The 15 Best Depression Podcasts (2026)

John Moe has been doing this longer than almost anyone in the podcast-mental-health space, and it shows. After his acclaimed Hilarious World of Depression wrapped in 2020, he launched Depresh Mode on the Maximum Fun network and kept right on going. The format is straightforward: hour-long conversations with comedians, musicians, actors, and authors about their real experiences with depression, anxiety, PTSD, and other conditions. What sets it apart is Moe's interviewing style. He's warm without being saccharine, funny without making light of the subject, and genuinely curious about what actually helped his guests and what flopped. You'll hear from people like Maria Bamford, Gary Gulman, and lesser-known voices who are equally compelling. With 270 episodes and a 4.9 rating from over 800 reviews, the show clearly resonates with a wide audience. Moe also regularly brings on therapists and researchers to talk treatment options, grounding the personal stories with clinical perspective. Every episode includes crisis hotline information in the show notes, a small detail that says a lot about how seriously the show takes its responsibility to listeners. Episodes drop weekly and typically run about an hour, which gives conversations room to breathe. If you want a podcast that treats depression as a real, manageable condition rather than something to whisper about, this is probably the best one out there right now.

David Burns literally wrote the book on cognitive behavioral therapy. His 1980 bestseller Feeling Good has sold over five million copies, and this podcast is essentially an audio extension of that work, updated with his newer TEAM-CBT framework. The format is unique in the mental health podcast world: Burns regularly conducts live, unedited therapy sessions with volunteer participants, so you actually get to hear the techniques in action rather than just hearing someone talk about them. These sessions can run close to two hours, and the transformations are sometimes startling. He also does shorter "Ask David" segments where he tackles listener questions alongside co-host Fabrice Nye, PhD. With over 500 episodes in the archive, there's a massive library covering everything from procrastination and perfectionism to suicide prevention and social anxiety. The teaching is detailed and specific, not vague self-help platitudes. Burns explains exactly which of his 50-plus techniques applies to a given situation and why. The 4.7 rating across 800+ reviews reflects how genuinely useful listeners find the content. Fair warning: some episodes get deep into clinical methodology, so it can feel like attending a graduate seminar. But if you want to actually understand how CBT works at the nuts-and-bolts level, nothing else comes close.

This is the show that proved you could talk about depression and still make people laugh. Hosted by John Moe and produced by American Public Media, The Hilarious World of Depression ran from 2016 to 2020 and featured some of the best conversations about mental health ever recorded. Moe invited comedians like Peter Sagal, Maria Bamford, Andy Richter, and Jen Kirkman to talk openly about their depression, and the results were both genuinely moving and frequently hilarious. The production quality is public radio polished, with thoughtful editing and a narrative arc to each episode that makes them feel crafted rather than just recorded. Across 97 episodes, the show built a case that depression is extraordinarily common among creative people and that talking about it honestly is far more useful than pretending it doesn't exist. The show ended when APM laid off staff during the pandemic, but the entire archive remains available and holds up remarkably well. Moe went on to create Depresh Mode, its spiritual successor. If you're new to mental health podcasts, starting here is a great move. The back catalog is a masterclass in how to have real conversations about hard subjects without making anyone feel lectured at or pitied. The 4.7 rating from listeners who are still discovering it years later says a lot.

With nearly 500 episodes and over eight years of consistent output, Giving Voice to Depression has quietly built one of the largest archives of depression-focused content anywhere. The show is co-hosted by Terry McGuire, who brings his own lived experience with depression, and Dr. Anita Sanz, a clinical psychologist who adds professional context. That pairing works well because you get both the "I've been there" authenticity and the clinical framing in the same episode. Most episodes run about 20 to 25 minutes, which makes them easy to fit into a lunch break or commute. The format alternates between personal storytelling from guests who share their depression recovery journeys and more structured discussions about evidence-based treatment strategies. Recent episodes have covered seasonal depression, the gut-brain connection, grief versus clinical depression, and suicide prevention through community projects. The show is produced by Recovery.com, and it leans toward the educational and supportive rather than the casual or comedic. New episodes drop every two weeks. Listener reviews consistently mention how the personal stories make them feel less alone, and the 4.6 rating across 163 reviews reflects steady appreciation from a dedicated audience. It's not flashy, but it's reliable, compassionate, and grounded in real experience.

Paul Gilmartin started this show in 2011, making it one of the OG mental health podcasts. After years of struggling with clinical depression and getting sober in 2003, he decided the best thing he could do was create a space where people could talk about their darkest stuff without judgment. And that's exactly what this is. The conversations run long, often over an hour, sometimes closer to two, and they go to places most podcasts won't touch: childhood trauma, addiction, suicidal ideation, codependency, shame. It's rated explicit for a reason. With 683 episodes and nearly 5,800 ratings averaging 4.8 stars, the show has built a genuinely devoted community. Psychology Today called it "remarkable" and Esquire described it as "a vital, compassionate gem." The NY Times, Oprah Magazine, and Women's Health have all named it a top health podcast. Gilmartin interviews comedians, therapists, writers, and everyday listeners with equal depth. His background in comedy gives the show moments of real humor even when the subject matter is heavy, but he never uses jokes to deflect from what's painful. The online community forum at mentalpodforum.com that grew alongside the podcast adds another dimension, giving listeners a place to continue conversations between episodes. Weekly releases keep the content fresh, and the back catalog is enormous. This is one of those shows that people describe as life-changing without any exaggeration.

Dr. Daniel Amen is one of the most recognized names in brain health, and his podcast with wife Tana Amen delivers a steady stream of brain-focused content, releasing new episodes twice a week. The show grew out of their earlier Brain Warrior's Way podcast, and the archive now tops 960 episodes. What makes this different from most depression podcasts is the emphasis on brain imaging. Amen has performed over 250,000 brain SPECT scans at his clinics, and he frequently references what he's learned from looking at actual brain function when discussing depression, anxiety, ADHD, and other conditions. Episodes range from quick 15-minute tips to longer 50-minute deep conversations. They also do celebrity brain scan episodes where they evaluate the brains of athletes, actors, and entrepreneurs, which adds an unusual entertainment angle. Tana brings a nutritional perspective, focusing on how diet affects brain function. Some listeners note she can be a bit heavy on the interruptions during interviews, but the practical takeaways are consistently strong. The 4.7 rating from nearly 2,000 reviews reflects broad appeal. If you're interested in the biological side of depression and want science-backed strategies you can implement daily, this show covers that ground thoroughly. Just be aware that Amen is a polarizing figure in psychiatry, and some of his SPECT scan claims are debated by other researchers.

Amanda Armstrong takes a nervous-system-first approach to depression and anxiety, and that focus on the body's stress response sets this podcast apart from shows that stay entirely in the cognitive therapy lane. Armstrong is a trauma-informed practitioner who draws heavily on her own healing journey alongside the research-based tools she uses with clients. Each episode includes specific, actionable takeaways that listeners can apply immediately, which explains why the show has earned a 4.9 rating from nearly 400 reviews in just 147 episodes. The content covers somatic practices, nervous system regulation techniques, and the science behind why your body sometimes feels stuck in fight-or-flight even when your brain knows you're safe. Some episodes are guided practice sessions where Armstrong walks you through breathwork or regulation exercises in real time. Others are more educational, breaking down topics like trauma responses, attachment patterns, and the connection between chronic stress and depression. Episodes drop weekly and typically run 20 to 40 minutes. Armstrong also runs a membership program called Regulated Living and a one-on-one coaching program, so the podcast occasionally includes mentions of those offerings. The tone is warm and grounded. Listeners consistently praise her ability to explain complex neuroscience in plain, relatable terms without dumbing it down.

Dr. Margaret Robinson Rutherford has been practicing psychology for over 30 years, and she started this podcast in 2016 to make therapy feel less intimidating. It's worked. The show has earned nearly five million downloads and ranks in the top 0.5% of mental health podcasts internationally, with a 4.8 rating from over 1,100 reviews. Her approach is refreshingly practical: episodes run 20 to 40 minutes, and she keeps things casual and focused on what you can actually do about whatever issue she's discussing. Each episode includes a listener question segment where real people write in about their struggles, and Rutherford responds with the kind of direct, thoughtful advice you'd hope to get from a good therapist. She also interviews authors, researchers, and other mental health experts on topics ranging from depression and grief to toxic relationships and self-sabotage. What listeners seem to love most is her genuineness. She doesn't put on a clinical voice or hide behind jargon. She talks like a real person who happens to know a lot about how minds work. The show has been running for nearly a decade with biweekly episodes, so the back catalog of over 530 episodes covers an enormous range of mental health territory. Her book on Perfectly Hidden Depression, which grew partly from podcast discussions, adds another dimension to her work on depression that doesn't look the way people expect.

Robert Duff is a clinical neuropsychologist from Southern California who decided that self-help content didn't have to be soft and vague. The "hardcore" in the title isn't about intensity so much as directness. Duff answers listener questions about depression, anxiety, relationships, and life without psychobabble or hedging, and he has a real talent for breaking down neuroscience into language that actually sticks. The show runs two main formats: interview episodes with psychologists, researchers, and other experts, and Q&A episodes where he tackles questions from his audience on everything from trauma recovery to high-functioning codependency. Episodes vary in length from quick 15-minute answers to full hour-long conversations, and they drop weekly. With 447 episodes and a 4.5 rating from 960 reviews, the show has built a solid following over the years. Duff's personality is the real draw here. He's casual, occasionally funny, and unafraid to say "I don't know" when a question falls outside his expertise. He also wrote a series of Hardcore Self Help books that complement the podcast content, covering depression and anxiety in the same no-nonsense voice. Recent episodes have tackled intimacy, breakups, and OCD treatment with that same straightforward style. The Southern California laid-back energy comes through clearly, which makes even the heavier topics feel approachable. If you've ever wished your therapist would just get to the point, this is your show.

Bobby Temps created Mental in 2018 with a clear mission: break down the stigma around mental health one conversation at a time. The show won Best Health Podcast four years running at The People's Choice Podcast Awards, which speaks to how well it connects with its audience. Each episode features a guest sharing their honest, first-hand experience with a mental health condition, and Temps handles these conversations with genuine sensitivity. Past guests include singer Michelle Williams, comedian Felicity Ward, author Lori Gottlieb, and Dr. Radha, along with everyday people whose stories are equally powerful. The format is simple and effective: one topic, one guest, honest conversation. Episodes drop every other Thursday and include surprising statistics alongside personal narratives. Co-hosts Annie Harris and Danielle Hogan join for some episodes, adding different perspectives. With 332 episodes in the archive, the show covers an impressively wide range of conditions and experiences. The UK-based perspective gives it a slightly different feel from American mental health podcasts, and the emphasis on destigmatization over treatment advice means it's more about understanding and empathy than clinical guidance. Note that the most recent episode was from mid-2024, so the show may be on an extended hiatus. The existing catalog remains valuable for anyone looking to hear real stories about living with mental health challenges.

This is depression research straight from one of the top academic medical centers in the country. BrainStorm comes from UT Southwestern's Center for Depression Research and Clinical Care, and it features conversations with Dr. Madhukar Trivedi, who directs the center and has spent decades studying mood disorders. The show takes a distinctly scientific approach. Rather than personal stories or self-help tips, episodes focus on what researchers are actually discovering about how depression works in the brain and body. Season 3 explored women's mental health with a particular focus on policy, philanthropy, and the intersection of law with mental health care access. Earlier seasons covered youth depression, psychedelic research, and the neuroscience behind treatment-resistant depression. Episodes typically run 20 to 40 minutes and are produced with academic rigor but remain accessible to non-specialists. The podcast only has 22 episodes across three seasons and releases on a monthly schedule, so this is more of a curated, seasonal series than a weekly show. The last episode dropped in November 2023, and it's unclear whether a fourth season is planned. But for anyone who wants to understand depression from the research side rather than just the experiential side, this small catalog punches well above its weight. The 5.0 rating, albeit from only 9 reviews, reflects the quality of the content.

Hosted by psychiatrist Chris Aiken, MD and psychiatric nurse practitioner Kellie Newsome, the Carlat Psychiatry Podcast is aimed primarily at mental health professionals but remains surprisingly accessible to general listeners. The big draw for clinicians is the CME credits you can earn just by listening, but the content stands on its own even without that incentive. Episodes cover the full spectrum of clinical psychiatry: medication updates, therapeutic approaches like DBT and ACT, new FDA-approved treatments, and interviews with major figures in the field. A recent standout featured Steve Hayes, the creator of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, talking about how his own panic disorder drove him to develop a new framework for treating psychological suffering. There's also an episode on Marsha Linehan's reinvention of therapy for borderline personality disorder that's genuinely fascinating. The production style is clean and information-dense, with episodes running anywhere from 8 to 48 minutes. Most pack in a remarkable amount of clinically relevant detail without feeling like a textbook reading. The post-test format tied to each episode means the hosts structure content clearly, which benefits all listeners regardless of whether they're pursuing credits. With 104 episodes, a 4.7 rating from over 500 reviews, and weekly releases, it's built a strong professional following. For regular listeners dealing with depression, this show offers a window into how the people prescribing your medication and guiding your therapy actually think about treatment decisions. That perspective alone makes it worth including here.

Dr. Dawn-Elise Snipes has built an absolute mountain of content with Counselor Toolbox, topping 1,100 episodes and releasing new ones weekly. The show was originally designed for counselors, coaches, and addiction professionals who need continuing education credits (it's an approved CEU provider in most states), but the practical focus makes it useful for anyone trying to understand their own mental health. Episodes cover depression, trauma, anxiety, child development, neuroscience, and therapeutic interventions with a heavily evidence-based approach. Snipes is thorough. Each episode includes detailed timestamps and chapter breakdowns so you can skip to the specific topic you need. The 4.7 rating from 600 reviews reflects consistent quality over a very long run. The main criticism from listeners, and it's a fair one, is that the audio editing can be rough. Sentences occasionally get clipped, which makes some episodes harder to follow than they should be. But the information itself is substantial. If you want to understand depression the way a counselor in training would learn about it, with references to current research and specific therapeutic frameworks, this show delivers that in spades. Recent episodes have covered topics like inner child work, trauma responses, and the neuroscience behind emotional regulation. The tone is more lecture than conversation, but Snipes keeps things clear and avoids unnecessary jargon.

Surviving and Thriving in Depression takes a daily affirmation-style approach to depression recovery. Episodes are short, usually around four to five minutes, and focus on practical coping mechanisms, self-care planning, mindfulness techniques, and resilience building. The show releases new content daily, which is an unusual cadence for mental health podcasts. Each episode includes key takeaways meant to leave you with something concrete to apply to your day. The show currently has about 100 episodes in its archive. It's worth noting that this podcast is transparent about being created with the assistance of AI to generate its affirmations and positive messaging, which makes it different from interview-based or therapist-hosted shows. There are no ratings or reviews on Apple Podcasts yet, so listener feedback is limited. The content is genuinely focused on encouragement and practical mental health tips rather than clinical deep dives or personal storytelling. If you're looking for a brief daily dose of positive reinforcement specifically around depression recovery, this fills that niche. The bite-sized format works well as a morning routine companion or a quick mental reset during a rough day. Just keep in mind that the AI-assisted production means the personal touch of a human host sharing lived experience is not part of the equation here.

Three musician friends who reunited after 20 years to record a song discovered they all share something else in common: mental health struggles. That origin story gives The Heavy Mental Podcast a warmth and authenticity that feels different from clinician-hosted shows. The hosts talk openly about their experiences with bipolar disorder, clinical depression, and general anxiety, and they bring in guests including licensed therapists and people from their community to broaden the conversation. The format is casual and long-form, with episodes running 50 minutes to over an hour. They'll spend time discussing what their lives were like before and after diagnosis, how therapy and medication have affected them, and the specific challenges of managing mental health while pursuing creative work. Between regular episodes, they release bonus music content featuring their original songs, which ties back to the show's musical roots. The Discord community around the podcast adds an interactive element. With 13 episodes and a perfect 5.0 rating from 27 reviews, this is still a young show finding its voice. The most recent episode was from August 2024, so it's unclear how regularly new content will appear going forward. But what exists is genuine and unpolished in the best way. If you connect with the idea of three old friends figuring out mental health together in real time, this is a compelling listen.