Everyone wants to be happier and these 6 podcasts are sure to give your happiness a little boost!
This post contains affiliate links which means if you click on a link and make a purchase, I will receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you for your support!
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: 30-minute podcast with 3 doable takeaways to make your family life a little better each week.
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
Website: https://3in30podcast.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/3in30podcast/
About Progress with Monica Packer
What it’s about: “About Progress is a podcast and an engaged community that believes in meaningful growth through practical transformations. Through interviews and teachings, our audience, made up of recovering perfectionists, gets the hug and kick in the pants they need to become the go-getters they really are. “Progressors” value the real, longer-lasting growth that happens when one chooses progress over perfection.” (From the About Progress podcast notes)
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
Website: https://aboutprogress.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aboutprogress/
Awesome with Alison with Alison Faulkner
What it’s about: Alison touches on a lot of different topics in her podcast that she hosts with her husband Eric, but all of the episodes focus on helping you recognize that you are an amazing person as you are. According to Alison, “[her] only goals is to help you feel more awesome each time you listen. Whether it’s by laughing at [her], laughing with [her], or learning something new and helpful, [she] hopes you feel more empowered and awesome than you did before!” The length of her podcasts range from 10 minutes to a few that are over an hour.
Why I like it: Alison has a lot of passion and energy that comes right through her podcast. She has a way about her that makes you feel like you really are awesome, while still encouraging you to learn more about yourself through reflection. I like that some of her podcasts are just between her and her husband Eric, while others are with guests ranging from authors to other podcasters to entrepreneurs.
Favorite episodes:
- Episode 86: Inspired Action vs Frantic Action
- Episode 88: Creating Spaces that Enable Better Habits
- Episode 100: The BEST Ideas for Feeling More Awesome Than You Did Before
- Episode 110: How to Create Your Success Story for Anything You Want to Do
Website: https://thealisonshow.com/podcasts/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thealisonshow/
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 co-hosts with her sister Elizabeth Craft, a TV writer and producer.” (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
Website: https://gretchenrubin.com/podcasts/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gretchenrubin/
Craft a Life You Love with Amy Tan
What it’s about: “Craft maven and creative coach Amy Tangerine as she extracts juicy wisdom from tastemakers, experts and entrepreneurs. Her guests have found their own unique voices and infuse creativity, fun and intention into their daily lives. Build the life of your dreams at the crossroads of creativity, passion and purpose.” (from the podcast overview)
Why I like it: I first heard of Amy Tangerine through the scrapbooking world. I love crafting and DIY, but that’s not what Amy’s main focus is in her podcast. She is honest and her guests are interesting to listen to.
Favorite episodes:
- Episode 2: Let Your Colors Shine with Cathy Heller
- Episode 31: Creating Atomic Habits with James Clear
- Episode 38: Cultivate What Matters Most with Lara Casey
Website: https://www.amytangerine.com/podcast
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amytangerine/
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
Website: http://familylookingup.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/familylookingup/
Which one (or more) of these podcasts interests you? What podcasts do you listen to that boost your happiness?
