Podcasts are booming. As fellow connoisseurs of the genre, we launched our own podcast, It’s a Matter Of…, featuring conversations with industry disruptors like True Botanicals founder Hillary Peterson, holistic plastic surgeon Shirley Madhere, and Francisco Costa of Costa Brazil back in May 2020. However, with over 1.75 million shows to tune into and 43 million episodes available, one could say we are perhaps too spoiled for choice. 35% of consumers don’t listen to podcasts because they don’t know how to find them. From offering a platform for brands to broadcast their ethos to a broader audience, to creating a multichannel stream of communication with listeners through Instagram and private Facebook groups, company founders, entrepreneurs, and beauty editors alike are harnessing the potential of the audio medium.
Whether you are looking for a new podcast to add to your listening rotation or simply don’t know where to begin, BeautyMatter has rounded up our podcast recommendations for 2021.
Spill the V: Currently in its first season, this podcast is the brainchild of Lauren Steinberg, founder of feminine wellness brand Queen V. The biweekly podcast offers interviews with other women from entertainment, tech, and beauty. Guests include Carina Chaz of Dedcool and Elle Huerta of the Mend app.
BeautyStack Podcast: With WAH Nails, Sharmadean Reid launched one of the most trendsetting nail salons in London. After a decade in business, the chain closed, but ever the entrepreneur, Reid turned her efforts towards Beautystack, a treatment booking app which has now spawned its own virtual summit and podcast. Its mission is to explore “the role of navigating Beauty identities, supposed Beauty ‘ideals’ and insider Beauty treatments while unpacking Sharmadean’s and her guests’ personal and professional realities and career journeys.” Expect chats with the likes of body positivity model Paloma Elsesser and transgender activist Charlie Craggs.
Clean Beauty Insiders: Aside from running vegan skincare brand BYBI Beauty, Elsie Rutterford and Dominika Minarovic also host this podcast. Whether it’s answering listener questions for International Women’s Day, discussing the challenges of fundraising as a female start-up, or a seven-part self-care series, there’s a variety of content to choose from.
The Life Stylist Podcast: Host Luke Story is a former celebrity fashion stylist who has since shifted into working as a motivational speaker on lifestyle improvements. The Life Stylist Podcast offers “strategies for healing, happiness, and high-performance living.” Subject matter includes yoga, spirituality, alternative medicine, and biohacking technologies, with guest appearances by health food guru David Wolfe, fitness expert Ben Greenfield, and relationship specialist John Gray.
Hurry Slowly: Oxymoron aside, Hurry Slowly seeks to assist listeners in finding “more calm, comfort, and clarity through the simple act of slowing down.” Host Jocelyn K. Glei is also the author of books including Manage Your Day-to-Day and Make Your Mark. Expect discussions like using technology with intention with Deep Work author Cal Newport, why the pandemic has taught us to leave “productivity talk” behind, and how to build “tender discipline” practices.
Black Girl in Om: “We’re here to unapologetically expand the consciousness of Black women to transform,” states the Black Girl in Om podcast. Yoga and meditation teacher Lauren Ash founded the wellness company in 2014 and has received accolades for her work by publications like Essence, Shape, Well+Good, and The New York Times. Episodes offer guided meditations, positive affirmations, and conversations with the likes of sound healer Gina Breedlove, sex-positive pastor and preacher Lyvonne Briggs, and multidisciplinary artist Kenesha Sneed.
It’s a Matter Of…: BeautyMatter founder Kelly Kovack takes a weekly deep dive into the beauty industry with guests ranging from Peach & Lily CEO Alicia Yoon to Maesa CMO Scott Oshry. Indies and big beauty alike are represented, with each episode centered on a specific topic (integrity, community, poverty alleviation, and more), offering insight for audiences ranging from industry veterans to simply curious observers. As Kovack states: “Our goal with the podcast is to share the honest, thought-provoking conversations that we have on a daily basis with founders, business leaders, and creatives that are influencing the industry today while keeping our eye on what’s next for the future of the beauty and wellness landscape.”
