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If you want to improve aspects of your life, then the answers may well be living inside your phone, specifically on the podcasting apps.
There are a group of hosts who, as well as entertaining listeners, also aim to provide takeaway tips that add value. If you want better sleep, more money, a more organised home, or simply to be happier, then it’s time to get the headphones out.
For a better night’s sleep
Sleep on – Dr Sophie Bostock
The perfect slumber can feel like an impossible job, and one that we’re often tasked with facing alone. Well, no more, because Dr Sophie Bostock is joining us under the duvet. Informative episodes covering everything from how to navigate a new environment to the perfect time to exercise, while sleep soundscapes give an extra push to the Land of Nod.
Top tip: To figure out your natural chronotype – your underlying circadian rhythm – pay attention to what happens on holiday, when you are away from social and professional demands. Getting to know your natural sleep behaviour is often the first step to improving it.
For parenting advice
How Not to Screw up Your Kids – Dr Maryhan Baker
Coming from a place of no judgement, but with empathy and vast knowledge, is psychologist and parenting expert Dr Maryhan Baker. Her podcast is a gift for anyone wanting to help young people grow up to be self-assured and happy adults.
Top tip: For an easier transition after screen time, create an ideas jar with your child’s help. Each piece of paper should have an activity on it to inspire what to do next.
To get the house in order
The Organised Method – Gemma Bray
Household tasks are like being on a relentless hamster wheel – as soon as one task is done, another pops up like a tedious Whac-a-Mole. Gemma Bray has solutions in the form of easy-to-follow cleaning routines and catchphrases, such as: “Get in, get it done and then get outta there.”
Top tip: Mondays are for cleaning the living room, Tuesdays are for bedrooms, Wednesdays are for the hallway, Thursdays are for the kitchen and Fridays are for a deeper clean of one room. Over time, the house becomes cleaner, weekends become free and you are doing smaller chunks, rather than long, boring stints.
For pet advice
A Dog’s Life – Anna Webb
Anna Webb is helping us to connect on a deeper level with our pets, and highlighting what any modern owner should consider, including pet pre-nups for couples and advancements in pet food. Dogs may be taking the lead, but other animals, primarily cats, are firmly in the conversation, too.
Top tip: Don’t put headphones on during a dog walk and ignore your furry friend; instead, engage in “interactive walking” by practising recall, using toys for mental stimulation and describing the environment, as it will strengthen the bond between you.
For feeling happier
Happy Place – Fearne Cotton
To go through life happy is a pretty universal ambition. While a definitive state of contentment may be unrealistic, Fearne Cotton guides on how to get closer to it through inspiring chats with household names, such as Ashley James, Ant and Dec, and Erin Doherty, and by picking the brains of those with expert knowledge.
Top tip: Accept that you cannot please everyone. It is better to be authentic and disliked by some than to be performative to be loved by all.
For better health
Feel Better, Live More – Dr Rangan Chatterjee
A GP for more than 20 years, Dr Rangan Chatterjee knows what is worth paying attention to in the health landscape, and isn’t going to waste your time with anything else. He encourages small, manageable changes rather than grand transformations.
Top tip: These five daily habits will make your life totally different in 30 days: learn to say no, reflect on the day, go on a walk, have social interactions and do a strength workout.
For better romantic relationships
Love Machine – James Preece
Whether you are single, married or anything in between, dating coach James Preece is here to guide you through the increasingly complex landscape of love, from the “cool girl cage” to dating after loss.
Top tip: If you are single and want to meet someone outside of a dating app, go to one new room each month. Don’t walk in trying to find your person, as that is too much pressure; instead, aim for two decent conversations.
To care for the planet
Sustainable(ish) – Jen Gale
Being an eco-friendly warrior who never does anything to harm the environment feels a tad ambitious to the average person, and Jen Gale is very aware of that. She doesn’t want people to let the shame of not being perfect stop them; instead, she suggests tiny tweaks to become a bit better.
Top tip: Before making a journey of less than two miles, consider if you could walk or cycle rather than getting in the car.
To have a fulfilling work life
Squiggly Careers – Helen Tupper & Sarah Ellis
We spend about 90,000 hours at work during our life, so it is important to find some joy or fulfillment from it. Helen Tupper and Sarah Ellis – the founders of career development consultancy Amazing If and authors of three bestselling books about career progression – are the guidance counsellors who will get you closer to the dream working life.
Top tip: If you are lacking motivation in a difficult period, deploy a dopamine hack, such as putting on your favourite music, then progress something, whether it’s an email or a LinkedIn post, to gain a sense of control. Finally, pick up the phone and talk to someone you trust, who can give some perspective.
To dress well
The Style Stories – Lisa Gillbe
Having spent 16 years as a personal stylist, Lisa Gillbe has seen inside hundreds of wardrobes and guided their owners to find their personal style. Rather than offering a one size fits all approach, she wants everyone to understand their own vibe, not get wrapped up in trends and feel confident every time they leave the house, from getting a perfectly balanced work wardrobe to how to dress as a taller woman.
Top tip: Spend time working out your three style words, which will help you to put outfits together more easily and put a filter on shopping. To find your adjectives, create a Pinterest board of looks you like and then describe it.
For beautiful gardens
Gardening with the RHS – Guy Barter, Nick Turrell & Gareth Richards
The soothing tones of The i Paper gardening columnist Guy Barter et al guide listeners through their gardening journeys. As well as actionable advice, they provide plenty of inspiration on making the most of any green space, no matter its size.
Top tip: To naturalise primroses, put the mower away and leave the grass to grow longer. Choose somewhere with shade and slightly moist soil to mirror their woodland habitat, and they will thrive.
To become a better cook
Stuffed! – George Egg & Martyn Odell
Egg – aka the Snack Hacker – and Martyn Odell – aka The Lagom Chef – inspire creative cooking with their unique ideas, which make preparing food fun and dinner time exciting.
Top tip: Crush cornflakes on top of cauliflower cheese for the ultimate crispy finish. Stilton, cheddar and mozzarella can all be included for a show-stopping cheese pull.
To improve conversations
Think Fast, Talk Smart – Matt Abrahams
Our choice of words and tone is key to how we present ourselves to the world, but we may not consider how we are doing it. Matt Abrahams is a master in the art of conversation and helping us get exactly what we need from each time we talk.
Top tip: When approaching a challenging conversation, start with an open-ended question that demonstrates that you want to understand the other person’s perspective. Paraphrase what they say back to them, to show appreciation, even if you don’t agree.
To get more out of exercise
The Bodcast – Chloe Madeley
Chloe Madeley says that falling in love with exercise transformed every part of her life, reducing her anxiety and insecurities – and now she wants to help others enjoy the benefits.
Top tip: Stimulate every muscle group two to three times a week for strength improvement, as you can work harder due to feeling less fatigued than if you do it every day, and you also optimise recovery time, which is pivotal.
For more self-confidence
Confident and Killing It – Tiwalola Adebayo
Moving through the world with confidence is a little bit easier when you have your own digital cheerleader. Tiwalola Adebayo previously suffered from low self-esteem, so she knows what it is like to not always believe in yourself, and wants to teach others what she has learnt as a coach.
Top tip: Do one thing for yourself every single day without fail. The world is noisy, and we are all dragged to do different things, but if you are constantly saying no to your needs, then you are sending yourself a message that you don’t matter.
To travel wiser
Passports Please! – Chelsea Dickenson & James Robinson
Annual leave is precious and holidays sacred – so Chelsea Dickenson and James Robinson go to great lengths to provide holiday hacks and anecdotal evidence of the best destinations.
Top tip: If you are looking for a cheaper flight, check package deals that include the hotel, and don’t overlook business‑class fares. When economy seats are in high demand, their prices rise – but if business‑class seats aren’t selling, those fares can drop and even end up costing less.
To eat better
The Food Medic – Dr Hazel Wallace
Nutritionist and former NHS doctor Hazel Wallace is on hand with wellness news and expert advice for anyone who wants to improve their health through food and lifestyle.
Top tip: If you are training twice a day, you should eat a post-workout meal within two hours. If they are more than 24 hours apart, you can eat when hungry, but ensure you get three balanced meals.
To improve finances
The Martin Lewis Podcast
What this man doesn’t know about money probably isn’t worth knowing. Money-saving tips and complex financial goings-on broken down into easily understood soundbites make this the perfect podcast to stop you dreading opening your banking app.
Top tip: Pay off expensive debt before saving, because if you have £1,000 on a credit card, and thousands in savings, the savings may be gaining you 4 per cent in interest, but the credit card could be costing you 20 per cent.
To get smarter
The Rest is Science – Hannah Fry & Michael Stevens
School may have broken up permanently a while ago for most of us, but that doesn’t mean that learning should stop. Hannah Fry and Michael Stevens present fun tidbits that are perfect fodder for your next dinner party, but also offer a greater understanding of how the world works.
Top tip: Children are more likely to tell the truth when they are tired because exhaustion reduces their energy to manage complex behaviours such as lying or maintaining filters.
To be an all-rounder
How to be a Better Human – Chris Duffy
TED Talks have become a great source of inspiration, but with thousands on offer, choosing one to listen to can inflict decision paralysis. The official podcast selects the expert for you, and Chris Duffy then dives deeper into their area of expertise with them. The subject matter is vast, from making and keeping friends to throwing a good party.
Top tip: To laugh more, notice the weirdness around you, be willing to laugh at yourself, and put yourself out there, as so much laughter comes from social situations.
