Mental health is imperative to our well-being, yet it is frequently overlooked or stigmatized. Luckily, there are numerous podcasts that address the subject of mental health in a captivating, informational, and respectful manner.
Whether one intends to acquire knowledge about mental health, search for actionable tips to improve personal mental well-being, or simply seek a community where one can relate to others who are undergoing similar struggles, there is a podcast worth listening to.
From podcasts that concentrate on personal stories of triumph and resilience to those that delve into the science and research behind mental health disorders, I’ve listened to hundreds of mental health podcasts to bring you the most informational, thought-provoking, and inspiring podcasts available.
Hence, whether you’re dealing with depression, anxiety, PTSD, or any other mental health conditions or simply looking to learn more about the subject, this article explores some of the best mental health podcasts worth listening to.
Owning It: The Anxiety Podcast
Listen to Owning It: The Anxiety Podcast
In this informational series, Caroline Foran, the author, explores the multifaceted nature of anxiety, covering its origins, cognitive processes, and actionable strategies for effective management. Drawing on her personal encounters with anxiety and insights from specialists in the field, Foran endeavours to equip her audience with the tools to manage their anxiety.
Ten Percent Happier with Dan Harris
Listen to Ten Percent Happier with Dan Harris
Dan Harris, a journalist known for his skepticism, experienced a panic attack during a live national broadcast. To his surprise, he found solace in meditation, which led him to write the bestselling book, ‘10% Happier.’ Dan’s podcast is a platform where he engages with renowned meditation teachers, top scientists, and even celebrities like Brené Brown and Karamo from Queer Eye. The podcast covers a broad range of topics, from enlightenment and psychedelics to anxiety, productivity, and relationships.
The OCD Stories
If you’re experiencing difficulties with OCD, know that you’re not the only one. The OCD Stories, hosted by Stuart Ralph, has been globally listened to over 6 million times. The vast collection of episodes includes interviews with specialists and individuals sharing their own stories, providing a supportive and empathetic environment. By tuning in, you may identify your next steps in pursuing personal growth and recovery.
Dear Therapists with Lori Gottlieb and Guy Winch
Listen to Dear Therapists with Lori Gottlieb
Lori Gottlieb and Guy Winch, both therapists, advice columnists, and TED speakers, have a shared goal of extending the benefits of therapy sessions beyond the confines of the therapy room. In their podcast, DEAR THERAPISTS, they present personal, transformative sessions with everyday people, offering actionable advice and following up with their guests to monitor progress.
Terrible, Thanks for Asking
Listen to Terrible, Thanks for Asking
Many of us frequently inquire about each other’s well-being with the question, “How are you?” However, it has become customary to reply with a simple “Fine!” even when we may be struggling internally. It is worth noting that we may not always be sincerely fine, and this response may not accurately reflect our true emotional state.
The Happiness Lab with Dr. Laurie Santos
Listen to The Happiness Lab with Dr. Laurie Santos
According to Dr. Laurie Santos, a Yale professor and expert on the science of happiness, the commonly held belief that a happier life can be attained through acquiring more money, a better job, or taking luxurious vacations worth sharing on social media is entirely wrong. In fact, Dr. Santos has found that the majority of us do the opposite of what genuinely leads to a better life.
Where Should We Begin
Listen to Where Should We Begin
Experience Esther Perel’s renowned psychotherapist’s office and delve into the raw, intimate, and profound stories of individuals. From heart-wrenching breakups to complex workplace dynamics, this podcast offers relatable tales worth listening to. It’s a space where you can find solace in the shared experiences of others. Read our review of Where Should We Begin here.
Therapy for Black Girls
Listen to Therapy for Black Girls
If you’re interested in exploring topics related to mental health, personal development, and actionable steps to enhance your well-being, check out Therapy for Black Girls, a weekly podcast worth considering. Hosted by Dr. Joy Harden Bradford, a licensed psychologist based in Atlanta, Georgia, this podcast features informative and relatable conversations.
The Trauma Therapist
Listen to The Trauma Therapist
The Trauma Therapist Podcast delves into the resilient human spirit. Dr. Guy Macpherson hosts the show, conducting interviews with specialists in mindfulness, addiction, yoga, and trauma. Through these conversations, listeners gain insight into the experiences of these devoted mental health therapists, who have made it their life’s work to aid those who have been affected by trauma.
The Hilarious World of Depression
Listen to The Hilarious World of Depression
The Hilarious World of Depression is a podcast that seeks to dismantle the shame and misconceptions surrounding clinical depression. Through forthright, empathetic, and amusing conversations with prominent comedians who have personally battled depression, the show aims to educate and comfort its listeners. John Moe, a seasoned humorist and public radio host, adeptly leads discussions with guests such as Maria Bamford, Paul F. Tompkins, Andy Richter, and Jen Kirkman, who candidly share their struggles with depression.
Griefcast
Cariad Lloyd, the host of Griefcast, created a podcast with the aim of alleviating the feeling of isolation that comes with grief. The show invites guests to share their stories of lost loved ones in a comforting and unrushed setting.
Other People’s Problems
Listen to Other People’s Problems
This podcast creates a safe environment where individuals speak candidly about genuine issues. In contrast to confidential therapy sessions, Hillary McBride and her clients aim to shatter the taboo around mental health by sharing their personal narratives. There are no fabricated stories, no auditions, and no false pretenses. The podcast showcases authentic discussions on topics such as traumatic births, tumultuous divorces, eating disorders, and challenging childhood experiences.
Mentally Gil: Conversations with Creators
Listen to Mentally Gil: Conversations with Creators
Gil Kruger, the host of “Mentally Gil” podcast, kindly invites esteemed YouTubers and social media creators to share their personal mental health journeys on his show. The first season of the podcast explores anxiety, OCD, and burnout, while also examining the relationship between mental health and creativity.
Mood Ring
Anna Borges, the host and mental health writer of Mood Ring, offers a pragmatic approach to help you navigate your emotions. The podcast delves into various coping strategies for life’s challenges, personal baggage, and societal expectations. Recognizing that mental health care and self-care are not always readily accessible, Mood Ring provides actionable self-care suggestions and practical insights on traditional mental health tips, all with a dose of self-aware humour and engaging guest interviews.
Big Mood, Little Mood with Daniel M. Lavery
Listen to Big Mood, Little Mood with Daniel M. Lavery
Danny M. Lavery hosts a weekly podcast that features a guest answering questions from listeners. The podcast then proceeds to cover a wide range of topics, such as relationships, aspirations, remorse, alienation, self-reflection, and various emotions. Whether monumental or trivial, the podcast offers a secure environment for listeners to delve into their feelings and encounters.
Well…Adjusting
Join Robin Hopkins, an author, actor, and comedian, on her podcast if you need assistance in managing stress, setting boundaries, finding a new apartment, or saving some money. Hopkins conducts candid and forthright conversations with her guests, encouraging them to open up about their self-sabotaging behaviours and tackling the root causes.
Roadmap to Joy: A Mental Health Podcast
Listen to Roadmap to Joy: A Mental Health Podcast
If you have teenagers or young adults in your family, friend group, or community and wish to remain updated on the current mental health crisis, its conditions and treatment, kindly consider checking out Roadmap to Joy, a monthly podcast. From anxiety and depression to various stress disorders, including borderline personality disorder (BPD), and therapy, this mental health podcast covers a broad spectrum of subjects.
The Hardcore Self Help Podcast with Duff the Psych
Listen to The Hardcore Self Help Podcast with Duff the Psych
As a psychologist from Southern California, this podcast aims to answer questions about mental health, anxiety, depression, relationships, sex, and life without resorting to psychobabble BS. The host is Dr. Robert Duff, who says he’s just a regular guy who sincerely wants to assist you.
The Struggle Bus: Self-Care, Mental Health, and Other Hilarious Stuff
Listen to The Struggle Bus: Self-Care, Mental Health, and Other Hilarious Stuff
If actionable advice on self-care and life navigation is what you seek in a podcast, The Struggle Bus is worth exploring. Hosted by Katharine Heller and Sally Tamarkin, the show answers listener questions on various topics such as mental health, work, relationships, and beyond.
Soberful
Veronica Valli and Chip Somers, two distinguished experts in the field of recovery, offer invaluable experience and insights into living a sober life. With almost half a century of sobriety collectively, they have encountered numerous challenges and have a wealth of stories to share. Their Soberful podcast is a phenomenal resource for individuals who seek to live an alcohol-free life, those facing struggles with sobriety, or those in long-term recovery.
The Psychology of Self-Injury
Listen to The Psychology of Self-Injury
Dr. Nicholas Westers, a clinical psychologist at Children’s Health and Associate Professor at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, has collaborated with the International Society for the Study of Self-Injury (ISSS) to produce a podcast that interviews experts in the field of self-injury and self-harm, as well as individuals who have personal experience with self-injury and their families.
Friends with Mental Health Benefits
Listen to Friends with Mental Health Benefits
Have you ever thought about taking care of your mental health while at work? Given that we spend approximately one-third of our lives there, it’s worth considering. Although there are plentiful discussions about work performance and mental health, mental health care in the workplace has not received much attention. This is where “Friends With Mental Health Benefits” comes in – a podcast hosted by the co-founders of the Shine app, Marah Lidey and Naomi Hirabayashi.
Anxiety Slayer with Shann and Ananga
Listen to Anxiety Slayer with Shann and Ananga
Anxiety Slayer is a podcast worth exploring if you are experiencing anxiety, stress, PTSD, or panic attacks. The podcast offers invaluable advice, techniques, and exercises that can aid in lowering your anxiety levels. Furthermore, the podcast has received several accolades, confirming its efficacy in delivering anxiety alleviation.
Therapy Chat
Join Laura Reagan, LCSW-C, an experienced psychotherapist and certified Daring Way™ facilitator, as she hosts a series of conversations with experts in the fields of holistic and alternative approaches to psychotherapy, counselling, coaching, and healing sessions.
Not Another Anxiety Show
Listen to Not Another Anxiety Show
If anxiety frequently affects you or if you are sometimes overwhelmed by anxious thoughts, or even suffer from panic attacks, you might benefit from listening to this podcast. Kelli Walker, a registered nurse, Certified Health and Wellness Coach, and former agoraphobe, takes you on an anxiety adventure. Through casual conversations with Kelli and other experts, you’ll gain a better understanding of anxiety.
Latinx Therapy
This podcast strives to eliminate the negative perception of mental health within the Latinx community.
Happier With Gretchen Rubin
Listen to Happier With Gretchen Rubin
Gretchen Rubin, the #1 bestselling author of The Happiness Project and Better Than Before, has a lively and thought-provoking podcast that can help you lead a happier life. Her manageable advice about happiness and good habits is worth checking out. In the podcast, Gretchen shares her personal experiences and engages in conversations with her younger sister, Elizabeth Craft, a TV writer and producer based in Los Angeles.
Mentally Yours
Join Rachel Moss, the Lifestyle Editor of Metro and a guest host every week on the mental health and wellbeing podcast. They engage in conversations with people from diverse backgrounds, ranging from retail employees to famous personalities, who share their first-hand experiences with mental illness.
Mental Health: Hope and Recovery
Listen to Mental Health: Hope and Recovery
Helen Sneed and Valerie Milburn bring invaluable insights to the world of mental health, drawing from personal experiences of successfully overcoming severe and chronic mental illnesses. Their unique perspectives and inspiring true stories cover a range of conditions, including anxiety, depression, substance use disorders, eating disorders, self-harm, suicide, and other major illnesses.
Into the Fold: Issues in Mental Health
Listen to Into the Fold: Issues in Mental Health
A monthly podcast produced by the Hogg Foundation for Mental Health. This podcast perfectly aligns with the foundation’s mission to bring attention to the human impact of mental health issues. Each episode includes insightful conversations with mental health professionals, advocates, researchers, officials, and other individuals dedicated to improving mental health and wellness in Texas and beyond.
Inside Mental Health
Listen to Inside Mental Health
This podcast has been recognized for its inclusive take on psychology and mental health. Host Gabe Howard openly converses with experts, celebrities, and other notable figures, simplifying intricate subjects for a wider audience to appreciate.
Closer to Fine
Mary Katherine Backstrom and Sara Farrell Baker co-host the Closer to Fine podcast, where they have honest and unfiltered discussions about a wide range of topics, including both the joyful and challenging moments in life. Despite being best friends, they have distinct personalities that set them apart.
Help Me Be Me
Help Me Be Me is a comprehensive emotional toolkit that aims to help you achieve positive change in your life. Even if you’re not a fan of self-help, this guide is worth your time. As a coach, author, and generally joyful person, Sarah May personally uses and benefits from these tools and is enthusiastic about sharing them with you.
All in the Mind
ABC RN’s weekly podcast, All In The Mind, delves deeply into the captivating world of the mind, examining a diverse range of topics from addiction to artificial intelligence and all that lies in between. The podcast offers invaluable insights into the workings of the human mind, brain, and behaviour.
Mindful Metal Jacket
Listen to Mindful Metal Jacket
Join the witty Joe List on his podcast as he engages in candid conversations with fellow comedians who have faced mental health challenges. Tune in to hear their personal stories of coping with anxiety and the strategies they have used to overcome it. Take a moment to relax, breathe deeply, and immerse yourself in this enlightening exchange.
The One You Feed
At the age of 24, Eric Zimmer found himself homeless and battling a heroin addiction. Through resilience and determination, he overcame his struggles and crafted a meaningful life. Today, he gives back by guiding others to nurture their better selves, a philosophy central to “The One You Feed” podcast.
Two Shrinks Pod
Join Amy and Hunter, Australian psychologists, as they explore the captivating realm of psychology, ranging from Star Wars to Social Anxiety. In every episode, these two therapists, who work in oncology and child psychology respectively, share their distinctive viewpoints and rapport, discussing various psychological problems and offering invaluable therapeutic insights.
Emotional Badass
Nikki Eisenhauer is an International Life Coach, Licensed Professional Counselor, Yoga, and Meditation Teacher, and the host of the Emotional Badasses podcast. The podcast is tailored for those who have overcome adversity, grown, sought healing, or healed, and aims to assist individuals in broadening and awakening to their greater purpose, becoming more mindful and genuine, deriving strength from spirituality, calming the frenzied mind of modern society through meditation, and establishing deep connections with themselves and others in a secure manner.
The Overwhelmed Brain
Listen to The Overwhelmed Brain
Discover the root causes of emotional problems and acquire knowledge on how to cultivate healthy relationships with yourself and others by honouring your personal boundaries and making decisions that match your fundamental principles. The Overwhelmed Brain stands out from other personal growth and development programs by going beyond promoting positive thinking and using affirmations.
The Fear Podcast
Have you ever experienced a nagging feeling of worry upon waking up, wondering if you said or did something wrong at a work event or sent a message to an ex that you shouldn’t have? If so, you may have felt what is commonly referred to as “The Fear.” Rest assured that this feeling is not restricted to alcohol-induced situations and is completely normal.
Beat Your Genes Podcast
Listen to Beat Your Genes Podcast
This podcast dives into the viewpoint of our predecessors as a way to understand life. The challenges that our ancestors faced in a very different environment have influenced our instincts. Despite the significant changes in our environment, our instincts have remained relatively unchanged. Through a fusion of evolutionary psychology and invaluable clinical insights from Doug Lisle, PhD, the show analyzes the shared obstacles and difficulties we encounter in our pursuit of happiness.
My Good Bad Brain
The podcast called My Good Bad Brain offers invaluable support to those dealing with the challenges of having a differently shaped brain. It provides a safe haven for the neurodiverse community, offering forthright insights into the struggles of living with mental health issues like depression, anxiety, ADHD, and the overwhelming sense of existential angst that pervades modern society.
Stress Mastery Podcast
Listen to the Stress Mastery Podcast
Stress is a common experience that many individuals face, yet only a select few have effectively learned how to manage it. In the introductory installment of The Stress Mastery Podcast, Bill Cortright imparts his personal narrative and extensive expertise on the subject of mastering stress.
Insane in The Men Brain
Listen to Insane in The Men Brain
Comedian Rich Wilson hosts a podcast where he interviews captivating and amusing individuals to discuss their experiences with men’s mental health.
Do you know of another Mental Health podcast that you think should be on this list? Let me know.
You might also like these lists of podcasts to discover: