The 33 Best Health Podcasts (2026)

Justin Malik narrates the best personal development and healthy living articles from writers across the internet, which means you're getting curated wisdom without having to find it yourself. Commute-length episodes that cover everything from habit formation to mindfulness to productivity. The format works because someone else has done the filtering. Not every article hits equally, but the consistency means good ideas accumulate over time. For people who want daily personal growth input but can't keep up with a hundred different blogs. Curation as a service, done well.

Optimal Health Daily takes a completely different approach from most health podcasts. Instead of interviews or solo monologues, host Dr. Neal Malik -- a tenured professor, registered dietitian nutritionist, and certified exercise physiologist -- curates and narrates the best health and fitness blog posts from around the internet. The result is a daily podcast with over 2,000 episodes and a 4.5-star rating from 650 reviews.

Each episode runs just 8 to 13 minutes, making it one of the shortest health shows you will find. That brevity is the entire point. Dr. Malik selects articles on topics like protein timing at breakfast for weight loss, using gaming skills for fitness motivation, or the science behind taking brain breaks during work. He reads them clearly and adds his own professional commentary where relevant.

The daily format means there is an enormous back catalog organized by topic. If you want a week's worth of content on a specific subject -- say, strength training or gut health or sleep optimization -- you can queue up several episodes and still finish them in under an hour total. The show is part of the larger Optimal Living Daily network, which runs similar narration-based podcasts on personal finance, relationships, and general self-improvement.

The subscription tier ($1.99/month) removes ads, though the free version is perfectly functional. The show fills a genuine niche: not everyone has time for hour-long expert interviews, and not every health question requires one. Optimal Health Daily works best as a supplement to deeper shows rather than a replacement, giving you a quick, evidence-based health tip every morning while you brush your teeth or wait for your coffee to brew.

Shawn Stevenson has been making this podcast since 2013, which makes him one of the longest-running voices in health podcasting. The Model Health Show has stacked up nearly 975 episodes and consistently ranks among the top health shows in the country. Stevenson studied biology and nutritional science at the University of Missouri-St. Louis and is the author of the USA Today bestseller Eat Smarter and the international hit Sleep Smarter.

The show's range is genuinely broad. Sleep optimization, hormone health, exercise science, gut microbiome research, and mental wellness all get regular coverage. Stevenson brings on a rotating lineup of guests including physicians, neuroscientists, coaches, and fellow authors. Recent episodes have tackled fascial therapy for pain management, air quality's impact on sleep, red light therapy's actual evidence base, and the biology of muscle tissue. New episodes drop multiple times per week, and most run between 60 and 90 minutes.

Stevenson's delivery is warm and energetic, and he doesn't hide behind clinical detachment. He openly shares the health struggles that originally pushed him toward nutritional science, including being diagnosed with a degenerative spinal condition at 20. That personal stake comes through in how he talks about the material. The show holds a 4.8-star rating from nearly 7,000 Apple reviews. Some listeners prefer shows with a stricter evidence-only approach, and that's a valid preference, but Stevenson has a gift for making health research feel accessible and actionable without stripping away the substance.

Dr. Berg breaks down ketogenic eating and intermittent fasting in focused, efficient episodes that get to the point fast. The science explanations are clear without being condescending, and the practical advice is specific enough to actually follow. Whether you're already doing keto and want to understand the mechanisms better, or just curious about whether the whole thing has any merit, he presents his case clearly. Worth noting he's controversial in some medical circles, so balance this with other sources. But as a starting point for understanding these approaches, the explanations land well.

Dr. Rangan Chatterjee is a practicing GP in the UK with nearly 20 years of clinical experience, six internationally bestselling books including The 4 Pillar Plan, and a stint as the lead doctor on BBC One's Doctor In the House. Feel Better, Live More has grown into one of the most popular health podcasts globally, with 628 episodes and new releases twice a week.

The show is structured around Chatterjee's four-pillar framework: eat, sleep, move, and relax. Full-length episodes bring on experts from across the health spectrum, from sleep researchers and gut microbiome scientists to psychologists and movement specialists. Then there are weekly "Bitesize" bonus episodes that pull out the most practical tips from previous conversations and distill them into short, actionable segments you can listen to on a quick walk.

Chatterjee's interviewing style is what listeners mention most. He brings genuine curiosity and compassion to conversations, asking questions that feel like they come from a doctor who actually listens to his patients. There's no posturing or one-upmanship. Recent episodes have covered chronic pain management, the connection between loneliness and inflammation, practical breathing techniques, and how ultra-processed food affects mood. The show holds a 4.8-star rating from over 2,600 Apple reviews, with many listeners reporting that specific episodes changed how they approach their own health. The show is free with optional ad-free subscription.

Dr. Jesse Chappus and Marni Wasserman go deep with health experts across every discipline you can think of - nutrition, sleep, exercise, mental health, hormones, gut health, all of it. The conversations run long because they're thorough, and the research-minded approach means they're not just amplifying whatever trend is dominating Instagram this month. The "ultimate" branding is ambitious but honestly kind of earned. For people who want comprehensive health information from credible sources and have the patience for detailed interviews rather than quick-hit wellness tips from influencers selling supplements.

TED Health takes the best health-related TED Talks and repackages them into a podcast format, hosted by Dr. Shoshana Ungerleider. If you have ever watched a TED Talk on, say, how exercise rewires your brain or what psychedelics might do for depression treatment, this is the audio companion that goes a step further. Episodes drop biweekly and typically run under 30 minutes, making them easy to fit into a commute or lunch break.

The show benefits from TED's massive speaker network. You get researchers presenting their own findings, surgeons explaining procedures they have pioneered, and public health advocates sharing fieldwork stories from around the world. Dr. Ungerleider adds context and bridges between segments, keeping things accessible even when the subject matter gets technical. One episode might cover the science of addiction, the next could be about how urban design affects your cardiovascular health.

With 292 episodes in the catalog, there is a deep back library to explore by topic. The production quality is what you would expect from TED, polished and clear, though some listeners note the ad breaks can be a bit heavy. The content itself stays grounded in evidence, which is refreshing in a health podcast space that can sometimes lean toward speculation.

It sits at 4 stars from over 1,300 ratings on Apple Podcasts. TED Health works best for people who want short, focused bursts of health knowledge from credible sources without committing to a two-hour deep dive every week. Think of it as a sampler platter for health science.

Dr. Rob delivers quick health advice in short episodes that answer common questions without requiring a medical degree to understand. Common health concerns explained clearly, practical tips for everyday wellness, and the accessibility of having a doctor friend you can actually reach. The 'quick and dirty' branding is accurate - fast, useful, no fluff. For people who want health information without the appointment or the jargon.

Conversations with mental health professionals and people living with various conditions that go beyond awareness-level content into the practical realities of actually managing mental health. The interviews are honest and specific rather than vague and inspirational. Depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, PTSD - the discussions treat these as real medical conditions with real management strategies rather than just topics to 'raise awareness' about. Refreshingly free of stigma and full of actionable information. If you or someone you love manages a mental health condition, this provides genuinely useful perspective.

Jeff Sanders is aggressively enthusiastic about mornings and productivity, and if that sounds exhausting to you, you might not be the target audience. But for people who want to squeeze more from their days, he covers habit building, time management, goal setting, and the mindset required to actually follow through. The energy level matches the 5 AM brand. Practical strategies alongside enough motivation to get you out of bed when the alarm hits. Not for night owls. Very much for the early-bird crowd who want optimization with their sunrise.

Mari Llewellyn built a massive online following by documenting her own health transformation, losing over 80 pounds and completely rethinking her relationship with fitness and food. Pursuit of Wellness, which she launched in 2022, feels like a natural extension of that journey rather than a pivot to capitalize on an audience.

The show mixes solo episodes where Mari shares personal updates and reflections with longer interview segments featuring doctors, trainers, and researchers. She has had guests like Dr. Gabrielle Lyon talking about muscle-centric medicine and Dr. Andy Galpin breaking down exercise physiology in ways that actually make sense to non-scientists. The weekly release schedule keeps things consistent, with episodes typically clocking in around 45 to 75 minutes.

Mari's interviewing style is more casual than clinical. She asks questions from a place of genuine curiosity, and she is not afraid to admit when something surprises her or challenges what she previously believed. That openness makes the show feel honest, even when it touches on sensitive topics like childhood trauma, disordered eating, and the messy reality of mental health recovery.

With over 200 episodes, a 4.7-star rating, and nearly 2,700 reviews, the podcast has clearly resonated beyond her existing social media fanbase. More recently, the show has evolved as Mari shares her IVF and pregnancy experience, adding a new dimension around maternal wellness. The production quality is solid, and the conversations move at a good pace without feeling rushed or overly edited. It works particularly well for listeners in their 20s and 30s who want health advice that feels relatable rather than preachy.

Sarah Stevenson and Kurt Tilse cover health and fitness with both professional knowledge and genuine enthusiasm that makes the content engaging rather than dry. Exercise science, nutrition myths, practical wellness strategies - all delivered with the energy of people who actually enjoy this stuff. The combination of credibility and personality makes potentially boring topics genuinely listenable. For people who want health information without the lecture tone.

Chris Kresser covers functional medicine and alternative health with the seriousness of someone who's done the reading and isn't afraid to challenge conventional medical wisdom when he thinks the evidence supports it. His positions are controversial in mainstream circles and well-reasoned within the functional medicine world. Whether you end up agreeing with his conclusions or not, the discussions are substantive and the research citations are real. Approach as you would any health content - critically and with willingness to check the sources yourself.

Mike Adams delivers alternative health perspectives that aggressively challenge mainstream medical narratives. Polarizing content that has passionate supporters who feel mainstream medicine failed them and vocal critics who question the scientific basis of his claims. He doesn't play it safe or moderate his positions. Approach with critical thinking and cross-reference with multiple sources, as you should with all health content. Not neutral, not trying to be.

Kate Scarlata is a GI dietitian whose name comes up in basically every serious conversation about FODMAPs and digestive nutrition. Dr. Megan Riehl is a GI psychologist at the University of Michigan who specializes in the brain-gut connection. Together, they co-authored "Mind Your Gut" and turned their combined expertise into this podcast that launched in 2024.

The show is still relatively young with about 29 episodes, but it has already built a loyal following, sitting at a near-perfect 4.9-star rating. Episodes release monthly, which means each one feels carefully prepared rather than rushed. The typical runtime is 35 to 55 minutes, and the conversations tend to be dense with actionable information. They have covered everything from the real story on probiotics to how GLP-1 medications affect your digestive system, and even explored psilocybin therapy for gut disorders.

What sets this apart from other nutrition podcasts is the clinical backbone. Scarlata and Riehl are not just reading studies aloud. They are interpreting them through years of working directly with patients who struggle with IBS, SIBO, and other chronic GI conditions. They bring on specialist guests, but the best episodes are honestly the ones where it is just the two of them riffing on a topic they clearly know inside and out.

The tone stays warm and approachable despite the medical complexity. They debunk gut health myths that circulate on social media without being condescending about it. If you deal with digestive issues or just want to understand the gut-brain axis better, this is one of the most trustworthy sources out there right now.

Alisa Keeton brings fitness coaching and Christian faith together, treating physical health, nutritional wellness, and spiritual growth as interconnected parts of the same person rather than separate departments. Movement, food, prayer, and purpose - all woven together. For women who want their health and fitness work grounded in something deeper than aesthetic goals. The faith component isn't superficial - it genuinely shapes the approach. If the wellness industry's vanity focus leaves you cold but you still want to be healthy, this offers a different foundation.

Dr. Paul Saladino is a board-certified MD who became one of the most polarizing voices in nutrition when he started advocating for an animal-based diet centered on meat, organs, fruit, honey, and raw dairy. Love him or find him frustrating, his podcast consistently delivers episodes that make you think hard about what you are putting on your plate.

The show has over 320 episodes and releases weekly, usually running between 30 minutes and an hour. Saladino interviews researchers, fellow physicians, and health advocates, but the episodes that tend to generate the most discussion are his solo deep dives where he breaks down specific studies on topics like seed oils, food additives, metabolic health markers, and the role of animal protein in human evolution. He reads the actual papers and walks through the methodology, which is more rigorous than a lot of nutrition podcasts manage.

His perspective is decidedly unconventional. He pushes back hard against mainstream dietary guidelines, and he has built his brand around the idea that much of what we have been told about healthy eating is wrong. That makes some episodes genuinely thought-provoking and others a bit one-sided, depending on the topic. Listeners who appreciate contrarian takes supported by at least some scientific backing tend to get the most out of it.

With a 4.7-star rating from over 2,500 reviews, the audience is engaged and vocal. The production is straightforward, no flashy sound design, just conversation. Saladino speaks with conviction and clinical experience, and even if you disagree with his conclusions, the podcast forces you to examine your own assumptions about nutrition and chronic disease.

Ashley James conducts long-form interviews with health practitioners from across the entire spectrum - conventional doctors, naturopaths, nutritionists, mental health therapists, sometimes overlapping, sometimes contradicting. The episodes go deep into specific topics because she lets conversations run as long as they need. She asks the questions a genuinely curious patient would ask, which means you get the information you actually want rather than the talking points practitioners usually offer. Some guests are more evidence-based than others, so bring your critical thinking. But the range itself is valuable.

NPR's health team distills expert advice into episodes that actually give you something to do, not just something to think about. Sleep, nutrition, exercise, mental health - each episode picks one topic, interviews the right expert, and delivers takeaways you can implement today. The format is beautifully efficient. No fluff, no preamble, no spending twenty minutes establishing the hosts' credentials. Just useful health information presented by public radio's best at making complex stuff accessible. If you want one health podcast that consistently respects your time and intelligence, this is it.

Dr. Ruscio goes deep on gut health and its surprisingly far-reaching connections to everything else in your body. Brain fog, energy levels, immune function, mood - the gut apparently has opinions about all of it. His approach is evidence-based rather than trend-chasing, which means recommendations actually have studies behind them. If you're dealing with digestive problems, unexplained symptoms, or just curious about the gut-brain connection that everyone keeps talking about, this goes further than most health pods dare. Technical when it needs to be, practical when it counts.

The premise here is genuinely interesting even when individual episodes vary in quality. Looking at health and wellness through the lens of what people did before modern medicine showed up. Herbal remedies, fasting practices, movement patterns from centuries ago - and asking the uncomfortable question of whether any of it actually holds up under scrutiny. Some episodes are fascinating deep dives. Others feel a bit surface level. But the concept keeps pulling you back. Good for anyone curious about health beyond whatever the latest Instagram trend is.

Jeanine Amapola covers wellness, fitness, and mental health with the energy of someone who's figured out some things and is honestly still working on the rest. No pretending she has all the answers. No extreme diet protocols. Just honest conversations about trying to feel better in your body and brain without losing your mind in the process. The relatability is the whole appeal - she sounds like a friend sharing what's working rather than an expert lecturing from above. Not preachy, not pushy. If you want gentle wellness content without the pressure, she delivers.

Pete Scazzero argues that you can't lead others effectively until you've dealt with your own emotional health, and the podcast explores that connection with depth and challenge. Leadership content that goes far beyond management techniques into the inner work that determines whether leadership is sustainable. For leaders who sense there's more to effective leadership than strategy and execution. Difficult content for people ready to do difficult work.

Paula Sweet tackles mental health topics one episode at a time with professional knowledge and a warmth that makes you feel like you're talking to someone who genuinely cares. Anxiety, depression, self-esteem, habit formation - each episode picks one thing and gives you something actionable rather than vague encouragement. No-nonsense approach that respects your intelligence while being genuinely supportive. Short enough to fit into a busy day, practical enough to actually make a difference. If you want mental health content that helps rather than just talks, this consistently delivers.

Mike Mutzel goes deep on nutrition, exercise physiology, and metabolic health by actually interviewing the researchers doing the work. Not just reading study abstracts - having real conversations with scientists about methodology, limitations, and practical implications. He's particularly strong on topics like insulin resistance, gut health, and exercise science. The episodes reward attention because the details matter. Good for health-conscious people who've moved past basic advice and want to understand the mechanisms behind recommendations. Evidence-based without being inaccessibly academic. Real science, real application.

Robb Wolf and Nicki bring contrarian energy to health discussions, consistently questioning conventional wisdom that they believe gets a lot wrong. Nutrition, exercise, and lifestyle optimization from a paleo-influenced perspective that's willing to challenge mainstream recommendations. The rebellion framing reflects their willingness to question authority and conventional thinking. For people who suspect standard health advice isn't working for everyone and want to explore alternatives.

General wellness content for people who want to feel better without becoming health obsessives. Nutrition, exercise, sleep, stress management - the foundational stuff covered accessibly and practically. Not pushing any particular diet or fitness ideology. Just evidence-informed basics delivered without judgment about where you're starting from. Good for someone just beginning to pay attention to their health, or someone who's been at it a while and wants a refresher on fundamentals. Nothing groundbreaking. Everything useful. Sometimes the basics, done well, are exactly what you need.

Mental health and physical fitness discussed together, which honestly makes way more sense than treating them like separate domains. The hosts cover exercise, nutrition, and psychological wellness with the understanding that your brain and body are running the same system. No pretending any of it is easy. No miracle solutions. Just honest, integrated conversation about trying to function better as a complete human being. If you're tired of fitness podcasts that ignore mental health or therapy podcasts that ignore the body, this bridges the gap sensibly.