There were in excess of 1.7 million total podcasts at the start of 2021, a number that continues to grow.1 And the selection and range of health podcasts out there are huge. Scan the 225 most popular mental health podcasts on iTunes and you’ll find shows covering autism, grief, narcissism, complex trauma, codependency, and binge eating.
Podcasts are an excellent way to learn more about mental health issues and common interventions, as many discuss self-care and provide practical strategies for taking care of your well-being. Listeners can also learn from renowned psychologists, authors, and lecturers. It is important to note, however, that a podcast should never take the place of therapy. Read on for our roundup of the best mental health podcasts, medically reviewed by Timothy J. Legg, Ph.D., CRNP.
- The Nod
Apple Podcast rating: 4.8 stars (more than 3,000 ratings)
Also available on: Stitcher and Soundcloud
First aired: 2017
Still airing new episodes? Yes
“The Nod” pitches itself as a podcast that shares the stories and experiences of African Americans that “don’t get told anywhere else.”
Topics range from lighthearted histories of hip-hop trends to the emotional impact of famous writers like Toni Morrison on generations of young Black writers and professionals.
Hosts Brittany Luse and Eric Eddings regularly have emotional, vulnerable conversations to show that it’s OK to struggle with the conflicts of being who you want to be versus who society expects you to be.
2 Therapy for Black Girls
Apple Podcast rating: 4.8 stars (more than 4,000 ratings)
Also available on: Stitcher and Soundcloud
First aired: 2017
Still airing new episodes? Yes
Founded by clinical psychologist Joy Harden Bradford, “Therapy for Black Girls” offers mental health resources and advice for both personal and professional development for Black women and beyond.
Bradford also helps demystify therapy itself and the stigma surrounding it with her doctorate-level background in counseling psychology from the University of Georgia.
Bradford’s podcast is a great choice if you’re looking for advice or insight from a professional, or are fascinated by the science of the mind.
- 3. The Happiness Lab
Apple Podcast rating: 4.8 stars (more than 11,000 ratings)
Also available on: Stitcher
First aired: 2019
Still airing new episodes? Yes
Happiness can seem unattainable sometimes. This is especially true when the things you work hard to earn don’t bring the happiness you expect.
That’s where Dr. Laurie Santos of Yale University thinks she can help.
Dr. Santos hopes to show you that your own happiness is in your control in even the smallest ways using findings from cutting-edge scientific research on the link between human behavior and emotions.
It’s no accident that Dr. Santos’ course “Psychology and the Good Life” is one of Yale’s most popular. Her main ambition is to help make you a little bit happier by teaching you to take ownership of how your mind works, and how your behavior can be your first line of defense against negativity.
- The Hilarious World of Depression
Apple Podcast rating: 4.8 stars (more than 4,200 ratings)
Also available on: Stitcher
First aired: 2016
Still airing new episodes? Yes
Depression is one of the most common and yet most stigmatized mental health conditions. And not all forms of depression are created equal. Depression can take as many forms as there are people who have it.
That’s what host John Moe hopes you’ll take away from his numerous interviews with public figures like Darryl McDaniels from hip-hop group Run-DMC and Peter Sagal of the popular NPR show “Wait Wait…Don’t Tell Me!”
This show is good if you’re managing your own symptoms or know someone with depression.
The enormous variety of real stories about the ups and downs of depression shows how the condition can look different for everyone, and also gives you some tips and tools to cope with all forms of depression.
Have you listened to those podcasts before? What do you think? Do they really help your mental health grow? In what way? Is there any other podcast you’d recommend for us? Please share them in the comments. See you in our next article, stay safe, and stay healthy!
