By Olly Hutson
It’s cold. Mortgage rates keep rising. It seems like everyone has gone to Europe. In these challenging times, we all could do with some self-care. The need for daily, easily accessible self-help practices has never been more important. An easy, effective and productive way to incorporate this into our routine is through podcast listening. Podcasts are a fantastic way to consume valuable content on-the-go while you’re commuting, cooking or working out and can be accessed easily by anyone with a phone and internet connection. In the Australian podcast ecosystem there are some fantastic podcasts that focus on self-help and mental health that will inspire and assist you in your journey to wellness. Which one is best for professionals? Which one is less than 10 minutes long? In this blog post, we will explore the best Australian podcasts for your specific self-help and mental health needs.
Why podcasts are the perfect fit for self improvement
Therapy is expensive. Most of us turn to TV and film for escapism and to unwind. Studying on top of full time work can be challenging. But podcast learning is engaging and thoroughly immersive: we actively seek out educational content, pop on headphones and focus on the topic at hand. We learn via creative storytelling, expert takes and quality production. Our brains are stimulated, our skill sets expanded.
Podcasting has become a powerful educational tool, and the curriculum is up to you. According to ABC research, 75% of podcast users listen in to learn new things. What’s more, you can skill up while driving, or walking, or working out. People who listen to podcasts tend to be fairly educated (Andreessen Horowitz estimates 30% of us hold graduate degrees), and so do podcast creators. Right now, some of the smartest brains in the world are sharing their expertise by talking into a mic in an engaging sort of way and uploading it so the rest of us can follow along.
Our Top Picks for Podcasts to Improve your Outlook
1. The Imperfects
Teaming up with one of Australia’s most successful comedians, Ryan Shelton, and his very talented brother Josh van Cuylenburg has put together a podcast which is all about how perfectly imperfect we all are. He says: “Constantly comparing ourselves to others can not only be exhausting, but extremely harmful. However, when we share our struggles, we start to realise that everyone, no matter how successful, has something they are battling with.”
In this podcast, Hugh, Josh and Ryan chat to a variety of interesting people who bravely share their struggles and imperfections, and we all learn some valuable take-aways we can apply to our own imperfect lives.
The Imperfects has three different formats: an interview, the Vulnerabili(tea) House, and, the Academy of Imperfection.
Top Episodes: Comparison, the Thief of Joy, Lonely? You’re Not Alone
2. The Psychology of Your 20s
This podcast explains the psychology behind the weird, transitional and wonderful experiences of our 20's. It’s interesting and useful even if your 20th birthday was a long time ago.
The podcast discusses the psychology behind key life experiences, mental phenomena and events that are universal for all 20-something year olds. From imposter syndrome, to the sting of a first break-up, loneliness, rejection and our true identity, subscribe to learn about what research and studies from every area of psychology have to say. Hosted by Jemma Sbeg, a mental health advocate and psychology grad living in Sydney, Australia.
3. Do you F*cking Mind (DYFM)?
Mindset hacks to live the most badass life. All things self growth, self love, relationship and learning to give less of a f*ck are discussed on this podcast, with some neuroscience thrown in for good measure. Host Dr Alexis Fernandez started this podcast half way through her masters degree in neuroscience as a way to be able to share what she was learning and as a way to connect with an audience who wanted to work on themselves.
She says “When you work on your relationship with yourself, it is easier to work on your other relationships, your drive and ambition, your purpose and career. It is easier to know what you want and what you don’t want and it is easier to stay on track. All this happens when you start to seriously work on your self respect and self love.”
Episodes to Start With: How to tell the difference between gut instinct and anxiety, The importance of showing up for other people
4. Healthy-ish
Hosted by Felicity Harley, the Healthy-ish podcast will give you the tools to make healthier decisions, for your mind, body and soul. Featuring guest interviews with experts and celebrities, these bite-sized episodes will arm you with the knowledge and practical advice to get back the balance. We know we can't eat, think, act and move perfectly, 100% of the time, so instead we're aiming to be healthy...ish. An added bonus is that most episodes are less than 10 minutes long.
Great Episodes: How to tell your boss about your mental health, How to find a job that fills your cup
5. The Mindset Mentor
The Mindset Mentor podcast is designed for anyone desiring motivation, direction, and focus in life. Host Rob Dial has amassed a passionate following of over 3 million social media followers, including business professionals, entrepreneurs, and small business owners with his expertise and passion for helping motivate people to become the best version of themselves.
Best Episodes: How to read faster and retain more information, How to stop worrying
Podcasts are great ways to provide yourself with an escape, connection, and enlightenment. There are many different podcasts out there that are designed to make you feel better; from understanding yourself in more depth to finding relaxation techniques, our list has given you endless options in working towards improved mental wellbeing this Winter. We hope that you find the podcast perfect for you, but if you have any other questions or need extra guidance- do not hesitate to contact us to learn more.