I’ve listend to several podcasts over the years, but besides Serial (season 1), I’ve never stuck with one week after week except NPR’s How I Built This. This podcast hosted by Guy Raz dives into the stories behind some of the world’s best-known companies. How I Built This weaves a narrative journey about innovators, entrepreneurs, and idealists —and the movements they built.

Top 3 Episodes

Spanx: Sara Blakely: Listen

At 27, Sara Blakely was selling fax machines and desperate to reinvent her life. So she came up with Spanx — hosiery that eliminates panty lines — and set to work building her business. Based in Atlanta, GA, Sara Blakely is the world’s richest self-made women who is changing the way women feel about themselves.

AirBnb: Joe Gebbia: Listen

A chance encounter with a stranger gave Joe Gebbia an idea to help pay his rent. That idea grew into a company that now has more rooms than the biggest hotel chain in the world. 

Power Rangers: Haim Saban: Listen

As a refugee growing up in Tel Aviv, Haim Saban remembers not having enough money to eat. As an adult, he hustled his way into the entertainment business, writing theme songs for classic cartoons like Inspector Gadget and Heathcliff. But producing the mega-hit Mighty Morphin Power Rangers put him on track to becoming a billionaire media titan.