5 Personal Development Podcasts You Can Actually Relate To
Looking for personal development podcasts that feel less like homework and more like a relatable conversation with tips that will actually work for your lifestyle? Well, lucky for you I've got a whole freaking library full of them. Below are five of my all time favorites.
I feel like these are standouts because they don't follow the typical narrative while still inspiring the hell out of me.
One trope I find over and over again in the personal development world is the Ferrari driving billionaire turning every Linkedin post into The Best Ted Talk Ever. Often these are really emphatic dudes ranging from straight up douchebags to well-intentioned but still annoying. Usually over 40 but sometimes Young And Successful and especially annoying.
And don't get me wrong, oftentimes those people do have pretty good advice. They got successful somehow, right? They are obviously doing something right.
Regardless, they just aren't relatable. I could watch hour after hour of motivational speeches while they pace and make alpha male hand gestures, but at the end of the day how am I supposed to feel like I can really apply to it my own life?
Sorry, Chad, I'm sure you've got people but they just ain't me.
ANYWAYS - rant over - to combat this trope, I've put together a list of personal development and success podcasts we can actually relate to and apply to our own lives. Enjoy!
Personal Development and Success Podcasts You Can Actually Relate To
Self Helpless
This is the podcast that got me into podcasts. This is also the podcast that really threw me into the world of self help and helped me relinquish my fear of being the ultimate Basic Bitch by doing so.
The podcast is hosted by 3 comedians (well, one of them used to be a comedian and is now a boss bitch but you get me) so laughs are guaranteed. They cover pretty much everything when it comes to personal development and lifestyle, from Marie Kondo to birth control.
But the main thing that keeps us all coming back for more is how open and relatable these women are. The podcast follows them through their own journeys, from Big Girl Sticker Charts to bad breakups to huge career changes. Honestly, many of the episodes feel more like girls night than a podcast.
I'm subscribed to their Patreon too which is also quality..
The Perfectionism Project
If you're familiar with the blog (or me), you'll know that perfectionism comes up a lot. Many of my own roadblocks trace back to perfectionism.
Now, I'm not always a huge fan of podcasts where there is typically one speaker. I really like the conversational aspect of unscripted shows with multiple hosts. But there are a few that I actually really enjoy, and this is one of them.
I feel like all too often when I'm looking for personal development advice, the same tips pop up over and over again, but whenever I listen to this podcast I have to stop and take notes. There's almost always some nugget of wisdom that I haven't heard yet which the host has drawn from her own experience instead of a half assed Google search.
The Lavendaire Lifestyle
I love this podcast because it's so different and unafraid. A friend recommended it to me awhile back and I'm so glad she did because I'm not sure I would have found it otherwise. The host, Aileen, is also a YouTuber so you can check out her videos too.
Be forewarned, it can get real woo-woo at times. Personally, I love that even if I don't believe in all of it. Even if you're not into that, there are so many amazing episodes that aren't, so I recommend you give it a shot regardless.
Topics have a huge range, which one of the reasons I love this show so much. Episodes go from memory improvement and how to be more productive all the way to lunar abundance. Give it a listen if you're looking for something new and refreshing.
RISE Podcast with Rachel Hollis
The name Rachel Hollis might not be new to you. She's the author of the ultra-popular books Girl, Wash Your Face and Girl, Stop Apologizing. I've yet to read the books yet but Hollis definitely made it on my list of personal development books to read this year.
This podcast has some rock-solid interviews from big names in the self help world and beyond. If you want to drool over the wisdom of hard hitters like Gretchen Rubin and Marie Forleo, this is the podcast you've been searching for.
She Podcast with Jordan Lee Dooley
She Podcast is another podcast on par with RISE Podcast. I find them to be pretty similar in style, so if you like Rachel Hollis you might like this one as well. However, I find that Jordan dives a little more often into other topics like family, relationships, and other life-centered hardships.
If you're looking for something with a vast range on common lifestyle topics, check this one out. She covers things from miscarriage to creative business and all the back to cystic acne.
It's easy listening and chalk full of positivity, while still keeping it real.