Time to chill! Get in the right headspace during the holidays with these 19 podcasts

If you need to unwind, take a breather with mindful podcasts sharing tools to destress this season. We’ve gathered podcast resources if you’re interested in learning more about the science behind your brain, body, and behavior. Hear personal journeys, tools, advice, and research on shows hosted by doctors, experts, scientists, and mental health professionals.

There are some psychology podcasts, a mindfulness series, and a show that, true to its title, can help “Unf*ck Your Brain.” Also on our list, tune into Audacy’s “I’m Listening” series that highlights mental health conversations with celebrities.

Mayim Bialik’s Breakdown

You might recognize Mayim Bialik playing a neuroscientist on The Big Bang Theory, among other amazing roles. Mayim Bialik, PhD is a neuroscientist IRL, and dives into mental health on this podcast. Dr. Bialik shares scientific explanations, stories, advice, and breaks down myths and stigmas around mental illness. Guests from all fields and industries join Dr. Bialik for informative discussions.

Life Kit

NPR’s “Life Kit” shares tips and tools for navigating the human experience. From relationships to work, self-care to saving money, experts stop by episodes for everyday life advice. Everyone needs support, and “Life Kit” is happy to offer tools to hopefully make adulting easier.

On Purpose with Jay Shetty

Former monk and current lifestyle coach Jay Shetty is sharing wisdom with guests on his podcast since 2019. Tune in to hear about topics like self-care with Miranda Kerr, breaking negative patterns with Tony Robbins, positivity with Olivia Culpo, and finding balance in relationships with Big Sean. Past guests have included Kobe Bryant, Alicia Keys, Demi Lovato, Will Smith, Oprah Winfrey, and Jane Goodall. He has also spoken with podcasters like Esther Perel, Maya Shankar, and Dr. Andrew Huberman.

Ten Percent Happier with Dan Harris

When Journalist Dan Harris had a panic attack on live television, he realized he needed to change his life. He tried meditation and began a healing journey, eventually penning 10% Happier to share his story. Wondery’s “Ten Percent Happier with Dan Harris” offers practical tools, and chats with guests like meditation teachers, celebrities, and scientists. Previous guests have included His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Brené Brown, and Karamo from Queer Eye – just to name a few.

I’m Listening

Talking can save lives. Audacy’s “I’m Listening” reminds listeners they’re not alone and shares conversations for anyone struggling with mental health issues. Tune in for conversations and valuable resources for those who needs to connect, heal, and share stories in bite-sized episodes featuring guests like Lizzo, Vice President Kamala Harris, Lil Nas X, and Ellie Goulding candidly discussing their mental health journeys.

We Can Do Hard Things with Glennon Doyle

Cadence13 presents “We Can Do Hard Things with Glennon Doyle,” an empowering listen where guests join Doyle each episode and remind listeners that we can overcome challenging times. Hear over 50 episodes with Doyle, her partner Abby Wambach, and Doyle’s sister as they share stories and speak with inspirational folks. Past guests have included Brené Brown, Simone Biles, Natalie Portman, and Laurie Hernandez.

Therapy for Black Girls

Hosted by psychologist Dr. Joy Harden Bradford, “Therapy for Black Girls” has offered actionable advice for listeners since 2017 in over 250 episodes. Tune in for conversations with doctors and experts on topics like anxiety, career growth, cannabis misconceptions, art’s impact on mental health, body image, transracial adoptions, gender, and phobias – just to name a few topics.

More Than A Feeling

On Wondery’s “More Than A Feeling,” journalist/writer/director Saleem Reshamwala is joined by guests and experts to share stories and insight on the human condition. They’ll examine questions such as: Why do we have emotions? Can we choose which emotions to listen to and which ones to just let slide away? How much attention should we give to our emotions? Hear from neuroscientists, historians, and philosophers. Reshamwala will also talk to a bunch of folks like musicians, therapists, hairdressers, and airplane pilots to learn how they work with their emotions. 

The Psychology Podcast

Scott Barry Kaufman presents “The Psychology Podcast,” an informative series about the brain, science, behavior, and creativity. Each episode welcomes a guest to provide insight on how your mind works. Tune in for explorations on self-compassion, human nature, cognitive bias, “The Art and Science of Cultivating Culture,” positive psychology, and the correlation of mindfulness and emotional intelligence.

Burnout

From Lemonada Media, “Burnout” is a podcast looking into how we all reached our burning point. Connor Franta hosts this podcast that explores what burnout is, how it affects both our minds and bodies, and the not-so-simple solutions to this systemic issue.

Making Space with Hoda Kotb

TODAY’s Hoda Kotb hosts this empowering and uplifting weekly podcast “Making Space with Hoda Kotb.” Every week, she interviews inspiring guests about overcoming hardship and loss in their lives. With guests like Viola Davis, Rita Moreno, cancer-survivor Suleika Jaouad and her partner Jon Batiste, this podcast is all about resilience, finding inner strength, and knowing when to make space.

Chasing Life

Nobody knows the brain better than neurosurgeon Dr. Sanjay Gupta. And nobody knows better than Dr. Gupta that we don’t actually know the brain all that well. On his podcast “Chasing Life,” he works to demystify this organ be explaining how it impacts our physical and mental health, debunking self-care myths, and giving us tangible advice on keeping our brains as healthy as can be.

Friends with Mental Health Benefits

Co-founders of the Shine app, a mental wellness app, Marah Lidey and Naomi Hirabayashi host their podcast “Friends with Mental Health Benefits.” They speak with other workplace leaders and founders about their untold mental health stories, sharing how they navigated their own wellbeing along with the wellbeing of their teams.

Unf*ck Your Brain

Kara Loewentheil’s “Unf*ck Your Brain” wants to help listeners achieve their goals, overcome self-doubt, and manage anxiety. Loewentheil is a former social justice lawyer and legal academic-turned-life-coach who shares tools to help cope with uncertainty, reduce self-criticism, and set goals. She helps listeners understand how evolution shapes the human brain. Loewentheil wants to empower women and explore what living under a patriarchy does to your brain. By sharing tools on how to change your thought patterns, she loves taking an analytical approach. Episodes are updated weekly.

SelfHealers Soundboard

Dr. Nicole LePera and Jenna Weakland create the podcast, “SelfHealers Soundboard.” Jenna Weakland co-created The SelfHealer Circle. Many of the concepts discussed in the podcast appear in Dr. LePera’s book, How to Do the Work, and her online presence, The Holistic Psychologist. Listeners will hear how to identify behavioral and mental patterns and learn tools to address them. You’ll also learn about self-healing from your past. Topics covered include meeting your inner child, boundaries, codependency, and trauma bonds, just to name a handful. The hosts share tips on how to cultivate healthy relationships without abandoning your needs. Episodes are updated on a weekly basis.

Cleaning Up the Mental Mess with Dr. Caroline Leaf

“Cleaning Up the Mental Mess with Dr. Caroline Leaf” is a weekly podcast. Dr. Leaf is a neurosurgeon and author. Episodes provide science-based research and tips to teach you more about how your mind works. Tune in to learn how to balance your brainwaves, heal from painful memories, how the mind impacts nutrition, and unexpected signs of mental fatigue. Dr. Leaf unpacked how the brain and body process trauma and the power of healing through learning.

The Hardcore Self Help Podcast with Duff the Psych

Robert Duff, PhD presents “The Hardcore Self Help Podcast with Duff the Psych.” Duff dives into listeners’ questions to inform each episode. He’ll tackle topics like anxiety, relationships, sex, just to name a few. Duff unpacks how to address self-harm as an adult. He shares tips to cope with depression. Earlier this summer Duff explained conservatorships. In many episodes, Duff answers listeners’ questions like, “Why am I attracted to my doctor?”and how can you deal with jealousy in relationships.

Untangle

Muse Meditation Studio’s podcast shares stories from people who use mindfulness and meditation. A variety of guests appear on the show such as authors, business professionals, psychologists, storytellers, nutritionists, and neuroscientists. Episode topics range from sharing Buddhist strategies to manage anxiety to retraining your brain. You’ll also hear about pain management through meditation, how legal psychedelics can work with the brain in therapy, and how to get the ironclad mindset of a Navy Seal. Tune in weekly for new episodes.

Feeling Good

David Burns, MD created “Feeling Good” as a companion to his book Feeling Good, The New Mood Therapy. He shares cognitive-based therapy tools to be happier, stabilize depression, manage anxiety, and boost self-esteem. Past episodes explored public speaking anxiety based on a live therapy workshop with Dr. Jill Levitt. To learn more, tune in for weekly episodes.