17 Uplifting Podcasts Worth Listening To
A list of the most motivating and uplifting podcasts to listen to when you could use a little pep in your step.
It’s funny, but I’m fairly sure that as many people reach out to me for podcast recommendations as they do travel recommendations.
If you know me, then you know I’m a massive consumer of podcasts, and, believe it or not, I’m currently subscribed to 178 podcasts. Yes, you read that correctly.
It would not be an exaggeration to suggest that I listen to perhaps 25 hours of podcast content each week. Of course, I’m not just staring at a wall while I listen to podcasts. I’m often at the gym, walking, driving, or doing something around the house that doesn’t require too much concentration.
I also have a podcast, Rick Steves Over Brunch, where we review episodes of the classic travel TV Show, Rick Steves’ Europe, and Rick even came on to review an episode with us, and for an interview!. It’s niche, I know.
On top of all that, I’m planning on launching two more podcasts in 2020, one in as early as the next month or two here.
Suffice to say, I love the podcast form, and I believe I’ve done my due diligence to be able to talk with confidence about them.
Right now, we’re in the midst of trying times in terms of the Coronavirus pandemic, and I want to do my part to bring light back into the world. It struck me that listing out some uplifting podcasts might be a intelligent way to do that at this moment.
As you’ll know, I write to be helpful, and I want what I write to provide legitimate value for you, so that’s where this article stems from. Perhaps right now, during all this, this is simply one thing I can do to help.
Let’s Separate These Uplifting Podcasts Into Categories, Shall We?
Try as a might, my years as an English Lit. major at university plague me, and I can’t help but organize things right down to the minutiae.
And so, below, within the realm of “uplifting podcasts,” I’ll create sub-categories for “self-improvement podcasts,” “mental health podcasts,” positive podcasts,” and “narrative podcasts” that I think have the potential to brighten your day.
Self-Improvement Podcasts I Adore
I’ve listened to all the self-improvement, betterment, and personal development podcasts out there, trust me.
These podcasts listed below are the podcasts that I’ve stuck with over time, and I feel have brought some genuine value back into my life, and continue to do so. I’ll explain exactly how I feel each podcast has helped me improve below.
In short, though, the best self-improvement podcasts, to me, are the ones that are helpful, but not preachy.
Without Fail - In Without Fail, Alex Blumberg, Cofounder of podcast powerhouse Gimlet Media, has open conversations with folks who have gotten to where they are through a heck of a lot of hardship. They’ve typically succeeded in spite of, or because of, that struggle.
They talk about what they learned through their journey, and ultimately whether they feel their struggles catapulted them towards success, or kept them down in the mud for longer than they would have liked. Plenty of lessons here to learn from but on the whole, the guests’ sheer perseverance tends to be more inspiring than anything else.
The Knowledge Project with Shane Parrish: I will be totally honest, when I first started listening to The Knowledge Project, I just wasn’t in love with Shane’s voice. But, listening closer, I realized I was in love with his line of questioning.
There are few interviewers I listen to regularly that manage to cover more ground with more depth, and it’s crystal clear that Shane carefully curates his guests. The podcast loosely aims to “help you master the best of what other people have already figured out.” I’m an avid listener, and if you’re keen on learning like me, I wouldn’t miss the chance to subscribe to the once weekly newsletter, either.
The Side-Hustle Show: This, not surprisingly, is indeed a podcast about how to start a successful side-hustle, but I think the enduring lesson of the show is that thinking outside the box can often pay serious dividends.
The host, Nick Loper, is honest, open, and manages to draw out exactly what you’d want to know from each guest. Being self-employed myself, listening to this podcast has been highly effective at keeping my mind in that “entrepreneurial zone.”
The Unmistakable Creative Podcast: I came across this “self-improvement podcast” somewhat recently, actually, and I was instantly hooked. The host, Srini Rao, sources a unique array of guests that I find genuinely interesting.
He also doesn’t hesitate to share a lot about himself, often in a vulnerable way, which I can appreciate, and that’s something I also strive for in both my writing and on podcasts. You guys know by now that I’m all about harnessing my creativity, so I love a podcast like this, which is explicitly dealing with that very notion to help lift us all up.
The School of Greatness: I like this podcast a lot, but I do have to objectively admit that it’s geared towards men. A lot of the language has that “bro-esque” touch to it about achieving your dreams, and the guests are predominantly male. Yet, through all that, I do think the host, Lewis Howes, is spreading a lot of know-how and positivity throughout the world.
Again, I think that’s something I’m trying to do - to be selfless in my content production - so that’s probably why I’m such a fan of The School of Greatness.
On Being with Krista Tippett: If you’re someone who doesn’t like a lot of fluff in your podcasts, and want to get to heart of the matter and dive deep, then this is your podcast.
On Being aims to answer the central question, “what does it mean to be human, and how to we want to live?” Not shockingly, a broad spectrum of conversations fit under that umbrella, and many of them are deeply thought provoking. This isn’t a classic “uplifting podcast,” but I think using our brains right now in meaningful ways is, on a macro level, a big positive, so I’ll file it under “uplifting.”
The Tim Ferriss Show: The Tim Ferris Show, believe it or not, is the first business/interview podcast to cross the one hundred million download mark, and that doesn’t surprise me. I’ve read many of his books, and I don’t always love all aspects of his content, but he’s spot-on as a podcast host.
He somehow manages to make an interview interesting for two hours straight, and he’s highly perceptive. There’s a reason that people who don’t usually sit for interviews end up sitting with Tim, and then proceed to give the interview of their lives. It’s undeniable, he sets the benchmark in a lot of ways when it comes to producing a consistent and quality podcast.
Mental Health Podcasts to Take Note Of
Thank the Lord, mental health is no longer taboo, dear readers.
Everybody has their own issues and demons, and damn is it ever wonderful to just realize that you’re not alone in your struggles. That, to me, is the real wonder of the podcasts I’ll mention below - which I’m loosely categorizing as “mental health podcasts.”
These aren’t podcasts that claim to replace your therapist or even to offer mental health advice. As the host of the Mental Illness Happy Hour says, “it’s more like a waiting room that doesn’t suck.”
And, not all episodes are going to be “uplifting,” but I think that “mental health podcasts” belong in an article on “uplifting podcasts” simply because of their innate power to pick you up out of a slump.
Mental Illness Happy Hour: Since I already mentioned this up above, let’s dive into what this podcast is all about. In short, it’s a weekly podcast that features comedians, artists, and really anybody who has battled with mental health issues and gleaned a few things from their experience.
This is a community driven podcast, with a fair portion of the episode reading listener mail and such, but I personally listen to it for the interviews. I’ve got a lot of respect for Paul, a man who is clearly enormously bright and quick-witted, yet incredibly humble, and almost to a fault. He puts himself out there in a way that inspires me, and it makes you feel like you know him personally after only a couple of episodes.
Happier with Gretchen Rubin: I mean, can you think of a more fitting podcast to include in a list of uplifting podcasts? Happier is, as you might imagine, all about examining the habits, practices, psychology and ideas behind living a happier life.
What I appreciate in particular about this podcast is that there’s a focus on providing tangible, actionable tips in each episode, so it’s not just some large philosophical debate, but rather something you can put into practice if an idea connects with you.
The One You Feed: At its heart, at least in my humble opinion, The One You Feed is about understanding where you’re directing your energy, and the impact that directing your energy in positive directions can have. Each week, host Eric Zimmer sets out to talk to thought leaders on how to live a more fulfilling life.
Something I’ve come to appreciate about The One You Feed is the sheer variety of guests that he has on. It means that even all this way into it, I’m always excited for the next episode, as the show rarely covers old ground in a way that might frustrate listeners.
There are innumerable important lessons that I’ve taken from The One You Feed, and just find the concept of “feeding your good wolf” makes a lot of sense to me. You’ll understand what that means if you listen to the parable that Eric starts ever episode with.
Positive Podcasts You Might Just Love
If you’re feeling a little out of sorts, and mentally or physically sluggish, here are a few podcasts that I think are very capable of breathing some energy back into your life.
In decidedly different ways, the hosts of these podcasts are careful to produce helpful and intriguing content, but aren’t scared to step back and let their guests know that what they’re doing is plain awesome, and that the listener might be able to get in on some of that awesomeness as well.
Don’t Keep Your Day Job: Cathy Heller is literally the picture of positivity. The podcast itself is, on the surface, about turning your passion into a career and not settling for less, but at its core, the message of this podcast is clear - you are special, and you have something inside you worth cherishing.
It’s been interesting to see how this podcast has progressed into a legitimate, supportive community and has started a bit of a movement. I’ll be honest, I’m not someone who can sit under the ray of endless positivity for too long (yes, I’m a touch cynical, forgive me), but it strikes me that, right now, we can use people who are unapologetically positive, and firmly intent on spreading warmth.
Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend: As far as newer podcasts are concerned, I can’t think of a podcast that I became hooked on faster than Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend. It strikes me that the podcast platform, with a high level of creative control, suits Conan perfectly.
The guests and conversations are fantastic, but permeating all of this is that hugely successful people come on the show to talk about the fact that they’re self-conscious, self-deflating, and self-defeating, just like you and I. They talk about success as something they had to work tirelessly towards, and there are notes of optimism everywhere if you know where to look.
File this one under “must download,” my friends.
The Zero to Travel Podcast: I know that travel isn’t at the top of everyone’s mind right now, and that’s fair, but I do think that part of keeping hope in this Coronavirus situation is understanding that you’ll travel again, one day.
The host of Zero to Travel, Jason, is a personal friend of mine, and someone who I firmly believe is doing all he can to put others first. He’s constantly innovating and growing and putting forth topics with listeners, readers, friends, and colleagues in mind. You might remember that I even went on the Zero to Travel podcast for an episode and discussed the notion of “going all in on your dreams.”
You may have to socially isolate right now, but that doesn’t mean you can’t let your imagination run wild with possibilities for your travel future, and this podcast is perfect for that.
The Goal Digger Podcast: Jenna Kutcher is a positivity machine. Her podcast is all about helping people redefine what success looks like, achieving the right mindset to thrive, and adding to or altering your business strategy. Like many hosts here, I’m drawn to her inherent vulnerability despite her incredible success.
She strikes me as someone where the more successful she has become, the more she’s keyed in to share the secrets of that success, and that just makes for a very positive podcast. This is an uplifting podcast made especially for the solopreneurs and entrepreneurs out there.
Narrative Podcasts To Take You On A Journey
You might have learned by now that I may be a little obsessed with podcasts that are concerned with helping you better yourself. However, I think that part of being uplifted is by being so consumed by a story or great content that you just don’t have space in your brain to worry for that moment.
That’s when it occured to me that, in thinking about uplifting podcasts, I had to include a little section on “narrative podcasts,” which, loosely speaking, refers to podcasts which focus on telling a story, or storytelling.
LeVar Burton Reads: This is the podcast I always turn to when I don’t have that much focus, or I’m a little stressed and want to be transported somewhere else for a moment. LeVar’s voice just has “that power.”
In LeVar Burton Reads, LeVar chooses a different short story each episode, and then reads it to listeners. I’ve got to be honest, occasionally his choice of story isn’t my favourite, but I will hand it to him that all of the stories are thought provoking. He also makes no apologies about the fact that most, if not all, of these short stories fit firmly into the science fiction genre.
My favourite story so far, if you’re looking for a place to start was when LeVar read David Langford’s “Different Kinds of Dark.”
Long May They Run: If you’re a fan of the band Phish, then this is going to be your new jam! It’s a lengthy, in-depth music documentary podcast series that focuses on the story, emergence, and quirks of Phish and their fans.
I’m not personally a huge Phish fan, but I certainly don’t mind having their tunes on, and I’m intensely fascinated on why it is that this band in particular has such a cult following. In the series, that question was answered for me, and I found the whole vibe of the podcast to be hopeful and positive, so that’s why I’m sharing it on this list. I’m quite sure you’ll be captured by the story here!
Heavyweight: This podcast won’t be for everyone, but it’s certainly for me. When Bri and I take road trips, this is our go-to podcast because the episodes often fly by, and make passing the time as easy as pie. Ah, the power of good storytelling, my friends.
A lot of that has to do with Jonathan Goldstein’s ability to carefully balance humour with brilliant writing and observations.
Heavyweight features one person each episode who aims to resolve a moment from their past that they wish they could change or want some clarity on, and, with Jonathan’s help, that’s precisely what happens.
Positive Podcasts, for the Win!
As I mentioned in my recent post on how I’m processing this whole COVID-19 situation, this isn’t an easy time to be a travel content creator.
However, is seems like, for a moment, I need to step away from focusing on income, and instead focus on impact. So that’s where this post comes from. I figure, if even a handful of people take my advice and find a new podcast that brings real joy or positivity into their life during this time, then that’s a huge win.
Of course, you can reach out to me on social, or comment below to let me know if that’s the case. Happy listening, and take care, everyone!
Remember that we’re all in this together, and I’m thinking of you all, in all that I’m doing.