6 Podcasts That Will Boost Your Happiness

Everyone wants to be happier and these 6 podcasts are sure to give your happiness a little boost!

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UPDATED: 7/4/2024

I started listening to podcasts because I was craving knowledge and information. I love reading, but it’s difficult to find time to sit down and read a whole parenting book, marriage book or even a regular old novel. Sometimes I listen with my earbuds and other times without.

Podcasts have allowed me to learn more about myself, become a better wife and mother and be happier in the present. An unexpected result of listening to podcasts is that I feel like I’m having an adult conversation (even though it’s one sided). Plus it’s a great form of self care.

The six podcasts I’ve included below are just a few of the ones I’ve been listening to lately that I really enjoy. They are all a little different, but each one leaves me feeling happier and more motivated.

Just as a disclaimer: I have not listened to all the episodes of any of these podcasts. So the section at the bottom of each one where I list my favorite episodes is not based off all the episodes available. They are simply my personal recommendations based on what I’ve listened to so far.

3 in 30: Takeaways for Moms with Rachel Nielson

What it’s about: “A podcast with 3 actionable takeaways in every 30-minute episode because you are a busy mom with a full schedule and an even fuller brain. Listen in to feel encouraged and inspired, as we learn together how to overcome overwhelm and find more peace and magic in motherhood.” (from the podcast overview)

Why I like it: The host, Rachel Nielson, is extremely relatable and personable. She shares a lot of personal insights and stories. The guests she has on her podcast are knowledgeable and share information that could be overwhelming in a way that is easy to consume. I feel like each time I listen there is at least one thing I can implement in my life that will make a difference.

Favorite episodes:

• Episode 1: Getting Unmotivated Kids to Help with Candi Kidd
• Episode 7: How to Create a More Peaceful Home with Cate Johnson
• Episode 16: How to Be the Mom You Are–Instead of the Mom You Think You Should Be with Julie Bastedo
• Episode 26: How to Praise Your Child When It Feels Like There is Nothing to Praise with Tony Overbay
• Episode 334: 3 Ways to Lighten the Load of Parenthood with Greg McKeown

Website: https://3in30podcast.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/3in30podcast/

About Progress with Monica Packer

What it’s about: “All the self-help extremes out there seem to be designed for perfect robots. But you’re a real woman living a real life! About Progress is a podcast and community that is all about progress made practical. Here, Monica will help you embrace the truest model to lasting growth, and teach you how to *do something* to grow in ways that stick.” (from the podcast overview)

Why I like it: Monica Packer, the host, is very honest about her personal struggles with perfectionism. Each month, there is a theme and all the podcasts for that month center around it. Her guests are all experts in their respective fields and I love hearing about the research the share as they encourage the listeners to focus on their progress and not get caught up in the different types of perfection. The length of her podcasts range from 15 minutes to a few that are a little over an hour.

Favorite episodes:

• Anything by Jennifer Finlayson-Fife (marriage therapist): Episodes 13, 39, 58, 96, 143, 164, 217, 223
• Episode 153: How to Get–and STAY–Motivated with Dr. Adam Moore
• Episode 188: Why You Need a Dream and How to Find It with Janelle Alexandra
• Episode 215: Do You Believe You Matter? with Cathy Heller
• Episode 218: Adult Friendships: Goodbye Mean Girls, Hello Girlfriends with Chantel Allen
• Episode 511: How to Become Who You ARE, Not Who You’re “SUPPOSED” to Be with Arielle Estoria

Website: https://aboutprogress.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aboutprogress/

Happier with Gretchen Rubin

What it’s about: “The #1 Best selling author of The Happiness Project and Better Than Before gets more personal than even as she brings her practical, managable advice about happiness and good habits in this lively, thought-provoking podcast. Gretchen’s co-host and guinea pig is her younger sister Elizabeth Craft, a TV writer and producer living in Los Angeles, who (lovingly) refers to Gretchen as her happiness bully.” (from the podcast overview)

Why I like it: I love the back and forth that comes from Gretchen and Elizabeth being sisters and knowing each other so well. I enjoy the topic of happiness and hearing about the research that Gretchen does because it gives me an insight into myself. I definitely get a laugh from listening to this podcast, as each episode is light and presented in an easy to digest way. Each episode is so easy to listen to and most hover right around 30 minutes. A few of their podcasts feature guests but most are between the two sisters.

Favorite episodes:

• Episode 9: Treat Yo’self But Don’t Say YOLO
• Episodes 35-38: A discussion of each of the tendencies people tend to fall into from Gretchen’s book, The Four Tendencies (Upholders, Questioners, Obligers, Rebels)
• Episode 46: Don’t Get Organized
• Episode 375: The Easy Way to Clear Clutter, a Tempting Loophole to Avoid, & How Do You Like to Socialize?
• Episode 435: Start a New Habit on Vacation, Cultivate Everyday Luxuries, and Memorize Street Names

Website: https://gretchenrubin.com/podcasts/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gretchenrubin/

The Lazy Genius Podcast with Kendra Adachi

What it’s about: “Part systems expert, part permission giver, Kendra Adachi, The Lazy Genius, is here to help you be a genius about the things that matter and lazy about the things that don’t.” (from the podcast overview)

Why I like it: Kendra is a woman after my own heart. I love her down to earth approach to tackling every day problems that moms often deal with. It might be something as simple as solving the issue of where to keep your kids socks or as complicated as moving to a new home. When I discovered her podcast in 2020, I also picked up her book The Lazy Genius Way, which is an amazing compliment to her podcast and I highly recommend it.

Favorite episodes:

• Episode 224: When Things Don’t Go According to Plan
• Episode 255: How to Name What Matters
• Episode 285: How to Parent When Kids Constantly Change
• Episode 310: How to Pivot Around Any Obstacle
• Episode 326: How to Magic Question Your Morning

Website: https://www.thelazygeniuscollective.com/lazy

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thelazygenius/

Better Than Happy with Jody Moore

What it’s about: “This podcast provides practical tools and real life application for taking your life from where ever it is to the next level. We cover relationships, health, emotions, mindset, confidence, entrepreneurship, money and all other parts of being a human. Did you know there is something better than happiness? It’s the life you were meant to live.” (from the podcast overview)

Why I like it: I am definitely one of those people who live inside my own head–a lot. This can create some feelings and thoughts about myself, others and life that don’t serve me. Jody is a life coach and has been for 10 years. Her approach to how we think about anything is empowering and has helped me become a better person. I love how she reminds me to be kind to myself and that by doing so, I can be more kind to others.

Favorite episodes:

• Episode 298: How to Believe a New Thought
• Episode 301: Scarcity Problems
• Episode 374: Worth and Worthiness
• Episode 388: Real Problems vs. Thought Problems
• Episode 400: Pretending vs. Becoming
• Episode 425: Imposter Syndrome is Not Real with Lindsay Lyman

Website: https://jodymoore.com/podcast/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jodymoorecoaching/

Family Looking Up with Andrea, Beth and Cami

What it’s about: “We’re all about things family and home. If you’re a mom, and on the verge of jumping off the dryer or overdosing on Diet Dr. Pepper, join us for some laughter and hope. Learn from our fails and the successes of others. Motherhood is the busiest, messiest, worst paying job that we love…most of the time. We want you to know you’re doing better than you think. When life gets you down, know that your family is looking up!” (from the podcast overview)

Why I like it: Listening to these three friends talk is just like sitting in a room with your best friends. They are all funny in their own ways and I laugh out loud multiple times as I listen to each episode. Because of this, they are extremely relatable and easy to listen to. Their guests are interesting to listen to and they give practical and relevant parenting advice.

Favorite episodes:

• Episode 1: Creating Resilience in Kids with Niki Olsen
• Episode 4: Happiness in Motherhood with Molly Claire
• Episode 21: It’s Time for “The Talk” with Brad Wilcox
• Episode 23: How to Help Siblings Get Along with Dr. James Crist

*NOTE* This podcast is no longer streaming new episodes, however, they have almost 300 that are available to listen to.

Which one (or more) of these podcasts interests you? What podcasts do you listen to that boost your happiness?