10 Best Mindfulness Podcasts
These podcasts were selected based on sheer enjoyment and informativeness. In other words, no formal scientific criteria were used to prune the list.
The list of podcasts includes:
- Podcasts dedicated to the topic of mindfulness and mindfulness meditation
- Specific episodes centered on the topic of mindfulness and mindfulness meditation
- Podcasts dedicated to the topic of anxiety
- Specific episodes that explore anxiety
- Most popular podcasts based on the download rate and reviews
There are several apps that you can use to listen to podcasts on your laptop, tablet, or phone.
Popular options include Grover, which you can use on a computer, PlayerFM, Spotify, Stitcher, and Apple Podcasts, among others. All of the podcasts recommended here are available on the Grover app.
This initial list of mindfulness podcasts includes:
- Podcasts that focus on mindfulness exercises, including mindfulness meditation
- Podcasts that focus on general topics around mindfulness
- Episodes that address mindfulness and mindfulness meditation
Five podcasts focused on mindfulness exercises
1. Mindfulness for Beginners
The podcast Mindfulness for Beginners is hosted by Shaun Donaghy. Even though the podcast is new – it only started at the beginning of 2020 – at this moment, there are already more than 30 episodes.
Shaun aims to make the principles of Buddhism and mindfulness accessible to all of his listeners. Each episode tackles a specific theme, is approximately 30 minutes long, and includes a short meditation. He shares his experience of meditation without being self-indulgent.
Recommended episode to get you started:
- How do I make the world a better place? Body mindfulness meditation
2. Mindfulness in Eight Weeks
The Mindfulness in Eight Weeks podcast is a concise mindfulness program that spans eight weeks and is hosted by Michael Chaskalson.
Michael Chaskalson is an expert in mindfulness and has published four books that focus on mindfulness in the workplace.
There are two versions of the Mindfulness in Eight Weeks podcast. The difference between the two streams is the amount of time needed per day to dedicate toward mindfulness.
The more extended version is Stream One, Mindfulness in Eight Weeks: 40 Minutes a Day Program. The shorter version is Stream Two, Mindfulness in Eight Weeks: 20 Minutes a Day Program.
There are only eight episodes in each stream, and each episode focuses on a different exercise. This podcast is accompanied by a book of the same title (Chaskalson, 2014) and can be purchased from Amazon. We recommend starting with episode 1.
3. Mindfulness Meditation Podcast
The Mindfulness Meditation Podcast with Danny Ford consists of only guided meditations.
These episodes are a bit longer on average than the other podcasts, sometimes exceeding 30 minutes.
Ford’s podcast episodes are best suited if you have more time available to meditate and may not be suitable for a morning ritual (unless you have 30 minutes for meditation, of course).
These episodes were recorded from Zoom sessions, making them slightly less well produced; specifically, the sound quality is very slightly distorted. However, the sound quality does not detract from the content of the episodes nor the calming quality of Danny’s voice.
Recommended episode to get you started:
- Silent meditation – 3-minute meditation timer (no guidance)
4. The Rubin Museum: Mindfulness Meditation Podcast
The Rubin Museum started a podcast initiative during the COVID-19 lockdown.
Normally, the museum hosts in-person meditation classes; however, since the museum has been locked down due to the pandemic, they have made the recordings of previous mindful meditation sessions available as a podcast.
Each episode is a guided meditation that focuses on a specific piece of art, which is linked to the theme for that week.
For example, the piece of art in the first episode is the Mandala of Hevajra Hevajra, and the theme for that week is ‘Seeking Refuge.’ Each episode begins with a discussion, followed by a guided meditation that is conducted by a formal meditation teacher from the local area around the Rubin Museum in New York.
This format might appeal to people who are looking for a somewhat different take on mindfulness, everyday life, and cultural talks. Take the time to navigate the website linked to each episode to see a photo of the artwork.
Recommended episode to get you started:
- Mindfulness Meditation with Tracy Cochran Repost from 10/17/2018 (Theme: Hopes and Anxieties)
5. Guided Meditation by The Yoga Bunny
This podcast takes a more practical approach. In each episode, Bunok (the host) guides listeners through different mindfulness exercises including body scan, meditation, and deep breathing exercises.
The episodes are short – typically less than 10 minutes – so this podcast is perfect if you are starting a daily mindfulness habit.
Additionally, because these episodes are so short and easy to implement, you could easily listen to an episode at work during your lunch break.
Recommended episode to get you started:
Five podcasts focused on general mindfulness topics
Here is a list of podcasts that explore topics in mindfulness but are slightly more generalized than those in the previous section.
1. The JOY Factor
The JOY Factor podcast is hosted by Julia Hanson, who is a yoga teacher, life coach, and therapist. Each episode addresses a different topic with an expert.
Because the topics are so varied, this podcast remains fresh, and you won’t get bored with the host. New episodes are released infrequently, though, so you might have to wait a month or two before there is something new.
Recommended episode to get you started:
- The Power of Compassion (Dr. Jennifer Sippel)
2. Wake Me Up
In the podcast Wake Me Up, host Tyler Brown focuses on three types of activities:
- Motivations
- Routines
- Short meditations
In the motivation episodes, Tyler introduces content that is meant to inspire his listeners.
The routine episodes are varied and touch on topics such as fostering gratitude, developing discipline, and combating negative bias.
In the meditation episodes, he guides listeners through a meditation that is short enough to implement in other spaces or intervals during the day. In summary, the episodes of this podcast are useful if you’re trying to start a morning ritual, and episodes are typically short, between 10 and 20 minutes.
Despite being a new podcast, Tyler has produced a lot of content, so you’ll have a lot to keep you busy for a while.
Recommended episode to get you started:
- Meditation Mini – Gratitude for Others
3. The Science of Happiness (PRX and Greater Good)
This podcast is a firm favorite because it checks all the boxes.
The production quality is excellent, the topics are interesting (and varied), and the interviews with experts are enjoyable.
This podcast is not solely dedicated to mindfulness, but it touches on a lot of topics and exercises that overlap with mindfulness (e.g., gratitude, mindful breathing exercises, and so forth).
The host of The Science of Happiness is Professor Dachter Keltner, who works at the University of California, Berkeley, and formed the Greater Good Science Center.
Recommended episode to get you started:
4. Mindful Mama – Parenting with Mindfulness
Don’t let the title of the podcast turn you off. This podcast applies to any parent regardless of their gender. The host, Hunter Clarke-Fields, explores various topics that are relevant to parents today, for example:
- How to spend more meaningful time with your children
- How to tackle different punishment styles
- How to address difficult topics (e.g., racial injustice)
Some of the earlier episodes begin with a five-minute meditation, followed by a discussion on the particular episode topic.
Recommended episode to get you started:
5. Practicing Human
The name of this podcast, Practicing Human, is so clever, a play on the idea that the host and his listeners are humans who practice (mindfulness), but also that we are practicing what it means to be human.
Cory Muscara is the host of this podcast and is well versed in mindfulness and meditation. Based on his biography, he lived in silence for six months and mediated for more than 14 hours per day.
In Practicing Human, he offers tips and tools to help navigate pitfalls in our lives (e.g., work burnout, lack of confidence, poor sleep, and many more). This podcast is down to earth, the advice is practical and easy to implement, and the episodes are short. He’s very industrious; a new episode is released every two to three days.
Recommended episode to get you started:
Four Helpful Podcasts for Coping With Anxiety
One benefit of mindfulness is that it results in reduced severity of symptoms of anxiety and depression (Hofmann, Sawyer, Witt, & Oh, 2010). If you are interested in pursuing mindfulness for this reason, then you might be interested in the following podcasts that address a variety of methods of coping with anxiety.
The podcasts are not listed in any specific order. The first list consists of podcasts that specifically target anxiety. The second lists only episodes that deal with anxiety. These specific episodes may or may not belong to podcasts that focus on anxiety in particular.
Four podcasts for coping with anxiety
1. Anxiety Slayer
The first podcast worth recommending is Anxiety Slayer with Shann and Ananga.
The title is admittedly quite epic and gives little doubt about the intention of this podcast, but don’t dismiss it just yet. In each episode, hosts Shann Vander Leek and Ananga Sivyer discuss a different topic and are joined by specialists/clinicians who share their experience and knowledge.
The episodes are typically shorter than 30 minutes and easy to fit into your day. This podcast is very active, and a new episode is released frequently.
Recommended episode to get you started:
- Four gentle ways to support yourself when anxiety flares up
2. The Anxiety Coaches Podcast
The Anxiety Coaches Podcast with Gina Ryan deals with topics surrounding anxiety, panic, and PTSD.
The topics are quite varied. Some episodes deal with psychological topics, whereas others look at natural health and medicine. This podcast might not appeal to everyone, but it is still worth listening to, primarily because of the variety of topics.
Gina’s voice is quite soothing, which adds to the appeal and seems fitting for a podcast combatting anxiety.
Recommended episode to get you started:
- 7 easy practices to quiet your anxiety
3. The Anxiety Guru Show
The Anxiety Guru Show with Paul Dooley is so slick, well put together, and of such high quality that you can tell that the production team is top-notch.
Paul Dooley has a down-to-earth, matter-of-fact approach to dealing with anxiety. Paul is a clinician, and for that reason, can be trusted with his insights.
The podcast has been running since 2014, and the episodes are approximately 30 minutes long. This podcast is better suited for a work or school commute, rather than a five-minute morning routine.
Recommended episode to get you started:
- 5 ways to manage anxiety-related irritability
4. GoZen! Anxiety Relief for Kids
GoZen! Anxiety Relief for Kids covers how to address anxiety experienced by children. Some of the episodes in this podcast center on topics familiar to anyone who follows PositivePsychology.com (e.g., meditation and mindfulness).
The quality of the episodes is excellent, and the podcasts are short. Unfortunately, there are only seven episodes, and the podcast was discontinued in 2015; however, the episodes remain relevant.
Recommended episode to get you started:
- Meditation: Loving-kindness for stress relief
5. Six episodes for coping with anxiety
Here are a few specific podcast episodes that tackle anxiety specifically.
There are many episodes in the Mindfulness for Beginners podcast that deal with events that induce anxiety. Here are a few that could be useful:
Tyler Brown from Wake Me Up offers the following useful episodes related to anxiety:
Recently, there has been a growing focus on the benefits of mindfulness.
What our readers think
My Favourite is your 10 Minute Meditation Podcast by Adrian Cooke of Head Boss. http://www.headboss.co.uk
My favorite is Radio Headspace!