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Website

3. The School Leadership Show

Being in a leadership position can put a lot of pressure on anyone — but none more so than educators. They often have multiple spinning plates that need constant attention, such as budgets, staff management, and student care.

Enter the School Leadership Show, hosted by Dr. Mike Doughty. This podcast is entirely dedicated to helping practicing and aspiring school leaders realize their potential, advance their careers, and achieve work-life balance. In addition, the podcast gives school administrators the tools and knowledge to thrive and become extraordinary leaders.

In 45 minutes or less, each episode is packed with useful takeaways from the greatest minds in the education space. Mike and the team certainly deliver the insights anyone might need to succeed in school leadership. Topics include spotting candidates, reviewing and updating hiring processes, developing interview questions and transforming your curriculum through art, right the way through to helping kids to not fear failure.

What makes this one of the best education podcasts:

• Plenty of content surrounding student behavior

• Covers educator self-care and avoiding burnout

• Tackles unanswered questions about distance learning

Listen on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Website

4. The Better Leaders Better Schools Podcast with Daniel Bauer

There are times when it's hard to get motivated, especially when you're stuck in a rut within a career you once loved. The Better Leaders Better Schools podcast can certainly help reignite that passion. Hosted by Daniel Bauer, the BLBS podcast is a show created for Ruckus Makers in education. Those leaders that challenge the status quo, never give up, and strive to make change happen. 

Initially launched in 2015, this category-defining podcast has helped a million plus educational leaders gain traction within their careers and help positively shape their educational facilities for the future. 

Daniel covers a range of topics that include how educational leaders can create roles, scenarios that invite people to contribute authentically, how you can start solving BIG problems by empowering students to invent technology for community impact, and how teachers can begin building better relationships with parents.

As a bonus, Daniel also hosts a daily podcast for school leaders. Always five minutes or less, this show's goal is to offer quick inspiration and encouragement to educators around the world every Monday through Friday.

What we love about this podcast:

• Highly focused on educational leaders

• Lots of mental health and self-care content

• Large community of leaders

• Wide catalog of inspirational episodes

This podcast has directly impacted heads of education with their leadership and vision for their schools, with one review stating, "Danny is thoughtful, insightful and passionate about helping listeners level up their productivity so that we can impact young lives positively. Super applicable and realistic."

Listen on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Website

5. Teachers on Fire

Teachers on Fire is an excellent bite-sized podcast hosted by the 8th-grade teacher and assistant principal, Tim Cavey. Tim is a firm believer in the growth mindset and advocates for the kinds of informal professional learning that comes with social media, blogs, vlogs, or podcasts. 

Tim's podcast vision is clear: to contribute to the essential conversations in and around education to inspire innovative practices by educators around the globe.

You can tell this podcast is a work of passion. While the episodes may be short, the content is mighty — giving busy educators the chance to tune in on a break or during a commute. If you’re after more long-form episodes with additional voices in the mix, Tim's past episodes include many roundtable discussions and guest interviews. One of the podcast’s stand-out points is the current monologue format, which creates a feeling of closeness and intimacy.

Tim and his guests speak directly from their experience, often highlighting a specific problem, challenge, or subject that's been resolved through their unique expertise. 

Tim also produces and hosts SPARKS, a mini-series intended to spark your thinking and ignite your practice. These short episodes are based on his written reflections, which you can find in the Teachers on Fire Magazine at Medium.com.

What makes this education podcast one of the best?

• Honest conversations covering a wide range of topics

• Engaging storytelling

• Shorter episodes available — perfect for break time

• Bonus: they've starting using video, and it's great!

"Warming your heart, sparking your thinking, and igniting your professional practice."

Listen on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Website

7. The Knowledge Project with Shane Parrish

We've all heard the Latin saying "Scientia potentia est" or, more colloquially, "Knowledge is power." The Knowledge Project podcast is a beautifully produced show that brings to the forefront interviews with world-class doers and thinkers to help us, the average Joe, better analyze problems, seize opportunities, and master decision-making. It promises that "every episode is packed with wisdom you can use at work and home," and it certainly delivers.

Episodes vary in length and range from under an hour to 2.5+ hours. Don’t let the lack of consistency between episode lengths stop you from tuning in. You will always be able to find something to listen to for a time that suits you. 

TKP covers a host of topics, like navigating the fragility of confidence, making better decisions (both personally and financially), the difference between success and talent, and so much more. 

What we love about this podcast:

• Total brainfood 

• Interesting guests and insightful conversations

• Great for professionals

• Well produced

• Varying episode length

Listen on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Website

8. Angela Watson's Truth for Teachers

Life is not all sunshine and roses. The last few years have been tough for those in education. But what if there was a remedy for the despair? How about a podcast to perk you up and bring you right back to center when you're feeling particularly frustrated.

Angela Watson hosts Truth for Teachers, a podcast solely focused on speaking life, encouragement, and truth into the minds and hearts of educators to get you energized for the week ahead. A caffeine boost for the soul, if you will!

Truth for Teachers strives to inform their listeners about what's going on in classrooms beyond your own region. One listener said the podcast was "like sharing a cup of tea with an old friend!" Angela covers topics such as burnout and work-life balance, student behavior, what the state of education is like today, how to reclaim your weeknights, using playfulness in your lessons, and much more. 

What we love about this podcast:

• Each episode is beyond informative

• Casual and friendly feeling

• Excellent sound quality and production

• Binge-worthy

Listen on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Website

9. TED Podcast | Education

If you've never heard of TED Talks you must have been living under a rock. TED Talks are influential videos from expert speakers on education, business, science, tech, and creativity, accessible to all, with subtitles in 100+ languages.

As a part of the Ted Talks network, Ted Talks Education hosts talks from some of the planet's brightest people in education — all available in podcast format. What should schools look like in the future? How do young brains learn? How is online learning changing academia for good? These are great questions that some of the world's greatest educators, researchers, and community leaders are tackling. They are standing up and sharing their stories on stage at the TED conference and TEDx events. 

What we love about this podcast:

• Impactful, inspirational, and often moving

• Short form episodes

• Audio/video combos

• Excellent sound quality

Listen on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Website

10. Ten Minute Teacher Podcast

The 10 Minute Teacher is jam-packed with teaching strategies, ideas, and inspirational educators from everywhere. If you want a podcast hosted by a classroom teacher interviewing mostly classroom teachers — the 10 Minute Teacher is the show for you.

Hosted by @coolcatteacher, Vicki Davis, The 10 Minute Teacher Podcast is an incredible resource. Vicki has produced somewhere in the region of 700+ episodes, ensuring that there is a lot of helpful content and something for everyone. 

Episodes are short and sweet, yet they still tackle the topic in a way that drives home some tangible takeaways. 

Thanks to the TMTP team's solid work ethic, we get brand new episodes five days a week (Monday to Friday), with themes such as Motivation Monday, EdTech Tool Tuesday, and 5-Idea Friday.

What makes this one of the best education podcasts:

• Short episodes touching on up-to-date topics

• Friendly, positive, and relatable host

• Tons of valuable tips and tools 

Listen on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Website

11. Empowered Principal Podcast

Are you at the helm of an educational facility? Are you running the show, yet running on empty yourself and in need of a motivational pick-me-up? The Empowered Principal is designed to offer tools and strategies that no other elementary principal resource provides. 

Host Angela Kelly Robeck, a former teacher, principal, district administrator, and certified life coach, is here to help educators navigate the emotional and mental demands of leading a school. It's no lie that principals can feel wholly overwhelmed, so Empowered Principal's primary goal is to tackle the common challenges and provide the tools needed to manage your thinking so that you can handle whatever comes your way. 

What makes this podcast worth a listen:

• Provides listeners with a sense of community

• Addresses real leadership topics and challenges 

• Great range of podcast episode lengths

• Honest, truthful, and trustworthy

Listen on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Website

The Best Education Podcasts - Final Thoughts

Podcasts have become a go-to resource for most people looking for a bit of guidance on anything from communications challenges in the workplace to working from home. Educators are no exception. Given the constantly evolving workplace they find themselves in, having some go-to resources on hand probably wouldn't go amiss.

This list of the best education podcasts is designed to give a varied and broad overview of what the medium can offer, not only in terms of information and resources but also community and support.

If you feel there should be another podcast on this list, reach out to us!