What I’m Listening To (Part 2)

Podcasts for the Overwhelmed, the Curious, and the Still-Growing

There are seasons where silence is too loud, and others where sound becomes a lifeline. As someone who often feels like I’m balancing twenty tabs open in my mind, between parenting, photography, writing, healing work, and just trying to be human, I’ve learned that the right podcast at the right moment can help me slow down, refocus, and make sense of what’s going on inside and out.

In my 20s, I often reached for anything that would help me feel less alone with my anxiety or less behind in my understanding of the world. These days, I still lean into that habit, but with more intentionality. I’m not listening to escape anymore. I’m listening to stay connected, to keep growing, and to stay present with myself and the world.

Here are a few podcasts that I keep coming back to, depending on what I need: perspective, information, grounding, or all three.

1. Today, Explained

For staying informed without the spiral

Let’s be honest: the news can be overwhelming. Between war headlines, climate anxiety, and political chaos, it’s easy to tune out completely and I get it. But Today, Explained has become my go-to way to stay informed without shutting down.

It’s digestible and thorough, which is a hard balance to strike. They don’t just tell you what’s happening, they explain why it matters and break it down in a way that’s actually understandable. It helps me feel less helpless and more engaged. Whether it’s global events or niche policy changes, they walk you through the story without assuming you’re already an expert.

On days when I want to care about the world but don’t have the capacity to read three articles and cross-reference them, Today, Explained helps me show up.

Listen when:

You want to feel informed, not overwhelmed.

You need current events explained with clarity and context.

You’re driving, cooking, or drinking your morning coffee and want to feel connected to the bigger picture.

2. Therapy in a Nutshell

For quick mental health tools

This podcast is like a breath of fresh air. Short, simple, and helpful. Hosted by Emma McAdam, a licensed therapist, Therapy in a Nutshell offers bite-sized episodes (usually under 15 minutes) on topics like anxiety, boundaries, overthinking, and emotional regulation.

Sometimes I just need someone to name what I’m feeling. Other times, I want a tool I can actually use. This podcast does both. I’ve learned a lot about myself just by hearing her break things down so clearly. It reminds me that growth doesn’t always have to be heavy or take hours. Even a 10-minute check-in with yourself can shift your whole day.

As someone who lives with anxiety and has had to learn how to manage emotions while juggling parenthood, work, and healing from past experiences, these episodes are like small, steady anchors.

Listen when:

You’re short on time but need a reset.

You want to understand your patterns without judgment.

You’re feeling stuck or spiraling and need to ground.

3. The Daily Stoic

For centering and self-discipline

In college, I used to listen to this every morning while getting ready for class, and sometimes now I’ll go back to it when I feel like I’m drifting from myself. The Daily Stoic is based on Stoic philosophy think Marcus Aurelius, Seneca, and Epictetus, but modernized and made practical for daily life.

Each episode is short (often under 10 minutes) and offers a reflection on things like self-control, purpose, resilience, or how to approach the chaos of life without losing your inner calm.

While I don’t always follow Stoicism to the letter, I appreciate how this podcast reminds me that not every feeling needs a reaction, and not every problem is mine to solve. In a world that pulls at my attention constantly, The Daily Stoic helps me come back to myself. It’s great for mornings when I want to be reminded of who I want to be.

Listen when:

You need a reset button for your mindset.

You’re moving through a hard season and want strength without burnout.

You’re in a moment of reflection or starting a new chapter.

Listening has become a part of how I resource myself not just for productivity, but for perspective. As someone with ADHD and anxiety, I’ve had to learn the hard way that not all stimulation is nourishing. I’ve binged media that left me feeling worse, spiraled into headlines I didn’t need, or avoided learning hard truths because I didn’t know how to digest them.

But now, I curate what comes in. These podcasts help me stay informed without burning out, regulate emotions without shame, and reflect without getting stuck in the loop. They’re tools in my creative and emotional toolkit, and I hope they can be part of yours too.

Maybe you’re in a season of learning. Or healing. Or trying to remember how to feel grounded in a noisy world. Wherever you are, know that there are voices out there that can walk with you and remind you that you’re not doing this alone.

What are you listening to lately?

What voices are helping you show up more fully, think more deeply, or soften into yourself?

Let’s talk in the comments or message me. I’d love to swap recommendations and share what’s feeding our minds and spirits.