Podcasts are a great way of disseminating interesting information to a wide array of audiences and increasing your university’s brand and national recognition. Previously, Volt tackled 11 Must-Listen Higher Ed Podcasts being produced by institutions on a variety of topics. In this article, we dig into the podcasts made with the higher ed audience in mind. 

Whether faculty, administration or leadership, one of these is sure to pique your interest. In no particular order, here they are. Plus, we included seven bonus podcasts that we came across during our research and just couldn’t forget.  

The Podcast: EdSurge Podcast

Who it’s for: Educators, administrators and any stakeholder in higher education who has a general interest in the future of education

What it’s about: At its most simple description, EdSurge is a weekly podcast about the future of learning. Jeff Young, the podcast’s host, sits down with educators and scholars for in-depth conversations on a myriad of subjects. The show has tackled how remote learning affects the well-being of students and welcomed an evolutionary psychologist who researched brain health and its implications for schools and universities.

Why we love it: EdSurge explores a wide variety of topics and talking points, interviewing people from NYU professors to venture capitalists, while staying true to how these topics affect the world of higher education. Offering a wide variety of perspectives and backgrounds with whom they speak, it is certainly one of the most well-rounded podcasts out there.

The Podcast: Teaching in Higher Ed Podcast

Who it’s for: Higher education professors, instructors or general administrators

What it’s about: Teaching in Higher Ed deeply explores the art and science of higher success while facilitating learning. The podcast tackles many subjects that affect professorship, such as work-life balance, course design tips and better ways to help students learn. 

Why we love it: Of all the podcasts that we’ve checked out in our time at Volt, it’s a rarity to find a higher education podcast that is specifically for professors in higher education. This podcast knows what it’s good at and does it well: trying to make good teachers into great teachers. The podcast even brings on current professors to share their stories on blended course design, connecting with students and much more.

The Podcast: Higher Ed AV Podcast

Who it’s for: AV engineers, educators and students in higher education who are interested in the cross-section between how AV and IT technology bleed into the classroom 

What it’s about: Podcast host Joe Way seeks to build a community of audiovisual and IT tech managers in higher education, speaking with a variety of experts within the sphere and discussing how audiovisual technologies play a role in enhancing learning experiences within higher education.

Why we love it: Our love for this podcast is twofold. For one, it’s not often that you stumble across a podcast focusing on how big of a role audiovisual technology plays in the college student’s learning experience. Our second reason is the sheer amount of knowledge and experience of the guest hosts. Many of the audio-visual specialists who appear as guests for this podcast have had years of experience managing audio-visual operations for universities.

The Podcast: The EdUp Experience

Who it’s for: Leaders in higher education and those with a general interest in learning about the innovative leaders currently in the field

What it’s about: The overall goal of this podcast is to provide inspiration and education for listeners to pursue educational topics, making traditionally dry and complicated educational topics fun and engaging for listeners. 

Why we love it: Much like the EdSurge podcast, the minds behind the EdUp Experience understand the rapidity of change within higher ed and seek to keep listeners informed through the thoughts and insights from the most influential members of higher education. From professors who provide first-person perspectives of the classroom environment to university presidents or founders of higher education-aligned companies, there’s something in this podcast’s wide array of topics for everyone.

The Podcast: Leading Improvements in Higher Education

Who it’s for: Higher education professionals and anyone interested in leadership roles in the education world

What it’s about: Stephen Hundley, chair of the IUPUI Assessment Institute, produces a monthly podcast on “improving conditions in higher ed.” The Assessment Institute was designed for faculty, administrators and student affairs professionals who want to improve and innovate. Hundley interviews leaders from a diverse range of higher ed organizations on various topics related to strengthening the higher education system.

Why we love it: Hundley is incredibly knowledgeable on themes and trends affecting colleges and universities. 

The Podcast: SpeechMatters

Who it’s for: All those interested in an objective discussion about free speech and democracy on college campuses and elsewhere

What it’s about: Host Michelle Deutchman, executive director of the University of California National Center for Free Speech and Civic Engagement, hosts a monthly podcast during which she posts a variety of current events and their impacts on free speech within college campuses. Episode topics have included the impact of AI on teaching, research and learning, as well as legal discussions relating to court cases on speech rights around the country.

Why we love it: The often-convoluted discussion on free speech legislation is presented in a straightforward manner. Listeners are sure to come away with a better understanding of the issues impacting free speech and how these impact the teaching, research and learning environments on campuses.

The Podcast: HigherEd Rewired 

Who it’s for: Changemakers, higher ed professionals and marketers

What it’s about: The monthly Higher Ed Rewired podcast brings listeners stories from faculty and staff working to expand student success across 23 campuses within the California State University system. Episode topics have focused on the institutional efforts to “engage students with innovative practices, overcome institutional challenges and create groundbreaking research.” 

Why we love it: Although the hosts haven’t released a podcast for the fall season, we hope to see them back soon. Students and faculty across the CSU institutions are often highlighted in this insightful and instructive podcast series. This is a great resource for all higher education professionals who wish to understand how to increase student success and performance through housing, mental health and guidance services.

Our Favorites, Volt Podcasts: Trusted Voices & Higher Voltage

Who they’re for: Higher ed marketers, communications professionals, administrators and more

What they’re about: Volt podcasts cover all angles of higher ed marketing and leadership. Trusted Voices analyzes the intersection of leadership and communication, and Higher Voltage covers the defining topics of the moment that impact higher ed at all levels.

Why we love them: At Volt we leverage our resources and expertise to set higher ed marketing and leadership professionals up for success. Our two podcasts keep you up-to-date with industry news, trends and insights, making sure you have all the information to excel personally and professionally. 

BONUS CONTENT

Some podcasts are not specifically geared toward the higher ed professional, but they still deserve an honorable mention. The following six podcasts are produced by higher ed institutions and are tackling truly innovative discussions.

The Podcast: Columbia Energy Exchange

Who it’s for: Anyone interested in sustainability, energy, financial markets or geopolitics, such as students interested in paving a greener future or business professionals interested in financial markets and geopolitical conditions

What it’s about: Bill Loveless and Jason Bordoff, leaders at the Center on Global Energy Policy, serve as rotating hosts on this weekly podcast, during which they interview leaders about issues and innovations at the intersection of energy sources, financial markets, geopolitics and climate change. 

Why we love it: Sustainability and the future of clean energy remains a focal point for society as we deal with the impacts of a changing climate. Not only do listeners walk away with a handful of information on the latest advances in clean energy, but the hosts leave us with a sense of optimism on the global mission towards a sustainable future.

The Podcast: Be Epic Podcast

Who it’s for: Current and future entrepreneurs

What it’s about: Host Matthew Waller, dean of the Sam M. Walton College of Business at the University of Arkansas, conducts weekly interviews with leaders, economics, finance professionals and entrepreneurs on qualitative and quantitative topics. Waller focuses on both the mental challenges of entrepreneurship, such as facing adversity and being a leader, as well as technical skills, such as accounting, supply chain management, investing and strategic problem-solving.  

Why we love it: This is a great way to keep Arkansas alumni and faculty engaged with the school while inspiring both students and listeners to “be inspired, be bold, and be epic.”

The Podcast: Into the Fold: Issues in Mental Health 

Who it’s for: Anyone remotely interested in mental health

What it’s about: The Hogg Foundation for Mental Health at the University of Texas at Austin produces semi-regular content about the “human implications of mental health and related issues.” The podcast focuses on diversity and inclusivity in relation to mental health, as well as current events surrounding public policy.

Why we love it: Authentic conversations about mental health are rare; this podcast outlines itself as a clear exception. Episodes give consumers, practitioners, advocates, researchers and community leaders updated news, resources and research about mental health in everyday life.

The Podcast: Games Institute Podcast 

Who it’s for: Everyone 

What it’s about: Sid Heeg and Toben Racicot, researchers at the University of Waterloo, co-host a monthly podcast in which they interview a researcher from the Games Institute, an interdisciplinary research center focused on “advancing the study of interactive and immersive technologies and experiences.” Interviews are conducted in layman’s terms to ensure everyone understands discussions about ongoing research at the Games Institute. 

Why we love it: The institute is committed to ensuring the valuable research being conducted within higher ed organizations makes it to the average individual. We want to see more institutions embrace this approach and showcase their researchers’ work to the public.

The Podcast: Breaking Boundaries

Who it’s for: Innovators, social entrepreneurs, activists and global citizens

What it’s about: Hosted by Northwestern University’s Roberta Buffett Institute for Global Affairs, this monthly podcast spotlights leaders and experts working to tackle global challenges and achieve the UN’s sustainable development goals.

Why we love it: Currently on hiatus, previous episodes have struck the perfect balance between promoting professors and initiatives within the Northwestern community, while spotlighting external change makers and initiatives. 

The Podcast: Entrepreneurial Thought Leaders

Who it’s for: Anyone who ardently consumes knowledge

What it’s about: Leaders from growing and mature companies, such as Stripe, Grammarly, Okta and Allbirds, share their success stories as founders. Episodes feature important lessons about both life and business; podcasts can vary from discussions about the digital healthcare industry to confidence as an entrepreneur.

Why we love it: Although the podcast hasn’t resumed fall programming, Stanford eCorner provides listeners with an online resource where they can watch 2-5 minute video clips on specific portions of a podcast episode and sign up for a monthly newsletter.