How to Use Podcasts to Power Learning and Boost ROI

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This article was previously publishing on TrainingIndustry.com.

Today’s training methods must be flexible, accessible and engaging. One tool gaining traction among learning and development (L&D) professionals is the podcast, a format once reserved for entertainment and storytelling that is now transforming how organizations deliver learning.

As Pat Schneider, senior learning and development consultant at Penske Logistics, explains, his team was searching for a way to “bridge the gap between strategy and tactics.” They already had eLearning modules and job aids to cover the “how-tos,” but they wanted something that could connect those daily actions to the company’s broader goals. “Podcasts fit that perfectly,” Schneider said.

By incorporating podcasts into training, organizations can offer employees bite-sized, authentic learning experiences that support everything from onboarding to leadership development. Here are five ways to create podcasts that resonate and deliver lasting impact.

1. Choose Topics With Intention

It can be tempting to think a podcast can be about anything — it’s just a conversation, after all. But to keep your audience engaged, topics must be relevant, purposeful and learner-focused.

During the discovery phase of your learning design process, look for podcast ideas in your needs assessments and ongoing conversations with employees. This ensures each episode addresses real challenges learners face and reinforces key messages already present in other training formats.

For Penske’s operations managers, episodes focused on maintaining data integrity, fostering collaboration between teams and managing fleet operations — all tied to recurring strategic priorities.

2. Curate Your Guest List

When choosing guests, don’t be afraid to reach for the stars. One of the most powerful aspects of podcast-based learning is the access it provides to senior leadership.

Employees often hear strategic messages filtered through presentations or formal communications, but podcasts allow them to hear directly from decision-makers in a relaxed, conversational setting. For Schneider’s team, this dynamic proved transformative: “It was a direct branch from senior leaders to managers,” he shared. “You don’t always get that type of direct communication where it felt like the senior leaders were able to talk directly to our managers.”

This accessibility helps demystify strategy and builds alignment across levels of the organization. When leaders’ voices are part of the learning experience, strategy feels personal and actionable rather than abstract or distant.

3. Prepare and Pre-Interview

Behind every great learning podcast is careful preparation. Conduct pre-interviews with guests to build rapport, test technology and set expectations. This is also the time to ask about topics they’re passionate about and share ideas you’d like to explore.

Make sure your guests understand the technical requirements such as choosing a quiet space, using quality audio equipment and ensuring good lighting and a tidy background, if there is a video component.

A set of six to seven well-crafted questions typically works for a 20–30-minute episode. Have a few follow-up prompts ready to encourage deeper discussion, especially with quieter guests.

4. Ditch the Script

Encourage your guests to bring bullet points rather than scripts to maintain a conversational flow. As Schneider noted, “People are familiar with the medium. Nobody goes home and clicks eLearnings for fun. But a lot of us have our favorite podcast that we listen to.”

That familiarity lowers barriers to engagement; employees are far more likely to press play on a podcast than open another course module. Remember, listeners want to be entertained as well as educated.

Incorporate humor when appropriate, follow your guest down unexpected paths and allow space for storytelling. These unscripted moments create authenticity and connection. The conversational tone makes podcasts uniquely effective for learning. Employees aren’t just absorbing information; they’re hearing real voices, real experiences and real insights.

5. Remember It’s All About Reinforcement

Podcasts work best when they complement other forms of learning, serving as reinforcement rather than replacement. Schneider’s team designed episodes to align with existing eLearning modules and job aids, helping employees connect new concepts to previous lessons. “They might be getting an eLearning on a topic and then they listen to the podcast and they’re able to make those connections,” he explained.

This blended approach strengthens retention by giving learners multiple entry points into the same topic. Podcasts also allow for continuous learning outside the classroom — while driving, walking, or working between tasks — making them ideal for busy professionals who need learning that fits into their day.

As Schneider puts it, “Don’t do a podcast just to do it. Use it where it makes sense and be intentional.”

When thoughtfully designed, podcasts can humanize learning, connect employees to leadership and reinforce key concepts in a way that feels engaging and personal.

In the growing toolkit of digital learning methods, podcasts stand out for their authenticity, accessibility and power to connect strategy to everyday action — a bridge every organization needs.