Must-Listen Teaching in Higher Education Podcasts

If you teach in higher ed, you know the learning doesn’t stop in the classroom. Between grading, meetings, and trying to keep up with the latest pedagogical trends, finding time for professional development can feel... aspirational at best. 

Well, luckily, there are podcasts.

Whether you’re commuting, walking on campus, or just avoiding your inbox for 20 minutes, a good podcast can offer inspiration and ideas for better teaching. From classroom tech to inclusive teaching to big-picture strategy, there’s a teaching in higher education podcast out there that speaks your language, and probably makes you laugh a little, too.

We’ve rounded up 10 must-listen podcasts for higher ed instructors who want to keep learning, without adding yet another book to the nightstand. 

Our 10 Best Teaching in Higher Education Podcasts

Teaching in Higher Ed

If you only subscribe to one teaching in higher education podcast, make it this one. Hosted by Bonni Stachowiak, Teaching in Higher Ed is the go-to space for exploring the art and science of effective teaching. With over 570 episodes (and counting), it’s basically a masterclass library for anyone who wants to get better at facilitating learning.

Topics range from pedagogy and inclusive teaching to work-life balance, ethics, and productivity tips. There’s an episode for just about everything, whether you’re looking to rethink grading practices or find ways to be more present with your students. The show comes off as thoughtful, not preachy, and always grounded in the realities of academic life.

The Higher EdTech Podcast

Hosted by Instructional Technologist Tim VanNorman and ESL Professor Brent Warner, The Higher EdTech Podcast is your go-to resource for integrating technology into higher education. Whether you're teaching face-to-face, hybrid, or fully online courses, Tim and Brent offer practical insights to enhance your classroom experience.

Each episode gets really into topics like setting up group assignments in Canvas, exploring AI tools for personalized learning, and leveraging Google add-ons to streamline your workflow. With over 100 episodes, the podcast provides a wealth of information to help you stay current with educational technology trends and best practices.

What sets this podcast apart is its focus on real-world application. Tim and Brent don't just discuss tools; they demonstrate how to implement them effectively to boost student engagement and learning outcomes. Their conversational style makes complex tech topics accessible, ensuring you can confidently bring new strategies into your teaching.

For educators looking to enhance their tech skills and stay ahead in the evolving landscape of higher education, The Higher EdTech Podcast is an invaluable resource.

Future U Podcast 

If you're trying to keep up with where higher ed is actually headed, Future U is essential listening. Hosted by Jeff Selingo and Michael Horn, this podcast is all about the big picture. They cover innovation, disruption, and the forces reshaping how colleges can serve students.

The hosts bring in the people shaping that future: university presidents, edtech founders, and policy experts. From AI in admissions to financial sustainability to rethinking the traditional degree, Future U explains what trends mean for you, your students, and your institution.

It’s part current events, part expert roundtable, and helps to keep you on your toes and think ahead.

Mastering The Next

Mastering The Next is where tech, strategy, and student recruitment come together. Hosted by Dr. Ray Lutzky, this podcast is all about what’s next in higher ed—particularly when it comes to enrollment, and the tools reshaping how institutions attract and support students.

Lutzky brings deep industry experience and a knack for asking the right questions. He breaks down emerging technologies and talks with leaders on the front lines of innovation. If your role touches admissions, marketing, or strategic planning, this show offers a front-row seat to the future of student engagement.

 EdSurge Podcast

The EdSurge Podcast is one of the most well-rounded listens out there if you’re curious about where learning is headed. Hosted by journalist Jeff Young, this weekly show covers the future of education in all its forms—tech, policy, psychology, equity, and more.

Each episode features thought-provoking conversations with everyone from NYU professors to startup founders to psychologists studying how the brain learns. One week might dive into the emotional impact of remote learning, the next into the ethics of AI in education. These are all tied together by a genuine focus on how these big ideas affect real people—students, faculty, and institutions.

If you’re an educator, administrator, or just someone who wants a broader view of the forces shaping higher ed, EdSurge is a go-to.

Leading Improvements in Higher Education

If you're in a leadership role (or eyeing one), Leading Improvements in Higher Education is well worth your time. Hosted by Stephen Hundley, chair of the IUPUI Assessment Institute, this monthly podcast is all about strengthening and evolving the systems that keep higher eds running.

Tune in for in-depth conversations with faculty, administrators, and student affairs leaders working on the front lines of change. From assessment and accreditation to equity initiatives and strategic planning, the topics are wide-ranging but always focused on actionable improvement.

Hundley brings great expertise and a clear view of the challenges facing colleges and universities today. It's thoughtful, practical, and geared toward people who want to truly lead change.

SpeechMatters

SpeechMatters touches on the big conversations of the moment: free speech and higher ed policy. Hosted by Michelle Deutchman, executive director of the University of California’s National Center for Free Speech and Civic Engagement, this monthly podcast tackles the complex (and often heated) conversations around free expression on college campuses—and beyond.

Whether it’s the impact of AI on teaching and research, the latest high-profile court cases, or broader questions about democracy in higher ed, SpeechMatters breaks it all down with clarity and balance. You’ll hear from legal experts, educators, and thought leaders who are shaping how we think—and talk—about free speech today.

It’s a must-listen for anyone who wants to get to the bottom of how free speech issues are really playing out in classrooms and institutions.

School’s In

While not strictly a teaching in higher education podcast, School’s In offers fresh, research-backed insights for anyone working in education, including those in colleges and universities. Hosted by Dean Dan Schwartz and Senior Lecturer Denise Pope from Stanford’s Graduate School of Education, this show digs into the complexities of learning across all stages of life.

The show tackles everything from whether cell phones belong in classrooms to how AI can personalize learning and how families can best support young children’s education. The hosts go beyond just theory, they explore how evidence-based solutions can move from research labs into real classrooms.

For higher ed professionals interested in broader trends and innovations shaping the entire educational landscape, School’s In delivers engaging, practical conversations worth tuning into.

Cult of Pedagogy

While Cult of Pedagogy isn’t aimed exclusively at higher ed, it’s a goldmine for any educator looking to change up their teaching. Hosted by Jennifer Gonzalez, this podcast covers everything from classroom management to edtech to the psychology behind student behavior. It does it in a way that’s practical and easy to digest.

Through interviews with educators and researchers, Gonzalez gets into the real stuff and how to make your teaching more impactful. Even if you’re working with adults instead of K-12 students, the ideas here—like how to manage discussions, integrate tech, and understand learner motivation—translate across all academic levels.

If you’re looking for a podcast that delivers smart strategies you can use right away, Cult of Pedagogy is it.

 Truth for Teachers

Truth for Teachers is a bit of a different listen, it isn’t about lesson plans or pedagogy, it’s about you. Hosted by Angela Watson, this podcast is a haven for educators looking to stay balanced, motivated, and sane in a demanding profession.

Watson speaks on topics like productivity, mindset, and work-life balance, helping teachers manage stress and avoid burnout. It’s like a quick pep talk, combined with practical strategies you can use to take care of yourself. After all, when you’re recharged and grounded, you’re a better teacher for your students.

For higher ed professionals juggling classes, committees, and the ever-growing to-do list, Truth for Teachers offers a moment of calm and clarity.

Wrapping up the Must-Listen Teaching in Higher Education Podcasts

There’s no shortage of insight, inspiration, and practical ideas in the world of teaching in higher education podcasts. Whether you’re looking to sharpen your classroom strategies, stay ahead of tech trends, or just keep yourself grounded in the midst of academic life, these podcasts offer something valuable. Pop in your earbuds, press play, and let these expert voices guide you through the next phase of your teaching journey—one episode at a time.