5 new podcasts to listen to this week
These are our top podcast picks.
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Having good mental health makes life easier. Why not listen to this week’s podcast to help get you there?
1. Dear Therapists with Lori Gottlieb and Guy Winch
Streaming platform: All streaming platforms
Genre: Wellbeing
This week, on Dear Therapists with Lori Gottlieb and Guy Winch, American writer and psychotherapist Lori Gottlieb and psychologist Guy Winch talk through a problem familiar to a lot of people – heartbreak.
Gottlieb starts the episode by reading a letter from a woman – she joins the episode later on – who shares the reason she decided to break up with her boyfriend of nine months.
Winch commends her for responding healthily and pulling the plug on the relationship, stating that many other people in a similar situation – being with someone who doesn’t love them enough – would have remained in the relationship, hoping something would change, when it usually doesn’t.
They then go on to speak about the different stages of love, grieving the loss of a romantic relationship, setting boundaries, letting go of the sharpness that comes with thinking about the future and so much more.
I really admired the transparency of the guests because it allowed Gottlieb and Winch – who are fantastic listeners – to avoid mincing their words, and be as candid yet compassionate as possible. Listen and maybe learn something about yourself in the process.
(By Yolanthe Fawehinmi)
2. Feel Better, Live More with Dr Rangan Chatterjee
Streaming platform: All streaming platforms
Genre: Health and Wellbeing
According to Dr Rangan Chatterjee, our health and wellbeing have become overcomplicated.
It’s why the GP with nearly 20 years of experience started his podcast, Feel Better, Live More, where listeners can hear stories from leading health experts and personalities, who generously share easy health life-hacks and expert advice whilst they debunk common health myths to give you the tools to revolutionise how you eat, sleep, move and relax.
In the latest episode featuring microbiome scientist and researcher at King’s College London, Dr Emily Leeming, they dive straight into the current state of gut microbiome research.
Over the past two decades, the understanding of our gut health has drastically evolved. It made me think a lot about how it can play a crucial role in many different areas of our lives, including our immune system, ability to respond to stress, skin and even our mental wellbeing.
If you would like to learn more about how you can assess the state of your gut health, then Feel Better, Live More is one for you.
(By Yolanthe Fawehinmi)
3. The Mel Robbins Podcast
Streaming platform: All streaming platforms
Genre: Wellbeing
If you’ve had enough of the influx of information and advice about personal development and mindset, are feeling a little overwhelmed or maybe don’t know where to begin… The Mel Robbins Podcast may be your answer.
As a loyal listener to Robbins – a former lawyer turned author, motivational speaker, and podcast host as of 2022 – I always set down my headphones feeling refreshed and clear-minded. From the ‘Let Them’ theory to the ‘5 Second Rule Method,’ Robbins gives easy-to-follow and clear-executed plans to better your life, reach your goals, and reach your fullest potential.
In this week’s episode, Robbins gives six simple steps to reaching any goal you want. As someone who makes a vision board every new year but finds herself not reaching those goals one month in, this was a listen I very much needed.
Getting clear on what we want, measuring our goals, pivoting from thinking to doing, the reality that working towards your goals is actually pretty tedious and the concept of ‘just don’t quit,’ was enough to remind me of how our mind works.
That’s what Robbins does seamlessly. She doesn’t fill your head with delusion and a picture-perfect life. She gives you the raw and realistic situation as to what you will have to do to reach your goals – which ultimately will be worth it in the end.
So, if you need a taste of motivation, along with scientific research and evidence to excel and get the things you want in 2025, give Robbins’ weekly podcast a listen.
(By Sara Keenan)
4. Where Should We Begin? with Esther Perel
Streaming platform: All streaming platforms
Genre: Wellbeing and society
I was shocked when Belgian-American psychotherapist Esther Perel mentioned that 2025 marks the eighth year of her podcast Where Should We Begin? with Esther Perel.
Each week, Perel opens the doors to her office and invites listeners to be a fly on the wall as she converses with couples and individuals seeking insight.
It’s a space to be heard, to get unstuck, and to feel empowered in your relationships because, for Perel, when you listen deeply to others, you see yourself – even when their story differs from yours.
In addition to regular episodes, Perel hosts Esther Calling, a one-time, 45-60-minute interventional phone call, edited for time, clarity, and anonymity.
In the first one of the year, a young woman notices that she is frequently being ghosted in her life. And the last time this happened, it really hurt. Not only did she lose a lover but she lost an important friend too. Did this friend with benefits ghost her or did she miss something? Listen to Where Should We Begin? with Esther Perel to find out.
(By Yolanthe Fawehinmi)
5. Balanced Black Girl
Streaming platform: All streaming platforms
Genre: Wellbeing
Balanced Black Girl – the calmest podcast I’ve ever listened to – is a podcast hosted by Les Alfred who offers weekly wellness wisdom.
Frustrated by feeling isolated as a personal trainer and nutrition coach, Alfred founded the podcast in 2018 and it’s hit off since then with weekly episodes – some solo and some with an array of inspiring guests such as CEO of Folklore, Amira Rasool.
In her newest episode, Alfred hosts a workshop episode for those who want to rebrand themselves in the new year. She explains rebranding represents the idea of evolving, alignment and living intentionally.
Her own goals remind listeners to create a life for themselves as for her, “everything is to be rooted in truth and authenticity,” to who she is.
Perhaps you need a friendly, calming voice to guide you through your rebrand this year, probing thoughts such as ‘What do you really want?’, ‘Who exactly are you?’ or ‘Why are you doing the things you do?’. If so, this interactive episode with Alfred may be the next episode you line up this week.
(By Sara Keenan)