Whether you're feeling overwhelmed by world events, coping with mental health issues, or need to feel revitalized in your workplace, sometimes you just need a boost of positivity to help your day feel a little easier. Whatever your reason for needing a positive message, podcasts can help.
Choosing the right podcast means you'll get that uplift and sense of well-being whenever you need to hear it: at home, at work, or on the move. How can you find the best positive podcasts from the many options available? Here are some of the best examples to inspire and motivate you.
1. The Mindset Mentor With Rob Dial
Listen to host Rob Dial for just a few moments, and you'll soon see why this is one of the most popular motivational podcasts available. This pacey podcast is a masterclass in delivering positive messages to your mind.
Whatever you need help with, you can bet Rob Dial has not only thought of it, but he's also recorded a twenty-minute podcast on the topic, packed with practical advice. With titles such as Be Intentional With Your Life and How to Work Through Anxiety, you can quickly scan the list of episodes and find one to suit.
2. Mind Love With Melissa Monte
Did you know that one-third to one-half of your waking life is spent not living in the present? Host Melissa Monte drops facts like this throughout Mind Love, a twice-weekly podcast about modern mindfulness. She explores techniques to reduce stress and anxiety and develop your own positive mental attitude.
It's impossible to resist the genuine, heartfelt approach this podcast takes to improving your mindset.
3. Ten Percent Happier With Dan Harris
Journalist Dan Harris has reported and presented news from all over the world. After a televised panic attack, he learned how meditation helps to calm a negative mind. The resulting book, Ten Percent Happier, led to both an app and this podcast.
Harris promises to deliver relatable wisdom to help you meet life's challenges and opportunities. Guests such as the Dalai Lama (Episode 251) share their philosophy and offer ideas for living with a healthy mind, practicing mindfulness, and fostering self-awareness.
Harris releases three podcasts per week, with early access to all episodes for subscribers to Amazon's Wondery+ podcast subscription service. If you end up loving this podcast, check out guided meditation YouTube channels for more of a good thing.
4. Feel Better, Live More With Dr. Rangan Chatterjee
Dr. Rangan Chatterjee, star of BBC1's Doctor In the House, is on a mission to inspire people to improve their lives by simplifying health advice. Feel Better, Live More covers a wide range of topics, from gut health to body language. Dr. Rangan unpacks each issue in an informal way with some fascinating guests, including top health experts.
The doctor debunks common health myths and offers life hacks and practical advice. It’s all intended to inspire you to make small changes that will transform your life. If you don't have time for the full-length episodes, which can be up to 2 hours long, the "Bitesize" episodes may provide a short burst of inspiration.
5. Happy Place With Fearne Cotton
This series is perfect for anyone who is struggling to find joy in life. Presenter Fearne Cotton interviews guests from all walks of life to find out what brings them joy and gives them purpose. The result is a set of honest, brave, and revealing conversations with people ranging from Hillary Rodham Clinton (S5 E3) to Dave Grohl (S11 E10).
Each person has valuable advice to offer from their life experiences. Listening to others is a brilliant way to find comfort in the challenges everyone faces and learn to find your own "happy place," guided by the wisdom of others.
6. Live Well, Be Well With Sarah Ann Macklin
Sarah Ann Macklin left a successful modeling career to become a registered nutritionist and founded the Be Well Collective. In this podcast focused on food and nutrition, Macklin explores the many ways in which a healthy diet can impact mental and physical well-being.
If you’re in search of inspiration, Macklin offers great advice on reducing perfectionism, finding positivity in every situation, and living a more authentic life. Alongside this advice, you can use mindful eating apps and guides to help you build a healthier outlook on food.
7. Take Flight With Mark Whittle
The message of the brilliant Take Flight series is perfectly summed up by its motto—"Our time is limited. Don't waste it living someone else's dream!" This podcast shines a spotlight on the advice some of the highest achievers in the UK have to offer.
Down to earth and genuinely interested in his guests, host Mark Whittle asks all the right questions and allows his guests time and space to express their ideas. An inspirational hour is guaranteed, and he even releases episodes on Sunday evenings in case you need a kick-start for your Monday mornings.
8. Good Life Project With Jonathan Fields
The Good Life Project explores what it means to live a good life in all its facets. Guests explore kindness, friendship, love, purpose, happiness, and more, all guided by host Jonathan Fields, whose quiet, soothing voice alone is enough to reassure you that everything will be all right in the end!
With over 700 episodes, it may be difficult to know where to start. Why not try the inspirational interview with Matt Haig, best-selling author of Reasons to Stay Alive, from October 4, 2021? If you like what you hear, you can explore more on The Good Life website and even join the dedicated community of GLeePers!
9. Happier With Gretchen Rubin
American writer and producer Gretchen Rubin is the person behind The Happiness Project, which started life as a New York Times #1 bestselling book and evolved into a unique set of tools and resources to make your life happier, healthier, more productive, and more creative.
The Happier podcast is a key feature of Rubin’s movement. It's a well-established, highly popular show, attracting guests such as Matt Damon (Episode 371). And if you just need a quick burst of inspiration, look out for short, sharp insights in the series called A Little Happier.
10. Power Hour With Adrienne Herbert
What could you do if you dedicated one hour each day to improving yourself and your life? That’s the premise of this weekly podcast from leading wellness coach and motivational speaker Adrienne Herbert. She finds out the positive habits and rules adopted by innovators, creatives, and champions and suggests ways in which you can use their examples to influence your mindset and achieve your goals.
Guests have included Dame Kelly Holmes (S2 E11) and Mel Robbins (S4 E1). A good place to start is the weekly Monday Motivation message, which can start your week with a short burst of positivity.
Listen to a Positive Podcast for Advice and Inspiration
If you ever feel low or find your mind wandering to negative places, why not fire up your favorite podcast provider and seek out one of these free sources of inspiration? If you're listening on an iPhone, you could try using some home screen widgets to aid your positive mindset while you listen.