If you’re anything like me, then you feel like there’s never enough time in a day to get everything done and make time for yourself. As a college student in a world where we perpetually seem to get busier and busier each semester, it can sometimes be a daunting task to figure out a healthy balance between academic goals and personal goals. As a woman who just turned twenty at the end of 2021, I have felt more than ever the added stress of growing into an adult and figuring things out on my own. Over the past year I have turned to different resources in an attempt to find the best advice about conquering this next decade and fulfilling my wellness, lifestyle, career, and financial goals of the future. Once I started listening to podcasts on a more regular basis, I found that the amount of information at my fingertips offered multiple perspectives on these topics that I was interested in. Whether you’re walking to class, at the gym, folding laundry, cooking dinner, or washing the dishes, listening to your favorite podcasters adds a leisurely form of multitasking to a demanding schedule that you can access anytime, anywhere. Additionally, the sheer volume of podcasts available almost guarantees that you can find something that interests you. The variety of voices adds original thoughts and diversity to the mainstream media that we are constantly consuming and accustomed to listening to. Entering your twenties is a weird time for everyone, so here are my favorite podcasts to help you start to navigate them.
- Almost 30
Krista Williams and Lindsey Simcik are two LA-based best friends who started recording episodes together (on their closet floor) in their twenties when they were just as lost, freaked out, and naive as many of their listeners are. With nearly 500 episodes, and new uploads every Tuesday and Thursday, they have cultivated a community of honesty, openness, and empowerment to allow you to learn and grow alongside them. Their interviews will expand your knowledge, allow you to reflect, and remind you that we are all human and have room to make mistakes, fail, and try again. Although they touch on topics that emphasize vulnerability and connectedness, they never take anything too seriously and are sure to make you laugh. If you are a purposeful dreamer who is always curious, then give this show a listen!
- Unlocking Us with Brené Brown
After reading Brené Brown’s book, Atlas of the Atlas of the Heart: Mapping Meaningful Connection and the Language of Human Experience, I knew I had to check out her podcast for all things self-help and relationships. Brené Brown has spent over twenty years studying human emotions and the meaningful experiences that bring us purpose in our lives. The intimate conversations in her episodes are just what you need to challenge your thoughts and unlock the deeply human emotions that we all share. From the highs to the lows, this podcast covers everything in between to help you become more self-aware.
- Do You F******g Mind?
Like the name suggests, this podcast does not hold back in its pursuit to help you live your most badass life. Alexis Fernandez is a podcaster, pilates instructor, and a neuroscience student who makes it known that she doesn’t allow other people’s opinions to get in her way. This woman knows what life is like when you start to care less about what everybody else is thinking and focusing more on yourself. From Sydney, Australia, her accent alone is enough to keep me engaged in her conversations. Alexis talks openly about her diet, gives self care advice, helps you build confidence, and fields questions about the stereotypical image of being a scientist. A mix of profanity and timely words of wisdom, Alexis gives her listeners the tough love that only a pilates instructor can give.
- The Skinny Confidential
Lauryn Evarts Bosstick and her husband, Michael Bosstick, are the queen and king of finding the best kept secrets about all life things. From wellness and beauty to business and lifestyle, The Skinny Confidential is my go to podcast. Entertaining, informative and honest; I find the dynamic duo really easy to listen to, and their guests are very diverse and interesting. With names, such as Ed Mylett, Robert Greene, Dr. Dennis Gross, Wim Hof, Rachel Hollis, and Tony Robbins, each episode is filled with all of the raw, detailed questions that the audience wants answered – there’s no holding back! I never regret listening to an episode of this podcast, and the information has helped me implement more healthy habits into my life.
- The Goal Digger
Whether you’re trying to become the best version of yourself that you created on your vision board, are interested in starting a side hustle, want to learn more about marketing, or just want some productivity tips, this is the show for you. Funny and relatable, Jenna Kucther shares her own personal advice and interviews some of the top women in the business world, like Barbara Corcoran, to help inspire you to tackle your biggest goals.
- The goop Podcast
I’m sure you’ve heard about Gwyneth Paltrow’s popular lifestyle brand, goop. Well, her podcast lives up to the expectations that her brand created. Each week, Paltrow interviews some of the brightest thinkers and catalysts for cultural change. Whether it is a leader, scientist, content creator, or healer, the interviewees engage in some of the most powerful conversations that will leave you wanting to learn more. Paltrow’s soothing voice and motherly nature will make it easy to listen to at any point in your busy day!
- Happier with Gretchen Rubin
Bestselling author of The Happiness Project, Grethcen Rubin knows a thing or two about how to find more joy in your life and have a more optimistic mindset. Gretchen brings her own personal, practical, and manageable advice to the table as she brings up thought-provoking topics that are sure to encourage you to make the changes that could change your life for the better. Her episodes are relatively short, with the occasional longer episode, and she jumps straight to the point – perfect for listening in a time crunch! There’s never a valid excuse why you shouldn’t squeeze in an episode with Gretchen that will set up for a good day.
- Financial Feminist
Women make about $0.78 to a man’s dollar, yet we outlive them by about seven years. Tori Dunlap sees this as an issue that needs to be addressed and wants to help her listeners, especially us girls in our twenties, feel prepared for dealing with money in the future and during retirement. Tori is a self made money expert who wants to help other women reach financial freedom and feel confident when dealing with money in a world that is predominantly run by wealthy white men. Her episodes are information packed, and there are options of shorter and longer episodes. Some of my favorite episodes are about financial self care, living more sustainably with your money, wage gaps, investing tips, and how to build your credit score. Whether you’re a business major, studying arts, or a woman in STEM (like myself), everyone can learn something from Tori that will leave you with the resources that you need to responsibly earn, save, and grow your money.
- The Blonde Files
Host Arielle Lorre has just as many questions as her audience does about what works and what doesn’t in the health and wellness industry. I first stumbled upon Arielle on instagram where she shares her own tips and tricks for all things fashion, beauty, fitness, and nutrition. As a recovering drug and alcohol addict, Arielle is devoted to her journey of becoming the version of herself that both looks and feels the best. Each of her episodes makes you feel like you are getting the inside scoop of all the latest girl talk. It’s like free advice from the older sister you never had! Her endless hacks and meaningful conversations are sure to make you want to tune in for a new episode every Wednesday!
- I Love You So Much with Kenzie Elizabeth
Kenzie Elizabeth is another influencer that I became familiar with through her instagram platform before I decided to tune in to her podcast. Kenzie is already well known as a lifestyle blogger, but her interviews with artists, influencers, authors, experts, entrepreneurs, and thought leaders are making her voice gain even more popularity. Her episodes cover everything that you want to hear as a woman in her twenties: relationships (including the one with yourself), mental wellness, productivity, and manifestation. If these topics interest you or if you like following health and wellness trends from a vlogger’s perspective, then this podcast might be a good one to start with.
- MOOD with Lauren Elizabeth
Besides the fact that I share the same name as her, Lauren Elizabeth’s witty personality and business-savvy knowledge make her a very compelling podcast host. Originally from the Midwest, Lauren Elizabeth is now based out of LA where she supplies the beautiful people of the internet with her favorite lifestyle products, beauty hacks, home decorating tips, mood boosters, and so much more. Her humor makes listening to her show something to look forward to, even as she discusses her best and her worst moods throughout her week. She brings well-known names into her conversations as she discusses both deep and more lighthearted topics. There is even a #MyMOOD advice segment for her listeners to participate in. If her podcast is one that interests you, then you can check her out on YouTube and other social media platforms as well.
- UnF*ck Your Brain
If you’re a woman who finds herself struggling with anxiety and self-doubt, needs constant validation from others, always wonders what everyone is thinking about you, and is your own worst critic, then start listening to Kara Loewentheil ASAP! Kara is a former Social Justice Lawyer and Legal Academic who changed her career to become a Master Certified Confidence Coach who wants to help you overcome negative self talk, intrusive thoughts, constant worry, and your biggest insecurities. Her analytical past has enabled her to give listeners concrete, practical things that you can apply to your own life. She helps listeners to understand what is going on in our brain and how we have the power to change that.
- The Ed Mylett Show
Although I may not have initially been interested in listening to this show on my own, Ed Mylett’s frequent appearances on some of the previous podcasts that I have mentioned have left me feeling some type of way that ultimately brought me to his show. His motivating monologues inspire you to have epiphanies about your own life and inspire you to become the person that you have the potential to become. His episodes highlight peak performers across various industries, such as health, sports, business, science, and entertainment, that take you through their journey and enlighten you with their knowledge. After listening to one episode by Ed Mylett, you will definitely be hooked.
- The Self Love Fix
Show host, Beatrice, is all about diving deeper into our relationship with ourselves. As a woman of color, her podcast is dedicated to helping her listeners, especially those in the WOC community, find their self worth and work on personal development. How we connect with ourselves and others is a huge part of being human, and Beatrice aims to make her audience feel comfortable about talking through these crucial aspects of our lives. Her relatable episode topics cover lessons of friendship, how to attract people to you, trusting your partner, commitment, and dating advice. If you choose to listen, you may laugh, you may cry, but, above all, you will definitely learn more about who you are and what you value.
- The Happiness Lab with Dr. Laurie Santos
The Happiness Lab is a feel good space that cultivates a positive attitude and better thoughts. Dr. Laurie Santos is a Yale psychology professor that became interested in the science of happiness after becoming worried about the mental states of her students. As a woman in college I know that I can relate to her students in some ways and can benefit from Dr. Lauries Santos’ wide set of knowledge and experience. She shares some surprising and influential stories in her episodes that average about thirty minutes in duration. Her wisdom and evidence-based conversations are the perfect pick me up during a stressful day that will leave you feeling more at ease.
- Dear Gabby
Gabby Bernstein is a #1 New York Times Bestselling author, spiritual teacher, and international speaker who talks with you as if you were sitting across the table from her. Gabby’s mission is to offer coaching and guidance on stress, burnout, loss, relationships, spirituality and every other big topic with clear direction. With new episodes every Monday, her Q&A sessions will help you make the transformations that you have been wanting to make. If you decide to tune in Gabby will be sure to have your back as you follow along with her unscripted step by step coaching.
- WOAH That’s Good Podcast
If you were a Duck Dynasty fan back in the day or keep up with Dancing With the Stars, then you may already be familiar with Sadie Robertson’s name. Though she’s grown up on TV, Sadie is now taking her voice to the microphone as the host of the WOAH That’s Good Podcast. Sadie is a mother, wife, author, and founder of Live Original. Her meaningful conversations with guests from various backgrounds inform us about the best advice that they have ever been given. The guidance that she gives her audience leaves you accepting your past, making changes for your future, and reflecting on the impact that some of these topics have had on you. From love languages, business, and fitness, to faith, mistakes, and bucket lists, Sadie jumps around to make sure that all of your boxes are checked off. If you’re looking for a feel good podcast that will leave you saying “woah,” then tune in to the latest episodes of this podcast.
- We Can Do Hard Things with Glennon Doyl
For those that are already familiar with Glennon Doyl’s latest book, Untamed, then her famous mantra, and show title, is nothing new. Her book and podcast were introduced during a worldwide rally cry at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic and quarantine. Her show hits all the right spots as it dives into life’s toughest conversations about caring for others, ending friendships, losing your job, addiction, loneliness, marriage, and setting boundaries for yourself and others. Glennon wants her listeners to acknowledge that life is hard and that we don’t give ourselves enough credit where credit is due. The community that she has unintentionally brought together drops the fake talk and brings honesty and bravery into the picture to support you through life’s lowest lows and highest highs.
- Girls Gotta Eat
If you’re a girl that is a sucker for comedy, then Ashley Hesseltine and Rayna Greenberg will not disappoint. Their candid conversations bring you useful dating advice, sex tips, and relationship insight that will help you navigate dating apps, get over a breakup, or help you determine if he’s actually worth your time. If you listen to Call Her Daddy with Alex Cooper, then Girls Gotta Eat will bring you the same care-free energy. The duo’s casual back and forth wordplay is incomparable, and the celebrity appearances bring on a whole new level of insider scoop. All the cards are on the table and anything is up for discussion with these witty women, so don’t be surprised if these episodes take a wild turn!
- You’re Wrong About
You’re Wrong About is an American history and pop culture podcast hosted by none other than Michael Hobbes and Sarah Marshall. After launching in May 2018, the show has explored countless misunderstood media events over the years as they interrogate why and how things were perceived in a different light by the public. Every episode will have you analyzing the facts with the hosts, and you will always finish the conversation feeling a little bit smarter than when you started.