Psychology Podcasts

People Who Read People

Full disclosure: this is my (Zach Elwood, the list maker’s) podcast, but it’s also one of the more popular psych-related podcasts (in top 1% in traffic) and has good reviews, so I think it deserves a spot on this list. In this podcast, I explore how people from various professions use psychology and people-reading in their work, and I also tackle political polarization and the psychology that drives it. My main claim to fame is my poker tells work. 

iTunes | Spotify 

A few interesting episodes (iTunes):  

• Behavioral indicators of good and bad relationships
• The psychology of nostalgia
• The awe and horror of existence (existential psychology)

Stuff to Blow Your Mind

From their description: “Deep in the back of your mind, you’ve always had the feeling that there’s something strange about reality. There is. Join Robert Lamb and Joe McCormick as they examine neurological quandaries, cosmic mysteries, evolutionary marvels and our transhuman future.” This is a wide-ranging podcast that covers all sorts of interesting things, from psychology to history to movies, and there are a lot of episodes. 

iTunes | Spotify 

A few interesting episodes (iTunes): 

• The nature of our split left/right-hemisphere brains
• Can music enhance our memory?
• The nature of tears 

The Stanford Psychology Podcast

From their description: “The Stanford Psychology Podcast invites leading psychologists to talk about what’s on their mind lately. Join Eric, Anjie, Kate, Bella, and Joseph as they chat with their guests about their latest exciting work.”

iTunes | Spotify

A few interesting episodes (iTunes):  

• Why people would rather shock themselves than sit alone with their thoughts
• Why we talk to ourselves and how to make our inner voices work in our favor
• How studying dogs helps us understand human social learning

Nature of Nurture

Leslie Carr is a clinical psychologist and “an expert in how trauma, stress, culture, and digital technology impact the mind.” From their description: “By helping us make sense of ourselves as human beings living during strange and stressful times, The Nature of Nurture explores some of the most pressing issues facing us today.”

iTunes | Spotify 

A few interesting episodes (iTunes):  

• What it’s like being a therapist for very young kids
• Using hallucinogens to heal eating disorders and depression
• Surviving toxic families

Hidden Brain

One of the most popular podcasts in the world, this is often mentioned when people name their favorite psychology podcasts. From their page: “Shankar Vedantam uses science and storytelling to reveal the unconscious patterns that drive human behavior, shape our choices and direct our relationships.”

iTunes | Spotify 

A few interesting episodes (iTunes):  

• What makes relationships thrive?
• The science of stage fright
• The science of the left and right brain hemispheres

Making Sense, with Sam Harris

One of the more popular podcasts in the world. Harris is a neuroscientist with a wide range of interests who often tackles interesting psychology and philosophy topics, like free will and the nature of consciousness. 

iTunes | Spotify

A few interesting episodes (iTunes):  

• How social media may be fracturing society 
• Psychedelics and the self
• The nature of addiction

The Savvy Psychologist

From their description: “Welcome to psychology for the rest of us. Host Dr. Monica Johnson takes the science of psychology and makes it both entertaining and relatable. Using a sympathetic ear and evidence-based research, she explains the ‘why’ behind emotions like joy, anger, fear, trust, and anxiety, and helps you better understand the relationships you form with your friends, family, coworkers, and yourself.”

iTunes | Spotify

A few interesting episodes (iTunes):  

• How to engage socially when you’re feeling anxious
• 8 myths about therapy
• 6 ways to cope with suicidal thoughts

Psycho, Schizo, Espresso

A podcast from IRON MAIDEN’s Bruce Dickinson and Oxford University psychologist and best-selling author Dr. Kevin Dutton. From their description: “they delve into the psyches of rock icons, sporting superstars, and special forces soldiers and get the latest tips and insights from some of the most respected thought leaders and brain scientists on the planet.”

iTunes | Spotify

A few interesting episodes (iTunes):  

• A talk with a surgeon who’s a diagnosed psychopath
• A talk with a military special forces operative who’s also a psychopath  
• The secret life of groups, crowds, and cults

The Psychology Podcast

Scott Barry Kaufman talks “with inspiring scientists, thinkers, and other self-actualized individuals who will give you a greater understanding of yourself, others, and the world we live in. Scott Barry Kaufman explores the depths of human potential and tries to get a glimpse into human possibility in every episode.”

iTunes | Spotify

A few interesting episodes (iTunes):  

interesting episodes (iTunes): 

• Finding success and happiness in the second half of life, with Arthur Brooks
• The pleasures of suffering
• Existential psychotherapy, with Irvin Yalom

Speaking of Psychology (created by the APA)

From their description: it’s “an audio podcast series highlighting some of the latest, most important and relevant psychological research being conducted today. Produced by the American Psychological Association, these podcasts will help listeners apply the science of psychology to their everyday lives.”

iTunes | Spotify

A few interesting episodes (iTunes):  

• How to keep anger from getting the best of you
• Fighting the stigma of mental illness
• Exploring the human-animal bond

You Are Not So Smart

From their description: it’s “an audio podcast series highlighting some of the latest, most important and relevant psychological research being conducted today. Produced by the American Psychological Association, these podcasts will help listeners apply the science of psychology to their everyday lives.”

iTunes | Spotify

A few interesting episodes (iTunes):  

• The origins of anxiety
• Examining narcissism
• The Dunning-Kruger effect

Psychology Unplugged

From their description: “Weekly discussions and perspectives on all aspects of psychology, neuropsychology, psychopharmacology, and mental health topics. Psychoeducation, information, misinformation, controversy, and passion about an incredibly relevant and misunderstood medical field.”

iTunes | Spotify

A few interesting episodes (iTunes):  

• The power of prayer in mental health
• Borderline personality disorder
• The psychological downsides of social media

Unforbidden Truth

Host Andrew Dodge has been corresponding and visiting with convicted criminals/murderers for more than ten years. His podcast consists of interviews with convicted murderers, professionals in the fields of criminal justice and psychology, and more. 

iTunes | Spotify

A few interesting episodes (iTunes): 

• Interview with spree killer Ray Dandrige
• Mental health awareness with Ali Winters
• Interview with serial killer Todd Kohlhepp

God’s Socialist (about the Jonestown Massacre)

This podcast series examines Jim Jones and the events that led to the Jonestown Massacre, where over 900 of Jones’ followers killed themselves. It’s not directly about psychology, but it has much psychological interest for those who want to understand what factors contribute to someone becoming a cult leader or a cult follower. 

Links to the first episode: iTunes | Spotify