Tag: Mental Health

Podcasters Share Wellness Advice for World Mental Health Day

October 9, 2026

the Spotify logo appearing on a pastel background

October 10 is World Mental Health Day, but for many podcast creators, wellness is a year-round pursuit. Listeners turn to their shows for accessible self-care tools, alongside inspiring stories of resilience, growth, and community.

This year, some of the most popular wellness conversations have centered around building better habits and overcoming procrastination. We’ve also seen growing interest in episodes about unlearning negative thought patterns, practicing emotional regulation, and overcoming addiction, along with stories that help listeners cultivate happiness and find their purpose.

In honor of this year’s World Mental Health Day, For the Record caught up with creators from across the globe to find out how they take care of their own well-being. Here’s what they had to say.

Jay Shetty, host of On Purpose

What’s something you do every day for your own mental health and well-being?

Everyone expects me to say meditation, and meditation is an important part of my life, but one thing I do every day is work out to rap and hip-hop. I’ve been an Eminem fan for as long as I can remember, and I also love artists like Drake and JAŸ-Z. Moving my body and getting lost in great music helps me reset and come back with fresh energy.

Hearing stories of resilience also helps recharge my battery. If you’re like me, check out my new episode featuring beauty creator Mikayla Nogueira.

Lucie Fink, host of The Real Stuff

What’s something you do every day for your own mental health and well-being?

After my kids go to sleep, I turn on my favorite podcast while my husband and I reset our home. We put everything back where it belongs and tidy up the day’s mess. This physical reset creates so much mental clarity and a fresh start for tomorrow.

What’s the best piece of mental health-related advice you’ve received?

Happiness is not a destination; it’s just an emotion. And like every emotion, it comes and goes.

What’s something you do to relieve anxiety?

Breathing exercises. In for 4, hold for 7, out for 8.

What was the last thing that made you smile?

I’m currently on a work trip in Chicago, and I smiled while video calling my kids. They were doing bathtime with Daddy and they all made me giggle.

Dan Harris, host of 10% Happier

What’s the best piece of mental health-related advice you’ve received?

Never worry alone. In a culture of individualism, consumerism, and tech-driven isolation, many of us feel that, during hard times, we need to either curl up in a ball or suck it up. But that is counter-evolutionary. We’re social animals. We made it to the top of the food chain because of our ability to cooperate, collaborate, and communicate. So next time you’re freaking out, reach out.

What’s something you do to relieve anxiety?

My go-to move when I’m anxious is to talk to myself. Seriously. We are all talking to ourselves all of the time (it’s called thinking) and the vast majority of it is negative. The next time you’re in a tough spot, try talking to yourself the way you would talk to a good friend. Studies have shown this technique has powerful psychological and physiological effects. You can supercharge it by using your own name, or, if nobody’s looking, putting your hand on your heart.

Dr. Faye, host of Her Discussions

What was the last thing that made you smile?

I try to make a conscious effort to smile at small joys. It can be easy to live your life only allowing yourself to feel happy about the big wins, while forgetting to smile at your first hot coffee of the morning or surprise sunshine in October.

What’s something you do to relieve anxiety?

A brain dump. Spiraling thoughts and anxiety quickly escalate if you let them take hold. Getting my thoughts out helps me feel more in control.

Sarah Aline, host of SARAH DE TERAPIA

What is the best mental health advice you’ve ever received?

Taking care of yourself also requires an active decision to prioritize yourself. We don’t always learn that making ourselves a priority is necessary, but it’s how we’re able to give our emotional health the focus it deserves.

What do you do to ease anxiety?

These days it’s reducing my screen time. I try to replace that stimulation with things that help me slow down: reading a book, listening to a longer-form podcast, paying attention to my breathing, or exercising. And when my anxiety goes beyond what I’m able to manage in my everyday life, I understand the importance of seeking psychological support.

What do you do every day to take care of your mental health and well-being?

For me, taking care of my mental health also means building a routine that supports my overall well-being. That’s why I try to maintain a few pillars in my daily life: exercising, eating nutritious food, reducing my screen time, and, most importantly, respecting the need for rest.

What was the last thing that made you smile?

Seeing my work being recognized and reaching new people.

Louise Aubery, host of InPower

What’s the best piece of mental health-related advice you’ve received?

It’s okay if no piece of advice makes you feel better. Your pain is valid.

What was the last thing that made you smile?

Whenever I see a dog smiling, it makes me smile, too. I wish we could all be as carefree as they are!

What’s something you do every day for your own mental health and well-being?

I set boundaries. Prevention is always better than cure, and that means saying no, even when it’s not always comfortable. Listening to yourself, staying true to yourself, and respecting your own needs is the best way to protect your well-being.

What’s something you do to relieve anxiety?

I let it out through exercise, talking to people, or writing. It doesn’t fix everything, but it helps ease the anxiety.

Laura Malina Seiler, host of happy, holy, & confident 

What do you do every day for your mental health?

Definitely meditation. It helps me to take on a new perspective and notice my thoughts without identifying with them.

What’s the best advice about mental health you’ve ever received?

To look at mental health holistically. The gut is basically our emotional brain, and far more information travels from the gut to the brain than the other way around. So sometimes it’s more important to take care of that first, because in the end everything is connected. Also, understanding that our mind is an incredibly powerful tool that we often haven’t learned how to use. One of the most powerful things we can do is to make our thoughts work for us, not against us.

What do you do to reduce anxiety or stress?

Tapping (Emotional Freedom Technique) is a tool I really love. And breathwork.

What made you smile most recently?

My dog Nali, who comes over to get a pet and is so full of joy.

Take a moment to yourself this World Mental Health Day and beyond with self-care podcasts on Spotify.

Spotify Brings Nashville’s Songwriting Community Together for Mental Health Summit

May 14, 2026

Group of People on a stage, speaking into microphone

Spotify recently welcomed songwriters, artists, executives, and music students to Nashville for a Mental Health & Songwriter Summit. The event was an extension of our ongoing Heart & Soul, Mental Health for Creators initiative, which offers tools, care, and space to reflect on the emotional side of creative life.

The summit at Belmont University’s Fisher Center was held in partnership with Backline and powered by BetterHelp, the world’s largest online mental health platform. It brought together nearly 200 members of the songwriting community for a day of conversation, resources, and shared experiences centered on mental health in the music industry.

During the event, Spotify and Backline unveiled Between the Lines, a vital mental health guide for songwriters developed by Backline’s clinical team. Blending reflection with practical support, the guide offers songwriters a way to stay grounded, care for their wellbeing, and sustain a meaningful connection to their craft as it grows and changes over time.

Supporting the people behind the songs

The music industry is deeply rewarding, but it can also come with long hours, uncertainty, and emotional pressure that isn’t always visible. As we’ve shared through our Heart & Soul work, these realities can shape mental health in ways that are difficult to name, especially for songwriters working behind the scenes.

This summit was designed to meet that moment, bringing the community together not just to talk about challenges, but to share resources and build stronger support systems.

Announcing the Recipients of the Spotify x JED Impact Award for Positive Mental Health Storytelling

October 9, 2025

When we introduced the inaugural Spotify x JED Impact Award earlier this year, our goal was simple: Celebrate unpublished fiction that inspires a more inclusive and compassionate dialogue around mental health. Now, on World Mental Health Day, we’re excited to announce the five recipients whose work exemplifies positive mental health storytelling.

This initiative is a partnership between Spotify; The Black List, a platform where writers can  showcase work to industry professionals; and The Jed Foundation (JED), a leading nonprofit that protects emotional health and prevents suicide among teens and young adults nationwide.

Designed to create opportunities for emerging writers, the Spotify x JED Impact Award aims to normalize mental health experiences and highlight the importance of seeking and offering support.

Each recipient will receive a $10,000 grant to support their work, along with opportunities to consult with mental health experts through JED. All writers will retain the rights to their manuscripts.

Recipients were chosen from a large pool of manuscripts over several rounds of judging. The final decision was made by a distinguished panel: bestselling author Jason Reynolds; Michael La Ronn, author of more than 100 novels and self-help books for writers; and Julia Phillips, author of the bestseller Bear: A Novel and Disappearing Earth, a National Book Award finalist.

“Each of the recipients wrote manuscripts with compelling characters and explorations of mental health issues that both educated and inspired me,” said Michael. “I’m so proud of the recipients and hope these manuscripts are just the beginning.”

The Impact Award is part of Spotify’s Heart & Soul, Mental Health for Creators initiative, which supports the well-being of artists, songwriters, and authors worldwide. Through our ongoing partnership with JED, we’ll continue to provide resources that nurture both creative and personal wellness. Self-care and mental health storytelling resources for writers were also created in collaboration with JED.

Meet the Spotify x JED Impact Award recipients

“The recipients of the inaugural Spotify x JED Impact Award bring to life vivid and moving depictions of mental health,” said Spotify Social Impact Lead Casey Acierno. “We’re proud to celebrate these impactful narratives and support their writers.”

    • Distortion by Daniel Patinkin 
    • In-Between Worlds by Solomon Tesfaye  
    • Infinite Delores by Bree Barton  
    • More Than Quiet by Terah Tsuyako Summers 
    • The Invisible Runner by Dennis Haseley 

Learn more about the recipients and their projects here. 

The power of storytelling

For our partners, this year’s submissions are a reminder of how fiction can spark connection, understanding, and hope.

“Reading the award submissions underscored the powerful role fiction plays in shaping our mental health and inner storytelling—how we see the world, our place in it, and the pathways for healing and growth,” said Courtney Knowles, Senior Media Advisor for JED. “We look forward to learning from these talented recipients and expanding our work with Spotify to support creators in their mental health and impact journeys.”

This collaboration also highlighted the importance of challenging stereotypes and encouraging responsible storytelling.

“Help-seeking and help-giving narratives—stories that challenge mental health stereotypes— make for better, more responsible writing,” added Randy Winston, Creative Director of Fiction at The Black List. “Congratulations to our grant recipients for their work, and a heartfelt thank you to our judges Jason, Julia, and Michael and our readers for their time and efforts.” 

Stay tuned to see how else Spotify’s Heart & Soul, Mental Health for Creators initiative is supporting artists, authors, and their teams around the globe.

Spotify’s World Mental Health Day Campaign Amplifies Connection and Youth Voices with UNICEF

October 9, 2025

This World Mental Health Day, Spotify is helping listeners slow down, reconnect, and find belonging through the power of audio. With our campaign “Take a Beat. Tune Into Connection,” we’re shining a light on the global loneliness crisis and encouraging people everywhere to pause and reconnect. While audio alone can’t solve loneliness, it can be a powerful companion in bridging emotional and cultural divides.

At the heart of this campaign is the Take a Beat hub—a space filled with curated playlists, podcasts, audiobooks (where available), and features like Blend. Whether it’s ambient sounds, conversations about belonging, or stories that bring people closer, the hub helps listeners find moments of calm, connection, and well-being. Joining the conversation are creators from around the world, including the hosts of GrownKid; Dr. Joy Harden Bradford, Ira Khan, Nikhil Taneja, and Ryan Lu; author Yung Pueblo; and artists Felix Jaehn, Mickey Guyton, and Raghav Sachar—who share how they “take a beat” and “tune into connection” through their own journeys on socials or on-platform.

Through activations across the platform and with our bandmates, Spotify is creating moments that inspire reflection and reconnection for artists, podcasters, authors, employees, and fans alike. The campaign builds on Heart & Soul, Mental Health for Creators. In partnership with leading nonprofits, this global effort aims to provide meaningful support, challenge cultural norms, and ensure that artists, songwriters, and their teams can access the help they need—when they need it.

The unifying power of audio

While Spotify connects millions of people through sound, we know not everyone has access to our platform. As part of our social impact work, Spotify is launching a micro-grant initiative to support nonprofits and community groups working to combat loneliness and strengthen social connection, especially for vulnerable populations.

In the US, the grant will support the Foundation for Social Connection, whose mission is to advance social connection nationwide, rooted in evidence for our collective well-being. Spotify is also partnering with Book It Around™, an audiobook walking club founded by Kit Ballenger and Morgan Menzies that brings readers together through shared stories. To get ready, Book It Around™ curated a playlist of their favorite audiobooks on connection and well-being.

Amplifying youth voices with UNICEF

Building on this global call to connection, Spotify and UNICEF are expanding our award-winning partnership with the Youth Mental Health Audio Innovation Challenge across five countries: Côte d’Ivoire, Equatorial Guinea, São Tomé and Príncipe, Timor-Leste, and Zimbabwe.

This new initiative empowers young people to co-create localized mental health audio content using audio as a bridge for connection and belonging—from podcasts and poetry to music and spoken word—rooted in their own languages and cultures. By transforming listening into creation, they are turning local stories based on their own experiences into tools for understanding and community, creating pieces that other young people can relate to.

Since 2022, the partnership has delivered trusted digital mental health content through the Our Minds Matter hub and the On My Mind podcast, co-created with young people and based on UNICEF-led research. By amplifying authentic youth voices, this next chapter sparks meaningful conversations, encourages self-reflection, reduces stigma, and brings mental health support closer to the young people who need it most.

Take a beat, together

However you listen, audio has the power to help us feel seen, heard, and less alone. This World Mental Health Day, we invite you to take a moment—pause, tune into connection, and remember that we’re never really alone.

Ready to explore audio that connects and supports? Check out the Take a Beat hub on Spotify.

Spotify and Nike’s Make Moves Campaign Goes Global to Support Teen Girls’ Mental Health

September 3, 2025

For so many of us, movement is about more than just exercise—it’s a way to build confidence, find joy, and connect with others. But for young women, societal pressures, fear of judgment, and a focus on performance can make movement feel exclusive. According to a 2024 World Health Organization study, 85% of teenage girls aren’t meeting recommended guidelines for physical activity, a key factor in mental well-being. At the same time, girls are disproportionately impacted by mental health challenges.

That’s why, building on a successful pilot in the UK, Spotify and Nike are reuniting to launch the global Make Moves campaign. Girls in countries across Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and the US will now have access to this body-moving program. The idea is simple yet powerful: Encourage girls to move to just one song a day to boost their mental well-being, using the power of music to make movement more joyful and accessible.

The power of the playlist

At the heart of the campaign is the Make Moves playlist, which lives in Spotify’s EQUAL hub. More than a playlist, it’s a collaborative project co-curated by a global community of artists, athletes, and teen girls. The goal is to celebrate the freedom and joy of movement, free from pressure or perfection.

 

The star-studded lineup of curators includes brazy, SGaWD, Bridget Blue, and KMAT, alongside world-class Nike athletes Dina Asher-Smith, Keely Hodgkinson, Georgia Stanway, Ada Hegerberg, Mariona Caldentey, Rhasidat Adeleke, Sophie Hahn, Katarina Johnson-Thompson, Georgia Bell, Zoe Harrison, Lotte Wubben-Moy, and Amber Anning.

“Music has been my constant—a source of motivation, comfort, and energy through all the highs and lows,” said British track and field athlete Keely Hodgkinson. “That’s why a campaign focused on music and movement for teenage girls is so important. It’s during those years that so many girls start to drift away from sport. But staying active has taught me resilience, self-belief, discipline, and joy. If we can help more young girls stay in sport—and find their own rhythm, with music and movement—we’re giving them tools for life.”

Professional footballer Georgia Stanway added, “Music’s just one of those things that gets me. It lifts me when I’m low and hypes me up when I need to go full throttle. Whether I’m chilling or getting in the zone, music’s always there. It’s part of who I am, simple as that.”

Proven impact, global scale

The 2023 UK pilot of Make Moves, which provided grants to grassroots organizations focused on helping girls, demonstrated the tangible impact of this approach. The initiative reached more than 700 girls, resulting in a 20% improvement in confidence, a 40% increase in regular physical activity, and a 19% decrease in regular feelings of anxiety.

As we expand the campaign globally, Spotify and Nike will also be making a donation to Selena Gomez’s Rare Impact Fund to further support youth mental health.

“We know that mental health and well-being are essential in helping young people thrive,” said Elyse Cohen, President of the Rare Impact Fund and Chief Impact Officer at Rare Beauty. “This support, through Nike’s and Spotify’s Make Moves campaign, enables us to expand access to critical resources so that young people everywhere can care for their mental health and feel empowered to reach their full potential.”

This program is a key part of Spotify’s broader social impact strategy, which is dedicated to supporting the well-being of creators and listeners and includes initiatives like Heart & Soul and Our Game Our Sound, as well as a partnership with UNICEF.

“Teen girls around the world are facing an urgent mental health crisis, and Make Moves is designed to meet that challenge head-on,” said Lauren Wurgaft, Global Head of Social Impact at Spotify. “By combining the power of music and movement, we’re helping girls reconnect with themselves, their communities, and their sense of joy. Together with Nike, we want to create a space where every girl feels empowered to move freely—without judgment, without limits.”

For Nike, Make Moves aligns with its vision for the future of youth sport, aiming for 50% girl participation in the company’s partner programs.

“The Nike x Spotify Make Moves partnership is designed to leverage the power of music to get girls moving. Nike is committed to the future of youth sport and exploring innovative ways to meet teen girls where they are,” said Dan Burrows, Global GM, Future of Youth Sport at Nike. “By helping girls integrate daily movement into their lifestyle and rallying support of their key influences, we hope they find their own sense of enjoyment, confidence, and belonging within sport—on their terms.”

By working together, Spotify and Nike are combining our strengths to create a more supportive and joyful environment for the next generation.

Follow the Make Moves playlist on Spotify and join the challenge by moving to one song a day. For more from participating artists and athletes, follow along on @spotify and @nike.

Spotify’s Heart & Soul Initiative Brings Mental Health Support to Artists and Creators Worldwide

June 12, 2025

In 2018, Spotify launched Heart & Soul, a mental health initiative developed to provide support and promote deep knowledge about emotional well-being.

As conversations around mental health take center stage in the music industry, Spotify is deepening its commitment to artist well-being through our Heart & Soul, Mental Health for Creators initiative. In partnership with leading nonprofits, this global effort aims to provide meaningful support, challenge cultural norms, and ensure that artists, songwriters, and their teams can access the help they need—when they need it.

“Heart & Soul is our commitment to the creators behind the music. Artists and songwriters face immense pressure, and their mental health can’t be an afterthought,” said Lauren Siegal Wurgaft, Head of Social Impact, Spotify. “Supporting creators’ well-being is essential to sustaining a vibrant music ecosystem. By working closely with trusted partners like Backline, we’re not just offering resources, we’re helping drive lasting change in how the industry approaches mental health.”

Here’s how we’re putting that promise into action:

Financial support

Spotify is providing direct financial support to help expand the impact of the following organizations: Backline (including Chappell Roan’s WE GOT YOU! fund), MusiCares, Music Health Alliance, Music Minds Matter, and Noah Kahan’s The Busyhead Project.

Expanding access to care

Together with Backline and Music Minds Matter, Spotify is funding grants to enable one-to-one therapy for current and upcoming EQUAL, GLOW, and RADAR ambassadors in the U.S. and U.K. Artist ambassadors from these programs will be given grants through partners that directly cover the cost of therapy that they can use themselves or gift to other artists in their bands or members of their teams.

Backline x Spotify: Supporting artists worldwide

We’re making mental health care easier to find and faster to access for creators. Spotify is proud to partner with Backline on the launch of their new global resource hub, an international, multilingual database featuring trusted music industry and mental health support resources and crisis lines from around the world. 

“Backline is honored to serve as a steward of Spotify’s investment into the creative community,” said Hilary Gleason, Cofounder and Executive Director, Backline. “Bringing our work to scale is a meaningful way to uplift the well-being of artists all around the world. This collaboration is taking these invaluable mental health and wellness resources beyond borders. Music knows no bounds, and now people who make music happen have access to care and a compassionate community. Our work together will help ensure that artists have the resources, support, and stability they need to thrive both personally and professionally.” 

To provide more personalized pathways to care, Backline has also launched global@backline.care, a dedicated concierge email service that provides one-on-one support to help individuals navigate local care options and mental health systems in their countries.

Bringing wellness on the road

We’re partnering with Backline and The Busyhead Project to meet artists where they are—in studios and backstage at major festivals like All Things Go NYC—through on-site wellness activations, self-care kits, and guided workshops designed to bring calm to the chaos.

Delivering everyday tools for mental health 

Through our new Heart & Soul, Mental Health for Creators hub on Spotify, creators can access curated playlists, podcasts, and audiobooks specifically designed to support their well-being.

Spotlighting stories that support creators

Across Spotify for Artists and Spotify Songwriting, we’ll spotlight real mental health stories from the creative community and offer resources, reflections, and tools that resonate.

Holding space for songwriters

We’re creating spaces for connection and conversation around mental health in songwriting—through intimate dinners and studio residencies that bring songwriters together around mental health themes.

“The mental health challenges artists face are real and the current support systems often fall short,” said Monica Herrera Damashek, Head of Artist and Label Partnerships, Spotify. “It’s on all of us in the industry to respond with action. Spotify is expanding its Heart & Soul for Creators initiative by helping Backline scale its Mental Health & Wellness Global Resource hub internationally for the first time and by offering one-to-one therapy access to EQUAL, GLOW, and RADAR ambassadors in the U.S. and U.K. This is only one step, and we’ll continue to build a more supported environment for the artists who shape culture every day.”

Spotify’s Heart & Soul initiative represents a significant step forward in our enduring commitment to artists and creators. By providing direct financial support, expanding access to vital care, and integrating wellness into the everyday lives of musicians, we aim to foster an industry where mental health is prioritized, understood, and supported. This is an ongoing journey, and we are committed to working collaboratively to create a more sustainable and compassionate ecosystem for the individuals who bring the world’s music to life.

Spotify, The Black List, and The Jed Foundation Team Up To Champion Mental Health in Fiction

February 12, 2025

Stories have the power to change the way we see the world, and when it comes to mental health, the right story can make all the difference. That’s why Spotify is partnering with The Black List, a platform for writers to showcase their projects for industry professionals, and The Jed Foundation (JED), a nonprofit that protects emotional health and prevents suicide among our nation’s teens and young adults, to launch the Spotify x JED Impact Award—an initiative supporting exceptional depictions of mental health in unpublished fiction.

The Spotify x JED Impact Award will provide five $10,000 grants to recipients with unpublished manuscripts, with the goal of reshaping the conversation around mental health, diversifying mental health narratives in fiction, and promoting positive storytelling around mental health. As part of the initiative, Spotify will cover fee waivers, which will allow up to 140 writers to receive a free month of hosting and a free evaluation on the Black List platform.

“Stories about mental health have immense power to erase stigma and help people get the help that they need,” said Casey Acierno, Social Impact Lead at Spotify. “We’re so excited to partner with The Black List and The Jed Foundation to uplift unpublished manuscripts with meaningful depictions of mental health. Having entered the audiobooks space, Spotify knows the power of storytelling, and we’re thrilled to support writers in looking after themselves and the way they write about mental health.”

Supporting mental health through storytelling

This initiative underscores Spotify’s commitment to both creators and consumers, recognizing the power of storytelling to humanize mental health and foster understanding. In addition to supporting the creation of powerful new literature, we’re also working to amplify existing mental health audiobooks on our platform.

“Narratives in fiction can have a very real impact on our mental health—helping shape how we see ourselves, perceive our place in the world, navigate challenges, and discover possibilities for healing and growth,” said Courtney Knowles, Senior Media Advisor for The Jed Foundation. “JED and I are proud to partner on this initiative, celebrating and inspiring unpublished novels that entertain while creating connection and fostering emotional well-being.”

Beyond the grants, Spotify is offering additional resources for authors, including:

    • A mental health resource hub: Developed in collaboration with JED, the hub provides support both for writing about mental health and for writers’ own mental well-being. Resources include:
    • 1:1 consulting with JED for awardees: Providing personalized support and guidance.
    • Programming and content focused on authors’ mental well-being: Addressing the unique challenges faced by writers and offering support for their mental health journeys.

“The Spotify Social Impact team and The Jed Foundation are important stewards of intentional programming with meaningful impact. I’m thrilled to be partnering with them on this initiative to amplify exceptional depictions of mental health in unpublished fiction,” said Randy Winston, Creative Director of Fiction at The Black List. “Storytelling and mental health go hand in hand. Through powerful conversations, this partnership will raise awareness and empower writers at all levels to prioritize their well-being.”

Submit your story

Submissions are now open on The Black List’s website and will close on July 8, 2025. Authors can submit their English-language manuscripts globally. A judging panel featuring experts from Spotify, The Black List, and JED, along with soon-to-be-announced notable authors, will select the five winning manuscripts.

Award recipients will be announced on October 10, 2025 (World Mental Health Day). For more details on eligibility and the application process, visit the submission page.

Tune In, Tune Up: Five Creators Share Tips To Guide Your 2025 Wellness Goals

January 10, 2025

The new year is a time for fresh starts and a renewed focus on our well-being, and there is a wealth of podcasts you can stream on Spotify to find inspiration and motivation. To help you kick off 2025 feeling your best, we’ve consulted five luminaries in the wellness space to share their insights.

The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck Podcast

Building on Mark Manson’s bestselling self-help book of the same name, The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck Podcast tackles relationships, careers, health, wealth, and happiness with refreshing honesty. Featuring a mix of guest appearances, burning reader questions, and solo shows with Mark, the show explores all the uncomfortable questions that might just change your life.

Mark Manson

How it started: “It happened by accident. I started blogging my own personal growth journey, had a distinct style and some unique takes, and developed an audience relatively early on. They started asking me for advice, so I went and researched the answers. From there, it just kind of snowballed.”

How it’s going: “Spotify has been the primary home for my podcast audience almost since we launched. It seems like we grow the most organically there, and our listeners are more engaged.”

Mark’s wellness tip: “I know big, ambitious goals are sexy, but you’re far more likely to succeed if you break them down into a series of small, relatively attainable goals and take them down one after the other. It’s not as sexy or exciting but it’s what actually works. If you’re relying on willpower, you’re doing it wrong.”

Stream the latest episode of The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck Podcast on Spotify.

The Liz Moody Podcast

Hosted by bestselling author and longtime journalist Liz Moody, The Liz Moody Podcast offers research-backed wellness advice. Liz sits down with some of the world’s leading experts to answer some of the biggest health and wellness questions, from what to eat to fight disease to how to take control of your finances.

Liz Moody

How it started: “After experiencing a mental health crisis, I turned to the skill set I’d honed over the years: researching and asking questions. I reached out to people I had absolutely no business talking to (neuroscientists at Stanford, nutrition researchers at Harvard) to try to uncover what was happening in my brain, and how I could potentially feel better. Many of them didn’t write back, but a few did, and with that information I began to cobble together a plan for myself. Slowly—very slowly!—I started to feel better, and I became passionate about helping others feel better, too.”

How it’s going: “People are already listening to their favorite music on Spotify, so it’s easy for them to integrate podcasts—I love making any wellness habits as simple as possible, so meeting people where they already are is huge for that. It’s also so fun to have comments on episodes, and be able to continue the discussions raised and get feedback on what people are loving.”

Liz’s wellness tip: “The world’s largest study on gut health found that the single most important thing to feed our microbes was how much diversity was in our diet. Specifically, the study found that 30 plants per week was the ideal number for optimal microbiome benefits. So start counting your plants—and anything that grows in the ground counts as a plant—and try to add more plants to every meal. Can you hit that 30 a week number? It becomes a fun game, but it also has huge health benefits.”

Stream the latest episode of The Liz Moody Podcast on Spotify.

GrownKid

Following the success of Teenager Therapy, Gael Aitor and Kayla Suarez returned last summer with a brand-new podcast, GrownKid, focused on young adulthood. Bringing diverse perspectives from experts and leading voices across generations, GrownKid offers meaningful conversations around critical topics for Gen Z, like building a career without a college degree or overcoming rejection.

Kayla Suarez and Gael Aitor

How it started: “We started a podcast documenting our coming-of-age when we were 15 years old, and so began our journey into advocating for the importance of vulnerability, mental health, and wellness.”

How it’s going: “Not only has Spotify given us the ability to talk with our audience directly, but it’s also allowed us to get a sense of what’s important to our listeners by helping us track the better-performing episodes and topics we do.”

Gael’s wellness tip: “When you feel yourself getting brain fog, go outside and walk in nature. If that’s not possible, walk inside your house!”

Kayla’s wellness tip: “Dance, dance, dance! I feel like dancing as an act of wellness is underrated. Even just setting aside 10 minutes to play your favorite songs and dance has made such a difference for me.”

Stream the latest episode of GrownKid on Spotify.

Self Obsessed

A renowned self-love and development expert, Tam Kaur is dedicated to helping women become the best versions of themselves. On Self Obsessed, she provides advice on topics like building confidence, embracing authenticity, setting boundaries, cultivating healthy relationships, and pursuing your passions.

How it started: “I’ve always been obsessed with self-development. Along the way, I definitely made mistakes, but the lessons I learned inspired me to share them so that other women could progress on their journeys faster.”

Tam Kaur

How it’s going: “Spotify has allowed me another avenue to provide value to my audience, from my curated wellness playlists filled with uplifting songs to my audiobook, Buy Yourself the Damn Flowers. With my podcast, it’s allowed me to share my story more in depth, connect with my listeners, and create even more content for my audience members who are always on the go!”

Tam’s wellness tip: “Meditate. It’s something I value more strongly now than ever. It’s easy to do and doesn’t have to take more than two minutes, and yet the benefits are endless. You gain peace, clarity, and presence. Not to mention it’s a powerful manifestation tool when you visualize your dream reality at the same time. It has the power to rewire your subconscious so that you can develop a more positive self-concept.”

Stream the latest episode of Self Obsessed on Spotify.

Let’s Talk About Mental Health with Jeremy Godwin

On Let’s Talk About Mental Health, writer, counselor, and mental health advocate Jeremy Godwin breaks down complex mental health topics into simple, actionable steps. With practical, research-backed advice and insights from his expertise and personal experience, he seeks to help you build healthier habits, foster resilience, and create lasting positive change.

Jeremy Godwin

How it started: “After going through a breakdown in late 2011, followed by several years of severe depression and anxiety, I wanted to find a way to help others who were dealing with what I went through. Over a decade later, I’ve found a space to help people that also makes me feel incredibly fulfilled!”

How it’s going: “Being able to engage directly with my listeners through comments and polls on Spotify helps me understand what resonates with them, and have real conversations (instead of just talking at them each week in my show!).”

Jeremy’s wellness tip: “Focus on what you can directly control. It’s so easy to become overwhelmed by the weight of the world and all the stuff we need to deal with in our lives…but when you remember that you can only ever control your own words and actions, it frees you from a lot of stress.”

Stream the latest episode of Let’s Talk About Mental Health with Jeremy Godwin on Spotify.

Take a Beat and Tune In to Nature for World Mental Health Day

October 9, 2024

Research shows that nature sounds can have a positive impact on your mental health. So, this World Mental Health Day, we’re inviting you to take a beat and tune in to nature. 

We’re reintroducing our “Take a Beat” campaign, which aims to help nature sounds become part of people’s everyday lives by highlighting the positive impact they can have on your mental health and well-being. Turning to nature provides listeners an opportunity to do something intentional for themselves by tuning out the background noise and tuning in to their own needs. We’re encouraging listeners to pause, reflect, and immerse themselves in the soothing sounds of nature. 

For Spotify, positive mental health is a state of well-being that allows people to better cope with the daily stresses of life, function productively, and make meaningful contributions. With this in mind, through Heart & Soul, our global mental health initiative for all Spotify employees, we are also encouraging employees to tap into Take a Beat and connect with nature through internal programming that helps educate, inspire, and normalize the idea of taking time away from their desks and spending time in nature.

Nature, mental health, and well-being are inextricably linked. A study of ~20,000 people found that those who spend at least two hours in nature throughout the week report consistently higher levels of mental health and well-being compared to those who don’t. Whether it’s the sound of ocean waves, a birdsong at dawn, or the rustle of wind through trees, the natural world offers a sense of calm and grounding that’s hard to find elsewhere. In today’s fast-paced world, these moments of stillness can feel distant or inaccessible. That’s why Spotify is proud to use its platform to bring these soothing sounds directly to people, wherever they are.

The Take a Beat hub 

The Take a Beat hub is filled with the best nature sounds available on Spotify—from field recordings to nature-themed albums, guided meditations to inspiring podcasts. The highlights in the hub are all backed by science, and the destination also features content from our partners, Sounds Right and Calm. 

Sounds Right, which launched earlier this year, is about recognizing Nature as an artist. By listening to NATURE’s tracks, fans are directly protecting the environment—a portion of royalties are disbursed to high-impact conservation initiatives. The Take a Beat hub includes tracks like Louis VI and NATURE‘s “Orange Skies” (featuring Mick Jenkins and Jelani Blackman); UMI, NATURE, and V’s (of BTS) “wherever u r”; and Cosmo Sheldrake and NATURE’s “Soil.” Our friends at Calm have curated an exclusive selection of nature-themed meditations that can be found in the hub. Listeners can find suggestions like We Are Nature, Nature Walk, Grounded Like a Mountain, Mindful Walking Meditation, and Nature All Around (the last of which is narrated by Jay Shetty). 

Collabs with Louis VI and other artists and influencers

With this year’s initiative, Spotify has teamed up with zoologist, BBC Creator in Residence, and rapper Louis VI, whose main purpose is to use sound to strengthen our connection to the natural world.

His collaboration with the campaign will help showcase how deeply nature and music are intertwined. “Having a strong relationship with nature is so important for both our mental health and creativity,” said Louis VI. “I draw inspiration from the natural world. Its rhythms, sounds, and energy are often a source of healing and creativity when making music.”

The Take a Beat campaign offers an open invitation to everyone, encouraging a deeper connection with the world around us through sound—whether it’s on World Mental Health Day or any other day.

Artists Maejor, N3WYRKLA, and Ralph Castelli are also joining us to share how they take a beat and tune in to nature, along with U.K.-based creators Char Bailey, Nadeem Perera, and Tash LC.

Community impact 

As a part of the campaign, we’re also making donations to organizations that are doing inspiring work to support people to connect with nature for their mental health and well-being. Three of these groups include Dose of Nature in the U.K., Climate Mental Health Network in the U.S., and The Global Fund for Mental Health. 

We also worked with our partners Good Energy to create a resource page where people can learn more about the intersection of mental health and climate change, discover simple ways to look after your mental health through nature, and learn more about partners working in this space. 

Explore the healing sounds of nature in our Take a Beat hub here.

UNICEF and Spotify’s Award-Winning Mental Health Hub, Our Minds Matter, Comes to Latin America

May 30, 2024

Mental health and well-being are fundamental components of a child’s healthy development and future. Today, one in seven adolescents globally experiences a mental health condition, with half of all mental disorders developing before the age of 14 and 75% by the mid-20s. In Latin America and the Caribbean, around 16 million children and adolescents between the ages of 10 and 16 live with a diagnosed mental disorder.

Since 2022 Spotify and UNICEF have been working together to help ensure that young people around the world can access trusted and engaging mental health audio content. The Our Minds Matter hub was first launched in Ukrainian, Polish, and English in June 2023, focusing on responding to the urgent mental health needs of young people who have been affected by the war in Ukraine.

Today, we are launching a Spanish-language version, Una Mente Sana Importa, to continue to help reduce the large gap between the mental health resources young people need and what is currently available to them. The Our Minds Matter hub is now available in seven countries in Latin America: Mexico, Argentina, Colombia, Bolivia, Guatemala, Chile, and Paraguay. 

In the hub, listeners will find the UNICEF On My Mind podcast, which is co-created with young people and informed by evidence on mental health needs. The hub also includes content curated by Spotify, like podcasts talking about real-life experiences and inspiring stories around mental health, as well as music playlists for relaxation, focus, and sleep. 

Spotify has engaged some of the region’s most popular artists to support the launch. This includes Morat, Ivana, Santiago Cruz, and Camilú and podcasters including Roberto Rocha of En terapia con Roberto Rocha, Eva Latapi Silva of Supéralo, Por Favor, Tatiana Franko of VOS PODÉS, María José Álvarez Betín of Autoestima para tu vida, and Jacinta de Oromí of TIPO de Jacinta de Oromí.

“We’re proud of our continued partnership with UNICEF to support the mental health and well-being of young people everywhere, including those on the move or in crisis. Together, we will continue to focus on harnessing the power of music, audio, and other innovative digital content to deliver trusted and engaging mental health content for young people, their caregivers, and communities,” said Katarina Berg, Chief Human Resources Officer at Spotify.

The eight episodes developed for Season 1 of the On My Mind podcast aim to improve knowledge, attitudes, practices, and behaviors among young people specifically related to their mental health. The podcast focuses on:

  • Helping young people learn about mental health and how to deal with key issues like stress, depression, anxiety, loss, and bereavement;
  • Providing practical tools and resources to support young people experiencing mental health challenges; 
  • Breaking down stigma to support help-seeking behavior among young people and their communities. 

Following the release in Spanish in Argentina, Bolivia, Colombia, Guatemala, Mexico, Chile, and Paraguay, the hub will launch in Portuguese in Brazil in July 2024. Further releases are anticipated throughout 2024.

Mental Health Matters: Embrace Self-Care With These Audiobook and Podcast Listens

May 16, 2024

May is Mental Health Awareness month, a time to recognize those living with mental health concerns and reduce the stigma many experience. Mental health struggles impact everyone to some degree, and methods of self-care can vary. To that end, here are some recommendations from Spotify’s editors of audiobooks and podcasts focused on mental health, well-being, and self-care:

Audiobooks:

The Mountain is You

Brianna Wiest

Narrated by Stacey Glemboski

For centuries, the mountain has been used as a metaphor for the big challenges humans face, especially those that seem impossible to overcome. To scale our own personal mountains, we must do the deep internal work of excavating trauma, building resilience, and adjusting how we show up for the climb. In the end, it is not the mountain we master, but ourselves.

In The Mountain is You: Transforming Self-Sabotage into Self-Mastery, Brianna Wiest explores the reasons people often resist efforts to evolve and explains why extracting crucial insights from our most damaging habits can help us build emotional intelligence, better understand our brains and bodies, and release past experiences at a cellular level. Wiest’s book walks through the ways in which learning to act as our highest-potential future selves can help us step out of our own way. 

Permission to Come Home

Jenny Wang

Narrated by Jenny Wang

As Asian Americans investigate the personal and societal effects of longstanding cultural narratives suggesting they take up as little space as possible, Permission to Come Home takes readers on an empowering journey of Asian Americans’ reclaiming liberty over their mental health. More than 18 million people of Asian descent live in the United States today; however, they are the racial group least likely to seek out mental health services.

Calling on her personal narrative as a Taiwanese American, her insights as a clinician, and evidence-based tools, Dr. Jenny T. Wang explores a range of life areas that call for attention, offering readers permission to question, feel, rage, say no, take up space, play, fail, and grieve. She suggests a return closer to home, a place of acceptance, belonging, healing, and freedom. For Asian Americans and the diaspora, this book is a necessary roadmap for the journey to wholeness. 

Check out the full Listens for the Mind playlist here:

The Art of Living

Thich Nhat Hanh

Narrated by Edoardo Ballerini, Gabra Zackman

 Zen master Thich Nhat Hanh—one of the world’s most revered spiritual leaders—explores an “art of living” in mindfulness that seeks to help readers answer some of life’s deepest questions and move toward experiencing greater happiness and freedom.

Combining the essence of the Buddha’s teachings and the author’s own poignant, timeless, and clarifying prose, The Art of Living explains seven transformative meditations that open up new perspectives on our lives, our relationships, and our interconnectedness with the world around us. Drawing on intimate examples from his own life, Thich Nhat Hanh demonstrates how these seven meditations can free us to live a happier, more peaceful, and more active life.

Decolonizing Wellness

Dalia Kinsey

Narrated by LaNecia Edmonds

A lack of BIPOC and LGBTQ+ representation in the fields of health and nutrition has a demonstrably negative impact on people with those identities. In Decolonizing Wellness, registered dietitian and nutritionist Dalia Kinsey explores how the body-positivity movement emphasizes cisgender, heteronormative, and Eurocentric standards of beauty and ignores the intersectional challenges of anti-Blackness, colorism, homophobia, transphobia, and generational trauma when it comes to wellness and self-care.

A roadmap to body acceptance and self-care for queer people of color in particular, the book encourages readers to embrace “food freedom”: viewing food as a source of pleasure instead of shame. It’s filled with practical eating practices, journal prompts, affirmations, and mindfulness tools and is a guide to throwing out food rules in exchange for internal cues. Readers learn how to adopt a self-love-based approach to eating and make mealtime into a time for celebration and healing.

Check out the full Wellness Essentials playlist here:

Mindful Mr. Sloth

Katy Hudson

Narrated by Erin Ruth Walker

Sasha has one speed: fast. She loves to do lots of things all at once, as fast as possible. Mr. Sloth has one speed: slow. He loves to do things one at a time at a nice, easy pace. Can Mr. Sloth’s mindful ways teach Sasha to slow down and enjoy life? Bestselling author Katy Hudson gently weaves a mindfulness theme into this unlikely friendship tale between an energetic girl and a sloth, encouraging children to stop, breathe, and be present in every moment.

Hattie Harmony: Opening Night

Robbie Arnett, Elizabeth Olsen

Narrated by Robbie Arnett, Elizabeth Olsen

In this sequel to the number-one New York Times bestselling Hattie Harmony: Worry Detective, Hattie shares new tools for managing anxiety, just in time for opening night of the school play. That night, there are plenty of nerves to go around! It’s a good thing Hattie Harmony is ready to help her friends soothe their worries with everything in her trusted tool belt. Will Hattie be able to settle the preshow jitters before curtain call? The authors—acclaimed actress Elizabeth Olsen and esteemed musician and writer Robbie Arnett—narrate this relatable tale that introduces the youngest reader to the importance of self-care.

Check out the full Kids’ Mental Health playlist here:

Podcasts:

The Liz Moody Podcast

Hosted by bestselling author and longtime journalist Liz Moody, this research-backed wellness podcast is all about helping you live your healthiest, happiest life. Each week, Liz sits down with some of the world’s best functional doctors, researchers, authors, journalists, and various other leaders in their fields to tackle the hacks, tips, and tricks that make a healthier life easier. Topics include what to eat to fight disease, how to take control of your finances, tips for fighting anxiety and depression, productivity and career advice, advice for making friends as an adult, the best skincare routines, healthy cooking secrets, and so much more. 

Oversharing

Relationship enthusiast Jordana Abraham teams up with her sister, licensed clinical therapist Dr. Naomi Bernstein, to answer your questions and try to get to the bottom of the things that bother us most. Think of Jordana and Dr. Naomi as your BFF and your therapist sitting side by side at the brunch table trying to help you get through your problems. Each week they respond to listener emails and tackle difficult ethical questions.

 Balanced Black Girl

Les Alfred founded the Balanced Black Girl podcast and blog in 2018, dedicated to helping you feel your best. Tune in for approachable health, self-care, personal development, and well-being advice from the perspective of Black women in wellness. Balanced Black Girl extends a bridge for folks to easily connect with experts, gurus, and a mindful community. 

Ten Percent Happier with Dan Harris

When journalist Dan Harris had a panic attack on live national television, it led him to try something he otherwise never would have considered: meditation. Harris went on to write the bestselling book 10% Happier, and on the same-titled podcast, he interviews eminent meditation teachers, top scientists, and even the occasional celebrity. He covers subjects that range from enlightenment and psychedelics to productivity and relationships to science-based techniques for addressing anxiety.

Raising Good Humans

Most parents have probably wished, at one time or another, that someone would whisper some realistic and trustworthy support into their ears. That’s just what Dr. Aliza Pressman, developmental psychologist, parent educator, assistant clinical professor, and cofounder of both Mount Sinai Parenting Center and SeedlingsGroup, is here for. She’s a mom who’s trying to raise two good humans. In each episode, Dr. Pressman speaks with experts and parents to share the most effective approaches and tools and talk about the important bigger picture of raising good humans. 

 Real Pod

Victoria Garrick Browne, Forbes 30 Under 30 and TEDxTalk speaker, is known for her refreshing vulnerability and relatable candor. She hosts Real Pod, the podcast that dives into the heart-to-heart conversations we’re all craving. She has inspired millions to embrace their authentic selves and feel confident doing it. Are you ready to look at yourself, your relationships, and your life in a new way?

Check out the full Self-care podcasts section on Spotify here. 

Spotify Extends Existing Partnership With UNICEF and Donates to UNICEF’s Global Emergency Fund

October 18, 2023

Spotify is deeply saddened by the recent terrorist attacks in Israel and troubled by the growing catastrophic humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Our hearts are with all of the people caught in the conflict. We acknowledge the important work of UNICEF and its partners, who are doing all they can to help the most affected children and their families.

In June, Spotify announced our three-year partnership with UNICEF to help ensure that young people, including refugees, displaced people, and migrants, can access evidence-based and engaging mental health audio content on Spotify. The initial partnership was focused on helping young people affected by the war in Ukraine, with a long-term goal to extend our work globally both in and outside of times of emergency. 

We are extending this partnership for another two years to continue supporting UNICEF in reaching children and young people exposed to conflict and natural disasters by providing them with tools to promote mental health and well-being.

Spotify is also making a donation to UNICEF’s Global Emergency Fund to help UNICEF and its partners provide immediate humanitarian support—including medical supplies, fuel, mental health—and psychosocial support in response to the conflict.

Finally, we’re matching employee donations to support additional funds for UNICEF’s global humanitarian efforts. We hope that those in harm’s way find peace and safety soon.