9 Must-Listen Positive Psychology Podcasts

Using a lighthearted, informal method (not based on download numbers or reviews), here is a short, curated list of positive psychology podcasts that will:

• Make you laugh
• Help you better understand yourself
• Teach you about others
• Spark feelings of awe and wonder
• Challenge assumptions about happiness
• Inspire more purposeful living

Not every show is exclusively about positive psychology, but each regularly features topics from the field. Listen, explore, and consider adding your recommendations in the comments. Most of these podcasts are available via major podcast platforms.

Before you continue: consider downloading our five positive psychology tools for free — a set of science-based exercises that explore strengths, values, and self-compassion to enhance wellbeing for clients, students, or employees.

The Science of Happiness

The Science of Happiness grew from a popular course offered by the Greater Good Science Center at Berkeley that teaches evidence-based practices for living a meaningful, satisfying life. The course covers topics from awe and gratitude to resilience and mindset, and has reached hundreds of thousands of learners.

The podcast version brings research to life with practical experiments. Each episode follows participants who try a positive practice—then report back—while hosts explain the science behind the tool. Episodes are lively, candid, and typically short (many under 30 minutes), making them ideal for commutes or short listening sessions.

An early episode introduced the “Three Good Things” exercise, a simple reflective practice used in positive psychology to shift attention toward what went well during the day.

The Psychology Podcast

Hosted by Dr. Scott Barry Kaufman, The Psychology Podcast explores the mind, brain, behavior, and creativity. With many episodes spanning topics such as memory, intelligence, sensitivity, passion, and perseverance, the show features conversations with researchers and authors who bring depth and nuance to psychological concepts.

Guests have included a wide range of thinkers who discuss everything from creativity and self-actualization to controversies and taboo topics. Kaufman frames these conversations through a humanistic lens focused on human potential and wellbeing.

Download 3 Free Positive Psychology Exercises (PDF)

Enhance wellbeing with three science-based exercises that draw on current positive psychology research. These tools are designed for practitioners and anyone interested in applied wellbeing techniques.

All in the Mind

All in the Mind is an Australian podcast that examines mental health, neuroscience, and human behavior. Hosted by Lynne Malcolm, the show features interviews with researchers and clinicians and explores topics from addiction to artificial intelligence.

One notable episode on music and the brain explains how musical preferences engage the brain’s Default Mode Network and how music can influence memory, learning, and the aging brain. The episode offers an accessible overview of neural development, pruning, and the challenges researchers face when trying to study culture and music in naturalistic settings.

Speaking of Psychology

Produced by the American Psychological Association, Speaking of Psychology distills current psychological research and applies it to everyday life. Episodes break down complex findings into practical insights about empathy, memory, social behavior, and mental health.

Topics have included the psychological role of nostalgia, how memories can be manipulated, the psychology of fake news, workplace wellbeing, loneliness, and finding meaning in life. The show is broad in scope and useful for listeners who want research-backed explanations for common human experiences.

The Happiness Lab With Dr. Laurie Santos

The Happiness Lab, hosted by Yale professor Dr. Laurie Santos, translates research on wellbeing into engaging, practical episodes. Drawing on her popular university course, Santos examines how choices, social influences, and cognitive biases shape happiness.

Episodes cover a variety of topics, including how laughter spreads, why too many choices can drain us, the unintended effects of grading, and the limits of relentless positivity. The show explains behavioral findings with clear examples and pragmatic takeaways.

Positive Psychology Toolkit

The Positive Psychology Toolkit is a practitioner resource containing hundreds of science-based exercises, activities, interventions, questionnaires, and assessments designed to promote flourishing, meaning, and wellbeing.

The Positive Psychology Podcast

Hosted by Kristen Truempy, The Positive Psychology Podcast mixes practical tools with creative presentation—once even delivering a short positive-psychology rap. Many episodes focus on applied strategies such as emotion differentiation, conscious communication, strengths-based parenting, the psychology of trust, and the intersection of spirituality and wellbeing.

Episodes are generally under an hour and blend evidence-based content with accessible, real-world examples. Truempy’s background in applied positive psychology informs the blend of theory and practice.

Nothing Much Happens

Good sleep supports wellbeing, and Nothing Much Happens is a podcast designed to help adults relax and fall asleep. Each episode is a gentle, slow-paced bedtime story written and read by Kathryn Nicolai. The premise is simple: “nothing much happens, you feel good, and then you fall asleep.” Nicolai’s calm, measured voice and soothing storytelling make the show an effective tool for winding down.

17 Top-Rated Positive Psychology Exercises (PDF)

Expand your toolkit with 17 scientifically designed exercises to promote human flourishing, meaning, and wellbeing. These are practical, evidence-informed activities suitable for practitioners and individuals alike.

Best Podcast Players

There are many podcast apps to choose from; try a few to discover which best fits your listening habits. Popular options include Overcast, Stitcher, Pocket Casts, Player FM, Spotify, Luminary, Castbox, Podcast Addict, and Himalaya.

Different players offer varied features: some provide superior search tools for discovering niche shows, while others excel at playlist organization or offline listening. Once you find one or two favorites, you can easily subscribe to and organize the podcasts you love.

A Take-Home Message

If you’re new to podcasts, these shows are a great place to start. Podcasts are largely free and make it easy to pursue continuous learning about wellbeing, human behavior, and the science of happiness. Listen during commutes, while cooking, by the pool, or anytime you want to learn and reflect.

With the variety of formats and perspectives represented—short, research-driven episodes to longer conversational interviews—you’re likely to find episodes that inform, entertain, and motivate you to live with greater purpose.

What has been your favorite positive psychology podcast episode? Share your pick in the comments.

We hope you found this guide helpful. Don’t forget to download the five free positive psychology tools mentioned earlier to try practical exercises for wellbeing.