Podcasts that will help you build better mental wellness habits

written by Savanna Douglas October 13, 2022

Call it the change of season, or the awareness surrounding mental health this October, but I’ve been finding real value in podcasts focused on empowerment and personal growth. Don’t get me wrong, I love a good true crime binge, but I do find that I need to maintain a balance when it comes to the content I absorb on a daily basis, especially as an empathetic person.

It shouldn’t all be doom and gloom. Podcasts are a great tool to discover and affirm the good things in life, too. I’ve discovered some really helpful (and fun) podcasts that provide real insight into the machinations of life, mental health, how to keep a healthy mind, and how to start living.

From becoming Untamed with bestselling author Glennon Doyle to soaking up Dr. Andrew Huberman’s insightful and informative approach to the brain and nervous system – with a local gem in the mix, too – this top pick of podcasts will help you tap into better habits for mental awareness and wellness.

We Can Do Hard Things with Glennon Doyle

Bestselling author Glennon Doyle’s book, Untamed, was released at the start of the pandemic and instantly became a bestseller. “We can do hard things,” the same mantra that saved the author’s life over twenty years ago, suddenly became a rally-cry for women across the globe.

On Glennon’s podcast, hosted alongside her wife Abby Wambach and sister Amanda Doyle, the trio do the one thing that helps when things get hard: they talk. Laughter, tears and sharing the heavy load is key to living lighter and braver, with more freedom.

If you’re looking for relatable women, with relatable life stories, then read Glennon’s book and listen to the podcast. It’s one of those you’ll laugh and cry along with, too.

Huberman Lab

Anyone interested in the inner machinations of the brain and how it influences the body, perceptions, behaviours and health, will really enjoy this informative, easy-to-understand podcast.

Andrew breaks down existing and emerging science on the nervous system, in a simple, insightful tone.

Huberman informs on the tools we possess for measuring and changing our nervous system and gives us a better perspective on topics like neural regeneration, neuroplasticity and the various brain states like stress, fear, focus and performance.

His helpful tips on sleeping, optimal morning and evening routines, hormone control and achieving flow states has been really helpful in my own pursuit of mental clarity.

Beyond Madness

Beyond Madness is a local podcast hosted by clinical psychiatrist Professor Christopher Szabo. Prof Szabo tackles the need for more understanding surrounding mental health issues in South Africa.

By removing the ‘shameful’ stigma attached to these subjects, Prof Szabo creates an open space to explore topics about Mental Health.

Beyond Madness will take you behind the scenes through the voices of Prof Szabo’s expert guests. Each issue raised ties in to broader societal implications surrounding mental health and awareness locally, and as a society.

Listeners can expect to hear more about topics like body image and aesthetic surgery, mindfulness and mental health, corporate mental health, compassion and care fatigue (when healers struggle) and gender dysphoria.

On Purpose With Jay Shetty

This is one of my favourites. Jay Shetty, who is a former Hindu monk, interviews a slew of interesting guests about things like diet culture, relationships, personal validation and finding peace.

While the podcast doesn’t exactly fit the bill of a ‘mental health podcast’ in particular, I’ve found Jay’s broad approach to so many topics concerning day-to-day human life to be thought-provoking and beneficial towards cultivating a healthier state of mind.

His advice on breaking bad habits and manifesting the results you want, gets me motivated to embrace my best self!

ALSO SEE:

How to love yourself when you’ve got body dysmorphic disorder

Feature Image: Unsplash