The Best Motivational Podcasts to Inspire You Right Now
Give that Beyoncé playlist a break and plug in.
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There’s a veritable sea of podcasts made with every possible listening need in mind, from those who love true crime to fans of audio fiction. But if you’re seeking uplifting podcasts to inspire you and give your spirit a refresh, you’ve come to the right place. Here, you’ll find a mix of thoughtful listens from authors, public figures, and thinkers that we’re huge fans of—like Brené Brown, Hoda Kotb, and Gretchen Rubin, just to name a few. Expand your perspective with a regular dose of Ted Talks Daily, or get advice on how to live an emotionally-fuller life from Wondery’s The One You Feed and yes, Oprah’s own Super Soul Conversations. These 27 picks will provide much food for thought, and who knows? If it arrives at just the right moment, a particularly insightful episode just might change your life (or at least nudge you into switching things up). Check out the best (free!) motivational podcasts on Spotify, Apple Music, or wherever you listen.
Making Space with Hoda Kotb
TODAY co-host Hoda Kotb’s warmth and vulnerability are part of what makes her so popular with fans of the NBC morning show. Those qualities are on display—alongside her skills as an interviewer—on Making Space, the TODAY podcast launched in September 2021. Kotb unpacks weighty topics like self-discovery and recovering from life’s setbacks in conversation with guests, such as her chat with Oprah and Maria Shriver about the two women’s 40+ year friendship.
Unlocking Us
Author, researcher and vulnerability expert Brené Brown debuted her podcast in March 2020, promising "conversations that unlock the deeply human part of who we are, so that we can live, love, parent, and lead with more courage and heart." Brown's riveting dialogue with #MeToo founder Tarana Burke in episode 2 goes down like a warm cup of tea (if tea made you feel a little bit smarter after you savored the last drop).
Eckhart Tolle: Essential Teachings
In episodes introduced by Oprah, Tolle's weekly pod explores weighty topics like "Releasing Our Fear of Death" with the goal of helping listeners quiet their minds and live fully. OWN's latest audio offering is presented by the team behind Lady O's Super Soul podcast, and it's required listening for fans of The Power of Now author's spiritual teachings.
LISTEN NOWThe Michelle Obama Podcast
Season 1 of former first lady and bestselling author Michelle Obama's podcast explored the relationships that shape people into who they are—through candid conversations with friends, family members, former colleagues, and, yes, President Barack Obama. Other guests include her brother, Craig Robinson, her mother, Marian Robinson, and late-night host Conan O'Brien. "I hope that our conversations—whether about being married, being a parent, being a citizen, or just being—inspired you to reach out to the people in your life and share how you feel," Obama wrote on Instagram.
DNA of a Maker
Host Lilliana Vazquez talks to "high-achieving" women who've made a major impact on the world, asking incisive questions to learn what personal traits they credit with driving them forward. Produced by MAKERS, a media brand devoted to telling women's stories, the first episode's guest is law professor Kimberlé Crenshaw, a race and racism scholar who co-founded the #SayHerName campaign.
Happier
Host Gretchen Rubin is the New York Times bestselling author of The Happiness Project. If you need a little motivation to practice good habits that lead to a happier life, give this podcast a listen.
Optimal Living Daily
If you find yourself bookmarking articles but never have the chance to read them, this podcast is for you. Everyday this podcast narrates a curated selection of personal development & minimalism articles to help you live your best life.
TED Talks Daily
This thought-provoking podcast is brought to you by the famous TED Talks series and features everyone from Grace & Frankie actress Jane Fonda to entrepreneur Dan Gilbert. The wide range of topics–like understanding loneliness, tackling climate change, and improving social media–might even spark a conversation at your next dinner party.
Good Life Project.
Author and entrepreneur Jonathan Fields invites guests to talk about living with purpose. Previously, he's interviewed entrepreneurs like Warby Parker co-founder Dave Gilboa, poet Cleo Wade, and esteemed professor Brené Brown.
How I Built This
Brought to you by NPR, host Guy Raz does a deep dive on some really cool companies across the world, and the entrepreneurs who built them. Be prepared for some serious career motivation.
Black Girl in Om
This podcast encourages women of color to go all-in on self-love. Hosts Lauren Ash and Deun Ivory invite clean beauty experts and yogis to talk about intuitive eating, mindfulness, and other topics that will help you live your best life.
On Being.
Downloaded and played over 200 million times, this Peabody award winning podcast is for when you're pondering the larger meaning of life. Tune in if you're ready to be motivated to think more deeply about living your best life in this world.
Oprah's SuperSoul Conversations.
You didn't think we forgot this one, did you? Featuring audio from her Emmy-winning OWN TV series of the same name, Oprah interviews luminaries like Malala Yousafzai, Gloria Steinem, and Malcolm Gladwell to unpack big-picture questions in life. The top-rated podcast has been downloaded over 23 million times since its August 2017 launch. And if you want more, her Master Class is replete with takeaways you can apply to your own life.
That's So Retrograde
Hosted by comedian Stephanie Simbari and fashion expert Elizabeth Kott–the podcast is an upbeat mix of pop culture and interesting conversations on wellness. If you need a little extra motivation to stick to your goals, this hilarious duo might help.
Style Your Mind
This life coach–with fabulous style–hosts a weekly podcast for success-minded women looking for an extra boost of motivation to pursue their goals in life.
Stuff Mom Never Told You.
From the wage gap to the pink tax, hosts Bridget Todd and Anney Reese discuss the issues on many women's minds these days. Similar to The History Chicks, this witty podcast encourages the activist within you.
Call Your Girlfriend.
Long-distance best friends Aminatou Sow and Ann Friedman spill some serious tea on Call Your Girlfriend, where they answer listener questions and address everything from promotions to...period poops. Their hilarious and honest conversation might just motivate you to plan your next get together with your girlfriends.
Hurdle
Give this a listen, if you need a little help navigating a rough patch. Host and marathoner Emily Abbate walks us through achieving personal growth through tackling various hurdles.
Ear Hustle
If there's ever a podcast that opens up a whole new world (and inspires you along the way), it's Ear Hustle. It's a collaboration between Bay Area artist Nigel Poor and two formerly incarcerated inmates—Earlonne Woods and Antwan Williams. They tell stories of daily life in prison and the realities of reintegrating into society after release.
Stuff You Should Know.
Consider this podcast your motivation to learn something new every day. The hosts cover everything you may have wondered about gin, beekeeping, the science behind break-ups, and so much more.
Samantha Vincenty is the former senior staff writer at Oprah Daily.
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