Best What S Good About Grief Podcast Podcasts (2025)

1
Glennon Doyle on How to Be Broken 41:38

5d ago41:38

41:38

For as long as writer Glennon Doyle can remember, she’s felt that something inside her was broken. 'Who am I really? What am I meant to do? And why does it feel so bad to be in this body?' These are the messy questions that Glennon has been grappling with for years. On today’s episode, Glennon, who hosts the wildly popular podcast We Can Do Hard Th…

1
The Two Words That Saved Mel Robbins 36:51

19d ago36:51

36:51

If you've ever found yourself bending over backwards to meet other people’s expectations, or trying to control your loved ones’ emotions and behaviors, you are not alone. Bestselling author and podcast host Mel Robbins says the key is to stop micromanaging and start relaxing your grip. This conversation was an unexpected lesson in owning what’s you…

1
Maya’s Exciting Announcement! 3:09

30d ago3:09

3:09

I’ve been dying to share this news with you for quite some time, and I'm so happy that today I finally can. Pre-order “The Other Side of Change” now at changewithmaya.com/book. Read more about my journey to writing “The Other Side of Change” in People: https://people.com/maya-shankar-the-other-side-of-change-cover-reveal-exclusive-11716505 See omn…

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Is Amanda Knox Finally Free? 46:38

1M ago46:38

46:38

Amanda Knox has spent a decade trying to move on after being wrongfully convicted of murder. But over the years, one question lingered - why had the lead prosecutor in her case, Giuliano Mignini, been so determined to vilify her? Recently, she made the bold decision to reach out and ask him herself. On today's show: Amanda tells me about confrontin…

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Amanda Knox Knows What You’re Thinking 44:23

1M ago44:23

44:23

Amanda Knox was just 20 years old when she was found guilty of a crime she did not commit — the murder of her roommate. Amanda spent four years in an Italian prison before she was finally exonerated and allowed to return to her life back home in the U.S. But she soon discovered that that life didn’t exist anymore. Note: this is part one of a two-ep…

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Extreme Makeover: Personality Edition 40:45

2M ago40:45

40:45

Science writer Olga Khazan didn’t really like herself. A self-described neurotic, she tended to fixate on the negative. She assumed she’d always be this way, but then she came across research showing that personality is something you can change. In today's episode, Olga chronicles her year-long journey to "fix" her personality, and invites us to co…

1
How to Say No 43:17

2M ago43:17

43:17

Have you ever found yourself saying yes to something you really didn’t want to do? Psychologist Sunita Sah is an expert on why it can be so difficult to say no, especially when our relationships or reputations are on the line. But there's good news! Defiance is actually a skill we can build if we understand the science behind it. Sunita shares a fr…

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The Case Against ‘Feeling Your Feelings’ 33:20

3M ago33:20

33:20

Psychologist Ethan Kross wants us to stop thinking about our emotions as either good or bad. Emotions carry valuable information, he says, and they are signals that can help us change our behavior. As an expert in the science of emotions, Ethan shares strategies we can use to reign in our negative emotions when they become more harmful than helpful…

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New Year, Old You? We Got You. 34:03

3M ago34:03

34:03

It’s February – AKA the month when, research shows, we start slipping on our New Year’s resolutions. And so, I’m re-sharing one of my favorite science episodes to help us all get back on track. Behavioral scientist Katy Milkman is an expert on how we can bridge the important gap between who we are right now and who we want to be. She shares a set o…

1
How To Be A More Trustworthy Person 33:10

3M ago33:10

33:10

Trust is the glue that holds human connection together – but how do we earn it? Rachel Botsman, an expert on trust and human behavior, explores the subtle and powerful signals we send in relationships. Her new audiobook, How To Trust and Be Trusted, is full of insightful lessons, and today, we’re sharing one of our favorites: “How To Be a More Trus…

1
BONUS: Make Your Inner Voice Work For You 34:41

4M ago34:41

34:41

Welcome back, Slight Changers! 2025 has already been quite the year. Whew. Because so many of us are feeling overwhelmed, we in the Slight Change family produced a compilation episode with wisdom from our past guests about how we can rethink our inner voice and the sometimes negative things it tells us. This episode tackles topics like rumination, …

1
The Secret to a Good Conversation 36:43

5M ago36:43

36:43

Charles Duhigg is a journalist who is interested in what makes for a good conversation. He talks to Maya about some science-backed techniques we can try to improve our conversational skills, including the art of asking deep questions. To learn more, check out Charles' book, “Supercommunicators: How to Unlock the Secret Language of Connection.” If y…

1
Breaking Free From Family Beliefs 32:01

5M ago32:01

32:01

Writer Safiya Sinclair grew up on the north coast of Jamaica in a Rastafari family. Her father was the head of the household and he made Safiya and her siblings follow a strict interpretation of Rastafari, a religious and social movement. But as Safiya grew older, living under her father’s rules became suffocating. She talks to Maya about how she b…

1
What We Get Wrong About The Teen Brain 36:30

6M ago36:30

36:30

We have a lot of misconceptions about young people and their developing brains, says psychologist David Yeager. It’s true that young people’s brains are underdeveloped, but that’s not the only factor behind their decision making. It’s also because they have different goals than adults. David argues that if we can better understand these goals, we c…

1
Why It's So Tough To Be Kind To Yourself 40:23

6M ago40:23

40:23

Kristin Neff is a psychologist and the author of "Self-Compassion: The Proven Power of Being Kind to Yourself." Her pioneering research busts cultural myths about self-compassion and shows it’s an effective motivational tool. In this episode from the archives, Kristin talks with Maya about how to get past the idea that caring for ourselves is selfi…

1
Rethinking Ambition 34:34

6M ago34:34

34:34

For many years, writer Jennifer Romolini prided herself on her work ethic. She climbed to the top of every corporate ladder and worked 60 hours or more every week. But after an unexpected health crisis, Jennifer realized her ambition had turned toxic. Maya and Jennifer discuss the perils of aiming for a one-size-fits-all version of success and the …

1
The Story of a Smile 28:38

6M ago28:38

28:38

Soon after giving birth, writer Sarah Ruhl developed a severe case of facial paralysis. The left side of her face drooped, she couldn’t blink or raise her eyebrows, and she could no longer smile. Sarah shares what it was like to lose her smile and how her relationship to her face, and with her loved ones, has changed over the years. You can follow …

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Maya’s Slight Change of Plans, Revisited 38:24

7M ago38:24

38:24

A few years ago, Maya experienced a heartbreaking change in her personal life, while on her way to trying to become a mom. Two days after it happened, she felt the need to process it out loud, like so many of her guests have done on her show. In this episode, Maya asked her producer, Tyler, to interview her about her own “Slight Change of Plans.” Y…

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Resilience Through Rising above Adversity: Embracing Strength and Kindness to Inspire and Uplift and give purpose to the journey 10:40

7M ago10:40

10:40

Send us a text What happens when life's toughest challenges become the very foundation of one's strength and purpose? As your host, Tracy, I invite you to join me on an intimate exploration of my journey through chronic health battles, including living with a urostomy, grappling with fibromyalgia, and surviving cancer. This episode of the Inspire t…

1
Exploring and Managing Pain in Palliative Care - The Hospice Podcast: Episode 12 31:36

7M ago31:36

31:36

We all experience pain but what what is it? Join St John's Hospice Medical Director Dr Alison Bacon and Clinical Nurse Specialist Lauren Glackin as we discuss and examine perceptions and the myths of pain and managing pain in palliative care. Questions? Please email [email protected] St John‘s Hospice

1
A Rock Climber's Brush with Death 38:59

8M ago38:59

38:59

Tommy Caldwell’s near-death experience unlocks a completely new state of mind that propels him to become a record-setting big wall climber. We'll be back with new episodes in your feed later this fall, but in the meantime, enjoy Maya's conversation with Tommy Caldwell, one of our favorite episodes from the archives. Connect with Maya on instagram @…

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Cynicism is Exhausting. There’s an Alternative. 36:49

8M ago36:49

36:49

Psychologist Jamil Zaki studies the science of human connection and he believes cynicism is holding us back. Cynicism isn't just harmful for our health, he says, it’s also misguided. He talks to Maya about a powerful, alternative mindset that can help: what he calls “hopeful skepticism.” For more on hopeful skepticism, check out Jamil Zaki’s book “…

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The Grief of Empty Nesting with Kelly Corrigan 45:41

9M ago45:41

45:41

Sometimes, even when things go precisely as you hoped they would, change hurts. Writer Kelly Corrigan talks to Maya about wrestling with the reality that her daughters' childhood was ending, and that her role as their parent had to transition, too. In this conversation from the archives, Maya and Kelly reckon with the question of what parents and c…

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Olympian Gabby Thomas On Choosing Happiness 34:31

9M ago34:31

34:31

U.S. track star Gabby Thomas recently won three gold medals at the Paris Olympics. To celebrate, we’re sharing Maya’s conversation with Gabby that took place shortly after the athlete’s Olympic debut in Tokyo. Gabby explains why her relationship with running isn’t as straightforward as you might think, and how competing interests have continually l…

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Part 2: A Million Little Losses 25:08

10M ago25:08

25:08

Just a few days after Kelsie first talked with Maya for the podcast, Kelsie's husband, Chris, was rushed to the hospital after he didn’t wake up from a nap. He died a few days later, as a result of complications from ALS. Eight months later, Kelsie reached out to say she wanted to share what life has been like for her since then, as she handles a n…

1
Part 1: A Million Little Losses 28:06

10M ago28:06

28:06

When Kelsie first met her co-worker Chris, she fell hard. They soon fell in love, got married, and had two kids. But then, Chris received a devastating diagnosis. In conversation with Maya, writer Kelsie Snow explores the complex grief of being both a wife and caregiver. Note: this is part one of two conversations with writer Kelsie Snow. It was re…

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A Novel Approach to Treating Chronic Pain 33:10

10M ago33:10

33:10

A lot of chronic pain isn't actually caused by structural issues with the body, says psychotherapist Alan Gordon. Instead, it's often the brain misinterpreting safe bodily signals as dangerous. Alan joins Maya to explain a novel, research-backed approach to coping with chronic pain and guides her through an exercise to alleviate her persistent knee…

1
Real Talk: The Transition to Motherhood 33:24

10M ago33:24

33:24

Motherhood can be a time of profound internal upheaval, says clinical psychologist Molly Millwood. Molly offers an honest look at the transition into motherhood, drawing from scientific research, stories from her private practice, and her own experiences as a mother. She and Maya talk about how to navigate the grief, guilt, ambivalence, and other d…

1
Inspire to Rise & Shine Foundation here to Empower Lives: Inspire resilience through Inspirational experiences, Kindness and Unity 7:16

10M ago7:16

7:16

Send us a text Ever felt the crushing weight of life's hardships and wondered how to find joy again? Join me, Tracy, in our very first episode of the Inspire to,Rise and Shine Foundation podcast, where we embark on a heartwarming journey to uplift those facing chronic health challenges and profound grief and life’s hardships. We'll explore how our …

1
A Syrian Refugee Fights for Olympic Dreams 25:04

10M ago25:04

25:04

Swimmer Yusra Mardini grew up in Syria and dreamed of one day representing her home country at the Olympics. But when the civil war in Syria intensified, she fled the country and had to put that dream on hold. After escaping to Europe, she faced an unexpected opportunity. Yusra tells Maya the harrowing story of how she made it to safety, and then t…

1
“Surrender is not in my DNA” 34:22

10M ago34:22

34:22

Brad Snyder was part of the U.S. Navy’s most elite bomb squad. In his role, he was rewarded for his intense independence. But after a bomb blast left him blind, he had to relearn how to depend on others. He talks with Maya about how embracing vulnerability helped him reach his dreams. Sign up for Maya's new newsletter here https://bit.ly/41lPqaZ an…

1
What Comes After Gold, With Olympian Missy Franklin 33:51

11M ago33:51

33:51

Swimmer Missy Franklin won four gold medals at her first Olympics. But as she trained for her second trip to the world stage, her mental health began to crumble. With so much to defend, the pool suddenly felt like a pressure cooker. She talks with Maya about coping with defeat and how she learned to value her identity outside of sports. To hear mor…

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Maya on Brené Brown's Podcast 1:12:49

11M ago1:12:49

1:12:49

We recently shared a conversation between Maya and Brené on A Slight Change of Plans where they talked about Maya's appearance on Brené's podcast, Dare to Lead. Today we are sharing that conversation with you! In this episode of Dare to Lead, Brené and Maya discuss how unexpected changes can disrupt our paths, challenge our identities, and require …

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Brené Brown on Our Flawed, Imperfect Selves 30:51

1y ago30:51

30:51

Brené Brown is a bestselling author and social scientist known for her work on complex emotions like shame and vulnerability. She opens up to Maya about the evolution of some of her most important identities: big sister, recovering perfectionist, and reluctant public figure. She also shares how COVID affected her marriage, her struggles with social…

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Part 2: Life, Interrupted with Suleika Jaouad 23:32

1y ago23:32

23:32

In part two of Maya’s conversation with writer Suleika Jaouad, they talk about Suleika's epic road trip following her cancer treatments and her friendship with a man who spent half his life on death row. She also shares how she's choosing to live her life in light of a recent diagnosis that's left her in a more uncertain place than ever before. Sig…

1
Part 1: Life, Interrupted with Suleika Jaouad 44:28

1y ago44:28

44:28

Suleika Jaouad was diagnosed with an aggressive form of leukemia when she was 22 years old. In this special two-part conversation, she talks with Maya about why she sees survival as a creative act, the problem with narratives that frame illness as a "hero’s journey," and the messy space that exists between illness and wellness. Sign up for Maya's n…

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Dr. Becky: A Game-Changing Strategy for Better Relationships 38:54

1y ago38:54

38:54

Dr. Becky Kennedy is a clinical psychologist known for her popular parenting advice. She talks with Maya about how shifting to a mindset that children are “good inside” can improve parent-child relationships and make for long-lasting behavior change. Becky explains why her approach can help us navigate all kinds of relationships in our adult lives—…

1
What Children Can Teach Us About Creativity 35:54

1y ago35:54

35:54

Alison Gopnik is a developmental psychologist who studies childrens' brains. She talks with Maya about how kids' exploratory approach to problem-solving can show us how to better tap into our creative potential. Sign up for Maya's new newsletter here https://bit.ly/41lPqaZ and follow her on instagram @DrMayaShankar. See omnystudio.com/listener for …

1
Freedom After a Lifetime of Secrets 43:35

1y ago43:35

43:35

Shortly after Laura Cathcart Robbins had her second child, she developed a crippling anxiety disorder and severe insomnia. Within a few years, she was addicted to sleeping pills. Laura was ashamed because she felt like motherhood came so much more easily to her friends. And so, for years, she kept her addiction a secret. Then one day she reached a …

1
A New Season with Brené Brown, Becky Kennedy, and More! 3:08

1y ago3:08

3:08

We're back with new episodes starting April 1. Brené Brown joins Maya for a fireside chat about their messy, flawed selves. Psychologist Dr. Becky Kennedy reveals a game-changing strategy for fostering better relationships. Plus, we share inspiring stories of change from people weathering difficult transitions, including a writer diagnosed with can…

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The Science of Happiness with Dr. Laurie Santos 37:08

1y ago37:08

37:08

We're not great at knowing what makes us happy, says Laurie Santos, host of "The Happiness Lab." Laurie joins Maya for a wide-ranging conversation about the latest happiness research and her favorite happiness-boosting strategies. They also discuss how much of our happiness is hard-wired, if there's such a thing as thinking about happiness too much…

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Why change is so scary -- and how to unlock its potential | TED Talks Daily 13:41

1y ago13:41

13:41

Unexpected change like an accident, an illness, or a relationship that suddenly ends is inevitable -- and disorienting. On this heartfelt and optimistic episode of TED Talks Daily, Maya shares how these challenging moments can inspire transformation, offering three questions to ask when facing uncertainty, so you can let go of rigidity and embrace …

1
Best of: How to Make Stress Your Friend 31:49

1y ago31:49

31:49

Modupe Akinola is a psychology professor and an expert on stress. Modupe argues that a simple change in our mindset can turn short-term stress into a helpful resource. She walks us through strategies to better understand, and cope with, stress. Enjoy this rebroadcast (and take a few deep breaths while you listen!) and we’ll be back in March with ne…

1
Best of: The Science of Making—and Keeping—Friends 36:12

1y ago36:12

36:12

Psychologist Marisa Franco is an expert on friendship and talks with Maya about research-backed strategies to make new friends, deepen our existing relationships, and navigate friend breakups. This conversation was one of our most popular ones and so we’ve decided to revisit it during a time when it’s been hard to feel connected to others. We’ll be…

1
How to Make Your Habits Stick 36:47

1+ y ago36:47

36:47

Our daily habits are the key to reaching our long-term goals, argues writer James Clear. His bestselling book, "Atomic Habits," distills the most compelling research on how to break bad habits and form good ones. He talks with Maya about how our habits shape our identity—for better or worse—and how to design our habits so they actually stick. To ex…

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Composing Unity: The Harmony of Giving in the Quest for a Minibus-Unity Ripple 6:48

1+ y ago6:48

6:48

Send us a text Embrace the crescendo of compassion in our latest Heartfelt Harmony Podcast, where I, Tracy Taylor Scott, orchestrate an anthem of goodwill alongside the Unity Ripple campaign's vibrant chorus. Witness the magical fusion of generosity as we near the triumphant acquisition of a minibus for the Music Man Project's brilliant student per…

1
Harmonising for Change: The Unity Ripple Campaign's Quest for a Minibus for The Music Man Project UK 12:34

1+ y ago12:34

12:34

Send us a text Every note we sing and every penny we raise carves out a path for change—this is the heartfelt tune of the Music Man Project UK, and I, Tracy Taylor-Scott, am here to share the crescendos of support that have propelled our Unity Ripple campaign forward. Our aim, To secure a much-needed minibus that will allow the student performers t…

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Adam Grant Helps Unlock Our Hidden Potential 43:33

1+ y ago43:33

43:33

Psychologist Adam Grant stops by to talk with Maya about his new book "Hidden Potential: The Science of Achieving Greater Things." They talk about how to filter out unhelpful feedback, the benefits of imperfectionism, and why we need to give soft skills more respect. If you enjoyed this episode, check out Adam’s first time on the show: “Adam Grant …

1
"I Gave Up Asking 'Why Me?'" 37:02

1+ y ago37:02

37:02

When Banafsheh Rashidi gave birth to her daughter, Saba, she immediately conjured up vivid images of Saba's future: passing the driver's test, graduation, and maybe even a wedding. But when Saba received a significant medical diagnosis, Banafsheh's dreams were upended. She talks to Maya about how she redefined success for her family on her own term…

1
Get Happier with Gretchen Rubin 30:28

1+ y ago30:28

30:28

Gretchen Rubin is an author and podcaster with a passion for helping people become happier. One of the biggest lessons she's learned in her decades-long study of the subject is that there's no one-size-fits-all hack to finding happiness. Gretchen talks with Maya about how important it is to tailor our approach based on what she calls the "four tend…

Podcasts Worth a Listen

What S Good About Grief Podcast

Podcasts Worth a Listen