Health · Wellness

10 Best Health Podcasts: Dr. Axe's Picks

The health podcasts Dr. Josh Axe puts on his own list, in his order, with each host's training, what the show covers, who it suits and an episode to start with.

By Dr. Josh Axe, DC, DNM, CNS·14-min read

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Evidence-based43 sources citedUpdated November 9, 2026

Published Nov 9, 2026Last updated Nov 9, 2026Editorial policyMedical review policyFact-checking policy

Listening on a walk is one easy way to learn something new about your health. Photo by Ciocan Ciprian on Unsplash.

Quick answer & key takeaways

The best health podcasts explain why your body does what it does and give you something to try this week, and my 10 picks, in order, are Huberman Lab, The Dr. Josh Axe Show, The Ultimate Human, The Dr. Hyman Show, The Dr. John Delony Show, The Dr. Gabrielle Lyon Show, Extend, Culture Apothecary, The Art of Being Well and The Dylan Gemelli Podcast.

What's here: 10 numbered picks and four more shows to follow, each with the host's training, what it covers, who it suits and an episode to start with
What a good show does for you: it teaches you to ask what's driving a symptom and then gives you one step you can take
How much: one or two episodes a week is a realistic pace, which is about what people managed in a 12-week randomized trial of 78 overweight adults who were sent two a week and reported listening to about 17 of the 241
How to use it: pick the show that matches what you're working on, and put one idea into practice before you queue up the next

The best health podcasts teach you why your body does what it does and give you something to do about it this week. These are my picks, in my order, led by Huberman Lab and followed by my own show, The Dr. Josh Axe Show.

A tired afternoon, a restless night or a stomach that's been off for months is your body pointing to something deeper, so the shows worth your time teach you to look for the root cause and then show you where to begin. Your body was designed to heal, and an idea you pick up on a morning walk can become the change that helps it get on with that work.

On my show, I've told people that one way to keep from aging too fast is to learn a new skill for 10 minutes a day, or simply to listen to a new podcast.15 Each show below comes with who's behind the microphone, what it covers, who it suits and an episode or two to start with, and a short table further down sorts all fourteen by what you want to work on.

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At a glance

How the list works

The 10 numbered shows are my picks in my order, and the four after them are worth following too.

Who's hosting

You'll hear from physicians, chiropractors, research scientists, a counselor, athletes and educators, and each entry states what the host has trained in.

What ties them together

Each show takes up a part of healing that touches the body, the mind or the spirit, and the body, mind and spirit section further down shows which is which.

Where to listen

Each entry links to the show's own page or its Apple Podcasts listing, so you can start listening right away.

Dr. Josh Axe · Free quiz

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What makes a health podcast worth your time?

Quick answer

A health podcast is worth your time when it explains why something is happening in your body, gives you one step you can try, and tells you plainly who's talking and what they've trained in. Those three things turn listening into something your body can use.

Most of us were taught to ask what to take for a symptom, and the better question is why the symptom showed up at all. I teach that every symptom is your body's cry for help, so fatigue, bloating and poor sleep sit at the end of a chain, and the useful work starts when you find what set that chain in motion.27 That's the root-cause way of thinking at the center of functional medicine, and it gives you a simple way to judge any show you try.

It explains why. A good episode walks you through what's going on in your body one step at a time, so you understand the reasoning and can apply it to your own life.
It gives you something to do. My philosophy has always been to use food as medicine first,2 so listen for whether the advice starts with your plate, your sleep and your stress before it reaches for a bottle of anything.
It tells you who's talking. Hosts come to this work from very different training, and knowing a host's background helps you weigh what you hear, which is why each entry below starts there.

Best health podcasts: Dr. Axe's picks

1. Huberman Lab

Andrew Huberman, PhD, whom I've called a colleague of mine on my show,40 is a neuroscientist and tenured professor at Stanford University School of Medicine, and his show translates the science of the brain and nervous system into tools you can use for sleep, mood, energy and performance.3 4 Full episodes often run two hours or longer, and his "Essentials" episodes run about 40 minutes, so you can choose how far down you want to go.4

Best for: Anyone who wants to understand the biology and follow a step-by-step protocol.
Start with: "Essentials: Cold & Heat Exposure for Metabolic Health" with Dr. Susanna Søberg, a good fit if you've been curious about the cold plunge, or "Essentials: Developing a Rational Approach to Supplementation for Health & Performance."
Listen: Apple Podcasts or hubermanlab.com

2. The Dr. Josh Axe Show

The Dr. Josh Axe Show is my own podcast, so I'll let you be the judge of this one. Each week I cover functional medicine, nutrition, cellular healing, hormones, gut health, longevity and faith, both on my own and with guests.5

Each and every week on this podcast, we dive deep into the science and principles of how to grow in body, mind and spirit, and take your health and your life to the next level.Dr. Josh Axe, DC, DNM, CNSFrom Human Biologist Predicts How Long You'll Live | Gary Brecka, The Dr. Josh Axe Show (2024), at 0:02

Best for: Anyone who wants natural medicine with faith in the picture.
Start with: "Complete Guide to Healing Leaky Gut Naturally" or "30-Day Parasite Cleanse: The 4 Steps Most People Get Wrong."
Listen: DrAxe.com or Apple Podcasts

3. The Ultimate Human

Gary Brecka, who describes himself as a human biologist, studied biology at Frostburg State University, earned a degree in human biology from the National College of Chiropractic and spent about 20 years building mortality models for the life insurance industry.6 7 His show, The Ultimate Human with Gary Brecka, covers longevity, biohacking and aging through interviews with well-known guests.7 Gary has been on my show twice,8 9 and I've been a guest on his.7

He's the host of a phenomenal podcast called The Ultimate Human Podcast.Dr. Josh Axe, DC, DNM, CNSFrom Human Biologist Predicts How Long You'll Live | Gary Brecka, The Dr. Josh Axe Show (2024), at 0:25

Best for: Listeners who like practical biohacking and conversations with big-name guests.
Start with: "Dr. Alejandro Junger: Why Leaky Gut Is Behind Autoimmune Disease," which pairs well with our guide to leaky gut, or "Fatty Liver: The Organ Stalling Your Weight Loss."
Listen: Apple Podcasts

4. The Dr. Hyman Show

Dr. Mark Hyman is a physician who founded the Cleveland Clinic Center for Functional Medicine and sits on the board of the Institute for Functional Medicine.10 On my show, I've said that when I first got into this field, he was one of the only people really diving into it.41 His show, known for years as The Doctor's Farmacy, takes up chronic disease, nutrition, mental health, food policy, prevention and longevity.11

Best for: People who want functional medicine explained by a physician.
Start with: "The Cell Membrane Protocol: What to Eat, Test, and Do to Rebuild Your Cells," or his episode on how to tell whether you need to detox your body.
Listen: Apple Podcasts or drhyman.com

5. The Dr. John Delony Show

John Delony, PhD, holds two doctorates from Texas Tech University, one in counselor education and supervision and one in higher education administration, and he spent two decades working in crisis response.12 13 His show is built on phone calls from people working through relationship problems and mental health struggles, so you hear how a hard season plays out in an ordinary life.14 When John came on my show in 2023, I told listeners to check out his podcast, and I singled out the fact that it's a call-in show.16

Your relationships are part of your health, and I've said on my show that we're the loneliest generation in history and that it's aging us.15 John spends his show on the connections that loneliness wears away.

Best for: Anyone whose health is being worn down by chronic stress or a strained marriage.
Start with: "Off the Record With Shawn Johnson and Andrew East," or a call titled "I Don't Want to Screw My Kid Up."
Listen: Apple Podcasts or the show's own page

6. The Dr. Gabrielle Lyon Show

Dr. Gabrielle Lyon is a Washington University fellowship-trained physician whose work centers on building and keeping muscle, and her show covers muscle, protein, strength and aging, often with the researchers who study them.17 I've told listeners on my show that muscle is the organ of longevity,18 and if you're building a plan around strength training for longevity, her show is a natural companion.

Best for: Anyone over 40 who wants to hold on to muscle, and anyone building strength at any age.
Start with: "How to Raise Strong Kids: Protein, Strength Training and Building Bone Before Adulthood" or "Essential Amino Acids Explained: Protein Quality, Leucine, BCAAs and How Much You Need."
Listen: Apple Podcasts or drgabriellelyon.com

7. Extend

My friend Dr. Darshan Shah is a surgeon who founded a group of longevity clinics.21 He earned his medical degree at 21 and trained in surgery, including at the Mayo Clinic.19 20 His show, Extend Podcast with Darshan Shah, MD, looks at the science, tools and protocols that can lengthen your healthspan, the years you spend in good health.19 He joined me on my show in 2025.21

Best for: Listeners who like clinical detail on how to age well.
Start with: "Dr. Chris Motley: What Ancient Medicine Can Teach Us About Stress, Chronic Symptoms & Longevity," or his episode with Dr. Jason Wersland on the science of recovery.
Listen: Apple Podcasts

8. Culture Apothecary

Alex Clark is a commentator and host, and on her show, Culture Apothecary with Alex Clark, each guest brings a remedy for what ails the culture, physically, emotionally and spiritually.22 I've had Alex on my show twice,23 24 and on the first of those episodes I encouraged everybody listening to check out her podcast.23

Best for: Parents and anyone who wants health talk tied to family and culture.
Start with: "What's Hiding in America's Favorite Foods? + How to Make Them Healthier" with Vani Hari, or "Why Is My Child A Picky Eater? And How Do I Fix It?"
Listen: Apple Podcasts

9. The Art of Being Well

Dr. Will Cole, DC, IFMCP, is a functional medicine practitioner25 26 and a close friend, and I co-wrote Heal Your Cells with him.27 28 His show takes up the gut, hormones and detox along with the spirit and self-care, with what the show calls grace and lightness.26 He joined me on my show in 2026.29

I want to encourage you guys to check out Dr. Cole. He's got a great podcast.Dr. Josh Axe, DC, DNM, CNSFrom The Stem Cell Treatment That Almost Killed Me (And What Healed Me), The Dr. Josh Axe Show (2026), at 54:14

Best for: Listeners who want functional medicine with a lighter touch.
Start with: "Heavy Metals, Mold, Microplastics, Pesticides, Forever Chemicals + Detox Myths & Truths," or "The Neurotoxic Loop: Why Trauma Is More Toxic Than Mold" with Dr. Jaban Moore.
Listen: Dear Media or Apple Podcasts

10. The Dylan Gemelli Podcast

Dylan Gemelli is a fitness and biohacking educator who talks with guests about hormones, peptides, fitness and faith.30 He came on my show in 2026, and I told my listeners to check out his podcast.2

Best for: Listeners who want performance and faith in the same conversation.
Start with: "Episode #175 Roundtable Special: 20% of People Have an Organ Aging Faster Than It Should," with Dr. Will Cole and me.
Listen: Apple Podcasts

Four more worth following

These four round out my list.

Dr. Jockers Functional Nutrition

Dr. David Jockers, DNM, DC, MS, shares practical strategies for inflammation, fat loss, brain health, natural detoxification, gut health and immune health.31 He's a longtime friend32 and one of the people I go to for advice,34 and he has been on my show twice, including a conversation about intermittent fasting.33 34

I've been friends with Dr. David Jockers for 20 years, and he's truly a world expert in functional nutrition, cellular healing, and so much more.Dr. Josh Axe, DC, DNM, CNSFrom Why SLEEP is Medicine: My 4 Tips to Improve Energy, The Dr. Josh Axe Show (2026), at 35:26

Best for: Listeners who want a functional nutrition plan they can follow at home.
Start with: "Quick Vagus Nerve Reset to Destress Your Body."
Listen: Apple Podcasts

Ancient Health Podcast

Dr. Chris Motley is a chiropractor, acupuncturist and practitioner of traditional Chinese medicine, and his show applies that tradition to the health problems people face today.35 He has been a guest on my show and we used to do that podcast together,43 and I've told my listeners it's a fantastic podcast.36

Best for: Anyone curious about what Chinese medicine can offer for everyday problems.
Start with: "Why Your Lungs Flare Every Fall: The Grief Behind the Cough," a fitting one for the fall months, since I've taught on my show that Chinese medicine connects the fall to the lungs and to letting go,42 and the tradition pairs the lungs with grief.27 35
Listen: Apple Podcasts

FoundMyFitness

Rhonda Patrick, PhD, earned her doctorate in biomedical science with graduate research at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, completed a postdoctoral fellowship with Dr. Bruce Ames, and has researched aging at the Salk Institute.37 Her show digs into aging, nutrition and micronutrients.38

Best for: Listeners who enjoy the research itself.
Start with: "The Science of Blueberries for Brain and Vascular Health," which you can pair with our guide to blueberries.
Listen: foundmyfitness.com

The Nick Bare Podcast

Nick Bare is an Army veteran, hybrid athlete and founder of a sports-nutrition company, and his show is about training, discipline and the habits that let you show up for your family and your goals.39

Best for: Anyone who needs a push to stay consistent with training.
Start with: "How I Locked In and Got Leaner in 90 Days."
Listen: Apple Podcasts

Best wellness podcasts for body, mind and spirit

I teach that healing touches the body, the mind and the spirit together,15 and these shows give you a way to feed all three.

For the body: Huberman Lab, The Ultimate Human, The Dr. Hyman Show, The Dr. Gabrielle Lyon Show, Extend, Dr. Jockers Functional Nutrition, FoundMyFitness and The Nick Bare Podcast spend their time on sleep, muscle, energy, aging, nutrition and chronic disease.
For the mind and relationships: The Dr. John Delony Show is the place to start, and Huberman Lab goes deep on the brain and mood.
For the spirit: The Dr. Josh Axe Show, Culture Apothecary and The Dylan Gemelli Podcast bring faith into the conversation, and The Art of Being Well and Ancient Health Podcast speak to body, mind and spirit together.

Top health podcasts by what you want to work on

If you already know what you want to work on, this table will point you to a show that takes it up directly.

What you want to work on	Shows to try
Sleep, mood and energy	Huberman Lab
Your gut	The Dr. Josh Axe Show, The Art of Being Well, Dr. Jockers Functional Nutrition
Chronic disease and root causes	The Dr. Hyman Show, The Dr. Josh Axe Show, Dr. Jockers Functional Nutrition
Muscle and strength	The Dr. Gabrielle Lyon Show, The Nick Bare Podcast
Healthy aging and longevity	The Ultimate Human, Extend, FoundMyFitness
Stress, marriage and family	The Dr. John Delony Show, Culture Apothecary
Hormones	The Dr. Josh Axe Show, The Art of Being Well, The Dylan Gemelli Podcast
Traditional Chinese medicine	Ancient Health Podcast
Faith and healing	The Dr. Josh Axe Show, Culture Apothecary, The Dylan Gemelli Podcast

Not sure where to start?

Ask Dr. Axe AI. Its answers draw on this library and show their sources.

How a health podcast changes what you do

Quick answer

A health podcast helps when it moves you from hearing an idea to understanding it and then to acting on it. In a 12-week randomized trial of 78 overweight adults, a podcast built on behavior-change theory helped people lose more weight than a popular existing podcast did.1

A podcast starts to help your body when it changes what you do, and researchers have tested that directly. In a study called Pounds Off Digitally, they randomly assigned 78 overweight adults to receive 24 podcast episodes over 12 weeks, two a week, and people in both groups reported listening to about 17 of them on average. Forty-one people got a podcast the researchers built on behavior-change theory, with episodes averaging 15 minutes and 42 seconds, and 37 got a popular weight-loss podcast that was already available, so everyone in the trial was listening to something.1

After 12 weeks, the people on the purpose-built podcast had lost 2.9 kilograms (about 6.4 pounds), and the people on the existing podcast had lost 0.3 kilograms, which is less than a pound.1 It was a small trial focused on weight loss, and the researchers wrote the better-performing podcast themselves, so take it as a clue that how a show teaches makes a difference.

Average weight lost in 12 weeks: 2.9 kg with a podcast built on behavior-change theory, 0.3 kg with an existing podcast

Source: Turner-McGrievy et al. · Am J Prev Med, 2009 [1]Both groups listened to a podcast, so the gap reflects how the show was built.

The people on that podcast also reported knowing more about weight loss, thinking harder about what they heard, feeling more in control of their learning and finding the material easier to take in.1 They reported eating more fruit and vegetables and getting vigorous exercise on about 0.8 more days a week, while vigorous exercise in the other group fell by 0.4 days a week.1 Those steps form a chain you can follow with any show on this list.

1You hear it

Two new episodes a week for 12 weeks, each averaging 15 minutes and 42 seconds on the purpose-built podcast, and people reported listening to about 17 of the 24.1

2You understand it

Listeners on that podcast reported knowing more about weight loss.1

3You think it through

They reported thinking harder about what they heard and found it easier to take in.1

4You act on it

They reported eating more fruit and vegetables.1

5Your body responds

They lost 2.9 kilograms, compared with 0.3 kilograms on the existing podcast.1

Scripture puts the whole idea in one line: "The heart of the prudent getteth knowledge; and the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge" (Proverbs 18:15). A wise listener goes looking for what will help and then lets it change the way they live.

Use what you hear wisely

A good podcast can teach you a great deal, and your own plan still has to fit your body and your history. What helps one person can set another back, so treat every episode as education and decide whether each idea fits your goal before you build it into your week.

Many hosts sell products or run companies tied to what they teach, including some on this list, and a place here doesn't cover every episode or product a host puts out, so use your judgment as you go.

My rule is test, don't guess,24 so before you make a big change, get the bloodwork that answers your question, and if an episode makes you want to stop or change a prescription, talk with the doctor who prescribed it first, since a show can't know your history.

The bottom line

A good show leaves you understanding your own body a little better, with a next step you can take this week. Start with the one on this list that matches what you most want to work on, whether that's Huberman Lab for the nervous system, The Dr. Josh Axe Show for natural medicine and faith, or any of the others, and let what you hear change one thing you do. When you're ready to turn what you've heard into a plan, the free Mitochondrial Longevity Protocol walks you through it in four phases. Small, steady changes add up, and your body is ready to meet you when you make them.

Health podcasts: frequently asked questions

What are the best health podcasts?

My picks are Huberman Lab, The Dr. Josh Axe Show, The Ultimate Human, The Dr. Hyman Show, The Dr. John Delony Show, The Dr. Gabrielle Lyon Show, Extend, Culture Apothecary, The Art of Being Well and The Dylan Gemelli Podcast, in that order. Four more are worth following: Dr. Jockers Functional Nutrition, Ancient Health Podcast, FoundMyFitness and The Nick Bare Podcast.

What is the best wellness podcast for body, mind and spirit?

The Dr. Josh Axe Show, The Art of Being Well and Ancient Health Podcast all treat body, mind and spirit as one conversation. If relationships are where you're hurting most, add The Dr. John Delony Show.

What is Dr. Axe's podcast called?

My podcast is The Dr. Josh Axe Show. You can listen on DrAxe.com or on Apple Podcasts, and each week I cover functional medicine, nutrition, cellular healing, hormones, gut health, longevity and faith.5

Which health podcast should I listen to first?

Start with the show that matches what you most want to work on. Huberman Lab suits sleep, mood and energy, The Dr. Gabrielle Lyon Show suits muscle and strength, and The Dr. John Delony Show suits stress and relationships.

Can a health podcast really improve your health?

Yes, when it leads you to change what you do. In a 12-week randomized trial of 78 overweight adults, people who listened to a podcast built on behavior-change theory lost 2.9 kilograms (about 6.4 pounds), and people who listened to a popular existing weight-loss podcast lost 0.3 kilograms, with both groups sent two episodes a week and reporting that they listened to about 17 of the 24 on average.1

How often should I listen to a health podcast?

One or two episodes a week is a realistic pace. In a 12-week randomized trial of 78 overweight adults that tested podcasts for weight loss, people were sent two a week and reported listening to about 17 of the 24 on average.1 Give yourself time between episodes to put what you heard into practice.

How can I tell if a health podcast is trustworthy?

Look for a host who explains why something happens in your body, gives you a step you can test, and is open about their training and what they sell. Check what you hear against your own results, and use bloodwork when the question is a measurable one.

Which health podcasts are best for gut health?

The Dr. Josh Axe Show, The Art of Being Well and Dr. Jockers Functional Nutrition all cover gut health directly. A good first episode is "Complete Guide to Healing Leaky Gut Naturally" on my show.

Which health podcasts are best for longevity?

The Ultimate Human, Extend and FoundMyFitness are the shows on my list built around aging and longevity. For the muscle side of healthy aging, add The Dr. Gabrielle Lyon Show.

Which health podcasts are best for mental health?

The Dr. John Delony Show is the place to start, with calls from people working through relationship problems and mental health struggles. Huberman Lab goes deep on the brain and mood.

Which health podcasts are best for nutrition?

Dr. Jockers Functional Nutrition, The Dr. Hyman Show and The Dr. Gabrielle Lyon Show all spend much of their time on food. FoundMyFitness goes deeper into micronutrients.

Freshness & method note

November 9, 2026 — New page. Dr. Axe's list of health podcasts, with each host's background, the show descriptions, the suggested episodes and the listen links checked on November 9, 2026.

References

Dr. Josh Axe, DC, DNM, CNS

Doctor of Natural Medicine · Founder, DrAxe.com

Dr. Axe is a certified doctor of natural medicine, clinical nutritionist, and multiple New York Times bestselling author. He has spent 20+ years in clinical practice helping people heal at the root cause and founded one of the most-visited natural-health platforms in the world.

Read the full bio →

This article is for educational purposes. See our medical disclaimer.