Being a therapist is one of the most rewarding, challenging, and humbling paths I’ve ever chosen. Every day, I step into a space where vulnerability, pain, growth, and healing co-exist. I must hold space for grief, trauma, confusion, breakthroughs, and quiet victories. But as much as I love this work, it’s also emotionally taxing at times for obvious reasons. It took me a few months into my internship to realize that in order to keep showing up for others, I needed to regularly show up for myself — not just through self-care checklists, but in meaningful, consistent, and fun ways. One unexpected tool in that process? Podcasts. But not the clinical, evidence-based kind. I’m talking about the totally unrelated, lighthearted, sometimes irreverent shows that help me reconnect with the parts of me that exist beyond my job.
There are three podcasts in particular that keep me grounded, curious, and even a little silly when the weight of therapeutic work starts to feel too heavy: The Happiest Podcast on Earth, 10% Happier with Dan Harris, and Aware & Aggravated. Each one plays a very different role in my life, but they all offer the same gift of allowing me a mental reset and a reminder that I’m a human being first, and a therapist second.
First is The Happiest Podcast on Earth. Yes, it’s Disney-themed. And no, I’m not ashamed. This show feels like a warm hug from your childhood. It’s hosted by a group of Disney lovers who talk about the parks, movies, music, memories, and everything in between. There’s something incredibly soothing about listening to adults debate the best Magic Kingdom snack or rank Pixar soundtracks. When I’m feeling burned out, emotionally raw, or just drained from holding heavy stories all day, this podcast gives me permission to mentally check out and check into joy. It reminds me how essential it is to play, something I often encourage my clients to do but sometimes forget to allow myself to do.
The next is 10% Happier with Dan Harris. This one does flirt with the edge of mindfulness and wellness, which occasionally overlaps with therapy, but it’s not a therapy podcast. What I love most is Dan Harris’s skeptical yet sincere approach to self-improvement. He interviews meditation teachers, scientists, and spiritual thinkers with a journalist’s curiosity — always questioning, never preaching, and constantly getting different perspectives. His personal journey from high-stress news anchor to meditation advocate is compelling and honest, and I appreciate how he doesn’t try to be perfect. As a therapist, I spend so much time facilitating growth for others that I sometimes forget my own is still ongoing. This podcast invites me to stay curious about my own inner world, without putting pressure on myself to have it all figured out.
Finally, there’s Aware & Aggravated by Leo Skepi and this one is definitely the wildcard of the bunch. Leo is bold, brutally honest, and unfiltered in a way that’s both jarring and refreshing. His podcast is part pep talk, part inner work, and part tough love. He talks openly about self-worth, boundaries, relationships, ego, confidence, and the messy process of leveling up your life — all in his uniquely direct, no-BS tone. What I love about Leo’s approach is that he makes no attempt to sugarcoat the truth. As a therapist, I’m constantly navigating the fine line between support and challenge, choosing my words carefully, and trying to stay grounded in neutrality.