Last year we wrote about the best therapy podcasts you need to listen to in 2022. Since then, there have been more additions and some dropouts when it comes to mental health podcasts in India. So, MyndStories took a fresh look at some of the mental health podcasts out there and present you with our current favorites. 

A 2023 survey shows that over a quarter of the Indian population listens to podcasts every day.

Qualitative research (Tobin & Guadagno 2022) has also shown that podcast listeners experience more motivation, productivity, and gratification. Curious listeners get good information, new content, and a sense of social gratification. A few factors that some media uses, including podcasts, can impact the listeners’ thoughts, feelings, and behaviors positively or negatively. The impact depends on what they are listening to and their response state. 

Mental health podcasts work in several ways:

• They create a safe space
• They make conversations around mental health more accessible
• They provide easy access to mental health professionals
• They make information-sharing easy

Most of all, they could make you feel less alone on your healing journey.

Without further ado, here are the top 5 therapy podcasts we recommend you listen to in 2023.

Mann ki ABC

Source: HT Smartcast

Do you live with chronic anxiety? Stress? 

Mann ki ABC is a podcast hosted by Anshuma Kshtrapal who strives to help you feel better with her tips and insights. A qualified psychotherapist and meditation coach, Kshetrapal’s podcast is about encouraging individuals to make mental health a priority. 

With episodes lasting between 20 to 30 minutes, Kshetrapal tackles a variety of topics from heartbreak to nervousness to boundaries. 

Filled with practical mindfulness guides, guided meditation practices, and engaging interviews, Mann ki ABC is just the show if you want to manage your everyday challenges and stressors.  

The SOS Show 

The SOS Show with Suchita continues to be on our list of favorites. Hosted by Suchita Bhhatia, a filmmaker working hard to demystify mental health, The SOS Show talks about every aspect of mental health. 

The podcast explores different mental illnesses and emotional health issues with experts and professionals. Each episode spans anywhere between 5 and 70 minutes. If you’re searching for solace in other people’s experiences and in-depth knowledge of different mental disorders from experts, The SOS Show with Suchita is perfect.    

Jeena isi ka naam hai

Source: BingePods

Hosted by psychologist Jeena Girilal, Jeena Isi Ka Naam Hai is a podcast that dives deep into mental health issues specific to working professionals. Addressing a range of issues related to the working world, Girilal provides empowering strategies and insights for individuals to achieve a work life balance through bite-sized episodes lasting under 10 minutes.

The podcast is not constrained to work-related issues though. Girilal also addresses personal loss, stress, grief, anger management, substance abuse, and trauma, among others. After all, personal issues do affect our work life and this is what Girilal tries to address. 

Zindagi Matters

Life matters. And this podcast covers every aspect of life in all its colors. 

Zindagi Matters is hosted by Geeta Lal Sahai, an award winning filmmaker and writer and features inspiring interviews, experiences, and perspectives. Produced by the Swayam Foundation, a Delhi-based NGO that works to raise mental health awareness and provide affordable therapy, the podcast talks to people from different walks of life about their mental health challenges. 

Living with OCD and depression, perspectives of a caregiver, managing dementia and Alzheimer’s or simply breaking myths around mental health are just a few of the topics the podcast covers through episodes that range between half an hour to 1 hour.

Self Love in 60 Seconds 

Self-love in 60 Seconds With Megha Bhatia is a quick and soothing listen. Megha Bhatia, the founder of Our Voix, an organization working on child sexual abuse prevention, talks about significant issues in our society. Her primary focus is on encouraging people to love themselves against all odds. Most of the podcasts are short bytes of just 1-2 minutes. 

This podcast came to our notice as a recommendation from Nishtha Budhiraja, a Child Psychologist and Adult Psychotherapist. “Self-love is for all. It is important to lead by example, and if you feel that it is difficult for you to love yourself – think again. Everybody deserves love; let us start with ourselves,” says Nishtha. This podcast is perfect for anyone who needs short, crisp, and to-the-point self-love encouragement.

The Alternative Story

Paras Sharma, a psychologist, began The Alternative Story to make therapy more accessible and this intent alone drives to retain its spot on our list. 

As a psychologist, he noticed a gap in the number of mental health professionals and affordable therapy in India. With The Alternative Story, Paras has tried to bridge this gap and make mental well-being accessible to everyone. 

Many episodes talk about the social politics surrounding a mental disorder. Paras also discusses approaches that can help people experiencing that mental disorder. What makes this podcast unique is not just the in-depth research on mental health issues but also that the theme of episodes is decided as per feedback from listeners. 

Podcasts from MyndStories

How can we not mention our very own podcasts from MyndStories when it comes to mental health? Listen to The MyndStories Minis for inspiring stories from writers, entrepreneurs, teachers, and other people we meet in our daily life. Looking for heartwarming stories of acceptance, kindness, and the like? Turn to the Dear Mynd and embark on an intimate and transformative storytelling experience with stories of resilience, self-discovery, and mental well-being. And don’t miss our brand new segment, The Therapy Room, where we talk exclusively to mental health professionals for clinical insights and guidance.

This isn’t an exhaustive list. Listening to these podcasts and discussing mental health openly can eliminate the stigma surrounding it, eventually encouraging people to seek help instead of internalizing it (Pavelko & Myrick, 2019). 

Podcasts can never be a replacement for therapy. What they can be, however, is that friendly pat you need after a long and exhausting day. In the words of Glenn Close, “What mental health needs is more sunlight, more candor, and more unashamed conversation.”