Verified by 
Now that you’ve finished binge-watching Making a Murderer and Serial season 2 just isn’t cutting it for you, here’s a list of five psychological podcasts for insightful ears in 2016:
Happier with Gretchen Rubin (iTunes) (website)
If you haven’t yet heard of Gretchen Rubin, you may not literally be living under a rock, but you just might be living in a dark cloud of unhappiness. Ok, the almighty pursuit of happiness at all costs may be a bit overrated, but Gretchen proves that good things come to those persevere. Starting with her mega-watt of sunshine bestselling book The Happiness Project, Gretchen shows that she’s a happiness guinea pig, trying out everything from ancient wisdom to modern research in a relentless pursuit to find the good life. But part of the fun of the Happier podcast is the relationship between Gretchen and her co-host and wise younger sister, Elizabeth Craft, whom Gretchen pleasantly yet persistently pushes into small, weekly changes towards a better life. And you thought your elder sibling was tough…
The Psychology Podcast with Dr. Scott Barry Kaufman (iTunes) (website)
Have you ever wondered what kind of thoughtful and idea generating conversations about psychology take place between poster sessions at the latest conference or convention, well wonder no more! Dr. Scott Barry Kaufman probes the minds of fellow psychologists, researchers, neuroscientists and more to dig deep into how we operate psychologically. His logo features a brain with iPhone earbuds, which is apt, because The Psychology Podcast is like a gym workout for your neurons and synapses. Tune in for episodes like “Learning How to Learn”, “What It’s Like to Be a Psychopath”, and finding “Spectacular Ability in a Sea of Disability”.
Parenting in the Rain with Jackie Flynn, Ed.S., LMHC, RPT (iTunes) (website)
For all the joys of parenting, I’m sure there are times when it’s no real picnic. But when the sunny days of happiness and connection turn into storms and strife, don’t panic! Jackie Flynn is here with a lineup of great experts to help you weather through. Jackie’s podcast has sparked to life like a sudden bolt of lightning from the sky with episodes about helping children grieve in an emotionally healthy way or raising genuinely kind kids. This podcast is chock full of content and wisdom to help you and your kids play through the puddles and dance in the rain.
Baltimore-Annapolis Psychotherapy Podcast with Laura Reagan, LCSW-C (iTunes) (website)
Look out Terry Gross! Laura Reagan has the kind of soothing voice and gentle presence that’ll make you feel like you’re awash in a comforting breeze of Fresh Air. Even if the only thing you know about Baltimore is The Wire, Laura’s podcast is a must listen for anyone looking for a refuge from stress, struggle, burnout, busyness, and overwhelm. Her soothing and compassionate wisdom and thoughtful guests are caring companions to help you cultivate peace, presence, and authenticity in your life. Fans of Brene Brown will love the messages of compassion, authenticity, and self-acceptance radiating from Laura’s podcast.
Shrink Rap Radio with David Van Nuys, Ph.D. (iTunes) (website)
“Dr. Dave” beat us all to the podcast game…he’s been doing this probably longer than you ever knew what a smartphone was. That’s right, for as long as there have been iPhones, he’s been bringing the world great content from great thinkers in psychology and psychotherapy first with the Wise Counsel podcast and now with his own Shrink Rap Radio. With nearly 500 episodes of Shrink Rap Radio under his belt, it’s hard to even imagine where to start. Luckily, he has a “best of” list over on his website at ShrinkRapRadio.com. Whether you are a psychology undergraduate, a seasoned clinician, or just someone interested in people, Shrink Rap Radio is a treasure trove of psychological knowledge from everyone who’s anyone in the field of psychology.
Bonus track: School of Psych podcast with Jared DeFife, Ph.D. (iTunes) (website)
Ok, so I acknowledge and apologize for the shameless self promotion, but it’s my genuine and sincere hope that if you’re interested in great podcasts like the ones above, that you might also like to check out the School of Psych podcast which launched this week. Thanks to my incredibly generous guests who have amazing stories to tell and wisdom to share, we’ve launched as a Top 5 New & Noteworthy podcast in Social Sciences on iTunes. The School of Psych podcast is less about "5 simple tips for a great marriage" and more about stories from experts in psychology, culture, and relationships like Margee Kerr, PhD sharing what she learned about the psychology of fear from dangling off the ledge of 1,000 ft tall building, or what led Jocelyn Charnas, PhD from reluctant bride to counseling couples as New York's 'Wedding Doctor', or how NYTimes Modern Love column contributor and journalist Lisa A. Phillips began a journey to learn about unrequited love and romantic obsession after her own close encounter in obsession over someone who didn't love her back. Psychologists, authors, journalists and more are asked to dig deep into their own personal passions, triumphs, heartbreaks, failures, and eureka moments to help us learn more about who we are, what we think, and how we relate.
Now that your podcast queues are full, I wish you happy listening. And if you like what you hear on any of the podcasts above, remember to subscribe, rate, and review to get more awesome listening experiences and amazing insights!
Visit: jareddefife.com
References
