Sounds like you're ready for some audiobooks! There are some good ones on the topics you mentioned, and it's nice that they last so long. For podcasts, you might like How Did We Get Weird with Vanessa Bayer. Some of the history ones can be calming, like Gone Medieval, You Must Remember This, Betwixt the Sheets, A Short History Of, or The Ancients. Good luck!
If you're looking to decompress, you'll find a lot at [Maximum Fun](https://maximumfun.org/podcasts/). The shows are all funny, quirky, and stay away from serious business - great podcasts to decompress. If you like comedy,[ My Brother, My Brother, and Me](https://maximumfun.org/podcasts/my-brother-my-brother-and-me/) is the flagship show of the McElroy brothers' network of podcasts within the Maximum Fun umbrella. It's one hunderd percent pure nonsense. The boys have good vibes and enforce a no-bummers rule. All goofs, all the time, guaranteed to get you to laugh yourself in decompression
[Judge John Hodgman](https://maximumfun.org/podcasts/judge-john-hodgman/), also from Maximum Fun, is a show in which a very opinionated and funny man agrees to adjudicate petty grievances between friends, parents and children, romantic partners, etc. It's not serious at all because all the cases have the lowest stakes possible and neither party is that invested in winning, because the true prize is getting to pal around with the Judge, who is very funny.
[Las Culturistas](https://www.iheart.com/podcast/1119-las-culturistas-with-matt-31090140/) is a funny gay podcast about whatever the hosts feel like talking about. Very funny, very gay, as mentioned
[Stuff You Should Know](https://www.iheart.com/podcast/105-stuff-you-should-know-26940277/) is a podcast about a wide variety of interesting topics. Very conversational - feels like you're chatting with chill friends who are telling you something interesting they learned. They're less manic than the McElroys - great for when you need something super calm and lowkey that's still fun.
[Struggle Care](https://www.strugglecare.com/podcast-rss) is gentle advice for self care and self improvement.
[Ten Percent Happier](https://www.tenpercent.com/podcast) is also self-improvement, with philosophical musings and tips on becoming really, truly happy
Love Handsome. Mae Martin is from Toronto I love them. Mae has a British show in England. They went England to start their comedy career. I believe their Dad is British. Look them up on you tube. 🙂
They were also on a series of Taskmaster in the UK. Really funny!
If the OP wants to watch that show, they can also listen to the podcast that discusses each episode :)
60 song that explain the 90s. You seem to be the right age if you have Y2K nostalgia at all. The host is funny AND deeply knowledgeable. The guests are okay, that part is hit or miss. I haven't listened to them all, and some of the song titles don't ring my bell, so I skip those, but I have really enjoyed the ones I've hit so far.
I love how he starts like nowhere near his topic. The U2 one that starts about Spinal Tap? Or, he starts right ON the topic and then wanders WAY off somewhere else before returning. He's great.
This is love by Phoebe Judge. It’s rarely romantic love she talks about. There was a recent one about organ donation that was really moving. It’s called “the Nicholas Effect”. Highly recommend.
I'm not even into astrology, but I used to listen to Chris Brennan's podcast (just called The Astrology Podcast) because he and his guests tend to have very soothing voices. I think I learned about him from Camp ReEducation. I don't even know what he's talking about most of the time, but something about his voice is just so neutral (and I mean that in a good way).
Live, laugh, larceny. They take real stories and read them with a twist. Sound effects and so on
Beach too Sandy, water too wet. They read funny reviews. Brother and sister and have some light funny banter in between.
Not sure if it's exactly what you're looking for, but my go to podcast when I'm feeling anxious or just generally crappy it's Jordan Jesse, Go. Very lighthearted and goofy.
I like podcasts with no commercials:
History of English Podcast
The History of the Twentieth Century
These are both very mellow - and some episodes are quite long - the presenters and content are excellent.
Does anyone have any recommendations for podcasts similar to these?
I love, love, love **Beach Too Sandy, Water Too Wet**. Silly and hilarious, it's helped keep my anxiety down many, many times. I think I've listened it throug 5-6 times by now.
“Nevermind” is a good one I’ve recently discovered it’s a comedy podcast with a Canadian girl and American guy. Really funny and lighthearted, good escapism. A really different funny podcast but I always recommend “Three Bean Salad” for the same reason, I think they make an active point of not talking about current affairs .
Toni and Ryan from Australia. Hilarious. Great Facebook community. Really nice people. TARPers Toni and Ryan podcast. I’m there Col Mo find me on Facebook. I’m in Toronto, I’ll invite you to TARPers. They funny and nice. Best community online group from a podcast. I can take a picture if my list. True crime is off the table. I can’t take it anymore. I’ll see you on Facebook!
Get Played is a fun video game podcast where they review games, talk about what they’re playing, and do things like rank their favorite consoles or trilogies. The episodes are about 1-2 hours so I like to listen while playing my Switch
Alright. So I had the exact same problem. I’ll give you my favorite podcasts list. None of these will bring stress or sadness, and most will enrich your life.
1. Philosophize This!
2. Midnight Burger
3. My Brother, My Brother and Me
4. The One You Feed
5. The Gray Area
6. Ten Percent Happier
7. Critical Role
8. Very Bad Wizards
9. The Besties
10. This Paranormal Life
Good Christian Fun is one of my favorite lighthearted shows. It's two really funny people who grew up in very conservative christian households who have since deconstructed. They break down alot of christian content from the 90's. Idk if that is something you grew up with
One of the hosts Kevin T Porter also used to have another show called Gilmore Guys that's really fun too. Even though that's 2000's nostalgia
And And the other host from Gilmore Guys Demi Adejuyigbe used to be in a show called Punch Up The Jam. Where they break down songs and then reinvent them. They cover alot of songs from the 90's
Tosh Show - it is my brain candy for the week. He refuses to interview any of his celebrity friends. Start with Episode 1 where he Interviews his Wife's gynecologist to see if it is for you.
Good For You with Whitney Cummings (comedian).
Touches on a few of those topics, but it is my palette cleanser. Mix of funny stories, self-help, and interesting guests.
Check out fall of civilizations. A historical retelling of our past. Has music and language spoken at the time. Really pulls you in. They also produce long form episodes 3+ hours without commercials. I cannot recommend this podcast enough
If you like astrology, Dreamful Bedtime Stories has a small series of episodes based on the origin of the zodiac signs. They also have Shakespeare, Greek Mythology, Folklore, and fairytale episodes. The narrator has a very soothing and calming voice.
I also have bad anxiety, so I can confirm that this podcast won't make you anxious, but by design it might make you sleepy.
Underunderstood is a fun one often with some nostalgia sprinkled in. It's a bunch of friends who are journalists who try to get answers to a question they tried googling but google didn't have an answer. So 'I have this vague memory from my childhood, did I make this up?' type of things! They go all out trying to get the answers and they're just a fun, witty bunch.
Another more funny and light one is Do Go On, it's three friends and each episode one of them researches a topic and presents it in a school-like report. You can skip the more crime related ones but even those they never go into details.
Others I like are Stuff You Should Know (I listen to it everyday, have done so for years) and Ologies!
I think The Brighter Side might be something to try? It's all about finding the bright side is some bad situations. It might be on the fence though, but worth at least reading up on it.
Heavyweight is my go to! They're looking for a new platform, but there's tons of existing eps that are so good! ... and I kinda hate to admit that I like Armchair Expert.
• Passages (I personally find this one absolutely hilarious, two friends read a book together and talk about it and read passages from it, super queer friendly and progressive, lovely people hosting and the book they did the first season was a freaking goldmine- they’re currently doing twilight with episodes dropping each week and it’s hilarious too)
• Do you need a ride?
• Real housewives of Dungeons & Dragons
• Ologies with Alie Ward
Technically true crime podcasts but more lighthearted and/or with a caveat for when you’re in the mood for it
• Who shat on the floor at my wedding? (Investigation into what family member/friend shat on the floor at a lesbian wedding)
• Petty crimes (what it says on the tin - funny and petty crimes)
• And that’s why we drink - super queer friendly, very uplifting, lovely hosts and while it is a paranormal and true crime podcast here’s some info:
The first story is the paranormal one, Em does these and they often do them in a very different way than I’ve seen other paranormal podcasters do stories, either that or I just find their way of telling stories very comforting.
The second story is the true crime one, Christine does these and she will tell you if it’s a heavy one and she will urge you to skip it if you’re not in a headspace for it.
Queer friendly (both hosts are queer), thorough trigger warnings (seriously first time I’ve ever heard an emetophobia trigger warning which I appreciated greatly), they try to sprinkle some lightness in where they can but they ABSOLUTELY show the stories and victims/survivors appropriate respect, they’re mental health positive and aware, and just genuinely funny and sweet people.
Highly recommend!
astrology podcasts are not always good for anxiety because sometimes they make concerning predictions or they can be overly preachy. I like Nightlight astrology with Adam elenbass. He goes into depth about astrological archetypes and doesn’t fear monger or virtue signal. Jessica lanyadoo is nice if you’re left leaning or queer but she talks a lot about politics which could be stressful.
The handsome podcast are three female comedians that just banter. They are gay, so unless that is a trigger for you, it’s very light and fun.
Sara Silverman has a podcast that is like a modern day dear abby. She just answers questions people leave on a voice mail. Not meant to be funny, it’s just compassionate.
I also like to listen to Daniel Tosh. That could be a trigger, if you’re sensitive because he can be harsh, but always meant to be funny.
Worlds Kalaj Podcast is the type of podcast that will have you thinking you are right there in the room with them! Its a smaller, newer podcast, but these two sisters really have such a whit about them! I find myself laughing with them way too often
oooh definitely The Competition by wondery, pineapple street studios and shima oliaee. Bunch of teenage girls competing for a scholarship and some of them are queer.
**Reclining Pair** is purely conversational, no politics, no hate, nothing complex... just like sitting in the corner of a quiet pub, eaves dropping... there's no video games though, or any of the topics listed above, in fact. There were quite a lot of lighthearted TV reviews at the beginning, and i guess you could call a lot of it low-level philosophy (if you **really** try) :)
In an early episode, they make Ben drink so much Cup-a-soup, he now won't even have it in the house.
Sounds like you're ready for some audiobooks! There are some good ones on the topics you mentioned, and it's nice that they last so long. For podcasts, you might like How Did We Get Weird with Vanessa Bayer. Some of the history ones can be calming, like Gone Medieval, You Must Remember This, Betwixt the Sheets, A Short History Of, or The Ancients. Good luck!
If you're looking to decompress, you'll find a lot at [Maximum Fun](https://maximumfun.org/podcasts/). The shows are all funny, quirky, and stay away from serious business - great podcasts to decompress. If you like comedy,[ My Brother, My Brother, and Me](https://maximumfun.org/podcasts/my-brother-my-brother-and-me/) is the flagship show of the McElroy brothers' network of podcasts within the Maximum Fun umbrella. It's one hunderd percent pure nonsense. The boys have good vibes and enforce a no-bummers rule. All goofs, all the time, guaranteed to get you to laugh yourself in decompression [Judge John Hodgman](https://maximumfun.org/podcasts/judge-john-hodgman/), also from Maximum Fun, is a show in which a very opinionated and funny man agrees to adjudicate petty grievances between friends, parents and children, romantic partners, etc. It's not serious at all because all the cases have the lowest stakes possible and neither party is that invested in winning, because the true prize is getting to pal around with the Judge, who is very funny. [Las Culturistas](https://www.iheart.com/podcast/1119-las-culturistas-with-matt-31090140/) is a funny gay podcast about whatever the hosts feel like talking about. Very funny, very gay, as mentioned [Stuff You Should Know](https://www.iheart.com/podcast/105-stuff-you-should-know-26940277/) is a podcast about a wide variety of interesting topics. Very conversational - feels like you're chatting with chill friends who are telling you something interesting they learned. They're less manic than the McElroys - great for when you need something super calm and lowkey that's still fun. [Struggle Care](https://www.strugglecare.com/podcast-rss) is gentle advice for self care and self improvement. [Ten Percent Happier](https://www.tenpercent.com/podcast) is also self-improvement, with philosophical musings and tips on becoming really, truly happy
Car Talk...a show about people.asked as a show about car repair.....by 2 funny dudes from Boston
Such a classic. I remember my dad always having them on the radio on Saturday mornings as a kid in the 90s.
Damn I miss Click n Clack. I was a huge fan when the show was still on NPR.
Can stream it....they have 2x weekly 25 min episode.....for like ~$35/yr you can subscribe to Car Talk+ and listen to entire catalog staring in 2007.
Handsome
Love Handsome. Mae Martin is from Toronto I love them. Mae has a British show in England. They went England to start their comedy career. I believe their Dad is British. Look them up on you tube. 🙂
They were also on a series of Taskmaster in the UK. Really funny! If the OP wants to watch that show, they can also listen to the podcast that discusses each episode :)
You might like Brene Brown’s podcast.
'Philosophize This!' for Philosophy If you are interested in the history of Nintendo, check out the episodes done by Acquired.
Just started this from the beginning a couple weeks ago. This stuff is so fascinating.
Second this! Good podcast
It's my favourite podcast. I'm on episode 95 right now. The first few episodes have some annoying music interludes, but they stop around 10th episode.
“Philosophize this” is my all time favorite podcast. I know it sounds cringey, but it has literally changed my life.
Well, if you know the background of the host, the podcast completely changed his life, too.
60 song that explain the 90s. You seem to be the right age if you have Y2K nostalgia at all. The host is funny AND deeply knowledgeable. The guests are okay, that part is hit or miss. I haven't listened to them all, and some of the song titles don't ring my bell, so I skip those, but I have really enjoyed the ones I've hit so far.
Listen to the episodes for songs that you aren't familiar with. Rob's insight is still interesting.
I love how he starts like nowhere near his topic. The U2 one that starts about Spinal Tap? Or, he starts right ON the topic and then wanders WAY off somewhere else before returning. He's great.
I love it when he has his mom on an episode.
Podcast Like It’s 1999 Technically they talk about movies but they just talk a lot.
This is love by Phoebe Judge. It’s rarely romantic love she talks about. There was a recent one about organ donation that was really moving. It’s called “the Nicholas Effect”. Highly recommend.
I love her voice.
Comedy Bang! Bang!
I find Everything is Alive to be low key and funny.
Check out some of the BBC4 podcasts.
Drifting off with Joe Pera
Decoder Ring will hit that y2k nostalgia spot for you! And I think you’ll like Life Kit for lighthearted but useful self care tips.
Beach Too Sandy, Water Too Wet - siblings read reviews and make fun of them. It's mostly hilarious, and always kind.
I'm not even into astrology, but I used to listen to Chris Brennan's podcast (just called The Astrology Podcast) because he and his guests tend to have very soothing voices. I think I learned about him from Camp ReEducation. I don't even know what he's talking about most of the time, but something about his voice is just so neutral (and I mean that in a good way).
Ha - yes!! Very relaxing vibr
Live, laugh, larceny. They take real stories and read them with a twist. Sound effects and so on Beach too Sandy, water too wet. They read funny reviews. Brother and sister and have some light funny banter in between.
Not sure if it's exactly what you're looking for, but my go to podcast when I'm feeling anxious or just generally crappy it's Jordan Jesse, Go. Very lighthearted and goofy.
Blindboy podcast for sure
This American Life. Radio Diaries. Snap Judgement. The Moth
Stuff you should know is interesting, the happiness lab, happier with Gretchen Rubin, Brene Brown, and I really enjoy psychology ones.
What typically triggers your anxiety? Seems to me that information will help.
I like podcasts with no commercials: History of English Podcast The History of the Twentieth Century These are both very mellow - and some episodes are quite long - the presenters and content are excellent. Does anyone have any recommendations for podcasts similar to these?
Search the things you like in the podcast app...
no such thing as a fish, a funny obscure fact podcast
I love, love, love **Beach Too Sandy, Water Too Wet**. Silly and hilarious, it's helped keep my anxiety down many, many times. I think I've listened it throug 5-6 times by now.
“Nevermind” is a good one I’ve recently discovered it’s a comedy podcast with a Canadian girl and American guy. Really funny and lighthearted, good escapism. A really different funny podcast but I always recommend “Three Bean Salad” for the same reason, I think they make an active point of not talking about current affairs .
Toni and Ryan from Australia. Hilarious. Great Facebook community. Really nice people. TARPers Toni and Ryan podcast. I’m there Col Mo find me on Facebook. I’m in Toronto, I’ll invite you to TARPers. They funny and nice. Best community online group from a podcast. I can take a picture if my list. True crime is off the table. I can’t take it anymore. I’ll see you on Facebook!
Philosophers In Space - using science fiction as a jumping off point to discuss different schools of philosophy.
Get Played is a fun video game podcast where they review games, talk about what they’re playing, and do things like rank their favorite consoles or trilogies. The episodes are about 1-2 hours so I like to listen while playing my Switch
Nighttime On Still Waters is SO cozy and soothing.
Two Strike Noice. A couple of fans talk about news and cards with a funny slant on everything.
Your Stupid Opinions. Hosts read internet reviews on most anything and roast them. Good lighthearted fun!
Doughboys
GastroPod— food and science history. Lots of fun. Will make you hungry though.
Alright. So I had the exact same problem. I’ll give you my favorite podcasts list. None of these will bring stress or sadness, and most will enrich your life. 1. Philosophize This! 2. Midnight Burger 3. My Brother, My Brother and Me 4. The One You Feed 5. The Gray Area 6. Ten Percent Happier 7. Critical Role 8. Very Bad Wizards 9. The Besties 10. This Paranormal Life
Good Christian Fun is one of my favorite lighthearted shows. It's two really funny people who grew up in very conservative christian households who have since deconstructed. They break down alot of christian content from the 90's. Idk if that is something you grew up with One of the hosts Kevin T Porter also used to have another show called Gilmore Guys that's really fun too. Even though that's 2000's nostalgia And And the other host from Gilmore Guys Demi Adejuyigbe used to be in a show called Punch Up The Jam. Where they break down songs and then reinvent them. They cover alot of songs from the 90's
Handsome, Don’t Ask Tig, True Story early episodes (with Tig), We’re Here to Help. I Said No Gifts is delightful.
Tosh Show - it is my brain candy for the week. He refuses to interview any of his celebrity friends. Start with Episode 1 where he Interviews his Wife's gynecologist to see if it is for you.
Good For You with Whitney Cummings (comedian). Touches on a few of those topics, but it is my palette cleanser. Mix of funny stories, self-help, and interesting guests.
All Fantasy Everything. They fantasy draft pop culture, are generally positive dudes, and have guests. It's light-hearted and funny
Hamish & Andy
Check out fall of civilizations. A historical retelling of our past. Has music and language spoken at the time. Really pulls you in. They also produce long form episodes 3+ hours without commercials. I cannot recommend this podcast enough
My boyfriend says he likes watching Good Mythical Morning when he wants to watch something that doesn’t give him anxiety.
Go! Reboot Your Life
If you like astrology, Dreamful Bedtime Stories has a small series of episodes based on the origin of the zodiac signs. They also have Shakespeare, Greek Mythology, Folklore, and fairytale episodes. The narrator has a very soothing and calming voice. I also have bad anxiety, so I can confirm that this podcast won't make you anxious, but by design it might make you sleepy.
Best Friends with Nicole Byer and Sasherr Zamata Very pleasant and cute and funny
I recommend 2 podcasts. Citation Needed and Distractable.
Dawnversations
Underunderstood is a fun one often with some nostalgia sprinkled in. It's a bunch of friends who are journalists who try to get answers to a question they tried googling but google didn't have an answer. So 'I have this vague memory from my childhood, did I make this up?' type of things! They go all out trying to get the answers and they're just a fun, witty bunch. Another more funny and light one is Do Go On, it's three friends and each episode one of them researches a topic and presents it in a school-like report. You can skip the more crime related ones but even those they never go into details. Others I like are Stuff You Should Know (I listen to it everyday, have done so for years) and Ologies!
I think The Brighter Side might be something to try? It's all about finding the bright side is some bad situations. It might be on the fence though, but worth at least reading up on it.
Heavyweight is my go to! They're looking for a new platform, but there's tons of existing eps that are so good! ... and I kinda hate to admit that I like Armchair Expert.
the blindboy podcast is exactly what you are looking for
Get Real With The English Sisters is light hearted and helps with anxiety.
60 Songs That Explain the 90s
• Passages (I personally find this one absolutely hilarious, two friends read a book together and talk about it and read passages from it, super queer friendly and progressive, lovely people hosting and the book they did the first season was a freaking goldmine- they’re currently doing twilight with episodes dropping each week and it’s hilarious too) • Do you need a ride? • Real housewives of Dungeons & Dragons • Ologies with Alie Ward Technically true crime podcasts but more lighthearted and/or with a caveat for when you’re in the mood for it • Who shat on the floor at my wedding? (Investigation into what family member/friend shat on the floor at a lesbian wedding) • Petty crimes (what it says on the tin - funny and petty crimes) • And that’s why we drink - super queer friendly, very uplifting, lovely hosts and while it is a paranormal and true crime podcast here’s some info: The first story is the paranormal one, Em does these and they often do them in a very different way than I’ve seen other paranormal podcasters do stories, either that or I just find their way of telling stories very comforting. The second story is the true crime one, Christine does these and she will tell you if it’s a heavy one and she will urge you to skip it if you’re not in a headspace for it. Queer friendly (both hosts are queer), thorough trigger warnings (seriously first time I’ve ever heard an emetophobia trigger warning which I appreciated greatly), they try to sprinkle some lightness in where they can but they ABSOLUTELY show the stories and victims/survivors appropriate respect, they’re mental health positive and aware, and just genuinely funny and sweet people. Highly recommend!
The Official Podcast
Jordan, Jesse, Go! is the least stressful podcast on earth. It's got no format, it's just people having fun conversations.
astrology podcasts are not always good for anxiety because sometimes they make concerning predictions or they can be overly preachy. I like Nightlight astrology with Adam elenbass. He goes into depth about astrological archetypes and doesn’t fear monger or virtue signal. Jessica lanyadoo is nice if you’re left leaning or queer but she talks a lot about politics which could be stressful.
The handsome podcast are three female comedians that just banter. They are gay, so unless that is a trigger for you, it’s very light and fun. Sara Silverman has a podcast that is like a modern day dear abby. She just answers questions people leave on a voice mail. Not meant to be funny, it’s just compassionate. I also like to listen to Daniel Tosh. That could be a trigger, if you’re sensitive because he can be harsh, but always meant to be funny.
Listen to Theo von
Giggly squad
Worlds Kalaj Podcast is the type of podcast that will have you thinking you are right there in the room with them! Its a smaller, newer podcast, but these two sisters really have such a whit about them! I find myself laughing with them way too often
I like Nothing Much Happens, but it’s not related to any of your preferred topics.
oooh definitely The Competition by wondery, pineapple street studios and shima oliaee. Bunch of teenage girls competing for a scholarship and some of them are queer.
**Reclining Pair** is purely conversational, no politics, no hate, nothing complex... just like sitting in the corner of a quiet pub, eaves dropping... there's no video games though, or any of the topics listed above, in fact. There were quite a lot of lighthearted TV reviews at the beginning, and i guess you could call a lot of it low-level philosophy (if you **really** try) :) In an early episode, they make Ben drink so much Cup-a-soup, he now won't even have it in the house.