17 Best Podcasts for Deep Conversations to Listen to (2026)

Hi, I'm Dax Shepard, and I love talking to people. I am endlessly fascinated by the messiness of being human, and I find people who are vulnerable and honest about their struggles and shortcomings to be incredibly sexy. I invite you to join me as I explore other people's stories. We will celebrate, above all, the challenges and setbacks that ultimately lead to growth and betterment. What qualifies me for such an endeavor? More than a decade of sobriety, a degree in Anthropology and four years of improv training. I will attempt to discover human 'truths' without any laboratory work, clinical trials or data collection. I will be, in the great tradition of 16th-century scientists, an Armchair Expert. more

Come do life with Glennon Doyle, Abby Wambach, and Amanda Doyle. With more than half a billion plays, We Can Do Hard Things is a hilarious, raw, comforting 'support system for braving the everyday.' The Pod Squad goes hard ($56 Million raised in global aid) and stays soft: meet here on Tuesdays to laugh, talk, and cry our way through the pain and magic of being human. Subscribe, Follow, and join our social media community here: https://linktr.ee/wecandohardthingsshow more

Every Monday morning step into the office of iconic psychotherapist Esther Perel on 'Where Should We Begin' and listen in as real people in search of insight bare the raw, intimate, and profound details of their stories. From breakups and open relationships to workplace conflicts and fractures in the family, it's a place to hear our own stories reflected in the lives of others. So…where should we begin? For an ad-free version of our podcast, plus bonus episodes, behind-the-scenes content, and more, visit our Office Hours section. more

Conversations that explore technology, history, philosophy, physics, mathematics, biology, chemistry, engineering, AI, robotics, programming, music, film, art, sports, psychology, neuroscience, geopolitics, business, economics, religion, astronomy, and the human condition with people from all walks of life. more

1 phone call. 1 hour. No names. No holds barred. Thats the premise behind Beautiful Stories from Anonymous People, hosted by comedian Chris Gethard (the Chris Gethard Show, Broad City, This American Life, and one of Time Outs 10 best comedians of 2015). Every week, Chris opens the phone line to one anonymous caller, and he cant hang up first, no matter what. From shocking confessions and family secrets to philosophical discussions and shameless self-promotion, anything can and will happen! Theme song by Shellshag. more

Are you living your best life now? Not always? This is a podcast for you. Duke Professor Kate Bowler is an expert in the stories we tell about success and failure, suffering and happiness. She had Stage IV cancer. Then she didn't. And since then, all she wants to do is talk to funny and wise people about how to live with the knowledge that, well, everything happens.  Find her online at @katecbowler.Sales and Distribution by Lemonada Media https://lemonadamedia.com/ more

What does it mean to live a good life? Is it about happiness, health, friendship, love, or meaning? What about work, wealth, purpose, service, or something else? Can you live a good life even when things are hard? These are the questions and topics we explore every week in conversation with leading voices from health, science, art, industry, mindset, and culture, like Brené Brown, Matthew McConaughey, Mel Robbins, Alex, Elle, Adam Grant, Elizabeth Gilbert, Yung Pueblo, Maya Shankar, Mitch Albom, Glennon Doyle & hundreds more. The New York Times says, 'the show's holistic approach to fulfillment is bound to resonate.' Listen now! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. more

Welcome to the Open Deeply podcast where guests dive deep into the vulnerable experiences that shaped them. We believe life storytelling has power…the power to heal and inspire others. Join acclaimed dream team, internationally recognized sex educator Sunny Megatron and seasoned sex positive psychotherapist, Kate Loree, LMFT. Through a sex positive, trauma informed lens, we explore the struggles and serendipitious happenings that led to our guest's truth, life purpose, and wisdom. In doing so, these stories may light the way for your own sexual and personal truth. Choose an episode, and your journey towards finding your sexual and personal truth can start now. more

Necessary Conversations is a podcast that tackles the topics many people often avoid but desperately need to discuss. From mental health to the intersection of faith and culture, and everything in between, NO CONVERSATION IS OFF-LIMITS. Our mission is simple: to equip and encourage you to have the conversations you need to have with the people you need to have them with. more

Honest and vulnerable conversations about mental health, spirituality, relationships, social issues, and other topics! more

Deep conversations with people who are making a difference in the world. Opportunities to hear their stories, life journeys, lessons learned along the way, and their visions for the future. Real conversations and real stories. Inspiring. Uplifting. Enlightening. No script. No limits. more

Driftwood Conversations is a weekly podcast hosted by journalist Hilary Sloane, sharing soulful conversations with artists, seekers, and everyday revolutionaries. Each episode offers stories that connect us to the world—and to each other—through truth, wisdom, and the grit of lived experience. more

Conversations that take us deeper into self and soul.The Deepening explores the inner journey and its relationship to our outer life through the lens of Jungian psychology, spirituality, and personal transformation. Each episode features writers, thinkers, and visionaries whose work illuminates the path, inviting us to step into a fuller, more authentic version of ourselves.Suzanne L'Heureux is a Certified Master Jungian Life Coach with specialized training in Success Mindset Coaching and Positive Intelligence® and over two decades of experience in psycho-spiritual work rooted in Buddhism. more

Connect, Learn, Heal, and Grow

Conversations in the Dark is a human and holy podcast created for real people navigating real faith in the real world. Rooted in Matthew 10:27, this space brings into light what we learn in the dark: those quiet, confusing, and sacred moments we rarely talk about out loud.Here, we get honest about what it means to live for God beyond the church pews and quiet times. Through real stories, vulnerable conversations, and faith-filled reflections, we explore the messy, beautiful tension of being both holy and human.Whether you're confident in your walk with Christ or questioning everything, this podcast invites you to sit, breathe, and remember:faith is more than perfect prayers. more

Welcome to The Most Serious Podcast, where I dive into deep and meaningful conversations that will make you question your assumptions and discover new perspectives. Join me as I explore life's biggest questions with some of the most fascinating people I know. Together, we'll uncover the magic in the mundane and find inspiration in unexpected places.Check out all the platforms here: https://linktr.ee/themostseriouspod more

Wisdom to replenish and orient in a tender, tumultuous time to be alive. Spiritual inquiry, science, social healing, and poetry. Conversations to live by.With a 20-year archive featuring luminaries like Mary Oliver, Thich Nhat Hanh, and Desmond Tutu, each episode brings a new discovery about the immensity of our lives. Hosted by Krista Tippett,Learn more about the On Being Project's work in the world at onbeing.org. more