The 8 best drone podcasts, YouTube channels of 2024

Posted by Dronerator

Feeling like a bit of a drone noob in a sky full of soaring tech? Maybe you’re a seasoned wingman or wingwoman who just can’t enough of drones? Podcasts are a fantastic way to stay propeller-powered with the latest drone developments, regulations, and industry buzz. So with that, we put together a guide to the best drone podcasts of 2024.

The podcasts in this guide were chosen because they did something notable over the past 12 months. Some released particularly-gripping episodes as of late. Others are must-listens now because they offer up critical news insights that you won’t want to miss now. Some launched over the past few months, meaning these brand-new podcasts offer a fresh take on the drone industry.

This is far from a comprehensive list of all great drone, general aviation or tech podcasts. But, it does call out those that you should consider adding to your podcast feeds this year — that you might not have previously considered. If you have your own recommendations for the best drone podcasts of 2024, leave them in the comments below!

The 8 best drone podcasts of 2024

Here’s a deeper dive into the best drone podcasts of 2024, which are listed in alphabetical order:

1a16z Podcast

a16z Podcast from Andreessen Horowitz best drone podcasts of 2024

Hosted by Steph Smith, the a16z Podcast comes from the folks at Andreessen Horowitz, which is a venture capital firm. The podcast discusses all sorts of tech and culture trends, news, and the future. Naturally, it’s a good one for drone pilots to listen to. And, a recent episode was entirely devoted to drones, largely profiling Flock (which is one of a16z’s portfolio companies).

The episode “Drones, Data, and Deterrence: Technology’s Role in Public Safety” dug into the delicate balance between using technology to combat crime versus respecting individual privacy. Originally aired in January 2024, the episode also took a deep look into the use of drones and facial recognition. It featured voices including a16z General Partner David Ulevitch, Flock Safety’s founder, Garrett Langley and Sheriff Kevin McMahill of the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department.

Give that episode a listen, but subscribe for all sorts of tech discussion that’s neither dumbed down nor subject to hype or outlandish predictions.

How to listen: Subscribe on your favorite podcast app, such as Simplecast.

Dawn of Autonomy

Dawn of Autonomy podcast best drone podcasts of 2024

If the name “Dawn of Autonomy” feels somewhat familiar to you already, it should. The podcast is essentially a rebrand of the popular Dawn of Drones podcast, which first launched back in 2021.

So why rebrand?

“We’ve already been covering a wide range of emerging technologies on the Dawn of
Drones,” said podcast host. Dawn Zoldi. “In the future, drones will be one part of an array of automated systems that will act together harmoniously across the full range of use cases, from delivery to inspection to security services. We wanted the name to reflect the wide range of those technologies to be more inclusive, as well as more precise. Words matter.”

The show’s host, Dawn Zoldi, is a 28-year U.S. Air Force retired Colonel, licensed attorney and certificated Part 107 pilot.

With the more-comprehensive rebrand to all sorts of drone systems, expect discussions on topics including AI, IoT, robotics and drones. Each episode runs roughly 45-minutes, and it’s actually streamed live on Wednesdays at 11 a.m. ET across all sorts of channels including the official AUVSI YouTube channel, as well as some of Zoldi’s personal channels.

How to listen: Among the many ways to listen? Tune in via Zoldi’s personal YouTube, X, Facebook and LinkedIn accounts. Though, you can always replay the recordings if watching live isn’t your jam.

Drone Radio Show

best drone podcasts of 2024 Drone Radio Show Randy Goers

It’s a perennial favorite, but once again, Drone Radio Show makes the list of best drone podcasts of 2024.

Hosted by Randy Goers, Drone Radio Show features forward-looking interviews with some of the top business leaders in drones. For example, an episode from February 2024 interviewed Eric Allison, Chief Product Officer at Joby Aviation. Joby Aviation made huge headlines in February when it announced that it had signed a landmark agreement with the Dubai’s Road and Transport Authority (RTA) to launch air taxi services in the United Arab Emirates. Thus, Drone Radio Show is the ideal place to get the top updates from the players actually involved.

Recent episodes have dug into other unique or controversial topics that’ll give you fresh dinner table discussion fodder. For example, an episode with ANRA’s Amit Ganjoo dug into vertiports. And an interview with Michael Robbins, Chief Advocacy Officer at the Association for Uncrewed Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI), brought in some fresh takes on U.S. competitiveness in the global drone industry — which is one of the top discussion items in the drone industry these days.

How to listen: Stream Drone Radio Show on Soundcloud, Spotify or pretty much wherever else pods are casted.

Drone to $1K podcast

Hosted by the folks behind the Drone Launch Academy, Drone to $1K podcast focuses solely on the business side of drones. If you want to take your hobby into a business, this is your spot to learn how to make money in drones.

Most episodes of the podcast bring on a different guest — each purporting to make at least $1,000 per month. Some make far more than that.

David Young, who is also the founder of Drone Launch Academy, hosts the podcast. If Drone Launch Academy sounds familiar, that’s because it’s one of our favorite websites for both Part 107 courses and online drone photography courses.

How to listen: Apple podcasts, Spotify, Podbay and the Drone Launch Academy website

Ken Heron’s Thursday Night Live

Here’s a super entertaining YouTube webcast, which you might consider a podcast. Airing on Ken Heron’s YouTube channel, it’s called Thursday Night Live, and each episode features a guest speaker. The topics are varied, ranging from speculation around drone bans to FPV discussions with pilot Zoe FPV.

The shows are lengthy, typically running up to two hours (and sometimes longer). They’re all amusing — and sometimes irreverent.

How to listen: The live show runs on Thursdays at 7 p.m. Central time on the Ken Heron YouTube stream, though you can always replay them after the fact.

Sky Elements Drone Shows

This one isn’t really for listening, but more for watching. It’s no secret that I’m obsessed with drone light shows, and there’s no better YouTube channel to indulge in them than Sky Elements Drone Shows.

Sky Elements Drone Shows is one of the largest drone light show companies in the world, and their YouTube channel makes it possible to watch most of their shows — even if you weren’t physically present.

Many videos feature behind-the-scenes or previews with Preston Ward, who serves as Sky Elements’ Chief Pilot.

How to watch: Subscribe on YouTube.

The Air Up There (Federal Aviation Administration official podcast)

Air Up There podcast

The Air Up There is the Federal Aviation Administration’s official podcast, covering all sorts of aviation topics. Naturally, that includes drones.

Recent drone episodes include one in late December done in tandem with the Drone Racing League Chief Operating Officer Ashley Ellefson. As it turns out, the FAA is collaborating with the Drone Racing League in its efforts to integrate complex drone events (like, well, big drone races) into the National Airspace System.

In that episode, Ellefson explained how you can get involved and even become a drone racing pilot yourself. And for the tech nerds out there, she shared how DRL is thinking about artificial intelligence and it’s impact on the future of this sport.

How to listen: You can listen to that particular episode (and subscribe to future episodes!) on FAA.gov, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, or Google Podcasts. 

What are the best drone podcasts of 2024 in your eyes (okay, or ears)? Share your recommendations in the comments!

The post The 8 best drone podcasts, YouTube channels of 2024 appeared first on The Drone Girl.

Kraus Hamdani Aerospace Secures Contract for Revolutionary Solar-Electric VTOL UAS with the U.S. Navy

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Revolutionizing Defense: The Dawn of Solar-Electric VTOL UAS in U.S. Naval Operations In an unprecedented move, the U.S. Navy, through its PMA 263 program, has awarded Kraus Hamdani Aerospace a pivotal contract to supply the K1000ULE, a state-of-the-art solar-electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing (VTOL) Unmanned Aerial System (UAS). This innovative technology is set to be […]

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SimActive Photogrammetry Software: Enabling Users to Meet Accuracy Standards for over 20 years

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Mastering Precision: Navigating the Evolving Landscape of Photogrammetry with SimActive SimActive, a Montreal-based photogrammetry software company with over 20 years serving the mapping community. From satellites to aircraft and drones, one software for all acquisition platforms, designed to support all sizes of professional photogrammetry providers. Accuracy standards are crucial in promoting consistency, reliability, and quality […]

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WCCC and Senator Cory Booker Champion Precision Agriculture with Federal Grant for Drone Program

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New funding boosts precision agriculture studies, promising advancements in farming efficiency and sustainability Warren County Community College (WCCC) has recently been awarded a substantial $699,000 federal grant, earmarked to enhance its innovative precision agriculture program through the advanced application of drone technology. This latest funding boost is part of a broader initiative to assist farmers […]

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Marciana Marina – Elba Island

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Marciana Marina is an Italian municipality of 1,953 inhabitants in the province of Livorno and is, by territorial extension, the smallest municipality in Tuscany. Marciana Marina is located on the Island of Elba and is washed by the Ligurian Sea. Every year it is home to the La Tore Isola d’Elba Literary Prize

At the entrance to the port, whose first stone was laid on 10 September 1911, is the ancient Torre degli Appiani, whose current forms can be attributed, based on stylistic and structural typologies, to the second half of the sixteenth century. The first nucleus of the town, called Marina di Marciana or Marciana Marittima, developed in the place called Il Cotone (a local term meaning “large boulder”, from the Latin accusative cotem)[4] near a natural harbour. Not far away there was a small marshy area, which was later reclaimed.[5] Subsequently there was further urban development which gave rise to the so-called Long Neighborhood. In the center, in Piazza Vittorio Emanuele, the church of Santa Chiara, dating back to 1776, should also be noted. Historic buildings of notable interest are the Villa Anselmi and the Villa Leonardi (the latter with a triple veranda on Tuscan order columns), dated to the 19th century. During the 18th century, due to its port and commercial importance, Marciana Marina was called Little Marseille.

 

From the provincial road that connects Marciana Marina to the hamlet of Procchio, the islet called La Paolina is visible. Named after Paolina Bonaparte following the post-war tourist expansion (originally the town was called Castiglioncello), it houses ruins of a Roman construction dating back to a period between the 1st century BC. and the 1st century AD. and perhaps belonging to an ancient commercial emporium. Examples of modern post-World War II architecture are Villa Spinelli (Crocetta), Villa Albertini, Villa Del Balzo and Villa Vannini-Parenti (Bagno).

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Joanna Steidle: how she uses drone photography to help marine life

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Joanna Steidle, an acclaimed drone aerial photographer, has earned numerous awards for her work. Her love for the ocean and drone photography has become a powerful tool in the fight for ocean conservation.

The team at Drone Girl recently connected with Joanna Steidle, a professional drone pilot based in the Hamptons, Long Island, New York. She shared how she got into drones, continues to break barriers, and how her drone photography supports ocean conservation efforts on the East Coast.

Using drone photography to protect the ocean

Joanna Steidle grew up going to the beach, and since she started flying drones, the ocean has been her favorite place to fly. “It’s like a second home to me. There’s such a huge amount of marine life; you never know what you’re going to see,” said Steidle. 

She enjoys the unpredictability of marine life, saying, “They can move out of frame in a heartbeat. I find it challenging and really enjoy that aspect.”

Joanna has turned her love for capturing the ocean into conservation efforts. She uses her drone to track whales and sends her photography to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). 

She also uses her platform to spread the word on how conservation efforts can improve marine life, explaining how something as simple as putting a catch limit on certain fish can cause their populations to explode.

 “Now, the populations of sharks, whales, and rays have really rebounded,” said Steidle. 

Joanna loves to take budding drone pilots out on the beach, where she not only teaches drone techniques, but shares the importance of protecting the ocean and marine life. 

Photo courtesy of Joanna Steidle

Beyond ocean photography

Joanna’s curiosity about drones goes beyond ocean photography. She first got into flight at a young age, thanks to her grandfather.

 “My grandfather flew model aircraft when I was little, and my first flight lesson was on my 18th birthday,” said Steidle. However, it wasn’t until she was 42 that she began flying drones.

Her first drone was a Hubsan, and she spent an entire winter flying it around her house.

“I just loved it, and once I had a camera drone, it was game over,” Steidle said.“I fell in love.” 

When Joanna isn’t shooting marine life, she enjoys flying FPV (First Person View) drones. “FPV gives me a thrill because I always want to fly as fast as I can,” said Steidle.

Photo Courtesy of Joanna Steidle

Joanna Steidle’s top gear

For FPV flying, Joanna flies DJI Avata. DJI Avata is the Chinese drone-maker’s FPV drone, capable of flying outdoors but particularly well-suited for indoor flying. And while she has flown many different brands of drones, DJI remains her number one.

“DJI is pretty much all I fly,” she said. “DJI drones are the ones I can rely on.”

Photo courtesy of Joanna Steidle

Being a female drone pilot

Joanna Steidle continues to break barriers in the drone industry, a field predominantly male. She was recently honored as a Global Woman to Watch by Women and Drones and became the first woman in the United States to be invited as a DJI creator.

As a DJI creator Steidle is able to give DJI recommendations and her work is featured across DJI’s platforms.

“It’s really flattering because I don’t always know if something is good,” said Steidle, adding that she’s previously been hesitant to share her photography because she didn’t know how it would be received.

“I have this one photo, of a surfer and people loved it,” Steidle said. “It’s strange to me and it took me a long time to put my work out there.”

Steidle continues to break barriers as a female drone creator. For women looking to enter the world of drones, she recommends finding a mentor.

“I have mentees that have grown out of me, and it’s really a wonderful sight,” Steidle said. “There are tons of us in the drone community, and we’re all very willing to help each other.”

Lastly, she advises women to ignore the voice in their head that says they can’t.

“I know a lot of women have that voice in their head. Get out there and fly.”

If you know any great drone girls like Joanna Steidle who deserve to be profiled (including you!) contact us here.

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Startup Wants to Fight Growing Global Dengue Outbreaks with Drones

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The world is grappling with dengue epidemics, with 100 to 400 million cases worldwide every year,  an eightfold increase since 20 years ago, according to the World Health Organization. Much of this is driven by the warming climate, which allows mosquitos to thrive in more areas. A startup in São Paulo,  Brazil, one of the […]

Shield AI to Acquire Australia-Based Sentient Vision Systems and Establish Shield AI Australia

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Shield AI, Inc. has announced a definitive agreement to acquire Sentient Vision Systems (Sentient), an Australia-based supplier of AI-enabled real-time situational awareness solutions, pending customary closing conditions and regulatory approval. The companies will merge AI expertise and operational understanding to deliver superior intelligence surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities for today’s rapidly changing defense and security […]