The 15 Best Ocd Podcasts (2026)
OCD is so much more than being tidy and people really need to stop making that joke. These podcasts explain what obsessive-compulsive disorder actually is, share real treatment approaches, and give voice to people living with it every single day.
The OCD Stories
Stuart Ralph has been running The OCD Stories since 2015, and with over 535 episodes and 7 million downloads, it has become the go-to interview podcast in the OCD space. Stuart sits down with leading therapists, researchers, and people who have lived through OCD themselves, pulling out the kind of practical wisdom that actually makes a difference. The format is straightforward: one guest, one conversation, usually around 30 to 60 minutes. What makes it work is Stuart's genuine curiosity and his ability to ask the questions you would want to ask yourself. He talks to names like Dr. Jonathan Grayson, Dr. Michael Greenberg, and Shala Nicely, but he also gives a platform to everyday people sharing raw, honest recovery stories. The show covers every OCD subtype you can think of -- contamination, harm, relationship, scrupulosity, Pure O -- and regularly tackles ERP, ACT, and medication questions. Stuart is open about his own OCD journey, which gives the interviews an authenticity that feels earned rather than performed. Episodes come out biweekly, which gives each one a bit more weight. Rated 4.8 stars with over 700 reviews on Apple Podcasts, this is the podcast that therapists recommend and that people actually keep coming back to.
Your Anxiety Toolkit
Kimberley Quinlan is a licensed therapist who has spent over 15 years specializing in OCD and anxiety, and her podcast reflects that depth of clinical experience. With 428 episodes and counting, Your Anxiety Toolkit delivers weekly episodes packed with evidence-based strategies for managing OCD, panic disorder, social anxiety, health anxiety, and depression. The New York Times named it one of their "6 Podcasts to Soothe An Anxious Mind" in 2024, which says a lot about its reach beyond just the OCD community. Kimberley has a warm, direct teaching style. She breaks down clinical concepts like ERP, self-compassion practices, and cognitive defusion into steps you can actually use during your week. Episodes run 15 to 45 minutes and often focus on a single skill or topic, making them easy to revisit when you need a refresher. She brings on guest experts too, but the solo episodes are where she really shines -- clear explanations without jargon, practical homework, and a genuine kindness that never feels patronizing. Rated 4.9 stars with over 800 reviews, this podcast sits comfortably at the intersection of clinical rigor and real accessibility.
All The Hard Things
Jenna Overbaugh is a licensed therapist who has been treating OCD and anxiety since 2008, and All The Hard Things is where she packages that clinical experience into something genuinely useful for people in the thick of recovery. With over 210 episodes, the show covers the full spectrum of OCD struggles -- intrusive thoughts, mental compulsions, perfectionism, panic attacks, and the exhausting cycle of reassurance-seeking. Jenna has a talent for naming the exact thought patterns that keep people stuck, and then walking through how to respond differently. Her episodes range from quick 10-minute pep talks to longer 45-minute deep-dives with guest therapists. She regularly covers ERP techniques and practical exposure work, but she also tackles the emotional side of recovery: the grief, the frustration, the fear that treatment is not working fast enough. The show releases weekly, and Jenna supplements it with masterclasses and a recovery blueprint course for people who want more structured guidance. Rated 4.7 stars from 145 reviews on Apple Podcasts, this is a strong pick for anyone who wants OCD support that feels both clinically grounded and emotionally honest.
The OCD & Anxiety Podcast
Robert James Pizey brings something different to the OCD podcast world: the perspective of a coach and peer who has personally lived through severe OCD, rather than a clinical therapist. With 591 episodes released biweekly, this is one of the most prolific OCD-focused shows out there. Episodes typically run 6 to 22 minutes, making them easy to fit into a commute or a lunch break. Robert shares his own recovery journey alongside practical coaching insights, focusing on building a better relationship with anxiety rather than trying to eliminate it entirely. He covers topics like rumination spirals, the urge to seek reassurance, and the tricky moments when you cannot tell if a thought is real or OCD. His tone is direct and no-nonsense but also encouraging -- he clearly remembers what it feels like to be in the worst of it. He also offers private coaching and a 12-week structured program for people who want deeper support. Rated 4.7 stars with 138 reviews, this podcast works especially well for people who respond to lived-experience storytelling and prefer shorter, focused episodes over long-form interviews.
OCD Straight Talk
Chris Leins is an anxiety and OCD treatment specialist, and OCD Straight Talk does exactly what the name promises -- it cuts through the noise and gives you clear, actionable information about how OCD treatment actually works. Across 215 episodes, Chris addresses a question that most people with OCD are privately thinking: why am I not getting better? He explains how certain therapy approaches fall short, why some well-meaning therapists inadvertently reinforce OCD patterns, and what effective ERP treatment looks like in practice. Episodes release monthly and typically stay under 30 minutes, each one focused on a specific clinical concept like uncertainty tolerance, compulsion prevention, or the difference between anxiety and OCD. Chris has a direct, almost blunt teaching style that listeners consistently praise in reviews. He does not sugarcoat the difficulty of recovery, but he is very clear about what actually helps. Rated 4.8 stars from 96 reviews on Apple Podcasts, this podcast is particularly valuable for people who feel stuck in treatment or who want to understand the mechanics of their OCD at a deeper level. It is also a great resource for therapists looking to sharpen their OCD-specific skills.
Purely OCD
Lauren McMeikan Rosen and Kelley Franke are both licensed marriage and family therapists who specialize in OCD -- and they both live with it. That combination of professional expertise and personal experience gives Purely OCD a voice that most clinical podcasts lack. Across 69 episodes, the two hosts break down specific OCD subtypes in focused series: harm OCD, relationship OCD, contamination OCD, and more. They walk through what the obsessions look like, what the compulsions are (including the sneaky mental ones), and how ERP applies to each flavor. Their dynamic is relaxed and often funny, which helps take the edge off topics that can feel overwhelming. They do listener Q&A sessions regularly, and they host weekly Instagram Live conversations that feed into the show. Episodes come out roughly every two weeks. The humor is a deliberate choice -- both hosts have talked about how important it is to not treat OCD as something too sacred to laugh about, especially when you are deep in recovery. Rated 4.3 stars from 68 reviews, the show is especially well-suited for people who want clinical depth served with a side of personality and warmth.
The OCD Whisperer Podcast with Kristina Orlova
Kristina Orlova is a licensed therapist in California who specializes in OCD and anxiety, and her podcast reflects her belief that meaningful conversations about mental health do not need to follow a script. With 172 episodes, The OCD Whisperer stands out for its unscripted, reflective format -- Kristina brings on clinicians, creatives, public figures, and everyday people, and the conversations often wander into territory that more structured shows would edit out. That is part of its appeal. She talks about how anxiety and identity intersect, how pressure shapes our sense of self, and what it actually means to live alongside OCD rather than trying to defeat it. Kristina is open about her own experience with OCD, and that openness sets the tone for her guests too. Episodes run 13 to 47 minutes and release biweekly. The show is categorized under mental health but often touches on broader themes like creativity, relationships, and the internal narratives we build around fear. Rated 4.7 stars from 77 reviews, this podcast works best for listeners who appreciate a more contemplative, human-centered approach to OCD content rather than a strictly clinical breakdown.
OCD Recovery
Ali Greymond takes a radically different approach to OCD podcasting. With over 1,500 episodes, OCD Recovery drops daily mini-episodes that typically run 30 seconds to 2 minutes each. Think of them as quick mental resets -- short reminders about how to handle intrusive thoughts, resist compulsions, and stay on track with recovery practices. Ali developed her own framework called The Greymond Method, drawing from over 20 years of personal OCD recovery experience. She covers every major OCD subtype: Pure-O, relationship OCD, harm OCD, scrupulosity, contamination, real-event OCD, and sexuality-focused obsessions. The brevity is intentional and effective. When you are in the middle of an OCD spike, you do not want a 45-minute lecture. You want someone to quickly remind you what to do and why it matters. Listeners consistently call the episodes straight to the point and helpful for pulling out of bad cycles. The daily cadence means you always have something fresh to listen to. Rated 4.7 stars from 227 reviews, this is the podcast equivalent of having a recovery coach in your pocket -- brief, frequent, and focused on action over theory.
The Anxious Truth
Drew Linsalata started The Anxious Truth after recovering from his own severe panic disorder and agoraphobia, and the show has grown into one of the most respected anxiety recovery podcasts available. With 332 episodes and a 4.9-star rating from nearly 1,200 reviews, it was featured by both The New York Times and Vogue as a top mental health podcast. Drew covers panic attacks, OCD, health anxiety, agoraphobia, and generalized anxiety with the credibility of someone who lived through all of it and came out the other side. His approach is educational, empowering, and occasionally blunt in the best way. He does not indulge the impulse to seek reassurance, and he is honest about how recovery demands consistent uncomfortable action. Episodes release weekly and cover both the practical mechanics of anxiety treatment and the harder emotional work of rebuilding your life after an anxiety disorder has narrowed it. Drew is also a bestselling author, and his writing background shows in how clearly he structures his thoughts. This podcast works particularly well for people dealing with the overlap between OCD and panic or agoraphobia, and for anyone who appreciates a no-frills, evidence-based perspective.
Disordered: Anxiety Help
Disordered pairs Josh Fletcher, a UK-based psychotherapist, with Drew Linsalata from The Anxious Truth, creating a transatlantic conversation about anxiety recovery that feels both professional and personal. With 148 episodes and a remarkable 4.9-star rating from 424 reviews, this weekly show covers panic disorder, OCD, health anxiety, and agoraphobia through the lens of evidence-based practice -- primarily ACT, CBT, and mindfulness. What sets it apart from other clinical podcasts is the chemistry between the hosts. Josh and Drew riff off each other naturally, bringing different cultural and clinical perspectives while clearly agreeing on the core principles of anxiety treatment. Episodes run 30 to 55 minutes and strike a balance between structured teaching and open conversation. Both hosts are bestselling authors in the mental health space, and both draw from lived experience with anxiety disorders alongside their professional training. The show creates what they call a community-oriented environment, and listeners frequently mention that it feels less like being lectured and more like overhearing two knowledgeable friends talk through something real. This is an excellent companion podcast for anyone already listening to OCD-specific shows who wants broader anxiety recovery coverage.
AT Parenting Survival | Raising Kids with OCD & Anxiety
Natasha Daniels is a child therapist with over 20 years of experience treating OCD and anxiety in kids -- and she is also a parent of children with these conditions. That dual perspective makes AT Parenting Survival uniquely practical. With 474 episodes and a 4.9-star rating from over 1,200 reviews, this weekly podcast has become the definitive resource for parents navigating OCD and anxiety in their families. Natasha covers everything from managing compulsions at home to finding the right therapist, understanding accommodation cycles, and knowing when behavior is anxiety-driven versus typical kid pushback. Her tone is reassuring without being dismissive, and she breaks down complex clinical concepts into language that parents can use immediately. Episodes cover specific scenarios: what to do when your child refuses school, how to handle bedtime rituals that have become OCD-driven, and when to push versus when to support. She also addresses the guilt and exhaustion that parents of anxious kids carry, which most OCD podcasts overlook entirely. The show is equally useful for mental health professionals who treat children. If you are a parent whose child has received an OCD or anxiety diagnosis, this podcast should be one of the first things you listen to.
OCD Family Podcast
Nicole Morris is a licensed therapist and mental health correspondent who created OCD Family Podcast to serve the people who are often forgotten in OCD conversations: the family members. With 156 episodes and a 4.8-star rating, this weekly show addresses spouses, partners, parents, adult children, and chosen family of people living with OCD. Nicole covers the specific challenges of supporting someone with OCD -- navigating accommodation, understanding why reassurance makes things worse, and managing your own burnout without feeling guilty about it. She brings on clinical experts to discuss evidence-based treatments like ERP, I-CBT, and ACT, and she also covers related conditions like body-focused repetitive behaviors, ARFID, and body dysmorphic disorder. Episode formats vary widely, from 2-minute Water Cooler Chats to in-depth 90-minute conversations with researchers and clinicians. That range keeps the show from feeling monotonous. Nicole is direct about the emotional toll that OCD takes on relationships, and she gives concrete strategies rather than vague encouragement. This podcast fills a real gap -- most OCD shows speak to the person with OCD, while this one speaks to the people trying to love them well.
The OCD Chronicles
James McMahon is a journalist who has lived with OCD for most of his life, and The OCD Chronicles is his attempt to tell the human stories behind the diagnosis. With 32 episodes across its run, this show takes a documentary-style approach, sitting down with authors, advocates, therapists, and individuals who have faced OCD and found ways to build meaningful lives despite it. The conversations are long, thoughtful, and often emotionally intense. James brings his journalism skills to the interviews -- he asks follow-up questions, pushes gently past surface-level answers, and gives his guests space to be fully honest. The show carries an explicit content rating because the conversations do not shy away from the darker side of OCD: intrusive thoughts about harm, sexual obsessions, and the shame that comes with both. That willingness to go to uncomfortable places is exactly what makes it valuable. The podcast is rated a perfect 5.0 stars, though from a smaller review pool. Episodes release weekly when the show is in season. If you are looking for an OCD podcast that prioritizes storytelling and emotional depth over clinical instruction, The OCD Chronicles delivers something genuinely different from the rest of the field.
The Lovely Becoming Podcast
Mimi Cole approaches mental health from a distinctive angle -- she is both a therapist and a therapy client, and she is refreshingly honest about both roles. The Lovely Becoming Podcast has produced 41 episodes that feature extended conversations with therapists, activists, and storytellers, exploring topics like relational trauma, intrusive thoughts, body acceptance, and emotional recovery. Episodes range from 16 minutes to over an hour, and the longer ones tend to be the most compelling. Mimi covers OCD and anxiety alongside broader mental health themes, giving the show a wider scope than strictly OCD-focused podcasts. Her interview style is curious and warm without being soft -- she asks her guests to be specific and personal, and most of them respond with real vulnerability. The show touches on how mental health conditions intersect with identity, relationships, and the stories we tell ourselves about who we are supposed to be. New episodes come out roughly twice a month. Rated 4.9 stars from 43 reviews, the show has a devoted following even with its smaller catalog. This podcast is a strong fit for listeners who want mental health content that feels more like an intimate conversation than a clinical presentation, and who appreciate nuance over quick answers.
Anxiously Capable | Real Talk on Anxiety, OCD and Mental Health
Jess Eden is a therapist who created Anxiously Capable for the overthinkers, the spirallers, and the people whose brains seem to run a constant background process of worry. With 40 episodes, this newer weekly show tackles anxiety, OCD, and self-trust with an energy that feels genuinely encouraging without tipping into toxic positivity. Jess covers specific anxiety subtypes -- relationship OCD, social anxiety, sleep anxiety, attachment-related fears -- and brings on guest therapists for specialized episodes. Her core message is practical: you can have an anxious brain and still do hard things, still build the life you want. Episodes are focused and accessible, typically covering a single topic with clear takeaways. She addresses the everyday texture of living with anxiety -- the text you reread twelve times before sending, the social event you almost cancel, the 3 AM thought spiral about something you said six months ago. That specificity is what makes the show feel relatable rather than generic. The podcast is rated 5.0 stars on Apple Podcasts and sits at the intersection of OCD-specific content and broader anxiety management. For anyone early in their understanding of OCD or anxiety, this is a welcoming starting point that does not oversimplify the experience.
OCD is one of the most misunderstood mental health conditions, partly because popular culture treats it as a personality quirk about neatness rather than a disorder that can be debilitating. Good podcasts about OCD push back against that misunderstanding, and the best ones do it with both clinical accuracy and genuine empathy. If you're looking for resources, whether for yourself or to understand someone in your life, audio is a format that works particularly well for this topic. Hearing someone describe an experience you recognize, in their own voice, creates a kind of connection that articles and forum posts can't quite match.
What's out there
When you start searching for the best podcasts for OCD, you'll find two main types. Some are hosted by licensed therapists or researchers who explain the science behind OCD and walk through evidence-based treatments, particularly Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP). These shows are useful for understanding what effective treatment looks like and why certain approaches work better than others. They help demystify the disorder in concrete, practical terms.
The other type centers on personal stories. People living with OCD share their experiences, from the thought patterns that drive compulsions to the slow process of learning to manage them. These shows can feel like finding someone who actually gets it, especially if you've been dealing with OCD in isolation. Both types have real value, and they serve different needs. You might want clinical information one week and personal connection the next.
Choosing what fits your needs
With a lot of good OCD podcasts available, picking the right ones depends on what you're looking for right now. If you want to understand treatment options, prioritize shows hosted by mental health professionals who reference specific research and therapeutic methods. If you need to feel less alone with what you're going through, look for interview-based shows or hosts who share their own OCD journey openly.
OCD podcasts for beginners, meaning people who are just starting to learn about the condition, usually explain terms and concepts without assuming background knowledge. That's helpful if you're newly diagnosed or just beginning to realize that what you've been experiencing has a name. A strong OCD podcast typically has hosts who speak from genuine knowledge or experience, guests who bring different perspectives, and content that manages to be honest about how hard OCD can be without leaving you feeling hopeless. Check out a few different OCD podcast recommendations before settling on favorites. What works for someone else might not be the right fit for you.
You'll find a lot of free OCD podcasts on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and other platforms. Most are free to access, which removes one barrier to getting support and information.
Finding current shows
New OCD podcasts appear regularly, and the best OCD podcasts 2026 and top OCD podcasts 2026 reflect growing public understanding of the condition. Some newer shows focus on specific OCD subtypes like harm OCD, relationship OCD, or scrupulosity, which can be more directly relevant than general-purpose shows. Look for podcasts that maintain a regular release schedule, since consistent content means the hosts are committed to the work. The must-listen OCD podcasts are the ones that leave you feeling more informed and less isolated, and there are enough good options now that you can find shows matching exactly what you need.