Editor’s note: This blog was originally published in January of 2022. It has since been updated for accuracy and comprehension.
If you’re like most of us, you probably spend a fair amount of time in the car or walking to work. While you love listening to the radio (who doesn’t, right?), maybe you’ve found yourself wondering if your commute time could be spent in a more fruitful and engaging way, something more meaningful than just listening to songs you’ve heard too many times before. Maybe you have some free time and you’re wondering what to do with it. Perhaps you have an upcoming trip planned and you’re wondering how you can occupy your time during that long car ride?
Well fret not–we have the answer: podcasts. Podcasts are a great way to turn what would be wasted time into a learning and engaging experience. As the new year rolls around, now is a great time to decide to dedicate more time to building your podcast listening library.
Nonetheless, with podcasts growing in popularity (and in numbers), it can be difficult to decide which ones to listen to. That’s where our list comes in. We’ve done the hard part and curated a list of the top podcasts you should keep an eye on for 2023, regardless of whether you’re listening to your first podcast this year or if you’re a seasoned podcast listener.
In this post, we have compiled our favorite podcasts for therapists, practice owners, and anyone who loves to learn. The topics range from insightful research in the field of psychology to the study of happiness to practical tips on how to better manage your practice.
Let’s dive right in!
For All Practitioners
The podcasts in this section touch more broadly on the topics of psychology, mental health, and therapy. They are designed to be enjoyed both by practicing therapists or by anyone who has a broad interest in the field of psychology or mental health.
Think:Therapy by Therapy Brands
Where to listen: Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or other podcast listening platforms
Think:Therapy is a podcast for mental and behavioral health providers to listen in on conversations with industry leaders. Hosted by Therapy Brands’ Chief Revenue and Marketing Officer, Maria Perrin, Think:Therapy will help you stay up-to-date on mental health care industry trends.
Happier with Gretchen Rubin
Where to listen: http://gretchenrubin.com/podcast/ or iTunes
From the author of The Happiness Project comes a magnetic podcast about practice management, good habits, and practical advice. Co-hosted by her sister, Elizabeth Craft, you’re sure to laugh as much as you learn.
The Psychology Podcast with Dr. Scott Barry Kaufman
Where to listen: http://scottbarrykaufman.com/podcast/ or iTunes
Dr. Kaufman will take you inside the mind and the brain to explore a topic we still know so little about. With topics that center around behavior, creativity, and the mind itself, they pack a lot into each episode.
Therapist Uncensored
Where to listen: http://www.therapistuncensored.com/podcast-2/ or iTunes
An unscripted and deeply thought-provoking podcast that wants to unpack the science behind self-help and expose what really matters and makes a difference in our lives, relationships, and minds.
Psych Crunch
Where to listen: https://digest.bps.org.uk/podcast/ or iTunes
While research studies and psychologies most recent findings are always intriguing, it’s not always clear what the practical applications are for those conclusions. But Dr. Christian Jarrett from the British Psychological Society’s Research Digest wants to help change that by presenting you with the newest data in digestible, 10-minute episodes.
Hidden Brain
Where to listen: http://www.npr.org/podcasts/510308/hidden-brain, iTunes, or the NPR One App
Shankar Vendanta will captivate you with ideas about the underlying patterns, bias’, and triggers that shape who we think we are, who we actually are, and who we are becoming. This podcast explores the things we don’t see that shape everything we do see and challenges you to think harder about the choices you make and what’s really driving them.
The Mental Illness Happy Hour
Where to listen: http://mentalpod.com/ or iTunes
With input from comedians, artists, friends and (some) doctors, Paul Gilmartin is on a mission to normalize what has for too long been stigmatized. He and his guests talk openly and honestly about the things that don’t get talked about in public, the struggles and pains and trauma of their own lives in order to bring to light the truth that the world is much more than black and white stories.
For Private Practice Owners
The following podcasts are specifically geared towards building, managing, and making the most out of your private practice. If you feel like graduate school didn’t do quite enough to prepare you for the business side of practice management, that you have room to grow when it comes to marketing, or you want to someday own your own practice, then these podcasts are for you.
The Practice of the Practice
Where to listen: https://www.practiceofthepractice.com/private-practice-resources/listen-to-the-podcast/ or iTunes
There’s a lot they don’t teach you in graduate school about running a private practice, Joe Sanok is here to help. He gives you great, practical tips you can implement now to grow your practice, get more referrals, save money and enjoy the practice you’re working so hard to build. Learn about marketing, branding, consulting and much more.
Selling the Couch
Where to listen: http://sellingthecouch.com/podcast/ or iTunes
This is a podcast for aspiring, new, and current mental health private practitioners. Psychologist Melvin Varghese interviews successful therapists about the business side of private practice (i.e. how they get referrals, their best tips and strategies, and their daily habits, etc.) as well as the world’s top business, marketing, and social media experts. What you get are bite-sized and actionable tips to guide your private practice and entrepreneurial journey.
The Therapist Experience Podcast by Brighter Vision: Marketing and Business Lessons for Therapists, Counselors, Psychologists, and Coaches in Private Practice
Where to listen: http://www.stitcher.com/podcast/brighter-vision-therapist-websites/the-therapist-experience or iTunes
Perry Rosenbloom from Brighter Vision, the company you know for its expert practice website design, talks to successful therapists from around the country to gain insight into what worked for them, what they wish they’d known, and what they want you to know about building and running a private practice. If you’re looking for marketing and business education that you can implement sooner rather than later, learn from the experts here.
Starting a Counseling Practice (With Kelly + Miranda)
Where to listen: https://www.zynnyme.com/podcast or iTunes
Kelly Higdon and Miranda Palmer bring Master’s Degrees in Psychology to real-world hands-on small business startup experience. They believe in bootstrapping, DIY, and creating a work/life balance that allows you to have a healthy, full life while you do it! If you are passionate about health and wellness and want to make a living doing what you love- this is the podcast for you.
The Private Practice Startup
Where to listen: https://privatepracticestartup.com/podcast-episodes/ or iTunes
Kate Campbell, Ph.D., LMFT, and Katie Lemieux, LMFT built their six-figure private practice from the ground up and created their podcast to share the knowledge they’ve picked up along the way. They are dedicated to inspiring mental health professionals who are in the process of building their private practice from “startup to mastery.” By interviewing a diverse set of people: entrepreneurs, mental health experts, and successful practitioners, their podcast is a wealth of information for any aspiring (or struggling) private practice owner.
Podcasts in 2023
We hope the podcasts on this list provide you with some fresh inspiration for 2023. Podcasts are not only a great way to enrich your day-to-day life, but they can also provide you with the knowledge you need to build a better private practice. Each podcast on our list presents listeners with a unique experience–each host brings their own perspective and way of communicating adding to the information they are conveying. Podcasts allow access to a varied and wide breadth of knowledge easily–make sure you take advantage of all they have to offer in 2023.
Additional Resources:
Before you go, check out these related resources: