Let’s be honest, sometimes it feels like the world is crumbling. Whether it’s climate change, political division, war and global violence, or social justice issues, the weight of the world can feel like too much. I often interact with people who are doing their best to be informed, active, and resilient, but who also feel utterly exhausted by the constant heaviness.
There is absolutely a place for staying informed and engaged. But there’s also value in intentionally disconnecting from the chaos when needed. Taking small mental vacations is a tool I encourage many of my clients to try. Podcasts, in particular, are a gentle, accessible way to do that. You can pop one on during your commute, your walk, or while folding laundry. They don’t require you to look at a screen or hold a thought for too long. They just invite you to listen and simply be entertained.
Here are three podcasts I regularly recommend when someone says, “I just need a break from it all.”
1. Giggly Squad
Hosted by Paige DeSorbo and Hannah Berner
This podcast is essentially about… nothing. And that’s what makes it magic.
Paige and Hannah are best friends in their early thirties, and each week they invite you into their world of fashion hot takes, ridiculous dating stories, and wildly off-topic tangents. There are no guests. No politics. No current events. Just two friends cackling through inside jokes and internet rabbit holes.
Listening to Giggly Squad feels like eavesdropping on a conversation between two people who know each other inside and out. For anyone who finds comfort in friendship, especially the kind that doesn’t take itself too seriously, this podcast can be a grounding presence.
As a therapist, I love this podcast because it shows the power of lighthearted connection. You don’t need to be solving the world’s problems to build meaningful moments. Laughter can be healing. Hearing two people be their full, weird selves with each other can remind you that safety and joy exist, even when the outside world feels chaotic.
Sometimes what we need is not more information or insight—but an hour of pure nonsense. This podcast delivers exactly that.
Listen when: You need a distraction that doesn’t ask anything of you. You’re craving the comfort of friendship and fun.
2. Good Hang with Amy Poehler
Hosted by Amy Poehler and a rotating cast of guests and their friends
If Giggly Squad is a peek into an intimate friendship, Good Hang takes it one step further: it’s a celebration of the friend behind the scenes.
The premise is charming and clever: Amy Poehler interviews a guest (usually someone well-known in entertainment), but first she chats with that guest’s best friend to get the inside scoop. What results is a far more personal and playful interview, one where we’re not just learning about someone’s career, but about what makes them laugh, what drives them nuts, and what lights them up… according to the person who knows them best.
As a therapist, I’m fascinated by the way this podcast subtly shows how people are shaped by their closest relationships. We often think of celebrities as one-dimensional personas. But hearing their best friends talk about them as goofy, generous, awkward, or sensitive offers a humanizing twist. It’s also a reminder of the importance of being known—and the safety that comes from being seen by someone who’s been there for the ups and downs.
And let’s be real: Amy Poehler is hilarious. Her warmth, wit, and deep curiosity make this podcast not just comforting but really enjoyable.
Listen when: You want something heartwarming but also funny. You’re feeling disconnected and want to remember that real, vulnerable connection still exists in the world.
3. NPR’s Pop Culture Happy Hour
Hosted by Linda Holmes, Aisha Harris, Stephen Thompson, Glen Weldon, and guests
Okay, maybe you’re someone who wants to disengage from world news but still feel a little plugged in. Pop Culture Happy Hour is the perfect middle ground.
Airing four days a week, this podcast dives into everything from the buzziest new TV shows to niche indie films, book releases, viral moments, and even video games. It’s like sitting at a really fun dinner table with smart friends who love pop culture as much as you do.
What makes this show stand out is that it doesn’t take itself too seriously. Yes, the hosts are thoughtful and insightful. But there’s also plenty of lightness. They disagree with each other. They laugh a lot. They’re open about their opinions and preferences, which makes for lively and refreshing conversations.
As a therapist, I often hear people say, “I feel guilty watching TV or reading celebrity news when there’s so much going on in the world.” But here’s the thing, joy is not frivolous. Being immersed in a story, appreciating a work of art, or getting caught up in the drama of a fictional universe is one of the ways we restore ourselves. It can build connection, creativity, and even hope.
NPR’s Pop Culture Happy Hour validates that. It gives you permission to enjoy things simply because they make you feel something—and sometimes, that’s all we need.
Listen when: You want to feel “in the know” without being overwhelmed. You want recommendations for your next watch/read/listen. You’re ready to swap doomscrolling for something that sparks joy.
Why Disengaging Matters
We live in a time of constant access to information, to news, to other people’s opinions. It’s a lot.
And while awareness is important, there is no award for carrying everything all the time. Disengagement doesn’t mean you don’t care. It means you’re protecting your nervous system, even temporarily, so you can stay grounded and steady.
Therapy is one way to build those boundaries. But so is media curation. You’re allowed to decide that your mental health matters more than reading the latest terrifying headline. You’re allowed to laugh at something silly. You’re allowed to rest.
So whether you’re walking your dog, driving to work, or sitting in your bathtub with your phone propped up on the sink, try one of these podcasts the next time the world feels like too much.
They won’t solve global crises. But they might help you breathe easier, reconnect with your sense of joy, and remember that there’s still softness, connection, and humor to be found.
And that, in its own quiet way, is a kind of resistance.