More than 383.7 million people listen to podcasts every day, and the average podcast fan listens to more than 6 hours of podcasts per week.
As of 2021, 41% of Americans listened to at least one podcast in the last month.
While many different types of podcasts are available, some are more productive than others.
Motivational podcasts can help you focus and spur you toward success.
You can use the downtime you spend listening to podcasts to better your ‘up’ time with these motivational podcasts.
The Best Motivational Podcasts (Examples)
We’ve included an overview of our top picks below. For detailed information on each pick, scroll down.
Motivational Podcasts for Men
Motivational Podcasts for Women
Motivational Podcasts for Young Adults
What Is a Motivational Podcast?
A motivational podcast is a podcast that brings you the motivation you need to achieve your goals.
They are similar to self-improvement blogs and offer listeners advice.
Some other motivational podcasts share stories from people who have found success.
What Does a Motivational Podcaster Talk About?
Motivational podcasts also give tips and advice to keep working, even when motivation drops.
After all, hard work and dedication are more critical for accomplishing work than maintaining motivation will ever be.
What Is Included On a Motivational Podcast?
What a motivational podcast includes depends on the podcast’s goal.
For example, some will advise on how to keep motivated toward your career goals, while others may keep you hopeful about your love life.
Other Things You Can Find on a Motivational Podcast
Motivational podcasts can help you gather your courage and strength to take a leap toward a better life or career.
It can be hard to take the risk or lose the chance, but motivational podcasts can keep you moving forward.
Whatever kind of motivational podcast you listen to, most will have a few things in common:
- Tips to keep your goals on track: These podcasts might recommend writing lists and choosing achievable deadlines.
- Self-improvement advice: This advice could include reminding yourself to be patient with your journey but be persistent and avoid negative thoughts.
- Motivational Quotes: Writing out motivational quotes to include around your space could help remind you of what goals you’ve set for yourself.
- Advice from industry experts: Leaders in self-improvement will provide quality advice that has been tried and tested.
Types of Motivation Podcasts
There are many subcategories of motivational podcasts, depending on what you want to achieve.
For example, there are the most popular podcasts that focus on motivation.
1. Motivational Podcasts for Men: Explanation
Motivational podcasts for men will cover the areas in a man’s life that he may feel less confident about.
The topics could include fitness, emotional and mental health, dating, or family life.
2. Motivational Podcasts for Women: Explanation
Conversely, a motivational podcast for women will be tailored to common concerns among women.
For example, they could cover topics like feminism, women’s health, and dating or family life in a way that motivates the listeners toward their goals in those areas.
3. Motivational Podcasts for Young Adults: Explanation
Motivation is critical for young adults going through huge life changes that will determine the course of their education or careers.
These podcasts could cover topics such as keeping positive during testing and college application season, learning how to communicate with your peers, and following your passions for a fulfilling life.
Best Motivational Podcasts: 15 Examples
It can feel impossible to keep going anytime you are overwhelmed, but listening to expert advice may be what you need to keep moving forward.
If you don’t know how to listen to a podcast or where to find them, there are multiple streaming sites like Spotify or iTunes.
On those platforms, you can find these 15 motivational podcasts that are perfect for keeping you at the top of your game.
How Many Motivational Podcasts Are There?
It’s hard to know the exact numbers, but there are more than 2.4 million podcasts, so there are likely hundreds of motivational podcasts.
With so many podcasts available, you are sure to find something you like, so even if you don’t love the podcasts listed below, don’t give up on finding something that speaks to you.\
Motivational Podcasts for Men
While some motivational advice applies to everyone, it can be helpful to get advice from someone with a similar perspective as you.
So here are the top motivational podcasts for men.
The Men’s Self-Help Podcast
The Men’s Self-Help Podcast is hosted by Doctor John Moore and can be found on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Audible.
In his podcast, Doctor Moore provides listeners with physical and mental health insights, advice, and tips to maximize therapy and life coaching.
Though the show ended in February of 2022, they have dozens of episodes worth going back for in their backlog.
Sacred Sons
The Sacred Sons podcast focuses on the relationships men often lack in modern times.
They have built a fan base that connects and gathers with each other to build up the bonds of brotherhood.
The Sacred Sons also teaches men how to have a healthy relationship with their masculinity.
Feel Better, Live More
Feel Better, Live More is hosted by Doctor Chatterjee, a medical doctor who aims to help people understand their bodies and health.
Doctor Chatterjee also works to dismiss myths and fake news about health and fad diets.
How I Built This
How I Built This is an NPR show hosted by Guy Raz, the founder, and CEO of Built-It Productions.
It hosts people who have created movements, organizations, or companies and asks them, “how did you build this?”
This podcast is perfect for anyone who needs the occasional reminder that even the greats have often started with nothing.
The Tim Ferriss Show
The Tim Ferriss Show has had many prestigious guests, including Jerry Seinfeld, Neil Gaiman, Hugh Jackman, and Mark Zuckerberg.
This show’s open format allows guests to talk about their mental health, struggles, and successes is excellent motivation for struggling people.
Motivational Podcasts for Women
Whether parenting, careers, or dating, women have unique issues in the modern world, and motivational podcasts should reflect your unique life.
Here are the best motivational podcasts for women.
Side Hustle Pro
If you are a woman looking for a specialized career motivation podcast, Side Hustle Pro can’t be beat.
Side Hustle Pro is focused on helping women find their passion and strength.
While men host many business motivation podcasts, Side Hustle Pro is hosted by women of color and understands the particular kind of strength it takes to thrive as a minority.
The Self-Love Fix
Beatrice Kamau, a life coach and mentor, hosts The Self Love Fix.
She aims to teach people how to move away from people-pleasing and other low self-esteem behaviors into self-love and success.
The Self Love Fix has covered topics ranging from time management to emotional availability.
We Can Do Hard Things
Glen Doyle, the author of Untamed, hosts the podcast We Can Do Hard Things.
In the podcast, she and her co-hosts aim to help listeners talk honestly about the hardest part of life and how to get through them.
Unlocking Us
Unlocking Us is hosted by #1 New York Times bestselling author Brené Brown.
She talks to listeners about the things that make humans who they are- music, stories, ideas, and more.
Every week, she talks to experts and individuals with advice that can change your life.
Super Soul
Super Soul is hosted by Oprah Winfrey.
Each episode aims to leave viewers with inspiration, motivation, and a deeper understanding of themselves and the world.
Oprah hosts some of the world’s biggest names to talk about anything and everything surrounding their motivation.
Motivational Podcasts for Young Adults
The advice that applied to young adults even just ten years ago is different today.
With smartphones, remote work, and online classes- not to mention dating- young adults have a unique experience that deserves unique and focused advice.
Here are the best motivational podcasts for young adults.
How to Do Everything
How to Do Everything is an NPR podcast by Mike Danforth and Ian Chillag.
For those just starting out adulthood, How to Do Everything is a perfect way to learn about life while having a laugh.
Dear Hank and John
Dear Hank and John is hosted by brothers and New York Times bestselling authors Hank and John Green.
Users from their tight-knit fan base write in to ask for ‘dubious’ advice, from “How do La Croixs get their flavor” to “What’s the best way to combat loneliness?”
The Mortified Podcast
The Mortified Podcast is a Radiolab production produced every week.
In each episode, celebrities and public figures share their most embarrassing and mortifying moments.
It may seem odd to call this a motivational podcast.
However, each guest has shared their most mortifying moments in front of a live studio audience, recorded for you to listen to later.
Work in Progress
Sophia Bush hosts Work in Progress.
Each week she brings the people who inspire her onto the podcast to talk about how they made their success and what steps they’re taking next.
Conversations are full of heart, honesty, and hilarity.
Sophia aims to remind listeners that you can be a ‘masterpiece,’ even if you are a work in progress.
The Science of Success
The Science of Success is perfect for logic-minded people looking for motivation and inspiration.
Everything they share is research-based and backed by the science of success.
This podcast has had doctors, scientists, astronauts, and industry experts who share what they have found works to keep them moving forward.
Similar Podcast Types to Check Out
If you love motivational podcasts, you’ll likely also enjoy these kinds of podcasts:
- Self-Help Podcasts: Like motivation podcasts, self-help podcasts can help keep you on track and progress toward mental health success.
- Leadership Podcasts: Leadership podcasts can be great for people in managerial or other leadership roles that want to make the most of their teams.
- Educational Podcasts: You can use the time you spend listening to podcasts productively and learn new things daily with educational podcasts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some frequently asked questions about podcasts.
What is the best podcast for positivity?
Many excellent podcasts promote positivity, but one of the best is Gretchen Rubin’s Happier, which discusses good habits to encourage joy in life.
Do podcasts help your brain?
Research shows that listening to narratives through natural speech can stimulate different parts of the brain, suggesting that podcasts may help your brain.
Wrapping Up
Staying motivated can be challenging, whether it’s your personal life or career.
There are different ways to listen to a podcast, whether driving in the car, walking, or relaxing at home.
No matter what you’re doing, you’ll find these motivational podcasts will keep you determined to reach your goals.
If you’ve tried any of these motivational podcasts, or have alternative recommendations, leave a comment below.
