Editor’s Note: This list was reviewed and updated for 2026. Every show below was checked for current activity — two shows that had gone quiet were swapped for their active successors, and two newer shows were added to round out the list to 17.
Table of Contents
Top Self-Help Podcasts for Depression and Anxiety
Hunting for the best self-help podcasts? Searching for a show that gives practical information on depression and anxiety? Need some tips for living a calmer life?
If so, you’re not alone. Self-help podcasts have become all the rage in recent years, particularly among folks who desire natural pathways to wellness.
But finding a quality show to listen to isn’t always easy. There are thousands of programs to choose from, and if you’ve ever scrolled through a podcast app’s search results, you know exactly what I mean.
Complicating matters more are the ambiguous names attached to some shows. The truth is, many of them deal with self-help but you’d never guess it by the title.
Part of the reason I put this post together was to help simplify the process. Let’s face it — most of us don’t have forever and a day to conduct searches.
So, without further ado, here are 17 of the best self-help podcasts I could find. As a matter of full disclosure, one of them happens to be mine.
Hey, I’ve got to give myself a plug somewhere, right?
The shows are listed below. Most are available on Apple Podcasts and Spotify at minimum — just search the show’s name in whichever app you use.
Check it out.
1. Men’s Self Help Podcast
If you’re looking for a podcast focused on coping strategies, wellness tips, relationship coaching, and mental health, The Men’s Self Help Podcast may fit the bill.
Each episode is personally scripted and recorded by me — editor of GC. On many shows, I answer an email sent by a listener about a relatable life challenge. Using a solution-focused approach, the material shared on the show is designed for men and women. Available on Spotify.
I’m the show’s host — Dr. John Moore
2. The Anxious Truth
If you struggle with panic attacks, agoraphobia, or anxiety that keeps you from living your life, this is one of the most respected shows in the space. Host Drew Linsalata is a therapist who’s been through his own anxiety recovery, and it shows in how directly he talks about avoidance, reassurance-seeking, and what actual recovery requires.
The show has been featured by The New York Times and Vogue as one of the go-to podcasts for anxiety, and with well over 300 episodes, there’s a deep archive to work through.
3. The Hardcore Self-Help Podcast
If you’re looking for a straightforward, no-nonsense approach to mental health challenges, you might want to give this show a try. Speaking for myself, I can tell you that I’m a subscriber and listen to every episode.
Hosted by neuropsychologist Dr. Robert Duff, you’ll dive deep into a variety of issues ranging from anxiety to depression to relationships (plus a lot more).
Listen to the Hardcore Self-Help Podcast
4. SelfWork with Dr. Margaret Rutherford
This is an amazing show that focuses on a number of mental health topics but particularly anxiety and depression. I’m super impressed with Dr. Margaret’s down-to-earth style and the way she explains complicated issues in a non-clinical way.
On most episodes, she reads a question or concern from a listener. The insights she offers are so helpful. I’ve shared her show with many people. Many of the topics seem to be female-focused, but honestly, all of them have wide applicability.
5. Terrible, Thanks For Asking
Sometimes, laughter really is the best medicine. That’s why I like the podcast, “Terrible, Thanks For Asking.” The host of the program — Nora McInerny — encourages listeners to be upfront and unashamed about their mental health challenges.
There’s lots of banter interwoven with the reality of depression, anxiety, and other life challenges. If you want something to lighten your day, this podcast may be exactly what you need.
Listen To Terrible, Thanks For Asking
6. Not Another Anxiety Show
A wonderful podcast if you’re looking for practical approaches to anxiety and panic. There’s a good mix in the discussions that toggle between mental health issues and coping strategies.
The show is hosted by Kelli Walker — a wellness coach and registered nurse. Honestly, there’s something for everyone here and worth checking out.
Listen to Not Another Anxiety Show
7. TherapyLab
Curious about how therapy works and the different modalities? A fan of psychology and want to know more about various theories? If the answer is yes, you’ll love this show.
Hosted by psychotherapist Dr. Sheri Jacobson, the podcast explores individuals’ personal insights into therapy, mental health, and wellbeing. Worth checking out, particularly if you’re curious about various approaches to wellness.
8. The OCD Stories
Hosted by Stuart Ralph, The OCD Stories takes a close look at the world of obsessive-compulsive disorder through the lens of people who have it and the clinicians who treat it.
This show is particularly interesting to me because I have OCD and have been open about this for many years. If you’re looking for an informative program that truly educates, consider giving this one a shot.
9. Popcorn Psychology
I stumbled across this show a while back and was very impressed. The hosts are a trio of licensed therapists who examine movies and characters through the lens of psychology.
If you’re looking for something fun but nerdy at the same time, you’ll truly dig this podcast. Well, at least I do. Sometimes it’s good to look at our humanity through film.
10. Recovery Unscripted
Are you in recovery? Trying to reinforce positive concepts on your path to sobriety? If so, this is a show you may wish to consider.
I like this show because it offers fresh perspectives on addiction and wellness. The show’s host, David Condos, speaks with a variety of guests, including influential figures who are walking the path of sobriety. Hear personal, first-hand stories that are sure to inspire and motivate.
11. Depresh Mode with John Moe
Depresh Mode is the successor to the long-running “Hilarious World of Depression,” and it carries on the same spirit under the same host, John Moe. Comedians, musicians, authors, and other public figures join John for honest, occasionally funny, conversations about living with depression, anxiety, and other common mental health conditions.
What sets it apart is the mix of humor and candor — it never trivializes the subject, but it also refuses to treat depression as something that can’t be discussed with a laugh along the way.
Listen to Depresh Mode with John Moe
12. The Psychology Podcast
Worth noting: after 11 years and 478 episodes, host Dr. Scott Barry Kaufman recently wrapped up this show’s current run. It’s no longer producing new episodes, but the full archive remains available and is genuinely one of the richest catalogs in the space — deep, thoughtful conversations on psychology, creativity, and human potential with guests ranging from researchers to authors.
If you’re looking for a show that’s educational, informative, and thought-provoking, the back catalog alone is worth exploring.
Listen to the Psychology Podcast archive
13. Sexology
As the show’s title suggests, this podcast is all about intimacy. The connection to mental health, including anxiety and depression, comes through in episodes that focus on how these issues can impact things happening (or not happening) in the bedroom.
Hosted by sex therapist Dr. Nazanin Moali, this one may not be suitable for all listeners given the subject matter, but if you’re looking for something insightful and different, it’s worth a shot.
14. The Anxiety Guy
Looking for a show that’s all about anxiety? Need insights on fear, panic, worry, and depression? If so, this is a podcast you’ll want to try out.
Hosted by Dennis Simsek, listeners are offered coping strategies for a number of life challenges, including generalized anxiety disorder and health anxiety. Great for helping to reduce stress too.
15. Calmer You
Are you searching for a podcast that focuses on anxiety with coping strategies? Want to hear from an expert in the field? If so, this show could be what you’re looking for.
Hosted by Chloe Brotheridge, hypnotherapist and author of The Anxiety Solution, you’ll be treated to many different approaches to anxiety with guidance on ways to move forward.
16. Your Anxiety Toolkit
Hosted by Kimberley Quinlan, a licensed marriage and family therapist specializing in anxiety and OCD, this show is refreshingly practical — each episode tends to pick one specific problem (social anxiety, perfectionism-driven burnout, the depression spiral that follows a panic attack) and walks through science-backed strategies you can start using right away, without a lot of throat-clearing first.
With hundreds of episodes and a large, dedicated following, it’s a strong pick if you want tools over theory.
Listen to Your Anxiety Toolkit
17. Therapy in a Nutshell
Emma McAdam is a licensed marriage and family therapist who condenses therapy skills and psychological research into short, digestible episodes. The mission is straightforward: make real, research-backed mental health tools accessible without needing a clinical background to understand them.
It’s a great pick if you want practical, bite-sized guidance you can actually put to use the same day.
Listen to Therapy in a Nutshell
Wrap Up
The self-help and self-improvement podcasts for anxiety and depression listed here are a small sampling of what’s available. I’ve tried to pick the best, but there are new shows coming out each week. I highly encourage you to do your own searching to discover the latest.
As time goes on, I’ll continue to update this list. Thanks for stopping by, and happy listening!
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the best podcast for anxiety and depression?
It depends on what you’re looking for. For practical, evidence-based tools, Your Anxiety Toolkit and The Anxious Truth are strong picks. For a mix of humor and honesty, Terrible, Thanks For Asking and Depresh Mode with John Moe are excellent. There’s no single “best” — the right show depends on your style and what you’re dealing with.
Can a podcast replace therapy?
No. Every credible podcast on this list says so directly. These shows can offer information, validation, and coping tools, but they’re not a substitute for working with a licensed mental health professional, especially if your symptoms are significantly affecting your daily life.
Are these podcasts free to listen to?
Yes, all of the shows on this list are free through Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or the show’s own website. Some hosts offer paid extras like courses, coaching, or ad-free feeds, but the core episodes are free.
What happened to some of the podcasts from earlier versions of this list?
A couple of shows featured in earlier versions of this list have gone quiet or wrapped up their run. Where that happened, we swapped in an active successor or a comparable current show so the list stays useful.
