Updated on 04/24/2023
Listening to podcasts is a great way to learn more about a variety of subjects at your own pace, on your own time, and in your own space. You can find podcasts about almost any subject out there — yes, including podcasts about mental health. The right mental health podcasts can help you keep a positive attitude, teach you coping skills to better deal with stress in your life, enhance your relationships, and enjoy life more.
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with a mental health condition like chronic depression, anxiety, or bipolar disorder, or are dealing with some other mental health issue, podcasts about mental health can provide comfort and ultimately help you navigate things in a healthy manner.
Below are some of our favorite podcasts that are good for your mental health.
1. “Inside Mental Health” by Psych Central — Hosted by Gabe Howard
This weekly podcast series seeks to take the “scary” out of mental health. Each 30-minute episode is hosted by Gabe Howard, an award-winning author and mental health activist, and features different mental health experts as guests. This is the best mental health podcast for practical information and insights about living with a mental health condition.
Recent topics have included:
- Do Non-Monogamous Relationships Have Jealousy Issues?
- Mothering with Schizophrenia
- Jewel Talks about her Anxiety, Lyrics and Life
- What Is Narcissism Exactly
Why we love it: This award-winning podcast is relatable and makes even a complex mental health issue understandable and interesting.
You can find “Inside Mental Health” on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, and Pandora.
2. “The Courageous Life” — Hosted by Joshua Steinfeldt
Another one of our picks for best mental health podcasts is “The Courageous Life.” The weekly podcast describes itself as a “global conversation…about overcoming fear and growing courage to pursue what matters most in life, work, and love.”
Host Steinfeldt interviews experts in healthcare, positive psychology, mindfulness, mental wellness, and other related fields. It also profiles “everyday heroes.”
Recent episode topics have included:
- George Mumford – Courage, Compassionate Action, and Finding Greatness
- Dr. Sunita Puri – The Eleventh Hour: Lessons on Life, Acceptance, and Courage
- Sharon Salzberg – Mindfulness to Heal Ourselves and the World
Why we love it: Both engaging and comprehensive, “The Courageous Life” shares insightful musings on the most important aspects of living — like how to overcome your fears so you can truly learn to live your best life.
You can find “The Courageous Life” on Apple Podcasts, SoundCloud, Spotify, and Stitcher.
3. “The Anxiety Coaches Podcast” — Hosted by Gina Ryan
One of the best mental health podcasts for people living with anxiety, “The Anxiety Coaches Podcast” offers new topics twice a week. Gina Ryan, a nutritionist and anxiety coach, hosts interviews and offers helpful insights into living with anxiety.
Topics discussed on recent episodes have included:
- Is Perfectionism Keeping You Anxious?
- Anxiety Relief Through Awareness of Pain
- 6 Tips to Soothe and Eliminate Anxiety Attacks
Why we love it: With more than 12 million downloads, there’s no doubt that “The Anxiety Coaches Podcast” will live up to listeners’ expectations. It’s definitely raised mental health awareness. The short (just 20 minutes!) episodes make this the best mental health podcast for on-the-go listening during quick drives around town or when you want to unwind before bed at night.
You can find “The Anxiety Coaches Podcast” on Apple Podcast, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Overcast, Castro, and Pocket Casts.
4. “Therappuccino” — Hosted by Bisma Anwar
Definitely one of the best podcasts right now, the “Therappuccino” podcast is hosted by Bisma Anwar, a New York-based licensed mental health professional, and Talkspace online therapist. These periodic episodes cover a broad range of mental health topics, ranging from self-care that promotes mental wellness and how sleep and mental health are related, to pandemic anxiety. There’s even a little bit about coffee.
Topics discussed in recent episodes have included:
- Mental Health in 2022
- Navigating your relationship with food during the holidays
- Post Pandemic Anxiety
- Mandala- Emotional Wellbeing for People of Color
Why we love it: With a wide range of subjects that focus on everything from food issues, how to promote positive psychology, to how to set boundaries to post-pandemic anxiety, “Therappuccino” discusses a relevant mental health topic for everyone.
You can find “Therappuccino” on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Audible
5. “Dear Therapists” — Hosted by Lori Gottlieb & Guy Winch
The weekly “Dear Therapists” podcast features real-life stories about what it means to be human. Hosts Lori Gottlieb and Guy Winch are respected therapists, Ted Talk presenters, and authors who bring listeners into therapy sessions (with permission, of course). You’ll hear patients’ real-life situations and listen to recommendations and “homework” assignments.
Episodes end by checking back in with patients months later to hear about their progress. This engaging podcast even encourages listeners to submit questions about any mental health topic and situations online for consideration by podcast producers.
Recent topics have included:
- Doug’s Fear of Intimacy
- How to Have Hard Conversations: How to Stop Being Avoidant
- Family Struggles: How We Move Through Them
Why we love it: This dynamic duo offers double the expert-fun with their collaboration on “Dear Therapists.” We love the unique take on this podcast, where listeners get to be a fly on the wall of real-life therapy sessions.
You can find “Dear Therapists” on Apple Podcast, Megaphone, iHeartRadio, and Stitcher.
6. “The Emotions Mentor” — Hosted by Rebecca Hintze
“The Emotions Mentor” is a weekly podcast that seeks to help listeners learn ways to keep their emotions under control, even in this crazy world. Mental health professional Rebecca Hintze leads discussions about current social issues and how they affect our emotional health like how social media affects mental health.
Recent topics have included:
- How to Stop Judging Yourself and Others
- Done Is Better than Perfect
- Science Is the Best: 5 Proven Ways to Make You Genuinely Happier
Why we love it: “The Emotions Mentor” is a powerful, 40-minute exploration of current social issues and how they relate to our mental health.
You can find “The Emotions Mentor” on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
Our Honorable Mentions for Podcasts About Mental Health
There are so many incredible mental health podcasts that cover a variety of topics by hosts with professional experience and clinical insights to hosts with first-hand experience. Because there’s way more out there than what’s in our curated list of favorites above, we have rounded up some honorable mentions that make our extended list and are absolutely worth checking out.
- 7. “Therapy for Black Girls” hosted by Dr. Joy Harden Bradford: This powerful podcast discusses mental health topics and provides resources specifically for Black women seeking therapy.
- 8. “The Hilarious World of Depression” hosted by John Moe: This podcast series explores mental health and depression through candid interviews with comedians who share their personal experiences with humor.
- 9. “Terrible, Thanks for Asking” hosted by Nora McInerny: This series shares candid conversations about difficult life experiences, including mental health struggles, grief, and loss.
- 10. “Anxiety Slayer” hosted by Shann Vander Leek and Ananga Sivyer: Podcast hosts, Shann and Ananga, offer tips, techniques, and guided meditations to help listeners manage anxiety and stress in their daily lives.
Choosing the Right Mental Health Podcast for You
Just like finding the right therapist can take a few tries, you might have to listen to a couple of podcasts before you find a series you really connect with. The best mental health podcasts will be ones that address topics you can identify with and that have a tone and point of view that speaks to you.
Taking the time to find one or two podcast series you enjoy can pay off in the long run. It can help you effectively learn how to improve your mental health. Podcasts can also help you establish a sense of community and avoid feeling isolated as you focus on managing your mental health.
“Mental health podcasts can be a useful source of information on various topics such as wellness, self-care, mental illness, and coping strategies. Some additional mental health podcasts that are hosted by mental health professionals are “Unlocking Us” by Brene Brown, “Dear Therapists” by Lori Gottlieb, and “Where Should We Begin” by Esther Perel.”
Finding podcasts that are good for your mental health isn’t difficult. You can start with our list and expand on it. Ask good friends, family members, or even your mental health care team which mental health-related podcasts they love to listen to. The more you learn about your own mental health, and the more you listen to how others cope with similar challenges, the better you’re likely to feel.
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Talkspace articles are written by experienced mental health-wellness contributors; they are grounded in scientific research and evidence-based practices. Articles are extensively reviewed by our team of clinical experts (therapists and psychiatrists of various specialties) to ensure content is accurate and on par with current industry standards.
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