Did you know that I have some pretty high profile friends? You’ve probably heard of some of them - Fearne Cotton, Mel Robbins, Steven Bartlett, Dawn French… They don’t know they’re my friends but they are…of a fashion. They're my "podcast friends" and over the past few years they've shown me how I can use podcasts to support my personal development. In terms of designing a life I love, I have a lot to thank them for.
The name “podcast”, coined in 2004, is an amalgamation of iPod and Broadcast. Christopher Lydon and Dave Winer, pioneers of podcasting, launched Radio Open Source in 2003. It is often considered the first podcast, marking the beginning of the podcasting era. Podcasts grew in popularity throughout the 2000s, reaching over 460 million listeners globally in 2023.
My Podcast Discovery
My relationship with podcasts began in January 2021 at the beginning of the second Covid 19 lockdown. I had tasked myself with transforming our “dumping ground” back into the spare room and needed some form of distraction. I don’t recall what prompted me to try listening to a podcast but for whatever reason, I found myself listening to Fearne Cotton’s “Happy Place”. On this particular episode her guest was singer Robbie Williams and the whole thing was a revelation to me. Here was a celebrity talking very openly about his life including his experience of anxiety. As a fellow anxiety sufferer it would never have occurred to me that I would find an ally in Robbie Williams!
The brilliant thing about being a bit late to the podcast discovery party was that by the time I started listening there was already a substantial back catalogue of episodes available to me. Over the course of the next couple of months of lockdown and restrictions, which were a bit bleak for most of us, I discovered more and more podcasts which seemed to have been recorded especially for me. I ditched the music I had listened to on my dog walks and replaced it with free therapy courtesy of The Anxiety Podcasts, insights into celebrities and life tips on Happy Place and Diary of a CEO, the first UK podcast to reach the number one spot on the Apple Podcasts chart. It seemed there was a podcast for whatever I wanted information or guidance on at any given time.
The Impact of Podcasts on My Life
It occurs to me as I write this that it’s possible podcasts are part of the reason I became so intent on improving my life. Every day I was listening to inspirational stories of people who had made changes and overcome obstacles to enable them to take control and live the kind of life they wanted to live. I regularly felt myself feeling euphoric on hearing a podcast host or guest say allowed some of the thoughts that had been swirling around my head.
Almost all my podcast listening takes place when I’m out walking with my Toby dog. It feels like the only time I can truly focus on something without trying to multitask. When I think about some of the most influential podcasts I’ve listened to, I can recall vividly where I was walking at the time. So now there’s a particular path about ten minutes from home and every time I pass it, I think of one of the most impactful podcasts I’ve heard. I have spots like that all over my home town, the locations I’ve been in when I’ve thought, “Yes, that’s me!”. They help me to remember what I’ve learned from the most influencial episodes. When I walk through a nearby estate, I’m reminded of the podcast I listened to when my anxiety was particularly bad and the coping strategies I picked up from it. I could show you the exact spot in my local woods where Amy Porterfield, talking on The Mel Robbins Podcast, convinced me that I really could change my life. And I could take you to the coast where I had to stop listening to French and Saunders “Titting About” podcast because I was laughing far too much while out in public alone.
My family roll their eyes every time I mention the latest thing I’ve learned from a podcast. But they must see some merit in my podcast learning though because they were the ones to provide me with my “Podcast Notebook”. If I hear something I want to make sure I remember or act on, I’ll make a quick note on my phone while walking. However, sometimes a podcast is so helpful and feels so important that it is worthy of a second listen at home so that I can take proper notes.
As I explained in my blog post Designing My Rich Life , I reached the stage where although I loved listening to my podcasts, I was always left with a feeling of unease, desperation even, because I felt that the examples I was hearing about were so far removed from my life. Now though, I’ve learned to take little bits from each podcast and use what is relevant and achievable for me.
It seems that whatever I’m thinking about, there’s a podcast waiting to impart a wealth of knowledge on the matter. Currently, I’m listening to podcasts to help me learn about blogging. There’s also no shortage of lighter podcasts for the days when I don’t want to think and just need distraction.
My Standout Podcasts
My podcasts are so special to me that to select a Top 5 would feel like asking a child to choose which cuddly toys are allowed in the bed. My favourite shows change over time as I enter new stages of life and discover more and more podcasts. So rather than a Top 5, I’d love to share with you the podcasts which have been the most important, helpful and influential to me.
Fearne Cotton’s Happy Place will alway be special to me because it was the first, and for several weeks the only, podcast I listened to. I was quite taken aback at how open and honest people were prepared to be about their lives, experiences and mental health. This was also the podcast that first got me thinking that I wanted to make changes in my life.
I came across this podcast by chance and the first episode I listened to had me hooked. This episode was one of those ones where I had to forward it to my friends before I’d even finished listening because it covered so much of what we’d recently been discussing. Maurice Philogene reinforces the concept we’d been discussing of not accepting the status quo and using building a life we love.
Steven Bartlett has brought me some of my most impactful podcasts, often surprising me with guests who share unexpected experiences with me. The following two made a lasting impression on me:
I loved listening to Davina’s life story. That alone would have made a fascinating podcast. However, in this episode she also shared her determination to make good things happen at a time in my life when I needed to do that but hadn’t yet found the belief that I really could. Her positive experience of manifesting the life you want was contagious and left me more determined to be brave in seeking what I wanted from life.
I’m not sure what made me listen to this one because I remember thinking that I was highly unlikely to relate to the guest, a youtuber. Yet here I am over two years later, still remembering him as the first person I had ever heard describe some of the exact same anxiety symptoms and behaviours I've experienced myself. Hearing him share his thoughts was such a relief and gave me real comfort. It also taught me to be open to learning from people I might not have expected to!
As I approach midlife, could I have found a more appropriate podcast?! The hosts of this show are my walking buddies on Sunday mornings and cover all the topics midlife women tend to find themselves thinking about from perimenopause to career change to parenting teens. What’s really special about this podcast is that it’s grown into a community with a private facebook group which provides support (and laughs) to listeners throughout the week.
I’ve mentioned Mo Gawdat in previous blogs - my happiness guru! He was first introduced to me by Stephen Bartlett, via my friend. But I selected this particular podcast to share because, having heard several interviews with Mo, this is my favourite. He had an in depth conversation with Elizabeth Day about happiness and stress. The part which stood out for me was his reminder that once we have accepted a situation, we can then commit to making things a bit better. At a time when my life had changed, mostly in unwanted ways, this was powerful and I resolved to accept my situation and begin to work on changing what was in my control. The content of what Mo Gawdat's conversation is always inspiring but his soothing, gentle voice also brings comfort and reassurance.
Mel is kind of the Queen of Podcasting! On a cold, crisp January day, I spent an afternoon walking around Edinburgh and Mel helped me to realise that I actually could "get in the driver's seat" and take control of my life. She motivated me so much that that was the day I attempted my very first blog post! The series I listened to was Change Your Life which is only available with an Audible subscription. However, The Mel Robbins Podcast which is more widely available has a vast back catalogue of equally inspiring episodes which I've found helpful and practical.
In conclusion, podcasts have been invaluable in my personal development journey. They've provided me with knowledge, comfort, and inspiration, helping me to design a life I love. While they can't replace professional therapy, they can be a valuable tool for personal growth. If you've never tried listening to podcasts, I highly recommend giving them a go. They're affordable, accessible, and can be tailored to your specific interests.
I'd love to hear about your favourite podcasts in the comments below or on social media. Sign up to my mailing list where I'll share my favourite podcasts each month. You can never have too many "podcast friends"!