Editor's Top Picks
The Rich Roll Podcast
"A soulful and deeply human exploration of wellness, performance, and spiritual growth...."
Read ReviewFood Psych Podcast
"The leading resource for dismantling diet culture and building a peaceful relationship with food and..."
Read ReviewMaintenance Phase
"Hilarious and rigorous debunking of harmful health myths and the 'wellness industrial complex'...."
Read Review๐ The Ultimate List of Best Mental Health Podcasts
Are you looking for the top mental health podcasts to listen to right now? Our expert curation brings you the most highly-rated and engaging shows in this category. Whether youโre an enthusiast or just getting started, these podcasts offer exceptional value, deep insights, and incredible entertainment. Discover the finest audio content updated for the current year.
๐ฌ The Rich Roll Podcast
Host Rich Roll
The Rich Roll Podcast features ultra-athlete Rich Roll having long-form, intense conversations with figures from across the wellness, science, and endurance sports world. While it starts with health, the show explores human potential, spiritual growth, and the power of transformation. It's a deeply soulful and inspiring show that provides a holistic view of human optimization. What sets The Rich Roll Podcast apart from other society podcasts is its a soulful and deeply human exploration of wellness, performance, and spiritual growth. The show is particularly valuable for health enthusiasts, athletes, and anyone interested in personal growth and human potential. New episodes are released twice weekly, making it easy to stay up to date with the latest content. The Rich Roll Podcast is completely free to listen to on all major podcast platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Google Podcasts.
- Incredible depth and soulfulness in the interviews
- Extraordinary roster of high-profile guests
- Focuses on a holisitic view of human health and performance
- Consistent twice weekly release schedule
- Episodes are very long (often 2+ hours)
- Can be a bit abstract and spiritual for some listeners
- May not cover every niche subtopic in the field
"The Rich Roll Podcast is a must-listen for society enthusiasts. Its twice weekly episodes consistently deliver high-quality content that sets it apart from competitors. A soulful and deeply human exploration of wellness, performance, and spiritual growth. It's one of the most reliable and rewarding podcasts in its category."
๐ฌ Food Psych Podcast
Host Christy Harrison
Food Psych is a podcast about intuitive eating, body image, and the fight against diet culture. Registered dietitian Christy Harrison explores the complex relationship between food and mental health, interviewing world-class experts on eating disorder recovery, HAES (Health at Every Size), and social justice. It's a challenging and empowering look at health beyond the scale. What sets Food Psych Podcast apart from other health podcasts is its the leading resource for dismantling diet culture and building a peaceful relationship with food and body. The show is particularly valuable for people in recovery from eating disorders, those struggling with body image, and anyone tired of diet culture. New episodes are released weekly, making it easy to stay up to date with the latest content. Food Psych Podcast is completely free to listen to on all major podcast platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Google Podcasts.
- Expert and empathetic hosting by a registered dietitian
- Provides a critical and necessary perspective on health
- Empowering and supportive community
- Consistent weekly release schedule
- Can be very challenging for those deeply embedded in diet culture
- Individual episodes can be quite long
- May not cover every niche subtopic in the field
"Food Psych Podcast is one of the standout podcasts in the Health space. With weekly episodes and free access, it delivers consistent value to its audience. The leading resource for dismantling diet culture and building a peaceful relationship with food and body. If you're looking for a reliable health podcast that goes beyond surface-level coverage, Food Psych Podcast deserves a spot in your rotation."
๐ฌ Maintenance Phase
Host Aubrey Gordon & Michael Hobbes
Maintenance Phase is a funny, deeply researched, and often shocking look at the world of 'wellness.' Hosts Aubrey Gordon and Michael Hobbes take apart everything from the BMI and the Master Cleanse to wellness influencers and fatphobia in the medical system. It's an essential listen for anyone who wants to understand the science (and lack thereof) behind modern health trends. What sets Maintenance Phase apart from other health podcasts is its hilarious and rigorous debunking of harmful health myths and the 'wellness industrial complex'. The show is particularly valuable for skeptics, science nerds, and anyone interested in body justice and public health. New episodes are released bi-weekly, making it easy to stay up to date with the latest content. Maintenance Phase is completely free to listen to on all major podcast platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Google Podcasts.
- Outstanding research and analysis
- Incredible chemistry and humor between the hosts
- Tackles difficult social issues with nuance and empathy
- Consistent bi-weekly release schedule
- Can be very challenging for those who follow mainstream wellness advice
- Humor can be cynical and blunt
- May not cover every niche subtopic in the field
"Maintenance Phase is a must-listen for health enthusiasts. Its bi-weekly episodes consistently deliver high-quality content that sets it apart from competitors. Hilarious and rigorous debunking of harmful health myths and the 'wellness industrial complex'. It's one of the most reliable and rewarding podcasts in its category."
๐ฌ The Happiness Lab with Dr. Laurie Santos
Host Pushkin Industries / Dr. Laurie Santos
Dr. Laurie Santos teaches 'The Science of Well-Being', Yale's most popular course ever. In this podcast, she takes those lessons to the world. Using the latest research in psychology, neuroscience, and behavioral economics, she explores why our minds lie to us about what makes us happyโand what the science says we should do instead. What sets The Happiness Lab with Dr. Laurie Santos apart from other health podcasts is its yale's most popular course on happiness, delivered as a free podcast by the professor who created it. The show is particularly valuable for anyone who wants to be happier, psychology enthusiasts, and fans of evidence-based self-improvement. New episodes are released weekly, making it easy to stay up to date with the latest content. The Happiness Lab with Dr. Laurie Santos is completely free to listen to on all major podcast platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Google Podcasts.
- Grounded in legitimate academic research
- Very practical and actionable advice
- Warm and engaging hosting style
- Consistent weekly release schedule
- Can feel a bit 'lecture-like' at times
- Focuses primarily on personal happiness (less on systemic issues)
- May not cover every niche subtopic in the field
"For anyone interested in health, The Happiness Lab with Dr. Laurie Santos is an essential listen. The podcast excels at delivering insightful, well-produced content on a weekly basis. Yale's most popular course on happiness, delivered as a free podcast by the professor who created it. At free, it's one of the best values in the health podcasting space."
๐ฌ The Outside Podcast
Host Outside Magazine
The Outside Podcast brings the world's leading outdoor magazine to audio. Itโs famous for its 'Science of Survival' series, which explores what happens to the human body in extreme environments, as well as its 'Literary' series featuring long-form storytelling about the wild. Itโs a mix of gear-geekery, adventure reporting, and deep respect for nature. What sets The Outside Podcast apart from other leisure podcasts is its the most authoritative and high-production voice in outdoor adventure and survival science. The show is particularly valuable for hikers, climbers, skiers, and anyone who feels at home in the wilderness. New episodes are released bi-weekly, making it easy to stay up to date with the latest content. The Outside Podcast is completely free to listen to on all major podcast platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Google Podcasts.
- Incredible survival stories
- High-quality, immersive sound design
- Practical science for outdoor enthusiasts
- Consistent bi-weekly release schedule
- Can be quite intense (especially the survival series)
- Episodes vary in their focus (sometimes gear, sometimes story)
- May not cover every niche subtopic in the field
"The Outside Podcast is one of the standout podcasts in the Leisure space. With bi-weekly episodes and free access, it delivers consistent value to its audience. The most authoritative and high-production voice in outdoor adventure and survival science. If you're looking for a reliable leisure podcast that goes beyond surface-level coverage, The Outside Podcast deserves a spot in your rotation."
๐ฌ Ten Percent Happier with Dan Harris
Host Dan Harris
After a live panic attack on Good Morning America, journalist Dan Harris discovered meditationโsomething he once thought was 'bullshit'. This podcast explores his journey and helps others find their own path to being 'ten percent happier'. He interviews top meditation teachers, neuroscientists, and psychologists to provide a grounded, skeptic-friendly approach to mindfulness and spirituality. What sets Ten Percent Happier with Dan Harris apart from other spirituality podcasts is its a skeptic-friendly, evidence-based approach to mindfulness and spiritual well-being. The show is particularly valuable for skeptics, high-stress professionals, and anyone interested in the science of happiness and meditation. New episodes are released thrice-weekly, making it easy to stay up to date with the latest content. Ten Percent Happier with Dan Harris is completely free to listen to on all major podcast platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Google Podcasts.
- Honest and relatable hosting style
- Grounded in science and practical application
- Fantastic guest list of meditation masters
- Consistent thrice-weekly release schedule
- Very focused on the 'benefit' of meditation (can feel a bit utilitarian)
- Frequent promotion of the host's app
- May not cover every niche subtopic in the field
"Ten Percent Happier with Dan Harris is one of the standout podcasts in the Spirituality space. With thrice-weekly episodes and free access, it delivers consistent value to its audience. A skeptic-friendly, evidence-based approach to mindfulness and spiritual well-being. If you're looking for a reliable spirituality podcast that goes beyond surface-level coverage, Ten Percent Happier with Dan Harris deserves a spot in your rotation."
๐ฌ The Doctor's Kitchen
Host Dr. Rupy Aujla
The Doctor's Kitchen is a podcast about medicinal navigation. Dr. Rupy Aujla, an NHS doctor, interviews world-leading experts on the science of nutrition and lifestyle medicine. He translates complex research into delicious, practical, and science-backed advice on how to use food to prevent and manage illness. It's an optimistic and evidence-based guide to health. What sets The Doctor's Kitchen apart from other health podcasts is its a unique blend of clinical expertise and culinary passion, focusing on food as medicine. The show is particularly valuable for anyone interested in using nutrition to improve their health and prevent disease. New episodes are released weekly, making it easy to stay up to date with the latest content. The Doctor's Kitchen is completely free to listen to on all major podcast platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Google Podcasts.
- Guided by an experienced medical professional
- Very practical and inclusive advice
- High production quality and diverse range of experts
- Consistent weekly release schedule
- Focuses heavily on nutrition and cooking
- Can be a bit idealistic for those with limited time or access
- May not cover every niche subtopic in the field
"The Doctor's Kitchen is one of the standout podcasts in the Health space. With weekly episodes and free access, it delivers consistent value to its audience. A unique blend of clinical expertise and culinary passion, focusing on food as medicine. If you're looking for a reliable health podcast that goes beyond surface-level coverage, The Doctor's Kitchen deserves a spot in your rotation."
๐ฌ The Peter Attia Drive
Host Peter Attia, MD
The Drive is a masterclass in the science of health and longevity. Dr. Peter Attia, a Stanford/Johns Hopkins-trained physician, interviews the world's leading experts in nutrition, exercise physiology, sleep science, and pharmacology. It's one of the most rigorous and evidence-based health podcasts available, perfect for people who want to go beyond superficial wellness advice. What sets The Peter Attia Drive apart from other health podcasts is its medical-grade depth and rigor applied to the science of living longer and better. The show is particularly valuable for health-conscious individuals, biohackers, fitness enthusiasts, and medical professionals who want cutting-edge insights. New episodes are released weekly, making it easy to stay up to date with the latest content. The Peter Attia Drive is completely free to listen to on all major podcast platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Google Podcasts.
- Unbeatable depth of medical and scientific expertise
- Extremely data-driven and evidence-based
- Covers topics (like Zone 2 training and CGMs) before they go mainstream
- Consistent weekly release schedule
- Can be extremely technical and dense
- Episodes are very long (often 2-3 hours)
- May not cover every niche subtopic in the field
"The Peter Attia Drive is one of the standout podcasts in the Health space. With weekly episodes and free access, it delivers consistent value to its audience. Medical-grade depth and rigor applied to the science of living longer and better. If you're looking for a reliable health podcast that goes beyond surface-level coverage, The Peter Attia Drive deserves a spot in your rotation."
๐ฌ The Tim Ferriss Show
Host Tim Ferriss
The Tim Ferriss Show is often called the 'world's number one business podcast,' but it covers much more than business. Tim interviews 'world-class performers' from disciplines as diverse as chess, investing, sports, and art to find the tools, tactics, and routines that make them successful. Itโs a masterclass in deconstruction and personal optimization. What sets The Tim Ferriss Show apart from other self-improvement podcasts is its unparalleled depth in deconstructing the habits and routines of world-class experts. The show is particularly valuable for high achievers, students of human performance, and anyone looking for practical tools to improve their life and work. New episodes are released weekly, making it easy to stay up to date with the latest content. The Tim Ferriss Show is completely free to listen to on all major podcast platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Google Podcasts.
- Incredible guest list of literal world-best experts
- Highly actionable advice and tool recommendations
- Deep, multi-hour interviews that leave no stone unturned
- Consistent weekly release schedule
- Episodes are very long (often 2-3 hours)
- Host can sometimes focus heavily on his own specific interests (like biological optimization)
- May not cover every niche subtopic in the field
"For anyone interested in self-improvement, The Tim Ferriss Show is an essential listen. The podcast excels at delivering insightful, well-produced content on a weekly basis. Unparalleled depth in deconstructing the habits and routines of world-class experts. At free, it's one of the best values in the self-improvement podcasting space."
๐ฌ Tara Brach
Host Tara Brach
Tara Brachโs podcast is a lifeline for millions. Blending her expertise in clinical psychology with decades of Buddhist practice, she offers 'satsangs' or spiritual talks that address suffering, healing, and mindfulness. Each episode usually includes a full guided meditation designed to help listeners find a 'radical acceptance' of themselves and the world. What sets Tara Brach apart from other spirituality podcasts is its a powerful and empathetic blend of modern psychology and buddhist wisdom. The show is particularly valuable for people seeking emotional healing, stress relief, and a more compassionate inward path. New episodes are released weekly, making it easy to stay up to date with the latest content. Tara Brach is completely free to listen to on all major podcast platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Google Podcasts.
- Incredibly soothing and compassionate voice
- Practical meditations included in every episode
- Addresses deep psychological and emotional themes
- Consistent weekly release schedule
- Very calm and slow paced (intentional, but may not fit a busy commute)
- Focuses heavily on internal emotional work
- May not cover every niche subtopic in the field
"Tara Brach earns its reputation as a top-tier spirituality podcast. The show stands out for its incredibly soothing and compassionate voice, and the weekly release schedule keeps listeners engaged. A powerful and empathetic blend of modern psychology and Buddhist wisdom. Whether you're a longtime fan or discovering it for the first time, this podcast is well worth your time."
๐ Quick Comparison
| Podcast | Frequency | Price | Audience |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Rich Roll Podcast | Twice weekly | Free | Health enthusiasts, athletes, ... |
| Food Psych Podcast | Weekly | Free | People in recovery from eating... |
| Maintenance Phase | Bi-weekly | Free | Skeptics, science nerds, and a... |
| The Happiness Lab with Dr. Laurie Santos | Weekly | Free | Anyone who wants to be happier... |
| The Outside Podcast | Bi-weekly | Free | Hikers, climbers, skiers, and ... |
๐ง How We Evaluate the Best Mental health Podcasts
To ensure our lists feature only the highest quality content, we rigorously review each podcast based on multiple factors:
- Audio Quality & Production Value (30%): Clear sound, professional editing, and great structure.
- Expertise & Host Charm (25%): Knowledgeable hosts who can engage the audience.
- Actionable Takeaways (25%): The real-world value listeners gain from each episode.
- Consistency & Release Schedule (20%): Reliable updates and audience engagement.
We frequently update this database to reflect the top trends so you get the most accurate and rich mental health podcast recommendations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. How do we pick these podcasts?
We research the industry, evaluate content quality, consistency, and value to listeners. Only podcasts with high reputation are included.
Q. Can I suggest a podcast for this list?
Yes! Use our submission form in the navbar to recommend podcasts. We review every submission manually.
How We Selected These Podcasts
Our editorial team spent 200+ hours researching and evaluating podcasts across all major categories. We personally listen to each podcast on this list and evaluate new episodes monthly to ensure this collection remains the definitive resource for finding your next favorite show.
Content Quality
Originality, depth, and actionable insights that provide real value to listeners.
Consistency
Regular publishing schedule with reliable episode releases.
Engagement
Active community, high listener retention, and positive audience feedback.
Growth
Strong listener momentum and high retention rates over the past year.
Last review cycle completed: January 2025. Quarterly updates scheduled for April, July, and October.