Calm Collective Picks: Mental Health Podcast Recommendations
Reading may not be everyone’s cup of tea. Everyone has their preferences, and we get that. And if reading isn’t for you, no worries. We got you covered.
Podcasts are an excellent way to learn about mental health, especially in today’s times when it is easily accessible. You can find numerous mental health podcasts on major streaming platforms, which you can listen to anytime and anywhere (say while driving, while you spend that 1 hour sweating in the gym, or simply when you are tired studying and want a quick break).
Here are five podcast recommendations that will help you find the purpose of your life and enable you to become a better version of yourself, as it has helped me.
1. Calm it Down By Chad Lawson
Calm it Down - The podcast helps calm your mind in a world full of noises. This podcast revolves around emotional awareness, where each week Chad Lawson (composer and pianist by profession), along with his listeners, learns to pause, breathe, and quiet his mind in this vast ocean of ups and downs in what we call life. These 15-20 minute podcast episodes cover different aspects of life that one may find difficult to address, depicting them in the most creative ways imaginable.
Through episodes such as “Just One More Time”, he beautifully depicts how the most beautiful insect (the butterfly) has a story to tell that resonates with all of us. Just like this, Chad motivates us to give a pause and ponder on the things that truly matter.
What listeners say: “Grateful to Chad Lawson for providing those of us with anxious minds, insomnia, depression, and loneliness with this beautiful podcast. It means so much that he would take the time out of his day to produce this beautiful work that so many of us get comfort from. I listen to this when I can’t sleep. Thank you.”
With a 5.0 rating by 1k+ active listeners on Spotify, Calm it Down makes it to our list of podcast recommendations.
Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcast
2. Oprah’s Super Soul
Oprah’s Super Soul Conversations have been the talk of the town. Rated 4.6 over 29.4K+ times on Apple Podcasts, this podcast has gained immense popularity among youth. This podcast aims to light you up, guide you through life’s big questions, and help bring you one step closer to your best self.
From finding freedom and happiness to the life-altering power of a positive mind, Oprah has dwelled deeper into every aspect of life through in-depth conversations with celebrities and authors who have themselves battled with mental health. This podcast will provide you with techniques to practise self-care and manage stress.
What Listeners Say: “Stepping Into Myself: This series is so uplifting and meaningful. Every episode seems to be a bridge for me to find and navigate step by step, closer and closer, into who I really am.”
Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcast
3. On Purpose with Jay Shetty
This podcast teaches you to live life on purpose. Through fascinating conversations with some of the most insightful people in the world, Jay Shetty gives you positive life-changing habits that will change your life for good. It encourages the listeners to make decisions in line with their purpose.
Covering conversations of self-compassion to breaking free of expectations, he’s got you covered with a wide range of familiar themes. Jay provides you with great pearls of wisdom in every episode, a new perspective on subjects you might haven't considered.
What Listeners Say: “Your podcast uplifts me and helps me become a better person for myself and the people in my life through reflection. Thank you so much!!”
Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcast
4. The Happiness Lab With Dr. Laurie Santos
Taking a scientific approach to happiness, Dr. Laurie Santos (a cognitive scientist and Professor of Psychology at Yale University) aims to show that our happiness is in our control. As many of us might think of happiness as being unachievable at times, this podcast brings to you all the tips that will help you create your own happy space.
From embracing sadness in the pursuit of happiness to adopting a growth mindset, Laurie shares inspiring stories that will change the way you think about happiness. What Listeners Say: “It’s one of those podcasts that always leaves you feeling hopeful about the world, while also being realistic. I learn something through each episode and it uplifts me on this crazy journey we call life.”
Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcast
5. MannMukti
Translating to “mental liberation” — the MannMukti podcast spotlights open dialogues on mental health in South Asia.
Each episode discusses a new theme—all centered around mental health—from talking about imposter syndrome to its therapy series where you can learn how to navigate a conversation with your parents on seeking therapy.
With a new guest speaker in each episode, this podcast provides you with various candid discourses on unique themes in South Asian mental health.
What Listeners Say: “This is absolutely a wonderful initiative at a much needed time. I love that the MannMukti team has provided a safe space to not just seek help, but also educate ourselves on a variety of aspects pertaining to mental health.”
Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcast
While many mental health podcasts are now available, these are some of our favorites, besides our Calm Conversations Podcast (which you can listen to on Spotify, Apple Podcast, and Anchor). So, if this is something that you have been looking for, then you are at the right place. Go ahead and add these podcasts to your playlist.