According to some scientific estimates, there are now almost 8 billion people in the world. According to our incredibly unscientific estimates, it seems like at least half of those 8 billion people have a podcast. Donât get us wrong, we love podcasts! They are great to listen to while driving (especially on road trips!) or while doing chores or taking a walk. But there are so many podcasts out there that it can be hard to find the really great ones that are both entertaining and will help us live our best lives.
The truth is that, when it comes to podcasts, the podcasts that are the most popular arenât always the best in terms of getting information that will help us learn more about ourselves as women, mothers, partners, and people. There are plenty of podcasts out there peddling pseudoscience, giving air time to anti-vaxxers, or promoting toxic fad diets. Weâre skipping all of that in 2023. Instead, weâre going to give our attention to podcasts that use science and expert insights to help us live our best lives, including shows that tell the truth about diet culture, that give us the motivation to build the best relationships in our lives, and even help us get our financial selves in shape! Read on for 15 podcasts that weâre always excited to listen to and that help us be the best versions of ourselves.
'Maintenance Phase'
Maintenance Phase, hosted by Michael Hobbs and Aubrey Gordon, is dedicated to debunking myths about health fads and wellness scams while also telling the truth about the harm inherent in diet culture. They dive into the science behind things like the BMI and keto diets with a lot of humor but also tons of research and analysis that will make most listeners smarter about how to make sense of all the diet and wellness claims out there. Itâs a must-listen podcast for us!
'Burnt Toast'
Journalist and author Virginia Sole-Smithâs podcast Burnt Toast is a great choice for moms who are worried about how things like diet culture, fat phobia, and social media affect both their own mental and physical health and their kids' well-being. Sole-Smith has expert guests to tackle tough topics like the lack of options for plus-sized children's clothing, how to tackle picky eating in a way that doesnât body shame or cause kids to have complicated relationships with food, and why âmomfluencersâ online might be really toxic. Juicy stuff!
'We Can Do Hard Things'
What do parenting, maintaining friendships, marriage, sex, having bodies, and living in our current culture have in common? They can all be really hard things! On this wide-ranging and super popular podcast, author Glennon Doyle, her wife (former soccer great) Abby Wambach, and Glennonâs sister Amanda Doyle tackle tough issues with empathy, humor, and a constant urging that women take the time to care for themselves while creating a life with meaning and purpose.
'Fitness Flipped'
Fitness Flipped is the first podcast from fitness giant Peloton and is hosted by one of its most popular instructors, the effervescent Tunde Oyeneyin. Episodes include interviews with athletes or fitness experts, as well as stories from everyday athletes who've overcome challenges or learned something inspiring about themselves from their fitness journey. This is perfect for listening to while working out!
'Dear Therapists'
Living our best lives means taking care of all the parts of ourselves, including our mental and emotional health. The Dear Therapists podcast, hosted by clinical therapists Lori Gottlieb and Guy Winch, let's listeners be a fly on the wall for a therapy session with everyday folks trying to sort through issues ranging from difficult marriages to people-pleasing. Hearing the advice the therapists give can be super helpful for our own lives and it's always fascinating to get a sneak peek into other people's problems and solutions.
'Body Stuff With Dr. Jen Gunter'
Dr. Jen Gunter is an outspoken OB/GYN and expert on women's health who is committed to debunking misinformation and ending shame around reproductive health. Her podcast Body Stuff is a great way to learn about everything from the truth about chiropractic treatments to anxiety disorders.
'Death, Sex, & Money'
Death, Sex, & Money is an always thought-provoking podcast that tackles some of the most sensitive and taboo topics that our culture doesn't do a great job of talking about. With episodes on topics ranging from family estrangement to student loans to the lived experiences of sex workers, there is always something that will make any listener think about their own values and life choices.
'Rebel Eaters Club'
We are very supportive of anyone who want to make 2023 the year that they finally break free of the BS of toxic diet culture. For folks who want to reset their relationship to food and stop feeling shame around food and weight, the Rebel Eaters Club can be a great addition to their podcast library. This podcast is all about embracing life in the body we have right now, without shame or a life of giving up things that taste good.
'Ali on the Run'
The Ali on the Run podcast is officially about running, but we don't have to be a marathoner to be inspired by the interviews with professional runners, coaches, Peloton stars, and more. We love listening to stories of how people faced challenges, learned to push themselves, and found joy in movement.
'Am I Normal? With Mona Chalabi'
We've all probably had that moment when we've wondered if we are, well, normal, right? The Am I Normal? podcast uses a combination of expert interviews and deep dives into data to answer questions like are dentists trying to scam us and how many friends should adults really have? Good stuff!
'Come As You Are'
Dr. Emily Nagoski's groundbreaking book Come As You Are has been a life-changing read for a lot of women trying to better understand their own experiences with sexual desire (or lack thereof). She's taken her expertise to the podcast form with Come As You Are, which continues to educate and inform while breaking taboos about sex and relationships.
'How To Build a Happy Life'
Sometimes we get so busy with the work of life and parenting and trying to keep all the plates of adult life spinning that we can lose sight of what we want and what really makes us happy. How to Build a Happy Life is the podcast that helps us ask good questions about making a meaningful life.
'Normal Gossip'
Look, there is no version of us living our best life that doesn't include enjoying some juicy gossip about strangers! The Normal Gossip is a delightful podcast that dissects a story of gossip and is perfect for listening to while working out â the time flies by!
'Body Kindness'
No matter what our size or our current feelings about the size of our pants, one thing we can all use is a little more kindness toward our bodies. The Body Kindness podcast is all about helping us break the habits that hurt us rather than help us, including yo-yo dieting.
'Planet Money'
Living our best life means understanding money: both our own and the economy at large. Planet Money is a classic podcast that manages to be educational, entertaining, and accessible as it explains financial topics large and small. We feel just a little bit smarter every time we listen!
