If you’re like me, you listen to podcasts almost constantly—on walks and runs, in the car, while doing laundry, while cooking dinner, before falling asleep. I admit, I may have a problem. At the same time, I love the ability to soak in information while I’m tackling other tasks that I do daily. While researching information about stress and career burnout for my own podcast, which is about freelance writing, I came across oodles of fascinating shows about mental health, self-care, mental wellbeing and balance that I immediately began adding to my subscription list. Among my favorites, these 10 are must-share mental health podcasts to get your brain in the right place:
The Hardcore Self Help Podcast
Hosted by psychologist Robert Duff, also known across social media as Duff the Psych, this show covers “mental health for real people.” He talks about depression, anxiety and trauma from his professional perspective in an approachable way that makes you feel heard. A recent episode debunked the misconception that many people feel they aren’t “bad enough” to do therapy, which hit so close to home for me that it stung. Although many of these mental health podcasts include disclaimers about seeking professional advice, I particularly adore Duff’s acknowledgement that many of these topics may be tough, so it’s fine for listeners to skip an episode if needed, but he also challenges them to be brave while consuming the content they need to hear.
The Hilarious World of Depression
This podcast has long topped the charts for health and lifestyle podcasts as a quality mental health show, often described as part-comedy/part-therapy. Created by public radio host John Moe, it connects conversations about depression with humor and features big-name Hollywood stars such as Mara Wilson, Andrew Zimmern and Neko Case. A member of American Public Media, the show is funded by MakeItOK.org, a campaign to reduce the stigma of mental illnesses. Most of all, I love that the show and the funders behind it are insistent on encouraging open conversations and blasting open misperceptions of mental illness.
The Mental Illness Happy Hour
Another frequent chart-topper, rightfully so, is this one, which explores mental illness, trauma, addiction and negative thinking. Comedian Paul Gilmartin hosts the show and interviews comedians, actors and doctors who talk about specific topics such as narcissism, childhood emotional neglect and social media. One of my favorite recent conversations is with Caitlin Doughty, an innovative mortician in Los Angeles known everywhere online as @TheGoodDeath, who speaks on the show about her fascination and fear of death, her battles with anxiety and the problems around workaholism.
Gretchen Rubin’s Happier
If you’re looking for the lighter side of conversation, head to the Happier podcast, which plays on Rubin’s best-selling books The Happiness Project, Happier at Home and Outer Order, Inner Calm. You’ll find talks with big names such as Malcolm Gladwell, Rachel Hollis and Marie Forleo, who are some of my main positive-thinking heroes. It’s fun to listen to Gretchen’s practical advice about happiness and habits and then hear quips from her sister Elizabeth Craft, an L.A. writer and producer who lovingly calls Gretchen her “happiness bully.”
Ten Percent Happier
This podcast by ABC reporter Dan Harris is a take on his book with the same name. I found his book a few years while waiting in a crowded airport before flying to a conference. Also a journalist, I bonded with his description of stress, deadlines and self-imposed negative self-talk. I sped through the book during that trip and began following his journey with burnout, meditation and mindfulness, which he covers on the podcast. After he had a panic attack on Good Morning America in 2004, he continues to ask the question, “Can you be an ambitious person and still strive for enlightenment (whatever that means)?”
Forever35
I’m going to sneak in this podcast, co-hosted by writers and pals Kate Spencer and Doree Shafrir, who talk about the reality around self-care and wellness, especially among thirtysomethings. It’s a fun mental health check for me since they discuss daily mental tasks and burdens, as well as ways to survive busy workweeks and find moments of calm. Can we grow older—and wiser—at the same time?
Death, Sex & Money
Coming from WNYC Studios, this podcast covers the conversations that are “left out of polite conversation.” Host Anna Sale talks about the “big stuff” such as relationships, money, work and family and how to make difficult choices and have tough talks around these areas. Her guest stars are often celebrities such as Jason Isbell and Alia Shawkat, as well as everyday folks who have great stories to tell. Several recent episodes, for instance, uncover the stress behind student loans and what listeners can do to improve their situations.
Therapy for Black Girls
This podcast by Atlanta psychologist Dr. Joy Harden Bradford is a vital resource about mental health, personal development and steps to take to be the best version of yourself. She offers practical tips and strategies, which I appreciate, and talks about important topics such as healing, regulating emotions, and making friends as an adult. For instance, a recent episode about play therapy, and how it isn’t just for kids, helped me to release some tension and remind myself not to work all the time.
The Struggle Bus
Co-hosts Katharine Heller and Sally Tamarkin talk about mental health, self-care and “just getting through the damn day.” Two good friends, they also chatter about pop culture, daily life, work, family, and feelings in general, which makes the episodes fun and conversational. The intro song invites you to “climb aboard the struggle bus,” and what could be better than that? Each episode, they answer listeners’ questions about self-care, relationships, feeling broken and being stuck in a rut. Although the show ended in late 2020, the nearly 200+ episodes make a worthy listen for those in search of the best mental health podcasts.
By The Book
In this podcast co-hosts Kristen Meinzer (formerly Gretchen Rubin’s producer) and Jolenta Greenberg live according to a self-help book for two weeks, and it’s both helpful and hilarious. In fact, not long ago in August, they started a spinoff podcast called We Love You (And So Can You)—there’s a bonus 11th podcast for you—that coaches one listener per episode through a life problem based on those self-help books and what they learned. Learn more about wellness practices, creative activities, media consumption and gratitude habits that can set you in the right direction. Plus, Meinzer is a keynote speaker at She Podcasts Live in Atlanta (my hometown) this weekend, October 11-13, so I’m excited to learn more about the health and wellness, self-care and mental health podcasting world. Next time you’re in a podcast rut or needing to feel your feelings, hit “play” on one of these shows to hear some much-needed insight or get a boost for the day. Which are your favorites? Let me know in the comments below. Meet Marc Maron, the podcast king who started it all.
