10 Must-Listen Mental Health Podcasts for Summer 2024

Whether you're looking to destigmatize mental health issues, find coping strategies, or simply want to prioritize your emotional well-being, podcasts can be an incredible resource. With so many options out there, it can be overwhelming to find high-quality mental health podcasts worth your time. To help you cut through the noise, we've curated a list of 10 of the best mental health podcasts to tune into this year. From raw personal stories to expert-led insights, these podcasts offer a range of perspectives to educate, inspire, and remind you that you're not alone in your struggles.

1. The Mental Illness Happy Hour
   With a mission to normalize conversations around mental health, this long-running podcast gets candid about all things mind and mental illness. Host Paul Gilmartin creates a safe space for guests to openly share their experiences with depression, anxiety, trauma, and more.

2. Unlocking Us with Brené Brown
   Brené Brown's wisdom on vulnerability, shame, and wholehearted living has resonated with millions. In this podcast, the bestselling author sits down with guests to discuss what it means to truly show up for ourselves and our lives.

3. The Happiness Lab with Dr. Laurie Santos
   This podcast brings the actual science of happiness straight from the psych lab to your ears. Yale's Dr. Laurie Santos shares practical strategies and dispels misconceptions about what really cultivates emotional well-being.

4. Terrible, Thanks for Asking
   When life goes awry, this podcast reminds us that we're not alone. Host Nora McInerny candidly explores life's most difficult topics and experiences through raw, insightful interviews that validate the complexities of our struggles.

5. We Can Do Hard Things with Glennon Doyle
   Glennon Doyle, along with wife Abby Wambach and sister Amanda, get brutally honest about facing life's toughest challenges and choices. Expect unfiltered discussions on relationships, parenting, trauma, and more.

6. Where Should We Begin? with Esther Perel
   One of the most acclaimed voices on modern relationships, psychotherapist Esther Perel brings her trademark wisdom and nuanced perspective to the podcast realm. Listen in as she helps real-life couples navigate issues like intimacy, infidelity, and trust.

7. Checking In with Michelle Williams
   With incredible candor, singer Michelle Williams opens up about her personal journey with mental health challenges. She also taps into her network of guests to destigmatize mental illness in the Black community.

8. Depresh Mode with John Moe
   With a gift for balancing sincerity and irreverent humor, John Moe explores all aspects of depression and anxiety through insightful interviews with comedians, actors, and public figures.

9. The Savvy Psychologist
   Quick-hit episodes make this podcast an easy entry point into core psychology concepts. Dr. Jade Wu offers practical tips and research-backed strategies to boost your mental fitness.

10. Mind Matters
    This podcast from Stanford's Mind & Life Institute brings together experts and academics for rich dialogues at the intersection of psychology, philosophy, neuroscience, and contemplative practices.

Whether you're looking for relatability, expert guidance, or simply a reminder that your mental health matters, any of these top-rated podcasts are worth a listen. Take care of your mind one episode at a time.