5 Podcasts That Made Me Believe in Myself Again
There was a point—not too long ago- where I felt stuck. I was going through the motions, ticking off to-do lists, but I couldn’t shake the feeling that I’d lost a little bit of myself along the way. You know that quiet self-doubt that creeps in and makes you second-guess everything?
Yeah, that one.
When I needed a bit of perspective, comfort, and a good old-fashioned pep talk, I turned to podcasts. And not just any podcasts- the kind that feel like a warm hug, a gentle nudge, and a call to action all rolled into one.
These five shows reminded me who I was, what I’m capable of, and why I should never count myself out.
Here are the five podcasts that genuinely helped me start believing in myself again.
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1. The High Low by Dolly Alderton & Pandora Sykes
This podcast might be finished now (sob), but it’s still gold. Listening to Dolly and Pandora chat about everything from pop culture to politics made me feel smarter, more connected, and less alone.
They don’t talk at you—they talk with you, which is exactly what I needed when I was feeling unsure of myself. It’s like having two clever, funny friends remind you that your thoughts matter and your voice has value.
Best episode to start with: "Dolly’s Love Story" – trust me, just listen.
2. How to Fail with Elizabeth Day
This podcast completely changed how I think about failure. Elizabeth Day sits down with all kinds of guests—from authors to athletes—to talk about the things that didn’t go to plan. Instead of brushing over the tough stuff, they get right into it. Every episode reminded me that failing doesn’t mean I’m not good enough. It means I’m trying, learning, and growing.
Best episode to start with: Mo Gawdat on grief, resilience, and learning to be happy.
3. The Diary of a CEO by Steven Bartlett
I’ll be honest—I didn’t expect this one to hit me the way it did. Yes, it’s business-focused in some ways, but it’s also incredibly human. Steven Bartlett’s honesty about his own struggles, imposter syndrome, and inner critic made me feel seen. And his guests? Inspiring doesn’t even begin to cover it. If you’re looking for something that’ll give you perspective and a bit of a kick up the bum, this is it.
Best episode to start with: Episode with Mel Robbins – it’s like therapy in podcast form.
4. Happy Place by Fearne Cotton
If you’re in a season of self-reflection or healing, Happy Place is a must. Fearne Cotton has this incredible way of holding space for the messy, emotional parts of life. She doesn’t shy away from talking about mental health, burnout, or the pressure to always “have it together.” Listening to her conversations reminded me that I don’t need to be perfect—I just need to keep showing up.
Best episode to start with: Jada Pinkett Smith on redefining strength and vulnerability.
5. On Purpose with Jay Shetty
If I had a pound for every time Jay Shetty said something that made me pause and write it down… I’d be on a beach right now. This podcast is full of real talk, mindset shifts, and practical tools to help you become more intentional with your time and energy. It’s grounding, motivating, and gentle all at once.
Best episode to start with: “5 Steps to Break Negative Thought Patterns.”
Final Thoughts
When you’re stuck in a rut, it’s easy to forget how capable, worthy, and powerful you really are. These podcasts didn’t just help me believe in myself again- they helped me remember that growth is rarely linear, and self-belief can be rebuilt piece by piece.
So if you’ve been doubting yourself lately, this is your reminder: you’re allowed to start again. And sometimes, all it takes is the right voice in your ears at the right time.
Save this list, plug in your headphones, and start reconnecting with yourself.
