Looking to grow in your role as an Executive Assistant (EA)? You’re certainly not alone. Staying sharp in today’s dynamic workplace means continuously building new skills, but that doesn’t have to equal a big budget or hours of your time.
From insightful podcasts to helpful reads, there are plenty of free or low-cost resources that can help you grow your impact and feel more confident in your role.
To help save you time, we looked at the best podcasts and books for EAs to help elevate you and become an even more valuable, strategic partner. Check them out below.
Below are four best podcasts for EAs to listen to as they advance in their careers.
The Leader Assistant Podcast by founder and host Jeremy Burrows is the highest rated podcast for assistants. The podcast focuses on leadership skills, productivity strategies, and career development. EAs gain valuable insights into how to become a more strategic partner, enhance their influence, and excel in their role by adopting leadership principles and effective work habits.
Burrows hosts a wide range of EAs on his podcast including high-profile EAs like Sona Movsesian (Assistant to Conan O’Brian), Chynna Clayton (former Special Assistant to Michelle Obama), and Libby Moore (former Chief of Staff and Executive Assistant to Oprah Winfrey) to name a few.
Burrows also has a well-known book for EAs: ‘The Leader Assistant: Four Pillars of a Confident, Game-Changing Assistant’. It outlines four pillars to help EAs rediscover their passion for what they do and teaches how to become a leader - but you have to embody all four pillars to ensure a healthy work-life balance and to truly succeed.
The Whole Assistant Podcast by Annie Croner, a certified coach and assistant with over twenty years of experience, Annie explores a wide range of topics relevant to the EA role, including organization, technology, communication, and personal well-being. The Whole Assistant also includes practical tips and advice.
The EA Campus Podcast hosted by Nicky Christmas is focused on professional development and learning, covering topics like skill enhancement, industry trends, and career advancement strategies. Nicky launched Practically Perfect PA in 2011 and rebranded to The EA Campus in 2025. The podcast continues to offer virtual summits, online courses, and has an EA community. With weekly episodes, the podcast can help EAs expand their knowledge and network within the profession.
The Assist With Impact Podcast by Liz Van Vliet is focused on how EAs can make a significant and positive impact within their organizations and on their executives' success. The podcast covers topics like strategic thinking, proactive support, and effective communication.
While no longer active, this podcast has a huge following as it gets into the heart of what an EA does, offering realistic and genuine advice.
Below are five best books for EAs looking to build their skill set.
‘The Art of Being Indispensable’ shares tips on how you can be the “go-to” resource at work, such as being a proactive problem-solver, anticipating needs, and consistently delivering high-quality work. This book underscores the value of going beyond task execution to become a strategic partner who contributes to the company’s success.
‘Radical Candor’ focuses on how important it is to give and receive feedback that is both direct and caring. As an EA, you are often in a position to observe and interact with various stakeholders. By developing radical candor skills, you can communicate effectively, address issues constructively, and build stronger working relationships.
‘The Organized Admin’ offers practical strategies and tools so you can streamline administrative tasks, manage time effectively, and create efficient workflows. For an EA, mastering these organizational skills is crucial for staying on top of a demanding workload.
‘Atomic Habits’ gets into the value of making small, incremental changes in habits so you can achieve significant long-term results. As an EA, cultivating positive habits around organization, communication, and proactivity can lead to increased efficiency, reduced errors, and a greater sense of control, ultimately enhancing your effectiveness and impact.
‘The Elevated EA‘ shows the strategic aspects of being an EA and gets into how to become a true partner to your executive. This book will help you understand your executive’s priorities so that you can better contribute to strategic initiatives, and learn how to demonstrate leadership qualities.
Whether you're tuning into a podcast on your commute or diving into a book on your lunch break, there are plenty of ways to keep learning. The list of the best podcasts and books for Executive Assistants we shared is not an exhaustive list, but it’s a great starting point to help level up your career and make an impact.