Whether you’re navigating significant life changes, seeking out stress management strategies, or hoping to gain a more positive outlook on life, these podcast episodes from UW–Madison faculty and staff provide valuable insights from the palm of your hand. While they aren’t a substitute for professional mental health treatment, they can offer practical advice to get you started on a journey toward overall well-being.
Reinforcing the Wisconsin Idea of sharing knowledge beyond the classroom, the Badger Talks discussion series “brings the latest discoveries from UW–Madison directly to the residents of Wisconsin.” Their podcast expands this mission by giving listeners a glimpse into the work of UW experts.
Listen to: “The Benefits of Gratitude”
This episode may be centered on the Thanksgiving holiday, but Distinguished Psychologist Emeritus Bob McGrath’s insights into finding authentic happiness and mind/body wellness are applicable year-round.
Alvin Thomas is an assistant professor of human development and family studies at the UW School of Human Ecology and director of the Thomas Resilient Youth Lab (TRYlab). He started the Black Fatherhood Podcast in 2022 to “examine the historical context, benefits, and current societal factors influencing Black fatherhood, offering key insights and actions to consider.”
Listen to: “Mental Health: Early Warning Signs”
In the second episode of a three-part series on mental health, Thomas and his guests, including UW–Madison counseling pyschology doctoral student Eric L. Crawford x’25, gather to discuss the barriers that Black men face when seeking help for mental health issues.
The University Health Services’(UHS) podcast, Connecting Badgers, provides information on resources available to UW students and aims to reduce the stigma surrounding mental health. The podcast also “helps listeners improve their mental health literacy so they can recognize, manage, and prevent mental health concerns.”
Listen to: “Therapy Myths”
You don’t need to wait for small problems to get worse before seeking help from an outside source. In this episode, UHS mental health providers walk listeners through common misconceptions about therapy.
The Well Wisconsin Radio podcast, made possible by a partnership between the state of Wisconsin and WebMD, brings experts from around the state, including several from UW–Madison, to “discuss topics of health and well-being.”
Listen to: “Purposes and Goals”
Finding a purpose in life feels like a daunting task. Luckily, Christine Whelan believes you probably already have the tools to get started. As a clinical professor in the School of Human Ecology, she teaches classes on happiness and well-being. In this episode, Whelan offers her advice for developing a purpose-driven mind-set.
Produced by the UW–Madison Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Women’s Healthcast brings UW faculty and experts on to discuss “the latest issues and innovations in women’s health.”
Listen to: “Beyond the Baby Blues”
Julianne Zweifel ’87, a UW Health psychologist, specializes in helping patients manage the emotional consequences associated with reproductive health issues. In this episode, she discusses causes and available treatments for common postpartum mental health struggles.
Bonus: Healthy Minds Program App
An affiliate of UW–Madison’s Center for Healthy Minds, Healthy Minds Innovations (HMI) developed the app in 2019 to help people around the world “learn what the science says about the brain while developing skills to tap into these learnings for a healthier, happier you,” using tools including podcast episodes, guided meditations, and a well-being tracker.
