The Best Short-Term Rental (Airbnb) Investing Podcasts: Your Complete Guide to STR Success
The short-term rental investing space has exploded in recent years, and with it, a wealth of knowledge has become available through podcasts dedicated to helping investors succeed in this lucrative market. Whether you’re just getting started with your first Airbnb property or scaling a portfolio of vacation rentals, the right podcast can be your mentor, guide, and community all rolled into one.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore the top short-term rental investing podcasts, what makes them exceptional, and how they can help you build wealth through vacation rental properties. We’ll cover everything from beginner-friendly shows to advanced investor resources, giving you the roadmap to podcast-based education that fits your journey.
What Makes a Great Short-Term Rental Investing Podcast?
Before we dive into our top picks, let’s establish what separates exceptional STR podcasts from the rest. A truly valuable short-term rental podcast should offer:
Expert Hosts with Proven Track Records
The best short-term rental podcasts are hosted by investors who are actively managing properties and closing deals in today’s market. They bring real-world experience, not just theory. Look for hosts who own multiple properties, have navigated market cycles, and can speak from genuine experience about what works and what doesn’t in STR investing.
Actionable, Data-Driven Content
Great podcasts don’t just inspire—they educate with specific strategies you can implement immediately. Whether it’s market selection criteria, dynamic pricing tactics, or automation systems, top STR podcasts deliver concrete takeaways in every episode.
High-Quality Guest Interviews
The most valuable shows bring on industry leaders, successful investors, tech innovators, and service providers who share insider knowledge. These interviews expose you to different strategies, markets, and perspectives that broaden your understanding of the STR landscape.
Consistency and Production Quality
Regular episode releases keep you engaged and learning consistently. Professional audio quality and well-structured content make the learning experience enjoyable rather than frustrating.
Community and Resources
The best podcasts extend beyond just audio content—they offer communities, courses, tools, and additional resources that support your investing journey.
The Top Short-Term Rental (Airbnb) Investing Podcasts
Now let’s explore the podcasts that are leading the short-term rental education space. Each brings unique strengths and perspectives to help you succeed.
1. The Short Term Show with Avery Carl
The Short Term Show has quickly become the gold standard for short-term rental education. Hosted by Avery Carl, an 8-figure Airbnb investor with over 250 doors, this podcast delivers unmatched expertise for both new and experienced STR investors.
Avery bought her first Airbnb in 2015 and built The Short Term Shop into the country’s largest Airbnb-specific real estate team, serving over 5,000 investors across 20 markets. The Short Term Shop has been named the #1 team worldwide at EXP three times and has been featured in The Wall Street Journal, New York Times, Forbes, and USA Today.
What Makes It Great:
- Interviews with top STR investors and CEOs of Airbnb-related startups
- Deep dives into market analysis, property selection, and revenue optimization
- Practical automation strategies for managing properties remotely
- Regular updates on regulatory changes and market trends
- Author of bestselling book “Short-Term Rental, Long-Term Wealth”
Best For: Investors at all levels who want to learn from someone actively crushing it in the STR space.
Listen: Apple Podcasts | Spotify
2. Short-Term Rental Profits with Jason Hartman
Short-Term Rental Profits offers a comprehensive look at the financial side of vacation rental investing. Host Jason Hartman brings decades of real estate investing experience and focuses on helping investors maximize cash flow and ROI.
The podcast covers crucial topics like market selection, dynamic pricing strategies, property management systems, and how to identify markets with the best risk-to-reward ratios. Jason’s analytical approach helps investors make data-driven decisions rather than emotional ones.
What Makes It Great:
- Strong focus on financial analysis and cash flow optimization
- Insights on identifying emerging STR markets
- Expert interviews with industry leaders
- Coverage of both Airbnb and VRBO strategies
- Practical advice on property management and scaling
Best For: Investors who want to understand the numbers behind successful STR investments.
Listen: Apple Podcasts
3. Vacation Rental Success with Heather Bayer
With over 25 years of experience in the vacation rental industry, Heather Bayer brings unparalleled wisdom to Vacation Rental Success. As CEO of a cottage rental agency and author of “Renting Your Recreational Property for Profit,” Heather offers a comprehensive view of the STR business.
What Makes It Great:
- Interviews with industry influencers and successful property owners
- Coverage of interior design, marketing strategies, and guest experience
- Event roundups and industry trend analysis
- Weekly episodes with actionable advice
- Strong focus on professional vacation rental management
Best For: Property managers and investors who want to professionalize their operations.
4. Short-Term Rental Secrets
Short-Term Rental Secrets is dedicated to helping both new and seasoned investors launch, automate, and scale their Airbnb businesses. The podcast focuses heavily on systems and automation that allow investors to build passive income streams.
What Makes It Great:
- Emphasis on automation and systems building
- Strategies for scaling multiple properties
- Focus on achieving financial freedom through STRs
- Practical tools and technology recommendations
- Content for both beginners and advanced investors
Best For: Investors who want to build scalable, automated STR businesses.
5. The Hosting Journey with Evelyn Badia
As an Airbnb Superhost since 2010, Evelyn Badia has been in the trenches longer than most. The Hosting Journey shares her extensive knowledge from years of presenting as a Host Educator at Airbnb conferences.
What Makes It Great:
- Covers everything from difficult guests to platform updates
- Practical recommendations on tools and equipment
- Marketing ideas and financial strategies
- Community-driven content based on listener questions
- Authentic, experience-based advice
Best For: Hosts and investors who want time-tested strategies from a veteran Superhost.
6. Vacation Rental Machine with Jon Bell and Julian Sage
Vacation Rental Machine focuses specifically on automation technologies and systems that give hosts more time and money freedom. Episodes are concise (4-14 minutes) and packed with actionable information.
What Makes It Great:
- Short, focused episodes perfect for busy investors
- Deep dives into automation tools and technologies
- Practical implementation strategies
- Regular Tuesday releases
- Focus on creating systems that work for you
Best For: Tech-savvy investors who want to leverage automation for efficiency.
7. Sarah and T (Formerly Sea to Ski)
Hosts Sarah Bradford and Tim Cafferty manage over 500 vacation rentals between them, and Sarah and T is the only podcast specifically focused on professional vacation rental managers.
What Makes It Great:
- Unique focus on property management at scale
- Day-to-day operational insights
- Strategies for managing hundreds of properties
- Industry-specific challenges and solutions
- Wealth of experience from two seasoned professionals
Best For: Professional property managers and investors scaling to multiple properties.
8. Airbnb Entrepreneur Success Revealed with Rachel Prince
Rachel Prince, author of “Airbnb Mentality” and “Airbnb Side Hustle,” hosts this podcast designed for entrepreneurs using Airbnb to generate income. As the creator of the BUYBNB online course, Rachel brings both investing and teaching expertise.
What Makes It Great:
- Focus on entrepreneurial approaches to STRs
- Real estate broker perspective
- Strategies for first-time buyers and investors
- Marketing and revenue optimization techniques
- Both host and property manager insights
Best For: Entrepreneurs looking to build STR businesses as primary income sources.
9. Get Paid For Your Pad with Jasper Ribbers
Jasper Ribbers has been an Airbnb Superhost for nearly a decade and brings international perspective to STR investing. His podcast focuses on practical tips, strategies, and news in the vacation rental world.
What Makes It Great:
- Nearly a decade of hosting experience
- International market perspectives
- Mistakes-based learning approach
- Platform updates and industry news
- Actionable tips and tricks from real experience
Best For: Investors interested in both domestic and international STR opportunities.
10. The Real Estate Investing Club with Gabriel Petersen
While The Real Estate Investing Club covers all aspects of real estate investing, host Gabriel Petersen regularly features short-term rental investors and strategies. Since launching in 2020, Gabe has interviewed over 600 investors, operators, and industry professionals.
As an active investor in commercial real estate including self-storage, mobile home parks, and RV parks, Gabe brings a unique perspective to STR investing—showing how vacation rentals fit into a diversified real estate portfolio.
What Makes It Great:
- Broad real estate perspective with STR focus episodes
- Over 600 expert interviews since 2020
- Covers both residential and commercial STR strategies
- Active community on Skool for ongoing learning
- Personal coaching and partnership opportunities
- Internationally ranked on Apple Podcasts
Best For: Investors who want to understand how STRs fit into comprehensive wealth-building strategies and prefer learning from active deal-makers.
Listen: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube
Additional Valuable Short-Term Rental Podcasts
Beyond our top 10, several other podcasts offer valuable perspectives:
The Accommodation Show
The Accommodation Show dives into the short-term rental industry with a focus on marketing, technology, and growth strategies. Host Bart brings extensive hospitality and marketing background to deliver actionable weekly tips.
Airbnb Investment Properties with David Leroux
For investors short on time, David Leroux offers bite-sized episodes under 5 minutes. As author of “Airbnb Investment Properties Cash Flow Method,” David provides quick learning moments on finding the best investment properties.
Shampoo and Booze
This uniquely named podcast follows Ryanne and Jay’s journey of buying, renovating, and hosting rural Airbnb properties. Their fixer-upper stories provide real-world renovation and hosting insights.
STR Intel with Hostē
Managed by hosts who run Airbnb properties daily, STR Intel offers in-the-trenches expertise to help you avoid pitfalls and maximize income in short-term rental management.
The STR Sisterhood with Stacey St. John
Stacey built a 7-figure STR portfolio in under two years and shares how other investors can achieve similar success while maintaining work-life balance.
How to Choose the Right Podcast for Your STR Journey
With so many excellent options, how do you decide which podcasts deserve your time? Consider these factors:
Your Experience Level
Complete Beginners: Start with podcasts that cover fundamentals and walk through the entire process. The Short Term Show and Vacation Rental Success offer comprehensive beginner content.
Intermediate Investors: Focus on podcasts covering scaling strategies, automation, and market expansion. Vacation Rental Machine and Short-Term Rental Secrets excel here.
Advanced Investors: Look for shows featuring high-level strategy, market analysis, and networking opportunities. Sarah and T and The Real Estate Investing Club offer advanced perspectives.
Your Investment Strategy
Buy and Hold STR Investors: Podcasts focusing on market selection, financing, and long-term strategy work best.
Arbitrage and Co-Hosting: Shows covering operations, guest experience, and scaling without ownership are most valuable.
Professional Management: Sarah and T specifically targets this audience with relevant operational content.
Your Available Time
Limited Time: Shorter podcasts like Airbnb Investment Properties (under 5 minutes) or Vacation Rental Machine (4-14 minutes) deliver quick wins.
Commuters: Longer interview-format shows like The Real Estate Investing Club and The Short Term Show are perfect for drives.
Maximizing Your Podcast Learning
Simply listening isn’t enough—you need a system to capture and implement what you learn:
Take Action-Oriented Notes
Don’t just listen passively. Note specific strategies, tools mentioned, and action items you can implement immediately.
Create an Implementation Calendar
After each episode, add 1-3 action items to your calendar with specific dates for completion.
Join Podcast Communities
Many podcasts have associated Facebook groups, Skool communities, or Discord servers. These communities amplify your learning through discussions and networking.
The Real Estate Investing Club Community: Join on Skool
Subscribe to Multiple Shows
Different hosts offer different perspectives. Subscribe to 3-5 podcasts that align with your goals and experience level to get well-rounded education.
Re-listen to Key Episodes
When you find an episode that resonates, listen again. The second time through, you’ll catch details you missed and internalize strategies more deeply.
The Role of Podcasts in Your STR Education Strategy
While podcasts are invaluable, they work best as part of a comprehensive learning approach:
Combine with Books
Many podcast hosts have written books that go deeper into their methodologies. Avery Carl’s “Short-Term Rental, Long-Term Wealth” and Rachel Prince’s “Airbnb Mentality” offer structured deep dives.
Attend Industry Events
Podcasts often mention conferences and meetups. These in-person events accelerate learning and networking.
Take Courses and Coaching
Several podcast hosts offer courses or coaching programs that provide structured implementation guidance beyond audio content.
Join Mastermind Groups
Connect with other investors at your level to discuss strategies, share deals, and hold each other accountable.
Common Short-Term Rental Investing Topics Covered
Across the top STR podcasts, certain topics appear consistently because they’re fundamental to success:
Market Selection and Analysis
Understanding which markets offer the best opportunities requires analyzing tourism patterns, regulations, competition, and demand drivers. Top podcasts regularly break down specific markets and share selection criteria.
Property Acquisition Strategies
From finding off-market deals to analyzing potential returns, acquisition strategy determines your success from day one.
Financing Options
STR-specific financing differs from traditional rental mortgages. Podcasts cover everything from conventional loans to creative financing structures.
Interior Design and Staging
Your property’s appeal directly impacts occupancy and nightly rates. Many shows feature interior design experts and showcase high-performing property examples.
Dynamic Pricing
Maximizing revenue requires sophisticated pricing strategies that adjust based on demand, seasonality, and competition.
Guest Experience and Reviews
Five-star reviews drive your success on platforms like Airbnb and VRBO. Podcasts share strategies for delighting guests and handling challenges.
Automation and Systems
Successful STR investors build systems that allow them to manage multiple properties without being chained to their phones.
Regulatory Compliance
Understanding local regulations, obtaining proper licenses, and staying compliant protects your investment.
Tax Strategies
Short-term rentals offer unique tax advantages. Many podcasts feature CPAs and tax strategists discussing optimization techniques.
Scaling Strategies
Once you’ve found success with one property, scaling requires different skills and systems.
The Future of Short-Term Rental Investing
The STR landscape continues evolving rapidly. Top podcasts keep you informed about:
Regulatory Changes
Cities worldwide are implementing new regulations. Staying informed helps you pivot strategy and remain compliant.
Technology Innovations
From smart locks to AI-powered guest communication, technology constantly improves STR operations.
Market Shifts
Economic conditions, travel trends, and platform changes all impact STR investing. Podcasts help you stay ahead of shifts.
New Investment Strategies
Creative strategies like STR-to-mid-term rental conversions and boutique hotel models are emerging. Podcasts introduce you to innovation.
Why The Real Estate Investing Club Stands Out
While many podcasts focus exclusively on short-term rentals, The Real Estate Investing Club offers unique value by showing how STRs fit into comprehensive wealth-building strategies.
Host Gabriel Petersen interviews investors across all asset classes—from self-storage and mobile home parks to traditional rental properties and vacation rentals—giving you a holistic view of real estate investing. This broader perspective helps you:
Diversify Your Portfolio: Learn how successful investors balance different property types for optimal risk-adjusted returns.
Cross-Pollinate Strategies: Discover how commercial real estate tactics can improve your STR business and vice versa.
Access Broader Networks: Connect with investors beyond just the STR space, opening partnership and learning opportunities.
Build Generational Wealth: Understand how STRs contribute to long-term wealth building rather than just treating them as isolated investments.
With over 600 episodes featuring active investors sharing real deals and authentic experiences, The Real Estate Investing Club has become a trusted resource for investors serious about building wealth through real estate.
Taking Action: Your Next Steps
Knowledge without action creates no results. Here’s your roadmap to leveraging these podcasts for STR success:
Week 1-2: Research and Planning
Subscribe to 3-5 podcasts from this list based on your experience level and goals. Listen to at least 5 episodes from each to understand their style and content.
Week 3-4: Deep Dive Learning
Focus on one podcast that resonates most with you. Listen to 1-2 episodes daily and take detailed notes on strategies you can implement.
Month 2: Implementation
Choose one actionable strategy from your podcast learning and implement it. This could be analyzing a specific market, setting up your first dynamic pricing tool, or reaching out to a potential partner.
Month 3: Community Engagement
Join at least one podcast’s community or Facebook group. Engage in discussions, ask questions, and network with other investors.
Ongoing: Continuous Learning
Make podcast listening part of your daily routine. Even 20-30 minutes during your commute or workout keeps you learning and improving.
Conclusion: The Best Podcast Is the One You’ll Actually Use
The “best” short-term rental investing podcast ultimately depends on your specific situation, learning style, and goals. The Short Term Show with Avery Carl leads the pack with unmatched expertise and comprehensive coverage, while shows like Short-Term Rental Profits, Vacation Rental Success, and The Real Estate Investing Club each offer unique value propositions.
The key is to start listening, take action on what you learn, and stay consistent. The investors who succeed in short-term rentals aren’t necessarily smarter—they’re just more committed to continuous learning and implementation.
Whether you’re analyzing your first potential STR property or scaling to your 50th, these podcasts provide the knowledge, inspiration, and community support to help you succeed. Subscribe to a few shows today, and take your first step toward building wealth through short-term rental investing.
Remember: the best time to start learning was yesterday. The second best time is right now. Pick a podcast, hit subscribe, and begin your STR investing education today.
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