by Olly RichardsAre you looking to improve your business English skills? There are hundreds of business English podcasts that can help you do that!
Some of these shows are for people who speak English as a first language while others are specifically designed for learners of English like you.
In this post, you’ll find both. You’ll also find some of my tips on how to improve your business English skills using podcasts.
Let’s dive in!
Table of Contents
Business English Podcasts For Learners
1. Business English Pod
Business English Pod is one of the most popular business English podcasts for intermediate and advanced learners of English.
You’ll find all sorts of audio lessons that focus on specific aspects of business English communication: negotiations, presentations, meetings, interviews, marketing English, and many more.
The episodes are free, but you can get a premium membership to get detailed study notes, full transcripts, example phrases, vocabulary and language review exercises, online quizzes, and vocabulary flashcards.
This is a great audio resource if you want to expand your business English vocabulary and become more confident in professional English.
Check out Business English Pod.
2. British Council Podcasts for Professionals
The Business English section of the British Council’s LearnEnglish website offers many resources for upper-intermediate (B2) learners of English who want to improve their business communication skills.
One of these is Podcasts for Professionals.
The webpage says this:
“You will learn useful language for a wide range of business topics from talks, presentations and dialogues, as well as tips and techniques for dealing with business issues. Each recording has interactive exercises and a transcript to help you understand and use the language.”
I had a look at the website and found podcast lessons on change management, line management, conflict management, public relations, relationship-building, and work burnout.
Check out British Council Podcasts for Professionals.
3. BBC Learning English for Work
BBC Learning English is an amazing website I always recommend to all my intermediate and upper-intermediate English language learners.
The website has more English learning content than you have time for, and it includes short podcasts to improve your business English skills.
You’ll find episodes about business jargon, job applications, leadership, and many other business-related topics.
The content is designed for learners of English like you, and it’s well-made, clear, and engaging.
Check out BBC Learning English for Work.
4. Business English from All Ears English Podcast
The Business English podcast by All Ears English is perfect for you if you’re an intermediate to advanced learner who wants to build confidence in professional settings.
The show is hosted by Lindsay McMahon and Michelle Kaplan, the hosts of the famous All Ears English podcast, and the episodes cover a wide range of topics, like meetings, presentations, job interviews, and socializing at work.
You’ll also find tips for email writing in English, improving telephone skills, and mastering formal, informal, and semi-formal English.
One standout feature is the focus on helping listeners communicate effectively with colleagues and clients, so you’ll learn phrases and strategies to sound polite, persuasive, and professional.
The description of the podcast on Spotify says this:
“This podcast is perfect for you if you are at the mid-career or middle management stage, early career, senior-level or C-suite, entrepreneur, self-employed freelancer, or a small business owner.”
Check out Business English from All Ears English.
5. The Business English Podcast by Rob from Energetic English
The Business English Podcast is a show for non-native professionals looking to improve their business English skills.
The host of the show, Rob, says (in a clear British accent) that the podcast is packed with concise, actionable content tailored to everyday professional needs.
You’ll not only find episodes about meetings, presentations, interviews, small talk, and networking but also practical lessons that help you communicate confidently and fluently in the workplace.
Will you find vocabulary and grammar tips, too? Yes, you will.
Check out Rob's Business English podcast.
Business English Podcasts For Native Speakers
6. How I Built This with Guy Raz
Guy Raz is an American journalist and the host of the How I Built This podcast.
This is an award-winning show where you’ll find conversations with “innovators, entrepreneurs, idealists, and the stories behind the movements they built.”
You might listen to the co-founder of a multinational company explaining their business strategy, or the CEO of a leading automotive business giving advice on how to grow your own.
There are plenty of inspiring stories to listen to! By the way, if you're interested in how I created StoryLearning, here's my story.
But How I Built This is not a podcast specifically targeted at learners of English, so you may need to have good listening skills to understand what the speakers talk about.
The show is available on all major podcast platforms.
7. Akimbo (a podcast from Seth Godin)
Seth Godin is an American bestselling author and one of the most influential figures in the field of marketing. He’s written 22 bestsellers about business, marketing, culture, and work.
Akimbo is his podcast and it’s one of my favourites. It’s a solo show where Seth Godin shares his reflections and thoughts about modern culture and business.
Here’s how Seth likes to define the podcast:
Akimbo is an ancient word, from the bend in the river or the bend in an archer’s bow. It's become a symbol for strength, a posture of possibility, the idea that when we stand tall, arms bent, looking right at it, we can make a difference.
Akimbo’s a podcast about our culture and about how we can change it. About seeing what's happening and choosing to do something.
The culture is real, but it can be changed. You can bend it.
Seth Godin is very much a modern philosopher. He speaks with a clear American accent that you may find easy to understand.
8. TED Business
TED is an organization that shares international talks online for free.
I’ve watched tons of TED Talks, and, if you’re learning English, you’ve probably heard of TED Talks, too.
But did you know they have a business podcast too?
The blurb that describes the show is so inspiring that it makes me want to listen to one of the episodes right away.
Whatever your business conundrum*, there’s a TED Talk for that—whether you want to learn how to land that promotion, set smart goals, undo injustice at work, or unlock the next big innovation.
Every Monday, host Modupe Akinola of Columbia Business School presents the most powerful and surprising ideas that illuminate the business world. After the talk, you'll get a mini-lesson from Modupe on how to apply the ideas in your own life. Because business evolves every day, and our ideas about it should, too.
*conundrum = a confusing problem or question that is very difficult to solve.
As you can see, this is not just a podcast that will help you improve your business English skills but also your business and business life!
9. World Business Report by BBC News World Service
“The latest business and finance news from around the world, on the BBC.”
This is what the World Business Report by BBC News World Service is all about.
It’s a great podcast for you if you’d like to learn English while keeping up with what’s going on in the world of business.
The show is updated daily, so your ears will never run out of things to listen to. However, the episodes are available only for 30 days (which makes sense because this is a news program).
Check out World Business Report.
How To Learn With Business English Podcasts
Here are some tips to help you make the most of podcasts for learning business English:
- Use transcripts to check unfamiliar words.
- Follow along with the transcript as you listen to improve comprehension.
- Just enjoy the podcast without stressing about transcripts or unknown words.
- Take a one-minute excerpt, write down what you hear, and compare it with the transcript.
- Repeat what the speaker says and mimic their pronunciation as closely as possible.
- Close your eyes while listening to focus deeply on the audio.
- Listen while multitasking (e.g., cooking, driving, or cleaning) without worrying about catching everything.
- Read the transcript before listening to familiarize yourself with the content.
- Listen first, then review the transcript to fill in the gaps.
- Only listen to podcasts that match your level of understanding.
- Challenge yourself with podcasts slightly above your level, but avoid ones where you can’t follow anything.
- Start your own business English podcast!
Business English Podcasts FAQ
Which is the best podcast to improve English?
The best podcast depends on your level and goals. Here are some great options:
For beginners: The English We Speak (BBC), ESL Pod, Speak English with Vanessa
For intermediate learners: BBC 6 Minute English, All Ears English, The American English Podcast
For advanced learners: The Economist Podcasts, The Daily (NYT), TED Talks Daily
For business English: Business English Pod, The Art of Business English
How can I practice business English?
– Listen to business-related podcasts (Business English Pod, HBR IdeaCast).
– Read business articles (Forbes, Harvard Business Review).
– Watch business news (BBC Business, Bloomberg).
– Practice writing emails & reports in English.
– Join business English courses (Coursera, Udemy).
– Speak with colleagues or join online discussion groups (LinkedIn, Meetup).
How to use podcasts to learn English like a boss?
– Choose podcasts that match your level.
– Listen actively (repeat sentences, take notes).
– Use transcripts to check difficult words.
– Shadowing technique (repeat after the speaker).
– Summarize what you learned (write or speak about it).
– Use vocabulary in real conversations.
Can I learn English through podcasts?
Yes! Podcasts improve listening skills, pronunciation, vocabulary, and comprehension. To maximize learning:
– Listen daily (even 10–15 minutes helps).
– Repeat key phrases to improve fluency.
– Write down new words and use them.
– Try different accents (American, British, Australian).
– Combine with speaking practice (language exchange apps, online tutors).
Final Thoughts On Learning English With Business English Podcasts
Thanks for reading this list of business English podcasts! There’s such a great variety out there, isn’t there?
Remember, the most important thing is to listen to podcasts that truly interest you and match your level. If something feels too advanced, it’s perfectly fine to choose something easier. You’ll build your skills step by step.
And don’t forget to make the most of each episode: use transcripts, mimic pronunciation, and try to incorporate what you’ve learned into your daily conversations or professional interactions.
The key to success is consistent practice and keeping things enjoyable. When you’re engaged and having fun, learning happens naturally. So, pick a podcast, hit play, and start improving your business English skills today.
Olly Richards
Creator of the StoryLearning® Method
Olly Richards is a renowned polyglot and language learning expert with over 15 years of experience teaching millions through his innovative StoryLearning® method. He is the creator of StoryLearning, one of the world's largest language learning blogs with 500,000+ monthly readers.
Olly has authored 30+ language learning books and courses, including the bestselling "Short Stories" series published by Teach Yourself.
When not developing new teaching methods, Richards practices what he preaches—he speaks 8 languages fluently and continues learning new ones through his own methodology.
