These Mental Health Podcasts Will Make You Laugh or Cry (or Both)

Anxiety about life, work, and love can be debilitating — especially when dealing with imposter syndrome — which is why Kara Loewentheil, JD, a master certified confidence coach, wants to help. Loewentheil's podcast, "UnF*ck Your Brain," is designed for high-achieving women whose anxiety and self-doubt may be holding them back.

Listen to "UnF*ck Your Brain" here.

Designed specifically to help Black women with mental health, personal development, and becoming the best version of themselves, "Therapy For Black Girls" is an awesome resource. It's led by Dr. Joy Harden Bradford, a licensed psychologist based in Atlanta. Listen and feel yourself breathe easier.

Listen to "Therapy For Black Girls" here.

"Cleaning Up the Mental Mess" is hosted by Dr. Caroline Leaf, a cognitive neuroscientist, author, and mental health expert, who shares tips on understanding your mind, overcoming stress, and dealing with tough situations. Each episode is aimed at helping listeners take control of their mental, emotional, and physical health.

Listen to "Cleaning Up the Mental Mess" here.

After only a few minutes listening to the award-winning "Anxiety Slayer" With Shann and Ananga, it's easy to see why it has more than 8.5 million downloads. The podcast's informative episodes are designed to help people living with anxiety, PTSD, panic attacks, and stress. It combines expert interviews with supportive information, meditations, and breathing techniques to help you overcome anxiety.

Listen to "Anxiety Slayer" With Shann and Ananga here.

Understanding the QAnon conspiracy theory, the stigma around the menstrual cycle, the definition of narcissism, and the unique mental health challenges facing the LGBTQ+ community are just some of the many, varied topics covered in "Inside Mental Health: A Psych Central Podcast." This award-winning show, hosted by Gabe Howard, uses expert interviews to break down topics in an easy-to-understand way.

Listen to "Inside Mental Health: A Psych Central Podcast" here.

Dr. Corey J. Nigro hosts "Psychology Unplugged," which focuses on a number of mental health topics and conditions — including borderline personality disorder, anxiety, depression, addiction, PTSD, schizophrenia, and bipolar disorder — in a safe, interesting, and helpful way.

Listen to "Psychology Unplugged" here.

Wondering if other people experience the same thoughts and feelings as you? Have a question that desperately needs answered? You can't go wrong with "The Hardcore Self-Help Podcast With Duff the Psych," hosted by Dr. Robert Duff, a psychologist from Southern California and self-help book author. Dr. Duff answers questions about anxiety, depression, relationships, sex, and more.

Listen to "The Hardcore Self-Help Podcast" With Duff the Psych here.

Ever feel anxious, stressed, or worried, but you don't know why? In "The Savvy Psychologist's Quick and Dirty Tips For Better Mental Health," Dr. Monica Johnson, a trained psychologist and mental health expert, helps you understand why these emotions crop up and arms you with the tools you need to have healthier relationships and lead a happier life.

Listen to "The Savvy Psychologist's Quick and Dirty Tips For Better Mental Health" here.

Looking for practical ideas to improve your mental health? Listen to "Let's Talk About Mental Health" by Jeremy Godwin, which offers tips based on research and personal experience. Each episode covers one topic, like self-respect, worry, triggers, positivity, conflict, failure, being present, and more.

Listen to "Let's Talk About Mental Health" here.

When you subscribe to "The FitMind Podcast," you'll hear from various guests and experts — including neuroscientists, psychologists, Buddhist monks, and professional athletes — about topics of mental health, mindfulness meditation, productivity, and so much more. The goal? To improve your mental fitness.

Listen to "The FitMind Podcast" here.

Hosted by journalists of color, "Code Switch" explores how race influences every part of society. With a healthy dose of empathy and humor, episodes discuss everything from politics and pop culture to history and food. Listen to "Code Switch" here.

Yale professor Dr. Laurie Santos started "The Happiness Lab" after teaching a psychology course of the same name. It was the most popular class in the university's 300-year history. Now she shares the latest scientific research to help us change our approach to happiness as an individual and as a society. Listen to "The Happiness Lab with Dr. Laurie Santos" here.

If you are the Chandler in your friend group, this podcast might speak to you. Top comedians discuss how they've dealt with clinical depression and managed to laugh along the way. While it's not meant to replace therapy, you'll definitely walk away with some great insights. Listen to "The Hilarious World of Depression" here.

An hour where people talk about their fears, addictions and traumatic childhoods. It's great. For those who need that cathartic group therapy sesh without any of the heaviness, "Mental Illness Happy Hour" is for you. Listen to "Mental Illness Happy Hour" here.

From cosplaying while Black to interracial drag troupes that traveled the country in the 1940s, "The Nod" tells stories of Black life that celebrate the innovation and resilience of the Black community. Listen to "The Nod" here.

Glennon Doyle, author of "Untamed," started a podcast dedicated to the mantra that got saved her life 20 years ago: "We Can Do Hard Things." She co-hosts episodes with her wife Abby Wambach and sister where they talk about how to show up for yourself. Listen to "We Can Do Hard Things with Glennon Doyle" here.

Jameela Jamil started "I Weigh" after one of her social media posts went viral. Now the podcast celebrates progress, not perfection and tells stories of mental health from thought-leaders and friends.

Listen to "I Weigh with Jameela Jamil" here.

If you're social media feed is bogged down with health fads and nonsensical nutrition advice, "Maintenance Phase" is all about debunking the junk science that often takes over social media. Like their April 2023 episode "The 10,000 Steps Myth" that breaks down the fitness goal that has a strangle hold on anyone with an Apple Watch. Listen to "Maintenance Phase" here.

Dr. Rangan Chatterjee started "Feel Better, Live More" to simplify unnecessarily complicated health advice around how you eat, sleep, move and relax. Because when we're healthier, we're happier. Listen to "Feel Better, Live More with Dr. Rangan Chatterjee" here.

Gretchen Rubin, bestselling author of "The Happiness Project" and "Better Than Before," brings practical advice around how to feel happier in the aptly named podcast, "Happier with Gretchen Rubin." Alongside her sister, Rubin breaks down the best habits to incorporate joy into your life. Listen to "Happier with Gretchen Rubin" here.