Blog #23: Migraine podcasts
I love podcasts and having a long list of podcast episodes to listen to motivates me to get outside and exercise. They’re also great during a migraine attack if I need some time on the couch but still want to feel productive.
Many of the podcasts I listen to are migraine-related, but I also enjoy a mix of general health and wellness podcasts as well as less-relevant-for-this-blog-post ones including daily news podcasts (shout out to my fav, Radio New Zealand’s The Detail), and an eclectic assortment of writing, freelancing, mindfulness and meditation podcasts. I even have a feminist podcast in my podcast library, and one called How to Fail. Just because.
I’ve collated a list of my favourite migraine podcasts, plus a few general health podcasts if you’re keen to expand your podcast library.
Migraine podcasts
This podcast is produced by the National Migraine Centre in the UK. It’s currently on series 4 and covers a huge breadth of migraine-related topics. Each podcast episode varies in length, though usually they’re about 40–60 minute long, and often the episode features a guest speaker.
One of the hosts, Dr Katy Munro, has recently published a book called Managing Your Migraine. I haven’t read it yet but it’s on my to-read list, which is even longer than my list of podcast episodes to listen to.
Spotlight on Migraine is produced by the Association of Migraine Disorders. I’ve listened to a lot of episodes, and on the day I write this there are 89 episodes available to listen to. Most are quite short, about 20 minutes or so, although some of the episodes are longer.
The topics are varied and interesting, including CBD for migraine; paediatric migraine disorders; migraine, irritable bowel syndrome and the gut-brain microbiota axis; lifestyle changes for managing migraine and many more.
I recently discovered this podcast, produced by the Global Healthy Living Foundation, so I’ve only listened to a couple of episodes. There are 12 episodes in season one and I’ve been told season two is in the pipeline. Worth a listen.
I heard about this podcast when I was watching the patient panel webinar during Migraine and Headache Australia’s Awareness Week 2021. It was produced by a New Zealander living in Australia, who suffered a mild traumatic brain injury in 2015, causing ongoing headaches and other cognitive issues. She discovered how being in nature helped to heal her brain and documents her journey and a bit about the science of being in nature.
As someone who loves being outside, especially hiking, camping and just walking through our local parks, I really enjoyed this podcast. Being outside is my happy place, and it was fascinating listening to Sarah Allely discovering the joys and healing power of nature. I suggest listening to it while you’re by the beach, in the bush, in a park, if you can.
I’ve listened to a few episodes from this two-season podcast by the American Migraine Foundation. They’re short but informative.
Everyone has 2 minutes a week to listen to this podcast! It’s hosted by Molly O’Brien from the Association of Migraine Disorders and is quite literally a 2-minute update about the latest happenings in migraine over the past week.
Health and wellness podcasts
My podcast library features a mix of health and wellness podcasts I listen to regularly. To be honest, sometimes it’s slightly overwhelming listening to multiple people’s points of view on the ‘healthiest’ way to live life. But these are a few of my favourites that provide a holistic view of healthy living, and approach health from a functional medicine perspective.
I must give credit to my good friend Helen, of Helen Bowler Designs, for introducing me to this podcast a few years ago. It’s produced by Dr Rangan Chatterjee, a UK holistic doctor who has also written a few books.
I absolutely love so many of Rangan’s podcast episodes that picking my favourite is hard, but if you want one to kick off with I recommend Episode #124: Why changing the way you breathe will transform your body and mind, with James Nestor. It’s where I began my journey learning about the importance of breath work for health – and what ultimately made me start plunging into ice baths.
The episodes are quite long, usually between 1–2 hours, however Rangan has started releasing bitesize episodes that are about 15 minutes long. These are usually short snippets from a few different longer episodes covering one topic. I highly recommend the longer episodes, they’re a great excuse to exercise for longer.
Chances are you’ve heard of Dr Mark Hyman. He’s a functional medicine doctor in the USA and has a pretty large following on social media. His podcast covers a huge range of topics, often focusing on how the food we eat impacts our health. Kind of like a food as thy medicine podcast. Sometimes the podcast makes me feel rather despondent about the state of our food system, especially when he talks about how our soils are depleted in nutrients. But he shares advice around the power of food to heal and I usually come away with snippets of information.
Most episodes are pretty long, and I often only listen to half an episode, but they’re worth checking out.
The Dr. Axe Show is similar to The Doctor’s Farmacy, however Dr Axe also incorporates some Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) concepts. I’ve been learning more about TCM the past year or so, particularly how it relates to managing migraine, so I’ve enjoyed the podcast. But like with The Doctor’s Farmacy, I tend to dip in and dip out depending on my mood, sometimes it’s a lot of information to absorb.
Yup, The Iceman now has a podcast! It launched in June 2021, and I listen to the podcast more because I can’t help but feel uplifted by how passionate Wim Hof is about life! For those of you who follow my blog you’ll know I’ve tried the Wim Hof method (read this blog post and this blog post) and read his book. It just puts a smile on my face listening to this podcast, although sometimes I don’t make it through the whole episode.
Random podcasts if you’re looking for something new to listen to
The Happiness Lab – Because who doesn’t want to be happier?
The Detail – Best way to keep up-to-date with what’s happening in New Zealand in 20 minutes.
A Slight Change of Plans – Learn to embrace change.
Parental as Anything – If you’re a parent and need a short pep talk about parenting. By Australian Maggie Dent (I also recommend her parenting books if you have sons!)
Freakanomics Radio – Read the books? Listen to the podcast.
Doing It For The Kids – Love this podcast. It’s for parents who freelance (that’s me), so including it incase you’re a freelancing parent as well.
I have a bunch more shows in my library, but I think that’s enough baring of my (podcast) soul for a while.
I always love recommendations for a new podcast to listen to, so I’d love to hear if you have any great podcasts you’re listening to.
Leave a comment or flick me an email: sarah@sayline.co.nz, join the conversation on Facebook, join the Migraine Down Under community or come say hi on Instagram.