How to live your best life, according to podcasts

Need help sticking to your New Year's resolutions? Or have you ditched them altogether? (We support you either way.) Whatever your strategy, this time of year many of us are thinking about self-improvement. We've curated some of our favourite self-help and lifestyle podcasts to help guide you through whatever changes you want to make—without beating yourself up! 

This episode is full of practical tips. Have trouble forming habits? A behavioural scientist is here to help. Facing burnout? A psychologist shares his story of learning to cope with and recover from depletion. Need a new workout routine? Murder, She Wrote's Angela Lansbury might actually be the fitness icon you've been waiting for. Want to be a better friend? A former "mean girl" knows a thing or two about taking responsibility for your actions. 

We hope these podcasts can help you live your best life without adding to your stress. Sometimes all we can do is try to be our best selves—and especially in tough times like these, that is more than enough. 

Hear that distant shouting? That's our whole team cheering you on! 

Podcasts featured this week:

TED Radio Hour: "Many of us are feeling weary and exhausted all the time. Psychologist Guy Winch shares ways we can both prevent and recover from the all-too-common experience of burnout."

Life Kit: "So much has happened in the past year and a half — our lives and livelihoods were upended by a pandemic. Change happened all around us. What if we want to change ourselves? The field of behavioural science has some answers. Author and researcher Katy Milkman of the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School is out with a new book, How to Change, that's packed with research-backed paths to personal growth."

Maintenance Phase: "At the height of her 'Murder She Wrote' fame, Angela Lansbury released a home workout video full of synth music, peach jump suits and ~sensuality~. This week, we're exploring the anti-Goop-ness of Angela's fitness book and video, 'Positive Moves.'"

Am I Normal?: "Time with friends just isn't the same with a screen in between you. That's a struggle many have faced recently, with half of Americans saying they've lost touch with at least one friend during the pandemic. It can be sad, but is falling out of touch with friends normal? How many relationships should we maintain, and what are the different kinds of friendships we need anyway? Evolutionary psychologist Robin Dunbar has been studying social relationships for 50 years, and he has answers. Mona maps out her own relationships against the averages, and invites us to do the same."

Adult ISH: "Season 5 kicks off with Adult ISH co-hosts Merk Nguyen and Nyge Turner reflecting on regrets! First, Nyge tells the story of Merk's secret past as the leader of The PPC, her elite club inspired by "The Clique" series. Then, we bring on Merk's former elementary school counselor, Mrs. Mullins, to teach us how to properly apologize and take accountability for past actions."

What podcasts do you trust for life advice? We'd love to hear them. Email, tweet us @PodcastPlaylist, or find us on Facebook.

For more great podcasts, check out CBC's podcast portal, subscribe in Apple Podcasts.