Women-hosted podcasts to listen to in 2024

My name's Hannah, Head of Audience Development here at Lower Street, and to celebrate International Women's Day I've put together a list of 14 of Lower Street’s favorite women-led podcasts to give you new perspectives and new stories to tune into.  This collection is just a glimpse into the array of podcasts crafted and hosted by talented women, showcasing their diverse perspectives across genres.

Before we turn on the show, there are a few statistics about women in podcasting that I thought I’d share with you.

While male hosts may dominate the top-rated podcasts, women are making their mark in the industry and bringing a unique perspective to the table. According to a study by ATT, 50% of the top ten top-rated podcasts are hosted by women. 

Interestingly enough, listeners also much prefer female voices when tuning in. Men were particularly picky when it came to a podcast host’s voice - 71% said they were likely to stop listening to a podcast based on the host’s voice and more than half of listeners said that it was a male voice they would most likely stop listening to.

From another perspective, brands especially should do more to consider the female listenership of podcasts. Too many it’s not just about the content within podcasts they want a woman's perspective on, but it’s also the sponsored ads. If brands feature on women-hosted podcasts, 41% of female listeners are more likely to consider that brand, and 31% are more likely to purchase that brand. Overall, nearly half of all female listeners have a more favorable view of a brand if they advertise on a woman-led podcast.

Now that we’ve talked enough numbers, it’s time for a podcast break. If you are looking for a woman's perspective on things, then you might want to tune into these shows.

In Her Ellement by BCG

Not only a woman-hosted podcast, but In Her Ellement is also produced by an all-women team of Lower Street’s finest.  On the show, AI and digital expert Suchi Srinivasan and fintech practice leader Kamila Rakhimova of Boston Consulting Group invite us to tune into empowering stories of when women found their element. They bring together inspiring women from diverse industries to share their stories, insights, and expertise. It's like a virtual gathering of trailblazers, where you can learn about the latest trends in technology, finance, and leadership from the best in the business. 

Big Careers, Small Children by Leaders Plus

Big Careers, Small Children is the podcast for ambitious parents.  It helps mums find a balance between progressing the careers they love whilst being present with their children. Through honest conversations with host Verena Hefti MBE, senior leaders divulge what they have learned on their own journey of combining big careers with family.

Host Verena and her organization Leaders Plus unapologetically help more mums (and dads with significant caring responsibilities) get to senior leadership positions, because only by helping parents progress in their careers can we have true gender equality at the top and address the gender pay gap.

The Reading Culture Pod by Beanstack

Discover the joy of reading and foster a love for literature with Jordan Lloyd Bookey, mother, avid reader, and co-founder of Zoobean. Produced by Lower Street,The Reading Culture podcast, brings together avid readers and authors of all backgrounds. Jordan engages in insightful conversations with diverse authors about their reading journeys, perspectives on children's and young adult literature, and the motivations driving their literary explorations. Each episode even includes a themed reading challenge crafted by the featured author, offering inspiration for readers of all ages. 

The New Rules of Business by Chief

Chief Co-Founders Carolyn Childers and Lindsay Kaplan chat with leading experts in business and academia. Through thought-provoking discussions, they break down trends and leadership issues and talk ways to shake up old-school business ideas. The podcast, now in its fourth season, focuses on topics like neurodiversity in the workplace and evolving leadership strategies, aiming to empower professionals to navigate the ever-changing landscape of modern business effectively. Have a listen and learn how to lead when the old rules just don’t apply.

The Period Feels by August

Did you know that when it comes to podcast content, women are drawn to unfiltered conversations about topics that might not be widely discussed? 55% of women listeners say it's important for the podcasts they listen to cover topics that can't be heard elsewhere.

These listeners would love The Period Feels by August.  This show lets listeners tune in to unfiltered conversations about menstruating and more.

Just like the experience of menstruating, building a company is a beautiful and empowering journey that can be ridiculously challenging. Nadya, Neddy, and Sam are doing both! They’re the team behind the inclusive & sustainable August period care brand. 

In this podcast, they get real with the audience. They talk about what they’re learning about entrepreneurship and period health as they build the next-gen lifestyle period brand, August.

Elevate Women In Tech by Halzak

Hosted by Halzak Founder Kellie Kwarteng, this podcast is all about lifting up and inspiring women and girls in the tech industry, whether they are just starting out in the classroom or climbing the ranks in the boardroom. Remarkable women in tech share their personal journeys and offer valuable insights on navigating a career in the industry. It's a show that celebrates achievements, shares experiences, and provides tips to empower women pursuing success in tech. So, if you're looking for a dose of inspiration and practical advice from leading women, this podcast is definitely worth tuning into!

Unlocking us with Brene Brown

Brene Brown is a name most of us already know, and her podcast is worth a listen for all audiences. She’s spent over 20 years studying the emotions and experiences that bring meaning and purpose to our lives. She’s learned that we are hardwired for connection, and connecting requires courage, vulnerability, and conversation. 

That’s exactly what she hopes to create through her podcast. It is a raw conversation with guests from all backgrounds to reveal what it means to be human. There’s no topic she isn’t afraid to confront.  

Financial Feminist by Her First 100k

Financial Feminist is a refreshing take on personal finance, led by money expert Tori Dunlap. Through personal chats and interviews, Tori guides you on making more money, spending wisely, and feeling empowered financially. Her approach is all about smashing the patriarchy and promoting gender equality through feminist finance. 

What Makes Us Stronger by Women for Women International

At times a hard one to listen to, but it’s a truly inspiring podcast, showing a different woman's perspective on the conflicts of our world.

What Makes Us Stronger tells the stories of courageous women who’ve lived through unbelievably difficult times of world conflict. Each episode explores how these individuals took on new roles and found the strength to keep going. The podcast makes every listener reflect on the questions: What makes us resilient in times of crisis? And how does conflict and hardship shape who we are? 

Hosted by Nisha Singh, Global Policy and Advocacy Manager at Women for Women International.

The Hidden Economics of Remarkable Women (HERO) by Foreign Policy

The Hidden Economics of Remarkable Women (HERO) Podcast is a compelling series that explores the impact of women on economic change. Hosted by Reena Ninan, the podcast explores how women are driving transformation through their economic endeavors. Partnering with journalists and experts, the podcast sheds light on the significant role women play in strengthening economies and creating positive change. Through insightful discussions and data, HERO highlights the importance of empowering women for economic growth and societal progress.

The Breakout by the Abbracci Group

Get ready to unleash your personal growth with Dr. Keri Ohlrich and Kelly Guenther and their guests. The Breakout explores how individuals have gone against the grain and broken out of boxes that held them back. Through incredible stories, this podcast explores various topics such as self-help, leadership, personal development, building success, setting boundaries, growing confidence, mindset change, and overcoming obstacles. This show encourages us to escape expectations and shows listeners just how to do it on their own journey.  

Where Are You Going? 

Named 'Best Podcasts of the Year 2023' by the Financial Times, Observer, Pod Bible and The Week, and for good reason. Where are you going? Is a truly original podcast. Every episode host Catherine Carr interrupts people as they go about their everyday lives and asks simply: “Where are you going?”

The conversations that follow are always unpredictable: sometimes funny, sometimes heartbreaking, silly, romantic, or occasionally downright ‘stop-you-in-your-tracks’ surprising. You never know what story will be coming next. 

Woman’s Hour by the BBC

We couldn’t forget about the Woman's Hour by the BBC. A renowned radio program turned into a modern podcast. The program itself has a rich history, having been on air for 75 years, creating content tailored for and about women. Woman's Hour covers a wide range of topics relevant to women's lives. Over the years, Woman's Hour has been a significant voice in addressing issues important to women and celebrating their experiences and achievements.

I Weigh Jameela Jamil

On I Weigh, Jameela challenges societal norms through conversations with thought-leaders, performers, activists, influencers, and friends about their own experiences and stories with their mental health. She has a great way of opening up vulnerable discussion, but bringing us plenty of laughs along the way. I Weigh amplifies and empowers diverse voices to celebrate progress, not perfection.

Conclusion

I hope you enjoyed this collection of women-hosted podcasts. Did I miss one of your favorites? Connect with us on LinkedIn and let me know what women-led podcasts you are listening to!