Best COO Podcasts Every Ops and Delivery Leader Should Listen to in 2026
COO podcasts can offer a direct path into insights and strategies from top operational leaders. I've spent countless hours tuning into these conversations, and the knowledge gained is unmatched. You get real, actionable advice straight from those who lead operations in successful companies.
These podcasts are more than just background noise; they are a valuable resource for any COO or aspiring operations leader. Whether you're looking to refine your skills or understand industry trends, these discussions provide the information you need to stay ahead.
Best for Day-to-Day Operations Insights
1. The Digital Project Manager Podcast
The Digital Project Manager Podcast offers in-depth discussions on AI-driven project delivery and the evolving landscape of digital work, with new episodes released weekly. The podcast focuses on practical insights, addressing critical challenges faced by delivery leaders, such as the impact of AI on how we do work, building delivery systems that improve the bottom line and measuring impact.
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What You'll Learn:
- How AI is transforming project management and digital work
- The most impactful strategies for optimizing delivery in your teams
- Real-world applications and effectiveness of various AI tools
Why You Should Listen: This podcast provides practical insights and strategies from a wide variety of industry experts, making it a valuable resource for delivery leaders. It addresses real challenges and offers actionable advice to help you stay informed and prepared in the fast-changing digital work environment.
Links to listen:
COO Role & Executive Operations
2. The COO Solution Podcast
The COO Solution podcast, hosted by Derek Fredrickson, is a valuable resource for business owners, CEOs, and entrepreneurs aiming to enhance operations and achieve sustainable growth. The podcast emphasizes the importance of effective systems over sheer effort, offering insights into scaling businesses efficiently. Topics cover the role of a fractional COO, team alignment, and real-world insights from Fredrickson's extensive experience.
What You'll Learn:
- Strategies for efficient business scaling and growth
- The role and impact of a fractional COO in business operations
- Insights into building strong systems for operational efficiency
Why You Should Listen: This podcast provides actionable insights and frameworks for building a supportive business structure, helping leaders identify operational bottlenecks and take steps to improve efficiency. It is particularly beneficial for those looking to implement effective systems and leadership strategies to foster business growth.
Links To Listen:
3. The COO's Corner
The COO’s Corner is a podcast for COOs, consultants, business owners, and senior leaders focused on strengthening operational resilience and driving organizational transformation. Each episode features conversations with global operations experts who share real-world experiences, hard-earned lessons, and practical approaches to leading at the executive level.
What you’ll learn
- How COOs and operators build resilient, adaptable organizations
- Practical insights from experienced operators across industries
- Leadership lessons rooted in both performance and people
Why you should listen
This podcast offers thoughtful, experience-driven perspectives from operators who have led complex transformations firsthand. It’s a strong fit for COOs and senior leaders looking for authentic, values-driven insights on operational excellence rather than prescriptive frameworks alone.
Links to Listen:
4. Between Two COOs
The Between Two COOs podcast brings together top Chief Operating Officers to share their insights, advice, and unique stories. Hosted by veteran COO Michael Koenig, the podcast features conversations that delve into the experiences and strategies of COOs from a variety of industries such as tech, logistics, and wellness.
What You'll Learn:
- Key strategies and insights from experienced COOs
- Real-world stories and lessons in operational leadership
- How different industries approach operational challenges
Why You Should Listen: This podcast is a treasure trove of knowledge for anyone interested in the dynamics of successful business operations. With seasoned COOs sharing their experiences, listeners gain access to a wealth of practical advice and innovative strategies that can be applied across various business contexts.
Links To Listen:
5. The Rise of the COO
The Rise of the COO podcast, hosted by Baringa, engages Chief Operating Officers, SMEs, and industry experts in discussions that matter to COOs today. The podcast explores the challenges and opportunities for COOs over the next few years, offering insights into effective leadership and operational strategies.
What You'll Learn:
- Insights into the challenges and opportunities facing COOs
- Strategies for effective leadership in operations
- Perspectives from industry experts and experienced COOs
Why You Should Listen: This podcast is a must-listen for COOs and those aspiring to operational leadership roles. It provides valuable insights from experienced leaders, helping listeners to navigate the complexities of the COO role and stay ahead in their careers.
Links To Listen:
6. Second in Command
Second in Command focuses on the COO role and the operational leadership required to scale growing companies. Each episode features conversations with experienced operators about leadership, execution, and building durable operating systems.
What you’ll learn
- How COOs support founders and executive teams
- Approaches to scaling operations and leadership capacity
- Lessons learned from operating inside fast-growing companies
Why you should listen
This podcast is a strong fit for COOs and senior ops leaders, though it skews more toward found-led organizations than PMO-led enterprises.
Links to listen:
Scaling, Systems & Operational Excellence
7. The Operations Room
The Operations Room podcast provides a platform for Chief Operating Officers and operations leaders to share their insights on scaling businesses and improving operational efficiency. Hosted by Bethany Ayers, the podcast delves into the challenges and strategies that COOs face in various industries, offering listeners a wealth of knowledge from experienced leaders.
What You'll Learn:
- Key strategies for scaling businesses and enhancing operational efficiency
- Insights from top COOs on overcoming common operational challenges
- Practical advice on improving business processes and team dynamics
Why You Should Listen: The podcast is an invaluable resource for anyone involved in operations or aspiring to be in a leadership role. It offers practical insights and strategies from seasoned COOs, providing listeners with the tools they need to drive their organizations forward.
Links To Listen:
8. Secret Ops
The Secret Ops podcast takes you behind the scenes with industry experts in operations to uncover the strategies and processes that drive successful business operations. From data science to people operations and revenue management, each episode reveals the intricate workings of business operations and the innovative minds behind them.
What You'll Learn:
- Insights into the diverse areas of business operations, including data science and revenue management
- Strategies and processes employed by top industry experts
- How operations leaders are transforming business practices
Why You Should Listen: This podcast is ideal for anyone interested in the inner workings of business operations. It provides valuable insights from experts who are redefining the way businesses operate, offering listeners the chance to learn from those at the forefront of the industry.
Links To Listen:
9. The COO Roundtable
The COO Roundtable podcast features insightful discussions with Chief Operating Officers and operations leaders from large Registered Investment Advisors (RIAs) across the U.S. Hosted by Matt Sonnen, the podcast delves into operational and technology best practices and business strategies specific to the RIA industry. It underscores the critical role COOs play in driving growth and efficient management within their organizations.
What You'll Learn:
- Operational best practices from leading COOs in the RIA sector
- Insights into technology strategies for enhancing business operations
- Business strategies that drive growth and efficiency
Why You Should Listen: This podcast is a valuable resource for anyone in the financial services industry, particularly those in operational roles. It provides practical insights and strategies from experienced leaders, making it an essential tool for those looking to optimize their organization's operations and technology use.
Links To Listen:
Leadership, Decision-Making & People Management
10. Coaching Real Leaders
Coaching Real Leaders takes listeners inside real leadership coaching sessions with high-performing professionals navigating career growth, influence, and complexity at work. Hosted by executive coach Muriel Wilkins, the podcast offers candid, real-world conversations that explore the challenges leaders face as they work toward the next stage of their careers.
What you’ll learn
- How leaders work through common career and leadership roadblocks
- Coaching frameworks for decision-making, influence, and growth
- Practical guidance for navigating leadership challenges in real time
Why you should listen
This podcast provides an unusually transparent look at leadership coaching in action. It’s especially valuable for senior leaders and aspiring executives who want practical, human-centered guidance grounded in real conversations rather than abstract theory.
Links to listen:
11. The Modern Manager
The Modern Manager is a practical leadership podcast hosted by Mamie Kanfer Stewart, focused on helping managers become more effective in their day-to-day work. Through a mix of solo episodes and guest conversations, the show delivers actionable guidance grounded in real-world experience and research.
What you’ll learn
- Practical strategies for running better meetings and communicating clearly
- Approaches to managing conflict, building strong teams, and setting goals
- Tools and techniques for productivity, collaboration, and time management
Why you should listen
This podcast is ideal for managers and delivery leaders who want immediately applicable advice they can use at work the same day. The mix of structured mini-courses and expert interviews makes it especially useful for building core management skills without the fluff.
Links to listen:
Executive Perspective & Business Strategy
12. The Chiefs
The Chiefs podcast is hosted by Tyler Brûlé and features in-depth interviews with top CEOs and business leaders. The podcast explores the challenges and opportunities these leaders face while building resilient and profitable futures. Listeners gain insights into various industries and the strategies that drive success.
What You'll Learn:
- Strategies employed by top CEOs and leaders to overcome business challenges
- Insights into building resilient and profitable businesses
- Perspectives from leaders across diverse sectors
Why You Should Listen: The podcast is a valuable resource for anyone interested in leadership and business strategy. It provides direct access to the experiences and insights of successful CEOs, offering listeners practical advice and inspiration for navigating their own business challenges.
Links To Listen:
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