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There are literally millions of podcasts out there. So, why add another one?
For marketers like you and me, podcasts inspire and, more importantly, provide strategic and tactical advice.
In writing this post, I tried to find PR podcasts that provided both.
However, in my research, I realized that virtually every other “Best PR Podcasts” post on Google had at least one defunct podcast. While old podcasts still have a lot of value, strategies change so rapidly that we must focus on the most relevant ones.
So, I also focused on finding the most up-to-date podcasts.
With that in mind, here are the best PR podcasts for digital PRs, traditional PRs, and marketers looking to improve their public relations skills.
1. We Earn Media Podcast
Best For:
In-house and freelance digital PRs alike.
Why We Like It:
The We Earn Media podcast is hands-down the best podcast to hear directly from journalists, which every PR needs to understand if they want to pitch to the media successfully.
Seasoned digital PR pros Britt Klontz and Jaclyn Lambert have assembled a virtual treasure trove of podcast interviews with journalists to help you get better at, you guessed it, earning media.
Britt and Jaclyn have worked in the industry for years, in-house and with agencies, and are now freelance digital PRs.
With that experience, they’ve gained the trust of many journalists and featured them on the podcast, giving listeners unique insights into what it’s like to get emailed the (many) pitches daily, what works, and what doesn’t.
But all of the guests aren’t journalists. They also interview PR experts like Hannah Smith. I was also a guest on their podcast, discussing the intersection of digital PR and SEO!
Recommended Listening:
Surena Chande, a friend of BuzzStream and past guest contributor on our blog provides some actionable tips on writing subject lines. Having worked as a PR and a journalist, her insights are always on point.
2. The BuzzStream Podcast
Best For:
Digital PRs, link builders, and SEOs.
Why You’ll Like It:
The digital PR, SEO, and link building waters are getting murky, especially after Google’s Helpful Content Update and the rise of AI Overviews.
The BuzzStream Podcast brings much-needed clarity to these growing complexities.
With over 14 years in the industry, BuzzStream has built strong connections with some of the best minds in digital PR and SEO. Our podcast features 45-minute to 1-hour chats with these experts, sharing their knowledge and perspectives on the latest strategies, trends and challenges.
You’ll hear from well-known figures like Ross Hudgens, Hannah Smith, Brian Dean, Mark Rofe, and many more.
If you’re anything like me and love talking about creative content and PR strategy, this podcast is for you.
Recommended Listening:
Content relevance is an essential part of digital PR. Our conversation with James Brockbank asks If Google didn’t exist, would any of your links or coverage matter for your brand?
3. Propellernet’s The Digital PR Podcast
Best For:
Digital PRs (it’s in the name).
Why We Like It:
The Digital PR podcast offers insights into digital PR from Propellernet employees who work hard at the craft daily. Getting a view from those in the trenches is why this podcast deserves to be on this list.
Propellernet is a digital PR agency in the UK. Launched in December 2022, The Digital PR Podcast is now on its third season. The hosts are Propellernet’s Heads of PR, Louise Parker and Steve Baker, who share their expertise alongside industry experts.
Aside from fellow Propellernet guests, the show interviewed many other agency leaders and PR professionals.
Notable guests like Gisele Navarro and Bri Godwin Huyke provide diverse perspectives, making the podcast a valuable resource for PR professionals looking to stay ahead of industry trends and hear about practical strategies from people actively in the field.
In addition to the main episodes, Propellernet also produces mini-episodes that delve into specialized topics, like managing PR burnout, crafting the perfect pitch, and navigating untraditional career paths within PR – all featuring Propellernet’s staff (like Abi Bennetts—who we had on our podcast as well).
Recommended Listening:
I’ve been trying to get Giselle Navarro on the BuzzStream podcast for a long time because I love her work at Neomam. She had a great interview with the Digital PR Podcast team on pitch relevancy, an excellent follow-up to our James Brockbank chat.
4. Digital PR, Explained
Best For:
Newer digital PRs and those looking to learn more about the industry.
Why We Like It:
The Digital PR Explained podcast is a must-subscribe if you’re looking for shorter episodes focusing on specific concepts and strategies.
The host, Britt Klontz, and her guests do a great job of simplifying the complexities of digital PR.
That’s right. Britt Klontz of Vada Communications has been on our list twice! However, the Digital PR Explained podcast is separate from We Earn Media.
Launched in May 2024, each episode explores a topic in the world of digital PR. Though it may sound like it’s designed only for newcomers, it is really just as applicable for seasoned professionals.
Each is a short, snackable episode, about 20-25 minutes long. Some have guests, like James Beard Award-winning blogger and author Geraldine DeRuiter, while others are solo pods in which Britt provides actionable tips and advice for creating successful digital PR campaigns.
Recommended Listening:
Britt breaks down a question I always get: do brand mentions matter when they aren’t linked to your brand? (The answer is yes, but I’ll let Britt explain it fully.)
NOTE: At this point in the list, we’ll transition into more traditional PR podcasts.
5. PRWeek Podcast
Best For:
Traditional PRs who want to stay updated with the latest industry news.
Why We Like It:
The PRWeek podcast offers a weekly roundup of the most important public relations and communications news and trends.
I’d recommend this to anyone in the PR space because the industry moves a mile a minute. While I’m relatively new to the podcast, I’ve found it inspiring for digital PRs to hear about the bigger and broader picture of more traditional PR campaigns and brand building.
The podcast, hosted by PRWeek editorial leaders Steve Barrett and Frank Washkuch, cleverly balances in-depth interviews with industry giants and a weekly news roundup.
Notable episodes include interviews with leaders like Richard Edelman, CEO of Edelman, discussing the evolving PR landscape, and Bret Werner of MikeWorldWide, who shares insights on the intersection of sports and PR.
The podcast also frequently covers significant industry events, such as the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity, offering listeners an insider’s perspective on the latest trends and innovations in PR.
Recommended Listening:
In a recent episode, Steve and Frank interviewed Heidi Burgett, the VP of corporate communications of the US Women’s soccer team, about women’s sports, U.S. soccer, and beyond.
This episode seems even more relevant since the 2024 Olympics ended, and the U.S. women’s soccer team took home the gold.
6. On the Top of PR
Best For:
Brands
Why We Like It:
The On Top of PR podcast is the traditional PR equivalent of the BuzzStream podcast. While BuzzStream’s narrow focus is on digital PR and SEO, On Top of PR expands the focus to broad public relations topics.
Each episode typically features a guest (although he’s done some solo pods) who shares insights and practical tips tailored to more mid-market and enterprise brands, but there is a lot in there for PR agencies and consultants as well.
The podcast features industry experts discussing various PR and marketing topics, including crisis communication, media relations, branding, and the latest industry trends.
The host, Jason Mudd, is the founder of Axia Public Relations. He has been in the industry for decades and has worked with major companies such as American Airlines, Budweiser, Dave & Buster’s, and more.
Notable guests have included executives from major brands like Disney, Wells Fargo, and the Wounded Warrior Project.
I’ve learned so much already, but I’m only scratching the surface.
Recommended Listening:
Jason came across an incredibly insightful post from a journalist at Bloomberg News about pitching journalists. Using this as a jumping-off point, this solo episode of the podcast is a great listen to understand the pitch process and has some great tips.
7. The Spin Sucks Podcast
Best For:
Traditional and Digital PRs.
Why We Like It:
Working as a PR, you can sometimes feel isolated from the bigger marketing picture.
Ever heard of the PESO model? It’s an excellent framework that helps understand how paid, earned, shared, and owned media strategies should work together.
Gini Dietrich, the host of the The Spin Sucks Podcast, actually coined the term. So, as you can imagine, this podcast is an excellent way for PRs to grasp better how everything fits together.
Gini Dietrich is a fantastic host. She’s funny and engaging, both on her solo pods and with industry experts she interviews.
The podcast is well-regarded for its actionable advice and must-listen for anyone serious about staying ahead in PR and communications.
(You’ll also see Spin Sucks on our list of recommended PR newsletters.)
Recommended Listening:
Is PR dead? Of course not. But many have claimed this. Gini also disagrees that PR is dead but explains the evolving landscape of PR in 2024 and beyond in this great episode.
8. Become a Media Maven
Best For:
Entrepreneurs looking to leverage PR.
Why We Like It:
TV media is a big part of PR, so who is better to learn from than a former anchor?
Christina Nicholson, the host of The Become a Media Maven podcast, is a former reporter and anchor who has owned a PR agency and written a book.
I find her insights and experience fascinating, having come from the digital PR side.
Most episodes are under 30 minutes shorter and cover many topics, including DIY PR, crisis communication planning, content creation, and effective media pitching.
You can tell that Christina has experience being in front of a camera and mic because her personality shines through, making for an engaging listen.
While the podcast feels more entrepreneur-focused, the content provides plenty of practical tips that PR professionals can immediately apply to their PR efforts.
Recommended Listening:
In this episode, Christina dispels some myths about PR and media relations that I think have strong messages for all PRs.
(Note: this episode’s sound quality does not indicate her usual quality. Christina mentioned that she recorded this on vacation and didn’t have her mic. Hey, we’ve all been there.)
9. Stories and Strategies for Public Relations and Marketing
Best For:
Marketing professionals.
Why We Like It:
Getting stuck in a content bubble and losing sight of the big picture can be easy.
What I like about the Stories and Strategies for Public Relations and Marketing podcast is that (the title shows) they cover both the intersection of marketing and PR.
Think of this podcast as a much more produced version of the previous on our list.
Doug Downs, the president of the podcast production company, Stories and Strategies, hosts the podcast. In addition to the content itself, this podcast stands out to me because of its top-notch production quality (which makes sense since a production company runs it).
This podcast covers a wide range of topics relevant to the dynamic world of communications, including the latest trends, technologies, and strategies in PR and marketing.
I came across the podcast in an episode about regulating AI in public relations and have been listening to older pods to catch up.
Recommended listening:
One of the episodes that I found super relevant to our work was an interview with Propel’s Zack Culter. They discussed The Propel Media Barometer and the shrinking response rate from journalists.
10. The Press Box
Best For:
PRs, marketers, and anyone generally interested in media.
Why We Like It:
I think of The Press Box as a complimentary podcast to the first on our list, We Earn Media because it focuses on how the media covers events, not necessarily PR strategies.
Although that may feel off for this list, as digital PRs, the more we can understand how journalists and reporters think, the better our ideas and pitches will become.
The Press Box is a media podcast from The Ringer, hosted by Bryan Curtis and David Shoemaker.
I’m a long-time Ringer fan, but I picked up The Press Box before the 2020 U.S. election because the media went into (and remained) a wild and crazy place.
Bryan and David bring a mix of humor, critical thinking, and insider knowledge, making this a recommended addition.
A disclaimer for international readers: while the podcast can include coverage of global events, it’s primarily about how the U.S. media reports on them.
Recommended Listening:
Anything US election-related is exciting, especially this episode, which aired immediately after President Joe Biden dropped out of the 2024 election race.
Although an older episode at this point, I thought their in-depth interview with Bill Simmons (founder of The Ringer) on his journey on podcasting, his writing career, favorite moments, and what he sees next for media.
Did we miss any great podcasts? Let me know through email (vince [at] buzzstream [dot] com) or reach out on LinkedIn.
Check out the BuzzStream Podcast
