The period between Christmas and the New Year can bring a welcome pause – a little more space to breathe, reflect, and reset. It can also feel emotionally mixed: quieter routines, disrupted schedules, celebrations, family dynamics, and the pressure to “finish the year well” all land differently for different people.
A few years ago, I published a list of psychology podcasts that many readers found helpful, in fact it’s been my most popular post! Since then, the podcast landscape has changed a lot. This updated guide brings together a carefully curated selection of psychology podcasts, and a few others that I would recommended. They’re chosen to support wellbeing, insight, and reflection during the holiday break. For many people, podcasts offer a gentle, accessible way to learn more about the mind, behaviour, and emotional wellbeing. Whether you’re out walking, travelling, tidying the house, or simply looking for something grounding to listen to, the right voices can help you feel more centred during this quieter time of year.
These recommendations are offered for psychoeducation and general information only and are not a substitute for therapy.
I listen to podcasts using Apple Podcasts. Most of the podcasts listed here are also available on major podcast platforms such as Spotify and Podbean.
How I Chose These Podcasts
Each podcast included here meets one or more of the following:
- Evidence-informed psychological ideas
- Credible hosts (psychologists, researchers, or skilled interviewers)
- Helpful, reflective, or supportive content
- Encouragement of help-seeking and wellbeing
- Engaging storytelling or practical insights
- A tone that supports emotional health rather than sensationalising it
I’ve grouped the podcasts into categories so you can choose what aligns with what you need right now – whether it’s anxiety support, deep thinking, performance psychology, or something purely curiosity-driven.
Great for summer walks or quiet afternoons
• The Happiness Lab
• All in the Mind
• Crappy to Happy
• Ologies (psychology-related episodes)
• Invisibilia (archived)
Podcast Recommendations by Category
1. General Mental Health & Wellbeing
These podcasts take a broad, accessible approach to mental health and everyday psychological experience. They explore emotions, behaviour, and wellbeing through a mix of storytelling, interviews, and evidence-informed discussion, making them suitable for general listening and reflection.
Listening with intention
Podcasts can be a helpful way to learn, reflect, and feel supported – particularly during quieter periods like the holiday break.
They work best when approached with curiosity rather than comparison, and as a complement to (not a replacement for) professional support.
All in the Mind (ABC)
A long-running Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) Radio National program exploring the mind, brain and behaviour through science, storytelling, and lived experience — blending interviews and research to illuminate psychological ideas.
Link: https://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/allinthemind/
The Osher Günsberg Podcast
A conversational show where Osher Günsberg talks with guests about life, mental health, struggles, and resilience. His openness about his own experiences helps normalise psychological vulnerability and encourages reflection.
Link: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/the-osher-g%C3%BCnsberg-podcast/id711028488
Crappy to Happy (Cass Dunn)
Hosted by Cass Dunn, this podcast uses positive psychology principles and personal reflection to explore wellbeing, coping, and gentle strategies for feeling better.
Link: https://cassdunn.com/podcast/
2. Anxiety, Trauma & Emotional Regulation
This category includes podcasts with a stronger focus on anxiety, stress responses, trauma-informed perspectives, and emotional regulation. They may help listeners better understand how the nervous system responds to challenge and offer insight into managing difficult emotional experiences.
Owning It: The Anxiety Podcast (Caroline Foran)
A practical and relaxed series that explores anxiety — what it is, why it happens, and how to manage it using evidence-informed tools and insights. Caroline Foran combines lived experience with expert input to normalise anxiety and share coping strategies.
Link: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/owning-it-the-anxiety-podcast/id1449728710
Invisibilia (NPR – archived)
An NPR production that examines the “invisible forces” — beliefs, assumptions, emotions and cultural patterns — that shape our behaviour. Although production has ended, the archive contains deeply thoughtful episodes blending science with narrative.
Link: https://www.npr.org/podcasts/510307/invisibilia
The Happiness Lab (Dr Laurie Santos)
Based on psychological science, Dr Laurie Santos explores what really supports happiness and emotional wellbeing, separating myths from what research shows is effective.
Link: https://www.happinesslab.fm/
Ten Percent Happier (Dan Harris)
Dan Harris combines meditation, psychology and expert interviews to explore emotional regulation, stress, resilience and mindful living in accessible, evidence-linked discussions.
.3. Performance, High Functioning & Human Potential
These podcasts explore the psychology of performance, motivation, creativity, work, and human potential. They often feature conversations with researchers, psychologists, and high-performing individuals, and may appeal to listeners interested in functioning well under pressure or understanding what supports sustainable achievement.
Finding Mastery (Dr Michael Gervais)
High performance psychologist Dr Michael Gervais interviews elite performers across sport, arts, business and science to uncover psychological skills, resilience and mindset strategies that support mastery.
Link: https://findingmastery.com/podcast/
WorkLife (Adam Grant)
Organisational psychologist Adam Grant explores workplace dynamics, motivation, creativity, leadership and how people can make work more meaningful — combining research with real-world examples.
Link: https://www.ted.com/podcasts/worklife
The High Performance Podcast
Hosted by Jake Humphrey and Professor Damian Hughes, The High Performance Podcast explores what supports sustained high performance across sport, business, and life. Through conversations with athletes, leaders, creatives, and experts, the podcast focuses on mindset, resilience, purpose, and habits that support functioning well under pressure.
Link: https://www.thehighperformancepodcast.com/
The Psychology Podcast (Scott Barry Kaufman)
Psychologist Scott Barry Kaufman interviews leading researchers and thinkers about cognition, creativity, personality, wellbeing and human potential, presenting evidence-informed insights on how and why we think and behave the way we do.
Link: https://scottbarrykaufman.com/podcast/
Training Peaks CoachCast
A performance-focused podcast centred on endurance sport, coaching, and training psychology. While its primary audience is athletes and coaches, selected episodes offer useful insight into confidence, resilience, recovery, and mental preparation under sustained physical and psychological demand.
Link https://www.trainingpeaks.com/blog/coachcast/
Potential Psychology Podcast (Ellen Jackson)
Australian workplace psychologist Ellen Jackson hosts interviews with experts on behaviour change, performance, wellbeing and psychological insight — practical ideas supported by evidence and experience.
4. Relationships, Attachment & Interpersonal Dynamics
Podcasts in this category focus on relationships, communication, attachment patterns, and interpersonal dynamics. They offer psychological insight into how people connect, navigate conflict, and build meaningful relationships across different contexts and life stages.
Where Should We Begin? (Esther Perel)
Renowned therapist Esther Perel invites listeners into intimate couple sessions, exploring communication, desire, conflict, attachment and connection in a deeply human and evidence-based way.
Link: https://www.estherperel.com/podcast
Dear Dr Tracy (Dr Tracy Dalgleish)
Hosted by clinical psychologist Dr Tracy Dalgleish, this podcast offers grounded, relatable guidance on relationships, boundaries, communication and emotional health — blending clinical insight with real-world discussion.
Link: https://drtracyd.com/podcast/
Relationships Made Easy (Dr Abby Medcalf)
A psychologist-hosted podcast that focuses on making relationships better using research-informed approaches and practical tools. Dr Abby Medcalf emphasises how relationship wellbeing contributes to life satisfaction, aligning well with your article’s psychoeducational tone.
Link: https://abbymedcalf.com/podcast-the-archives/
5. Neurodiversity & Brain-Based Psychology
These podcasts are more professionally oriented and may be most relevant for psychologists, trainees, and students. They tend to explore theory, clinical practice, professional identity, and applied psychological thinking in greater depth.
The Neurodivergent Woman
A thoughtful, evidence-informed podcast hosted by Dr Michelle Livock and Dr Sharon Colley that explores ADHD, autism, executive functioning, masking, sensory differences, and other aspects of neurodiversity. Episodes combine clinical insight and lived experience to deepen understanding of diverse neurocognitive profiles and how they show up in daily life.
Link: https://theneurodivergentwoman.buzzsprout.com/
Learning Scientists Podcast
Hosted by a team of cognitive psychologists, this podcast focuses on the science of learning, memory, attention, and effective study strategies. Episodes translate research findings into practical psychoeducation about how the brain processes information, which is valuable for learners, educators, and anyone interested in evidence-based cognition and learning.
Link: https://www.learningscientists.org/learning-scientists-podcast
ADHD Experts Podcast (ADDitude Magazine)
A psychology-informed podcast featuring clinicians and researchers discussing ADHD, executive functioning, learning, and emotional regulation across the lifespan. Episodes translate current research into accessible psychoeducation, with a focus on understanding neurodivergent brains rather than “fixing” them.
Clinician Corner
The podcasts in this section are best suited to psychologists, psychology students, and mental health professionals.
While they’re publicly available, some episodes assume prior training or familiarity with clinical concepts.
6. Podcasts for Clinicians & Psychology Students
These podcasts are more professionally oriented and may be most relevant for psychologists, trainees, and students. They tend to explore theory, clinical practice, professional identity, and applied psychological thinking in greater depth.
Speaking of Psychology (American Psychological Association)
Produced by the American Psychological Association, Speaking of Psychology features conversations with leading researchers and psychologists about current psychological science and its real-world applications. Topics span relationships, mental health, development, work, trauma, and behaviour.
Listeners interested in relationships may wish to start with the episode “The Science of Relationships,” which explores what psychological research tells us about connection, attachment, and relationship satisfaction.
Link: https://www.apa.org/news/podcasts/speaking-of-psychology
Psychologists Off the Clock
A clinician-oriented podcast where psychologists discuss theory, practice, wellbeing, burnout and real-world clinical issues — bringing evidence and deep reflection to topics relevant for professionals.
Link: https://offtheclockpsych.com/
Therapy Chat (Laura Reagan)
An extensive archive of interviews with psychologists and mental health experts on a broad range of psychological topics, blending research and lived experience.
Link: https://therapychatpodcast.com/
Understanding EMDR (Australian Podcast)
An Australian podcast focused on EMDR therapy, inviting clinicians and listeners to deepen their understanding of the theory and clinical practice of Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing, including trauma-informed applications and culturally aware perspectives.
Link: https://tracylynch.com.au/understanding-emdr-podcast/
What’s the Schemata? (Schema Therapy Training Australia)
A podcast dedicated to Schema Therapy theory, clinical skills, research developments, and expert dialogue, produced by Schema Therapy Training Australia — useful for clinicians and trainees working with schema models in therapy.
Link: https://www.schematherapytraining.com/podcast-whats-the-schemata/
We All Wear It Differently – archived
This Australian psychology podcast offered interviews with practitioners, academics and clinicians on topics ranging from practice to personal experience. The archive remains a valuable resource.
Link: https://weallwearitdifferently.com/
Two Shrinks Pod – archived
Hosted by two psychologists who discussed theory, clinical questions, humour and practical psychology topics – valuable for clinicians and psychology enthusiasts.
Link: https://www.twoshrinkspod.com/
Shrink Rap Radio – archived
An extensive archive of interviews with psychologists and mental health experts on a broad range of psychological topics, blending research and lived experience.
7. Science, Curiosity & Behaviour Storytelling
Podcasts in this category encourage critical thinking and evidence literacy by examining popular ideas, health narratives, and psychological claims. They often challenge assumptions, explore how evidence is used or misused, and support a more nuanced understanding of research and public discourse.
Ologies (Alie Ward)
A curiosity-driven podcast that explores different scientific “-ologies,” including psychology and behaviour-related topics. While not exclusively a psychology podcast, many episodes offer fascinating, evidence-linked insights.
Link: https://www.alieward.com/ologies
Hidden Brain (NPR)
Highly produced narrative episodes examine cognitive biases, emotions, decision-making, relationships and social behaviour — connecting psychological science with compelling stories.
Link: https://hiddenbrain.org/podcast/
Radiolab (selected episodes)
Radiolab is a long-running, award-winning public radio program and podcast produced by WNYC Studios that explores scientific, philosophical and human experience topics through immersive storytelling, investigative journalism, and innovative sound design. Hosted by Lulu Miller and Latif Nasser, episodes take deep curiosity-driven dives into questions about how the world works, often blending science, history, and narrative to make complex ideas engaging and accessible.
Link: https://radiolab.org/
8. Critical Thinking, Myth-Busting & Evidence Literacy
This category includes podcasts that examine how ideas take hold in popular culture and how evidence is presented, simplified, or sometimes misused. These podcasts encourage thoughtful listening, curiosity, and scepticism — supporting a more nuanced understanding of information, research, and widely held beliefs.
If Books Could Kill
A critical, engaging look at bestselling pop-psychology books, analysing where their ideas align with — or diverge from — evidence. Useful for listeners who want to cultivate psychological literacy and sceptical thinking.
Link: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/if-books-could-kill/id1651876897
Maintenance Phase
This podcast takes an evidence-informed approach to topics like diet culture, wellness narratives, and myths in health and behaviour — offering psychological and cultural insight.
Link: https://maintenancephase.com/
You’re Wrong About
You’re Wrong About is a long-running podcast hosted by journalists (initially Michael Hobbes and Sarah Marshall) that re-examines people, events, and social phenomena that have been misunderstood or misrepresented in popular culture. Each episode includes in-depth research and attempts to challenge common misconceptions — encouraging listeners to question received narratives and think more critically about how history and culture are discussed.
If you’d like to download a 2-page list of this podcasts in this article…
.Closing Thoughts
If the holiday period feels emotionally heavy, reflective, or simply different from your usual rhythm, listening to a thoughtful podcast can offer perspective or a sense of connection. Podcasts can support understanding, introduce new ideas, or invite reflection at your own pace. They’re not a substitute for therapy, but they can complement other wellbeing practices — or help you recognise when reaching out for support might be helpful. You’re welcome to learn more about my work or book an appointment here:
This article was originally published several years ago and has been updated and expanded in December 2025.
Disclaimer
These podcast recommendations are provided for general information and psychoeducation only. They are not a substitute for psychological assessment, diagnosis, or therapy. If you are experiencing distress or require support, please seek help from a qualified mental health professional
