A typical morning commute is rarely the highlight of our day, but it can be the perfect opportunity to carve out some much-needed me time, especially when we need a pick-me-up. Tuning into a podcast is one great way of discovering something new, but with the thousands of podcasts out there, it can be tricky to find a really good one that will keep you coming back for more. 

To make it easier, we've created a list of 10 great mental health podcasts that will make you laugh, cry and possibly help you uncover something about yourself. 

Challenges That Change Us

In this interview-based podcast, therapist, facilitator & mindset coach Ali Flynn chats to everyday Aussies who have overcome something challenging in their lives, uncovering the good times, bad times and lessons that they've experienced along the way. From coping with loss to living life after a brain injury, these conversations are as insightful and inspiring as they are eye-opening. 

Apple Podcast Score: 4.9 Stars (95 Ratings) 

Listen on Apple Podcasts or Spotify

Not Alone

Beyond Blue's reputation as one of Australia's most well-known mental health organisations speaks for itself, which lends weight to their podcast Not Alone. True to its name, this podcast illustrates to listeners that they are not alone by having various Australians share their mental health journeys. Hosted by Walkley-winning journalist Marc Fennell, you'll hear stories about managing anxiety, bullying, sexuality and healing.

Apple Podcast Score: 4.7 Stars (205 Ratings)

Listen on Apple Podcasts or Spotify

All In The Mind

If you're looking for more of an informative podcast, ABC Radio National's All In The Mind might be the one for you. Host and journalist Sana Qadar explores different topics relating to the mind, brain and behaviour, including what it's like to lose your language, introversion vs extroversion, lucid dreaming, making habits stick and more. 

Apple Podcast Score: 4.5 Stars (558 Ratings)

Listen on Apple Podcasts or the ABC Listen app

The Mindful Kind

Whether you struggle with perfectionism and work stress or want to have healthier relationships or learn how to stay productive while working from home, mindfulness coach Rachael Kable's The Mindful Kind is a safe space to get informed on tips that could help you out. Boasting more than 300 episodes, this podcast has a backlog perfect for any long train journeys or to play as background listening while you're cleaning the house. 

Apple Podcast Score: 4.7 (699 Ratings)

Listen on Apple Podcasts or Spotify

Osher Günsberg: Better Than Yesterday

Osher Günsberg is no stranger to facing down mental health struggles and uses his hard-earned lessons to bring some light into the lives of others with his podcast Better Than Yesterday. On this podcast, he interviews many extraordinary people that you may know, such as Turia Pitt, Sandra Sully, Amanda Keller, Guy Sebastian and many more, while also providing regular check-ins. If you want to have your mood lifted instantly, this is the podcast for you!

Apple Podcast Score: 4.8 out of 5 (2K Ratings)

Listen on Apple Podcasts or Spotify

Ten Percent Happier

Are you into meditation and self-reflection or are you just dipping your toe into the mental health space? Dan Harris' Ten Percent Happier is a great place for emotional wellness newcomers to learn why people turn to meditation and other wellness self-help tactics in the first place. Social anxiety, relationships and depression as well as achieving happiness are all discussed as well. 

Apple Podcast Score: 4.6 Stars (8.5K Ratings)

Listen on Apple Podcasts or Spotify

Soberful

Sharing and dissecting obstacles to recovery is such an important part of many addiction treatments, and serves as the basis of Soberful, which is spun off from a related online service. Co-hosts Veronica Valli and Chip Somers will often relate back to their own recovery journeys and frame their advice for others through their own personal storytelling, which avid fans always point to as very helpful. While most of the podcast's 185 episodes centre on alcohol addiction, the circulating themes and discussions can apply to other forms of recovery.

Apple Podcast Score: 4.8 Stars (145 Ratings)

Listen on Apple Podcasts or Spotify

Griefcast

If you've been pushing your way through a painful, life-altering loss, the best self-help advice comes from comedian Cariad Lloyd, who brings much-needed light to overcoming death. The weekly podcast interviews media personalities about loved ones they've lost, including some British names you may recognise. 

Apple Podcast Score: 4.5 Stars (308 Ratings)

Listen on Apple Podcasts or Spotify

Happier With Gretchen Rubin

Listeners can jump into author-turned-host Gretchen Rubin's laidback family-style podcast with ease, which focuses on finding quick ways to increase your happiness. Are you overcoming loneliness all on your own? Or are you working on creating better boundaries with your tech? If you're finding yourself coming to terms with troublesome habits you'd like to break, but don't know where to start, Rubin has created a cheatsheet to her best episodes to get started. 

Apple Podcast Score: 4.7 Stars (11.5K Ratings)

Listen on Apple Podcasts or Spotify

Where Should We Begin?

If you've ever wanted to be a fly on the wall when therapy actually takes place, here's your chance. Host, author and psychotherapist Esther Perel counsels real couples as they discuss their personal issues on Where Should We Begin? Perel explores relatable challenges with a gentle approach, including a committed couple overcoming infidelity, as well as a pair of best pals determining whether they should end their friendship.  

Apple Podcast Score: 4.8 Stars (12K Ratings)

Listen on Apple Podcasts or Spotify

You can also check out our podcast Thriving In Menopause for plenty of episodes that can help you sooth any anxiety you have about menopause, including this one on mood swings and natural ways to feel calm.