18 Dec Smart Listening for Long Summer Days: The Best Podcasts for Busy people
Discover the best podcasts for Australian parents and carers this summer — from wellbeing and women’s health to finance, parenting, news, comedy and true crime.
Why podcasts are perfect for the summer break
School holidays can be joyful… and chaotic. Between travel, work, and keeping kids entertained, parents often crave something easy, informative and trustworthy to listen to. These curated Australian podcasts offer smart thinking, gentle support, laugh-out-loud moments and deep dives — perfect for beach days, long drives, meal prep or that rare quiet moment.
Wellbeing & mental health
- All in the Mind — ABC
🔗 https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/allinthemind
Clear, compassionate explanations of the psychology behind stress, relationships and the pressures of modern life.
“Calm & Focus” meditation episodes on ABC Listen.
Women’s health & relationships
- Ladies, We Need to Talk — ABC
🔗 https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/ladies-we-need-to-talk
Smart, candid, funny — Yumi Stynes explores women’s health, sex, bodies and relationships without shame.
Tip: Check show notes if you’re squeamish.
- No Filter — Mamamia (select episodes)
🔗 https://www.mamamia.com.au/podcasts/no-filter/
Deep conversations with Australian women about motherhood, mental health and major life shifts.
Parenting support (from babies to teens)
- Parental As Anything (with Maggie Dent) — ABC
🔗 https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/parental-as-anything
Covers tantrums, sleep, friendships, resilience, screens and raising boys — bite-sized, practical and reassuring.
- The Parenting Spectrum — ABC
🔗 https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/parenting-spectrum
Honest, thoughtful stories from families raising kids on the autism spectrum.
- Happy Families (with Dr Justin Coulson)
🔗 https://www.happyfamilies.com.au/podcasts
Short, actionable episodes to help with emotion coaching, behaviour, sibling conflicts and big feelings.
Money & life admin
- The Pineapple Project — ABC
🔗 https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/the-pineapple-project
Friendly, simple advice for budgets, bills, meal planning, superannuation and financial confidence.
- The Economy, Stupid — ABC
🔗 https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/the-economy-stupid
Explains economic decisions, interest rates, wages and cost-of-living pressures in ways parents can actually use.
Work & career (for parents multitasking life)
- This Working Life — ABC
🔗 https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/this-working-life
Lisa Leong explores burnout, micromanagers, pay rises, job crafting, and how to stay sane at work.
- Life Matters — ABC
🔗 https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/lifematters
Everyday topics — health, money, relationships, ageing, digital life — with excellent experts.
News that’s not overwhelming
- The Briefing — Listener
🔗 https://www.listnr.com/podcasts/the-briefing
A sharp 10–15 minute daily news update for people who don’t have time to scroll.
- ABC News Daily — ABC
🔗 https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/abc-news-daily
One story, deeply explained, Monday–Friday with Samantha Hawley.
- Global Roaming — ABC
🔗 https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/global-roaming
A smart, quick guide to major world events — ideal for parents wanting a broader view.
Light relief & comedy
- Rewind (with Mark Humphries) — ABC
🔗 https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/rewind
Funny, nostalgic, and delightfully odd — a perfect mood booster on stressful days.
Search “Comedy” on ABC Listen
🔗 https://www.abc.net.au/listen
Find short, smart comedy across genres if you need a quick laugh while folding laundry.
True crime & courtroom stories
(For adults only — good for long drives or late-night listening)
- The Case Of — ABC
🔗 https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/the-case-of
Walks listeners through real Australian court cases, clearly and calmly.
- Trace — ABC
🔗 https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/trace
Award-winning cold-case journalism with strong ethics and sensitivity.
- Unravel — ABC
🔗 https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/unravel
Gripping investigations into some of Australia’s most complex mysteries.
History & explainers (great for curious parents)
- If You’re Listening — ABC
🔗 https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/if-youre-listening
Hosts Matt Bevan and Kara Jenson-McKinnon link current events to fascinating historical parallels.
Also on YouTube.
- No One Saw It Coming — ABC
🔗 https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/no-one-saw-it-coming
The surprising, often quirky origins of inventions, trends and technologies.
How to listen:
- the free ABC Listen App
- Apple Podcasts
- Spotify
- Google Podcasts
- LiSTNR (for LiSTNR shows)
Co-authored by Marg Rogers
Senior Lecturer in Early Childhood, School of Education, Faculty of HASSE, University of New England
Our new look at Podcasts for kids will be perfect for the school holidays and should be just right as a distraction when the social-media ban for younger kids kicks in. We’ve picked shows that are age-appropriate, screen-free, and ideal for kids and families on the go (car journeys, holidays, quiet mornings, bedtime, etc.) they will be available over the coming weeks. See our holiday-ready catalogue of new kids summer and older kid-friendly podcasts!
