My Take: More Mental Health Podcasts that Resonate
By Asma G
A lot of habits have stayed with me from the pandemic. Some, like revenge bedtime procrastination, I would like to get rid of, and others like listening to podcasts, are habits I am deeply grateful to have cultivated. Below is a list of podcasts I enjoy listening to while driving.
- Where Should We Begin? with Esther Perel
Esther Perel is a psychotherapist, a New York Times bestselling author, and the host of the podcast Where Should We Begin? with Esther Perel. In each episode of the podcast, shel engages in a one-time therapy session with a listener who writes in to the podcast with a dilemma.
Most episodes center around Perel’s area of expertise – relationships, with listeners writing in about questions they have in their romantic, familial, or platonic relationships. I find Perel’s ability to understand and explain the nuances of each caller’s diverse cultural background, whether it be South African, European, or Latin American, particularly fascinating. Perel’s fluency in nine languages often comes up in episodes when she seamlessly switches from English to another language while greeting or conversing with the listener in session. I often come away from listening to episodes with a new nugget of information about myself, something that I wouldn’t have realised otherwise.
The podcast is available on Apple podcasts and Spotify amongst other platforms.
2. The Psychology of Your 20s
The Psychology of Your 20s began in 2021 and is hosted by Jemma Sbeg. In each episode, Sbeg focuses on a specific topic and how it impacts people in their 20s, with a focus on the psychology behind the topic in question.
The podcast’s topics are wide-ranging, with episodes focusing on everything from imposter syndrome, antidepressants, and relationships, to trinket collecting and the psychology of gossip. In most episodes of the podcast, Sbeg analyses a topic, supplements her opinions and experiences with those of her friends and family, and includes findings from research papers about the topic at hand.
Sbeg regularly talks about her romantic relationships, her friendships, her early family life and her mental health, making her seem incredibly accessible and like an acquaintance. Perhaps this style of candidness Sbeg employs is what has endeared her to her millions of listeners.
The podcast had modest beginnings – Sbeg recorded the first few episodes in the back of her car, but is now wildly popular, boasting 2.5 million subscribers and 60 million in total downloads. It is in the top 10 podcasts in the health and fitness category on Spotify in Australia, the UK, and the US. The podcast’s success landed Sbeg a book deal and her debut book Person in Progress was released earlier this year.
Fair warning – I feel like parts of some episodes, specifically the research studies cited in episodes have a significant amount of confirmation bias.
The podcast is available on Apple podcasts and Spotify amongst other platforms.
About the Author: Asma G is a feminist writer with an interest in public policy and mental health. You can read more of her pieces right here, and find her on Instagram at @asmag7
You might also want to check out my first shortlist of Mental Health Podcasts that Resonate here:
Share your take! Do any of these resonate with you? Do you have other podcasts you’d like to recommend?
ALSO SEE: The Say Again Podcast Episode on Grief & Loss
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