Listening to mental health podcasts can be really beneficial for you. First of all, it validates your experience; it lets you know that you’re not alone. Some podcasts will even give you the perspective of being in a therapy session as you listen to real-life patients speak with certified psychologists. The best part is that they won’t be boring monologues filled with just statistics and concepts you can barely understand. Some of them are even anchored by comedians. I’ll be sharing the best of the best with you in this article.
Key Takeaways
- A mental health podcast is a podcast that aims to enhance your mental health or improve your emotional well-being when you listen to it. While some mental health podcasts explicitly discuss psychology or mental health issues, others have an indirect effect on your mood.
- Listening to podcasts contributes greatly to improving your mental wellness. They provide an easy-to-access and practical source of knowledge, motivation, and emotional support.
- If your emotional problems are so bad that you are unable to function normally, then it is best to get professional help. For instance, if you’re having suicidal thoughts.
What Is a Mental Health Podcast?
A mental health podcast is a podcast that aims to enhance your mental health or improve your emotional well-being when you listen to it. It could be a collection of recorded interviews about various aspects of mental health. Quite like a radio program, a podcast is usually hosted by the same individual each time. Oftentimes, these hosts invite speakers and include an in-depth series on a specific mental health issue. The guests invited are often professionals like therapists, psychologists, behavioral scientists, and authors.
While some mental health podcasts explicitly discuss psychology or mental health issues, others have an indirect effect on your mood. You ought to feel better after listening to a podcast about mental health, whether it is because you picked up new coping mechanisms or you simply discovered something new about yourself.
The Best Mental Health Podcasts for Finding Support
According to Earth Web, there are over 5 million podcasts in the world! In addition, there is an array of health-related podcasts that are available to you, and you just might not know where to begin. That’s why I’ve gone through hundreds of podcasts to select some of the best ones for your mental health.
1. Anxiety Slayer Podcast
This is a podcast on anxiety that comprises a collection of resources, courses, and guided meditations to help in controlling your anxiety. It is hosted by Shann Vander Leek and Ananga Sivyer and has over 8 million downloads. It has proven to be successful in helping listeners who struggle with anxiety. One of them writes a review saying, “Shann and Ananga are excellent at facilitating insightful discussions with subject matter experts and providing useful advice. Even just listening to the episodes lowers my heart rate because of how serene and soft they are.”
2. The Positive Psychology Podcast
With a focus on positive psychology, the Positive Psychology podcast covers a wide range of themes, including strengths, passion, and mindfulness. It allows you to select the techniques that are most effective for you, no matter what you are going through. The podcast is hosted by Kristen Truempy, with a master’s degree in applied positive psychology. Each episode lasts between thirty and sixty minutes long and frequently features a special guest speaker. A wide range of subjects are covered, including narcissism, sex, humility, self-love, and more. It debuted in 2014, so there are a lot of episodes available already for you to begin with.
3. We Can Do Hard Things
Glennon Doyle (author of the best-selling book Untamed) joins her wife, Abby Wambach, and her sister, Amanda Doyle, on this podcast, where they chat frankly about how we face challenges every day. They cover everything from addiction to taking care of parents and sustaining friendships. The notion is that expressing these issues openly may inspire their listeners to persevere in the face of adversity. The tone of this podcast is warm, accessible, and endearing. So that even when they are having difficult conversations, these three hosts will still make you feel at ease.
4. Where Should We Begin?
If you have ever wanted to watch therapy in action, then here’s the perfect opportunity for you. In this podcast, “Where Should We Begin?” host, author, and psychologist Esther Perel offers advice to actual couples as they talk about their private concerns. The issues raised here range from a couple dealing with infidelity to friendships on the verge of breakups. The tips you will find here are practical and motivating, too.
5. Terrible, Thanks for Asking
If you are sick of responding, “Fine,” every time someone asks how you are doing, then this is just the podcast for you. It is hosted by Nora McInerny, who lost her father her husband, and had a miscarriage in just a few weeks. Her podcast invites listeners to open up about their true experiences without attempting to make everything seem perfect to observers. This podcast is designed to let you know that it is okay to answer honestly when someone asks you, “How are you?”
6. The Happiness Lab
If you have noticed changes in your emotions, which might indicate serious depression, then you probably have many questions as well. Laurie Santos and her podcast titled The Happiness Lab come in here. With a Ph.D. from Yale University, Santos takes listeners through the most recent studies on how behavior and emotions interact. Of course, no podcast is a miracle cure for feeling better. So, you shouldn’t feel discouraged with the results you get from listening to this podcast. And it definitely shouldn’t be used to replace therapy.
7. Feeling Good
This podcast is hosted by a licensed psychiatrist, Dr. Burns, who draws on his years of practice to address a variety of common mental health concerns. He is the author of the #1 most recommended self-help book on depression, which goes by the same name, Feeling Good. Using cognitive behavioral therapy approaches, his podcast provides effective strategies for overcoming anxiety and depression.
8. The Hilarious World of Depression
It is not often that people can laugh at despair, but public radio host John Moe piqued Dolgoff’s interest by exposing the struggle of coping with clinical depression and its stigma in a truly relatable manner. Even individuals who do not currently seek therapy for depression may find benefit in each episode. Each episode includes entertaining and honest conversations between comedians and other guests who have had firsthand experience with depression. Although the podcast has been officially discontinued, there are already 97 episodes for you to dive into.
9. The Trauma Therapist Podcast
Since 2014 when the first episode aired, The Trauma Therapist Podcast has been releasing powerful episodes addressing mental health and trauma. In each episode that is only 30 minutes long, Guy Macpherson, Ph.D. (a specialist in trauma and psychology) explores various aspects of trauma. The podcast features a wide range of mental health professionals who specialize in trauma, thus making it one of the best mental health podcasts for trauma.
10. Inside Mental Health
Inside Mental Health is a project of Psych Central. The goal is this podcast is to make psychology and mental health more accessible to people. It is chock-full of contemporary and practical insights into understanding and living with mental health conditions. Each episode is about 30 minutes long and is aired weekly. The podcast often involves celebrities and clinical psychologists as its guests.
11. Check Your Head: Mental Help for Musicians Podcast
Following the suicide of several of her favorite musicians—musicians who made her happy—music writer Mari Fong launched this podcast. She aimed to establish a resource for musicians in need of support for mental health concerns, be it addiction, eating disorders, depression, or other problems. In each episode of this podcast, therapists, physicians, and other mental health professionals address practical issues that artists frequently face.
12. Mental Illness Happy Hour
Paul Gilmartin, a comedian, was diagnosed with clinical depression in 1999 and by 2003, he discovered that he was addicted to alcohol. He has been clean since, and on this podcast, he speaks with other artists, friends, and doctors on different mental health issues that people face daily. By bringing these discussions out of the shadows, this podcast would make others who are suffering feel less alone. It would also reduce the stigma associated with such conditions and provide a way forward for someone.
13. Dear Therapists
In this podcast, therapists Lori Gottlieb and Guy Winch extend an invitation to their listeners to attend a real-life therapy session with real-life patients. You get to listen as patients discuss their issues and get recommendations from Gottlieb and Winch. You’ll also see how they implemented the advice from their therapists in their follow-up appointment. The episodes are very personal, deep, and honest. So, if you are nervous about therapy and wonder what it’ll be like to sit on a therapist’s couch, this might be a nice place to start.
14. Griefcast
On her podcast named Griefcast, Cariad Lloyd interviews public figures who have lost someone. It enables listeners to relate their experiences with loved ones who have passed away. Feeling alone is a common part of grieving, but Llyod provides a safe space where everyone can receive support. Each episode features a conversation with guest speakers that flows naturally and gives listeners much consolation.
15. Meditation Minis Podcast
Meditation Minis is a popular podcast hosted by Chel Hamilton that features meditations from a wide range of sources and does not follow any one viewpoint. This audio series aims to teach meditation practices in a non-religious and non-dogmatic manner. With Hamilton’s soothing voice on each episode, this podcast is best for you if you’re short on time and need to feel better fast. Each meditation only lasts about 10 minutes or less.
16. iWeigh
The “I Weigh” initiative was put together by the British actress Jameela Jamil to fight against how women’s worth is often assessed by their body weight. Using this podcast, she promotes the idea that each of us has our own formula for estimating our worth. This should not be based on our body at all but on attributes and our essence as human beings. If you’re looking to embrace body positivity and feel good about yourself, then this one is for you.
17. Therapy for Black Girls
Therapy for Black Girls is an essential addition to any list of the best mental health podcasts. The host, Joy Harden Bradford, Ph.D., has a stellar reputation for connecting with women of color on a wide range of important problems. She is a certified psychologist and is excellent at crafting empathetic, actionable lessons in each episode. Additionally, Bradford often discusses stigmas of any kind on her podcast, like being the only woman of color in your workplace.
18. Hardcore Self-Care Podcast
Hardcore Self Care Podcast is hosted by Dr. Robert Duff, a Southern Californian psychologist. He created the podcast as a result of his dissatisfaction with how complex psychological problems were. His goal was to explain everything in plain terms so that everyone could grasp it. Hence, each episode addresses listeners’ inquiries about mental health. He also features mental health professionals to give helpful tips. Many fans have found the value offered in his podcast to be very helpful.
19. The Psych Hub Podcast
Patrick J. Kennedy and Marjorie Morrison are the hosts of The Psych Hub Podcast. They discuss mental health with a wide range of guests such as panic attacks, depression, and other subjects. They also have conversations about the future of mental health and what lies ahead for the sector with leaders of mental health organizations. Although it is still relatively new, listeners still value this program as a resource for mental health concerns.
20. Mentally Yours
Ellen Scott and Yvette Caster, the hosts of Mentally Yours, spend their programs chit-chatting with their fantastic guests. The guests they speak with have experienced one mental illness or another, such as anxiety, binge eating disorder, depression, bipolar disorder, or obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Although the subject of the podcast is quite serious, the hosts seek to offer comedy, hope, and proof that things can and do get better.
Does Podcast Help with Mental Health?
Listening to podcasts contributes greatly to improving your mental wellness. They provide an easy-to-access and practical source of knowledge, motivation, and emotional support. A lot of these podcasts cover subjects like mental health awareness, stress management, personal growth, and mindfulness. Those who may be dealing with mental health concerns or maintaining excellent mental well-being can find help by listening to experts and people who share their experiences. Moreover, podcasts can be a useful tool for self-care. You can use it to unwind or just learn something new about your mental health. However, it is important to keep in mind that while podcasts can be a useful tool, they should not replace getting professional mental health treatment when needed.
What Are the Benefits of Listening to Mental Health Podcasts?
For several reasons, listening to podcasts can be highly beneficial to your mental health. Here are a few of such benefits:
1. It Reduces Stress and Anxiety
Listening to podcasts might help you unwind and reduce stress. Taking a minute to relax and listen to a podcast can help you find your center when you are feeling overwhelmed.
2. It Provides Emotional Support
Hearing a podcast can be similar to speaking with a buddy. Numerous podcasts provide their audience with a feeling of community and connection. This might be especially beneficial if you are experiencing loneliness or isolation.
3. It Helps You to Get Fresh Perspectives
Listening to podcasts might give you a different outlook on life. They can assist you in broadening your perspective and learning from the experiences of others.
4. It helps You to Become More Self-aware
Listening to podcasts can help you become more mindful of your feelings, ideas, and self. Being self-aware is crucial to maintaining mental wellness.
5. It Helps to Promote Positive Mental Health
Podcasts can aid in the promotion of positive mental health by raising awareness and lowering stigma. This will, in turn, enable people to support others and look after their own mental health.
How Do I Choose the Best Mental Health Podcast?
There are several factors you should consider when deciding on the best mental health podcast for you. Here are some of them:
1. Affordability
A lot of mental health podcasts are available for free. However, there are some of them which require you to pay for subscriptions. In such cases, you want to be sure before deciding on a mental health podcast that it is free. And if it isn’t, ensure that you find one that is pretty affordable for you, and you can even remain committed to long term.
2. Topic
The subject of mental health is quite wide. It could cover spiritual health, mindfulness, personal development, and recovery. Every podcast you listen to can potentially help you; nevertheless, when selecting one, you want to be sure that it relates to a subject that interests you.
3. Triggers
Many podcasts are often based on personal experiences where the host shares their story or interviews a guest. As a result, they may need to engage in brave dialogue and openly address delicate subjects. This can be anything like addiction, suicidal thoughts, domestic abuse, rape, self-harm, etc. If you find certain mental health issues to be sensitive, you might want to stay away from podcasts that cover them a lot.
4. Length
Podcasts vary in length. They can be as long as 2 hours or as short as just a few minutes. I think it adds to the variety and helps you easily incorporate listening to one during the day without necessarily pausing an activity. Also, episodes of the same podcast tend to be around the same length after you select the preferred one.
5. Frequency
Not every podcast has the same format or timetable. The host might make updates based on their availability and schedule. It could be daily, weekly, monthly, or as needed. When choosing a podcast, you might want to consider frequency if you are the type of person who enjoys keeping up with the latest episodes.
When Should You See a Therapist for Mental Health Concerns?
Please note that listening to various podcasts that address mental health issues is only one aspect of self-care. A podcast is never meant to replace getting official treatment from a therapist. It can sufficiently serve as a fun way to let out your feelings. The assistance supplied by the experts may be helpful to an extent. Nevertheless, if your emotional problems are so bad that you are unable to function normally, then it is best to get professional help. For instance, if you’re having suicidal thoughts, it is already a sign that podcasts alone will not cut it for you.
Conclusion
Making time for self-care can be difficult. But with mental health podcasts covering every topic and from almost every angle, you can easily carry your wellness practice with you wherever you go. However, remember that they are not a replacement for therapy. But they can provide insight into your own mental health. So, choose one that piques your interest and works for you, and dive right in!
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