5 Podcasts That Will Help You Improve in Life
The levels of energy exerted in quarantine have been humbling to reflect on.
The initial weekends of the stay-at-home “suggestion” were peculiar, yet fairly lighthearted as Jacob and I added Lego sets, puzzles, and currently unused Greek language courses to our virtual shopping carts.
With each passing week, that jovial energy faded and has left us with the realization that COVID-19 has not only threatened our weekends, but is seriously threatening the health of our friends and family, milestone events, expensive travel plans, and our employment.
Lego sets, puzzles, and Netflix aside, we have been left with our environments, our possessions, and our thoughts. Our new normal has provided a tremendous amount of unsolicited time and solitude, which gives us an unparalleled opportunity to work on ourselves.
I wanted to put together a handful of podcasts that are focused on self-improvement of different facets. Ones that will challenge you to think differently and act differently if motivated enough to do so. All of these I have listened to in full, and I promise you that you will feel different after listening to them as well (if you’re anything like me, that is).
Here is a list of my top 5 podcasts to listen to, specific to self-improvement and mental health:
Do the Thing: Ep #27 Habit Level: Atomic with James Clear (12/24/2019)
If you are looking for any motivation to change your habits, look NO further than this amazing episode! I literally sent this podcast to every person who crossed my way for about a month straight. I listened to it twice in the same day – once on my commute to/from work, and another when I was home with a pen and paper in hand. If you are looking for motivation to become the person you want to be – look no further than this episode right here. Plus he has a book called Atomic Habits – and you can either read that entire book or listen to a 50-minute podcast. Your choice!
The Happiness Lab: Ep #2 The Unhappy Millionaire (9/23/2019)
I have already mentioned this one on my Instagram – but I honestly loved it. If you are needing any boost of appreciation or an alternative perspective for your current situation, this is the one. It highlights people who have experienced pretty traumatic events, but they have overcome them to find even more purpose, value and life than they ever had before. And it enlightens us to the notion that we are more resilient than we think we are.
Goop: How to Become Your Future Self (3/21/2019)
This podcast episode explores your mindset and the effects that positivity and alternative thinking behavior can have on your physical well-being and your life. I enjoy all mindset-centering podcasts as our minds are often so filled with thoughts that we not only do not slow down to listen to them but even less often slow down enough to re-wire them. If you need some motivation to re-wire your thoughts check out my affirmations blog post!
WSJ Secrets of Wealthy Women: Jen Sincero on Achieving Your Money Dreams (12/25/19)
Okay, I am slightly obsessed with anything Jen Sincero related. I don’t mean to offend her by saying this, but I think she would agree that she is a true rags-to-riches story. I mean, the woman was still living in a converted garage at the age of 40 and now she’s a millionaire? It just proves that if you want to make a change in your life, you can start today. This 20-minute episode is a quick but impactful dose of focusing on your goals and not letting anything stop you from achieving your dreams.
Goop: Why Are We All So Unhappy? (4/11/2019)
This is also a quick one, and admittedly the guest is an old man and it’s a slowish moving episode, but I LOVED it. This one features Swamiji, a spiritual teacher in Mumbai. The biggest takeaway I have of this one is that it is not selfish to have possessions and to want material things, but our unhappiness grows we become attached to them, as we become threatened if they are taken away. We have to free ourselves of our possessive attitudes to increase our happiness and find life outside of status and things. It is an unexpected message, but an important one that reminds us to appreciate life again.