Best Happy Podcasts To Lift Your Mood (2020)

Brighten your day by tuning in to some wonderfully uplifting podcasts that will bring you a daily dose of joy and happiness.

These happy podcasts speak about practicing mindfulness, finding happiness, comedic podcasts that we guarantee will leave you with a smile, and featured interviews that aid in positive personal development.

Some of our podcast recommendations about happiness include Armchair Expert with Dax Shepard which touts itself as a podcast that 'celebrates the messiness of being human'. We love the conversational format and celebrity host Dax. He always has the unique ability to always bring a layer of silliness and fun to any subject matter. Check out the fun episode with Fred Savage (who remembers the ‘Wonder Years’?!)

If anyone is trying to find the secret to happiness, listen to The Happiness Lab, hosted by Yale professor Dr Laurie Santos. Dr. Santos takes you through the latest scientific research and shares inspiring stories that will forever alter the way you think about happiness. This was a surprising and enjoyable series that is well worth the listen.

The podcast, Reply All from Gimlet Media, features 'stories about how people shape the internet, and how the internet shapes people'. One of our all-time favorite podcasts as the stories shared, host banter and the overall format is just fantastic. This show will most certainly leave you with a smile (Suggested episode #158 - The Case of the Missing Hit).

With all the different podcasts out there, we curated a list of recommended feel-good shows and the best happy podcasts of 2020. Regardless of podcast format, host or structure, these are all happy podcasts that lead with positivity and warmth.

Armchair Expert Umbrella with Dax Shepard

by Armchair Umbrella

448

episodes

Dax Shepard, an actor, a successful movie director and now a podcast host. Dax has shown a different side to himself with his exploits as the host of the Armchair Experts. It’s funny, but more importantly, the conversations on this podcast veer toward life-affirming and development. This unique combo is bound to make listeners laugh every minute and nod in agreement the next. Dax explores the realities of humanity together with famous guests like Hasan Minaj, Gwyneth Paltrow, and many more. If there’s a topic under the sun, the Armchair Expert is likely to cover it!

Conan O’Brien Needs A Friend

by Team Coco & Earwolf

381

episodes

Celebrity and host Conan O’Brien spent 16 years on the Late Night With Conan O’Brien show. As a result, it’s easy to conclude that he knows how to entertain. And that is just what he does on this podcast. Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend was born out of the host’s desire to cultivate a better friendship with his celebrity acquaintances. In each episode, Conan O’Brien hangs out with a unique celebrity, doing casual interviews and discussing hilarious personal experiences. There’s also an icing on the cake in the form of an exciting banter segment. Previous guests on this podcast include Will Ferrell, Wanda Sykes, and Kristen Bell. For those who love comedy and celebrities, Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend is a must listen.

Fake Doctors, Real Friends with Zach and Donald

by iHeartPodcasts

202

episodes

You know what's long, tedious and boring? Surgery. You know what isn't? This new podcast! Join Scrubs co-stars and real-life best friends Zach Braff and Donald Faison for a weekly comedy podcast where they relive the hit TV show, one episode at a time. Each week, these BFFs will discuss an episode of Scrubs, sharing behind-the-scenes stories and reminiscing on some of their favorite memories from filming. They’ll also connect with Scrubs super fans and feature beloved show cast members for exclusive interviews.

Happier with Gretchen Rubin

by Gretchen Rubin / The Onward Project

865

episodes

Happier with Gretchen Rubin is a podcast with the sole goal of helping people become happier. Co-hosts, Gretchen Rubin, and Elizabeth Craft are a wonderful pair to listen to. Together, they provide practical advice on happiness and the habits that encourage it. Sometimes, they have personal and intimate conversations to help listeners understand better. The duo possesses a unique blend of wittiness and thought-provoking wisdom. It’s a truly engaging listen!

How Did This Get Made?

by Earwolf and Paul Scheer, June Diane Raphael, Jason Mantzoukas

251

episodes

It’s a couple’s affair on the How Did This Get Made podcast show. Actor Paul Scheer is joined by Grace, his wife. However, there’s even more synergy to add to the fun. Comedian Jason Mantzoukas and June Diane Raphael round out the hugely hilarious cast of this podcast show. Together with an ever-changing supporting cast of guests, they give their take on movies. According to the cast, some movies are so bad, they are good. Get ready for some entertaining movie reviews on How Did This Get Made.

LadyGang

by PodcastOne

704

episodes

Are you afraid to be alone with your own thoughts? Would you rather hear stories and conversations from three idiots stumbling through womanhood? Well, you’re in the right place! From the minds and mouths of Keltie Knight, Jac Vanek, and Becca Tobin, the LADYGANG podcast intends to make women feel less alone. Each week the ladies welcome celebrity guests, experts, or chat amongst themselves about all things lady.

Modern Love

by The New York Times

315

episodes

Love stories rarely exist without their fair share of ups and downs. Host, Meghna Chakrabarti seeks to bring to life the joys and tribulations involved in relationships. People often report that they listen enraptured by the true-life tales of love, loss, redemption, and happiness. The Modern Love podcast show focuses on embodying the essence of relationships – both the good and the bad

Reply All

by Gimlet

213

episodes

Produced by podcast juggernaut Gimlet, Reply All is a technology and culture podcast all about the intersection between the internet and people. Podcast hosts PJ Vogt and Alex Goldman take listeners through episodes ranging from thirty minutes to one hour in length that tell stories about social media mistakes, internet pranks, email culture, and hacking. It’s relevant to everybody who uses the internet, which is to say - everybody.

Staying In with Emily & Kumail

by Three Uncanny Four/HyperObject Industries

21

episodes

In this podcast — whose profits go to charities helping those affected by Coronavirus — Emily V. Gordon and Kumail Nanjiani are uniquely qualified to lead you through this forced quarantine situation. They are both writers who work from home. Emily was a therapist and currently is a chronically sick person (see: The Big Sick) who often has to quarantine herself, and Kumail is her main caretaker. Plus, we both just like being at home. Let us advise you on how to stay calm and avoid cabin fever. Let us give you entertainment recommendations. Let us give you constant updates on the squirrel vs. bird war happening right outside our window. Let us not talk about the C word at all. And most of all, let us take all of the proceeds from this podcast and spread it amongst charities that are helping those who are hit hardest by this quarantine. 100% of the Net Revenue* from the podcast will be donated in equal portions to the following charities to support their efforts to assist those affected by the COVID-19 pandemic: https://www.restaurantworkerscf.org/ https://disasterphilanthropy.org/ https://www.feedingamerica.org/ *"Net Revenue” is defined as the “Advertising Gross Revenue” received by Hyperobject Podcast and Three Uncanny Four less agency fees and actual costs incurred to produce, distribute, and promote the Podcast. “Advertising Gross Revenue” is calculated by the (cost per thousand) rate times the total impressions delivered.

Daily Boost Motivation and Coaching

by Scott Smith - Motivation and Coaching

520

episodes

The Daily Boost Podcast is what most popular and longest-running personal growth podcast in the world - for a good reason. Every episode delivers a positive boost of daily motivation and coaching designed to help you get what you want - no matter what gets in the way. Powered by ScottLOGIC, in less time than it takes for you to drink a cup of coffee, host and Personal Success Advisor Scott Smith delivers a lifetime of common sense wisdom, a BOOST of energy, positive mental health, the belief that anything is possible—and the tools to make it happen. Listening daily to the Daily Boost Podcast will help you clarify what you want, create a roadmap to get it—and, most importantly—stay motivated every day until you get it. Improve Productivity and Time Management. Break Bad Habits and Increase Discipline. Communicate Better. Enhance Relationships. Discover your purpose, feel more grateful, and even grow your business. The Daily Boost Podcast is real-life, helpful, practical knowledge, motivation, and coaching that you can use immediately. Subscribe, listen, and review the Daily Boost Podcast. If you prefer no commercials, additional personal growth tools, and weekly coaching to achieve your goals, subscribe to Daily Boost Premium at https://dailyboostpremium.com.

The Daily Show: Ears Edition

by Comedy Central & iHeartPodcasts

1767

episodes

Listen to highlights and extended interviews in the "Ears Edition" of The Daily Show. From Comedy Central’s Podcast Network.

Good Life Project

by Jonathan Fields / Acast

842

episodes

The host, Jonathan Fields, is passionate about people. Therefore, in this podcast, he is untiring in his effort to ensure a great and happy life for his listeners. The Good Life Project offers life hacks on self-discovery and how to live an engaging life. With doses of inspirational and intimate conversations, Jonathan Fields manages to steer his listeners in the right direction.

The Happiness Lab with Dr. Laurie Santos

by Pushkin Industries

125

episodes

Who would think that an elemental emotion like happiness has a scientific undertone? Yale University Professor, Dr. Laurie Santos has devoted years of study to discover the science of happiness, and he happily shares her discoveries with the world. There can be more control over our emotions, and science proves it. Check out this podcast show to see how!

This American Life

by This American Life

10

episodes

This American Life, hosted by the iconic Ira Glass, has been produced and aired on public radio since 1995. A journalistic non-fiction show showcasing fascinating stories about everything from coincidences to car dealerships to summer camp, the show manages to find a way to make pretty much any topic engaging. That’s probably why it’s won both a Peabody and a Pulitzer award. Each episode is about an hour long and available as a free podcast in addition to airing on the radio.

The B&N Podcast

by Barnes & Noble

239

episodes

We're no longer producing new episodes of this show, but you can find us now at Poured Over on Apple Podcasts. Every author has a story beyond the one that they put down on paper. The Barnes & Noble Podcast goes between the lines with today's most interesting writers, exploring what inspires them, what confounds them, and what they were thinking when they wrote the books we’re talking about.

Your Last Meal with Rachel Belle

by Rachel Belle

161

episodes

YOUR LAST MEAL is a James Beard Award finalist for Best Podcast hosted by National Edward R. Murrow award-winning reporter Rachel Belle. Each episode Rachel asks a celebrity (Jewel, Isaac Mizrahi, John Waters, Neil deGrasse Tyson, Danny Trejo, etc) what they would choose to eat for their last meal. Then she consults with chefs and culinary anthropologists, ice cream scientists and hungry astronauts to uncover the history, science and culture of these dishes.

No Limits with Rebecca Jarvis

by ABC News

183

episodes

Have a dream but don't know where to begin? Looking for wisdom from women who've already "been there?" Whether you're looking for answers or you just want to hear a good story, you're in the right place. Hosted by ABC News Emmy Award-winning journalist and Chief Business, Technology & Economics Correspondent Rebecca Jarvis, "No Limits" is where the most-impressive women in the world go to let their guards down and share honest stories about what it really takes to build an empire. Each week Rebecca speaks to bold and influential women about their paths to success, their choices and tradeoffs along the way, and their pitfalls and lessons learned. The conversations focus on practical advice and never-before-shared wisdom from across industries. Plus Rebecca always asks her signature question "What's the worst advice you've ever received?" New episodes every Tuesday.

VIEWS with David Dobrik & Jason Nash

by VIEWS

220

episodes

In this weekly podcast, David Dobrik, a 24-year-old, sexy, millionaire YouTuber and Jason Nash, a 40-something single dad with a vlog of his own, take you behind-the-scenes of their vlogs and show you what living the “YouTube life” is really like. Join these two as they confess their most intimate thoughts, discuss pop-culture, and dissect their own contentious relationship. New episodes drop every Tuesday!