The 20 best motivational podcasts to level up your learning

If you ever feel like you lack the motivation to complete a to-do list or take on a new hobby, you’re not alone. Everyone experiences periods of low motivation, often caused by burnout, overworking, and a mismanaged work-life balance. And some people struggle to find inspiration to act in the first place. 

Motivation issues are no secret. Of the world’s five million podcasts, 15% focus on self-help, with many addressing issues like burnout and the consequences of stress on motivation. 

And these podcasts don’t just acknowledge these difficulties — they provide valuable solutions and inspiring testimonials. We’ll explore 20 of the best motivational podcasts to help you move past any personal or professional blocks.

20 motivational podcasts to start streaming now

Join the 467 million podcast listeners worldwide by tuning into a show that benefits your growth. Whether you’re an entrepreneur launching a startup or wanting to start your days with a positive mindset, these shows have so much to offer. Put on your headphones and dive in. 

1. Tiny Leaps, Big Changes

Author Greg Clunis’ podcast helps listeners turn goals into reality. He teaches audience members to take finite steps, even if “tiny,” toward greater objectives in episodes that focus on everyday behavioral changes. 

The podcast has range, too, covering everything from exercising self-control to avoiding burnout. Greg also guides listeners toward finding their true motivations in shows that explore defining passion in capitalist societies and determining one’s “Why?” This podcast is an excellent choice for anyone that’s ready to take on a challenge but is unsure where to start.

2. Ten Percent Happier

Host Dan Harris believes that “Happiness is a skill you can learn.” With a focus on mindfulness and meditation, the show gathers an all-star line-up of spiritual leaders, mental health professionals, and enlightened celebrities to speak on their life lessons.

Anyone seeking motivation can take tips from episodes approaching topics like anxiety, procrastination, and earning more. The show also offers life advice on more personal themes like dealing with family drama and making friends. “Ten Percent Happier” is a worthwhile listen for audiences that want to use introspectiveness as a tool for growth. 

3. How to Fail

Failing may not sound like a motivational concept, but Elizabeth Day’s podcast shows how missteps can become lessons for success. Elizabeth invites guests to share their rock-bottom moments and explain how they turned proverbial lemons into lemonade. 

The show’s guests include authors, dating experts, and a Peloton instructor, so advice comes from a wide range of minds and personalities. This podcast reminds listeners that failure is a natural part of life, which is an encouraging point for motivation-seekers pursuing a goal.

4. Happier

Bestselling author Gretchen Rubin brings audiences a podcast on an elusive emotion: happiness. Her short “A little happier” episodes are an ideal stream for anyone who needs a two-minute boost, and her “More happier” series poses playful topics for easy listening. 

The podcast’s core series of 30-ish-minute segments teaches audiences how to have more fun and find contentment in life’s little moments, like hanging out at the airport, and significant events, like saving a friendship. This podcast helps listeners enjoy the here and now while en route to significant goals.

5. The Good Life Project

The Good Life podcast is a feature of a larger project that aims to help people forge connections, build a sense of belonging, and follow their passions. With core values like building intentional communities, motivating others with inspiring tales, and promoting education, the Good Life Project is well-equipped to give advice. 

The organization’s podcast gathers guest hosts like “Eat, Pray, Love” author Elizabeth Gilbert and marriage and family therapist Dr. Stan Tatkin to advise audiences on healing and creative living. The show is a must-listen for anyone seeking life hacks and pursuing their full potential.

6. Redefining Wealth

Patrice Washington reframes the idea of wealth as one of well-being. While a few episodes touch on monetary wealth, most of Patrice’s work centers on contentment, acceptance, and mental health.

Tune in to hear performance coach Amberly Lago speak on resilience or self-healing advocate Londrelle share insights on the abundance mindset. With the tagline “Chase purpose, not money,” this podcast fits listeners focused on intangible goals like leading a more healthful, attuned life. 

7. Tony Robbins Podcast

Goal-seekers are in good hands with the famed life coach and motivational speaker Tony Robbins. Tony’s cast features interviews and the coach’s audio archives, where he shares success-driving techniques.

With a firm focus on changing mindsets, episodes tackle themes like letting issues go, connecting the mind and body, and creating a meaningful career. Despite the knowledgeable guests and Tony’s impactful presence, the star of this show is the listener. The Tony Robbins Podcast is for anyone looking inward for answers but outward for support. 

8. Straight Up

This weekly advice podcast with former NFL wide receiver Trent Shelton drives at finding the truth within. Trent, who’s now a motivational speaker, shares his thoughts with the audience in an honest, relatable way.

You won’t find guest podcasters here, just Trent giving life lessons on self-worth, new beginnings, and trust. Listen in to enjoy a weekly dose of uplifting straight talk from a knowledgeable host who speaks from the heart. 

9. The Tim Ferriss Show

One of the top-ranking business podcasts, “The Tim Ferriss Show” is for listeners with an entrepreneurial spirit. It’s also for audiences who want to hear from household-name guest hosts like Jane Goodall and Hugh Jackman. 

Episodes focus on tips, tricks, and tactics for success — which looks different for all of Tim’s guests (and audience members). Listeners who come to this show with an open mind should leave with a positive outlook on the future. 

10. The School of Greatness

This podcast from Lewis Howes, the author of a best-selling book by the same name, features over 1,000 episodes jam-packed with advice from expert guests like doctors and lessons from Howes himself.

Listeners can learn to come back from toxic relationships, crush self-doubt, and make millions. The show’s a resource for those whose motivations drive physical and mental health, career, and relationship goals.

11. Daily Dose of Dopamine

Sometimes, listeners just want to feel good, and this podcast understands that. “Daily Dose of Dopamine” is a mental-health podcast hosted by a group of friends that offer advice in short sound bytes.

These 3–6-minute “doses” keep audience members on their toes, as the hosts may wax poetic about self-love one day and share thoughts on Bell Hooks the next. 

This is a worthy listen for anyone short on time who wants to expand their mind and receive a daily motivation boost. 

12. Optimal Living Daily

“Optimal Living Daily” does things differently. The cast doesn’t talk to listeners — it reads to them. This show curates the best of the web, culling blog pieces on topics like health, business, and personal development.

With thousands of episodes, listeners can dive deep into the internet’s archives and explore motivational content on channeling your thoughts, loving your body, and achieving financial wellness. Thanks to the audio-blog or blogcast style of the show, audience members hear from a range of expert voices who’ve created thoughtful articles on their subject-matter niche. 

13. The Happiness Lab

Yale professor Dr. Laurie Santos shares her expertise on the science of happiness with listeners in episodes that challenge expectations. She argues that many things people do to achieve happiness have the opposite effect.

Learn more about this theory, and gain tips on awakening the senses, practicing intuitive eating, and preventing self-criticism. And you can participate in episodes where Laurie takes audience questions. 

14. How I Built This

Guy Raz teaches listeners how to create a brand by chatting with successful entrepreneurs. Audiences tune in for inspiring stories that detail the motivations, achievements, and setbacks trailblazers experienced on their journeys. Find out how fashion designer Tory Burch became the name behind her brand or a YouTuber turned her domino-trick channel into a thriving business. 

As the podcast's name implies, this show focuses on the “How?” of running a business, a useful perspective for anyone building a dream.

15. Too Smart for This

Alexis Barber hosts a podcast by women entrepreneurs for women entrepreneurs. In some episodes, Alexis drops her own knowledge.

In others, she invites guests ranging from non-profit leaders to fashion designers to share industry lessons. “Too Smart for This” is straightforward, tip-driven, and savvy — perfect for changemakers who want advice on keeping their heads in the game. 

16. The Resilience Podcast 

Human beings are tough, and this podcast from the Resilience Institute sets out to prove it. With episodes on coming back from being medically dead to healing after abuse, the show tackles the challenging realities of human existence and reminds listeners of their strength.

“The Resilience Podcast” also invites guests to discuss improving wellness, conceptualizing happiness, and tapping into personal strengths. It’s the perfect show for anyone wanting to know how powerful they truly are.

17. The One You Feed

The One You Feed is an organization offering “Practical wisdom for a better life.” And the platform’s podcast meets the mark with episodes that work through practical talking points. The hosts even highlight these points in episode descriptions so listeners understand what they stand to learn before pushing “Play.”

This podcast interviews everyone from mindfulness experts to doctors to writers, offering a range of perspectives — all with a keen focus on improving listeners’ lives. 

18. The Habit Coach

Even the greatest motivations and most compelling goals can fall short when people don’t build healthy habits. Such is the premise behind “The Habit Coach” podcast.

Lifestyle coach Ashdin Doctor gives five-minute advice sessions on improving everyday behaviors that affect sleep, stress, and relationships. The show helps people on a path to betterment reach wellness goals and provides tips to keep busy entrepreneurs grounded and focused. 

19. Therapy for Black Girls 

This weekly podcast by the Therapy for Black Girls organization, which focuses on promoting mental health accessibility for Black women, helps listeners become better versions of themselves.

Host Dr. Joy Harden Bradford tackles trauma, dating in the digital age, and even popular TV. Joy guides her audience through protecting their mental wellness and fostering beneficial conversations and habits. 

20. How’s Work?

Famed couples therapist Esther Perel takes on a new subject: career struggles. Her podcast surfaces issues many experience at work but are too afraid to discuss. Esther unpacks complicated professional relationships, burnout, and careers that don’t go as expected.

In one-off therapy sessions, Esther addresses these topics and others with those experiencing them. This cast reminds professionals that workplace conflict and emotion are normal, showing people they’re in good company even when the going gets tough.

Podcasts: 21st-century classrooms 

With hosts that range from university professors to former elite athletes, motivational podcasts deliver high-quality content based on expertise. These audio shows teach listeners new wellness skills, promote professional growth, and help people tap into their potential.

Podcasts also generate community: listeners join an audience of like-minded folks and receive support from hosts who care. 

Add a podcast to your daily downtime routines and improve your career, self-esteem, and communication skills. There’s an episode for whatever you'd like to work on.