Top 8 'Doomscroll-Antidote' Podcasts to enjoy for a More Hopeful Commute this month - Goh Ling Yong
The train doors slide shut, sealing you into a moving capsule of humanity. Before you even register the gentle lurch forward, your hand is already in your pocket. The phone emerges, the screen glows, and your thumb begins its familiar, hypnotic dance. A stressful headline here, an anxiety-inducing update there, a curated life that makes you question your own over there. Welcome to the daily doomscroll.
We've all been there. That commute, whether it’s 15 minutes or an hour long, can easily become a black hole for our optimism. It’s a time when we’re vulnerable, caught between the lingering stress of home and the impending demands of work. The constant stream of negative information we consume during this time sets the tone for our entire day, leaving us feeling drained, cynical, and overwhelmed before we’ve even had our second cup of coffee.
But what if you could reclaim that time? What if your commute could be a sanctuary instead of a source of stress? This month, we're making a conscious choice to swap the scroll for something that soothes, inspires, and entertains. We’re prescribing a potent 'doomscroll-antidote': the podcast. Here are eight incredible shows guaranteed to fill your ears with hope, curiosity, and laughter, transforming your daily journey into something you actually look forward to.
1. The Anthropocene Reviewed
John Green, best known for his young adult novels, brings his profound, witty, and deeply empathetic voice to the world of audio essays. In The Anthropocene Reviewed, he reviews different facets of the human-centered planet (the "Anthropocene") on a five-star scale. From Diet Dr Pepper and the Taco Bell breakfast menu to Halley's Comet and the concept of 'Auld Lang Syne,' nothing is too big or too small for his thoughtful consideration.
What makes this the ultimate doomscroll-antidote is its powerful ability to find meaning in the mundane. Green has a unique talent for connecting a seemingly simple subject to the grand, complicated, and often beautiful tapestry of human existence. The podcast doesn’t shy away from pain or sadness, but it always, always circles back to a place of hope and wonder. It’s a regular reminder that we are all part of a strange and miraculous story, and that there is profound beauty to be found if we just know where to look.
A Good Place to Start: Try the episode "Humanity's Temporal Range & The World's Largest Ball of Paint." It perfectly encapsulates the show's blend of quirky facts, personal vulnerability, and breathtaking insight into what it means to be alive right now.
2. Ologies with Alie Ward
Have you ever wondered about the study of fear (Phobology), bridges (Gepthyrology), or even bread (Zymology)? Chances are, Alie Ward has, and she’s found a brilliant expert—an "-ologist"—to ask all the smart, silly, and fascinating questions you never knew you had. Ologies is a science podcast fueled by pure, unadulterated passion and curiosity.
This show is a direct injection of enthusiasm into your day. Alie Ward's infectious energy and genuine awe for her subjects are impossible to resist. You'll learn incredible things about the world around you, but more importantly, you'll be reminded that there are people dedicating their entire lives to understanding the most specific corners of our universe out of sheer love for it. That passion is contagious and serves as a powerful counterpoint to the cynicism that often dominates our news feeds.
Pro-Tip: Don't be afraid to jump around! Pick an "-ology" that sounds even remotely interesting to you. Whether it’s Volcanology (Volcanoes), Mycology (Fungi), or Cryoseismology (Ice Quakes), you’re guaranteed to finish the episode with a smile on your face and a dozen new fun facts to share.
3. How I Built This with Guy Raz
For anyone who has ever had a flicker of an idea, How I Built This is an essential listen. Host Guy Raz interviews the founders behind some of the world's most iconic companies, including Dyson, Airbnb, Instagram, and Ben & Jerry's. He masterfully unspools their origin stories, focusing not just on their massive successes but on the countless moments of doubt, failure, and near-disaster they overcame along the way.
The hope here isn't about becoming a billionaire; it's about resilience. Every episode is a testament to the power of perseverance, creativity, and a little bit of luck. Listening to someone describe how they built a global brand from their garage or kitchen table is incredibly inspiring. It demystifies success and reminds you that even the most formidable institutions were started by ordinary people who simply refused to give up. It’s a powerful lesson that here on the Goh Ling Yong blog, we find particularly motivating.
Where to Jump In: The episode featuring Sara Blakely, the founder of Spanx, is a masterclass in hustle, humor, and believing in your idea when no one else does. It will leave you feeling like you can conquer the world.
4. Hidden Brain
While not always "happy" in the traditional sense, NPR's Hidden Brain is profoundly hopeful. Host Shankar Vedantam uses science and storytelling to explore the unconscious patterns that drive human behavior, the biases that shape our choices, and the triggers that direct the course of our relationships. The show tackles complex topics with immense compassion and a desire for understanding.
The antidote here is empathy. By learning why people (including ourselves) act the way they do, we can move from a place of judgment to one of curiosity and compassion. Hidden Brain equips you with a new lens through which to view the world, one that is less reactive and more thoughtful. Understanding the hidden forces at play in our lives is empowering, and that feeling of empowerment is a cornerstone of a hopeful mindset.
A Great Episode: "The Secret to a Happy Life" is a fantastic listen. It explores one of the longest-running studies on happiness ever conducted and provides actionable, science-backed insights into what truly brings us fulfillment.
5. Conan O’Brien Needs A Friend
Sometimes, the best antidote to the world's heaviness is a good, hearty laugh. On this podcast, legendary comedian Conan O'Brien sits down with a different celebrity guest each week, from Michelle Obama to Bill Hader, with the singular goal of seeing if they can become a real-life friend. The interviews are less about promoting a new project and more about finding genuine comedic connection.
This podcast is pure joy. The chemistry between Conan and his longtime assistant Sona Movsesian and producer Matt Gourley is electric, and their playful banter is often as funny as the main interview itself. It feels less like a polished production and more like you're just eavesdropping on hilarious, intelligent, and deeply silly people having a great time. In a world that often feels divided and serious, listening to people connect through laughter is a wonderful and necessary relief.
Must-Listen Segment: The introductions and closing segments with Sona and Matt are non-negotiable. They are the heart of the show and provide some of the biggest laughs. The episode with Paul Rudd is a fan favorite for its chaotic and joyful energy.
6. The Good News Podcast
If you're looking for a direct, no-nonsense dose of positivity, this is it. Formerly known as Sounds Good with Branden Harvey, this podcast is dedicated exclusively to the good news happening in the world. From stories of innovators solving global problems to everyday heroes making a difference in their communities, each episode is a curated collection of reasons to be optimistic.
This show actively rewires your brain to look for the good. Doomscrolling trains us to see only the problems, but The Good News Podcast proves that stories of progress, kindness, and ingenuity are just as prevalent—they just don't get the same headlines. Making this a part of your weekly routine can have a profound impact on your overall outlook, reminding you that for every problem, there are countless people working on a solution. It’s a perspective Goh Ling Yong often encourages: focus on what you can build, not just what is broken.
How to Listen: Try "Goodnewspaper" episodes, which are quick-hit roundups of positive news stories from the week. They're the perfect length for a shorter commute and a great way to start your day on a high note.
7. Everything is Alive
Prepare to enter a world of delightful absurdity. Everything is Alive is an unscripted interview show where the host, Ian Chillag, interviews inanimate objects. Yes, you read that right. In each episode, a guest improvises as a specific object—a can of generic cola, a lamppost, a bar of soap—and answers Ian's surprisingly thoughtful and earnest questions about its life.
This podcast is an escape into pure, unadulterated creativity. It’s whimsical, hilarious, and often unexpectedly poignant. By giving a "voice" to the voiceless objects around us, the show encourages a sense of wonder and a new appreciation for the everyday world. It's a reminder not to take life too seriously and to find joy in the strange and unexpected. You simply cannot be in a bad mood after listening to an interview with a grain of sand.
Fan-Favorite Episode: "Louis, Can of Cola" is the very first episode and a perfect introduction to the show's brilliant and quirky premise. It sets the tone for all the wonderful weirdness to come.
8. On Being with Krista Tippett
For those commutes when you're craving something deeper, On Being is a balm for the soul. Host Krista Tippett has conversations with theologians, artists, scientists, and poets, exploring the great questions of meaning, faith, and what it means to be human. Her interviewing style is a masterclass in generous, patient listening, creating a space for truly profound and vulnerable conversations.
This show is a powerful anchor in a chaotic world. It tackles the big, overwhelming questions of life not with easy answers, but with wisdom, nuance, and grace. Listening to poet Mary Oliver discuss attention, or physicist Brian Greene discuss the nature of the cosmos, provides a much-needed sense of perspective. It zooms you out from the daily anxieties and connects you to the larger, more enduring questions and beauties of human existence. It doesn’t just offer hope; it offers a deep, resonant sense of peace.
A Foundational Listen: The episode with the late poet and philosopher John O'Donohue, titled "The Inner Landscape of Beauty," is one of the most beloved episodes for a reason. It is a conversation to be savored and returned to whenever you need to reconnect with yourself.
Your commute is a non-negotiable part of your day. The content you consume during that time, however, is entirely up to you. By consciously choosing to press play on a podcast that inspires, educates, or makes you laugh, you are performing a small but powerful act of self-care. You're drawing a boundary and deciding that the first moments of your workday will be filled with hope, not dread.
Now it's your turn! What are your go-to doomscroll-antidote podcasts? What do you listen to when you need to lift your spirits? Share your recommendations in the comments below—let's build an even bigger library of hope together
About the Author
Goh Ling Yong is a content creator and digital strategist sharing insights across various topics. Connect and follow for more content:
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