The Business of IT Blog

16 Must-Listen Podcasts for IT/Tech Professionals

8 minute read
Chrissy Kidd

As an IT professional, it is vital to stay on top of trends that keep your skills fresh and relevant. Conferences and books are traditional ways of doing this, but podcasts are a new and increasingly popular way to sharpen your knowledge.

Podcasts mean you can stay up-to-the-minute with the IT industry—without traveling or taking up valuable time. Podcasts are perfect for passive learning, like when you’re commuting, exercising, or cleaning the house. To help you navigate the many, many podcast choices out there, we put together this list of IT-minded podcasts, aimed at IT professionals of all stripes and experience. This article is part of our Tech Books & Talks Guide. Explore the menu to the right for more recommendations on digital transformation, AI and ML, governance, and more.

Feel free to reach out if you have a tech podcast we should know about. To be considered, please email details including the podcast name, website, and suggested episodes specific to IT pros to blogs@bmc.com.

(This article is part of our Tech Books & Talks Guide. Use the right-hand menu to navigate.)

Top IT/Tech Podcasts of 2020

Here are the best IT podcasts that offer learning and insight into the most current, timely topics in tech:

TechnovationTechnovation

Technovation is perhaps the best podcast series on the web focused on CIOs and C-Suite thought leadership. Host Peter High, author of Implementing World Class IT Strategy, interviews experts on trends and best practices for IT leaders. Browse by topics like AI, leadership positions, women in tech, and entrepreneurship.

Who should listen: Top executives of business and tech; innovators and tech evangelists

Favorite episodes:

This Week in Enterprise TechThis Week Enterprise Tech

Part of the This Week in Tech (TWiT) network, This Week in Enterprise Tech focuses on professional IT while still keeping topics engaging, fun, and easy to consume. Hosts Louis Maresca, Brian Chee, Curt Franklin, Brian McHenry, and Heather “Mo” Williams covers trends in enterprise systems. Episodes record live every Friday, with nearly 400 episodes available for on-demand listening.

Who should listen: Professionals in enterprise technology

Favorite episodes:

The Hanselminutes PodcastHanselminutes

Scott Hanselman is a web developer and programmer at Microsoft, but his personal podcast, The Hanselminutes Podcast, explores many tech topics with emphasis on tech culture and current events in technology. Published weekly with hundreds on demand, the podcast’s air of humanity provides a unique perspective on technology.

Who should listen: IT innovators, thought leaders, and professionals

Favorite episodes:

Risky BusinessRisky Biz

A must-listen weekly podcast all about security, Risky Business offers insights into news and trends like doxing scammers, ransomware, government reports, and security risks in cyberspace. With close to 600 episodes, this podcast is acclaimed for providing relevant and timely information to pros. Save time, stay current, and learn some new InfoSec tricks.

Who should listen: Security professionals

Favorite episodes:

Heavy NetworkingHeavy Networking

Self-described as “an unabashedly nerdy swan dive into networking technology”, the Heavy Networking podcast is part of the Packet Pushers network. Hosts Greg Ferro, Ethan Banks, and Drew Conry-Murray explore real-life situations with network professionals and others who gush over the latest network news. With 500+ podcasts and counting, you can learn all about networking, industry standards for network technology, and popular concepts like automation.

Who should listen: Network professionals

Favorite episodes:

FLOSS WeeklyFloss Weekly

Hosted by Doc Searls and part of the popular TWiT network, FLOSS Weekly is all about the open source world. After all, FLOSS is short for free, libre, and open source software. Searls sits down with a variety of guests and co-hosts to discuss everything from up-and-coming innovators to the best software on the market.

Who should listen: Developers and open source enthusiasts

Favorite episodes:

The CloudcastCloudcast

As the name suggests, The Cloudcast is all about the hot topic of cloud computing, with an emphasis on cloud programming. This independent podcast has been around since 2011, so hosts Aaron Delp and Brian Gracely certainly know their stuff. Weekly episodes feature updates and interviews with tech leaders. Frequent topics include cloud computing, open source, serverless, DevOps, Kubernetes, big data, AI and ML, and of course the Big 3 of cloud: AWS, Azure, and GCP.

Who should listen: Programmers and cloud professionals

Favorite episodes:

Accidental Tech PodcastAccidental Tech Podcast

The “three nerds discussing tech, Apple, programming, and loosely related matters” are Marco Arment, Casey Liss, and John Siracusa. In this weekly podcast you’ll get a tech enthusiast’s POV on all things tech and pop culture—perfect for IT pros who like tech for fun, too.

Who should listen: Tech professionals, hobbyists, and enthusiasts

Favorite episodes:

Analog(ue)Analouge

We include Analog(ue) on this list because it looks at how we culturally engage with mobile devices and what sorts of feelings we get from technology—both positive and negative. Hosted by Myke Hurley, co-founder of Relay FM, and Casey Liss of ATP, the Analog(ue) podcast comes out every few weeks, occasionally featuring recognized leaders in IT, raising questions like: does engaging with technology emotionally attach us to it?

Who should listen: Tech enthusiasts and leaders seeking to up their emotional intelligence

Favorite episodes:

Software Defined TalkSoftware Defined Talk

The Software Defined Talk podcast is a fun and easy listen, with hosts Michael Coté, Matt Ray, and Brandon Whichard covering all sorts of enterprise IT subjects. Frequent topics on the weekly show include Kubernetes, serverless, cloud, and DevOps.

Who should listen: Programming, DevOps, and cloud professionals

Favorite episodes:

Supporting I.T. SupportSupporting It Support

Calling all IT support professionals! This monthly podcast looks at the intersection of business and tech from the perspective of IT support—the everyday heroes of every company. Hosted by Jesse Nowlin, Each episode features an interviewer with a veteran IT professional on subjects from career growth to success and failures.

Who should listen: IT support pros and tech leaders

Favorite episodes:

Network Disrupted

A newcomer to this list, Network Disrupted it an important listen for leaders of all stripes, from managers of small teams to C-levels of global companies. Andrew Wertkin, Chief Strategy Officer at BlueCat, talks monthly with tech leaders on 21st century business topics like innovation, digital transformation, and AI and automation.

Who should listen: Tech leaders, C-level executives, and disrupters

Favorite episodeslisten or read the transcripts here:

  • How do I up-skill my team for digital transformation?
  • Is there one right way to roll out new technology?
  • How can I enable my organization?

a16za16z Podcast

VC firm Andreessen Horowitz started the a16z podcast to explore how technology affects culture, work, news, and the future. Each episode, a rotating team of hosts interviews business leaders and industry experts from across the world. A related series looks at technology news in episodes that are 20 minutes or less.

Who should listen: Tech and business leaders

Favorite episodes:

IT VisionariesIT Visionaries

We wholeheartedly agree with this podcast’s tagline: “Your #1 source for actionable insights, lessons learned, and exclusive interviews with trailblazing IT leaders.” In each episode of IT Visionaries, part of the Mission Network, you’ll hear Fortune 100 tech leaders share their experiences, their goals, and what hasn’t quite worked. Up your IT knowledge and management skills with these 30-45 minute episodes. Short on time? Skim each episode’s page for key takeaways.

Who should listen: IT managers and leaders

Favorite episodes:

Reply AllReply All

You don’t have to be a tech professional to love this tech-adjacent podcast that’s been running since 2014. Among the best podcast hosts, PJ Vogt and Alex Goldman combine personalities and interests to answer bizarre tech issues in their Super Tech Support segment, do full-on investigative journalism, and even test their up-to-the-minute pop culture knowledge with a Twitter game called Yes Yes No.

Who should listen: Anyone interested in the convergence of tech and pop culture

Favorite episodes:

Run and Reinvent by BMCRun and Reinvent

Of course, we’d be remiss not to mention our own podcast, Run and Reinvent by BMC. In each episode, we interview industry leaders from BMC and beyond to get insight on the digital transformation challenges and successes of IT and business decision makers.

Who should listen: IT professionals and tech leaders

Favorite episodes:


Run & Reinvent Podcast · Elevating Innovation at BMC

Run & Reinvent Podcast · Episode 25: Understanding AI and the Impact Intelligent Technologies Have on Businesses Today

<Run & Reinvent Podcast · Episode 20: CIO Insights – Reinventing IT to Become a World-Class Organization

Why listen to podcasts?

Podcast enthusiasm has grown significantly in the last decade, with recent research indicating 50% of U.S. households listen to podcasts. Listening to podcasts offers a new way to learn and engage your brain. Use a smartphone and headphones to use them on-the-go, while running errands, working out, or going for a drive.

For IT professionals, these podcasts also offer benefits to IT professionals like:

  • Developing new skills
  • Staying current with tech news and trends
  • Sharpening soft skills like multitasking, focus, and attention
  • Exploring new areas of interest
  • Getting updates on tech conferences

How to listen to podcasts

If you’re listening while you work, Most podcasts are available directly on their websites, so you can listen in-browser. Prefer to stay organized and portable with your podcasts? Here are the most popular listening platforms, with smartphone apps so you can download and listen at your convenience:

How to evolve IT to drive digital business success

When IT and the business are on the same page, digital transformation flows more easily. In this e-book, you’ll learn how IT can meet business needs more effectively while maintaining priorities for cost and security.


These postings are my own and do not necessarily represent BMC's position, strategies, or opinion.

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About the author

Chrissy Kidd

Chrissy Kidd is a writer and editor who makes sense of theories and new developments in technology. Formerly the managing editor of BMC Blogs, you can reach her on LinkedIn or at chrissykidd.com.