Podcasts are a uniquely intimate and wonderful experience. Having someone in your ear, talking to you, is lovely. This is especially true because many peope choose to listen to podcasts when they’re working, cleaning, or doing something when they’re alone that they’d rather not be doing. Podcasts can fill in parts of your day that you sometimes dread.
They also create an experience in which, momentarily, you feel like you’re with someone. If you’re living with a tough health condition, health-related podcasts can be especially informative and entertaining, and even stave off feelings of isolation or loneliness.
This list is sure to have something for everyone.
Here’s what we’ve been listening to:
The Dropout
Host: Rebecca Jarvis, ABC News Chief Business, Technology and Economics Correspondent
Description: It was a book, HBO documentary, and now the story of Elizabeth Holmes and her company Theranos is a podcast. Theranos promised to make the power of blood testing accessible to everyone without doctors or expensive labs. Holmes sold the world on the idea that with two drops of blood, her invention could run over 200 blood tests with more accuracy than traditional blood draws. But, the technology failed, and some say she put vulnerable lives at stake in the process.
Start with : Episode one!
Terrible, Thanks For Asking
Health Topic: Pain (all kinds)
Host: Nora McInerny, a “reluctant expert in difficult conversations”
Technically, this podcast was on our last podcast round-up, but it’s so good we wanted to repeat our recommendation! You know when someone asks, “how are you?” and you just want to respond, “terrible,” but you don’t? People with chronic conditions experience this a lot and “Terrible, Thanks for Asking” is about this phenomenon. It’s a funny and poignant podcast that advocates talking honestly about our pain.
Start with: Help Me Remember
HIV Matters
Health Topic: HIV
Host: Dr. Ron Falk, University of North Caroline School of Medicine
Description: “Advancements in HIV treatment and prevention have come a long way since the virus first appeared three decades ago. While there is not yet a cure, people with HIV are enjoying longer and fuller lives, through treatments that also prevent the chance of HIV being transmitted to others.
It is because of these advancements that UNC’s HIV cure researchers believe an end to this disease is possible. Experts from the UNC Division of Infectious Diseases talk about HIV prevention, treatment, the social stigmas and the latest research in our new Chair’s Corner podcast series, ‘HIV Matters.’”
Start with: Living a Long Life with HIV
The Hardcore Self-Help Podcast
Health Topic: Mental Health, Anxiety, Depression, Relationships, Sex
Host: Robert Duff, a psychologist in Southern California
Description: “This is a podcast dedicated to answering your questions about mental health, anxiety, depression, relationships, sex, and life WITHOUT psychobabble BS. I am Dr. Robert Duff, a psychologist from Southern California, but I’m also a regular dude who legitimately wants to help out.”
Start with: Episode 167: Posttraumatic Growth with Dr. Laura Copley
Related: 9 Health Podcasts Worth Checking Out
The Dish Washing Doctor
Health Topic: Internal Medicine
Description: “A patient education focused podcast discussing a wide range of topics in healthcare, medicine and science. We focus on bringing medicine out of the ward to around the kitchen table with jargon-free talks. We hope to help people better understand their health. Sometimes controversial, sometimes educational and always entertaining.”
Start with: #10 Rheum series: rheumatoid arthritis – you’re the new weather person
Sleep with Me
Health Topic: Insomnia
Host: Drew Ackerman
Description: Have trouble getting to sleep? Drew Ackerman, a.k.a. Dearest Scooter, the forty-two-year-old creator and host of this podcast has a knack for telling stories that are not quite boring, but not stimulating enough to keep you awake. Essentially, they’re the perfect bedtime stories.
Start with: Bird Bath or A Little Water Globule Trembling with Joy
The Savvy Psychologist’s Quick and Dirty Tips for Better Mental Health
Health Topic: Mental Health
Host: Dr. Jade Wu specializes in health psychology, with expertise in behavioral sleep medicine and women’s mental health.
Description: “Meet life’s challenges with evidence-based research, a sympathetic ear, and zero judgment. We’ll use the best of psychology to help you be happier, healthier, and most importantly, yourself.”
Start with: #251 Savvy Psychologist’s Top 5 Psychological Takeaways
The Curbsiders Internal Medicine Podcast
Health Topic: Internal Medicine
Host: A team of students, residents, and clinician educators from across the country
Description: “On the show we ‘curbside’ the experts to deconstruct various topics in the world of medicine to provide listeners with clinical pearls, practice changing knowledge and bad puns.”
Start with: #155 LGBT Health in Primary Care
This Podcast Will Kill You
Health Topic: Infectious Diseases
Description: “This podcast might not actually kill you, but it covers so many things that can. Each episode tackles a different disease, from its history, to its biology, and finally, how scared you need to be. Ecologists and epidemiologists Erin Welsh and Erin Allmann Updyke make infectious diseases acceptable fodder for dinner party conversation and provide the perfect cocktail recipe to match.”
Start with: Episode 12 HIV/AIDS: Apathy Will Kill You
What’s your favorite health-related podcast?
