Introduction

Podcasts have gained a reputation for educating and raising awareness of various themes. Open and honest discussions, often featuring expert guests or people with real-life experiences can create communities, reduce stigma, and normalise conversations around our internal and personal struggles.

May is Mental Health Awareness month, so we have compiled a shortlist of podcasts produced by us at Cue Productions that feature episodes on the theme of mental health - from preventing burnout in the workplace to the mental fatigue that can accompany the rise of AI. 

The Cue Shortlist

Podcast: PeopleFirst Podcast: The Young Careers Podcast

Hosted by Jordan Spry, PeopleFirst digs into the realities of being a young person navigating the world of work. In our fast-paced digital world, young people are facing unique challenges every day. 

Many of the podcast episodes look at mental health in the workplace, from dealing with anxiety and imposter syndrome to finding a work/life balance. The show promotes honest conversation on taboo topics, reminding those on the first rungs of the career ladder that they are not alone.

Episode: “Destigmatising Mental Health in the Workplace”

This episode dives into the stigma surrounding mental health in settings where “professionalism” can often limit opportunities for vulnerability. Jordan is joined by content creator Zack Tucker and happiness consultant Zoe Mallett to discuss the “unsexy” side of mental health and how employers and colleagues can work together to create safe, supportive spaces for people to open up.

‍Podcast: Everything is Content

Hosting trio Beth McColl, Ruchira Sharma, and Oenone break down the stories taking the internet by storm. While there is plenty of lighthearted discussion, Everything is Content also explores the psychological and social pressures of modern life. From authenticity anxiety and financial stress to “digital dysmorphia” in the world of AI, the trio aren’t trying to therapise you - just spotlight the ways the internet impacts our wellbeing and normalise the anxiety that comes with a digital-first lifestyle.

‍Episode: “Everything in Conversation: Single Woman Tax”

This episode looks at the intriguing idea of the “Single Woman Tax”: that, in a world built for couples, single people are paying a “financial penalty” for their love lives. Featuring guest Renée Sylvestre-Williams, they explore the financial anxiety of London life, the shift in dating apps culture, and the social and mental toll of navigating a “couples-first” society. 

Podcast: Truth, Lies & Work

Blending psychology with business, hosts Al and Leanne Elliott dissect the “science of people” to help leaders create toxic-free workplaces. As a chartered occupational psychologist, Leanne grounds Truth, Lies & Work in the science behind stress and burnout, sparking deeper conversations to empower listeners to effectively manage their mental health at work. Episodes tackle modern pressures like loneliness in a hybrid world, AI anxiety, emotional regulation during stressful scenarios, and maintaining mental stability during change.

Episode: “Is your AI Getting Token Anxiety?”

Al and Leanne introduce “Token Anxiety” - a workplace stressor that comes from the pressure of keeping up with AI’s output. Joined by Sally Clarke and Alexis Zahner, they explore how to protect your own mental health while setting a healthy precedent for your team, the “empty at 4.30pm” Swedish office model, and real-world listener questions and problems.

Podcast: The Mind Tools L&D Podcast 

Global learning platform Mind Tools features a rotating panel of Learning & Development professionals dedicated to helping you improve workplace wellbeing through practical, evidence-based strategies. By switching up the mental health narrative from an individual responsibility to a professional skill, the panelists explore building long-term resilience, creating safe environments for open discussion, and managing cognitive overload. Each episode has a lasting impact by concluding with actionable steps that listeners can implement immediately. 

Episode: “Better Meetings, More Psychological Safety, and Cognitive Offloading”

In their “Bring Your Paper to Work Day” special, the panel bridges the gap between academic theory and workplace reality by breaking down the latest research on cognitive wellness. They explore the link between meeting fatigue and chronic stress, alongside the mental health benefits of “cognitive offloading” - the practice of using technology to reduce stressful workloads, saving energy for more meaningful tasks.

Grounding their discussions in academic trials and studies, the show translates complex research into actionable advice for listeners.

Podcast: The Healthy Practice

Specifically designed for clinicians, host Ellie Macdonald is joined by a new guest in every episode to explore the intersection of personal health and wellbeing and professional success. The show bridges the gap between being a health practitioner and a business owner, blending practical advice on practice management and financial planning with essential mental wellbeing strategies. The Healthy Practice emphasises that caring for the health of others should never mean neglecting your own. 

Episode: ‘Happiness as a Skill: The Art of Practicing Wellbeing”

Ellie chats with consultant and psychologist Zoe Mallet to break down a habit most of us know all too well: the exhausting cycle of constantly “chasing” joy rather than experiencing it everyday. Zoe discusses how excessive screentime impacts our calm, the human tendency to ruminate on bad news, and why we so often fall into the habit of treating happiness as a faraway destination rather than a daily practice. Zoe shares tried and tangible tips for practicing mindfulness and maintaining grounding habits to help listeners navigate life’s complexities.

Conclusion

For many, podcasts can be a lifeline. They provide conversation and community, offering audiences an accessible way to navigate stress and find comfort in the knowledge that they are not alone. 

If you have a story or expertise that could shape industry culture or impact individual lives, a podcast is your most powerful tool. It is an opportunity to humanise your brand, provide real value to a community, and establish yourself as a trusted leader in your field.

At Cue Productions, we want to help you reach the people that need you. We provide end-to-end support, from the initial strategy session to distribution and repurposing. We handle the technical side so you can focus on making an impact. Book a call with our team today to learn more.