Recommended: 8 Podcasts to Get You Through The Day
One of the things I got into in 2020 is listening to podcasts - I love them! I used to dip in and out of them occasionally as something different to do, but now it’s become a regular part of most days. I tend to listen to them when I’m out for a walk, doing everyday chores like washing up, or on my lunch break.
Podcasts are a wonderful, accessible way of reconnecting us to our listening skills. One of the reasons why I listen to podcasts when I’m doing an ‘everyday’ task or having a break, rather than when I’m doing ‘work-related’ tasks like accounts and marketing, is because I don’t need to focus on the task in front of me in a ‘conscious’ way, so I can really listen to what is being said.
Here are some of the podcasts that I’ve been listening to throughout 2020 and 2021 that I hope will help you to get through the day. They’re in no particular order, and there’s a mixture of themes including interviews, Q & As, history, and what it means to be human.
The Michelle Obama Podcast - Michelle Obama
Michelle Obama has such a warm, engaging presence and her podcast emphasises this beautifully. Here she has powerful conversations with some of her loved ones, including her husband Barack, her brother Craig, and some of her closest friends. Some of the topics they cover include protests and the pandemic, taking care of our health, marriage, and the gift of friendship.
Grounded - Louis Theroux
One of the many, many podcasts to emerge from lockdown, here Louis Theroux chats to a variety of high-profile people from the worlds of TV, music, comedy, film and sport. They talk about their experience of lockdown and the impact of Covid, as well as politics and current affairs, growing up, and what it’s like to be in the spotlight. Each episode lasts for about an hour, so it’s one I tend to listen to on a walk.
How to Fail - Elizabeth Day
In this podcast, Elizabeth Day interviews a different guest in each episode and they explore their failures and what they’ve learned from them. It’s a wonderfully reassuring listen that reminds us that failure happens to us all, and that it is a necessary part of growth and success in life. Issues with perfectionism are on the rise and often linked to the curated perfection of social media; if we’re going to fight it, we need to embrace failure.
Dear Therapists - Lori Gottlieb & Guy Winch
In each episode of this podcast, therapists Guy Winch and Lori Gottlieb listen to a story from a listener and offer tips and advice for how the listener might address it. It offers a small insight into how therapy works and what it’s like in a session (though it’s unusual to have 2 therapists working together with the same client at the same time!), and addresses some of the universal life issues we’ll all experience in some way.
Griefcast - Cariad Lloyd
Comedians talk to Cariad Lloyd about death, grief and loss, the complicated feelings that emerge in response to these things, and the importance of talking about grief. Every single person will have experienced loss in their life, even if they haven’t been bereaved, and it’s great to listen to people in the public eye talking so openly about issues that are still uncomfortable for most people to engage with in everyday life.
Unlocking Us - Brené Brown
Brené Brown explores shame, courage, vulnerability, and connection in this podcast in a comforting, honest and accessible way. Sometimes she interview public figures, sometimes she answers questions from listeners, and sometimes she reflects on her latest research findings, but each episode will encourage you to think, reflect, and take comfort in our shared humanity.
TED Talks Daily - TED
You’ve probably heard of TED Talks, regular events in which presenters give talks on pretty much any subject you can think of, from business, science and tech, to philosophy, music and religion. Well, they have a daily podcast with a new release every weekday! The talks last between 4 and 55 minutes, and offer insights and ideas that will challenge your perspectives, ignite your curiosity, and teach you something new.
You’re Dead to Me - Greg Jenner
Greg Jenner was a historical consultant for the children’s TV series Horrible Histories and a hint of the joyful anarchy of the show is woven through this podcast! It’s a great blend of comedy and history, and accessible both for people who are already fans of history and those who aren’t. Episodes cover historical figures like Boudica, Joan of Arc and Blackbeard, as well as historical events like the European Witch Hunts, the history of football, and chocolate.
I hope that these recommendations inspire you to discover the joy of podcasts for yourself if you haven’t already! Do you have a favourite podcast you’d recommend? Let me know and I’ll give it a listen.
And as ever, if you’re struggling with your mental health and think that I might be the therapist for you, please feel free to get in touch with me. You can contact me via Instagram and Facebook @emmapooleytherapy, via email at emma@emmapooleytherapy.com, or use the contact form below to book a free 30-minute consultation and we can see if we’d like to work together.