Mental health podcasts have become a lifeline for many people, offering easy access to expert advice, personal experiences, and practical tips on how to manage emotional well-being. Whether you’re dealing with anxiety disorders, depression, stress, or simply seeking personal growth, these podcasts provide valuable insights into the complex issues surrounding mental health.
To help you navigate this wealth of information, we’ve compiled a list of the best mental health podcasts grouped by key topics, ensuring you can find the right one to meet your mental health needs.
Best for Happiness and Positive Psychology
The Happiness Lab
Host: Dr. Laurie Santos
Platform: Apple Podcasts | Spotify
What It’s About: Hosted by Yale professor Dr. Laurie Santos, The Happiness Lab explores the science behind happiness, drawing from psychological research and neuroscience. Santos challenges popular myths about what makes people happy—money, success, material possessions—and instead focuses on scientifically-proven ways to enhance well-being.
Why Listen: This podcast is a fantastic resource for anyone who wants to dig deeper into the science of happiness. Whether you’re struggling with feelings of dissatisfaction or simply want to learn how to create a more positive outlook on life, The Happiness Lab provides actionable advice that’s grounded in the latest research. Santos often discusses how our misconceptions about happiness can lead to mental health challenges, offering listeners practical techniques to cultivate long-term happiness.
Noteworthy Episodes:
- The Paradox of Choice: A fascinating exploration of how having too many choices can actually decrease happiness.
- How to Be Happier at Work: Advice for finding joy and fulfillment in your professional life.
Happier with Gretchen Rubin
Host: Gretchen Rubin
Platform: Apple Podcasts | Spotify
What It’s About: Happier is all about developing habits that lead to a happier, more fulfilling life. Gretchen Rubin, a best-selling author and expert on happiness, teams up with her sister Elizabeth Craft to share actionable tips on habit-building, mental health, and personal development. They also dive into the emotional and psychological roadblocks that often stand in the way of true happiness, offering practical strategies to overcome these barriers.
Why Listen: If you’re someone who enjoys self-help and personal development content, this podcast is a must-listen. Rubin’s approach is down-to-earth, and she emphasizes the importance of creating small, daily habits that can lead to significant mental health improvements over time. Happier doesn’t just focus on broad, philosophical ideas about happiness—it offers concrete steps listeners can take immediately to improve their lives.
Noteworthy Episodes:
- Make Your Bed: How starting your day with a small victory can improve your overall mental health.
- The Power of Self-Kindness: How being kinder to yourself can lead to better mental health outcomes.
The Positive Psychology Podcast
Host: Kristen Truempy
Platform: Apple Podcasts | Spotify
What It’s About: Positive psychology is the scientific study of what makes life worth living. Kristen Truempy’s The Positive Psychology Podcast brings this concept to life by breaking down complex psychological theories and research into digestible, easy-to-apply lessons. Truempy explores a wide range of topics related to well-being, including gratitude, resilience, mindfulness, and how to nurture relationships.
Why Listen: If you’re looking to understand the science of well-being and how to apply it to your daily life, this podcast offers deep insights into why we experience happiness and how we can increase it. Kristen’s episodes are grounded in research, but her friendly and accessible style makes it easy for listeners to apply these lessons to their personal lives.
Noteworthy Episodes:
- The Power of Gratitude: How practicing gratitude can improve emotional resilience and overall mental health.
- Mindfulness for Beginners: A practical guide to starting a mindfulness practice that enhances well-being.
Best for Mindfulness, Meditation, and Inner Peace
10 Percent Happier
Host: Dan Harris
Platform: Apple Podcasts | Spotify
What It’s About: 10 Percent Happier is hosted by Dan Harris, a journalist and former ABC News anchor who famously had a panic attack on live television. This event led Harris to explore the benefits of mindfulness and meditation. In each episode, Harris interviews mental health professionals, meditation experts, and mindfulness practitioners, offering listeners real-life advice on how to reduce stress, anxiety, and depression.
Why Listen: Harris is known for his skeptical approach to meditation, making this podcast perfect for listeners who may be hesitant to try mindfulness practices. He breaks down the benefits of meditation in a practical, no-nonsense way, showing how even small improvements in mindfulness can lead to better mental health outcomes.
Noteworthy Episodes:
- The Mindful Path to Inner Peace: Featuring interviews with leading mindfulness teachers on how to find peace in everyday life.
- From Panic to Peace: Harris shares his personal journey from experiencing anxiety and panic to becoming a meditation advocate.
Meditation Minis
Host: Chel Hamilton
Platform: Apple Podcasts | Spotify
What It’s About: Meditation Minis is designed for people who want to meditate but don’t have much time. Each episode is under 10 minutes and provides a guided meditation to help reduce stress, anxiety, or intrusive thoughts. Host Chel Hamilton uses her soothing voice to guide listeners through short but effective meditation practices that can be done anywhere.
Why Listen: For those who are too busy to sit through long meditation sessions, this podcast is an excellent solution. The episodes are quick, easy to follow, and focus on calming the nervous system, making it perfect for beginners or anyone looking to manage stress on the go.
Noteworthy Episodes:
- Letting Go of Anxiety: A short, guided session focused on releasing anxiety and finding calm.
- Body Scan Meditation: A relaxing meditation designed to help you reconnect with your body and reduce tension.
Let’s Talk About Mental Health
Host: Jeremy Godwin
Platform: Apple Podcasts | Spotify
What It’s About: In this podcast, Jeremy Godwin explores a wide range of mental health topics with a focus on providing actionable advice. Godwin’s approach is informed by his own struggles with mental health, including anxiety and clinical depression. He combines personal experiences with research-backed information to help listeners improve their mental well-being in small, manageable steps.
Why Listen: This podcast is ideal for anyone looking for real-world advice on how to tackle mental health challenges. Godwin’s approach is both compassionate and practical, making it easy for listeners to relate to his personal journey while learning how to better manage their own mental health.
Noteworthy Episodes:
- Managing Anxiety in the Workplace: Tips for reducing anxiety in professional settings.
- The Importance of Boundaries: How setting boundaries can improve mental health and relationships.
Best for Therapy and Mental Health Care
Therapy for Black Girls
Host: Dr. Joy Harden Bradford
Platform: Apple Podcasts | Spotify
What It’s About: Therapy for Black Girls is a safe space for Black women to discuss mental health topics that are often overlooked in mainstream conversations. Hosted by Dr. Joy Harden Bradford, a licensed psychologist, the podcast explores a variety of mental health challenges that uniquely affect Black women, such as cultural stigmas around therapy, managing stress in hostile work environments, and navigating racial trauma.
Why Listen: This podcast offers invaluable insights for Black women looking to prioritize their mental health. Dr. Joy uses her platform to provide mental health resources, debunk harmful stereotypes, and encourage Black women to seek professional help when needed. It’s also an excellent podcast for mental health professionals who want to learn more about the unique challenges faced by Black women in the United States.
Noteworthy Episodes:
- Finding a Therapist Who Gets You: How to navigate the process of finding a therapist who understands your cultural and personal experiences.
- Self-Care for Black Women: Practical advice on self-care strategies tailored specifically for Black women.
Oversharing
Hosts: Jordana Abraham and Dr. Naomi Bernstein
Platform: Apple Podcasts | Spotify
What It’s About: Oversharing brings a mix of humor and therapy to the table. Hosted by Jordana Abraham and her sister, Dr. Naomi Bernstein, this podcast dives into emotional health, therapy, and relationships. With Dr. Naomi’s professional expertise as a licensed therapist and Jordana’s relatable, everyday approach to discussing mental health challenges, the podcast feels like a conversation between close friends.
Why Listen: Oversharing is perfect for listeners who want to engage in meaningful discussions about mental health while also keeping it light and fun. The podcast provides a good balance of humor and sincerity, making it an enjoyable listen while still addressing important mental health issues.
Noteworthy Episodes:
- How to Talk to Your Family About Therapy: Practical tips on how to navigate difficult conversations about mental health with loved ones.
- Breaking Free from Toxic Relationships: Advice on how to recognize and exit harmful relationships while maintaining your mental health.
Mental Illness Happy Hour
Host: Paul Gilmartin
Platform: Apple Podcasts | Spotify
What It’s About: Hosted by comedian Paul Gilmartin, Mental Illness Happy Hour is a deep dive into the personal stories of people living with mental illness. Gilmartin invites a wide range of guests—many of whom are in the public eye—to talk openly about their struggles with conditions like bipolar disorder, clinical depression, and anxiety disorders. The show provides a safe place for candid, often raw discussions about mental health.
Why Listen: For listeners seeking relatable stories and validation, Mental Illness Happy Hour is an invaluable resource. Gilmartin’s guests often share deeply personal experiences, offering listeners a sense of community and understanding. It’s particularly useful for people living with mental illness who may feel isolated in their struggles.
Noteworthy Episodes:
- Living with Bipolar Disorder: Guests share their experiences managing bipolar disorder and discuss how it impacts their daily lives.
- Breaking the Stigma Around Mental Illness: A conversation about how to reduce the stigma surrounding mental illness in the workplace and society.
Therapy Thoughts
Host: Tiffany Roe
Platform: Apple Podcasts | Spotify
What It’s About: Tiffany Roe, a licensed psychologist, hosts this podcast, providing practical advice for managing mental health challenges. Roe simplifies complex topics like anxiety, self-care, trauma, and emotional regulation, offering digestible tips and advice for listeners. She also brings in guests to discuss topics like body image, therapy, and healing from past trauma.
Why Listen: Roe’s friendly, down-to-earth style makes her podcast feel like you’re getting expert advice from a friend. She offers actionable strategies that listeners can apply in their everyday lives to improve their mental health and well-being. It’s a great podcast for anyone looking to enhance their emotional intelligence and self-care practices.
Noteworthy Episodes:
- Anxiety Toolkit: Essential tools and techniques for managing anxiety and panic attacks.
- Breaking Free from Trauma: Strategies for healing from emotional and physical trauma.
Best for Personal Growth and Motivation
The Mindset Mentor
Host: Rob Dial
Platform: Apple Podcasts | Spotify
What It’s About: Rob Dial hosts The Mindset Mentor, a motivational podcast aimed at helping listeners develop a growth mindset and overcome self-doubt. Episodes focus on mental toughness, personal development, and strategies for achieving success. Dial covers a wide range of mental health topics, including how to shift your mindset, overcome limiting beliefs, and improve mental clarity.
Why Listen: This podcast is perfect for anyone looking for daily inspiration and practical strategies for personal growth. Dial’s motivational style and practical advice make it easy to implement changes that can lead to significant improvements in your mental health and overall life satisfaction.
Noteworthy Episodes:
- Overcoming Limiting Beliefs: Strategies for identifying and breaking through mental barriers that hold you back from achieving your goals.
- Creating a Positive Mindset: How to cultivate positivity in your life through small daily habits.
Help Me Be Me
Host: Sarah May B
Platform: Apple Podcasts | Spotify
What It’s About: Sarah May B, a life coach and podcaster, combines self-help and psychology to create episodes focused on personal growth and emotional well-being. Help Me Be Me covers topics like improving self-esteem, navigating relationships, managing anxiety, and dealing with trauma. Each episode blends practical advice with personal stories, making the content both relatable and actionable.
Why Listen: This podcast is perfect for anyone looking to improve their mental health through personal development. Sarah’s down-to-earth approach and accessible content make it easy for listeners to apply the lessons learned to their own lives.
Noteworthy Episodes:
- Self-Esteem Boost: Practical advice on how to increase self-confidence and self-worth.
- Healing from Toxic Relationships: A guide to breaking free from toxic patterns in relationships and rebuilding your emotional health.
Best for Men's Mental Health
HealthyGamerGG
Host: Dr. Alok Kanojia
Platform: Apple Podcasts | Spotify
What It’s About: Dr. Alok Kanojia, also known as “Dr. K,” is a licensed clinical psychologist who focuses on the mental health challenges faced by gamers and young people. HealthyGamerGG dives into topics like social media addiction, gaming addiction, depression, and the mental health impacts of technology. Dr. K uses a mix of expert interviews and personal stories to provide valuable insights on how to maintain emotional health in a highly connected digital world.
Why Listen: If you or someone you know struggles with balancing gaming, technology, and mental health, this podcast provides a unique perspective on how to approach these challenges. Dr. K offers effective ways to maintain emotional balance while navigating the pressures of modern technology.
Noteworthy Episodes:
- The Impact of Social Media on Mental Health: Discusses how social media affects the mental health of young people and what steps can be taken to mitigate these effects.
- Gaming Addiction and Mental Health: A deep dive into the signs of gaming addiction and how it can be managed effectively.
Additional Recommendations:
- Let’s Talk Mental Health
- The Anxiety Coaches Podcast
- UnF*ck Your Brain
- Therapist Uncensored
- On Purpose with Jay Shetty
- The Calm Collective
- Griefcast
These best mental health podcasts offer diverse perspectives and a broad range of topics, from therapy and emotional health to personal growth and mindfulness. Whether you’re seeking practical advice, motivation, or just want to hear relatable stories, these podcasts are a great way to support your mental health journey in 2024.
If you find that you’re particularly interested in a specific podcast, topic, or body of research, you might consider finding a therapist who can help you apply those concepts to your everyday life. Turning information into action takes intentionality, as making healthy changes looks differently for everyone. You can find a great therapist to help you in this journey through the Zencare therapist directory.