12 Best Podcasts That Make You Think About Life

Are you navigating a major life change or feeling stuck? There's a solution that could help you find your way. Podcasts about life offer powerful insights on everything from relationships and happiness to wellness and career growth. 

They can be the perfect companion to guide you through life's biggest transitions and help you live more meaningfully.

In this article, we've curated a list of the best podcasts that dive into real-life stories and offer life-changing advice on health, relationships, career scaling, and overall wellness.

Podcasts are great for the company, but sometimes you crave more depth and less fluff. Headway delivers quick, impactful learning with bite-sized audio from top nonfiction books, all in an elegantly designed app featured as App of the Day on the App Store. It's your smarter way to learn while you listen.

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Whether preparing for parenthood or looking to improve your mental well-being, these 12 podcasts are packed with wisdom that could make all the difference.

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Quick answer: Top 5 podcasts about life and self-improvement

Here's a quick look at the top picks:

1. 'The Happiness Lab with Dr. Laurie Santos' – Offers science-backed tips on boosting happiness.

2. 'The Tim Ferriss Show' – Features in-depth interviews with top performers, providing actionable life strategies.

3. 'The Minimalists Podcast' – Focuses on living a meaningful life with less stuff and more focus on what matters.

4. 'The Life Coach School Podcast' – Delivers insights into managing emotions and overcoming obstacles to success.

5. 'Armchair Expert with Dax Shepard' – Dax and guests discuss mental health, relationships, and personal growth.

A recent study from the National Library of Medicine found that some podcasts can improve listeners' well-being. This makes podcasts a reliable source of advice during life's most pivotal moments. Keep reading to discover the top picks that could help transform your life!

Best self-development app alternative to podcasts

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Unlike podcasts, which can be episodic and time-sensitive, Headway offers evergreen lessons you can apply right away. Whether you're interested in productivity, relationships, mental health, or personal finance, you'll find summaries that align with your life goals.

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12 best podcasts about life by categories

Grouped by categories, here are the 12 best podcasts about life that you should check out in 2025:

Top three podcasts about life and personal growth (1-3)

1. 'Happier' with Gretchen Rubin

'Happier with Gretchen Rubin' is hosted by Gretchen Rubin, a bestselling author known for books like The Happiness Project and The Four Tendencies. 

Alongside her younger sister, Elizabeth Craft — a Hollywood showrunner and TV producer — Rubin brings raw, practical advice to those seeking a major lifestyle shift. Together, they explore the concept of happiness and offer helpful insights on maintaining a positive mindset.

This podcast dives into real-life ways to be happier, more content, and satisfied with your current self. Rubin and Craft cover various topics, from building better habits despite burnout and laziness to discussing books, songs, and films that provide valuable lessons on happiness. 

If you're a literary critic or a creative soul, 'Happier with Gretchen Rubin' might just be the podcast you need. It's ideal for boosting your mental well-being!

• Themes: Happiness, Mental well-being, Habit formation

• Average Duration: 30 minutes

• What you'll learn: How to cultivate happiness, improve mental health, create new habits, and gain insights from art.

2. 'Good Life Project' with Jonathon Fields

'The Good Life Project' is hosted by Jonathan Fields, a dad, husband, executive producer, and author of the bestselling book How to Live a Good Life. As the creator of the Good Life Project, Fields shares his award-winning philosophy on the fundamentals of living well. 

In this weekly podcast, he offers valuable hacks and inspiration on how to fill your life with more happiness, stronger friendships, and a driven sense of purpose.

Fields believes that to live a joyous life, one must first understand what it means to live well. This guiding question fuels the Good Life Project podcast, where Fields invites experts from various fields to discuss meaningful topics and hard truths. 

Together with leading voices in the wellness industry, such as Mel Robbins, Brené Brown, and Elizabeth Gilbert, Fields helps you discover how to pave your path and find joy on the journey toward self-development.

• Themes: Self-development, Happiness, Purpose, Relationships

• Average Duration: 45 minutes

• What you'll learn: How to live a good life, discover your purpose, foster happiness and meaningful relationships, and gain wisdom from top wellness experts.

3. 'The One You Feed' with Eric Zimmer and Charles Forbes

'The One You Feed' isn't about the food you eat; it's about the programming you feed your brain. Hosted by Eric Zimmer, who isn't just an expert in mental well-being but also someone with a deeply personal story, this podcast offers an authentic and relatable approach to personal growth. 

Zimmer often reflects on his own experiences with homelessness and substance abuse, giving a unique perspective on how he transformed his life and found greatness. Named one of the best motivational podcasts by The Oprah Magazine, 'The One You Feed' offers revolutionary insights on deep concepts like spirituality, well-being, and self-development.

Along with co-host Charles Forbes, Zimmer invites scientists, authors, teachers, spiritual gurus, and influential leaders to share practical wisdom that can be applied to daily life. Many of these guests engage in deep, thought-provoking conversations to help enhance your way of life. 

Through this podcast, you can gain insights from thought leaders like Deepak Chopra and Steven C. Hayes, who tackle serious issues such as overcoming past trauma, finding peace amid emotional instability, and practicing radical self-love.

• Themes: Mental well-being, Spirituality, Self-development, Emotional health

• Average Duration: 40 minutes

• What you'll learn: How to reprogram your brain, overcome emotional struggles, cultivate self-love, and gain wisdom from leading experts in mental health and spirituality.

Top three life podcasts for productivity and motivation (4-6)

4. 'Beyond the To-Do List' with Erik Fisher

'Beyond the To-Do List' with Erik Fisher is a podcast that takes productivity to the next level. Fisher believes that true productivity goes beyond just making a to-do list; it's about mastering the art of optimizing yourself for long-lasting efficiency. 

In each episode, Fisher explores ways to combat stress and procrastination while building a sustainable productivity cycle. His goal is to help you not only dominate the workplace but also reach new heights in various areas of your life, ultimately becoming a more well-rounded individual.

Every episode features insightful guests who share their unique experiences and wisdom to complement Fisher's productivity philosophy. From Linda Bonnar discussing how to overcome your inner critic to Jeremie Kubicek offering strategies for becoming a thoughtful leader. 

You'll gain powerful tools to keep yourself motivated and driven for success. 'Beyond the To-Do List' has been running for over a decade, continuing to provide timeless, innovative ideas that remain relevant to every generation.

• Themes: Productivity, Stress management, Leadership, Personal development

• Average Duration: 30 minutes

• What you'll learn: How to optimize productivity, overcome procrastination, become a thoughtful leader, and apply strategies for lasting personal success.

5. 'The 5 AM Miracle: Healthy Productivity for High Achievers' with Jeff Sanders

'The 5 AM Miracle' with Jeff Sanders is all about unlocking the potential of your mornings. For many, waking up at 5 am is seen as the ultimate sign of success. But for Sanders, it's just the beginning of an extraordinary lifestyle change. 

In this podcast, you'll learn how to dominate your day before breakfast by breaking bad habits and implementing strategies that foster focus and creativity.

From his bestselling self-help book 'The 5 AM Miracle' to this revolutionary podcast, Sanders shares his best tips and techniques for maintaining high efficiency every day. 

While he occasionally invites guests, most episodes feature Sanders directly, sharing what he believes are the essential ingredients for a productive life. He also draws on the wisdom of other thought leaders and experts, so you'll gain exposure to a variety of philosophies that can further elevate your productivity.

• Themes: Productivity, Morning routines, Focus, Personal development

• Average Duration: 30 minutes

• What you'll learn: How to dominate your day, develop effective morning habits, maintain focus, and learn from thought leaders to enhance productivity.

6. 'The Productive Woman' with Laura McClellan

'The Productive Woman' is designed for busy women who want to boost their productivity while juggling the many challenges that are unique to and shared by women. Hosted by McClellan, the podcast offers practical advice on how to build healthy routines while navigating motherhood, workplace challenges, and other female-centric issues. 

However, McClellan also delves into universal topics such as anxiety, boundary-setting, and procrastination, making this podcast relatable to all listeners. Whether you're already a busy woman or simply need help organizing your schedule, this podcast will provide you with the tools you need to increase your productivity. 

McClellan rarely features guests, but she incorporates insights from influential authors, scientists, and thought leaders, enriching her advice with research, strategies, and philosophies. Additionally, 'The Productive Woman' has a Facebook group where community members can connect, share insights, and hold one another accountable.

• Themes: Productivity, Time management, Anxiety, Boundaries, Women's issues

• Average Duration: 25 minutes

• What you'll learn: How to increase productivity, create balanced routines, overcome procrastination, and manage anxiety with research-backed strategies.

Top three life podcasts about dating, love, and relationships (7-9)

7. 'Where Should We Begin?' with Esther Perel

'Where Should We Begin?' with Esther Perel is a podcast that explores the complexities of relationships, from finding love later in life to working through childhood trauma that affects romantic connections. 

Hosted by renowned therapist Esther Perel, this podcast offers a unique opportunity to listen to real couples share their most intimate, personal stories of hardship, sacrifice, and healing. Perel provides thoughtful, sound advice, helping listeners navigate the darkest and most complicated aspects of their own relationships.

Each episode features a couple who opens up about their relationship struggles, allowing listeners to hear firsthand how Perel's guidance helps them move forward. 

Many of these couples return in later episodes to share their progress and how they applied Perel's insights to improve their relationships. As you listen, you may relate to the challenges these couples face, with valuable strategies and solutions that you can apply to your own life.

• Themes: Relationships, Communication, Trauma, Healing, Emotional intimacy

• Average Duration: 40 minutes

• What you'll learn: How to navigate relationship challenges, improve communication, heal from past trauma, and apply professional advice to strengthen your relationship.

8. 'The Endless Honeymoon Podcast' with Moshe Kasher and Natasha Leggero

'The Endless Honeymoon Podcast' is hosted by married comedians Moshe Kasher and Natasha Leggero, who offer a hilarious yet realistic look at what it's like to be married for several years. 

With an ideal balance of humor and honesty, Kasher and Leggero share the ups and downs of their own long-term relationship and provide helpful advice to listeners in need of relationship assistance.

From creating a hit Netflix special to hosting this popular podcast, Kasher and Leggero use comedy as a tool to dive into serious relationship issues such as insecurity, bedroom dynamics, and long-distance love. 

The podcast occasionally features celebrity guests who share their own experiences and offer insights on dating and marriage. Celebrities like Dax Shepard, Sarah Cooper, and Jimmy Carr join the show to provide even more relationship wisdom.

• Themes: Relationships, Marriage, Humor, Intimacy, Long-term love

• Average Duration: 45 minutes

• What you'll learn: How to navigate long-term relationships, improve intimacy, laugh through tough times, and gain celebrity insights on dating and marriage.

9. 'The Love, Happiness, and Success Podcast' with Dr. Lisa Marie Bobby

'The Love, Happiness, and Success Podcast' is your go-to source for navigating the complexities of relationships. Hosted by Dr. Lisa Marie Bobby, a licensed psychologist, marriage and family therapist, and certified life coach, this podcast offers valuable insights on how to deal with conflict and cultivate a healthy relationship with your spouse. 

Dr. Bobby explores strategies and solutions commonly used in couples therapy to help you feel empowered and strengthen your connection with your partner. The podcast covers many relationship struggles, from improving communication and dealing with trust issues to managing codependency. 

Dr. Bobby also examines the psychological aspects of relationships, examining dysfunctional dynamics through the lens of attachment theory and mental health struggles. With her expert guidance, you can build self-confidence and become more emotionally in tune with your partner's needs.

• Themes: Relationships, Communication, Trust, Attachment, Mental health

• Average Duration: 30 minutes

• What you'll learn: How to strengthen your relationship, improve communication, manage trust issues, and gain insights into emotional health and attachment in relationships.

Top three health and wellness podcasts about life (10-12)

10. 'The Nutrition Diva's Quick and Dirty Tips For Eating Well and Feeling Fabulous' with Monica Reinagel

'The Nutrition Diva's Quick and Dirty Tips for Eating Well and Feeling Fabulous' by Monica Reinagel — also known as the "Nutrition Diva" — takes a well-rounded approach to eating well. Reinagel believes that healthy eating is more than just stuffing your face with veggies. 

Instead, she offers simple, practical methods for enhancing your nutrition without feeling overwhelmed. In her short and easy-to-understand podcast episodes, Reinagel shares actionable tips for leading a healthier lifestyle.

If you're focused on improving your health but unsure where to start with your eating habits, Reinagel's podcast is the perfect guide. In episodes of 15 minutes or less, she answers common questions and debunks misconceptions in the health industry. 

Topics include whether plant-based saturated fats are healthier than those from meat and dairy, and whether keto-friendly products are a good source of fiber.

• Themes: Nutrition, Health, Wellness, Healthy eating habits

• Average Duration: 15 minutes

• What you'll learn: How to improve your nutrition, debunk health myths, make healthier food choices, and adopt easy-to-follow eating habits.

11. 'Food Psych' with Christy Harrison

'Food Psych' with Christy Harrison is a podcast that helps you make peace with food. Harrison is a journalist, registered dietitian, and an expert on intuitive eating. 

Through engaging discussion, Harrison opens your eyes to the potential to heal from disordered eating behaviors and creates a community around you so you can learn how to be body-positive and have a healthy relationship with food.

She challenges the modern diet culture by presenting healthier alternatives and methods that keep you mentally and physically lean. In addition to sharing her own experiences with poor eating habits, Harrison interviews guests from the health and fitness industry. 

For example, award-winning journalist Casey Gueren discusses health anxiety and shares strategies to overcome it. If you're looking for a safe and supportive space to learn valuable information and heal from the toxic effects of wellness culture, 'Food Psych' is the perfect place to start.

• Themes: Intuitive eating, Body positivity, Disordered eating, Health anxiety, Wellness culture

• Average Duration: 45 minutes

• What you'll learn: How to heal from toxic eating habits, embrace body positivity, overcome health anxiety, and challenge diet culture.

12. 'The Beauty and the Geek' with Layne Norton and Holly Baxter

'The Beauty and the Geek Podcast' is hosted by Layne Norton and Holly Baxter. It’s a dynamic duo who motivates you to take of your health and fitness. Norton and Baxter cover various topics: from education to controversial issues. For instance, they discuss concepts like flexible dieting and even delve into using steroids for muscle growth.

This podcast is your go-to resource for scientifically-backed advice from industry professionals, helping you push new boundaries in your fitness journey. With Norton and Baxter's humorous and no-nonsense approach, 'The Beauty and the Geek Podcast' offers fresh insights and entertainment. It's a one-season show, but who knows — maybe there will be more one day.

• Themes: Fitness, Nutrition, Health, Bodybuilding, Controversial topics

• Average Duration: 45 minutes

• What you'll learn: How to approach fitness scientifically, implement flexible dieting, navigate controversial fitness topics, and get expert advice to maximize results.

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