The New Manager Podcast

Kim Nicol started teaching her Essential Skills for New Managers course back in 2017, and the podcast is basically an extension of that work. She runs mostly solo episodes -- usually 12 to 25 minutes -- where she breaks down one specific management challenge at a time. Think confidence-building, direct communication, executive presence, or handling burnout. Her background in mindfulness shows up in how she frames things, but this is not a meditation podcast. It is grounded, practical stuff about becoming the kind of boss people actually want to work for. With 269 episodes and a biweekly release schedule, there is a huge back catalog to dig through. Nicol has a calm, clear delivery style that makes complicated interpersonal dynamics feel manageable. She recently tackled topics like AI tools for managers and trauma-informed workplace practices, so she is keeping up with where the conversation is going. The episodes on transitioning from individual contributor to manager are particularly strong -- she understands that shift in identity better than most. If you are early in your management journey and want something you can listen to on a lunch break, this one fits perfectly. Rated 4.7 stars from 54 ratings on Apple Podcasts.