10 excellent podcasts to inspire your creativity

One such solution is to listen to some great podcasts. Ones that will give you a good kick when you need some fresh ideas and inspiration. Here, we share the cream of the crop, and our recommendations will most definitely become firm favourites.

1. 99% Invisible

Ever wonder how inflatable men came to be regular fixtures in used car lots? Curious about the origin of the fortune cookie? Want to know why Sigmund Freud opted for a couch over an armchair? 99% Invisible is about all the thought that goes into the things we don't think about – the unnoticed architecture and design that shape our world. Wonderfully entertaining and insightful.

2. The Allusionist

Do you love language and lexicon? Want to find out more about words and phrases? Allow Helen Zaltzman to indulge your language curiosity with her fabulous podcast, The Allusionist. It's funny; it's educational, it's perfect for all you geeks out there who would appreciate "small adventures in language".

3. Answer Me This!

Answer Me This! is a fortnightly comedy podcast with Helen Zaltzman (also of The Allusionist) and Olly Mann, with the assistance of Martin the Sound Man. They've been answering questions from listeners since 2007, and – in the process – have won many awards. They sometimes welcome special guests on their show, so it's always worth a listen.

4. Waking Up with Sam Harris

Join neuroscientist, philosopher, and best-selling author Sam Harris as he explores important and controversial questions about the human mind, society, and current events through his podcast, Waking Up. Always thought-provoking, reliably exciting and unmissable.

5. Savvy Painter

Savvy Painter is a weekly podcast for artists who mean business. Antrese Wood talks to experts in the field about the business of art and how it gets created. Want to know-how leaders in the fine art world of Plein-air and landscape painting got their start? What habits do top artists have in common? This is the show for you.

6. Makers

The best inspiration often comes from the most unlikely places. Makers is a new podcast and interview series by Crew that will give you an inside look at the unexpected life moments that impacted today’s most influential and experimental makers. Everyone from top designers to authors to architects will share the special moments that changed their lives. Subscribing is a must!

7. Say Something Worth Stealing

Say Something Worth Stealing is a conversational podcast where creative professionals share stories about their careers, life and craft, hosted by @DaveCurry, a UX design lead focused on VR and emerging technology at HBO.

8. Twenty Thousand Hertz

You may not think about the sounds you hear every day… but somebody has. The voice on your phone; the effects in your video games; that drum machine in your favourite song. There are people – and stories – behind every one of them. Join your host, Dallas Taylor, on an exploration of the stories behind the world's most recognisable and exciting sounds.

9. The Hashtagged Podcast

Need some creative inspiration? The Hashtagged Podcast was created for the Instagram community. Every Monday, its host Jordan Powers meets a different member of the Instagram community. Each of these inspirational Instagram users shares their journey, their thought process, the things that inspire them, and so much more.

10. The Go Creative Show

The Go Creative Show features independent creative artist Ben Consoli. Each week Ben takes on topics relevant to the independent film, video, and visual arts worlds, talking about tools, talent, challenges and successes. A wide range of issues are discussed, as well as interviews with various special guests involved in both mainstream and independent creative production.