Buzz
Ever wondered what drives human behavior? Or perhaps you're seeking ways to enhance your communication skills and strengthen your relationships? Whatever your curiosity about the mind and behavior, we've curated a list of our top psychology podcasts. Tune in anytime to explore the fascinating reasons behind why people act the way they do.
Hidden Brain
Produced and hosted by journalist Shankar Vedantam, NPR’s Hidden Brain delves into the unconscious forces shaping human actions and tackles profound questions about our intricate and evolving world. Each episode focuses on a unique subject, featuring Vedantam alongside psychologists to explore themes such as enhancing empathy, discovering purpose in work, the psychology of humor, and beyond.
Where Should We Begin? with Esther Perel
Curious about the intricate dynamics of real relationships? Step into the therapy room of renowned couples’ therapist Esther Perel. This podcast provides an unfiltered glimpse into Perel’s sessions as she guides real couples through the deeply personal and complex issues that bring them to her. From the podcast’s home page: “This season, Perel explores open marriages, racial tensions within families, coming out in religious households, and recurring infidelity, among other sensitive topics. Through these stories, Perel creates a space where listeners can see reflections of their own lives and struggles. So...where should we begin?”
The Psychology Podcast with Scott Barry Kaufman
In each episode of The Psychology Podcast, cognitive psychologist Scott Barry Kaufman invites guests who “challenge your thinking and deepen your understanding of yourself, others, and the world around us,” as stated on its homepage. Known for his innovative work on redefining intelligence, Kaufman’s podcast is perfect for anyone fascinated by the mind, creativity, and the endless ways humans think and evolve.
The Psych Files
While no new episodes have been released since 2020, this podcast remains an excellent resource for grasping the fundamentals of human psychology. Hosted by Michael Britt, Ph.D., a seasoned educator, the show feels like attending an engaging college lecture. As the show’s description states, Britt “demonstrates how psychological concepts apply to daily life. Whether you’re a lifelong learner, student, or educator, you’ll find his 20-30 minute episodes both entertaining and informative.” I particularly recommend Ep 337: Why Do We Think Women Aren’t Funny? (You can probably guess where I stand on this topic.)
Under the Cortex
This podcast, produced by the Association for Psychological Science (APS), explores a diverse array of subjects, including “research from journals, member studies, policy efforts, and the societal impact of psychological science.” The short, digestible episodes, usually around 20 minutes or less, tackle recent themes such as the (highly debated) Myers-Briggs test, gender in a nonbinary context, and whether COVID coping strategies can backfire.
Pop Psych 101
Pop Psych 101 is an ideal podcast for those who want to examine mental health through the lens of movies, music, books, and television. Hosted by therapists Ryan Engelstad and Hayley Roberts, each episode critically analyzes how pop culture portrays mental health (spoiler: it’s not always accurate). As the show’s homepage states: “PopPsych can be raw, real, and serious, but it also has its humorous moments. To truly normalize discussions about mental health, we need to engage in genuine, everyday conversations.”
Speaking of Psychology
Gain insights directly from experts at the American Psychological Association (APA). Their mission with this podcast is to showcase “the most recent, significant, and applicable psychological research” and to help listeners “integrate psychological science into their daily lives.”
Shrink Rap Radio
This podcast delivers all the psychology insights you need, offering “just enough knowledge to make you intriguingly informed.” Hosted by psychologist David Van Nuys, each episode dives deep into interviews covering psychotherapy, dreams, consciousness, business psychology, personal development, social issues, spirituality, art, and a wide array of other fascinating topics.
Personality Hacker
As stated on the show’s homepage, hosts Joel Mark Witt and Antonia Dodge aim to “help you decode the programming of your mind,” enabling you to optimize your relationships, career, and overall happiness. Ambitious? Maybe. But this podcast is a fascinating listen for anyone intrigued by diverse approaches to understanding personality. (I’ve saved this one for last partly because I’m a fan of their clever name.)
