Branded podcasts are one of the most effective ways for companies to connect with audiences beyond ads — and they can be just as entertaining, insightful, and bingeable as other podcast hits. From luxury fashion houses to financial services, brands across industries are using podcasts to demonstrate their authority in a niche and build communities.
But let’s be clear: not all branded podcasts are created equal. For every beautifully produced series that finds an audience, there are countless corporate shows that feel like thinly disguised marketing. The difference comes down to one thing—whether the show offers genuine value to the listener.
In this article, we’ll explain what a branded podcast is, explore what makes a good one, and share 14 examples that prove brands can create podcasts worth listening to.
Whether you’re a CMO looking to start a podcast, a producer seeking inspiration, or a founder exploring how audio can extend your brand story, this list will give you ideas to spark your next project. If you’d like help with your podcast with tailored white label production, our expert team is here to help.
What is a branded podcast?
A branded podcast is a show created by a company or organization for marketing, communications, or thought leadership purposes. Just like most other podcasts, branded podcasts are freely available on standard podcast platforms, so they’re easy to find. But what really sets them apart is their specific focus on offering value that’s different from just traditional advertising – these podcasts indirectly highlight a brand’s expertise through well-produced stories, industry insights from experts, and other thoughtful segments.
Let’s dig deeper on the components of what make branded podcasts so unique.
What makes a great branded podcast?
There are four main guidelines that make up a great branded podcast: an engaging host, solid production quality, a clear purpose, and an extension into community.
For a branded podcast, the host is more than just the voice and personality of the show, but for the brand as well. Whether they’re someone internal to the company or they’re an outside media personality or celebrity, a host for a great branded podcast should be credible, curious, warm, and be able to make a connection with the audience that keeps them engaged.
High production quality is the foundation of a great branded podcast. Since the podcast exists as a function of a company or organization, that same level of professionalism applies. This means having high-quality audio and sound design, professional editing, and a consistent format and publishing schedule. If production quality isn’t high, that could reflect on the company and the value of the brand itself, something explored in more depth in our Ultimate Guide to Podcast Production in 2025.
Speaking of consistency, this extends to the purpose of the show as well. A great branded podcast offers value that’s more than traditional advertising. That means the purpose of the show should be organic to the company’s mission and values. Listeners will smell a corporate agenda or a sales pitch from a mile away!
And finally, a great branded podcast is also an engine for community outreach. If we’re talking in traditional marketing terms, think of a branded podcast as a top-of-funnel piece of content. That means the show should be a way to grow your audience, engage with them to keep conversations going when episodes end, and ultimately turn those listeners into advocates.
What are some examples of effective branded podcasts?
Based on our criteria, let’s take a look at fifteen branded podcasts that are worth checking out for inspiration.
Tomorrow’s Cure – Mayo Clinic
The last few years have brought healthcare and medical innovation to the forefront for people around the world, and Tomorrow’s Cure – a client of The Podglomerate and currently nominated for “Best Branded Podcast” at The Ambies – offers a look at the changing landscape around medical solutions to improve and save lives. Tune in each week for discussions with doctors, researchers, and industry experts as they talk about advancements in cancer research, wearable tech, and even AI and 3D printing. This is a fascinating exploration into the world of medicine.
Inside Trader Joe’s – Trader Joe’s
Co-hosted by Trader Joe’s employees Matt Sloan (VP of Culture and Innovation) and Tara Miller (VP of Marketing), Inside Trader Joe’s is a peek behind the curtain of one of the most well-known and beloved supermarket chains in the country. They answer frequently asked questions from actual customers, and even talk a bit about the stores’ designs and why they choose the products they sell. If you’re a fan of the store, their podcast is worth checking out.
Command Line Heroes – Red Hat
Command Line Heroes, hosted by Saron Yitbarek, takes a deep dive into the world of software development and shares the stories of developers and open source advocates who are creating the software that powers our modern world. The show stopped production in 2022, but they have dozens of episodes in their archive that still hold relevancy in today’s tech culture.
Podcast Perspectives – The Podglomerate
Of course, we had to mention our own award-winning podcast! Hosted by Jeff Umbro, founder and CEO of The Podglomerate, Podcast Perspectives breaks down the business of podcasting through long-form conversations with leaders across media, tech, and audio. It’s a standout example of a branded podcast because of how it digs into relevant industry topics while providing value to listeners and showcasing the mission of the agency.
IRL: Online Life is Real Life – Mozilla
Host Bridget Todd talks biweekly with folks around the world that are tackling the human side of the Internet. Now in its 8th season, the show is focusing on artificial intelligence and what it means to put people ahead of profits. Tune in for insightful interviews and stories from the innovators who are making an impact on our lives by building tools and services that change our relationship with technology.
Rise and Grind with Daymond John – ZipRecruiter
Daymond Green, star of ABC’s Shark Tank and the founder and CEO of FUBU, hosted this 2018 limited edition business and motivation series, powered by ZipRecruiter. The show is no longer in production, but you can still tune in and hear some pearls of wisdom from some of the world’s top entrepreneurs, musicians, and athletes. Guests include fellow Shark Tank co-host Barbara Corcoran, media maven Wendy Williams, and businessman and author Gary Vaynerchuk.
Bedtime Stories with Netflix Jr. – Netflix
This series might be designed for kids, but behind the scenes it’s a real masterclass in brand extension, audience development, and IP-driven content strategy. (They’re also one of our clients!) Each episode is created in collaboration with child development expert Dr. Tina Bryson, and uses skill-building bedtime stories featuring Netflix Jr. characters to help children gently fall asleep.
#LIPSTORIES – Sephora
Fashionista and style icon Kristina Zias hosted this fun series fro/m makeup mogul Sephora. This two season series is full of great conversations about self-image, the power of diversity, confidence, and how to feel like your best self. The variety of guests really add to the richness of what this show offers, including honest talks with Aminatou Sow, Molly Hayward, Jillian Mercado, and Sephora CEO Sophia Amoruso.
Open for Business – eBay
Building a business from the ground up takes a ton of work, and no company knows that better than eBay. For 30 years, they’ve pioneered and revolutionized online marketplaces and e-commerce, helping people run their own business in 190 markets worldwide. Open for Business, hosted by entrepreneur and investor John Henry, gets to the heart of what it takes to run your own business in the digital era. On each episode, he’s joined by founders, CEOs, and other captains of industry about topics like reinvention, bootstrapping, surviving failure, and the entrepreneurial mind.
The Garrison Institute Presents: The Common Good – The Garrison Institute
The Garrison Institute Presents: The Common Good – another client of ours – explores how contemplative practice, systems thinking, and social impact intersect to create more compassionate models of leadership. Hosted by Garrison Institute co-founder Jonathan F.P. Rose, the podcast features conversations with inkers and practitioners who explore what it takes to lead with long-term vision, compassion, and clarity.
DTR – The Official Tinder Podcast – Tinder
Host Jane Marie is your guide on this hilarious deep dive into the world of online dating. On each episode, often accompanied by a celebrity guest, you’ll hear about the complicated, exhilarating, and sometimes heartbreaking real stories of Tinder users on their quest for romance. They even take over people’s Tinder profiles, swipe for them, and send them out on dates. Talk about an interactive experience!
Around the Barrel with Jack Daniel’s – Jack Daniel’s
Jack Daniel’s has been around for 150 years, and this podcast draws on that rich legacy to tell the stories of the people who have made it an iconic whiskey brand. Host Lucas Hendrickson talks to a wide variety of guests – celebrities, industry experts, documentarians, and fellow distillers are just a few – and they all share conversations which really reinforce the brand’s strong identity of tradition, culture, and craftsmanship.
Duolingo Spanish Podcast – Duolingo
Martina Castro, co-founder of NPR’s Radio Ambulante, hosted this weekly bi-lingual podcast with real life stories in easy-to-understand Spanish (with English narration, of course). You’ll learn another language while also gaining exposure to Spanish and Latin American culture in a fun and approachable way. While the show is no longer being produced, there are over 150 episodes available for you to explore.
Think Big, Buy Small – Harvard Business School
Think Big, Buy Small, a client of The Podglomerate, focuses on the triumphs and challenges that small business owners face. It’s co-hosted by Harvard Business School professors Richard Ruback and Royce Yudkoff, and each episode builds on the information from their courses on entrepreneurship and small firms. Their interviews with CEOs provide a closer look at acquisitions, investing, and financing – high-value content that extends Harvard Business School’s thought leadership well past the classroom.
Conclusion
Branded podcasts are a powerful way to connect with audiences. As the examples we’ve outlined have shown, branded podcasts work best when they’re consistent, authentic, built around a specific purpose, and are a natural extension of a brand’s values.
Have questions? Interested in having The Podglomerate produce and market your branded podcast? Email us to learn more about our podcast services, and make sure to sign up for our free newsletter.
