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šŸŽ™ļø Best podcasts to stream for your mental health

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Mental health podcasts are not only a popular form of media, but they can also positively impact listeners’ mental health literacy and awareness. Research shows that mental health podcast listeners have improved attitudes around mental illness and reduced feelings of self-stigma.

From helping to destigmatize common struggles to feeling connected with others in similar situations, mental health podcasts have the potential to help listeners improve their own lives. Want to incorporate quality mental health podcasts into your own library rotation? Hers set out to find the best shows available by ranking 30 popular podcasts based on the following metrics:

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  • Average review: Ratings reveal how listener engagement, indicating better content show quality. Negative reviews can be a major red flag, especially with a topic as important as mental health.
  • Number of reviews: Leaving a review is an extra step that listeners aren’t required to take. If more people take the time to write one, they’re clearly a passionate audience.
  • Total episodes: Consistency is important, especially if you want a mental health podcast you can listen to regularly. Since 47 percent of podcasts don’t make it past the third episode, the group was rated based on the number of shows published.Ā 

Key Findings

  • Reviews are consistently high among mental health podcasts, indicating listeners are interested in the genre as a whole.
  • Podcasts with larger catalogs tend to rank higher, with many of the top shows publishing more than 500 episodes.
  • Smaller shows with fewer reviews can still rank well, especially when they consistently post episodes.

Discover the 10 best mental health podcasts to consider adding to your listening library.

Hers' ranking of the top 10 best podcasts to stream for your mental health.
Hers


1. ā€œThe School of Greatness with Lewis Howesā€

2. ā€œOn Purpose with Jay Shettyā€

3. ā€œThe Dr. John Delony Showā€

4. ā€œFeel Better Live Moreā€

5. ā€œThe Narcissists’ Codeā€

6. ā€œThe Psychology of Your 20s with Jemma Sbegā€

7. ā€œBeing Wellā€ and ā€œThe Peter Attia Drive Podcastā€ (tied)

9. ā€œOn Being with Krista Tippettā€

10. ā€œTherapy for Black Girlsā€

Top 30 Mental Health Podcasts Ranked By Reviews and Audience

1. ā€œThe School of Greatness with Lewis Howesā€

2. ā€œOn Purpose with Jay Shettyā€

3. ā€œThe Dr. John Delony Showā€

4. ā€œFeel Better Live Moreā€

5. ā€œThe Narcissists’ Codeā€

6. ā€œThe Psychology of Your 20s with Jemma Sbegā€

7. ā€œBeing Wellā€ and ā€œThe Peter Attia Drive Podcastā€ (tied)

9. ā€œOn Being with Krista Tippettā€

10. ā€œTherapy for Black Girlsā€

11. ā€œ10% Happier with Dan Harris’

12. ā€œThanks for Asking with Nora McInernyā€

13. ā€œRadio Headspaceā€

14. ā€œCalm It Downā€ and ā€œHow to Fail with Elizabeth Dayā€ (tied)

16. ā€œThe One You Feedā€

17. ā€œTherapy and Theologyā€

18. ā€œA Slight Change of Plansā€

19. ā€œChasing Life with Dr. Sanjay Guptaā€ and ā€œMayim Bialik's Breakdownā€ (tied)

21. ā€œJudging Meghanā€

22. ā€œSh!t That Goes On n Our Headsā€

23. ā€œThe mindbodygreen podcastā€

24. ā€œOffice Hours with Arthur Brooksā€ and ā€œWe're Out of Time with Richard Taiteā€ (tied)

26. ā€œThe Art of Being Well with Dr. Will Coleā€

27. ā€œDecoded: Unlock The Secrets of Human Behavior, Emotion and Motivationā€

28. ā€œLatinx Therapy with Adriana Alejandreā€

29. ā€œThe Optimist Projectā€

30. ā€œMy So-Called Midlife with Reshma Saujaniā€

Podcasts to Stream for Mental Health: Trends and Insights

Find out how 30 popular mental health podcasts stack up according to individual ranking categories.

Which Mental Health Podcasts Have the Highest Reviews?

Mental Health Podcasts With the Highest Reviews

1. ā€œJudging Meghanā€ and ā€œOffice Hours with Arthur Brooksā€ (4.9/5)

2. ā€œBeing Wellā€, ā€œFeel Better Live Moreā€, ā€œThe Narcissists’ Codeā€, ā€œThe School of Greatness with Lewis Howeā€, and ā€œTherapy and Theologyā€ – TIED (4.85/5)

Mental Health Podcasts With the Lowest Reviews

1. ā€œMy So-Called Midlife with Reshma Saujaniā€ (4.35/5)

2. ā€œThe Art of Being Well with Dr. Will Coleā€ (4.4/5)

3. ā€œThe mindbodygreen podcastā€ (4.5/5)

Which Mental Health Podcasts Have the Most Reviews?

Mental Health Podcasts With the Most Reviews

1. ā€œOn Purpose with Jay Shettyā€ (70,200)

2. ā€œThe School of Greatness with Lewis Howeā€ (38,600)

3. ā€œThe Psychology of Your 20s with Jemma Sbegā€ (36,800)

Mental Health Podcasts With the Fewest Reviews

1. ā€œDecoded: Unlock The Secrets of Human Behavior, Emotion and Motivationā€ (111)

2. ā€œOffice Hours with Arthur Brooksā€ (147)

3. ā€œJudging Meghanā€ (153)

Which Mental Health Podcasts Have the Most Episodes?

Mental Health Podcasts With the Most Episodes

1. ā€œThe School of Greatness with Lewis Howeā€ (1,900)

2. ā€œThe Narcissists’ Codeā€ (1,600)

3. ā€œRadio Headspaceā€ (1,500)

Mental Health Podcasts With the Fewest Episodes

1. ā€œOffice Hours with Arthur Brooksā€ (4)

2. ā€œDecoded: Unlock The Secrets of Human Behavior, Emotion and Motivationā€ (14)

3. ā€œThe Optimist Projectā€ (29)

Methodology: How Scores Were Calculated

Hers gathered 30 popular podcasts based on mental health category recommendations on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. From there, we ranked each one based on three categories: average reviews on both podcast platforms, total number of reviews, and total episodes.

Get the data.

3 Tips for Incorporating Podcasts Into Your Mental Health Routine

Listening to a mental health podcast comes with personal benefits, which you can compound even more by following these three tips.

  • Curate your podcast library: Be mindful of the types of mental health podcasts you listen to, especially if there is triggering content. Find a balance between heavier episodes and more uplifting ones that leave you feeling in a good headspace.
  • Pair with a well-rounded self-care routine: In addition to giving yourself emotional support through a podcast, explore other areas of self-care, including physical, spiritual, and financial practices.
  • Schedule time for action: It’s easy to listen to a mental health podcast while doing other things, like commuting to work or doing chores around the house. But it’s also important to find the time to implement what you’ve learned, like scheduling your first therapy session or meditating.

This story was produced by Hers and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.

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