Buzz
Recall our discussion about crazy podcasts for days when you want to shut off your brain? Now it’s time to recharge and refocus. These 10 podcasts will guide you toward self-improvement, whether it’s enhancing your sleep, strengthening relationships, or becoming a more globally aware individual. You’re already on the path to growth!
Elevate yourself: An Army of Normal Folks
An Army of Normal Folks is where Bill Courtney—author, motivational speaker, and former volunteer football coach at Manassas High School (featured in the 2012 Oscar-winning documentary Undefeated)—inspires listeners to make a difference through simple yet impactful actions like volunteering, donating, or changing someone’s life. Bill’s infectious optimism channels Ted Lasso’s spirit, but he engages with real individuals, including an Instagram-famous cop advocating for community policing, to show how everyone can contribute to solving America’s challenges.
Improve your sleep: 12 Hour Sound Machines
Brandon Reed, a perpetually exhausted father of two young boys, was determined to find a way to sleep through the night. Frustrated by the lack of high-quality, uninterrupted soundtracks without loops or fading, he launched a podcast with the simplest of titles: 12 Hour Sound Machines (No Loops or Fades!). The show quickly gained global popularity, appealing to athletes, students, entrepreneurs, the anxious, those struggling to focus, and anyone craving a good night’s sleep—especially new parents. (Once, after tweaking the white noise frequency, Brandon received a frantic text from a sleep-deprived mom whose baby couldn’t settle.) This podcast might just transform your life. Sweet dreams.
Improve your parenting skills: Is My Child a Monster?
Is My Child a Monster? is a groundbreaking parenting podcast that lets you eavesdrop on therapy sessions with licensed clinical social worker Leslie Cohen-Rubury. Parents share their struggles, voicing the timeless worry: Is my child a monster? Similar to Esther Perel’s Where Should We Begin? but tailored for parents, Leslie’s decades of experience with thousands of families make her a trusted guide. As a mother herself, she understands the fears and challenges of parenting. Through multi-episode case studies, Leslie addresses anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues in children aged 4–18, offering actionable strategies and follow-up insights.
Enhance your social skills: Were You Raised By Wolves?
Nick Leighton and Leah Bonnema tackle a wide range of etiquette dilemmas on their podcast Were You Raised By Wolves?. From handling chatty coworkers to setting professional boundaries and even the correct way to snack on Cheetos (chopsticks, perhaps?), they offer practical solutions while uncovering broader social principles. Their advice is modern, actionable, and designed to help you become more pleasant and well-received in any situation.
Shop smarter: Add to Cart
Ever wondered what your online shopping cart reveals about you? On Add to Cart, comedian-writer-director Kulap Vilaysack and seasoned journalist SuChin Pak open up about their purchases, sparking candid conversations about what’s truly worth the splurge and what’s not. With a lineup of guests, they explore shopping habits (like Scott Auckerman’s stylish suits) and dive into the psychology behind our spending. Whether you’re inspired to treat yourself or convinced to declutter, Vilaysack and Pak’s money talks uncover why we can’t resist that “Add to Cart” button.
Upgrade your Mytour game: All the Hacks
Looking to refine your insurance plans, plan a dream Italian getaway, reclaim your time, tackle tough conversations, organize your thoughts, or find the ideal rental? Tune into All the Hacks, where Chris Hutchins engages with experts to uncover strategies that have saved listeners millions while enhancing their lives. Chris’s insightful questions draw out practical tips to save time, money, and inject more joy into your daily routine. Whatever area of your life needs improvement, there’s an episode tailored for you. (And don’t miss Mytour’s Webby Award-winning podcast, The Upgrade, currently on break.)
Spend smarter: Everyone’s Talkin’ Money
Everyone’s Talkin’ Money is a judgment-free zone where no question is too simple—just honest, relatable discussions about your finances and achieving your goals. Host Shannah Game dives into the money-related baggage we carry from childhood, the financial missteps of adulthood, and the emotional ties we have to spending and saving. While not a therapist, Shannah’s conversations dig deep into why we overspend, hoard, or avoid our bank accounts. Through transformative dialogue, you’ll break free from rigid “rules,” leave past mistakes behind, and redefine your relationship with money.
Become a better global citizen: Important Not Important
Want to make a difference in the world? Tune into Important Not Important, where host Quinn Emmett engages with leading scientists, doctors, CEOs, farmers, and more to explore small changes that can have a big impact on our planet. Each episode combines news updates with practical advice on topics like clean energy, coral reefs, COVID vaccines, pediatric cancer, clean water, carbon capture, asteroid deflection, and AI ethics. The goal isn’t to scare you but to equip you with the knowledge to make informed decisions, consume responsibly, and reduce your carbon footprint.
Improve your friendships: Best Friend Therapy
Elizabeth Day, author and host of the acclaimed podcast How to Fail, teams up with psychotherapist Emma Reed-Turrell, her best friend of over two decades, for Best Friend Therapy. Together, they explore the complexities of friendships—celebrations, conflicts, and everything in between. If you’re struggling with a friendship but aren’t ready to confront it, Elizabeth and Emma offer insights into issues like narcissism, guilt, clinginess, and miscommunication. They also address friendship addiction and interpersonal challenges, providing empathetic, honest, and compassionate advice that feels like a heart-to-heart with trusted confidantes.
Excel as a coworker: Work Appropriate
Navigating workplace challenges can feel like walking through a minefield, and most of us are just figuring it out as we go. Anne Helen Petersen addresses these struggles in Work Appropriate, a podcast that tackles the everyday battles we face at work. From building confidence as a neurodivergent individual to thriving in a declining industry, setting work-life boundaries, or handling awkward conversations, Petersen offers practical advice. As the author of Can’t Even: How Millennials Became the Burnout Generation, she’s like the wise friend you’d turn to after a rough day. Whether you’re dealing with power dynamics, email etiquette, or unintentionally causing workplace tension, this podcast is essential for anyone who interacts with others professionally—which is pretty much everyone.
Master your kitchen skills: Dinner SOS
As a vegetarian, I often struggle with whether to mention my dietary preferences when invited to dinner parties. I just need clear guidance. Bon Appétit’s Dinner SOS is the ultimate resource for tackling kitchen dilemmas—whether it’s planning a last-minute menu, dealing with a picky toddler who only eats buttered pasta, or organizing a picnic for 25 guests. Whatever your cooking crisis, Bon Appétit has your back. This podcast takes the stress out of meal prep and turns it into an enjoyable experience. Think of it as your go-to lifeline when you’re sous-viding steak or aiming to wow your in-laws.
Elevate your podcasting skills: Podcast Bestie
Creating a podcast can often feel isolating, but Courtney Kocak, the voice behind Podcast Bestie, is here to guide you through every step of your audio journey. Whether you’re launching as a freelance producer, seeking sponsors, perfecting your sound, or aiming to expand your audience, Courtney has you covered. As a seasoned podcaster (host of Private Parts Unknown, The Bleeders, and Podcast Bestie, which also includes a newsletter), she draws from her own experiences to fuel her discussions. She poses the right questions because she’s faced them herself, and she brings in industry experts to offer real-world examples and actionable solutions to the challenges that make you question your choice of editing software.
