Which business podcast or TED Talk left you feeling inspired about entrepreneurship? + My list
I experience 2 types of inspiration:
Internal – my drive to improve based on my results and aspirations for where I want to be.
External – people around me, talks, success stories, etc.
Since the internal source of inspiration isn’t always easy to maintain, I often turn to external ones. I either observe the people around me and try to surround myself with the best (though this depends on their time and availability), or I go for a good video/audio talk – this is the easiest way.
Can you share a talk or interview that truly inspired your entrepreneurial journey?
Here are a few that left an impression on me, especially TED Talks that sparked ideas for marketing campaigns or encouraged me in business (by ideas or with a mindset):
Simon Sinek – Start with why (evergreen IMO, I even bought a book afterwards) 🙂
Carol Dweck – The power of believing that you can improve
Tim Urban – Inside the mind of a master procrastinator
Jiří Hoření – Spread joy (in original “Delejte radost”) – I really wish the Czech one by Jiří Hoření was translated into English – it’s that good and deserves to be more accessible.
Replies
Awesome topic!
I'm constantly reading/listening to content about entrepreneurship. But unlike the typical tech crowd, I actually absorb a lot of information from other industries and their leaders.
Since I’m a big sports fan, I get tons of motivation and leadership insights from athletes and coaches. They’re incredibly similar to entrepreneurs. They lead teams, make fast decisions, adapt constantly to their opponents, etc. One of my favorite interviews is with Kobe Bryant.
In it, he talks about how he studied the game and improved his skills every single day.
One of my favorite books is Leading by Alex Ferguson and Michael Moritz. Interestingly, the foreword is written by Michael Moritz, Chairperson of Sequoia Capital. Ferguson led Manchester United for 27 years, turning them from a mid-table team into a powerhouse that won 13 titles in 20 years and never dropped out of the top 3. It’s packed with lessons on how to lead highly-paid young men and how to keep a team constantly hungry for success.
I also really enjoy reading about historical figures. One of the leaders I learn from is George Patton . He is a general in World War II who achieved incredible military success despite having fewer technical and human resources than the enemy.
Of course, I’ve read Steve Jobs’ biography several times, along with many other books about him.
But overall, I try to focus on people who’ve truly proven themselves over time not just fake gurus with a one-year online presence.
@byalexai Those books with a historical background interested me. Yesterday I was at the museum and there was an exhibition about the Cold War, Stonewall riots, etc. It was truly inspiring to see it from the perspective of artists because they decided to launch their own theatre, which is also some kind of business.
Thank you for sharing these! :)
@busmark_w_nika Oh yes, artists are also a very interesting example!
I highly recommend the story of Jim Morrison. There's a great movie with Val Kilmer. And if you're in the mood for reading, this book is amazing too.
There’s a lot to learn from them. They were capturing attention long before social media existed! And still managed to shine brilliantly!
@byalexai Thank you, Alex! :)
Sharing the Ted talks that had a profound impact on me.
Adam Grant - The surprising habits of original thinkers
Paul Tasner - How I Became an Entrepreneur at 66
Kelly McGonigal: How to Make Stress Your Friend (This made me so emotional when I first watched it)
Barry Schwartz: The Paradox of Choice (Absolutely timeless. He delivered it 18 years ago and it's still relevant today)
Brené Brown: The Power of Vulnerability
@rushasen Adam Grant – I usually know him only as an author of books. :)
All of these sound interesting, gonna check them :) TY!
@rushasen Today will be watching these 3:
@busmark_w_nika They all have a flair for storytelling and share poignant anecdotes that resonate with viewers.
@rushasen I will watch them! :) Probably in the evening because now I am travelling LOL :D :)
@busmark_w_nika Sure. Would love to know your insights.
I listen to a few founder podcasts because there's always a gem about how they experienced and navigated familiar hurdles or made choices that paid off in interesting and not always immediate ways. "Disrupting the Dress Code with FIGS’ Heather Hasson" (Confessions of a Female Founder with Meghan) was like a TV episode, with the ups and downs and battles, etc. and ultimately was a business course in entrepreneurship. I wanted to go buy scrubs from them myself.
@dmitcha Do not know this show. What about is it?
@busmark_w_nika It's weekly interviews with successful female founders on their journey. I've liked them all; this one was just exceptional.
@dmitcha Gotcha! TY for sharing!
I totally relate to this. I get inspired both internally (from personal goals and the kind of impact I want to create) and externally (mainly from people doing things better than me). But yeah, internal motivation isn’t always consistent – so I often fall back on great interviews and talks.
One that really stuck with me was Yvon Chouinard’s conversation about Patagonia's journey – his perspective on building something meaningful over just chasing growth shifted how I think about startups. Also, the How I Built This podcast with Guy Raz has been a go-to when I need a dose of entrepreneurial energy.
Curious to hear what others here find inspiring too!
@salestarget Patagonia's story is evergreen. Their whole concept against fast fashion :)
I have 3 favourites which I am listen to religiously:
1. All-in: https://allin.com/episodes
2. Lex Friedman: https://lexfridman.com/podcast/
3. The Founders: https://www.founderspodcast.com/
@aleksandra_trueme From all of those, I knew only about Lex. Others are new to me. Ty for sharing! :)
Velocity
@aleksandra_trueme Lex Friedman dares to have multi hour conversations and people stay to listen. It's great.
@aleksandra_trueme @kevin_mcdonagh1 I probably need longer workouts :D
Silicon Valley Girl on YouTube, Lenny's Podcast about different product insights and people who build them. Looove and always feel so inspired after listening to them!
Thanks for sharing yours, btw, I will check them out!
@magical_marzhana Thank you for your input! I love Lenny's newsletter btw :)
Love this question, I’ve always felt that entrepreneurship has so much in common with sports- the discipline, the losses, the tiny wins no one sees, and the mental game you have to play every single day.
One talk that really stuck with me was Kobe Bryant’s interviews on mindset and obsession with improvement. He once said, I wasn’t the most talented… but I was the first in the gym and the last to leave.” That shifted something in me. As a founder, that energy of outworking your limits, of training your brain like an athlete trains their body that stuck.
From the business world, Howard Schultz’s Starbucks journey in how he Built. This was a huge eye-opener. He didn’t just sell coffee, he fought for a story, a culture. It reminded me that every product has to stand for something real or people won’t feel anything.
Another one? Simon Sinek’s “Start With Why” a classic, but it hits different when you’ve hit a few walls. It made me go back and ask myself why I even started my creative and product journey in the first place. Still my north star on tough days.
@suvam_deo TBH, I think that many sportsmen/women could be entrepreneurs because of one crucial character trait: Discipline.
@busmark_w_nika Agree! That's is a sure shot 100%. Good thought