Taking care of your mental health is something everyone should prioritize. When your mental health is genuinely in order, it’s easier for everything else to fall into place. When your mental health is crumbling, it often feels like the world around you is crumbling as well. How can you enjoy the blissfulness of a brand-new romantic relationship if your mental health is in complete shambles? Keeping your mind on the beauty of a blossoming connection becomes way too difficult when your mind isn’t right.
How can you soak up the benefits of an amazing promotion at work if your mental health is posing as a distraction? It’s challenging to be the best version of yourself on the job if your thoughts are constantly keeping you in a low-vibrational place. Fortunately, we know of a long list of incredible podcasts that will help boost just about anyone’s mental health. Podcasts have been around since the 1980s. In the early 2000s, they started to gain serious traction.
As of 2024, there are podcasts for nearly every topic you can think of. It’s easy to find podcasts about current world events, true crime, movie reviews, celebrity updates, life hacks, travel tips, sports insights, and more. It shouldn’t come as a shock that there are so many brilliant podcasts specifically designed for mental health coverage. While we’re on the topic of mental health, click here to uncover the warning signs that you’ve been neglecting your mental health.
To gather this list of the top podcasts for mental health coverage, 24/7 Tempo consulted several health-centered sources. These include Healthline, Very Well Mind, BetterUp, Integral Care, and Talk Space.
Where Should We Begin
“Where Should We Begin” is a thought-provoking podcast hosted by a woman named Esther Perel. She uses the podcast as a place to dissect the ongoing therapy sessions she experiences with her clients. Perel is all about guiding couples through their most complex issues during each session. Her goal is to destigmatize issues that aren’t always publicly talked about in romantic relationships.
Perel releases new episodes every Monday on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Stitcher. Some of the episode titles include “I think I married the wrong person,” “My ex’s exes keep ruining my relationships,” and “He wants it every day, she wants it never.” Perel’s podcast is delightful for people who are focused on their own healing journeys and people who are working on connecting with their partners. The fact that she uses real-life relationships to sculpt each episode is what keeps listeners enticed and engaged.
The Mental Illness Happy Hour
“The Mental Illness Happy Hour” is a mental health podcast run by a man named Paul Gilmartin. He releases weekly episodes covering hard-hitting topics like addiction, trauma, negative thinking, and mental illness diagnoses. In each episode, Gilmerton interviews doctors, artists, comedians, and sometimes even his own friends.
According to the official website for “The Mental Illness Happy Hour,” the podcast is geared toward an audience of individuals currently struggling with depression and other similar challenges. Too many people are convinced that a depression diagnosis is a lifetime sentence to manage. The message of this podcast is that depression can be worked through and healed from.
The Hardcore Self-Help Podcast
Dr. Robert Duff is an insightful psychologist from Southern California. He launched a podcast called “The Hardcore Self-Help Podcast” to answer everyone’s questions about anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues. Along with being a podcast host and psychologist, Duff is also a best-selling author. Since he’s proven himself to be a reliable source, listeners can trust the advice he shares without fear that he’ll lead anyone astray.
Some of the thought-provoking episodes from Duff cover the same topics he’s written about in his books. He goes over gender identity, abusive relationships, having friends with OCD diagnoses, and how you can build higher levels of emotional intelligence. Adults who’ve barely been diagnosed with various mental health issues in their 30s or 40s will benefit from Duff’s podcast.
The Anxious Truth
Drew Linsalata is the creator and host of “The Anxious Truth” podcast. As of 2024, his podcast has reached in more than 3 million downloads. Linsalata knew he wanted to pursue a career in the mental health community after finishing a graduate program in the subject of clinical mental health counseling. Since then, he’s become an educator, best-selling author, and an advocate for mental health issues as a whole. Additionally, he’s a therapist-in-training as we speak.
He desire to be a reliable source that listeners can trust and rely on is easy to see based on his accolades. Linsalata is a relatable podcast host since he once suffered from clinical depression, agoraphobia, and panic disorder. After overcoming his mental health issues, he has turned into someone who can talk about his former battles via his podcast. His former mental health issues help him relate to people who are still going through the wringer.
Meditation Minis
If you’re on a time constraint, but you’re still hoping to improve your mental health, “Meditation Minis” might be an ideal podcast for you. It first launched in 2015 as a side project for a Chel Hamilton. Since then, it’s pulled in almost 3,000 5-star ratings and more than 40 million downloads. Hamilton focuses on creating bite-sized meditations people can listen to between running errands, handling chores, and completing workplace obligations.
The meditations she records are around 10 to 15 minutes long, which means you can focus on improving your mental health without spending too much time on each one. The different titles that Chel offers help with releasing tensions in your shoulders, neck, and jaw. They also help listeners reach a calming state of tranquility to fall asleep at night. People who have more time on their hands are welcome to listen to multiple episodes from Chel in a consecutive manner.
Attitudes!
Erin Gibson and Bryan Safi are the hosts of a popular podcast called “Attitudes!“ The podcast released its first episode in 2011 and it’s still airing new episodes today. Statistically speaking, mental health issues occur more often in marginalized communities, and that includes the LGBTQ community. By that same token, mental health issues aren’t always called out, discussed, or treated properly in marginalized communities.
Gibson and Safi use episodes of “Attitudes!” to open the dialogue about mental health among gay people, women, and people of color. Somehow, Gibson and Safi always successfully strike a positive balance between their personal opinions and their political views. They manage that balance to make sure none of their listeners feel excluded or offended.
WTF with Marc Maron
There’s something incredibly refreshing about “WTF with Marc Maron” as a mental health podcast. Maron, the host of the show, uses his podcast as the backdrop to some of the most unforgettable interviews ever. Since 2015, Maron has invited guests for interviews and podcast sessions in his small garage.
The garage is connected to his home in the city of Los Angeles. In each interview, Maron takes time to ask questions about emotional turmoil, the struggles of childhood trauma, and the healing processes needed to overcome anxiety. At one point, Maron interviewed former US President Barack Obama. Maron’s determination to attract worthwhile guests who are willing to answer conversation-starting questions is one of the reasons for the podcast’s success.
The Positive Psychology Podcast
Listening to episodes of “The Positive Psychology Podcast” gives folks the chance to learn more about their inner strengths, their personal passions, and the importance of mindfulness. This particular podcast has pulled in 4.4 out of five stars on the Apple Store among voters. Part of the reason for its success is Kristen Truempy’s efforts as the host.
She focuses on the beauty of positive psychology, which can be life-changing to strangers from all walks of life. As a new listener, you can expect episodes ranging from half an hour to a full hour each week with special guests. Truempy’s interviewees answer questions about self love, narcissism, humility, and more.
The Trauma Therapist Podcast
Anyone dealing with emotional trauma should give “The Trauma Therapist Podcast” a chance. The podcast is hosted by Dr. Guy MacPherson, a man who cares deeply about the human spirit. As a mental health professional, MacPherson knows exactly what he’s talking about in each episode of his show.
He only invites guests who are leading experts in the mental health field to speak. If you don’t know how the mind genuinely works, listening to this show with all of its psychological insight will help you better understand the process required to heal from any trauma you might be dealing with.
The Anxiety Podcast
There are more than 500 episodes available for streaming of “The Anxiety Podcast.” It’s hosted by a man named Tim JP Collins who once struggled with panic attacks and anxiety in his own life. After he recovered from his own mental health issues, he made it his mission to guide other people in the right direction.
As of April 2023, new episodes of “The Anxiety Podcast” have not premiered. Regardless, there are still loads of episodes to catch up with. Different topics covered on the show include overcoming self-criticism, moving on from past rage, expanding on personal growth, and making the most out of each 24 hours you’re given.
Inside Mental Health
Since 2017, “Inside Mental Health” has been a lovely podcast to tune into. With a 4.5 star rating, it’s not surprising that new episodes of “Inside Mental Health” are still being released today. The host, Gabe Howard, launched the podcast with goals of making mental health care more acceptable to people around the globe.
In different episode of the podcast, listeners hear Howard interviewing celebrities and experts as they talk about some of the most complex issues in the world of mental health. A large handful of powerful stories told on the podcast dive into the pain of trauma recovery and the necessity of self-care. Since millions of people are impacted by unhealed trauma and millions of others are curious about self-care practices, this podcast is a winner.
Feel Better Live More
Dr. Rangan Chatterjee is the brilliant mind behind the mental health podcast “Feel Better Live More.” New episodes of the podcast are still premiering for listeners to enjoy today. From Chatterjee’s perspective, simplifying mental health during an era when it has become so overcomplicated is essential.
“Feel Better Live More” is full of expert advice, helpful life hacks, and useful emotional tools that help listeners feel more relaxed in their daily experiences. Some of the intriguing show titles are “How to silence your inner critic,” “The simple habit that can transform your life,” and “How your brain create your conscious reality.” The tips and tricks offered in this podcast are designed to be life-changing as you navigate your individual healing journey.
The Hilarious World of Depression
Although there’s nothing inherently funny about depression, John Moe decided to launch a podcast with a very ironic name. He started “The Hilarious World of Depression” in 2016 as a way of making light out of a difficult diagnosis. Moe stopped releasing new episodes of “The Hilarious World of Depression” in 2021, but there are almost 100 episodes to catch up with right now.
Some of the podcast titles are “Movies that get depression right,” “Call a friend, find out how they’re doing,” and “Depression’s 11 big lies, exposed!” The purpose of Moe’s podcast is to remove the stigmas attached to depression with anecdotal stories and interviews that put smiles on listener’s faces. If Moe’s listeners are able to crack a smile at least once while streaming his podcasts, the episodes are a success.
We Can Do Hard Things
“We Can Do Hard Things” is a popular podcast hosted by three individuals who want to make a real difference in the mental health realm. Glennon Doyle, Amanda Doyle, and Abby Wambach use every episode of the podcast to shed light topics like feeling overwhelmed, establishing boundaries, seeking justice, and fighting back against addiction.
“We Can Do Hard Things” has featured a long list of impressive and famous guests with awesome personal stories. The most notable guests include Oprah Winfrey, Dolly Parton, former First Lady Michelle Obama, Jane Fonda, Kelly Clarkson, and Reese Witherspoon. Since both Doyles and Wambach are dedicated to releasing astute and intuitive content, each podcast episode reflect that goal.
The Happiness Lab
“The Happiness Lab” has been around since 2019. Out of more than 13,000 voters, the podcast has earned a 4.7 star rating. As of 2024, new episodes of “The Happiness Lab” are still being recorded and released for listeners. It’s hosted by Dr. Laurie Santos from Yale University. Her career status is one of the reasons listeners feel they can trust her to provide the best and most honorable advice.
Santos preaches the message that every single person is in control of their own happiness. She doesn’t want society to believe they’re incapable of creating real change through improving their mindset. Sometimes, her episodes get a tad scientific as she uses cutting edge research to explain how human emotions and behaviors help create lifestyle outcomes. For a similar read, click here to discover 15 of the best podcasts that help with anxiety.