I’m a podcast addict and I can’t help it.
I love listening to podcasts. It’s my vice and my virtue that I spend as many moments a day listening to podcasts ranging from informational to heart-felt to comedic to relational.
In 2018, when I lived in LA, I would go on long walks and laugh to myself while listening to Anna Faris is Unqualified and taking in the palm trees, perfect weather, and vibrant flower bushes.
In 2019, while I had a 1 hour commute from the MD suburbs to DC, I cherished my long drives because I got to spend QT with Dax Shepard and Monica Padman as I binged the Armchair Expert Podcast.
There are a seemingly infinite amount of podcasts out there to listen to. I discover new ones regularly!
My listening palette is attuned to anything that’s heart-felt, vulnerable, empowering, relational, hilarious, and self-growth related. If you’re into the same things then you may find something you like in my feel good podcast recommendations. These podcasts are tasty AND good for you. 😌
1. Armchair Expert
Armchair Expert is my all time favorite podcast. I’m an armcherry 🍒. I just love Dax’s vulnerability, self-awareness, and cheeky comments with all of his guests. His and Monica’s relationship is also a joy to listen to. I love that they’re comfortable challenging each other and share their disagreements openly yet always end every episode with an “I love you.” This show is perfect edu-tainment. There are interviews with actors and comedians on the main podcast and on the “Experts on Experts” side, they interview experts in all kinds of fields. I’m most excited when they bring on any psychologist which is pretty frequently!
In July, I listened to and loved
- 206 America Ferrera: Wow this episode was so relatable as a fellow child of immigrants and a woman interested in the entertainment industry. Very empowering.
- 222 Jennifer Eberhardt: A social psychologist who shares her research on race and discrimination.
- 225 John Legend: A fascinating backstory and balanced perspective at achieving success
- 224 Jud Brewer: A psychiatrist who studies mindfulness. Great discussion on contentment vs. excitement.
2. Don’t Keep Your Day Job
This podcast always delivers. Like without fail. Cathy Heller has on amazing guests with inspiring life paths and always encourages listeners to do something that I believe in 100%: don’t settle for a small, lackluster life. Go after those dreams that are calling you. If you’re looking for encouragements, ideas, or inspiration, you’ll find a helpful episode.
In July, I listened to and loved
- 55 Tricia Huffman: This woman is a Joyologist for Jason Mraz. Needless to say, I saw her title and clicked immediately. Great inspiration to see that you can create the job you want!
- 65 Danielle LaPorte: I listened to this while in a terrible mood and it almost brought me to tears. Danielle LaPorte always delivers. Just listen. Trust me. You’ll feel seen and heard and loved up.
- 41 Patrice Washington: I’m ashamed that I hadn’t heard of Patrice Washington sooner but I’m glad I know her now! She has an inspiring story of recovering from a rock bottom and having faith to become the highly successful money mindset coach she is today.
3. The Baggage Reclaim Sessions
This is one of those podcasts that I just stumbled upon earlier this summer and all of the episode titles intrigued me. The host, Natalie Lue is a British woman of color and seems to share lots of my neuroses. I also thought she was a licensed therapist but now that I’m looking I can’t find any proof… Either way, she seems to know her stuff!
In July, I listened to and loved
- 178 About Allowing You to Feel Angry: So this episode intrigued me after having a conversation with my therapist. She suspected that I had some suppressed anger that I needed to get out to heal old trauma and I shared with her that I hardly ever feel angry. My go-to reactions are typically sad, hopeless, and helpless instead of anger. We had a little discussion about it and she still pushed the issue, encouraging me to get my emotions out.
I then listened to THIS PODCAST EPISODE. Y’all. Such great emotional insight is in here. Did you know People Pleasing is a manifestation of anger? It doesn’t make sense when you first think of it but Natalie breaks it down and I was like damn… it really made me reconsider things and gave me a kick in the butt to set better boundaries.
4. Call Your Girlfriend
I’m late to the party with this super popular podcast. I’d heard of it before but I finally gave it a shot just in June I think because it was recommended in the Girls’ Night In newsletter (i think?? I consume too much content). I had their Resilience episode downloaded to my phone for a while and finally listened to it during a long walk and it gave me ALL the feels. I loved it so much. I technically listened to this at the end of June but it was so good I had to include it. Also, as someone obsessed with friendship and community, I’m very excited about their recent book Big Friendship!
In *June, I listened to and loved
- 247 Resilience: So poetic, so relatable, so heart-wrenching. I could relate to guest Lulu Miller deeply through her experiences and perspective. Her conversation with Aminatou was vulnerable and grounded. This one is for the heart.
- 258 The Story of Sameness: This one is a great listen for anyone dealing with friendship conflicts, especially if you’ve dealt with the epidemic of friend ghosting! I related to this one deeply.
5. Unlocking Us with Brené Brown
Brené Brown is always psychology soul food. Periodt. Coming out with a podcast was genius and exactly what we all need during this confusing and harrowing time. I look forward to hearing more of her episodes and highly recommend her book “The Gifts of Imperfection.”
In July, I listened to and loved
- Dr. Marc Brackett and Brené on “Permission to Feel”: This is something I’ve been learning and actively working on during this pandemic as I’ve been facing trauma that I’ve long avoided. The one thing thats made a difference is soothing and coaxing myself when heavy emotions come up instead of pushing them down.
“There’s no bad emotion theres no such thing as a bad feeling. Feelings are feelings, emotions are emotions. Allow yourself to experience them all.” - Harriet Lerner and Brené – I’m Sorry: How to Apologize & Why It Matters: My dear friend recommended this episode pair to me (there’s a part 1 and part 2). I live for anything that teaches us how to improve our relationships so this has been a great listen! There are some tough pills to swallow and Brené does not shy away from showing how tough they are for her. Tips like: We should apologize even if we’re less in the wrong and the other person still doesn’t own up to their side.
6. Girls Gotta Eat
After being productive and focused all week, I like to wind down with something I know will crack me up. While cleaning up the kitchen on a Friday night I always put on Girls Gotta Eat for some levity. They are hilarious and share shamelessly about their perspectives on dating, sex, and other topics with guests who are often comedians.
In July, I listened to and loved
- 60 Money Talks feat Ramit Sethi: I cracked up laughing so hard when Ramit took over the negotiation simulation in this episode. This one is hilarious and educational as Ramit gives great financial advice especially when considering one partner earning more than the other in a relationship.
- 115 Is He Just Not That Into Me? feat. Greg Behrendt: Greg worked on Sex and the City and contributed to the book “He’s Just Not That Into You.” He’s also a comedian! This was a great episode to look at the ways women are prone to settling in dating.
I could go on and on with way more feel good podcast recommendations but I’ll stop here and leave you guys wanting more. I clearly have a large appetite for podcasts.
Have you listened to any of these? What were your thoughts?? Have any podcast suggestions you think I’d love? Please share em in the comments!
