Podcasts are great for true crime, comedy, news and a host of other topics. They are also a great way to learn about mental health. Because today’s most popular mental health podcasts are provided by scientists, psychologists, neuroscientists and other experts (and sometimes comedians), these podcasts can play the role of educator and, in some cases, even therapist.
The great news is that podcasts are usually free, meaning they’re a lot cheaper than going to school or paying a therapist to learn about your mental health—no student loans or co-payments required! Just don’t go diagnosing yourself with every disorder you’ve heard of. Otherwise, you may actually need to start paying for therapy.
Hosted by Andrew Huberman, a neuroscientist and professor in the department of neurobiology, psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Stanford School of Medicine, the Huberman Lab podcast is often ranked in the Top 15 in the world and sometimes tops the list in the categories of science, education. , and health and fitness.
Dr. Huberman is often joined by experts in fields such as leadership, psychology and biology to explore the inner workings of the human mind and body. Topics include healing from pain, how to improve your memory and the use of psychedelic medicine. It’s like a science or psychology class, but more fun and less boring. It’s worth a listen to better understand how your mind works.
Esther Perel is a couples therapist whose book, Mating in Captivity: Unlocking Erotic Intelligence, pushed her into the limelight in 2016. Her depth of knowledge on the topics that arise in relationships is truly remarkable, as and their ability to diagnose and provide solutions to problems that couples have.
Listening to Esther Perel’s podcast is like being in the office of a relationship therapist, but instead of sitting in a stuffy room revealing your problems, you get to eavesdrop (as a guilty pleasure!) in the sessions of the other people. During each episode, Perel helps couples navigate the tricky waters of love, sex, and commitment. Check it out if you’re wondering if what happened to you as a child is messing with your romantic life (hint: it probably is).
Unlike others podcasts that focus on positivity, the Hidden Brain podcast from NPR explores the unconscious patterns that drive human behavior. Listening to the podcast will make you contemplate the fundamental issues that shape our ever-evolving society.
Each episode is like a journey into the unknown, where host Shankar Vedantam takes listeners on a journey to discover the hidden forces that influence everything from decision-making to relationships. If you’re interested in learning about the biases and hidden influences that shape your everyday thinking and your mental health, you’ll want to give this a try. On the other hand, you can always use these tips for discovering new podcasts on your own.
Sam Harris is a philosopher, neuroscientist, meditation teacher and podcast host. Harris is also a best-selling author and has written several books on topics such as atheism, philosophy, and the nature of consciousness.
On the Making Sense podcast, Harris discusses topics – often with other experts – related to conscience, morality, the human condition, as well as the latest news from a perspective that only Sam can provide. Each episode can feel like a crash course in existentialism and the meaning of life, without the added college debt. This shift in perspective can help you understand different aspects of your mental health in relation to the world around you.
The Mental Illness Happy Hour is hosted by comedian Paul Gilmartin and features interviews with guests including artists, friends, and even the occasional medical professional. The podcast acts as an open microphone, where the host and his guests share their personal stories of living with mental disorders.
The Mental Illness Happy Hour aims to destigmatize mental illness and create a space where listeners can feel less alone and more understood. While listening to people talk about their struggles with depression and anxiety may not sound like a party, Gilmartin does an excellent job of creating a virtual support group that’s educational and fun, all tag-free. name is a circle of folding chairs.
The Choiceology podcast is a podcast produced by Charles Schwab and explores the psychological, behavioral and economic factors that influence the choices we make and how to use this knowledge to make better decisions.
Host Katy Milkman uses research and real-life examples to explain how people can be influenced by biases, emotions and other factors. It’s a show that provides insights and strategies on how to avoid common mistakes and make better choices in various aspects of life, from personal finances to health and career.
And if you’re looking for a new podcast player, check out why Podcast Addict may be your best option.
All in the Mind is a podcast produced by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation and delves into the latest research and thinking about the brain and mind. The show is hosted by Sana Qadar, and each episode features a mix of interviews with experts in the field of psychology, neuroscience, psychiatry and related disciplines.
The podcast covers a wide range of topics, including mental health, neuroscience, addiction and emotional well-being. It aims to explore cutting-edge research and ideas and provide listeners with a deeper understanding of the complexities of the human mind. It’s a show that explores the science behind the mind and behavior in an engaging and accessible way.
With host Dr. Scott Barry Kaufman, the Psychology Podcast explores the science of mind and behavior from, you guessed it, a psychological perspective. Each episode features interviews with experts in the field of psychology, neuroscience and related disciplines. Topics include how to be a good parent, how to live a fantastic life, and how to find deep purpose in the second half of life.
The podcast takes a scientific approach to understanding the human experience and provides insights on how to improve mental well-being and performance. It is a great resource for students, professionals and anyone who is interested in psychology and wants to gain a deeper understanding of their own noodles.
Learn about your mental health with these podcasts
In general, listening to podcasts about mental health can be a valuable tool for personal growth, learning and self-improvement. With the help of virtual experts and the ability to eavesdrop on conversations between some of the world’s smartest people at your convenience, you can become more aware, compassionate and understanding of yourself and others.