21 Positive Podcasts for Positive Thinking

What Are the Best Positive Podcasts?

For those in pursuit of a sunnier mindset, the world of podcasting presents a treasure trove of resources. The best positive podcasts offer a beacon of hope, delivering an array of empowering stories, insights, and practical tips to cultivate a more optimistic outlook on life. Whether you’re facing life’s challenges or simply seeking a daily dose of positivity, these podcasts are your guide to brighter, more fulfilling days.

1. The Science of Happiness

The Science of Happiness podcast, hosted by the esteemed Dacher Keltner, founding director of the University of California Berkeley’s Greater Good Science Center, is an example of authenticity in the realm of positive podcasts. Unlike anecdotal counterparts, this show offers a fact-based exploration of happiness. It delves into research-tested strategies for a happier, more meaningful life, drawing from the science of compassion, gratitude, mindfulness, and awe.

2. Happier

Gretchen Rubin, the #1 bestselling author of The Happiness Project and Better Than Before, extends her wisdom to the airwaves with her podcast, Happier. An essential listen for those on the quest for a sunnier perspective, the show covers diverse topics, including avoiding disappointment, the power of friendly gestures, and unlocking happy memories. Joining her in this lively exploration is Rubin’s sister, Elizabeth Craft, a TV writer and producer.

3. The Kindness Podcast

The Kindness Podcast, hosted by journalist Nicole Phillips, is a heartwarming journey into the world of empathy and compassion. With over 100 episodes, Nicole engages in insightful conversations with a diverse range of notable figures, from bestselling author Laura Schroff to multi-platinum singer-songwriter Jason Mraz and the compassionate minds behind Minnesota’s Fix It Forward Ministry. Their stories and insights highlight the remarkable impact of kindness on people’s lives. The Kindness Podcast is one of the best positive podcasts to listen to for those who value compassion.

4. Best Friends

Comedians Nicole Byer and Sasheer Zamata, individually hilarious, join forces in the uproarious podcast Best Friends. The show captures the essence of a great stand-up performance, offering a freewheeling and observational vibe as the hosts riff on topics ranging from alien abductions to gigantic ladybugs and tattoos. Like your late-night chats with a close friend, Best Friends is refreshingly weird and spontaneous, providing a welcome remedy for those feeling overwhelmed, stuck in a negative cycle, or just simply down in the dumps.

5. 10% Happier

10% Happier, hosted by Dan Harris, who took full ownership of the show in March 2025 after the Ten Percent Happier company rebranded its app to Happier, continues to explore the obstacles that hinder our happiness and how to overcome them. Inspired by a panic attack during his time on Good Morning America, Harris delves into various factors affecting our well-being, featuring expert guests such as Jenny Odell discussing the value of “doing nothing” and Adam Grant musing on embracing imperfection. Meditation takes center stage, with regular guided sessions by professionals available in the podcast feed.

6. Live Happy Now

Live Happy Now, the podcast from Live Happy magazine, delves deep into the science of well-being, positivity, and happiness, offering a treasure trove of valuable insights. Through lively and informative interviews with experts, the show covers a broad spectrum of topics, from mindful eating to stress management and the pitfalls of toxic positivity. Whether it’s wellness, gratitude, or mindfulness, this positivity podcast is your guide to a more fulfilling, joyful existence.

7. The Questlove Show

The Questlove Show, hosted by the multi-talented Amir “Questlove” Thompson, is the 2025 relaunch of his award-winning interview podcast, carrying forward the same intimate celebrity deep dives. Questlove’s wide-ranging curiosity comes to life in warm, free-ranging conversations with musicians, actors, and creators about their craft, their influences, and the moments that shaped them. Playful one minute and thoughtful the next, the show is a delightful mix of fun and insight, making it a must-listen for anyone seeking positive podcasts.

8. The Happiness Lab

The Happiness Lab, hosted by Yale psychology professor Dr. Laurie Santos, translates the science of wellbeing into practical strategies you can use the same day. Whether you’re looking to explore the depths of your happiness or simply looking for daily doses of positivity, this happy podcast is your trusted companion on the journey to a more contented and optimistic life.

9. How to Fail With Elizabeth Day

How to Fail With Elizabeth Day turns setbacks into source material. Each episode invites a new guest to candidly share their three biggest failures and the wisdom they gained from those experiences. As the podcast celebrates the things that haven’t gone as planned, it imparts a powerful message of resilience and growth.

10. Happy Place

Happy Place, hosted by broadcaster Fearne Cotton, pairs honest celebrity conversations with expert advice on finding daily joy. Fearne skillfully weaves her own experiences with enlightening conversations and expert advice, guiding listeners on a transformative journey from moments of gloom to daily joy. This positivity podcast is a sanctuary for those seeking to uncover the secrets of a fulfilling life. Hosted on Acast, Happy Place offers a delightful exploration of what happiness really means.

11. Mental Illness Happy Hour

Hosted by comedian Paul Gilmartin, Mental Illness Happy Hour is a weekly conversation about mental illness, trauma, addiction, and negative thinking that has been running since 2011. Each episode pairs a candid interview with humor and warmth, turning heavy subjects into something you can sit with. Whether you have personally encountered mental illness or not, the show is a heartening reminder that you are not alone and, above all, you are enough.

12. Being Well

Hosted by author Forrest Hanson and psychologist Dr. Rick Hanson, Being Well unpacks the science of lasting wellbeing and turns it into practical steps you can use. The weekly show covers resilience, self-compassion, anxiety, and gratitude, drawing on psychology and neuroscience without the jargon. With millions of downloads and new episodes every Monday, Being Well is a grounded, encouraging companion for anyone building a calmer, more content mind.

13. The Constant

The Constant, hosted by Mark Chrisler, offers a refreshing perspective on positivity by exploring the humorous and sometimes bizarre aspects of human history. The podcast dives into the misconceptions, errors, and grand plans gone awry that have significantly influenced the course of history. Topics range from medicinal gold to cannibalism and even the flat Earth conspiracy. Overall, The Constant infuses history with humor, reminding listeners that even in mistakes, there’s room for positivity and laughter.

14. We Can Do Hard Things

We Can Do Hard Things, hosted by author Glennon Doyle with Abby Wambach and Amanda Doyle, is a warm, honest conversation about the things that make life hard and the courage it takes to keep going. The show blends self-compassion, resilience, and mental health with plenty of humor, whether the trio is talking through anxiety, relationships, boundaries, or joy. Publishing new episodes twice a week, We Can Do Hard Things reminds listeners that struggling does not mean failing and that hard things are easier when no one faces them alone.

15. The Lively Show

The Lively Show is a long-running, motivational podcast about living an intentional, aligned life. Early seasons featured interviews with thought leaders like Elizabeth Gilbert, Gary Vaynerchuk, and Brené Brown, and the archive of more than 700 episodes remains a rich resource. The host, who now goes by Bella, has shifted the current format to solo “Flow Diaries” episodes that share honest, in-the-moment reflections on intuition, presence, and inner alignment. It is a good fit for listeners who want a calm, personal take on positivity rather than a guest-driven interview show.

16. The Minimalists

This positive podcast called The Minimalists is hosted by Emmy-nominated Netflix stars and New York Times-bestselling authors Joshua Fields Millburn and Ryan Nicodemus. It’s a refreshing exploration of the profound positive mental health impact of minimalist living. In each episode, they delve into a range of topics, from the importance of unfollowing superfluous social media accounts to tips on helping your children get organized and celebrating holidays without excessive consumerism. With co-host T.K. Coleman, The Minimalists inspire millions of listeners to embrace a more meaningful life with less clutter and distraction.

17. Pepp Talk Podcast

Hosted by the no-nonsense love coach and influencer Breeny Lee, Pepp Talk is the perfect podcast to boost your spirits. Known as “YouTube’s Big Sis,” Lee fearlessly tackles every situation you may encounter in your daily life, offering unfiltered, straight-talking advice. From breaking free from people pleasing tendencies to debunking myths of fairytale relationships, there’s an episode that speaks to your current needs. If you crave unapologetic, no-chaser advice, Pepp Talk is for you, promising to blow your mind and crush self-limiting beliefs.

18. Table Manners with Jessie and Lennie Ware

Table Manners, hosted by singer Jessie Ware and her mother Lennie, serves up warm, funny conversations with celebrity guests over a home-cooked meal. Between the food talk and family banter, guests open up about their lives, careers, and the memories tied to what they eat. It is a feel-good, generous show, and with new episodes still landing in 2026 it remains a comforting listen for anyone who loves food, laughter, and easy company.

19. Feel Better, Live More

Feel Better, Live More, hosted by physician Dr. Rangan Chatterjee, translates practical health and wellbeing science into changes you can make today. Guests range from doctors and researchers to psychologists and everyday people with hard-won wisdom, covering sleep, stress, mood, movement, and connection. One of the most popular health podcasts in the UK and still publishing weekly in 2026, it is a steady, encouraging guide to feeling better in body and mind.

20. Activate

Mimi Bouchard, best known for her appearance on Made in Chelsea, has moved from reality TV into the world of mindset and self-improvement. Her podcast, once known as MIMI, is now called Activate, and it centers on her signature activations, guided audio practices designed to help you embody your future self. Bouchard is the founder of the Activations app and author of the 2025 book Activate Your Future Self, and the show, active into late 2025, delivers upbeat conversations and practices on motivation, confidence, and personal growth.

21. EXPANDED Podcast by To Be Magnetic

The EXPANDED Podcast by To Be Magnetic explores manifestation through a blend of neuroscience, psychology, epigenetics, and energetics, with a dash of spirituality. It is now hosted by To Be Magnetic Chief Content Officer Jessica Gill, with monthly appearances by founder Lacy Phillips, pairing interviews with experts and success stories to help you expand your subconscious beliefs. Still active in 2026, the show guides listeners through the process of “seeing to believe” that what they want is possible.

Can Listening to Positive Podcasts Actually Improve Your Mood?

Research suggests that podcast listening can support wellbeing in measurable ways. A study led by psychologist Stephanie Tobin, published in PLOS ONE, found that listeners who formed stronger connections with podcast hosts reported greater social relatedness and lower loneliness. More recent work confirms that the host relationship, not just the content, drives much of the benefit.

In the PLOS ONE study of more than 300 adults, Tobin and Rosanna Guadagno found that podcast listening satisfied needs for both cognition and belonging, with parasocial relationships, the one-sided sense of knowing a host, linked to reduced loneliness. A 2025 study by M. Olguta Vilceanu of Rowan University, published in Media and Communication, analyzed more than 12,000 podcast listener reviews and found that hosts act as anchors for intimacy and trust, which helps explain why a familiar voice on a commute can feel genuinely companionable. Psychologists caution that these connections supplement, rather than replace, real-world relationships. Used that way, a daily positivity show works like a low-effort mood practice: it pairs an emotional lift with research-backed techniques like gratitude and mindfulness, delivered during commutes, chores, and workouts when few other supports are available.

When Should You Consider Therapy Instead of a Podcast?

Positive thinking podcasts can be an incredible source of inspiration and guidance for personal growth, offering insights and strategies to foster a positive mindset. However, it’s crucial to recognize that they are not a substitute for professional therapy when someone is grappling with life transitions, significant challenges or deep-seated emotional issues.

If you’re ready to find a therapist to help you work through your challenges, consider using an online therapist directory to explore the best online therapy options, ensuring you receive the specialized care you need.