Mental Health Podcasts cover a range of issues, from depression and anxiety to self-help tips and suicide prevention. While they are no substitute for therapy, they can be an effective way to learn about the latest trends and research in the field.
Podcasts like the self-described meditation skeptic Dan Harris’ Better Help tackle topics from compassion to productivity and relationships. Gretchen Rubin’s Happier covers everything from overcoming loneliness alone to battling climate anxiety. Visit Our Website to learn more.
Closer to Fine is the Indigo Girls’ most recognizable song, a folk anthem that speaks to life’s mysteries and a journey toward enlightenment. The evocative track features four-chord verses, an octave-jumping chorus, and lyrics that have been the subject of many a dorm room singalong, karaoke excursion, or car ride over the past three decades.
While the song is a hit, it’s also an artifact of its time, and the fact that it continues to resonate with listeners today is a testament to its wisdom and enduring relevance. Emily Saliers and Amy Ray, who make up the band, often perform the tune at every concert, inviting their opening acts, audience members, or guests to join in. They claim they never get tired of it.
Throughout the song, the narrator reaches for solace and understanding through spirituality and friendship. This is in line with the duo’s outlook and values, influenced by their Southern roots and Emily’s father, who was a theologian. Saliers and Ray were well-primed to write philosophical and reflective songs like Closer to Fine, which is an essential piece of their legacy as a popular music duo.
The song isn’t just a soundtrack to the 2023 Barbie movie, but it plays a central role in the film, serving as a musical cue on a road trip and recurring theme as Barbie begins to embrace life’s uncertainties. Brandi Carlile covered it alongside her wife, Catherine Carlile, for the deluxe edition of the movie’s soundtrack album. The soaring version is more than just a cover, though; it’s a new interpretation of an old classic that will help the song reach even more people. The full track is available to stream on Spotify and iTunes now.
Huberman Lab
In 2021, Stanford professor of neurobiology and ophthalmology Andrew Huberman launched a podcast that blended his passions for biology, self-improvement and knowledge sharing. Its emphasis on harnessing biological research for health rapidly attracted a social media following, and it soon landed in the top spots of both Apple and Spotify’s podcast charts. It’s also become a platform for Dr. Huberman’s research on regrowing neurons, stress mitigation and other neurological topics.
Unlike most podcasts, which cover a single topic in a single episode, the weekly episodes of Huberman Lab dive into a wide range of scientific topics. This includes how to improve sleep, the importance of delaying caffeine consumption and tips to learn information faster. The show also explores science-based tools and protocols to fine-tune the nervous system, including behavioral tools, nutrition, supplementation and devices that monitor one’s brain and body.
Huberman himself credits his podcast’s popularity to its ability to combine “abstract intellectual investigation with a common man, plain-talking here’s-what-you-need-to-know kind of thing.” But there are also other reasons why the series has found such broad appeal. As the COVID-19 pandemic gained momentum, a growing number of people turned to Huberman for advice on keeping themselves healthy.
Huberman’s lab work still commands most of his time, as do guest lectures at Stanford. But in the past year, he’s also worked on projects that include mapping the visual system and testing methods for stress mitigation. He’s even partnered with MIT researcher Lex Fridman on artificial intelligence research.
The Mental Illness Happy Hour
With over 2 million podcasts available (as of April 2021), it can feel impossible to find a wellness show that’s right for you. But finding a mental health podcast that speaks to you is possible, and many are geared towards specific types of listeners by demographic or industry.
For example, comedy host Paul Gilmartin creates a space for people to talk about difficult subjects, such as depression, with compassion and authenticity. He also strives to reduce the stigma around mental illness, hoping his podcast will help people know they’re not alone.
Another podcast that has a devoted following is Getting Better, which is run by BetterHelp, a mental health app. The podcast features guests from various fields, such as actresses Meghan Trainor and Ian Somerhalder, who share their personal experiences with anxiety and depression. It’s an uplifting and empowering listen that can make people feel validated, less lonely, and even hopeful.
If you’re a female, a member of the LGBTQ+ community, or someone who identifies with gender non-conforming identities, Therapy for Black Girls is your go-to podcast. Founded by clinical psychologist Joy Harden Bradford, the weekly show provides mental health resources and advice for women in the Black community. It’s an important podcast to listen to because it can demystify the concept of therapy and remove the negative stigma associated with mental health issues in the black community.
While a mental health podcast isn’t a substitute for seeing a therapist or undergoing treatment, it can provide valuable insights into how to live a healthier lifestyle. It can help you feel more connected to others and empower you to tackle tough struggles with a little self-care. So start downloading and tune in!
Depresh Mode
Despite its somber subject matter, this podcast is full of humorous insights. It features candid conversations with comedians, authors, actors, and other famous people who talk about their own mental health struggles. It also includes useful tips from experts in the field.
It’s a great listen for anyone who wants to learn how to recognize and cope with depression or other mental illnesses. It can help listeners understand the complexity of these conditions, which are not as simple as a bad mood or low self-esteem. The show’s first episode features comedian Patton Oswalt talking about his history with depression. It’s a powerful and honest conversation that proves depression is not something you can just “get over.”
Another episode focuses on writer Kate Speer, who talks about her own experience with depression and recovery. Speer has a popular Instagram account and Substack newsletter where she regularly shares her thoughts on mental illness and recovery. She also discusses her psychiatric service dogs, Waffle and Tugboat, who help her cope with daily anxiety.
After being laid off from his job at APM in the summer of 2020, podcast host John Moe was unsure whether he would return to media or leave it all together. But after taking some time off, he found new motivation to continue his work with Depresh Mode. Moe created this podcast with the goal of removing the stigma surrounding mental health through frank and often funny discussions.
Moe has partnered with independent podcast company Maximum Fun for this show, which allows him to expand beyond his initial focus on depression and explore other mental health topics like burnout or how to navigate mental health apps. The resulting podcast is equal parts informative and entertaining, with Moe’s trademark sense of humor adding a much-needed lighthearted tone to the discussion.
Life Kit
Life Kit is a how-to podcast that helps you navigate all the things life throws your way. It features tips and guidance on a variety of topics, from workplace microaggressions to saving money to parenting. Each episode aims to help you get it together.
In this bonus episode of Post Reports, we worked with the team at NPR’s Life Kit to explore how mental health issues can impact your work life. Whether you’re a barista or a CEO, dealing with depression, anxiety and other mental illness while on the clock can be distracting, challenging and isolating.
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