Best Animation Podcasts: 20+ Shows Every Animator Needs

Discover the best animation podcasts for career growth, industry insights, and creative inspiration. From beginner tips to pro workflows - start here.

Introduction: Why Animation Podcasts Are a Must-Listen

The best animation podcasts have become an essential resource for animators at every stage of their career, offering insights that you simply can't get from tutorials alone. Whether you're commuting to the studio, taking a break between shots, or looking for that spark of inspiration during a creative block, these carefully curated shows connect you directly with industry veterans, emerging artists, and the stories behind your favorite animated films. At iAnimate, we know that continuous learning never stops, and the right podcast can be the difference between staying stuck and breaking through to your next level as an animator.

Our Top Picks: Essential Animation Podcasts

Look, we get it.

You're scrolling through endless podcast apps, wondering which shows are actually worth your time.
Which ones will help you level up your animation career instead of just filling dead air? Here's the thing - the best animation podcasts aren't just entertainment.

They're your secret weapon for staying sharp in this industry.

1. iAnimate Animation Podcast

What it's about: The iAnimate Animation Podcast features interviews with animation industry pros, behind-the-scenes, animator career advice, and insights on animation workflows. With over 100 interviews with the world's leading animation industry professionals.

Why you should listen: This isn't your typical surface-level chat show. We dig deep into the stuff that actually matters - how to break into studios, what directors really look for in demo reels, and the workflows that separate good animators from great ones. When you hear ILM supervisors and Pixar veterans sharing their actual process, that's gold you can't get anywhere else.

2. Animation Addicts Podcast

What it's about: The Animation Addicts Podcast deep dives into animated films from Disney, Pixar, and DreamWorks with hosts who actually know what they're talking about.

Why you should listen: These folks break down storytelling choices and character development in ways that'll change how you watch movies. Perfect for understanding what makes animation work on an emotional level.

3. The Bancroft Brothers Animation Podcast

What it's about: The Bancroft Brothers Animation Podcast is where former Disney animators Tom and Tony Bancroft share war stories and interview talent from across the industry.

Why you should listen: When Disney legends talk, you listen. Their insights on traditional animation principles and studio culture are pure gold for anyone serious about character animation.

4. Animation Industry Podcast

What it's about: The Animation Industry Podcast from Stop-motion animator Terry Ibele focuses on the business side - self-promotion, essential skills, and navigating your animation career.

Why you should listen: Terry gets real about the stuff they don't teach in school. How to actually get work, build relationships, and survive as a freelance animator.

5. School of Motion Podcast

What it's about: School of Motion Podcast is a Motion design deep dive covering Cinema 4D, After Effects, and the business of motion graphics.

Why you should listen: If you're doing any motion design work, Joey Korenman and crew know their stuff. They break down complex software techniques into stuff you can actually use.

6. The Visual Storytelling Podcast

What it's about: The Visual Storytelling Podcast interviews with creatives from every stage of the visual storytelling process.

Why you should listen: Great for understanding how story decisions affect animation choices. Essential if you want to think beyond just moving characters around.

7. RubberOnion Animation Podcast

What it's about: RubberOnion Animation Podcast: Stephen Brooks and Rob Yulfo dive into animation history and technique with serious depth.

Why you should listen: These guys know animation history like nobody's business. Perfect for understanding why certain animation principles work the way they do.

8. Overly Animated Podcast

What it's about: Overly Animated Podcast is about analysis and discussion of animated films, TV shows, and industry trends.

Why you should listen: Great for staying current on what's working in animation right now. They spot trends before they become obvious.

9. Make It Then Tell Everybody

What it's about: Make it Then Tell Everybody: Dan Berry interviews illustrators, animators, and creative folks about their process and mindset.

Why you should listen: Sometimes the best animation advice comes from adjacent creative fields. Dan's conversations often spark new ways of thinking about your own work.

10. Skwigly Animation Podcast

What it's about: The Skwigly Animation Podcast offers in-depth interviews with leading figures in the animation field, according to a blog about animation.

Why you should listen: Interviews with world-famous industry legends and skilled craftspeople go.

Here's the deal: You don't need to listen to all of these.

Pick 3-4 that match where you are in your career right now. Binge a few episodes to see which hosts click with your learning style. Then make it part of your routine - commute listening, gym background, whatever works.

The animation industry moves fast and these podcasts help you keep up without burning out.

Discover Podcasts by Category

Here's the thing about finding the best animation podcasts - you don't need to listen to everything.
You need to listen to the right stuff for where you are right now. Trying to break into your first studio job? Focus is different from someone running their own animation business. Here's how to cut through the noise and find podcasts that actually move the needle for your specific goals.

For Industry Insights & Career Growth

These shows get real about the business side of animation. No sugar-coating the hard parts. No pretending talent is enough. These hosts understand that building an animation career takes strategy, not just skill.

• iAnimate Animation Podcast - Industry pros share what actually works, career advice, experiences that inspire, and success stories.
• Animation Industry Podcast - Terry Ibele breaks down self-promotion and essential skills
• Directing Animation Livecast - Leadership insights from directors who've shipped projects
• Motion Hatch: Helping Motion Designers Do Better Business - Client management that actually works
• The Business of Animation Podcast - Money talk for animation professionals
• The Animated Journey: Interviews with Animation Professionals - Career path deep-dives (archived interviews)
• Keeping You Animated - Black artists sharing real industry experiences
• Straight Ahead Animation Podcast - BIPOC voices in animation leadership
• Creators Society Animation Podcast - Building your creative business
• AnimDojo - Practical tips you can use tomorrow

Start here if: You're trying to level up your career, land better clients, or understand how this industry actually works behind the scenes.

For Deep Dives into Animated Films & TV Shows

Sometimes the best animation advice comes from understanding the story first. These shows dig into the creative process behind great work. How do you overcome creative blocks? What makes a story worth animating?

• The Visual Storytelling Podcast - Interviews covering every stage of creative projects
• Make It Then Tell Everybody - Storytelling, illustration, and artist life
• Draw me a Story - Animation podcast focused on narrative development

Start here if: You're struggling with story development, want to understand the creative process better, or need inspiration for your own projects.

By Industry Veterans & Legends

When animation legends talk, smart people listen. These hosts have decades of experience and connections you can't get anywhere else. Their war stories become your roadmap.

• The Bancroft Brothers Animation Podcast - Former Disney animators with insider perspective
• RubberOnion Animation Podcast - Stephen Brooks and Rob Yulfo dive deep into animation technique and history

Start here if: You want to learn from people who've been there, understand animation history, or get perspective from industry veterans.

For Animation History & Archive Content

Understanding where animation came from helps you see where it's going. These shows connect the dots between classic techniques and modern innovation.

• Cynical Cartoons - Forgotten corners of animation history
• Animation Cel-ery - Classic cartoon analysis and technique
• THE CARTOONERIFIC! ANIMATION PODCAST - Hand-drawn animation heritage
• Disney History Institute Podcast - Animation history with industry context

Start here if: You're curious about animation history, want to understand classic techniques, or love discovering forgotten gems.

For Diversity & Emerging Voices

The future of animation is being shaped by voices that haven't always been heard. These shows highlight perspectives and experiences that expand what animation can be.

• Keeping You Animated - Black artists in animation sharing real experiences
• Straight Ahead Animation Podcast - BIPOC voices and industry leadership
• BlkWmnAnimator: Animation Podcast - Black women's experiences in animation

Start here if: You want diverse perspectives, support underrepresented voices, or understand the full scope of who's shaping animation today.

Here's how to use this list:

Pick ONE category that matches your biggest need right now. Subscribe to 2-3 podcasts from that section. Listen to 3-4 episodes to see which hosts click with your learning style. Once you've got a routine going, then explore other categories. The goal isn't to listen to everything. It's to find the shows that actually help you get better at what you do.