Parenting is a complex piece of the human experience, and while it brings tremendous joy it also comes with its fair share of difficulties and learning curves. As a parent your schedule is probably overflowing with commitments – which is why we’ve compiled a list of some of the best podcasts available for parents, that are sure to be insightful no matter your questions or experience level.
For our audience’s convenience, we’ve included links to websites where these podcasts can be listened to. Choosing Therapy earns no money from the makers or producers of these podcasts. Read more about our high editorial standards here.
General Parenting Podcasts
This group of podcasts that center around parenting and the multitude of things that the word entails.
1. The Funny Thing About Parenting
This show is self described as “a podcast for parents who need a quick breather in their week because raising kids is bananas.” It’s a remarkable balance of humor, anecdotes, encouragement, and support.
The relatable and down-to-earth nature of hosts TJ and Melissa makes this podcast approachable and refreshing for listeners. Their audience often highlights the raw and lighthearted nature of the stories shared in the episodes. Many listeners say the episodes feel as if you are casually spending time in the backyard with a couple of friends sharing the good, the bad, and the hilarious when it comes to parenthood.
Listen on Apple, Spotify, Google, or Stitcher.
2. Good Inside with Dr. Becky
Dr. Becky Kennedy, psychologist and mom of three, takes on the hard-hitting questions and confusing complexities of raising children. She delivers easy-to-apply approaches to the many trials of parenthood in episodes that pack a plethora of knowledge into an hour or less, acknowledging that time is a precious commodity that is hard to come by as a parent.
Kennedy has made quite an impact with her unique approach that empowers parents to truly be able to make sustainable repairs after mistakes, be comfortable sitting in their discomfort, and most importantly, always see the good inside themselves and their children.
Listen on Apple or Spotify.
3. Raising Good Humans with Dr. Aliza Pressman
Dr. Aliza Pressman is a developmental psychologist, parent educator, assistant clinical professor, and co-founder of both Mount Sinai Parenting Center and SeedlingsGroup. With her recurring show that goes live every Friday, she strives to provide lots of insight and encouragement without an additional side of parental shame or guilt.
Pressman seeks to provide “realistic and trustworthy support” without making you “feel awful for not having all of the answers” – and according to her listeners, she nails it! Bringing on both experts and fellow parents as guests, she is able to bring the most effective approaches and actionable tools to her audience in an approachable way. Her biggest goal is to “make your parenting journey less overwhelming and a lot more joyful!”
Listen on Apple or Spotify.
4. If These Ovaries Could Talk
In a society where heteronormativity is the default, it is important to make sure that LGBTQIA+ families also have resources and community for their journey through parenthood. That is where queer parents, Jaimie Kelton and E Bradshaw, come in with this revolutionary podcast.
An incredible balance between humor, depth, and vulnerability, If These Ovaries Could Talk is on a mission to normalize, elevate, and celebrate the existence of queer people as parents by confirming that they’re just like other parents trying their best to not lose their cool while raising kids. The result of this mission is a podcast that explores hopes, fears, and setbacks and just how undeniably human we all really are.
Listen on Apple, Spotify, Google, or Stitcher.
Podcasts for New Moms
Being a new mom is scary and overwhelming – so many responsibilities, dealing with mom guilt and burnout. These podcasts are by moms, for moms – and they will empower you and remind you that one thing is for certain about this journey of motherhood – you aren’t walking it alone. No mom shaming here.
5. The Mom Hour
The Mom Hour is a weekly show offering real-life encouragement for moms. Co-hosts Meagan Francis and Sarah Powers are moms who have eight children between them, ranging from little to grown. Their focus is on offering practical tips for moms who want to be able to break free from the cycle of worry, comparison, and stress and be able to truly enjoy their motherhood journey by being fully present and engaged.
Francis and Powers emphasize that they are not experts in a clinical sense, but they are real moms who have been there. Their audiences feel seen, held, and understood when they listen to this show – and when you are embarking on a new journey into the uncharted waters of motherhood, support and community is a much-needed tool.
Listen on Apple, Spotify, Google, or Stitcher.
6. The Double Shift
We tried to stick with podcasts that are still currently releasing with new episodes, but we made an exception for this show, and for good reason. The Double Shift took a unique approach to the topic of motherhood – rather than exploring it through the lens of clinical research or personal experiences, they look at motherhood as it exists at a societal level in the United States.
Hosted by Katherine Goldstein and Angela Garbes, this show “talks about the forces that shape family life in America, and focuses on challenging the status quo of motherhood.” While the podcast is no longer actively recording, there are ways to stay connected with the mission of this project. You can subscribe to a newsletter written by Goldstein here.
Listen on Apple or on the website – this podcast has been archived.
7. The Unfiltered Motherhood Podcast
This show is self-described as a “personal development podcast for moms where we push aside the polite conversations and dig deep into the real topics, struggles and problems that moms encounter regularly.” And if you ask the audience, that is one of the things they most appreciate about the host, Jamie McLaughlin. Described by one listener as “raw, open, and honest” this podcast tackles the real battles and hardships of motherhood with hope and encouragement while also making an effort not to minimize the complexities and difficulties that come with being a parent. The Unfiltered Motherhood Podcast strives to “inspire, educate, illuminate and come together to create an incredible community of women striving for better, striving for more and striving to become healthy and happy.”
Listen on Apple or Spotify.
8. Minimalist Moms Podcast
A self-proclaimed “aspiring minimalist,” Diane Boden created this show with a particular audience in mind: “moms who want to be more minimal and more mindful, but don’t want to get rid of all their stuff.”
Many listeners have pointed out that Boden has a soothing voice and a knack for being clear and direct. Minimalist Moms approaches every episode with genuine and undeniable authenticity, and the audience states that they leave every show feeling like they have at least one actionable tool or step that they can apply in their lives. Boden has stated that her primary goal with this podcast is “Think More + Do With Less” and in a consumerism centric culture, we must admit that is quite an appealing thought.
Listen on Apple or Spotify.
Podcasts About Mindful Parenting
Arguably, one of the hardest aspects of parenting is learning to stay calm, patient, and mindful in your approach while helping your children understand their emotions and process their experiences. These podcasts focus on evidence-based research and applicable insights for approaching children with a calm demeanor and balanced mindset.
9. The Balanced Parent Podcast
This podcast was born from the understanding that parenting is often lived in extremes. One moment is immense joy, and the next is burnout and overwhelm. Some days you feel like you are absolutely mastering this parenting thing, and the next day you feel like you are failing and falling apart at the seams. Dr. Laura Froyen, your host, wants to help you find the messy but balanced middle ground.
The Balanced Parent Podcast centers on an important clarification that Froyen says is a crucial underpinning: “balance is a verb, not a state of being. It is a thing you DO, not a thing you ARE. It’s an action, a process, a series of micro-corrections that we make, each and every day, to keep ourselves feeling centered. We are never truly balanced, we are engaged in the process of balancing.” Many listeners enjoy this approach because it offers all the insight and hope without any additional shame or criticism. And that is the goal here – to empower parents to live their most balanced lives.
Listen on Apple or Spotify.
10. Authentic Parenting
With new episodes posted on Thursdays, this podcast centers on the belief that as we raise our children we are also growing and learning ourselves. Anna Seewald, your host, describes this show as a space where she “explores how you can find more calm, connection, and joy in parenting through the process of self-discovery and inner growth with a trauma-informed lens.”
With the motto “raising our children, raising ourselves,” Authentic Parenting focuses on approaching parenthood through a lens of mindfulness and healing. The true embodiment of building better for your children, and in turn building better for yourself and your family as a whole. One of our favorite pieces of feedback from a listener was a description of Anna as a “beacon of calmness and ease in a busy and chaotic world.”
Listen on Apple, Spotify, or Stitcher.
11. Your Parenting Mojo
This podcast is a great resource for parents who appreciate the value of scientific and clinical research, but don’t have the time to sift through medical journals and research studies. Your host, Jen Lumanlan, is on a journey to obtain her Masters in Psychology with a focus on child development – and has done that work for you.
Lumanlan “researches topics of interest to parents of toddlers and preschoolers from all angles, and suggests tools parents can use to help kids thrive – and make their own lives a bit easier in the process.” A couple of highlighted points from listeners include a gratitude for the wealth of clinically proven knowledge made available in Your Parenting Mojo, as well as an appreciation for the host’s dedication to parenting in an anti-oppressive, anti-racist, and intersectionally feminist way.
Listen on Apple or Spotify.
12. Habits for Happy Children with Dr. Tim Sharp [Audible Exclusive]
This show centers around the shared hope of every parent that their children will grow into healthy and happy humans, while also acknowledging the reality that there is an ongoing epidemic of mental illness in adolescents and adults. Dr. Sharp states that, “while there is no one perfect way to be a parent, there are steps that you can put in place to create young people who know how to make the most out of their lives.”
Habits for Happy Children builds around that concept by introducing you to the simple daily habits that will help you create an environment that fosters growth and happiness for you and your kids. Dr. Sharp, endearingly known as “Dr. Happy,” is a renowned psychologist with three degrees in psychology and a career spanning several decades. He is also the founder of The Happiness Institute.
Listen on Audible.
Podcasts for Fathers
In our society, it is not a secret that we still have quite a stigma surrounding mental health – mental health support and dialogue in men is often deemed even more taboo – so, when we talk about fatherhood, and working to become a more well-rounded, emotionally intelligent, and engaged dad we need to find spaces that cultivate community, understanding, and insightful support for dads. So, we’ve compiled a few of our favorites.
13. Dad.Work Podcast
Curt Storring, founder and host of this show, has described his mission as helping men become better people, healthier partners, and more engaged fathers, through men’s work and mindfulness practices. He wants to help dads “suffer less, love more, and parent confidently by providing interviews with other Conscious Fathers.”
Recounted by listeners as a powerful culmination of leadership, wisdom, and encouragement, this podcast has been life-changing, motivating, and inspiring for a huge portion of its audience.
Listen on Apple, Spotify, or Stitcher.
14. Dad University Podcast
This show offers meaningful advice for fathers regarding parenting, relationships, marriage, and family life. One listener said, “So much of being a dad today is being alone. I love shows like these to connect with other dads and grow as fathers and husbands.”
Jason Kreidman is extremely relatable and an engaging speaker, which makes this show easy to tune into. New dads have found Dad University especially helpful, citing that it has given them much needed reassurance, confidence, and insight as they enter this new chapter of fatherhood in their lives.
Listen on Apple, Spotify, or Google.
15. The Daily Dad with Ryan Holiday
This podcast is the audio companion to the Daily Dad’s daily email meditations on fatherhood, read aloud by Ryan Holiday. The goal behind these daily readings is that they will “help you find the wisdom, inner strength, and good humor you need in order to be a great dad.”
Listeners will learn from historical figures and contemporary fathers alike on how to do your most important job – being a dad. A common theme in reviews from the audience is that The Daily Dad helps fathers refocus on the bigger picture, even in moments of stress or overwhelm, and not just what’s directly in front of them.
Listen on Apple, Spotify, or Stitcher.
16. The Business of Fatherhood
The Business of Fatherhood is hosted by author, speaker, and Dad, coach Ben Killoy. It is a five-day-a-week podcast aiming to inspire and help busy dads get excited about pulling into the driveway of their home. Killoy’s goal is to “help dads grow through generational trauma, redefine the parameters for living, and create a lasting legacy of change.”
He offers individual coaching, as well as a Facebook group for fathers who are looking to find and build community with other dads. He has been described by many listeners as being not only incredibly down to earth, but also unbelievably insightful and deep.
Listen on Apple, Spotify, or Google.
How Talking to a Therapist or Parent Coach Can Help
While podcasts are a fantastic (and fun) resource for knowledge in today’s digital age, they are also not a substitute or replacement for professional help when it is needed. If you, or someone you know, is finding the transition into, or ongoing journey with, parenthood to be severely overwhelming, and the task at hand feels insurmountable, please consider seeking a family therapist or parent coach for extra guidance and additional support. You can ask a trusted loved one for a referral, or use an online therapist directory where you can sort by insurance coverage and specialty.
