6 podcasts that will help us better understand our kids

Psychology podcasts have become my go-to for expanding my knowledge of human behaviour while I’m on the go. I listen while driving and love that I can be inspired, entertained and educated while getting from point A to point B.

Podcasts offer stimulation for your mind and a chance to better understand the way we tick and, of course, what motivates our children. In-depth listening should give you some new tools to try in your everyday parenting to motivate, build confidence, foster resilience and learn to get along.

Here are 6 fascinating psychology podcasts that explore human behaviour and give you the tools and knowledge to fulfill your potential and better your parenting.

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One for the kids too: 16 really good podcasts for tweens

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6 Psychology podcasts for parents

1. The Psychology Podcast with Dr Scott Barry Kaufman

My all-time favourite podcast. The Psychology Podcast features guests from philosophers to self-help authors to comedians who each, in their own way, explore the science and stories of human flourishing.

The guests cover a mix of philosophical thought and practical tips. It’s insightful and entertaining not least due to Kaufman’s quirky, endearing style and his genuine passion for the topics.  I listen on my regular commute and it expands my mind like little else.

My favourite episodes include:

• Get Out of Your Mind and Live a Vital Life with Steven Hayes
• Social Psychologist Roy Baumeister on Willpower, Violence and Free Will

2. Invisibilia

Invisibilia weaves incredible human stories with psychology and neuroscience. It aims to open your mind to new possibilities for how to think, behave and live. Recent topics include emotions and how they occur and the different ways we can view reality.

Invisibilia is an NPR production so it’s high on journalistic story telling (lots of crime stories) with the science to back it up. The stories are fascinating and it really does entertain and inform.

My favourite episodes include:

•  The Personality Myth
•  Future Self

3. The Science of Success

On a mission very close to my heart, The Science of Success is about the search for evidence based personal growth. It’s about exploring ways to improve your decision-making, understand your mind and how psychology rules the world around you.

Host J. Matthew Bodnar interviews all of the big names in self-development about ways we can become better versions of ourselves.

My favourite episodes include:

•  Everything You Know About Sleep Is Wrong with Dr. Matthew Walker
•  Evidence Reveals The Most Important Skill of the 21st Century with Dr. Tasha Eurich

4. Hidden Brain: A Conversation About Life’s Unseen Patterns

Another NPR podcast, Hidden Brain reveals the unconscious patterns that drive human behaviour, the biases that shape our choices, and the triggers that direct the course of our relationships.

Hosted by social science correspondent Shankar Vedantam, Hidden Brain links research from psychology and neurobiology with findings from economics, anthropology, and sociology, among other fields. It’s strong on science with plenty of practical examples and tips for understanding how your brain works.

My favourite episodes include:

•  What Can A Personality Test Tell Us About Ourselves?
•  People Like People Who Ask Questions

 

5. ZenFounder

 

This one is a little different. It’s a podcast to help entrepreneurs survive, thrive and connect, with the tagline ‘Stay Sane While Starting Up.’ It pairs the best in psychological theory and science with years of entrepreneurial success and is hosted by husband and wife team Rob Walling (the entrepreneur) and Dr. Sherry Walling (the psychologist).

ZenFounder shares the stories of entrepreneurs and how they grapple with the less discussed challenges of start up life – juggling family, relationships, mental health, motivation and happiness.

My favourite episodes include:

•  Power and People: The Story of This Fall
•  Burnout

6. Potential Psychology

My own podcast launched in March 2018 as I felt it was time to hear some Australian voices. Potential Psychology Podcast showcases the many great minds that Australia produces.

Australia is home to leading experts in human performance, positive psychology, mindset, happiness, well being and potential. We also produce inspiring entrepreneurs, leaders and adventurers.

The Potential Psychology podcast features conversations with these experts about  happiness and success and how they put their knowledge to use in their own lives – all with an Australian flavour.

Favourite episodes chosen by Mumlyfe include:

•  Playing Minecraft and Parenting in the Digital Age with Martine Oglethorpe
•  Rethinking the Naughty Corner: Helping Kids Manage Stress with Michelle Taylor

Which psychology podcasts (or other) do find helpful?

Feature image by Mohammad Metri