The Best Mental Health Podcasts to Take You Through the Year

The selection of health podcasts out there is huge. The number of total podcasts stands at more than 2 million as of April 2021 — and it’s still growing.

The sheer variety alone can feel anxiety-inducing.

That’s why we’ve digested thousands of podcasts and found the best ones for a variety of different mental health needs, whether you want straight science, apt advice, or lots of laughs.

• Apple Podcastrating: 4.8 stars (more than 12,000 ratings)
• Also available on:Stitcher and Google Play (video)
• First aired: 2016
• Still airing new episodes? No

“2 Dope Queens” consists of the high energy comedy duo Phoebe Robinson and Jessica Williams. These two comedians turned their longtime friendship and famously witty banter into an insanely popular comedy show.

Part of the reason for these long wait times and short appointments is due to a nationwide shortage of physicians that is only getting worse. A report by the Association of American Medical Colleges predicts that, due to population growth and specifically growth of the elderly population, the physician shortfall in the U.S. could reach 121,300 by the year 2030.

No topic is off-limits to them or their wide array of celebrity guests. Topics range from relationships and stereotypes with Michelle Obama to sexual health with stars from popular TV shows.

And it’s just funny. Sometimes, a good laugh is all you need to feel better.

• Apple Podcastrating: 4.8 stars (more than 6,000 ratings)
• Also available on:Google Play
• First aired: 2011
• Still airing new episodes? Yes

This show tackles big political and cultural issues facing women and marginalized communities, including LGBT communities. Hosts Erin Gibson and Bryan Safi put these sometimes esoteric but crucial conversations firmly in the spotlight.

Their aim is to leave no doubts that these issues can affect you mentally, emotionally, and personally in toxic ways.

Gibson and Safi strike a delicate balance between the political and the personal by making it feel OK to think of yourself as part of a bigger movement while also affirming that your thoughts and feelings matter.

Oh yeah, and they’ll keep you laughing along the way. You can also find older episodes and a video series called “Throwing Shade”, by the same hosts.

• Apple Podcastrating: 4.8 stars (more than 300 ratings)
• Also available on:Stitcher
• First aired: 2018
• Still airing new episodes? Yes

Educating yourself about the Bible? Feeling obligated to be at church multiple times a week?

Observing a Christian lifestyle can be taxing on your mind and body.

Hosts Nora McInerny and Natalia Terfa started this podcast to let you know it’s OK not to be a “perfect” Christian and it’s okay to talk openly about challenges in balancing what you need with what your Christian faith asks of you.

• Apple Podcastrating: 4.6 stars (more than 13,000 ratings)
• Also available on:Stitcher
• First aired: 2016
• Still airing new episodes? Yes

Talking about race, gender, ethnicity, identity, and many complex topics common in the 21st century can be exhausting and scary. It can be much harder if you don’t think you have any allies.

“Code Switch” from National Public Radio (NPR) wants to be an ally. This show covers topics from the legacy of lynchings of African Americans in modern American life to covert forms of anti-Semitism in popular culture.

It’s hosted by a slew of journalists from diverse backgrounds who know exactly what it’s like to need an ally.

This show can help you better understand how society itself can be your mental health’s worst enemy — and how that understanding can help you feel stronger in resisting it.

• Apple Podcastrating: 4.7 stars (more than 13,000 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.

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 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.