Top 10 Favorite Niche Podcasts for Mental/Sexual Health & Relationships
Podcasts have become a great way to learn, relax, and be entertained. With so many options available, it can be difficult to find shows that are actually worth your time. Whether you want to dive into heart wrenching stories, expand your mind, enjoy some laughs, feel validated in your experience (about your messed up ex), or pick up some new skills (yes, those kinds of skills, or communication skills or other types of skills), the right podcast can brighten your day (or night). Here’s a carefully selected list of ten of my favorite podcasts that offer something unique and that are worth your time.
Warning: you should probably listen to most of these with headphones or when alone or if the others around you are comfortable with these topics, because these podcasts frequently have episodes that discuss trauma/abuse, adult/sexual topics, use adult language, or have adult humor, and may not be appropriate for children or people who may be triggered by certain topics. If you find yourself triggered, please feel free to reach out, unless it is an emergency, then call 911.
1. The Mental Healness Podcast
The Mental Healness Podcast is hosted by Lee Hammock, who is officially diagnosed with Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD) and has been in therapy for about a decade. He shares the rare POV of a diagnosed narcissist, and is proof that growth is possible with therapy when they are dedicated with the right mindset. Lee is a mental health advocate and helps people understand/recover from being in a relationship with a narcissist. He is hilarious, while also providing good information on narcissism, toxic relationships, and recovering from related trauma. You can find him on Apple Podcasts, iHeart, YouTube, Spotify, Audible, and his website https://mentalhealness.net
2. Multiamory
Multiamory is hosted by Emily Matlack, Jase Lindgren, and Dedeker Winston. It is podcast that offers support and advice for modern relationships, including everything from monogamy to non-monogamy, casual dating, queer platonic partners, married but living apart, voluntarily single, polyamory, relationship anarchy, swinging, etc. They are inclusive, LGBTQIA+ friendly, and sometimes offer different views. It is one of the best podcasts for general relationship and alternative relationship issues and advice. It is also great for those considering/starting to open your relationship or those new to polyamory/ENM. You can find their podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and on their website https://www.multiamory.com
3. Counselor Toolbox
The Counselor Toolbox Podcast is hosted by Dr. Dawn-Elise Snipes, "Doc Snipes," has over 1,000 episodes targeted towards mental health professionals, addiction specialists, and coaches, but it can also be a useful self-help tool and rich source of information for non-professionals. For this podcast, it may be best to select episodes by relevant topic. Doc Snipes covers several useful topics, such as nutrition/gut health, eating disorders, addiction, nervous system regulation, personality disorders, trauma, hormones, immune disorders, chronic illness, anxiety, depression, and more. She can be found on Apple Podcasts, iHeart, YouTube, and on her websites https://docsnipes.com https://www.allceus.com
4. Save Your Sanity
Save Your Sanity: Help for Toxic Relationships was hosted by Dr. Rhoberta Shaler, "The Relationship Help Doctor," who unfortunately is no longer with us. What I really like about this podcast is Dr. Shaler's use of her trademark term for difficult and toxic people, "Hijackals." Her term can include narcissists and emotional abusers, but shifts the focus away from assigning diagnostic labels to people who may not qualify for them or have not been diagnosed by a qualified professional (i.e. calling someone a narcissist when they have narcissistic traits but have not been properly diagnosed). She offers insight on identifying toxic/abusive people/relationships and how to create healthy relationships with yourself, family, at work, and in intimate/romantic relationships. She covers topics such as abuse, trauma, resilience, boundaries, assertiveness, resilience, equality in relationships, reciprocity, mutuality, and more. She also wrote the book Kaizen for Couples, which will be included in my must read book post coming soon. She also had an older podcast, Transforming Relationship with Emotional Savvy, which is also worth listening to. She can be found on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and on her website https://forrelationshiphelp.com
5. The Happiness Lab
The Happiness Lab with Dr. Laurie Santos explores the science of happiness. This podcast originally got my attention with the "Inside the Love Lab with Drs. John & Julie Gottman" episodes (Part 1 & 2). Since then I have found her (sometimes counterintuitive) suggestions to improve quality of life/happiness, stress management strategies, mindset shifts, and explanations to be informative. I also like that there are a few episodes geared towards children, such as "Big Bird Has Big Feelings." You can find her on Apple Podcast, iHeart, YouTube, Spotify, and her website https://www.drlauriesantos.com
6. The Come As You Are Podcast
The Come As You Are Podcast only consists of 8 episodes, but it still deserves to be on the list. It is hosted by Dr. Emily Nagoski and co-hosted by Mo (Monique LaBorde). It focuses on sexual well-being, anatomy, pleasure, desire, and more, while being inclusive and body positive. If you feel shame about your body or in the bedroom, then I recommend checking out Dr. Emily Nagoski's work. Her books Come As You Are and Come Together will also be included in my must-read list. As well as the book she wrote with her sister, Amelia Nagoski, Burnout: The Secret to Unlocking the Stress Cycle. You can find her on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Audible, and her website https://www.emilynagoski.com
7. Sexology
Sexology Podcast is hosted by Dr. Moali. This podcast covers a variety of topics primarily focused on relationships or sexual health/pleasure. Episodes have included topics such as self-love, dating, menopause, different fetishes/kinks, toys, ED, lasting longer, overcoming shame/jealousy/trauma/infidelity, exploring alternative relationships (polyamory, swinging, etc.), tantra, and much more. She can be found on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, Audible, and on her website https://sexologypodcast.com
8. Dimming The Gaslight
Dimming The Gaslight is hosted by Mac. If you listen to this podcast I highly recommend you start with the first episode and go in order. It follows Mac's healing journey as a male survivor of narcissistic abuse and his in-the-moment struggles of divorce/custody. He offers some amazing advice and also points out where he made mistakes that could help others to avoid those same mistakes. One of my favorite things is a game he plays with his children to help them "know their truth." Some of the moments hit very hard in the heart. The moment he is playing the game in McDonald's with his son had me bawling, even though it isn't necessarily sad and I deal with emotional cases daily. It will have you saying "WTF" in one episode and clapping for him when he gets a win in another episode. He also has other survivors share their stories. I like that it is a male survivor's view too because frequently men are seen only as perpetrators. You can find him on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and his website https://dimmingthegaslight.com
9. Unlocking Us
Unlocking Us with Brené Brown focuses on connection and what is necessary for these connections, including courage, vulnerability (which is terrifying for most of us), and conversations. Her books are inspiring and I have multiple quotes from Brené Brown pinned on my wall around my desk. She can be found on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and on her website https://brenebrown.com
10. Call Her Daddy
Call Her Daddy is hosted by Alex Cooper. You probably won't find this on any other counselor's top 10 lists. The host doesn't have a doctorate and isn't a counselor. She does have professional guests occasionally. I originally found her because Emily Nagoski was a guest on the show for her book on burnout. Alex is hilarious, has celebrity guests, does have professional guests on a variety of topics, and offers a fresh prospective and entertainment. Please keep in mind that she is not a mental health professional and that any advice offered should be taken with a grain of salt. However, not every podcast needs to be purely educational, serious, or hosted by someone who will be paying off student loan payments until they die... Her podcast is a Spotify exclusive.
Podcasts offer a rich mix of entertainment, education, and connection. These ten favorites cover a wide range of interests and styles, so you can find something that fits your mood and curiosity. Try a few episodes from this list and discover how podcasts can enrich your daily routine. Happy listening!
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