Best COPD Podcasts | Top Podcasts for Lung Health & COPD Management
Living with COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) can be challenging — not just because of the physical symptoms, but also due to the emotional and informational burden that comes with managing a chronic lung condition. As of 2025, podcasts have become a powerful medium for health education and support, providing easy access to expert advice, patient stories, and research insights — all through the comfort of your headphones.
Why does this matter? For many people with COPD, mobility may be limited, and reading long medical articles can feel overwhelming. Podcasts let you engage with trusted information while doing everyday things: walking slowly, resting, or commuting. More importantly, they build a community — reminding you that you’re not alone in this journey.
In this post, we’ll explore the best COPD podcasts available right now — from expert-driven guideline updates and self-management strategies to deeply personal narratives. Whether you’re a newly diagnosed patient, a caregiver, or a health professional, these shows can provide clarity, connection, and hope.
Here are the top 10 COPD podcasts that everyone touched by this disease should tune into.
Host(s): GOLD Scientific Committee, including Dr. Jean Bourbeau & Dr. MeiLan Han Platform(s):GOLD website (GOLDcopd.org) Frequency: Episodic Best For: Clinicians, researchers, and informed patients
Overview: This podcast, produced by the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD), addresses the major challenges in COPD care. The series, titled “COPD: The Ignored Epidemic,” features world-renowned COPD experts discussing early diagnosis, risk factors beyond smoking, global disease burden, and the science behind managing COPD.
Key Takeaways / What You’ll Learn:
Latest updates on COPD research and guideline changes.
Why It’s Worth Listening: As the voice of the GOLD initiative, this podcast offers direct access to thought leaders shaping global COPD policy. It’s an authoritative resource for staying current with evidence-based management.
2. The COPD Foundation Podcast
Host(s): COPD Foundation team and guest experts Platform(s): Apple Podcasts , COPD Foundation website Frequency: Multiple episodes per week (as per Apple Podcasts listing) Best For: Patients, caregivers, and advocates
Overview: Run by the COPD Foundation, this podcast is deeply rooted in real-world experiences. Each episode delves into different facets of living with COPD — from oxygen therapy, pulmonary rehabilitation, and early diagnosis to personal stories about intimacy, caregiving, and quality of life.
Key Takeaways / What You’ll Learn:
How to navigate oxygen therapy and its impact.
Pulmonary rehabilitation benefits and practical tips.
Emotional, relational, and social dimensions of COPD.
Inspirational stories from patients, caregivers, and clinicians.
Why It’s Worth Listening: This podcast brings a human touch to COPD education. It’s not just about medicine — it’s about how people truly live with the disease, offering empathy, practical advice, and peer support.
3. COPD Podcast by Health UNMUTED
Host(s): Health UNMUTED, in collaboration with the COPD Foundation Platform(s): Apple Podcasts , Health UNMUTED website Frequency: Miniseries / Complete Series Best For: People newly diagnosed with COPD, their families, and non-clinicians
Overview: This is a narrative-driven miniseries that weaves together patient stories and expert commentary. Health UNMUTED designed this podcast to educate listeners on what COPD is, how it’s diagnosed, and how it’s treated — all in a warm, accessible, and deeply personal way.
Key Takeaways / What You’ll Learn:
Clear, straightforward explanations of COPD basics.
Personal accounts: causes, symptoms, lifestyle changes.
Strategies for quitting smoking, medication use, and dealing with flare-ups.
Long-term self-management, including pulmonary rehab.
Why It’s Worth Listening: The storytelling format makes the medical information feel relatable. For many, it’s comforting to hear real people talk openly about their struggles and victories — especially on a topic like COPD.
4. Lungcast – American Lung Association
Host(s): Dr. Albert Rizzo (Chief Medical Officer, American Lung Association) Platform(s):ALA Lungcast webpage, plus Spotify / Apple Podcasts Frequency: Monthly Best For: Healthcare professionals, patients interested in the latest guideline updates
Overview: In a notable episode (#57), Lungcast brings in Dr. Gerard Criner, a GOLD Science Committee member, to unpack the 2025 GOLD guideline updates. They discuss key shifts such as an increased emphasis on cardiovascular comorbidities, pulmonary hypertension, and refined diagnostic strategies.
Key Takeaways / What You’ll Learn:
What’s new in the 2025 GOLD COPD guidelines.
The increased importance of spirometry and its trajectories.
Why It’s Worth Listening: For those who want expert interpretation of the latest research, this episode is a goldmine. Dr. Criner’s insights are especially valuable for clinicians and informed patients alike.
Host(s): Dr. Raed Dweik (Chairman, Respiratory Institute, Cleveland Clinic) Platform(s):Cleveland Clinic’s Respiratory Inspirations podcast Frequency: Episodic (disease-specific) Best For: Patients enrolled in or considering pulmonary rehabilitation, caregivers, rehab professionals
Overview: This episode of Respiratory Inspirations explores pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) in depth, featuring Dr. Debasis Sahoo and other experts from the Cleveland Clinic. They discuss how PR works, its benefits, and its role in improving breathing, exercise capacity, and quality of life for people with COPD.
Why It’s Worth Listening: Pulmonary rehab is one of the most effective interventions for COPD, yet many people don’t know how it truly works. This podcast makes PR accessible and shows why it’s worth the effort.
6. PCRS Podcast – Primary Care Respiratory Society (COPD Series)
Host(s): PCRS experts, respiratory nurses, GPs, patient representatives Platform(s):PCRS UK Podcast page, PCRS COPD-specific page Frequency: Episodic Best For: Primary care providers, nurses, patients in community settings
Overview: The Primary Care Respiratory Society (PCRS) offers a series of podcasts focusing on COPD management in primary care. Topics include mental health, comorbidities, lung volume reduction, and suicide prevention among respiratory patients.
Key Takeaways / What You’ll Learn:
How to conduct meaningful COPD reviews with patients.
Managing mental health issues in chronic respiratory disease.
Understanding co-morbidities like cardiovascular disease.
Emerging procedural options like lung volume reduction.
Why It’s Worth Listening: If you’re a primary care clinician or patient wanting insights from the front line of COPD care, these podcasts offer practical, grounded advice. The inclusion of mental health makes them especially relevant.
7. A Deep Breath In – University of Oxford Podcast (COPD Episode)
Host(s): Dr. Mona Bafadhel (Oxford University) Platform(s): University of Oxford Podcasts Frequency: Part of a broader translational medicine series Best For: Listeners interested in pathophysiology, research, and new treatment strategies
Overview: This episode of A Deep Breath In focuses on the molecular and inflammatory phenotypes of COPD. Dr. Mona Bafadhel explains how different inflammatory subtypes respond to therapy, and highlights the importance of precision medicine in COPD.
Key Takeaways / What You’ll Learn:
The science of COPD at a molecular level.
Why all COPD is not the same — “one size does not fit all.”
Emerging therapeutic strategies based on inflammation phenotypes.
The future of personalized COPD treatment.
Why It’s Worth Listening: This podcast is perfect for listeners who want to dive deeper into COPD as a complex disease — not just symptoms, but biology. It’s a great bridge between research and clinical care.
8. ERS Publications Podcast – “COPD in the 21st Century”
Host(s): ERJ (European Respiratory Journal) / ERS editorial team Platform(s): SoundCloud Frequency: Episodic Best For: Researchers, clinicians, and students interested in global COPD trends
Overview: In this episode, the editors of the ERJ monograph on COPD in the 21st Century discuss disease trends, underdiagnosis, stigma, and personalized care. The conversation highlights future directions in treatment, research, and global health.
Key Takeaways / What You’ll Learn:
How COPD epidemiology is evolving.
The challenge of underdiagnosis and stigma.
Personalized care: beyond inhalers.
Innovations in COPD research and care delivery.
Why It’s Worth Listening: For those who want a research-oriented, in-depth discussion, this podcast offers expert commentary rooted in authoritative scientific literature. It’s ideal for professionals and deeply curious patients.
9. COPD Awareness Segment on “Aha! Zehn Minuten Alltagswissen” (German Podcast)
Host(s): Dr. Michael Westhoff Platform(s): German science podcast Aha! Zehn Minuten Alltagswissen (Spotify, Apple, etc.) DIE WELT Frequency: Episodic Best For: German-speaking listeners, or anyone interested in public health and epidemiology from a global perspective
Overview: This episode discusses how COPD is more than a “smoker’s disease.” Dr. Michael Westhoff breaks down common myths, explains the causes, and highlights the importance of early diagnosis.
Key Takeaways / What You’ll Learn:
Why not all COPD patients are smokers.
The social and medical implications of late diagnosis.
Strategies to raise public awareness.
Perspectives on global prevention and lung health.
Why It’s Worth Listening: This global and multilingual take provides cultural context and addresses stigma. It’s especially beneficial for patients and caregivers in German-speaking regions, or for those interested in how COPD is framed in public discourse.
Overview: This podcast from Medscape features in-depth interviews and roundtable discussions on COPD management, including cutting-edge clinical practices, palliative care, exacerbation management, and decision-making in advanced disease. Episodes are hosted by Drs. Leah Witt and others, providing evidence-based, peer-reviewed content tailored for professional audiences.
Key Takeaways / What You’ll Learn:
How to integrate palliative care into COPD treatment.
Clinical strategies to prevent and manage exacerbations.
Nuances of inhaled medication selection and patient adherence.
Care considerations for older adults living with COPD.
Why It’s Worth Listening: This is one of the few podcasts that deeply engages with the clinical complexities of COPD from a medical-professional standpoint. If you want to go beyond the basics and hear expert debates on real-world care challenges, this is a must-listen.
Why Podcasts Are Transforming COPD Awareness
Podcasts are rapidly becoming a vital tool for disease education, especially for chronic conditions like COPD. Here’s why:
Accessibility & Mobility: Many people with COPD have limited mobility. Podcasts allow them to absorb critical health information while resting, walking slowly, or doing rehab.
Trust Through Voice: Hearing experts, patients, and caregivers speak in their own voices builds empathy and trust. It’s more personal than reading a medical paper.
Community Building: These audio shows connect listeners with a broader COPD community — sharing stories, advice, and support.
Education + Advocacy: Institutions like GOLD, the COPD Foundation, and the American Lung Association use podcasts to amplify public health messaging, guideline updates, and self-management techniques.
Evidence-Based Learning: Many of these podcasts feature leading researchers and clinicians, bringing cutting-edge science and guideline recommendations directly to patients and professionals.
How to Choose the Right COPD Podcast for You
Here are some practical criteria and a mini-checklist to help you pick what suits you:
Key Factors to Consider:
Purpose / Goal
Do you want clinical knowledge (for patients or providers)?
Or are you looking for emotional support and stories?
Credibility
Are experts involved? (GOLD, ALA, Cleveland Clinic)
Are the sources evidence-based?
Format & Tone
Narrative / storytelling (Health UNMUTED)
Research-driven discussion (ERS, GOLD)
Short & actionable (PCRS)
Time Commitment
Short episodes (15–30 mins): ideal for commutes or breaks
Long deep-dive (45+ mins): good for focused listening
Accessibility
Is it on your preferred platform (Apple Podcasts, Web, SoundCloud)?
Are transcripts or translations available?
Checklist:
Define your listening goal (education, support, research)
Subscribe to 1–2 podcasts to avoid overload
Use podcast features like download / offline mode
Try a few episodes before committing
Use episode notes / show websites for further reading
Tips for Getting the Most Out of COPD Podcasts
Listen During Rehab Sessions: Use pulmonary rehab time to listen — combining breathing exercises with education.
Keep a Notebook: Write down new terms, treatment ideas, or breathing tips.
Build a Question Journal: Create a list of questions based on podcast content to discuss with your doctor or care team.
Share Episodes: Forward episodes to family, caregivers, or your healthcare providers — they might benefit too.
Engage with Communities: Join COPD Foundation’s online community (e.g., COPD360), or other patient groups, and discuss episodes.
Follow Up on References: If a podcast mentions a study or guideline (like GOLD 2025), look it up to deepen your understanding.
Expert Perspective & Data on COPD Podcasting
The Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) is a globally influential body that sets COPD diagnosis and management guidelines. Wikipedia
According to GOLD’s own podcast page, their episodes feature discussions by top COPD researchers (Dr. Jean Bourbeau, Dr. MeiLan Han) on research, early diagnosis, and non-smoking risk factors. GOLD
The American Lung Association’s “Lungcast” episode with Dr. Gerard Criner explores the 2025 GOLD guideline updates, highlighting how key recommendations have shifted. American Lung Association
Research consistently shows that pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) not only improves physical capacity but also quality of life for COPD patients. Podcasts like the one from Cleveland Clinic help translate that science into actionable advice. Cleveland Clinic
Final Thoughts
In the journey of living with COPD, knowledge is a powerful ally. The best COPD podcasts don’t just inform — they inspire, support, and connect. Whether you’re a patient, caregiver, or clinician, these shows can guide you through management strategies, elevate your understanding of emerging science, and bring comfort through shared stories.
By tuning into these programs, you’re choosing to be proactive, informed, and engaged in your lung health. So open your podcast app, hit “Subscribe,” and let these voices become part of your COPD support system.
Every breath matters — and in these podcasts, you’re not alone.
About Author
The Podcasting Research Team is a dynamic and passionate group of young researchers who are dedicated to exploring the world of podcasting. Whether you’re a podcast creator, a marketer, or simply a curious listener, the work of The Podcasting Research Team can provide valuable insights into the trends and best practices in the podcasting world.
