You know what makes us even happier than podcasts? Podcasts about happiness. Yes, that’s right: Happiness podcasts do exist. And they’re designed to make your life better and more fulfilling.
The best ones are also enjoyable to listen to, which is a happiness-booster in itself.
Ready to find out nine of our favorite happiness podcasts? Let’s get started.
9 Happiness Podcasts that Elevate Your Joy
Below are the best happiness podcasts we could find that help you understand happiness and create more of it, even when things go sideways. Need a place to start? We’ve got you covered. We also suggest our favorite episodes so all you have to do is start listening.
Maybe you know the parable. Each of us has two wolves inside of us, locked in a fierce battle — a good wolf and a bad wolf. A child asks his grandfather, “Which wolf wins?” And his grandfather replies, “The one you feed.”
Well, this podcast is all about how to feed the good wolf. It features weekly conversations with thought leaders, spiritual gurus, researchers, authors and anyone else who can offer up ideas on how to lead a better, happier, life.
Try this episode: #71: Carol Dweck
In this episode, Carol S. Dweck discusses her influential research around mindset and gives you the low down on how you can change yours (for the better, of course). Learn the difference between fixed mindset and growth mindset, and how having a growth mindset can help you to turn failures into opportunities for positive change.
After news anchor Dan Harris had an on-air panic attack back in 2004, he turned to meditation in a bid to set his mental health right. It worked — so well that he wrote a bestselling book about it and launched the 10% Happier podcast to share his knowledge with others. Much like the book, the podcast has a no-BS approach to meditation, which makes it true to its tagline, “meditation for fidgety skeptics.” (Sold.)
Try this episode: #165: Oren Jay Sofer, Practicing Mindful Communication
Human connection plays a huge role in how happy we are. So how can you make your connections with others better and deeper? With meaningful conversation. This episode featuring meditation and mindfulness expert Oren Jay Sofer teaches you how to communicate better using mindfulness.
In each episode of Optimal Living Daily, your host Justin Malik narrates a hand-picked article about personal development. Because this happiness podcast draws from a wide range of authors, from bloggers to life coaches to medical professionals, it’s filled with different perspectives and unique personal insights.
One thing you come to realize while listening is that introspection is golden. When we look inside ourselves we find wisdom that can change our lives — and maybe even the lives of others.
Try this episode: #1232: How I Stopped Feeling Inadequate and Comparing Myself to Others by Vironika Tugaleva of vironika.org
The author of this episode recounts how a small epiphany leads to a big change — namely, less stress and more happiness. Her simple yet insightful musings on what happens when we compare ourselves to others may just be the reminder you need today.
The name says it all, really. This podcast is about how to live happy, now. The approach? Delving into positive psychology and the science of well-being via weekly interviews with the best names in the field.
Try this episode: #16: Shawn Achor – The Happiness Advantage
Are the triggers for happiness universal? As the Ancient Greeks would have it, happiness is the joy you feel when moving toward your potential. Shawn Achor, author of The Happiness Advantage and Big Potential, ponders on whether this is true and talks about his travels around the world in search of what makes people happy.
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Bestselling author and award-winning podcast host Gretchen Rubin is a keen observer of human nature. Each episode, she and her sister Elizabeth talk about things like good habits (and how to build them), improving relationships with others, and creating a happier life. It’s an easy listen due to the casual, chatty tone and the fact that the duo never seem to run out of interesting topics.
Try this episode: #168: “Remember, This Is Supposed to Be Fun”
In this episode, you’ll discover how a simple phrase can remind you to lighten up and enjoy your day; plus some hacks for helping you fall asleep (because, as we know, sleep is super important to both our health and our moods).
If you’re a regular around here, you might remember this one from our list of inspirational podcasts. We think it’s only fitting to include it in our list of happiness podcasts as well. After all, this podcast from the Greater Good Science Center at UC Berkeley looks at science-backed strategies for becoming happier.
One of the things we love about this podcast is the format. Each episode a special guest (cutely referred to as a Happiness Guinea Pig) tests out a method or tool for living a happier, more meaningful life. And then they share how it went and what they learned.
Try this episode: #10: Is There Someone You Need to Thank?
In this moving episode about the power of gratitude, award-winning children’s book author Yuyi Morales is tasked with writing a”gratitude letter” to someone important in her life. Not only does she explain how she felt when writing the letter, she beautifully recounts how the simple kindness of one librarian changed her life.
The makers of this happiness podcast admit that positive psychology research reports can sometimes be a little… dry (okay, make that downright boring). That’s why they set out to deliver the concepts of positive psychology in a way that’s accessible, practical, and interesting. What do you end up with? Serious topics about improving your life, delivered in an enjoyable way. No academic background required.
Try this episode: #100: 7 Fundamentals
Host Kristen Truempy takes a step back and breaks down seven of the key ideas that make self-development possible. Because these concepts are at the heart of most positive psychology research (and because they keep popping up in pretty much every other episode) this is a great way to get yourself acquainted with the basics and establish some building blocks for greater happiness.
Self-help meets spirituality meets positive psychology. Your host is psychologist turned life coach Kate Snowise, who aims to help you thrive rather than merely survive. The focus here is on practical tips and strategies for creating a personally meaningful and fulfilling life.
Try this episode: #28. Common Habits that are Undermining Your Happiness
Binge watching TV instead of sleeping? Mindlessly scrolling through social media? In an episode of the Thrive happiness podcast we can all relate to, Kate lists out various habits that subtly undermine our ability to be happy. And don’t worry: She also offers up strategies and solutions for how to get around each one.
Like other happiness podcasts on the list, Harvesting Happiness focuses on personal-growth, positive psychology, and how to live a happier life. Host Lisa Cypers Kamen is inspiring and energizing. With a broad range of topics and a long list of expert guests, it’s no wonder the podcast has had over 45 million downloads and received multiple awards.
Try this episode: The Science of Happiness: Strategies for Life Satisfaction with Dr. Catherine Sanderson, Ph.D. & Dr. Jennifer Guttman
Did you know that people who have positive expectations about aging live on average 7.5 years longer? That’s the power of our thoughts. This episode delves into how we can train ourselves to direct our thoughts toward greater life satisfaction. Give it a spin.
Your turn: Do you have any favorite happiness podcasts to add to the list? Let us know in the comments.
For more ways to listen happier, try our list of inspirational podcasts or productivity podcasts.
