8 Science-Backed Women’s Health Podcasts
I confess.
For a while, I was that person who needed to share bits of knowledge gathered from podcasts —whether or not you were a willing listener.
Yet it’s hard to deny, podcasts (and I’ll throw audiobooks in here, too) are becoming more engaging. Personal stories and thought-provoking conversations can fill hours before you realize the day’s half done.
Plus, when you move into the realm of women’s health, it can feel like a breath of fresh air to hear accurate, timely information that’s not full of pseudo-science. That's why I've put together a list of top, science-backed women's health and advocacy podcasts—shows and hosts that provide relevant news, actionable takeaways, and information you’ll likely not hear elsewhere
So, whether you're looking for expert advice, personal stories, or a good laugh, these shows are all worth a listen.
Femtech Focus
One of the top podcasts about women’s health (or at least one of the longest-running and most well-known), Femtech Focus features interviews with women’s health founders, leaders, and advocates. Brittany Baretto, the host, holds a PhD in Molecular and Human Genetics, so you know the information you’re hearing is sound. She’s humorous and engaging and builds excellent rapport with her guests and, if I remember right, her podcast was one of my first introductions to the world of femtech.
You Are Not Broken
I first heard Dr. Kelly Casperson, a urologist and women’s health expert, speak at a Women in Global Health Seattle event. She paired humor with the stark realities of women’s sexual health gaps, and I’m grateful her podcast, You Are Not Broken, follows suit. In some episodes, she flies solo and dives deep into a topic, while in others she invites guests to talk about menopause, aging, and everything you need to know about women’s hormones and sex with honesty and empathy.
The Retrievals
The Retrievals tells the stories of women who went through the egg retrieval process without anesthesia due to a nurse switching out the requisite fentanyl for saline. Each episode gripped me, with twists and turns coming every few minutes and novel discoveries sending the host (and the women affected) in different directions. This show highlighted an ethical dilemma of no small order and looked in-depth behind the scenes at the emotional toll fertility treatments encompass. Compelling, to say the least.
Maintenance Phase
A good friend recommended this show to me, and after some hemming and hawing, I gave it a listen. I haven’t laughed as hard in a long while. The hosts, Aubrey Gordon and Michael Hobbes provide refreshing (and hilarious) takes on the modern wellness industry and debunk popular myths (looking at you, diet culture). If you’re searching for an engaging, insightful, thoroughly researched podcast that covers many topics related to women’s health, look no further.
Beyond the Paper Gown
Beyond the Paper Gown goes beyond your typical medical advice podcast to explore the broader context of women's health, including social, economic, and policy issues. Host Dr. Paula Johnson brings her experience and passion for women's health to each episode in a kind, attentive manner, leaving listeners with a better understanding of their health and wellbeing.
Heart of Healthcare
Halle Tecco, the host and businesswoman extraordinaire of Heart of Healthcare, shares a similar disdain for the health insurance industry at large as I do. Yet I have her podcast to thank for introducing me to Wendell Potter’s newsletter about the inner workings of health insurance agencies, along with fabulous insights about women’s health startups, funding, and the digital health landscape. If healthcare reform and improving healthcare access for everybody are up your alley, you need to give this one a listen.
HIT Like a Girl
HIT Like a Girl celebrates the achievements of women in health IT and digital health. Through interviews with female leaders and innovators, host Joy Rios aims to “demystify the complex, 30,000-piece puzzle of the US healthcare system” and highlights the contributions of women in health tech. Now, I’m not one for most things tech-related, but how she presents information feels accessible and understandable.
Global Health Matters
A show that often flies under the radar, Global Health Matters brings a broader perspective to health issues and explores the interconnectedness of health systems and the impact of global policies. Recent episodes about health stories and advocating for healthier cities proved a fascinating listen. Host Gary Aslanyan speaks with care and deep insight into each topic he introduces and with each guest he invites to the show. Add this one to your list if you want to better understand the global health landscape and broaden your understanding of healthcare in general
Everything Happens
You may be thinking, “What does a podcast about grief and what it means to be human have to do with women’s health?”
How about everything? Author, professor, and podcast host Kate Bowler takes a refreshing view on life, love, and everything in between for her show Everything Happens. Diagnosed with stage four colon cancer in her early 30s, Kate understands more than most that sometimes life really is terrible—full stop. But what do you do after that epiphany?
That’s where Kate’s show comes in.
If you’ve ever experienced heartbreak, a devastating diagnosis, or felt like the healthcare system was too much to handle, this show’s for you. I know I’ve saved more than a few episodes.