The 25 Best Podcasts For Women Who Want To Live Their Best Lives
Daily inspiration at your service.
shutterstock If you're like me, the only reason you started listening to podcasts was that you found true-crime gems like Serial, S-Town, and Criminal. But like their Netflix-series counterparts, true crime shows of any medium can have profound negative impacts on your life if that's all you listen to.
Once I realized that listening to crime shows all day was probably not the best method for me, I started to explore my other podcasting options. Low and behold, there was a whole wonderful world of podcasts for women that I was missing out on!
Every topic from relationship advice to understanding the Taylor Swift fandom to Bachelor recaps to self-love are covered. And while it's taken me some to weed through the literally thousands of options at my fingertips, I've finally come up with a list of golden podcasts.
This selection of the best podcasts for women will teach you literally everything you need to know about life.
Whether you're looking for a distraction or want company during your nightly bath, throw one of these on and learn a little something about the world, as well as yourself.
1. Your Kick-Ass Life
Sometimes all we need is a little slap in the rear to get ourselves going again. Author of the self-help book 52 Ways to Live a Kick-Ass Life, her podcast teaches you how to silence your inner critic and get the happiness you deserve. Show topics include things like body positivity and how to bounce back from failure.
2. The Marie Forleo Podcast
While Marie Forleo is known for being an expert in helping people create businesses they love, she also talks a lot about confidence, positivity and how to be happier overall. Topics, like how to make good decisions and staying consistent with your goals, are motivating and easy to put into practice.
Listen to the Marie Forleo Podcast
3. That's So Retrograde
Hosts Elizabeth Kott and Stephanie Simbari are both hilariously funny and informative about the trends of new age and wellness. Everything from astrology to crystals to ghosts to the latest in pop culture — and the occasional 420 celebration — are up for discussion.
Listen to That's So Retrograde
4. Style Your Mind
In addition to offering some boss career advice, Cara Alwill Leyba also dishes on her personal keys to success and female empowerment. Girl friendships, confidence and the little ways you make yourself feel glamorous every day are typical themes of her episodes.
5. LadyGang
If you're looking for a dose of realness, the women of The LadyGang have got you covered. Not only do they talk about a variety of self-help and wellness topics in their shows (including healthy eating, skincare, and the like), but they also interview some of Hollywood's breakout stars whose stories are inspiring.
6. Terrible, Thanks for Asking
Host Nora McInerny makes us really think about the question, "How are you?" with dozens of topics to choose from. Described as "sometimes sad, sometimes funny, and often both," no topic seems off-limits here.
Listen to Terrible, Thanks for Asking
7. Sex With Emily
If you're looking for some seriously good relationship and sex advice, Emily is your girl. She's not only extremely informative, but also seemingly takes out all the weirdness of some of the weirdest sex questions.
8. Goal Digger
The Goal Digger podcast focuses on making the most of your time. Hosted by Jenna Kutcher, this podcast has over 300 episodes about productivity and inspiration. Topics include making money online, “turning your passion into profits,” and truly striving to reach what seems like the most impossible goals.
9. 2 Dope Queens
Even though 2 Dope Queens only aired for 2 years, ending in November 2018, there’s no reason you can’t listen to the dozens of episodes by Phoebe Robinson and Jessica Williams. If you love comedy and listening to two besties chat, this is the podcast for you. Guests include Jon Stewart, Tom Hanks, Zoe Kravitz, and even Michelle Obama.
10. Invisibilia
Hosted by Hanna Rosin, Alix Spiegel and Lulu Miller, this podcast “fuses narrative storytelling with science that will make you see your own life differently.” If you’ve ever been interested in why humans act and react the way we do, this podcast has a variety of topics that explore that notion, including immortality, finding yourself after grief, and even how reality television influences real life.
11. Call Your Girlfriend
Call Your Girlfriend is literally about that: calling your girlfriends! Hosted by Ann Friedman and Aminatou Sow, topics include race in friendship, challenging times friends face together, pop culture, politics, and “women’s humanity.” And if you can’t get enough, they also offer a monthly newsletter that includes good reads, online shopping, and even memes.
Listen to Call Your Girlfriend
12. The Lively Show
Hosted by Jess Lively, her mission for this podcast is to show how intricate a journey to success can be. For those of us who struggle to listen to our intuition, this podcast can help you hone into it, and use it as a way to “add a little extra presence to your everyday.”
13. Black Girl in Om
Founder Lauren Ash has almost 70 episodes created specifically for healing Black womxn and womxn of color. If you need a heavy dose of self-love, this podcast talks about a plethora of topics, including creating what you need for you, spirituality, and resetting your relationships.
14. The High Low
This weekly podcast is all about conversations between its two hosts, Dolly Alderton and Pandora Sykes, about “highbrow and lowbrow” culture. With topics like childfree vs. being a mom, intimacy and lockdown, and even anti-semetism.
15. WorkParty
This podcast, hosted by Jaclyn Johnson, focuses on business and careers of millennial women with dreams to become successful. Interesting topics include the pay gap for women of color, female entrepreneurs, and starting your own business.
16. Side Hustle Pro
Another great podcast for Black women entrepreneurs, this podcast shines a light on boss ladies we can all strive to be. Hosted by Nicaila Matthews Okome, she discusses tips on starting an online business, balancing motherhood and career, and getting sponsors.
17. Where Should We Begin? with Esther Perel
Author, speaker and therapist Esther Perel hosts this podcast which is “for anyone who has ever loved.” Real, anonymous couples are featured on each episode, talking about mental illness in relationships, cheating, and living together in coronavirus lockdown.
Listen to Where Should We Begin?
18. The Challengers with Amy Brenneman
The focus of this podcast? Facing our challenges head-on. With host Amy Brenneman discussing these problems we deal with, you’ll find yourself grappling with perhaps your own inner issues. Topics include death and loss, chronic pain, special needs children, and cancer.
19. Thirst Aid Kit
We’ve all heard of “thirst,” AKA lusting after someone. Two hosts Bim Adewunmi and Nichole Perkins focus primarily on how women express this lust and honing in on why. Guests include Jake Johnson, Lakeith Stanfield, and Andrew Scott.
20. Small Doses with Amanda Seales
Comedian Amanda Seales gives us big laughs in this weekly podcast. With a mix of comedy and very serious topics like sexism and police brutality, you’ll find yourself laughing while deep in thought about how relatable this podcast is.
Listen to Small Doses with Amanda Seales
21. Girlboss Radio with Sophia Amoruso
Sophia Amoruso delivers this weekly podcast about “honest conversations with trailblazing women.” For boss b****es looking to becoming successful in their careers and grow from it personally, you can expect useful information, and some laughs, to get you there.
22. My Favorite Murder
True crime fans, this is the podcast for you! Hosts Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark each tell a story of murder and crime every week, and combine it with personal conversations and humor. Telling stories in this way is how they cope with anxiety, and the podcast also includes great discussions about mental health and current social issues.
23. The Guilty Feminist
Comedian Deborah Frances-White delves into feminism, along with special guests. The twist? It’s not just about feminist issues, it’s about owning your own hypocrisy and short-comings when it comes to a grand topic like that.
24. Stuff Mom Never Told You
With interesting topics like gender and autism, and women gamers, these hosts hold conversations about feminism, women, and our current social climate. These are topics your mom definitely never told you.
Listen to Stuff Mom Never Told You
25. Unlocking Us with Brené Brown
Anyone who’s heard Brené Brown speak knows how life-changing her words are. This podcast explores the “universal experiences of being human.” That includes some tough conversations about vulnerability, honesty, and connection. As Brown says, “We don’t have to do life alone. We were never meant to.”
Emily Blackwood is a writer and editor living in California. She covers all things news, pop culture and true crime.
Samantha Maffucci is an editor for YourTango who focuses on writing trending news and entertainment pieces.