I’m a podcast fanatic.

When I’m going about my day, I’m probably also listening to a podcast. This year, I’ve listened to everything from serial killer stories to commentary on oil drilling, but it’s the thought-provoking podcasts that are my favorites.

I’ve been trying several new podcasts and I’ve pulled together my favorites from the year. At the top of my list is Worklife, Dare to Lead, The Food Medic, and The Happiness Lab. Be sure to leave your top podcast in the comments and take a look at my Spotify playlist with my top episodes of the year!

WorkLife with Adam Grant

Adam Grant is a professor and researcher focused on what makes a good work-life. His podcast interviews the top people in the field such as Indra Nooyi, former CEO of Pepsico and Lin Manuel-Miranda, writer and composer of Hamilton.

WorkLife asks questions about the future of work, how to integrate life and work, and finding the alleged ‘work-life’ balance. It asks a lot of big questions and is helpful for any stage of life.

One of my favorites was his episode on insecurity and imposter syndrome. He interviews several people on their experience with imposter syndrome, even at the top of their field.

I’d highly recommend work-life or its partner podcast Taken For Granted.

Dare to Lead with Brene Brown

From Barack Obama to James Clear, Brene Brown interviews top leaders in every field. Brown’s voice will help you learn to make hard decisions, show up to work vulnerable, and learn to treat others with respect and kindness.

Now called “America’s Therapist,” Brown’s two podcasts, Unlocking Us and Dare to Lead, explore different themes, but are tied together with Brown’s deep-thinking questions.

In 2021, these podcasts helped me figure out unique strategies from thought-leaders, CEOs, political leaders, authors and more. If you scroll through her list, you’ll probably find someone you know or someone you want to know, and you’ll certainly find something to challenge your thought patterns.

The Food Medic with Dr. Hazel Wallace

Looking to build habits around healthy eating and exercise? Dr. Hazel Wallace focuses on sustainable actions to take care of your body and mind.

In season 6, Wallace interviews James Clear on habits, Amelia Nagoski on burnout, and hosts several episodes on resistance training and improving your fitness levels.

My favorite part about Wallace is her emphasis on research, starting small, and working slowly toward your goals. Her podcast emphasizes consistency instead of intensity, which helps integrate her tactics into a normal daily routine. There’s no need to be a fitness fanatic to learn something from this podcast. It’s actionable and always a fun and interesting listen.

The Happiness Lab with Dr. Laurie Santos

While I preferred the first couple seasons of the Happiness Lab, the 2021 season hit some great points.

Episode one explores Nostalgia and it ends with episodes on integrating fun and play into your life. I loved the final two-part series on the importance of play. It’s a great series that will make you want to try surfing, pick up an instrument or go swing at the park.

The Happiness Lab has three full seasons of great episodes and lots to learn about how to find little ways to be just a little happier.

Link to my favorites!

Here is a link to my favorite podcasts of 2021 Spotify playlist! If you have any suggestions on what I should listen to next, let me know in the comments!