Besides the usual movie breakdowns, game streams and reaction videos, YouTube is also an immense resource when you want to learn more about varied topics. While there is a channel for almost every skill in the world, there are some content creators who stand out.
My Kolkata looks at eight YouTubers we keep going back to for inspiration on everything from productivity to finance.
Ali Abdaal
Learning to code at 12 and setting up multiple businesses on the internet while studying medicine at Cambridge University has taught Ali Abdaal a lot. Alongside lessons and learnings, he also shares details of his financial gains, a rarity in the YouTube community. While many of his videos cover the nuances of making money away from your nine-to-five job, his channel is a goldmine of advice on several topics from productivity to investment to typing. The entrepreneur has curated a Part-Time YouTuber Academy course for budding creators, runs a podcast and has signed a book deal — his journey is proof that a solo initiative can become a community.
Honestly by Tanmay Bhat
Tanmay Bhat’s contribution to the internet isn’t just comedy sketches and reaction videos. He has been bringing financial literacy to millennials in a palatable package courtesy his likeable persona. His second channel features him speaking to experts and friends about stock trading and investment options, and even the odd video about the neuroscience of gaming and music. We see a more candid side of Tanmay as he breaks down heavy concepts with trademark candour.
Matt D’Avella
Director of Minimalism: A Documentary About the Important Things on Netflix, Matt’s videos have a soothing aesthetic befitting his minimalist lifestyle. The filmmaker makes videos on what it actually means to lead life as a minimalist in a practical way. The 30-day challenges he takes — cutting out sugar to taking cold showers — give insight into the real world application of difficult-to-sustain “good habits.” If you’re looking for simple ideas presented without drama, Matt’s channel is the one for you.
Niklas Christl
Niklas blew up last year due to his fresh voice and refined videos, which focus on travel, film-making and self-development. He doesn’t only obsess over the positives of the hustle culture but admits that it could take you down a rabbithole, and emphasises on balance. What stands out is the short film-like feel of every video and non-preachy tone accompanying it. We recommend starting with the videos on dopamine detox and running a marathon.
Mariana’s Corner
This YouTube channel guides you on being a better learner without recommending overwhelming, unrealistic habits that are impossible to follow through on. Mariana’s channel is a great way to upgrade your overall planning and organisation skills from learning how to take better notes to maximising the productivity you get out of your phone. She also acknowledges the toxicity of hustle culture and opens up about having experienced burnout, reminding viewers to not forget themselves in the pursuit of their ambition.
Ankur Warikoo
Getting tips on investing and career building from the founder-CEO of hyper local e-commerce platform nearbuy, is a fantastic opportunity. Ankur Warikoo breaks down his tips on finance into easily digestible YouTube videos. The videos, voiced in Hindi to reach a larger Indian demographic, are substantiated with comprehensive Excel sheets that viewers can download from the description for their independent calculations.
Audrie Storme
The About section of Audrie’s channel says that her videos are short films, sometimes about nothing at all. The aesthetically shot videos feature a gamut of activities and just show the YouTuber living her life and attempting new things. There is no set theme, no adrenaline-pumping challenge, and the tasks don’t feel like a race towards beating the algorithm, but more like a project she genuinely takes on for herself. It perhaps gives her viewers a chance to shut away from the hustle of the day and watch mundane and interesting things, from making candles at home and BTS videos of her films to resetting after a stressful time. The most refreshing part of her videos is that they don’t offer an unrealistic view of her life, opting for a more grounded take.
Thomas Frank
First breaking through the internet with his sleek videos on more efficient study methods, Thomas Frank has carved a niche for himself in the productivity space, especially among a younger demographic. His videos, breaking down the mindset of people like Elon Musk and Benjamin Franklin, provide a lot of information. A bonus is his custom templates of Notion, note-taking and project management software, that his viewers can access and use themselves. From finding the perfect morning routine to identifying the best task management apps, Thomas has a sense of clarity that drives the message deep.