I used to watch a lot of YouTube videos back in the day, but now I find myself listening to more and more podcasts as I go about my day. That’s what I love about podcasts, I can be driving to work, doing housework or laying in bed and still take in valuable information. With that in mind, I wanted to look at the best mental health podcasts so you can also find some useful information in a passive way too. Many of us don’t want to read books, and instead find that we learn better by listening.
1. Terrible, thanks for asking.
This podcast is hosted by Nora McInerny who describes herself as a notable widow. This mental health podcast is more than what meets the eye. Nora talks about all of the pains that go into the human experience and almost makes a satire out of them. She talks about depression, and openly discusses what it means to be human in a world where everyone pretends that they’re doing better than they actually are. It’s a very open and honest mental health podcast.
2. The Hilarious World Of Depression
The next mental health podcast is hosted by longtime radio host John Roe. His podcast is quite unique in the world of mental health podcasts because it is full of bundles of humour because John has comedians onto the show on a regular basis. Like the name says, this podcast focuses on clinical depression, and aims to make light of it in a down to earth way. For anyone suffering from depression, this podcast might just take the weight off for a short while.
3. The Hardcore Self Help Podcast
The next mental health podcast on the list is from best selling author Robert Duff P.h.d. You might already be familiar with his books; Hardcore Self Help: Fuck Depression and Hardcore Self Help: Fuck Anxiety, both claiming top spots on Amazon. The psychologist talks about mental health in a very relatable way, sometimes swearing which catches you off guard. He’s very laid back and comes across as a normal guy who is also searching for answers himself.
4. Happy Place
Happy Place is the mental health podcast brought to you by Fearne Cotton, also the author behind best-selling book Happy. Fearne used to do a lot of TV show hosting in the UK, but as time has gone on, she has focused on writing and hosting her mental health podcast. Fearne is very charming and enjoys dissecting what happiness is and what it means. She goes deep into depression, loss, and everything in between.
5. CTRL ALT DELETE
The next podcast on this list isn’t strictly a mental health podcast, but it does include mental health episodes. Hosted by Emma Gannon, the comedian delves deep into all aspects of wellbeing, work and all the things it means to be a human being. Emma has lots of celebrity guests who sit down for a good chunk of time and discuss their difficulties and triumphs. This podcast touches on a lot of current social situations and trends which makes it relevant and interesting.
6. Anxiety Slayer
Anxiety Slayer has been around for a long time. They are one of the oldest mental health websites that focus heavily on anxiety disorders. With lots of information available on their website, Anxiety Slayer started a podcast to talk about specific types of anxiety, panic attacks and stress. There are currently over 400 podcasts available to listen to for free, but they also offer paid courses too. If you’re interested in going deep on all aspects of anxiety, this is the podcast for you.
7. The Anxiety Guy Podcast
Another podcast that focuses mainly on anxiety, the Anxiety Guy Podcast is hosted by Dennis Simsek. Dennis has been around for a long time online, talking on his blog and YouTube video about how you can start to conquer anxiety and feel better all round. Like many of the hosts on this mental health podcast list, Dennis used to suffer from extreme anxiety and even contemplated suicide at one point in his life. These days, he prides himself on helping thousands of people across the world take care of their own mental wellbeing.
8. The Overwhelmed Brain
The Overwhelmed Brain was created by Paul Colaianni who fell into a severe depression after a longterm relationship fell apart. This experience caused him to look at his life and what was important to him. He created his blog about self-improvement and talks a lot about what you can do to improve your current situation. His podcast is much of the same. Much of the topics focus on how you can improve your life and therefore improve your mental health.
9. The One You Feed
The One You Feed is a podcast focused on all things mental health, mindfulness and meditation. With over 200 episodes, there’s plenty of information to digest. Whilst the podcast touches on anxiety and depression, it spends a lot of time informing you how you can meditate effectively. The podcast is hosted by Eric Zimmer, a former homeless man who turned himself into an entrepreneur and changed his life around. It’s an inspiring podcast with bundles of tips to create a life worth living. It could certainly have the answers you’re looking for in your own journey.
10. The Anxiety Coaches
The next mental health podcast is more of an anxiety podcast that also delves into PTSD and stress. What interesting about it is the hosts are regular people, not celebrities, and have experienced all of the things they discuss on the show. There’s a large variety of podcasts to choose from and they touch on all of the little subjects that come with living with stress and anxiety. It’s also a fun podcast with dashes of humour throughout whilst the hosts answer your questions.
11. The Struggle Bus
The next mental health podcast is brought to you by more regular joe’s. These ladies are upfront about the fact that they don’t have professional training, but instead have lots of tips and opinions on getting your mental health right. The podcast invites listeners to send in questions that the hosts answer in a witty manner. Subjects covered include dealing with anxiety, suicidal thoughts, and recovering from breakups. These are relatable subjects that real people struggle with, and the hosts are very relatable when sharing their own experiences.
12. Headspace
You might already be familiar with the award-winning app – Headspace. Now, there’s a podcast! Much like the app, the podcast goes deep into mindfulness and meditation and is a great aid in day to day stress management. Used together with the app, you’re bound to get a strong understanding of what it takes to manage daily stress from the team at Headspace.
Want to start your own mental health podcast? All you need is a microphone, an audio editing software which you can get for free, and you’re set. Then simply sign up for Podbean for free and share your podcasts with the world. It’s quick and simple!
13. The Digital Mindfulness Podcast
The Digital Mindfulness Podcast is mostly a mindfulness discussion. The podcast talks about our relationship with technology, and how it has an effect on our wellbeing and mental health. Because things like social media and TV are a part of our lives that are here to stay, this podcast teaches you how to keep your relationship with tech a healthy one.
14. Motivation Monday
Not strictly a mental health podcast, but Motivation Monday is all about getting your mental wellbeing right on the first day of the week. A lot of times Monday’s suck! They’re the days that remind you that you still have four days left until the weekend. However, this podcast aims to change your perception of Monday, and the rest of the week. Every Monday, the host outlines ways you can overcome difficult situations, and conquer your week at the same time.
15. The Anxiety Podcast
The Anxiety Podcast is another mental health podcast that focuses on worrying and dealing with fear. This podcast is hosted by Tim Collins who releases new podcasts every week. His podcasts cover everything to do with anxiety and how you can start dealing with it in your day to day. He regularly talks about facing fear, becoming stronger than your fear, and surviving difficult times of the year like the festive season when you’re feeling anxious. Tim’s podcasts are short and easy to digest on the go.
16. 10% Happier
Dan Harris brings us the next best mental health podcast on the list. Author of the book of the same name, Dan focuses on why we behave the way we do, how to be happier, and living a good life. He has lots of amazing guests on his show including meditation and mindfulness experts, psychologists and health experts. Some of his guests include Jon Kabat-Zinn and Sharon Salzberg. The 10% Happier empire also has its own app where you can send questions to the show to be answered.
17. Mindfulness Mode
Mindfulness Mode is as you might guess – all about mindfulness. This podcast deserves a place on this mental health podcast list because mindfulness is something that has proven positive effects on a human beings mental health and general wellbeing. The host, Brue Langford does a great job of explaining mindfulness and all the ways it can be incorporated in your day to day. He also has awesome guests including Pat Flynn!
18. On Being With Krista Tippett
On being With Krista Tippett is a mental health podcast that goes deep into the meaning of life and everything it means to be a human being in the 21st century. Whilst this podcast has a heavy focus on mindfulness, the host also talks about searching for wisdom and growing as a person in the face of adversity in the complex world we live in. If you’re after a podcast that goes very deep into subjects and explores them fully, this is the one for you!
19. The Dark Place
The Dark Place is a depression and anxiety podcast hosted by Joe Kutz. On the podcast, Joe invites everyday people to talk about their experiences with depression. I like this because it’s not always celebrities that I want to hear from. Hearing that so many ‘regular’ people suffer from depression and anxiety helps to remove the stigma. Joe’s motivation behind the podcast is to show you that you’re not alone in whatever mental health experience you might be currently in.
20. The Mental Illness Happy Hour
The next mental health podcast is hosted by comedian Paul Gilmartin and serves as a relaxed and funny place to talk about mental health and everything it entails. Gilmartin himself was diagnosed with depression in the 90’s and used his podcast to explore what depression means and how it can be viewed differently. Gilmartin also uses his podcast to discuss negative thinking, and how we can change the way we perceive the world and our thoughts. Full of laughs and honest talk.
21. Griefcast
The next mental health podcast on this list is not another anxiety or depression podcast, but is one of a few only podcasts that talks about grief and loss. Hosted by comedian Cariad Lloyd, she invites other comedians onto the show to talk about their own experiences with grief and loss in their lives. The discussions are very honest and sometimes have a little bit of humour to them. The podcast aims to remove the stigma around talking about grief and loss and comes across very raw and unedited.
22. Made Of Human
Made Of Human is a great mental health podcast that covers every subject under the sun in terms of being human. The podcast looks at cultural ideas, timeless human struggles, and mental health in a complex world. Above all, the podcast is all about human connection, and serves as a place to remind you that we’re all just ‘winging it’ and none of us really have all the answers to the difficult questions of the world. The host does a great job of humanising very difficult subjects.
23. The Adam Buxton Podcast
The Adam Buxton Podcast is another podcast hosted by a comedian. There’s a lot of mental health podcasts created by comedians! This podcast discusses current topics and everything mental health. Adam invites guests on to talk about their ups and downs, what makes them tick, and more importantly, what helps them. The podcast is very light-hearted with plenty of laughs of course.
Do you know of any other mental health podcasts that deserve a place on this list? Leave a comment below!
Sean C is a writer, passionate about improving one’s self by maintaining healthy habits and doing the things that make life more meaningful.