Top 5 Mental Health Podcasts to Empower Your Wellbeing in 2025

With life moving faster than ever, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed, anxious, or just mentally drained. We all need support from time to time — and what better way to find that support than through your headphones? Whether you're out for a walk, commuting, or winding down for the night, mental health podcasts can be a powerful tool for self-care and personal growth.

In 2025, there’s no shortage of amazing shows offering real conversations about anxiety, depression, self-compassion, mindfulness, and emotional wellbeing. But with so many options out there, how do you know which ones are worth your time?

Don’t worry — we’ve got you covered. Here are the top 5 mental health podcasts to listen to in 2025 that will inspire, educate, and maybe even make you laugh.

1. Therapy for Black Girls

Host: Dr. Joy Harden Bradford

If you’re looking for heartfelt, culturally informed conversations around mental health, Therapy for Black Girls is a must-listen. Hosted by licensed psychologist Dr. Joy Harden Bradford, this weekly podcast provides a safe and empowering space, especially for Black women — though honestly, anyone can benefit from the insightful episodes.

Every week, Dr. Joy breaks down topics like setting boundaries, building self-esteem, navigating relationships, and managing anxiety. She does this with warmth, clarity, and a touch of humor, making complex mental health concepts feel approachable and real.

• Why you'll love it: Deeply relatable, inclusive, and packed with emotional wisdom
• Available on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify
• Listener rating: 4.8/5

“Listening to Dr. Joy feels like chatting with a close friend who just happens to be incredibly smart about mental health.”

2. The Happiness Lab

Host: Dr. Laurie Santos

How can we be happier? Turns out, the science of happiness might not always align with what you think. In The Happiness Lab, Yale professor Dr. Laurie Santos dives into groundbreaking psychology research to answer this very question — and more.

Through engaging stories, real-world experiments, and expert interviews, this podcast shows how simple changes in how we think, act, and connect with others can have a huge impact on our emotional well-being.

• Why you'll love it: Science-backed, practical, and uplifting
• Available on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify
• Listener rating: 4.7/5

Whether it’s practicing gratitude or learning to recognize mental traps, every episode leaves you with actionable takeaways you can use in everyday life.

3. The Hilarious World of Depression

Host: John Moe

Let’s be honest — depression isn’t funny. But sometimes, humor can be the light that cuts through the darkness. In The Hilarious World of Depression, host John Moe brings together comedians and creatives who live with clinical depression to share their stories with honesty, warmth, and — yes — laughter.

This podcast doesn’t sugarcoat mental illness, but it also doesn’t let it steal the spotlight. Guests open up about their darkest moments while finding the funny, weird, and human parts of struggling with depression.

• Why you'll love it: Raw, real, and surprisingly hilarious
• Available on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher

It’s like sitting in on a group therapy session with comedians — heartfelt one moment, hysterical the next. If you’ve felt alone in your mental health journey, this show reminds you that you’re not the only one.

4. The Courageous Life

Host: Joshua Steinfeldt

Life takes bravery — from starting a new career to facing emotional struggles head-on. That’s exactly the spirit of The Courageous Life, a podcast that highlights what it really means to live with courage and purpose in tough times.

Hosted by mindfulness coach Joshua Steinfeldt, each episode features thought-provoking interviews with psychologists, authors, and everyday people who faced fear and moved forward anyway. It's all about stepping into discomfort to grow, connect, and thrive.

• Why you'll love it: Motivational, grounded, and deeply human
• Available on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, SoundCloud

So, if you’ve been putting off a goal — or trying to rebuild your confidence — this podcast is a gentle nudge (or sometimes a loving push) toward your most authentic self.

5. The Mental Illness Happy Hour

Host: Paul Gilmartin

If you've ever thought, "Nobody would understand what I'm going through," this podcast might just change that. Long-time host and comedian Paul Gilmartin creates space for guests to explore their mental health challenges in brutally honest but supportive ways.

The Mental Illness Happy Hour covers topics like addiction, anxiety disorders, childhood trauma, PTSD, and more — often through personal stories that hit close to home. There's crying, there’s laughter, and there’s healing.

• Why you'll love it: Vulnerable, inclusive, and surprisingly comforting
• Available on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify

Think of it as a cozy corner of the internet where being "not okay" is perfectly okay. It reminds us that healing isn’t linear, and you don’t have to walk the path alone.

Why Listen to Mental Health Podcasts?

Ever catch yourself scrolling aimlessly through your phone, looking for some sense of meaning or connection? We've all been there. That’s where mental health podcasts can help. They offer more than just background noise — they bring tools, stories, and real emotions to the forefront of your day.

Here’s what makes them so powerful:

• Expert Advice: Learn from qualified therapists, psychologists, and researchers.
• Shared Experiences: Hear from people who’ve been through the same struggles you’re facing.
• Easy Access: Listen during your commute, workout, or while cleaning — no appointments needed.
• Inspiration: Discover new ways to think, cope, and grow.

Think of these podcasts as companions on your mental health journey. Each one offers a different voice — some more scientific, some more personal, and others full of laughs. And sometimes, that’s all you need: a small voice saying, “You’ve got this.”

Start Listening Today

Whether you’re exploring new methods for self-care or just looking for company during a difficult time, these top mental health podcasts of 2025 are here for you. You can find them on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, and Stitcher.

So go ahead — pick one that resonates with you, pop in your earphones, and hit play. Who knows? That next episode might just offer a breakthrough insight, a moment of peace, or the deep belly laugh you didn’t know you needed.

Your journey to better mental health doesn’t have to be solo. Let these voices walk with you — there’s strength in connection.

Tag us and share your favorite episodes! What’s changed the way you think about mental wellness?