The Life On Purpose Movement

A community of women doing life with intention

12 Engaging Podcasts for Purposeful Women

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Podcasts. Episodes are longer and by association sometimes meatier than TED talks but shorter and more digestible than audio books. You can listen while you make dinner or run errands, and they’re topical, so you can choose episodes that interest you and skip the ones that don’t. Basically, there’s so much to love about podcasts! I personally am drawn to podcasts that give me pieces of wisdom I can immediately implement in my life. I also love a great speaking voice and tend to shy away from slow-paced conversations and super-long interviews … but that’s just me! Because my whole life runs better when I have great content to listen to while I change sheets or work online, I feel like I owe it you as friends to share my favorite listens. Enjoy! 12 engaging podcasts for purposeful women—

Purposeful Living

The Life Coach School with Brooke Castillo
This podcast is a game changer for anyone wanting to clean her mind and change from the inside out. Let’s just say it’s first on this list for a reason.
The Simple Show with Tsh Oxenreider
In this show, Tsh (the writer of The Art of Simple) explores the idea of “living holistically with your life’s purpose,” which sounds deep and serious, and it can be, but it generally has light and conversational tone that is a pleasure to listen to.
The Slow Home Podcast with Brooke McAlary
“For the ever-growing group of people who are saying no to life lived at 110%.” What a great line, right? I’m new to this one but was absolutely gripped by the name of their show. Brooke and her husband (bonus, Australian accents!) host fascinating guests in the field of psychology, minimalism, mindfulness, and more.
This is Your Life with Michael Hyatt
That Michael Hyatt. He is just an all-around standup guy. I wish I were related to him. 🙂 This podcast has a bent toward entrepreneurship, but it’s also about just living your best life wherever you are. (They’re not currently recording new episodes, but you have a couple hundred to catch up on, so knock yourself out!)

Creativity & Entrepreneurship

Magic Lessons with Elizabeth Gilbert
Great subject matter, great guests. In this podcast Liz Gilbert builds off the topic she explored in her book, Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear. Occasional adult language. 22 episodes, released in 2016.
Building a Story Brand with Don Miller
I’m a big fan of Don Miller, author of A Million Miles in a Thousand Years and Scary Close, and his podcast is one of the first I listen to every week. He has SUCH great energy with his co-host, and the interviews provide actionable (not just inspirational) content.

Motherhood & Parenting

Simple Families Podcast with Denaye Barahona
From mindfulness to ditching perfectionism to fitness for you and healthy eating for your family, this podcast covers so many topics that are directly and immediately applicable to moms. Denaye is a charming host and a genuinely good human being. Enjoy!
Amplify Your Life with Shawn Fink
A great new-ish podcast for women who want to be more playful, present, and peaceful. Hosted by my friend Shawn, founder of The Abundant Mama Project. I’ll take Shawn’s wisdom any way I can get it! I was lucky enough to be a guest on the show, which you can find here!
Power of Moms Radio with April Perry & Saren Eyre Loosli
I love that this podcast covers such diverse topics related to motherhood, from reducing your family’s materialism to putting more nature into your nurturing to sex talks and road trip tips. This show has big-time practical applications, along with a lot of fun, recognizable guests.

Happiness

Happier with Gretchen Rubin
Hosted by the writer of The Happiness Project and her sister, Elizabeth Craft, this show has an easygoing pace, like you might expect between two sisters, but it’s filled with really practical tidbits to help you live happier. (Be warned that there are a lot of ads, but you can always fast forward.)
By the Book
In this podcast, co-hosts Jolenta and Kristen choose one self-help book to live to the letter for two weeks, and then they report on what they learned, what nearly killed them, and what principles actually changed their lives. (Language warning.) I feel like I know these women IRL, and this is easily one of the most entertaining podcasts I listen to—while still helping me live a better life. I’d start at the beginning with this show, just because the first couple of seasons were my favorites. (There are a lot of ads, but you can always skip through them.)
What Should I Read Next? with Anne Bogel
I’m a longtime follower of Anne’s blog, Modern Mrs. Darcy, and because of her, I am never without something to read. 🙂 In her podcast, she and her guests talk about all things books, with conversations about personality types and work/life balance thrown into the mix. (I put this in the happiness category because books = happiness, right?) — In case you need any help subscribing to podcasts, Anne walks you through how to subscribe in this post. Do you listen to any of these? Let me know in the comments if you have other favorites you’d add—I’m always on the lookout for more! 
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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Krista

    I look forward every week to episodes of Sorta Awesome, The Popcast, Happy Hour with Jamie Ivey, and Death, Sex & Money podcasts!

    • Erica Layne

      You’re so welcome, Jess! I’m a longtime fan! Thanks for all you do. Your episodes make me better.

      And thanks for the kind words about my site’s name. 🙂 You could say it’s another way of describing the concept of values-based intentions… or the clouds and the dirt!

      Best wishes to you!

  4. Jen W

    I had no idea that Elizabeth Gilbert had a podcast related to her awesome book. I’m excited to listen to hers as well as these others. Thanks so much for a such a great list! And I’m making note of the others mentioned in the comments! 🙂

  5. Shawnell

    I agree Gretchen Rubin’s Happier is GREAT and I also recommend Inspired to Action by Kat Lee!!

  6. Linda Kester

    Gretchen Rubin & Elizabeth Craft are amazing! I smile driving around listening to them. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

    Liz Gilbert is wonderful. Always inspiring.

    The other podcast I listen to is So Money by Farnoosh Tarabi. Great advice .

  7. Mary

    I have to admit that I haven’t gotten into podcasts, although I read about them a lot. I think you’ve convinced me to check them out and see what I’m missing. I’ll probably start with these two: The Lively Show and The Simple Show. Thanks for writing this. Found you on WFMW!

  8. Kelly Pietrangeli

    I’m also a big fan of the Happier Podcast with Gretchen and Elizabeth. Another I enjoy every week is the Zen Parenting Radio podcast, hosted by husband and wife team Todd & Cathy Adams.

    I’m looking forward to checking out your suggestion here too!

  9. Jenny

    I’m tearing up as I look over your blog! I’m so glad I stumbled onto it!! I write but my main role right now is leading our MOPS leadership team (Roseville area) and all the mops mamas so I’m excited to have your blog as a resource!

    • Erica Layne

      Hi Jenny! Thank you so much for your sweet comment—I’m honored to have you here! I know how valuable a mom’s personal time is, and I’m grateful you’re taking some time to read here! What a great thing, leading your MOPS team. A valuable work, for sure.

      Oh and 101 uses for a cardboard box? What a cute (and applicable!) blog name!

  10. Dawn

    Very excited to delve into this list. I would add On Being with Krista Tippett. If you want social issues delivered with a ton of humor, check out Another Round with Heben and Tracy. Thanks again for this!

  11. Alexis Tanner

    The power of moms is one of my favorite podcasts. I actually look forward to cleaning my kitchen Wednesday mornings because that’s when I listen to their podcasts. I love every one! I also recently started listening to Extraordinary moms – she interviews moms every week. Also very good.

  14. jacqueline tardie

    The Longest Shortest Time with host Hillary Frank is hands down my favorite podcast right now. Wonderful topics on parenting talked about with honesty and often humor.

  15. Lesley

    Love the Longest Shortest Time, and Modern Love. And, I’m hosting a new podcast with Coffee + Crumbs. Hope you’ll listen! Thanks for the great roundup.

  16. Erica Layne

    Hi Lesley! I’m a big fan of Coffee + Crumbs but somehow had missed that you guys have started a podcast! I’m so glad you told me! I will definitely be tuning in.

    And if you ever need a guest, I’d be game! 😉

  17. Rita Gomez

    I love Totally Mommy and Totally Mommy hosted by Elizabeth Laime! It’s a very real and open view on motherhood along side co-host Vanessa Ragland and marriage with her husband Andy. It’s both funny and entertaining!

    • Erica Layne

      I’m so glad you enjoyed it, Jessica! Podcasts are the best. I listened to two episode today! One while folding laundry and one while driving. 🙂 Thank you for reading!

  19. Angela @ Setting My Intention

    I love most of the podcasts you mentioned – Slow Your Home is one of my favorites, along with the Lively Show. I also love So Money, Inspired to Action, and At Home with Sally (Sally Clarkson). I’ve got some new ones to check out now – thanks!

  20. Krista

    Oooooh, thank you for this list! Slow your home is a current favorite and The Simple Show is on my feed. I used to listen to Gretchin faithfully but there are others on this list I have never heard of (but will be checking out). I love podcasts:)