Construction Inclusion Week Mental Health Resources: Section 6
Listen In: Podcasts, Music, & Playlists
Dive into audio resources that offer mental health insights and soothing sounds, empowering you to find support and comfort through listening.
Sometimes, a powerful voice or a calming melody can transform your mood and perspective. This section features a carefully curated lineup of podcasts and playlists that cater to your mental health needs. Whether you’re seeking expert advice, relatable conversations, or soothing sounds to help you unwind, these audio resources are designed to meet you wherever you are, be it during a walk, while driving, at work, or as you wind down for the day. Let these sounds guide you toward greater understanding and emotional well-being.
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When You Need to Feel Understood
Audio has a way of bypassing our defenses. A stranger’s story about their struggles might suddenly put words to your own experience. A musician’s melody can release emotions you’ve been carrying all day. This isn’t about passive listening, it’s about feeling companioned. When hearing someone else articulate your inner world, the isolation eases. You remember you’re not the only one who’s felt this way.
Shifting Your Energy
Certain sounds can physically alter your state. Upbeat rhythms might ground you during a chaotic moment. A calm, steady voice could slow your racing thoughts. The power lies in choosing what serves you in the moment, whether that’s distraction, catharsis, or quiet. One listener described putting on a familiar podcast host’s voice just to feel less alone in their kitchen at night. Another plays the same album every morning to set their mind right. What works for you today might change tomorrow, and that’s the point.
Making It Personal
The magic happens when you connect with a voice, series, or song that feels like it was made for you. Maybe it’s an interviewer who asks questions you wish someone would ask you. Perhaps it’s ambient sounds that help you concentrate, or angry music that helps release frustration. This isn’t about finding the “right” thing to listen to, it’s about noticing how different sounds affect you and curating your own audio toolkit accordingly.
Resources
Whether you're assessing your emotional foundations, connecting with immediate support, or seeking professional guidance, the following resources work alongside your strengths to keep you strong on and off the job.
PODCASTS: EDUCATIONAL / EXPERT-LED
The Happiness Lab (Dr. Laurie Santos)
Based on her Yale course, Dr. Santos unpacks the science of happiness and why our brains get it wrong.
The Hardcore Self Help Podcast (Dr. Robert Duff)
A psychologist explains mental health concepts in everyday language, answering real listener questions.
https://www.duffthepsych.com/hardcore-self-help-podcast
Dear Therapists (Lori Gottlieb & Guy Winch)
Two leading therapists help guests work through real issues in real time — with action plans.
https://www.iheart.com/podcast/1119-dear-therapists-68577312
PODCASTS: THERAPIST-LED & MINDFULNESS-BASED
Calm It Down (Chad Lawson)
A musician uses music and mindfulness to ease anxiety and invite stillness.
https://www.calmitdownpodcast.com
The Mindful Kind (Rachael Kable)
Shares short, practical mindfulness tips and reflections on emotional wellness.
PODCASTS: MARGINALIZED VOICES & MENTAL HEALTH
Latinx Therapy (Adriana Alejandre)
Therapist Adriana Alejandre hosts conversations on mental health topics relevant to the Latinx community,
with cultural nuance and clinical insight.
InRecovery (Dr. Nzinga Harrison)
A Black psychiatrist dives deep into addiction and recovery — from opioids to workaholism — with science,
empathy, and cultural awareness.
www.lemonadamedia.com/show/inrecovery
Busy Being Black (Josh Rivers)
Explores the mental and emotional realities of queer Black life through interviews with artists, activists,
and thinkers.
PODCASTS: STORYTELLING & HUMOR
The Hilarious World of Depression (John Moe)
Comedians and creatives talk about living with depression — it’s honest, relatable, and surprisingly funny.
https://www.hilariousworld.org
The Mental Illness Happy Hour (Paul Gilmartin)
A raw and often hilarious look at the invisible struggles we carry, with guests from all walks of life.
Anxiously Ever After (Sarah Fader)
Real stories of anxiety and survival told with honesty, vulnerability, and sarcasm.
PODCASTS: ADDICTION & RECOVERY
The Addicted Mind (Duane Osterlind, LMFT)
Features expert interviews and personal stories about addiction, trauma, and healing.
Recovery Rocks (Tawny Lara & Lisa Smith)
Two women in recovery talk sobriety, mental health, and pop culture — funny, feminist, and unfiltered.
PODCASTS: TRAUMA & RESILIENCE
The Trauma Therapist Podcast (Guy Macpherson)
Interviews with therapists, advocates, and survivors about healing trauma and building resilience.
https://www.thetraumatherapistproject.com/podcast
Finding Mastery (Dr. Michael Gervais)
Focuses on mindset and performance psychology in high-pressure environments — athletes, leaders,
and more.
PODCASTS: GRIEF & LOSS
Terrible, Thanks for Asking (Nora McInerny)
Honest, emotionally layered conversations about grief, trauma, and the messy parts of life — often funny, always real.
Griefcast (Cariad Lloyd)
Comedians and guests talk about death, loss, and grieving — candid and compassionate, with British wit.
SPOTIFY PLAYLISTS
Songs About Mental Health
A collection of tracks that talk about anxiety, healing, and hope.
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1TTCw7i0jjMdMDccN70edu
You’re Not Alone: Songs About Mental Health
A curated playlist reminding listeners that connection and understanding are out there.
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/33hDMHUTiLwSiB5XvWlkHe
Mental Health, Recovery & Healing Journey
Designed to support reflection and self-care throughout your emotional wellness journey.
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/71bNGfMH2WnBrWUNH8oj0V
Mental Health Awareness Week
A mental wellness campaign playlist featuring a blend of spoken word and music.
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0qeKw2uSRlkRsBNA5juvaC
Mental Health Songs
A soft, thoughtful set of tracks about mental health struggles and finding peace.
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2dHZPtwfohNUrdnyQxm5qm
Resilience & Recovery
Empowering and contemplative songs to remind you of your strength through hard times.
Personal Assessment
Gentle Prompts for Reflection
When do I most need audio support during repetitive tasks, stressful commutes, or after difficult days?
Whose voice (real or fictional) has historically made me feel understood? Why?
What song or podcast episode recently changed my mood? How can I recreate that?
How could I use audio to create transitions between work mode and personal time?
What’s one hard truth about my job I wish someone would address out loud?
Quotes for Reflection
“Music washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life.” — Berthold Auerbach
“The human voice is the organ of the soul.” — Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
“Rhythm is how we navigate time.” — Jerry Givens (sound designer)
“A podcast is like a firehose of intimacy.” — Alex Blumberg
“Melody is a form of remembrance.” — Oliver Sacks
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