World Radio Day: 10 business-forward podcasts to have in your rotation

World Podcast Day, marked today on 13th February, is a reminder of how powerful long-form conversation can be. For business leaders and decision-makers, podcasts have become a practical tool for staying sharp, informed and globally connected.

Here are five Maltese and five international podcasts worth your time.

Maltese Podcasts

Ġemma

Running a business requires a certain grasp on financial literacy. Newly launched Maltese podcast Ġemma explores everyday money habits to smarter financial decision-making, with the aim to help listeners build confidence with money in a practical and accessible way. The podcast is in Maltese and has published its debut episode just over a week ago.

Unboxed

Another Maltese-speaking podcast, Unboxed focuses on unpacking business journeys in a direct and accessible way, where Malta-based business leaders speak candidly about strategy, setbacks and scaling, making it particularly relevant for founders navigating growth. This is a prominent Maltese television program on TVM and podcast series hosted by Fabian Demicoli. 

Executive Spotlight

Executive Spotlight was the Malta Stock Exchange’s webinar, bringing Malta’s senior leaders into focus through structured yet conversational interviews. It’s last episode was published last year, but it still offers a trove of insights and clear look at how local CEOs think about leadership, governance and long-term strategy.

Unbrandme

Unbrandme, hosted by BRND WGN’s Peter-Jan Grech, challenges conventional marketing thinking and explores what sits beneath the surface of brand building. It is especially useful for leaders who understand that reputation, positioning and authenticity are now boardroom issues.

Malta-EU Business Gateway

The Malta-EU Business Gateway, in the form of the MBB Podcast, is an initiative by the Malta Business Bureau (MBB) launched in February 2025 to analyse EU policies and their impact on Maltese businesses. It acts as a guide on topics like energy, tourism, and finance, advocating for local industry interests in Brussels. 

International Podcasts

Planet Money

Produced by NPR, Planet Money should be a gold standard for these kind of podcasts. It explains complex economic stories in a way that is both engaging and rigorous, offering deep dives into how everything is connected to economy. It is ideal for leaders who want to understand the forces shaping markets without wading through academic jargon.

The Diary of a CEO

Hosted by Steven Bartlett, this podcast blends business with psychology and personal development. The conversations often move beyond success stories and into the mindset required to lead under pressure.

Acquired

Acquired, a little less known than the above two, dives analytically into the history of major companies, unpacking how they were built and where they misstepped. It is a masterclass in competitive advantage, timing and execution.

FT News Briefing

For a more general podcast on what is happening around the world, the FT News Briefing, from the Financial Times, delivers great daily updates on global business and finance. It works well as a morning intelligence check for leaders who want to stay current without losing an hour.

Ones and Tooze

Foreign Policy economics columnist Adam Tooze, a history professor and a popular author, is encyclopedic about basically everything: from the COVID shutdown, to climate change, to pasta sauce. Ones and Tooze features conversations with economists, policymakers and historians on the state of the global economy. It is particularly valuable for those who want a deeper understanding of geopolitics and macroeconomic risk.

In a crowded information environment, the right podcasts can act as an informal advisory board. Whether local or global, the common thread is thoughtful conversation that helps leaders make better decisions.

Image credit: Unbrandme