Whether we're working, cleaning or relaxing, podcasts offer opportunity to learn from wide variety of experts in a convenient, consumable way. These podcasts, focused on individual well-being, are the perfect compliment to your summer strolls or while you're doing chores around the house.
We’ve compiled a list of podcasts that will keep you up to speed with wellness trends. These podcasts, focused on individual well-being, are the perfect compliment to your summer strolls or while you're doing chores around the house. We strongly recommend sharing these resources with your employees, to help them learn more about the importance of wellness and guide them towards healthy behaviours.
5 Podcasts and Books to Inspire Well-being
1. Improved Diet and Nutrition
Wendy and Jess: Food Heaven Podcast
Frequency: Every Wednesday
Length: around 40 minutes
About: Wendy and Jess are two dietitians who discuss food, health and nutrition on this podcast. Often, they interview leading experts in the field of nutrition.
2. Feeling Socially Connected
Did you know that seeing the good in others and feeling more socially connected can allow your team to achieve workplace harmony? 
Social connectedness allows employees to be more willing to learn from one another and share their ideas. This not only improves the quality of discussion in the office but allows employees to be more productive as well. Additionally, employees who feel isolated at work often show increased absenteeism and decreased focus and engagement*.
The Moth facilitates social connectedness and decreases loneliness by allowing its listeners to hear the incredible stories of other people.
The Moth
Frequency: Every Friday
Length: 15 minutes
About: Each week, The Moth Podcast shares an individual's incredible story. Whether it's overcoming heartbreak, getting the job of their dreams, or coming to America as a refugee, these stories blend humour and human triumph to tell stories that bring people together. Some notable guests include Dan Savage and Neil Gaiman.
*To learn more about the importance of social connectedness in the workplace, read Loneliness and Health: How to Build a More Social Workplace.
3. Feeling Engaged and Happy
As an employer, employee engagement should be a priority as it contributes to your business’ bottom line. Engaged employees are enthusiastic about their work, committed and are more productive and profitable.
According to research by the Department of Economics at the University of Warwick, the human brain performs significantly better in a happy state than it does in a neutral or negative state.
Focusing on happiness and optimism increases employee engagement and productivity by 12%. Happier with Gretchen Rubin equips your employees with tips on remaining optimistic and creating their own happiness and engagement.
Happier With Gretchen Rubin
Frequency: Every Wednesday
Length: 50 minutes
Gretchen Rubin is an American author of the bestselling book The Happiness Project. In this podcast, she shares insights, strategies, stories and tips that help people understand themselves and create a happier life.
4. Having Quality Sleep
A lack of sleep strongly correlates with low productivity. Sleep-deprived employees can cost your business as much as $3,156 per employee annually.
A possible resource for sleep-deprived employees is Drew Ackerman’s podcast Sleep With Me that aids listeners in falling asleep.
Sleep With Me
Frequency: Twice a week
Length: 60 minutes
Drew Ackerman, tells long and boring stories that are intended to put insomniacs to sleep. Sleep With Me combines the pain of insomnia with the relief of laughing and turns it into a unique storytelling podcast.
For those curious about the importance of good sleep hygiene, the book Why We Sleep by Matthew Walker covers the myriad of benefits of getting a good nights rest.
5. Enhanced Financial Literacy
Financial stress can affect employee health negatively. Financial implications for your business include increased absenteeism, reduced productivity, high turnover rates and increased health care costs.
Offering MapleMoney as a resource to improve financial literacy empowers employees with the knowledge on how to manage debt, save for emergencies and plan for their retirement. Recent topics covered including “How to Build a Portfolio That Lets You Travel the World”, “Hidden Investment Fees” and “Financial Independence”.
MapleMoney
Frequency: Every Wednesday
Length: 35 minutes
MapleMoney is a podcast that offers tips to listeners on how to save, invest and spend money in a way that helps your employees create lasting financial freedom. Their goal is to help listeners take control of their money and turn their finances around.
For further information on financial wellness, Ramit Sethi recently released the 2nd edition of his book, I Will Teach You to be Rich, which educates readers on budgeting, saving, spending, and investing,
Final Thoughts
Podcasts have become a valuable resource for learning, self-improvement and skill enhancement. The content of podcasts can act as a supplement for the Wellness Programs you have in place, but also allows your team members to take control of their health and wellness. This, in turn, can create a better corporate culture for your business.
Employee Wellness 101: How Healthy Employees Lead to Healthy Returns
Discover how you can improve the well-being of your employees and improve your company's bottom line with a wellness program.
