The Mental Elf

Your ears. Our elves.

Since 2014, the Mental Elf has been venturing deep into the research literature so you don’t have to, and then talking about what we found with the experts who produced it. With nearly 1,000 conversations recorded, there’s a good chance we’ve already covered what’s keeping you up at night.

Below you’ll find some of our most popular episodes from recent years. Most follow a simple format: one expert, one topic, one genuinely useful conversation. No jargon, no waffle; just the evidence, explained by the people doing the work. Pop us in your earphones on the commute and let the elves do the reading for you.

We also produce dedicated podcast series that go deeper on a single theme. Recent series include the ReSET School Mental Health podcast, and Nurture-U Student Mental Health podcast. Our shows bring together researchers, clinicians, and people with lived experience to explore the mental health topics that really matter.

Subscribe and never miss an episode

Find us on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify. Subscribe and we’ll come to you – no trudging through the literature required.

Commission your own podcast series

Want your research to reach the people who need it – in a format they’ll actually listen to? The Mental Elf team can produce a bespoke podcast series for your project, from a single episode to a full series. We handle everything: the interviews, the recording, the editing, and getting it out into the world.

Find out more about commissioning a podcast

Dr Lucy Foulkes on the social media ban and youth mental health

ReSET School Mental Health podcast

Nurture-U Student Mental Health and Wellbeing podcast

Listen to Prof David Nutt talking about alcohol

Listen to Dr John Krystal talking about ketamine for depression

Listen to our audio documentary on the experiences of diverse people detained under the Mental Health Act.

Dr Daniel Taggart talks about mental health provision for adult survivors of child sexual abuse

The Lancet Psychiatry Commission on Intimate Partner Violence and Mental Health

Listen to Monty Don and Willem Kuyken discuss mindfulness and gardening