30 best motivational podcasts that could change your life, from sleep and self-help to running

HEALTH

Feel Better, Live More

The world of health advice is a noisy place, but GP Dr Rangan Chatterjee makes it feel remarkably simple and straightforward in this engaging show. Nutritionists and neuroscientists, therapists and inspirational thinkers appear as guests, covering topics including happiness, longevity, diet, relationships and movement. What is so brilliant about Feel Better, Live More is that Dr Chatterjee’s interviewing skills (and own expertise) mean that rather than getting lost in jargon or wishy-washy advice, you come away from each episode with practical tips to implement into your day – incrementally improving your life with each listen.

TRANSFORMATION

Changes with Annie Macmanus

In asking her interviewees about the biggest changes they have experienced in their lives, the former BBC Radio 1 DJ explores what happens when we are forced to pivot, overcome and transform. The diverse mix of guests include celebrities (Michael Sheen, Mel C), writers (Caitlin Moran, Zadie Smith), and even everyday people (including a fascinating conversation with a woman who won the Lottery) – reminding us of that old adage, “change is the only constant”.

HAPPINESS

Happier with Gretchen Rubin

Since graduating from Yale, Gretchen Rubin has gone on to become one of the US’s foremost speakers on happiness and human nature, and her award-winning podcast distils her decades’ worth of research into a lovely listen. Through interviews with guests and chats with her co-host (who happens to be her younger sister), Happier is filled with genuinely helpful ideas and strategies to make our day-to-day a little bit easier and filled with a lot more joy.

SUCCESS

The Diary of a CEO

Within a few years, Steven Bartlett went from being a broke, university dropout to a multimillionaire tech founder and Dragons’ Den investor. Here, he interviews similarly successful people about their own remarkable stories, giving us a glimpse into the lives of people like London Mayor Sadiq Khan, TV presenter Davina McCall and epidemiologist Professor Tim Spector, and covering topics as wide-ranging as self-doubt, stress and salaries.

IDEAS

TED Talks Daily

Since the first TED Talk in 1984, some of the world’s best thinkers and speakers have taken to stages under its aegis around the globe. The affiliated podcast, TED Talks Daily, brings mind-expanding ideas to short weekday episodes. Though you never know what topic might come next – episodes thus far have covered subjects as far-reaching as the psychology of regret, the ethics of true crime and the way to escape soaring energy bills – it won’t be long until your outlook on something has changed.

LOSS

Griefcast

When comedian Cariad Lloyd was 15, her dad passed away from pancreatic cancer. In grieving, she discovered she had become part of “a club no one wanted to join”. For this long-running and multiple award-winning weekly show, Lloyd talks to fellow “members” about the loss that has shaped their lives – and does so in a way that doesn’t feel bleak, leaving anyone who has lost a loved one feel less alone. Don’t miss the episodes with Monty Don, Philippa Perry and Reverend Richard Coles.

MOTIVATION

Power Hour

Author, speaker and wellbeing expert Adrienne Herbert examines the daily routines of some of our most esteemed thinkers and doers. This is a show all about the power of carving out time for ourselves and our passions – even if it means setting the alarm a little earlier – in order to create a life you love. Listening to Power Hour is like getting a loving kick up the backside, spurring you on towards your goals.

BEDTIME

Sleep with Me

When Drew Ackerman realised he had a knack for boring people – the clue was in how often those he chatted to at parties excused themselves mid-conversation – he came up with an idea that could put his talent to good use. Having struggled with insomnia since childhood, Ackerman launched this very good podcast series in which he tells very boring stories, in order to help listeners fall asleep. Millions now drift off to Sleep With Me, with anyone who suffers from a racing mind at night finding it particularly useful.

FULFILMENT

On Purpose with Jay Shetty

Jay Shetty is a monk turned life coach and bestselling author, and his podcast, On Purpose, is consistently at the top of the charts for a very good reason. The show is packed full of wisdom from an array of insightful people, exploring topics from the key to long-lasting relationships to how to transform a negative mindset, achieving work-life balance to simple practices to reduce stress.

MIDLIFE

The Mid•Point with Gabby Logan

What does it mean to reach the halfway point in life? The likes of DJ Jo Wiley and comedian Matt Lucas join broadcaster and former international gymnast Gabby Logan to talk honestly about midlife and the highs and lows that come with it. The advice Logan draws on from experts – sleep specialists, hormone consultants, sex therapists – is also there to help listeners get the best out of this time of life.

RESILIENCE

Slo Mo

Since losing his 21-year-old son during a routine operation in 2014, the Egyptian entrepreneur Mo Gawdat has learned a thing or two about life’s obstacles. The former chief business officer at Google went on to make it his mission to understand the pursuit of happiness in the face of adversity, and has been spreading the word on everything he has learnt. Slo Mo is a warm, reassuring listen that will teach you more about resilience and contentment than you can imagine.

MENTAL HEALTH

Stompcast

Alex George, doctor, television personality and mental health ambassador to the Government, is a firm believer in the simple power of walking. Each episode – which is split into three bite-sized parts – follows his stroll with a different companion. Conversations span from sobriety with chef Tom Kerridge to ambition with former Welsh rugby captain Sam Warburton and, without fail, leave you with something to think about.

FORTITUDE

Give Me Strength

What does it mean to be strong? Personal trainer Alice Liveing is a firm believer that building both physical and mental strength empowers us to live better lives. As such, her podcast is a series of thoughtful conversations about fitness, exercise and training, but also digs into topics such as the strength in saying no and learning the art of balance.

REGRETS

How to Fail

Inspired by her own (self-perceived) failures – including a divorce in her thirties – journalist and broadcaster Elizabeth Day asks successful people about their three biggest failures in life in this perpetually popular show. The deceptively simple framework for the interviews has seen the likes of US politician Bernie Sanders, Bake Off’s Nadiya Hussain and novelist Margaret Atwood open up about their regrets, defeats and mistakes – yet How to Fail is one of the most inspiring shows on the airwaves. Its prevailing message is that there is no road without bumps, and very little we can’t overcome.

NUTRITION

The Doctor’s Kitchen

Dr Rupy Aujla’s life changed when he suffered from a significant heart condition in his twenties. As an NHS doctor with an interest in nutrition, it prompted him to deep-dive into nutritional medicine – and after altering his diet and lifestyle he managed to reverse his condition. Here, he imparts his wisdom about everything he has learned about eating in order to live well.

SELF-HELP

The Mel Robbins Podcast

The 54-year-old from Kansas is best known for her TEDx Talk on “How to Stop Screwing Yourself Over”. Her self-help podcast has since become a sensation, with the majority of episodes broken down into actionable measures – including six steps for handling negative people, how to reset your health in 10 days, and five steps to making your home and mind clutter-free. As the show promises, “You can change your life and Mel Robbins will show you how.”

JOY

Seize the Yay

Sarah Davidson is a former lawyer who turned her dreams into reality when she founded a matcha tea brand and café in Melbourne. She now describes herself as a “funpreneur” who is focused on seeking out joy, whether it’s work, rest or play. Seize the Yay, in which she interviews others about how they find pleasure, is both uplifting and filled with nuggets of wisdom.

MOTHERHOOD

The Therapy Edit

Psychotherapist and mother Anna Mathur has bags of wisdom when it comes to raising children and staying sane. Covering common concerns such as staying calm when your child isn’t, dealing with parenting mistakes, and letting go of guilt about work, each of these short, twice-weekly episodes is like a pep talk you didn’t know you needed.

JOGGING

Running Commentary

Comedians Rob Deering and Paul Tonkinson talk about life, comedy and running – while out running. The quirky listen is good fun and very funny, but also motivating for anyone into running themselves. You might think hearing their footfalls and puffs would be off-putting, but actually it makes you want to lace up and join them.

KNOWLEDGE

Getting Curious

While it seems that some celebrities launch podcasts simply to chat to fellow celebrities, Queer Eye’s resident grooming expert Jonathan Van Ness is thankfully doing something a little different. Getting Curious is a weekly deep-dive into anything he is interested in – which, so far, has included everything from how the animal kingdom is queerer than you might think to cults and asteroids. The podcast has been so successful, it has been on the receiving end of a spin-off TV series on Netflix.

ADVICE

The Mindset Mentor

Host Rob Dial draws on neurology and psychology to help us understand how the brain and body work – and how we can use them to make positive changes in our lives. Each episode of The Mindset Mentor is around 20 minutes and could focus on how to stop procrastinating or ways to get out of a rut – the idea being that if you master your mindset, you master your life.

SELF-IMPROVEMENT

Desperately Seeking Wisdom

When former Downing Street director of communications Craig Oliver lost his high-powered government job, he realised he had been getting his approach to life all wrong. Grind and hard work might be rewarded with what looks like achievement from the outside, but internally he was no closer to fulfilment. So he turned to wise people to see what they had to say about living life the right way – and the result is this terrifically inspiring show.

CONFIDENCE

How to Own the Room

Subtitled “Women and the Art of Brilliant Speaking”, a series of female guests (such as Sheila Hancock and Dawn O’Porter) join comedian and presenter Viv Groskop to talk about how they own the room. However, the show has much broader appeal than simply being aimed at those who need to perfect their public speaking – with episodes on imposter syndrome and confidence, it is simply about getting the attention you deserve.

BUSINESS

The Tim Ferriss Show

Mark Zuckerberg, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Elizabeth Gilbert and Malcolm Gladwell have all appeared as guests on this show, which more often than not sits at the top spot as the number one business podcast. It comes after host Tim Ferriss – an entrepreneur and investor – made a name for himself with his book The 4-Hour Work Week, and is just as packed with excellent ideas and advice.

HUMAN BEHAVIOUR

Derren Brown’s Bootcamp for Life

The illusionist might be known for his jaw-dropping “magic”, but his work is all about human behaviour and influence – and it turns out we could all benefit from it. Over eight 30-minute episodes, Brown tells us he can help to rid us of anxiety and leave us happier. Leaving the big claim aside, the audio bootcamp is life-changing for its illuminating interviews alone.

PRODUCTIVITY

Beyond the To Do List

One of the most productive things you can do with your time is tune into this show, which teaches the secrets of productivity through skilfully guided conversations about overwhelm, prioritisation and helpful habits. But as the title suggests, host Erik Fisher shows you that being productive is about far more than rushing through a to-do list of tasks; it’s about learning how to live a meaningful life.

SELF-LOVE

I Weigh with Jameela Jamil

What began as a single social media post encouraging people to look beyond the numbers on weighing scales has turned into an entire movement. In the I Weigh podcast that has been born out of it, the British presenter-turned-actress Jameela Jamil hosts lively and stimulating conversations about self-worth and social norms. The episodes with Britney Spears and Shon Faye (author of author of the 2021 book The Transgender Issue) are particularly poignant and rallying.

PSYCHOTHERAPY

Therapy Works with Julia Samuel

Step into the therapy room of the MBE-holding psychotherapist and bestselling author as she talks to people – both well-known (Abi Morgan, Jonny Wilkinson) and unknown – about life’s challenges, from fertility struggles to relationship breakdowns.

WELLBEING

The Happiness Lab

When psychology professor Dr Laurie Santos created a course on the science of happiness at Yale, it became so oversubscribed that her lessons has since been put online for free. Realising there is such a hunger for the subject, she began delving into and expanding on many of the lessons in The Happiness Lab. The weekly series offers science-backed tips on how to slowly but surely improve your wellbeing; the episodes on happiness lessons from ancient times are particularly enlightening.

ENTREPRENEURSHIP

Conversations of Inspiration

Holly Tucker MBE founded notonthehighstreet.com while moonlighting from another full-time job. In Conversations of Inspiration, she shares her hard-won lessons about entrepreneurship, perseverance and innovation, while also hearing from other founders about their own fascinating journeys. An excellent listen for anyone dreaming of carving out their own path.

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