Staying up to date with your industry is one thing. Finding time to explore ideas outside it is another. For energy marketers and other leaders, a typical workday leaves little room to study things like what makes a brand memorable or why a new technology could change the market.

Luckily, you listening queue can help.

Here are five podcasts we’ve been using to stay up to date on new perspectives and keep our brains fresh. From energy investment to cultural mysteries, these podcasts offer different ways to think about business, communications and growth.

For understanding what’s next in energy: Catalyst with Shayle Kann

Host: Shayle Kann

Focus: Energy technology, investment and decarbonization

What makes an emerging energy technology a viable business? On Catalyst, investor Shayle Kann interviews experts about the technologies and market forces shaping the sector. Featured conversations explore clean-energy costs, investment and the growing influence of AI. For professionals tasked with understanding where the industry is heading, it’s a useful look at how technical innovation meets commercial reality.

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For making stronger marketing decisions: Uncensored CMO

Host: Jon Evans

Focus: Marketing effectiveness, brand building and leadership

Marketing leaders need innovative ideas. But they also need to be able to explain why those ideas deserve investment. Jon Evans brings experienced marketers and researchers together to discuss what works, what doesn’t, and what the evidence tells us. With conversations covering topics like creative effectiveness, brand differentiation and winning over the CFO, Uncensored CMO offers a broader perspective on connecting marketing decisions to business priorities.

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For practical B2B marketing ideas: The Dave Gerhardt Show (from Exit Five)

Host: Dave Gerhardt

Focus: B2B marketing strategy and execution

Looking for ideas you can bring to your next team meeting? Dave Gerhardt interviews marketers about the strategies, decisions and lessons behind their work on this must-listen podcast. Covering demand gen, content, positioning and more, the show connects big-picture thinking with the realities of running a B2B marketing function. It’s a practical choice for professionals looking to sharpen their approach.

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For the strategy behind enduring brands: Acquired

Hosts: Ben Gilbert and David Rosenthal

Focus: Company histories, business models, and competitive strategy

Some business stories deserve a whole history lesson. This podcast delivers that in a conversational approach. On Acquired, Ben Gilbert and David Rosenthal spend hours unpacking how major companies were built and what makes their strategies work. Save this one for a long drive or a weekend deep dive into the decisions behind a distinctive business.

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For a fresh perspective on why people care: Decoder Ring

Host: Willa Paskin

Focus: Cultural mysteries and the stories behind everyday phenomena

Not every useful marketing insight comes from a marketing podcast. On Slate’s Decoder Ring, Willa Paskin investigates cultural questions, objects and habits to understand their origins and why they matter. If you turn complex or overlooked subjects into compelling stories, this podcast can help you ask better questions and follow unexpected details.

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Bonus: Bring it back to energy marketing with The HEX-Files

Looking for conversations closer to your business? On The HEX-Files Energy Marketing Podcast, HexaGroup Founder and CEO Arnaud Dasprez talks with energy marketing leaders about the challenges and opportunities shaping their work. Hear directly from people working to improve marketing communications, and drive growth, across the industry.

Listen to The HEX-Files >