By Khloe Crimando, MS, LAC
If you’re looking to learn more about mental health and wellness, you’re in the right place. As a therapist, I take a whole-health approach, looking at the well-being of the entire person—including their mental, spiritual, physical, and social health. I’m always exploring new resources that make these dimensions of wellness feel accessible, empowering, and easy to weave into everyday life. I often turn on a podcast when I’m looking for insight and inspiration. Whether you’re hoping to better understand your emotions, strengthen your relationships, deepen your sense of purpose, or build healthier habits, these shows offer thoughtful conversations and practical insights. Below are some of my favorite podcast recommendations to support your growth and well-being, wherever you are on your journey.
And whether you’re on a long road trip, taking a mindful walk, cooking, or simply carving out a quiet moment for yourself, these podcasts are easy, grounding options that can support your well-being wherever you’re listening.
10% Happier: The 10% Happier podcast, hosted by former ABC anchor Dan Harris, explores mindfulness, meditation, and practical strategies for mental wellness. After experiencing a panic attack on live television, he turned to mindfulness as a way to manage stress and anxiety. The podcast brings in meditation teachers, neuroscientists, psychologists, authors, therapists, and other experts from around the world to explore strategies for well-being. Topics range from anxiety management and emotional regulation to building resilience, improving sleep, and finding balance in daily life. I love that this podcast is approachable and relatable—even for those who may be skeptical about mindfulness.
With a mix of humor, curiosity, and science-backed insights, Dan and his guests offer actionable tips to help listeners reduce stress, boost focus, and improve overall well-being!
Hidden Brain: The Hidden Brain podcast explores the unconscious patterns, biases, and psychological forces that shape human behavior and decision-making. It is hosted by journalist and science correspondent Shankar Vedantam, who has been reporting on social science and human behavior for over twenty-five years. He looks at the “hidden” factors that shape how we think, feel, and act. By doing so, he illuminates the psychological factors we don’t always notice in our day-to-day lives. He does this by chatting with psychology experts, sharing real-life stories, and exploring the experiences of different guests.
I recommend Hidden Brain because it helps you see the patterns behind your thoughts, feelings, and actions in a relatable way. It shares real stories and expert insights that can give you practical ideas for understanding yourself and navigating everyday life!
“Our inner worlds are so much with us, so familiar to us, that many of us have lost the ability to marvel at our own minds. Yet, there is no form of exploration more exhilarating. Every episode of Hidden Brain aims to help people get to know themselves a little better, to think of their inner worlds with less judgment and more curiosity.” — Shankar Vedantam
Your Anxiety Toolkit: Kimberly Quinlan is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist based in Los Angeles and the founder of the CBT School. Since 2016, Kimberly has created weekly episodes focused on practical tools, techniques, and coping strategies for anxiety, OCD, depression, and overthinking, among many additional topics. Now with over 450 available episodes, the show has provided millions with education to take ownership and control of their lives while navigating various mental health concerns.
This show is great for practicing grounding and self-exploration. Share what you learned with your therapist and discuss how it connects with your journey!
Owning It: The Anxiety Podcast: Owning It is a relatable, practical podcast hosted by Caroline Foran, who draws on her own experiences with anxiety throughout her life. Each episode blends personal stories with insights from experts like therapists and psychologists, offering tools to understand and manage anxiety. Topics range from relationship anxiety and health worries to parenting, emotional regulation, and the societal roots of stress. Caroline’s approachable, validating style makes listeners feel seen while providing actionable strategies for coping. It’s a supportive, down-to-earth resource for anyone looking to navigate anxiety with understanding and practical guidance.
I recommend this show for its relatability, as it normalizes many experiences related to anxiety. The podcast also introduces coping strategies and perspectives that can spark conversation in therapy sessions, helping clients reflect on their own experiences and apply what resonates with the support of their counselor.
Thank you so much for taking the time to explore some of my favorite podcasts and resources. I truly hope that as you listen, you find insights, strategies, and stories that resonate with you and support your own journey toward well-being. Each episode offers practical tools and thoughtful perspectives, and my hope is that they leave you feeling inspired, empowered, and a little more equipped to navigate life’s challenges. Enjoy diving in, and I hope you find these recommendations both helpful and enjoyable!
While listening on your own can be a helpful way to learn new tools and approaches, the real benefit comes from discussing what you learn with a therapist or mental health professional. Exploring these strategies together allows you to see how they apply to your unique experiences, figure out which tools work best for you, and integrate them into your personal journey.
Khloe takes a person-centered approach to therapy, drawing on evidence-based practices such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Psychodynamic therapy, Motivational Interviewing (MI), and mindfulness techniques. She has supported clients navigating challenges including anxiety, depression, stress management, life transitions, and relationship concerns. Grounded in a whole-health perspective, Khloe recognizes the connection between mental, emotional, physical, social, and spiritual well-being. With a background in the arts alongside her clinical training, she brings creativity and empathy to her work, fostering a safe and inclusive environment where healing and growth can emerge through self-awareness, resilience, and the exploration of each client’s unique story and strengths.
Email us at info@exceptionalwellnesscounseling.com
Call us (908) 415-2042
Learn more. https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/how-simply-moving-benefits-your-mental-health-20160328 9350 https://med.uth.edu/psychiatry/2022/12/19/nearly-4-in-10-americans-experience-declining-mood-in-winter-apa-poll-finds/ https://health.clevelandclinic.org/how-much-sunshine-you-need-daily
