Podcast Episodes to Check Out This Month
Written by Helena Lorenz, M.S.W., LMSW
There is so much interesting and thought-provoking content about mental health out there these days, it’s hard to even know where to start! Movies, magazines, TV shows, and even songs on Top40 radio have been taking on the topic of mental health, exploring it from dozens of fresh and new perspectives. My personal favorite way to look at the subject through a new lens is via podcasts! Honestly, if I am doing anything in which I do not have to immediately interact with another person, odds are pretty good that I have a podcast on in the background. This became especially true during the pandemic when bouts of loneliness and isolation would creep in, and it was so comforting to hear the familiar voices of my favorite podcast hosts wafting through my home. With that in mind, I’ve decided to start a series of blogs in which I share my love of podcasts with a wider audience!
Every month, I’ll share 3 new episodes of podcasts that somehow relate to mental health. Sometimes the entire podcast series will revolve around psychology or counseling, and sometimes it’s just a one-off episode in a series about something totally different that happened to touch on a particularly interesting mental health topic. Hopefully some of these shows can serve as a source of comfort, contemplation, validation, enlightenment, and joy for you, too! Happy listening!
Feel free to check out these episodes via the links in the titles or through your favorite podcast app.
1. “The Queen of Dying” – Radiolab
· This episode from a fantastic, Peabody Award-winning podcast series on science explores the fascinating personal and professional history of Dr. Elisabeth Kubler-Ross. Even if you haven’t heard her name before, you have probably heard of her seminal 1969 book, “On Death and Dying”, in which she explored the taboo topic of hospice care in medicine and the often overlooked psychological processes surrounding death. She is the researcher who came up with the famous 5 stages of emotions that someone goes through as they are approaching death: denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. Listen to learn more about the truly fascinating tale of her life’s work!
2. “Pretty Hurts” – This is Uncomfortable
· This show is a fun offshoot of NPR’s tried and true Marketplace podcast, and it explores the myriad of ways in which money and life intersect and mess with one another. This episode covers the emotional, mental, and financial impact of the beauty industry on femme-presenting individuals and the impossibly high standards the industry promotes. The story highlights the ongoing struggle between a woman of color and her body hair, and the painful lengths to which she goes to try and conform to society’s idealized image of white femininity. An emotional, powerful, and hopeful listen for anyone struggling with issues around body image.
3. “Michael Pollan” – Armchair Expert with Dax Shephard
· In his ridiculously popular interview show, Dax Shepard chats with a wide variety of celebrities, writers, and academics on every topic under the sun, and in this episode, he talks with famous science writer Michael Pollan. Pollan’s previous notable works include “Omnivore’s Dilemma” and “Botany of Desire”, and in this episode he is promoting his new book called “This is Your Mind on Plants”, about how throughout human history we have sought out and cultivated plants with mind-altering properties. His voracious and thorough research looks into everything from coffee and tea to opium and hallucinogenic mushrooms, and it is a fascinating listen. *Important to note that there is frequent cursing and discussion of mature topics in this show and thus may not be appropriate for young listeners.
Consider Adult Therapy:
A skilled therapist can help support you and treat symptoms of anxiety. At Heights Family Counseling, we offer online and in-person counseling in both our premiere Texas locations in the Houston, Heights, and San Antonio’s Alamo Heights. Contact our counseling clinic to set up a free phone consultation.