12 Wellness Podcasts For Your Self-Care
From the best in nutritional know-how and the secrets of happiness to mid-life and the menopause, these candid podcast conversations take a deep-dive into the health issues that matter.
Never before have we had so much health and wellness information at our fingertips – online, on social media, in the news – it can often feel overwhelming. Yet, if we choose to tap into the most cutting-edge, evidence-based research and understand how to apply it to our own lives then we can approach mental health and wellbeing armed with a virtual, holistic toolkit. Perfect to listen to under the autumn sunrise, please enjoy Scentiana’s pick of the top wellness podcasts to download now.
ZOE Science & Nutrition
Co-founder of the nutritional company ZOE Jonathan Wolf always kicks off with a round of quickfire questions for his guest: Is exercise likely to lead to weight loss? Can improving my diet combat memory loss? Is PMS inevitable? Each episode delves into a different research area and how it can improve your health – whether that’s busting myths around menstruation or how to protect the mind by caring for your heart.
Yoga For Your Intellect
Discover the universal spiritual laws of life. James Beshara and his friend Joseph Emmett together explore the ancient teachings of India, ‘Vedanta’, a word which directly translates from Sanskrit as ‘the end of all knowledge’. Joseph has been a student of Vedanta for over 25 years studying under Swami A.Parthsarathy. Topics range from the law of karma to the art of giving.
The Mid Point with Gabby Logan
Television presenter Gabby Logan celebrates being in the middle stage of life with her guests (pop stars, actors, doctors) and all that might entail – from career pivots to finding love later and tips on how to avoid becoming a ‘pale stale male.’ It tackles tough topics but ultimately explores how to be your most authentic self in your fifties.
Happy Place by Fearne Cotton
A brilliantly varied line-up of guests talking about what happiness means to them with broadcaster and author Ferne Cotton. Recent interesting conversations include what it means to leave a legacy behind (John Bon Jovi), the feminist dream (Paloma Faith) and how we can understand what’s really going on in our minds (neurosurgeon Rahul Jandail).
Just One Thing – with Michael Mosley
Did you know that playing a musical instrument can improve memory? Or that feasting on flax seeds helps reduce inflammation? The genius of this bitesize podcast by the late Dr Michael Mosley is that it focuses on small life adjustments (such as cooking simple recipes from scratch or reading poetry) that can make a big difference.
Give me Strength by Alice Living
Nutritionists, life coaches and boxing instructors are just some of the expert guests who join bestselling author and personal trainer Alice Living. Whatever the subject, the underlying message is always around the importance of building mental and physical resilience and how it can empower us to live happier, stronger lives.
The Liz Earle Wellbeing Show
A key part of wellbeing entrepreneur Liz Earle’s wellness empire, this podcast is all about helping women have ‘a better second half.’ She doesn’t shy away from the less sexy (urinary tract infections, snoring, female contraceptives) or less talked-about side of mid-life in her genuinely illuminating conversations with guests. A useful tool for navigating everything from the menopause to empty nest syndrome.
Feel Better, Live More with Dr Rangan Chatterjee
GP, author and television presenter Dr Rangan Chatterjee is passionate about four pillars of health: food, movement, sleep and relaxation. One episode a nutritional and metabolic psychiatry specialist might discuss how what we eat impacts the brain; in another, a psychology professor perhaps offers advice on why self-compassion matters.
On Purpose with Jay Shetty
Former monk and life coach Jay Shetty interviews A-lister guests (Will Smith, Orlando Bloom, Michelle Obama) and thought leaders about everything from overcoming the fear of failure to how to step-back from burnout. Wellness insights with a sprinkle of Hollywood glamour.
Therapy Works
Hosted by author and psychotherapist Julia Samuels, this series of exploratory conversations unpacks life’s challenges – and listening feels akin to being in a real therapy session, as guests join the dots on emotive subjects such as embracing vulnerability, loss and forgiveness. At the end, Julia is joined by her two psychotherapist daughters who weigh in with their thoughts too.
All in the Mind
Presented by Claudia Hammond, this BBC Radio 4 podcast centres around fascinating discussions on mental health, psychology and neuroscience, underpinned by new research: a spike in online searches for toxic positivity say, or a recent hospital trial where Tetris was used as a tool for ICU workers to reduce intrusive memories after trauma. Scientific studies with a relatable spin.
Griefcast
Funny people talking about death and grief – that’s the premise behind comedian and actor Cariad Lloyd’s Griefcast, which aims to make listeners feel less isolated and alone. Each of the nearly 200 episodes features a well-known name – Tom Kerridge, Romes Ranganathan, Viv Groskop – remembering someone special who has passed away. Surprisingly uplifting.