Top 12 Mental Health Podcasts: Expert Voices in Wellness, Motivation, and Self-Care
Podcasting has exploded — in 2025, there are over 4.5 million podcasts globally and approximately 584 million people tuning in worldwide. In that sea of voices, mental health content has grown into one of the most vital categories, offering educational tools, emotional companionship, and gentle reminders that nobody walks the path alone.
These mental health podcasts can be more than just evening company; they pair beautifully with wearables and sleep gadgets to track your well-being, turning listening routines into rituals that soothe mind and body.
Why Health & Wellness Podcasts Are Trending
Mental health podcasts aren’t just another wellness fad. They’ve become one of the fastest-growing corners of the podcast world — offering comfort, education, and connection at the same time. Here’s why they’re everywhere in 2025:
- Easy access to expert voices. Psychologists, therapists, and researchers share advice and coping tools for free — straight into your headphones.
- Podcasts fight stigma. Hearing open conversations about depression, anxiety, or burnout makes mental health feel normal, not taboo.
- Variety for every listener. Want the science of happiness? A therapy-style chat? Or humour that makes hard times easier? Mental health podcasts cover it all.
- On your favourite platforms. Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Google Podcasts host the most popular shows, so they’re available anytime, anywhere.
Lifestyle and Health podcasts rank among the world’s top three genres, accounting for roughly 15% of all listening hours, showing just how much audiences are turning to wellness and mental health content.
Best Mental Health Podcasts in 2025
1. The Happiness Lab with Dr. Laurie Santos
Dr. Laurie Santos, a Yale professor of psychology and cognitive science, created this podcast after her record-breaking course “Psychology and the Good Life” became the most popular class in the university’s history. Each weekly episode blends research in psychology and neuroscience with real-life stories and practical tips — making complex science about happiness feel approachable, inspiring, and useful in everyday life.
Recent Episodes:
- “Stop Caring What Other People Think of You” — How to free yourself from external validation.
- “Can You Train Your Mind to Be Happier?” — With Dr. Tal Ben-Shahar, exploring practical happiness training.
- “Human Minds Are Stupid!” — Why our brains mislead us, and how to outsmart them.
2. Happier with Gretchen Rubin
A habit-focused, light-hearted podcast that turns small changes into everyday joy. Hosted by bestselling author Gretchen Rubin — famous for The Happiness Project, Better Than Before, and The Four Tendencies — this podcast is a weekly blend of personal insight, research-backed advice, and cheerful sisterly banter with her co-host (and “happiness guinea pig”), Elizabeth Craft. Rubin’s background includes law clerkships and roles in the highest circles of policy, but her true niche is dissecting everyday habits and joy with warmth and practicality .
Recent Episodes:
- “Very Special Episode: Now Is the Time to Tackle That One, Big, Hard Thing” —
A pep talk for facing daunting goals, and examples from listeners who just did it. - “Little Happier: Sometimes, Life Feels Like Art” — A breezy, reflective piece on moments so transcendent they feel like art.
- “Make a Love List, Back-to-School Hacks & How to Learn Someone’s Real Opinion” — A clever way for getting someone’s honest opinions and listeners’ most practical back-to-school tips.
3. Where Should We Begin? with Esther Perel
Intimate therapy sessions turned into thoughtful and actionable listening — therapists’ favourite. Hosted by globally renowned psychotherapist and author Esther Perel, this weekly podcast invites listeners to step into her therapy room. Recorded as one-time, anonymous counselling sessions, these episodes reveal couples and individuals navigating deeply human challenges — infidelity, grief, communication breakdowns, and more with raw honesty and compassionate insight.
Recent Episodes:
- “Esther Calling – Still Single at 40” — A man reflecting on his brief relationships and exploring early bonds with his parents.
- “Grief Begins With Love” — Psychotherapist Julia Samuel joins to discuss how grief and love shape us in intertwined, transformative ways.
- “Friendship – My Reliable Gift” — A candid session between lifelong friends confronting cultural, religious, and communal pressures that have fractured their bond.
4. We Can Do Hard Things with Glennon Doyle
A raw, deeply human podcast hosted by best-selling author Glennon Doyle alongside her wife, Olympic soccer legend Abby Wambach, and Glennon’s sister, Amanda Doyle. Born from the message of Doyle’s memoir Untamed, the show leans into vulnerability by dropping pretences and speaking openly about life’s hardest parts — from relationships and anxiety to justice, identity, and loss. This trio leans on authenticity, empathy, and wit to carry listeners through the world’s weight with more bravery.
Recent Episodes:
- “The Best Advice We’ve Got on Loneliness & Jealousy” — Who do we rely on when we feel alone? A blend of confession and solace about jealousy in relationships and connections during isolation.
- “Becoming Full of Yourself” — A courageous conversation about centring Black women’s stories and embracing liberation, led by author and activist Austin Channing Brown.
- “The Closure Myth: How Do We Really Move On?” — Abby, Glennon and Amanda delve into your voicemails and discuss matters of the broken heart, closure, self-sabotage, and moving toward or away from family.
5. Therapy for Black Girls
Dr. Joy Harden Bradford, a licensed clinical psychologist based in Atlanta and the founder of the Therapy for Black Girls platform, hosts this empowering, weekly podcast. She guides thoughtful conversations on mental health, personal development, and those small but powerful steps that help you become your best self. Her goal: to make therapy feel accessible and culturally resonant for Black women and girls.
Recent Episodes:
- “Immigration Justice” — A powerful discussion with Catherine Labiran around the mental toll of deportation and how art, community care, and protecting joy become survival strategies.
- “Understanding GLP-1s” — Dr. Fatima Cody Stanford unpacks obesity as a chronic disease, explores new therapies, and discusses systemic challenges specifically impacting Black women.
- “Understanding OCD” — Breaking stereotypes and addressing misdiagnosis in Black women alongside Dr. Jameeka Moore, with practical insights for listeners seeking culturally responsive care.
6. Unlocking Us with Brené Brown
Hosted by researcher, storyteller, and professor Dr. Brené Brown, Unlocking Us stems from her decades of teaching and writing on courage, shame, vulnerability, and empathy. The podcast mixes solo reflections with heartfelt guest conversations — aiming to explore what connects us as humans, and what makes life meaningful. It feels like Brené is inviting you into her living room for a deeply human conversation.
Recent Episodes:
- “VP Kamala Harris on Courageous Leadership and Winning in 2024” — A conversation on resilience, integrity, and leading with empathy in political spaces.
- “Grief, Laughter, and Sisterhood: Losing Our Mom and Holding On to Each Other” — A tender, poignant exploration of loss and healing through humour and family bonds.
- “Dr. Heather Cox Richardson on Democracy Awakening: Notes on the State of America” — A timely, thoughtful unpacking of the narratives shaping modern democracy.
7. Mental Illness Happy Hour with Paul Gilmartin
This podcast blends vulnerability and humour in candid interviews about trauma and mental health. Comedian-turned-podcaster Paul Gilmartin hosts this weekly show that opens a space for raw, honest conversations about trauma, addiction, depression, and identity. It doesn’t shy away from darkness — rather, it leans in with a mix of empathy, humour, and unapologetic honesty. The experience he creates has been called “a safe place in which he and his guests talk about their fears, addictions and traumatic childhoods” by The New York Times.
Recent Episodes:
- “Listener Secrets With Jen Westcott” — A therapist shares community-submitted shame and secrets drawn from anonymous surveys.
- “Raised Mormon With An Unstable Mother – Tina Kaye” — A moving account of growing up in a turbulent religious household, nursing rage and resentment.
- “Validation & Belonging” — Stanford psychologist Dr. Fleck explores the power of belonging, offering helpful frameworks for self and others.
8. Terrible, Thanks for Asking with Nora McInerny
A raw, honest podcast about grief and resilience—unguarded, validating, often healing. Hosted by author and speaker Nora McInerny, it flips the scripted “I’m fine” exchange on its head. It’s a deeply human, often tear-stained call-in podcast where people answer the question “How are you… really?” with honesty, pain, humour, or some combination of the three. Nora’s guiding philosophy — embrace the mess, share the hard truth — creates a community where grief, resilience, and awkward truths feel shared, not shameful.
Recent Episodes:
- “You’re Not Lazy, You’re Overwhelmed” explores the feeling of being overwhelmed by endless obligations and highlights Kendra Adachi, author of The Plan: Managing Your Time Like a Lazy Genius, who offers a more realistic approach to time management.
- “I Will Do Better” features author Charles Bock, who shares his story of becoming a single father after losing his wife, Diana, to leukaemia and reflects on grief and parenthood in his memoir I Will Do Better.
- “Update: Behind The Scammer” revisits Celisia Stanton, a victim of financial fraud, as she reflects on her healing journey and her creation of Truer Crime, a podcast that centres crime stories around victims rather than perpetrators.
9. Inside Mental Health (PsychCentral)
А weekly, award-winning podcast hosted by Gabe Howard, a mental health advocate and author who lives with bipolar disorder. He brings psychology to life, interviewing experts, celebrities, and everyday people to simplify mental health topics with compassion and clarity.
Recent Episodes:
- “Beyond Monogamy: Sex, Love, and Connections” explores non-traditional relationships and how redefining intimacy can benefit mental health.
- “Conquering Social Anxiety in College” — A no-nonsense breakdown of social anxiety in college life with practical coping tips.
- “Schizophrenia Unmasked: Facts, Myths, and Lived Reality” debunks stereotypes by sharing the real experiences of someone with schizophrenia.
10. Bialik Breakdown with Mayim Bialik
Podcast’s host is Mayim Bialik, an actress-turned-neuroscientist known for her role on The Big Bang Theory, holding a Ph.D. in neuroscience. This podcast is a quirky, thoughtful exploration of mental health and emotional well-being — Mayim dismantles myths, illuminates the mind-body connection, and brings on a curious blend of experts and authentic voices to bridge scientific insight and lived experience.
Recent Episodes:
- “How Quantum Physics, Religion, & NDEs are Linked By A Theory That’s Growing in Popularity” — MIT Scientist Explains Simulation Theory.
- “Nora McInerny: Move Through Grief Paralysis” — A host of “Terrible, Thanks for Asking” discusses what her life was like before suffering extreme loss, and what happened upon receiving her husband’s terminal brain cancer diagnosis.
- “Doctors Called It Divine Intervention” — Anita Moorjani shares her near-death experience, unexplainable cancer recovery & her message of hope.
11. Meditation Minis
Short, 5–10‑minute guided meditation episodes — perfect for tight daily schedules. It’s an award-winning meditation podcast created by hypnotherapist Chel Hamilton. Designed for busy minds, each episode offers calming, practical rituals — under 10 minutes — that support stress relief, confidence, and emotional well-being.
- Deep Softening Calm
- Heart Healing Meditation
- Rainy Day Blues Release
- Gentle Venting Meditation
- Good Day! Affirmation Meditation
12. Depresh Mode with John Moe
Balancing candid insight and quirky humour, the show explores life with a “depressing mind” alongside creatives and celebrities. Award-winning podcaster John Moe — formerly of The Hilarious World of Depression — Depresh Mode is a weekly mental health mainstay. Moe invites comedians, creators, authors, and experts into honest, sometimes humorous conversations about depression, anxiety, trauma, and the everyday slog of having an interesting mind.
Recent Episodes:
- “Better Home Design for Better Mental Health” — How the way we decorate and declutter our personal space affects how we feel mentally.
- “Denise Winkelman: Comedian/Trans Woman/Former Pro Wrestler/Chronic Pain Sufferer” — A moving narrative about navigating gender transition, chronic pain, and the healing power of vulnerability.
- “Ashly Burch Delivers Mental Health Insight Using Puppets and Swear Words” —
A playful yet potent breakdown of anxiety using puppetry, comedy, and sharp honesty.
In 2025, the best mental health podcasts don’t just share information — they build connection. Whether it’s a five-minute meditation before bed, a scientist explaining happiness on your commute, or a raw conversation about grief that makes you feel less alone. They weave science, empathy, and lived experience into soundtracks for everyday resilience. In a world that often feels overwhelming, pressing play might be the simplest way to remember that you’re part of a bigger conversation about courage and care.
FAQ
- Can podcasts replace therapy?
No. Podcasts can provide support, education, and community, but they are not a substitute for personalised care from a licensed mental health professional.
- Are there podcasts focused on men’s mental health?
Yes. While many shows are inclusive, episodes of Depresh Mode and The Happiness Lab often feature male voices and topics relevant to men’s mental health.
- Which mental health podcasts are best for motivation?
The Happiness Lab and Happier with Gretchen Rubin are top picks for science-based strategies and uplifting habit tips.
- How long are most health and wellness podcasts?
It varies: meditation podcasts like Meditation Minis run 5–10 minutes, while interview-based shows such as Where Should We Begin? often last more than 1 hour.
- How do I choose the right podcast for me?
Consider the format you prefer (short meditations vs. long interviews), the host’s expertise, and the topics that resonate with your current needs — whether it’s anxiety, grief, or simply finding more joy.
