6 Smart and Entertaining Health Podcasts Worth Listening To

By Sarah Sarway

Listening to a killer playlist filled with your favorite feel-good tunes can be a great way to manage a stressful commute or conquer a long treadmill run. But have you ever thought about filling your smartphone with healthier distractions and a dose of potentially life-changing insight?

Enter: health and wellness podcasts.

While some of you may be veteran podcast listeners (who regularly bring up how great Serial was), what percentage of your library includes tips for learning to meditate, eating even better, or sleeping more soundly?

We rounded up some of our favorite healthy habit-making podcasts that deserve your full attention. Try one tonight with a cup of tea or swap out the 80s rock you usually listen to during your morning shower for a more mindful start to your day.

The 6 Best Health Podcasts

1. Bulletproof Radio

This one’s led by Dave Asprey, AKA the man who convinced millions to add butter to their coffee. Naturally, each episode focuses on a different way to biohack your mind or body to “optimize” your lifestyle. Episodes are about 45–60 minutes long, making them the absolute perfect companion to a long morning commute.

2. Happier with Gretchen Rubin

The best-selling author and bonafide expert on all-things-happy co-hosts this podcast with her sister, Elizabeth Craft. Topics range from dealing with in-laws to the mood-boosting effects of curling up with a good book. The series includes full-length episodes as well as shorter snippets called “Little” that dish out positive vibes in three minutes or less.

3. Note To Self

NPR’s Manoush Zomorodi uses this podcast to dissect the effects technology has on our lives. (An ironic use of the medium, isn’t it?) Is Amazon taking over the world? Are those bone-chilling episodes of Black Mirror a snapshot of the future? Is JOMO (look it up!) the new FOMO? Zomorodi takes on these topics and more while guiding listeners towards healthier relationships with the technology that surrounds them.

4. Nourish and Flourish

Although this podcast officially wrapped up in late December, a library of 40+ episodes offer timeless and brilliant advice. Co-hosts Betsy Brockett and Emily Levenson bring interesting perspectives. Levenson is a licensed therapist and health coach with a holistic mind-body way of thinking; Brockett, who is fighting mesothelioma, offers personal advice on thriving while dealing with life’s challenges. You’ll learn how to master self-love, go deeper in your yoga practice, and keep stress at bay.

5. TEDTalks Health

As far as podcasts go, this one is totally essential. Monthly episodes feature doctors and researchers with cutting-edge discoveries and ideas that will change the way you understand—and treat—your body. Episodes like “How To Stay Calm When You Know You’ll Be Stressed” and “The Simple Power of Handwashing” offer science-backed intel in cool, actionable ways.

6. 10% Happier with Dan Harris

ABC News’ Dan Harris hosts this popular mindfulness and meditation podcast based on his book of the same name. One really eye-opening episode features an interview with Anderson Cooper, who shares how the practice helped him deal with his anxiety and the loss of loved ones. Another features Harris teaching singer Josh Groban how to meditate for the very first time. Plus, each month Harris offers one 8–10 minute guided meditation episode led by a different pro.

(Featured Photo: LUM3N via Unsplash)