Remote work encompasses a new era in the business world of job flexibility, autonomy, and personal growth. Telecommuters have more independence when it comes to balancing their work day and projects, making every remote worker their own boss in some way.

Many remote workers have their own side hustles in addition to full time roles, with more than 24% of Americans involved in the digital gig economy. Others freelance full time from home. With atypical schedules and more freedom, remote workers have created a community of independent thinkers, creatives, and motivational supporters of the flexible work movement.

We've created a list of the top podcasts for remote workers to give you the motivation and inspiration to grow individually or ramp up your business to the next level. Podcasts are a great way to be inspired, get motivated, and gain the tools you need to grow your business or team.

Podcast listenership has grown exponentially over the past decade, with over 51% of Americans listening to podcasts, and 32% of Americans listening to at least one podcast in the previous month. They offer an easy way to learn new things on the go and use time for growth and development that would have otherwise been spent listening to music or talking on the phone.

You can listen to podcasts while commuting to a shared workspace or coffee shop, while cleaning or cooking, during an exercise session, or anywhere you can have headphones in.

First up, here are some recommendations for podcasts for remote workers to motivate, inspire, relax, and focus.

Many remote workers have routines to help them focus and start their day in a mindful and focused state. Joel Gascoigne, founder of Buffer and a remote CEO, encourages an intentional morning routine that can change and evolve as you do. Working from home, he begins his day after a good night's sleep by drinking water, quickly checking company emails, then works out for 30 minutes. He has breakfast and reads before beginning his work day, boosting his endorphins and then calming down to get into his most productive state.

Whatever your morning ritual may be, research shows that beginning your remote work day with exercise and a nourishing breakfast will help you to be more productive and have a positive attitude to start your day.

Here are some meditation, journaling, and mindfulness podcasts to help you get in the zone to begin a productive day working from home.

Podcasts to Start Your Remote Workday

1. The Daily Meditation Podcast

Recommended episode: Managing Your Reaction to Stress

2. The Ultimate Health Podcast

Recommended episode: Katie Dalebout - Embracing the Art of Journaling

3. The Mindvalley Podcast

Recommended episode: Emily Fletcher on the 3 M's: How Mindfulness, Meditation, and Manifesting Can Improve Our Life

4. 20 Minute Fitness

Recommended episode: How Technology Can Make Your Workouts Fun

5. Happier With Gretchen Rubin

Recommended episode: Ep. 82: Make a List (If You Want)

Working from home allows you to be productive at the time that works best for you. A two year study from Stanford showed that telecommuters were twice as productive as traditional office employees and turnover decreased by 50% when employees were allowed to work from home.

Employees are also 24% happier when they work from home at least once a month.

These remote work podcasts will help boost your productivity and give you the tools to be efficient on your own schedule.

Podcasts to Boost Productivity While Working Remotely

6. The Productivityist Podcast

Recommended episode: The Link Between Personal and Professional Productivity

7. The Productive Woman

Recommended episode: Productivity on a Non-Standard Schedule

8. Kwik Brain Podcast

Recommended episode: Boost Your Focus

No matter what industry you work in, these remote work podcasts will help you to unlock your critical thinking side and find the role that best fits your talents. Whether you are in the mood to do exercises and flex your brain or listen and be inspired, try listening to a few episodes to hear about another creative's story.

Podcasts to Inspire Your Remote Work Practice

9. Distributed, with Matt Mullenweg

Recommended episode: Leadership Coach Leo Widrich on Emotional Wellness for Distributed Workers

10. The Collaboration Superpowers Podcast

Recommended episode: Question Your Tech with the Meeting Owl

11. The Accidental Creative

Recommended episode: 3 Ways To Gain Creative Focus

12. How I Built This with Guy Raz

Recommended episode: Airbnb: Joe Gebbia

13. Find Your Dream Job: Insider Tips for Finding Work, Advancing your Career, and Loving Your Job

Recommended episode: Networking to Get a Job with Nathan Perez

14. The Investor Mindset

Recommended episode: Personal Growth through Relationship Networking

For entrepreneurs who work remotely and are part of a growing organization, sharing ideas with fellow remote CEOs and startup executives is essential. Listening to podcasts that interview successful leaders and absorbing growth stories can help your business to not make the same mistakes others have made and feel supported by your digital CEO peers. Check out these motivational remote work podcasts next.

Podcasts to Motivate Remote Business Growth

15. Outside the Valley

Recommended episode: How to Build Social Connections & Trust in Remote Teams

16. StartUp Podcast

Recommended episode: How Not to Pitch a Billionaire

17. This Week in Startups with Jason Calacanis

Recommended episode: How do you know when to hire a CEO?

18. TED Talks Daily

Recommended episode: The Surprising Habits of Original Thinkers | Adam Grant

19. Bulletproof Radio

Recommended episode: Energy for Success! Dr. Barry Morguelan

One of the main benefits of working remotely is the option to choose your own schedule and create your own habits as a part of your remote work day. These podcasts can serve as a resource to remote workers without eating up a large portion of the day. Try throwing on an episode from one of these remote work podcasts the next time you're unloading the dishwasher, taking your dog for a walk, or on the train. Test out a few different hosts and formats of podcasts to find your niche.

To learn more, review our list of the best Slack communities for remote workers next.