How does a woman with schizophrenia manage life as an entertainer, stuntwoman, and podcast host all while managing a severe mental illness? In this episode, Rachel Star Withers shares her intense and often shocking journey—from growing up in the Bible Belt believing her hallucinations were demons, to undergoing an exorcism before finally receiving a medical diagnosis of schizophrenia. She candidly discusses the stigma she faced, including being told she was "choosing Satan," and how she overcame it to become a thought leader in schizophrenia advocacy. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in psychology, mental health advocacy, or learning more about Rachel’s badass life as a stunt performer in blockbuster movies like Black Panther. Rachel’s story is a testament to resilience, and she opens up about what it truly means to live with schizophrenia while pursuing your passions and defying expectations. Hit play to learn more about this inspiring story of strength and survival and how you can help yourself – or your loved ones – do the same. “You know, I always think every thought that I have is dipped in schizophrenia. It’s all I've ever known. I grew up seeing monsters. It's not something that I've ever lived without. There's monsters with me right now. I hallucinate a good 90% of the time. I'm always kind of not 100% sure if something I saw or experienced is all real. It's very much a part of me. For me, this is part of who I am.” ~Rachel Star Withers To learn more -- or read the transcript -- please visit the official episode page. Our guest, Rachel Star Withers, creates videos documenting her schizophrenia, ways to manage and let others like her know they are not alone and can still live an amazing life. She has written Lil Broken Star: Understanding Schizophrenia for Kids and a tool for schizophrenics, To See in the Dark: Hallucination and Delusion Journal. Fun Fact: She has wrestled alligators. Rachel grew up seeing monsters, hearing people in the walls, and having intense urges to hurt herself. She creates videos documenting her schizophrenia and ways to manage and let others like her know they are not alone and can still live an amazing life. To learn more about Rachel, please visit her website, RachelStarLive.com. Our host, Gabe Howard, is an award-winning writer and speaker who lives with bipolar disorder. He is the author of the popular book, "Mental Illness is an Asshole and other Observations," available from Amazon; signed copies are also available directly from the author. Gabe makes his home in the suburbs of Columbus, Ohio. He lives with his supportive wife, Kendall, and a Miniature Schnauzer dog that he never wanted, but now can’t imagine life without. To book Gabe for your next event or learn more about him, please visit gabehoward.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How does the patriarchy shape women’s thoughts and actions, often without them realizing it? In this episode, Gabe Howard sits down with feminist thought leader Kara Loewentheil to discuss how patriarchal conditioning impacts women, both at work and at home. Kara explains the concept of the “brain gap” — the internal conflict between societal expectations and personal beliefs — and how women can work toward overcoming it. Through practical tools like her “10% Less (Crappy) Thought” technique, she helps listeners begin the journey of unlearning toxic thought patterns. This conversation digs into the subtle, often unnoticed ways sexism shapes women’s everyday lives and offers actionable advice on how to reclaim their mental freedom and build stronger mental health. Listen now! “​​We're all making a deal with the devil to some extent, like I think beauty norms are patriarchal and oppressive. And also I'm about to go on a book tour, so I'm going to get a lash lift, like, because I'm going to have a lot of photos taken and I don't actually like to do makeup. And yet I want my eyes to stand out in photos. I think people assume that if you're a feminist, you are like a kind of purist ideologue. And that is not the case for me or most of the women I work with.” ~Kara Loewentheil To learn more -- or read the transcript -- please visit the official episode page. Our guest, Kara Loewentheil, J.D., is a Master Certified Life Coach, founder of The School of New Feminist Thought, and host of the internationally top-ranked podcast UnF*ck Your Brain: Feminist Self-Help for Everyone (50 million downloads and counting!).  Her first book, Take Back Your Brain: How A Sexist Society Gets in Your Head – and How to Get It Out (Penguin Life May 2024) has been called a “galvanizing debut” by Publisher’s Weekly, chosen as a “must-read” by the Next Big Ideas Book Club for May 2024, and praised by NYT-bestselling authors including Mel Robbins, Elise Loehnen, Dr. Marisa Franco, and Tori Dunlap.  A graduate of Yale College and Harvard Law School, Kara did what every Ivy League lawyer should do: Quit a prestigious academic career to become a life coach! Eight years after she stepped down as director of a think tank at Columbia Law School, she has created a seven-figure business, taught millions of women how to identify the ways that sexist socialization impacts their brains, and helped women all over the world rewire their thought patterns to liberate themselves from the inside out.  Our host, Gabe Howard, is an award-winning writer and speaker who lives with bipolar disorder. He is the author of the popular book, "Mental Illness is an Asshole and other Observations," available from Amazon; signed copies are also available directly from the author. Gabe makes his home in the suburbs of Columbus, Ohio. He lives with his supportive wife, Kendall, and a Miniature Schnauzer dog that he never wanted, but now can’t imagine life without. To book Gabe for your next event or learn more about him, please visit gabehoward.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Shame is everywhere, and for women, it’s a constant, uninvited guest. Join host Gabe Howard and writer Melissa Petro as they explore how shame functions as a tool to keep women in line—dictating what they can be, how they should look, and who they’re allowed to become. Melissa reveals the hidden forces at play that make women feel “not good enough,” no matter what they do. She introduces “shame resilience,” a powerful strategy to transform how we see ourselves by embracing our feelings and challenging the stories we've been told. If you're tired of walking the impossible line between “too much” and “not enough,” this episode is for you. Discover how to break free from the labels, live more authentically, and reclaim your power in a world that constantly tries to diminish it. Tune in and start rewriting your own narrative today. “Shame is going to lower treatment adherence. We're not going to follow their orders if we are having feelings of shame. And also, shame, just shame itself is bad for our health. So, when I say shame is killing us, I don't mean it's just really making us feel sad about ourselves. It's not. It's impacting our physical health, and it needs to be addressed on an individual but also societal level.” ~Melissa Petro To learn more -- or read the transcript -- visit the official episode page. Our guest, Melissa Petro, is a journalist whose writing has been featured in The Washington Post, Allure, Cosmopolitan, Rolling Stone, Good Housekeeping, The Guardian, InStyle, and many other national publications. She was a finalist for the PEN/Fusion Emerging Writers Prize and she holds a bachelor’s degree in women’s studies from Antioch and an MFA in creative nonfiction from The New School. She lives with her husband and two young children in upstate New York. Our host, Gabe Howard, is an award-winning writer and speaker who lives with bipolar disorder. He is the author of the popular book, "Mental Illness is an Asshole and other Observations," available from Amazon; signed copies are also available directly from the author. Gabe makes his home in the suburbs of Columbus, Ohio. He lives with his supportive wife, Kendall, and a Miniature Schnauzer dog that he never wanted, but now can’t imagine life without. To book Gabe for your next event or learn more about him, please visit gabehoward.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As political campaigns ramp up, many of us feel the pressure and anxiety that come with the constant stream of fear-based rhetoric. In this timely episode, Gabe Howard sits down with Dr. Michelle A. Patriquin, the director of research at the Menninger Clinic and an associate professor at Baylor College of Medicine, to explore the phenomenon of election stress. Dr. Patriquin sheds light on how these tactics prey on our core fears, the psychological impact of election-related anxiety, and why it affects people across political parties. Tune in to learn practical strategies for rising above the stress, understanding the broader picture, and maintaining your mental health in the face of uncertainty. This episode is a must listen for anyone feeling overwhelmed by this year’s presidential election. “Like watching cars slow down when there's a wreck on the side of a road. It just evokes some emotions. And getting sort of sucked in. I keep using that word because it's so attractive. It's so like interesting and it’s like you get really caught up in it. And instead really kind of thinking about is this someone's opinion? Is this more logic and data driven?” ~Michelle A. Patriquin, PhD To learn more -- or read the transcript -- please visit the official episode page. Our guest, Dr. Michelle Patriquin, PhD, ABPP, is the Director of Research and a Senior Psychologist at The Menninger Clinic and Associate Professor in the Menninger Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas. She is a board certified and licensed psychologist. She has authored over 185 publications and presentations and has been honored with numerous awards for her research and mentorship. She serves as a board member for the Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA), as well as other nonprofits committed to mental health clinical care, research, and education. Across her work, she is committed to building real-world solutions that expedite the translation of mental health scientific discoveries into robust clinical innovation that improve mental health outcomes for all. Our host, Gabe Howard, is an award-winning writer and speaker who lives with bipolar disorder. He is the author of the popular book, "Mental Illness is an Asshole and other Observations," available from Amazon; signed copies are also available directly from the author. Gabe makes his home in the suburbs of Columbus, Ohio. He lives with his supportive wife, Kendall, and a Miniature Schnauzer dog that he never wanted, but now can’t imagine life without. To book Gabe for your next event or learn more about him, please visit gabehoward.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Why are we so drawn to the promise of quick fixes in our fitness goals, and why do they often lead to disappointment? In this episode, host Gabe Howard sits down with Dr. Cedric Bryant, CEO of the American Council on Exercise, to explore the psychological and social factors behind our attraction to these easy solutions. They discuss the evolving science of exercise, the importance of integrating physical and mental health, and practical strategies to help you stay on track with realistic, sustainable fitness goals. Tune in to learn how to spot the fads and focus on what really works for your long-term health. “So rather than focusing on running a four-minute mile or being able to bench press a certain weight, start with goals that are just about, kind of to borrow the old Nike, just doing it. You start with the process of, OK, I'm going to do some form of exercise or physical activity three times a week for 20 minutes a day. And just use that. Don't think about what's going to be the resultant outcome of that, and once you start to master those, then you can start shifting toward setting some performance or outcome-based goals for yourself, because then you're going to have a better framework of what is truly achievable for you.” ~Dr. Cedric Bryant To learn more -- or read the transcript -- please visit our official episode page. Our guest, Cedric X. Bryant, Ph.D., FACSM, is the Chief Executive Officer at the American Council on Exercise (ACE). On a typical day, he collaborates with various partners such as the World Health Organization, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and National Academies of Science, Engineering and Medicine to champion increased physical activity based on science and evidence-based practices. When sharing about physical activity Cedric often says, “Some activity is better than none, and more is better than some! Every little bit counts.”  Cedric has more than 35 years in the health and fitness industry and has authored more than 300 articles and co-authored or edited more than 40 books. He earned both his doctorate in physiology and master’s degree in exercise science from Pennsylvania State University, where he received Pennsylvania State University’s Distinguished Alumni Award, the highest honor presented to its alumni.  Our host, Gabe Howard, is an award-winning writer and speaker who lives with bipolar disorder. He is the author of the popular book, "Mental Illness is an Asshole and other Observations," available from Amazon; signed copies are also available directly from the author. Gabe makes his home in the suburbs of Columbus, Ohio. He lives with his supportive wife, Kendall, and a Miniature Schnauzer dog that he never wanted, but now can’t imagine life without. To book Gabe for your next event or learn more about him, please visit  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this revealing episode, Dr. Tammy Nelson and Gabe Howard delve into the myths and realities of monogamy, infidelity, and open relationships. Discover surprising insights from Ashley Madison data and Dr. Nelson’s extensive research, revealing that women, not men, are often the gatekeepers of monogamy. Explore the dynamics of emotional and physical connections outside traditional boundaries, and learn how couples can navigate discussions about open relationships without damaging trust. Whether you're curious about alternative lifestyles or seeking to understand the evolving landscape of modern relationships, this episode promises to challenge your perceptions and spark thoughtful conversations. Listen now! “I don't know if it's about not being under someone's thumb. I mean, women have always had affairs, even in cultures where you can be beheaded and stoned to death in the street, women still cheat as often as they ever have. So I mean, that's an interesting statistic. Like, why are we looking for alternative relationships even when it could kill us? You know, it's hard to get really good statistics on how often people cheat because cheating is based on dishonesty, right? And so people lie to the researchers. So we don't really know.” ~Tammy Nelson, PhD To learn more -- or read the transcript -- please visit the official episode page. Our guest, Tammy Nelson, PhD, is a Board Certified Sexologist, an AASECT Certified Sex Therapist, a Licensed Professional Counselor, a Certified Imago Relationship therapist, and a Licensed Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselor with over 30 years of experience working with couples and individuals and flexible monogamy relationships. She is a TEDx speaker and hosts “The Trouble With Sex” podcast. She speaks worldwide and consults with institutes, think tanks, and corporations on communication, integrity, and relationships. At this time of great global stress, Dr. Nelson helps people cope with working from home, disruption across all industries, and social distancing. Our host, Gabe Howard, is an award-winning writer and speaker who lives with bipolar disorder. He is the author of the popular book, "Mental Illness is an Asshole and other Observations," available from Amazon; signed copies are also available directly from the author. Gabe makes his home in the suburbs of Columbus, Ohio. He lives with his supportive wife, Kendall, and a Miniature Schnauzer dog that he never wanted, but now can’t imagine life without. To book Gabe for your next event or learn more about him, please visit gabehoward.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dive into a candid discussion on mental health as host Gabe Howard speaks with Rachael Beairsto, a senior editor for Healthline. Together, they tackle tough questions about authenticity and stigma provided by listeners like you. Explore how misconceptions and pop culture blur the lines between genuine struggles and excuses, examining why some may fake mental health issues and the impact on those who truly live with them. From self-harm to artistic stereotypes, they challenge familiar narratives and offer insights into navigating this complex terrain. Join them for an eye-opening exploration that sheds light on the nuances of mental illness in today's society. To learn more -- or read the transcript -- check out the official page. “We're using language that we don't fully understand. The wider conversation doesn't necessarily mean it's a more accurate conversation. If we're just learning a little bit about mental health here and there, it doesn't necessarily mean we understand the nuances. You know, people who have received a diagnosis professionally, the idea that they're faking it is really harmful. And it's a big part of mental health stigma. And it's like people assuming that maybe that that person is faking it can be a really hard part of living with a mental health disorder.” ~Rachael Beairsto, Healthline Senior Editor Our guest, Rachael Beairsto, is a senior editor with Healthline Media. She covers many health topics, including mental health, chronic conditions, and skin care. Most recently, she supported the launch of Wellos, a mobile wellness app that helps members reach their stress, nutrition, and weight goals. She’s passionate about sharing accurate, engaging health information to help people lead their healthiest, happiest lives. Our host, Gabe Howard, is an award-winning writer and speaker who lives with bipolar disorder. He is the author of the popular book, "Mental Illness is an Asshole and other Observations," available from Amazon; signed copies are also available directly from the author. Gabe makes his home in the suburbs of Columbus, Ohio. He lives with his supportive wife, Kendall, and a Miniature Schnauzer dog that he never wanted, but now can’t imagine life without. To book Gabe for your next event or learn more about him, please visit gabehoward.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Paul Gilmartin, host of the “Mental Illness Happy Hour” podcast, and Gabe discuss Paul’s struggles with anxiety, financial pressures, and porn addiction. They emphasize the importance of support networks, self-compassion, and finding healthy coping mechanisms. Paul shares how he moved past pornography addiction toward more fulfilling hobbies and relationships. A vulnerable and eye-opening story—listen now! “You'll never find out what your body feels like without being shocked by the intensity of pornography if you don't take a break from it. I think it's definitely worth some investigating because I also find I have way more sexual energy and desire to bring to my relationship. Because I'm not dissipating it. And it feels great. In many ways, it feels like self-actualization.” ~Paul Gilmartin To learn more -- or read the transcript -- please visit the official page. From 1995 to 2011, our guest Paul Gilmartin co-hosted TBS’ “Dinner and a Movie” and performed his half-hour stand-up special “Comedy Central Presents: Paul Gilmartin.” He is a frequent guest on the “Jimmy Dore Show,” performing political satire as his right-wing U.S. Rep. Richard Martin (R-Ohio). In 2011, he began “The Mental Illness Happy Hour,” a weekly audio podcast consisting of interviews with artists, friends, listeners, and the occasional mental health professional about all the battles in our heads. With a 5/5 Apple Podcasts rating, the show is frequently chosen as an Editor’s Pick. It was chosen by Esquire magazine as one of the best podcasts of 2016 and featured in the PBS Documentary "A New State of Mind." Our host, Gabe Howard, is an award-winning writer and speaker who lives with bipolar disorder. He is the author of the popular book, "Mental Illness is an Asshole and other Observations," available from Amazon; signed copies are also available directly from the author. Gabe makes his home in the suburbs of Columbus, Ohio. He lives with his supportive wife, Kendall, and a Miniature Schnauzer dog that he never wanted, but now can’t imagine life without. To book Gabe for your next event or learn more about him, please visit gabehoward.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today’s episode, Gabe interviews Dr. Margaret Rutherford, a clinical psychologist and the host of “The SelfWork Podcast.” They discuss the pressing issue of loneliness as a global health threat, likening its mortality effects to smoking 15 cigarettes a day, and explore its close relationship with depression. Rutherford emphasizes the importance of practicing social interaction, reevaluating perceptions of being alone, and taking small proactive steps to combat loneliness and build meaningful connections. “I think you have to look at your definition of alone. And what are you telling yourself about being alone? I'm alone because, what? Because I'm a failure? Because I am undesirable? What are you heaping on yourself about being alone that is detrimental to you? As long as you are engaged in constant negative appraisal of you spending an evening alone or a week alone or whatever it is, as long as you are calling that highly undesirable and actually that means you are less than, then you're going to run into trouble.” ~Dr. Margaret Rutherford To learn more -- or read the transcript -- please visit the official episode page. Our guest, Margaret Robinson Rutherford, PhD, is a clinical psychologist with 30 years of experience, an author, TEDx speaker, and podcast host. Her book, “Perfectly Hidden Depression: How to Break Free from the Perfectionism That Masks Your Depression,” has reached thousands in the United States and is having an international impact, with translations reaching Korea to Italy, Turkey to Germany. Her podcast, “The SelfWork Podcast,” has been continuously rated as one of the best podcasts for mental health and depression. Our host, Gabe Howard, is an award-winning writer and speaker who lives with bipolar disorder. He is the author of the popular book, "Mental Illness is an Asshole and other Observations," available from Amazon; signed copies are also available directly from the author. Gabe makes his home in the suburbs of Columbus, Ohio. He lives with his supportive wife, Kendall, and a Miniature Schnauzer dog that he never wanted, but now can’t imagine life without. To book Gabe for your next event or learn more about him, please visit gabehoward.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Zach Tidwell transformed his life after a self-inflicted gunshot wound left him blind and deaf in one ear. Through perseverance, he has pursued numerous adventurous activities, including skiing and white water rafting. He demonstrated that with determination and support, one can regain independence and achieve remarkable goals despite significant challenges.  Tidwell now focuses on inspiring others, promoting mental health awareness, and aiding in the creation of blind accessibility technology. He emphasizes that life improvement comes through active effort and resilience. Hear his story now! To learn more -- or read the transcript -- please visit the official episode page. “That first snowboarding trip was eight and a half months after I shot myself. That next month, I got back into college. Six months later, I moved into downtown Denver to live on the college campus and had to learn to navigate the city with just my cane. It has been incremental, and those sports have been sprinkled in along the way, where even though I didn't have the skill to cook, I got a taste of independent snowboarding. And then when I moved out on my own, I got to OK, now the river was the new thing. And it's kind of supported all of the personal growth that I've had.” ~Zach Tidwell Zach Tidwell is a blind Marine Corps veteran and suicide survivor best known for his lighthearted approach to the hard topics in life and his ability to inspire others. Having shot himself in the head in an attempt to take his own life, he woke up blind and deaf in one ear and with a new perspective on life. At only 28 years old, Zach now shares his story and the lessons he’s learned along the way to save lives and motivate others to take control and write the stories of their futures. In addition to sharing his hard-learned lessons, Zach has gone on to found his own software development company so he can lead the way in inclusive design by creating software everyone can use, regardless of disability or lack thereof. Outside of work, he breaks down barriers and social perceptions of what the world thinks a disabled person can do. He skis, rock climbs, whitewater kayaks, skydives, and even competes in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu against other practitioners without disabilities. Our host, Gabe Howard, is an award-winning writer and speaker who lives with bipolar disorder. He is the author of the popular book, "Mental Illness is an Asshole and other Observations," available from Amazon; signed copies are also available directly from the author. Gabe makes his home in the suburbs of Columbus, Ohio. He lives with his supportive wife, Kendall, and a Miniature Schnauzer dog that he never wanted, but now can’t imagine life without. To book Gabe for your next event or learn more about him, please visit gabehoward.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today’s episode, sponsored by NOCD, designer and producer Sam Temple shares her experience living with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and her long journey to getting a diagnosis. Today's episode is sponsored by NOCD (learn more at treatmyocd.com). We delve into the many misconceptions about OCD, and Sam emphasizes how different forms of the disorder, like relationship OCD, severely impacted her life. Her psychiatrist recommended NOCD’s exposure and response prevention (ERP) therapy, and she shares her experience with ERP treatment and NOCD.  Sam now advocates for treatment and community support, and she finds solace and purpose in helping others navigate their OCD journeys. Listen Now! “I had the same misconceptions about OCD that most people had at that time. Where you think, ‘Oh, it's just, you know, being afraid of germs or being super tidy.’ I'm the messiest person there is. So, you know, it didn't make sense to me at first.” ~Sam Temple To learn more -- or read the transcript, please visit the official episode page. Today's guest, Sam Temple, is an artist, designer, and producer in the YouTube industry for the H3 show. She lives with obsessive compulsive disorder, and OCD advocacy has become a huge part of her life. She is here today to discuss her life with -- and her treatment for -- obsessive compulsive disorder. Our host, Gabe Howard, is an award-winning writer and speaker who lives with bipolar disorder. He is the author of the popular book, "Mental Illness is an Asshole and other Observations," available from Amazon; signed copies are also available directly from the author. Gabe makes his home in the suburbs of Columbus, Ohio. He lives with his supportive wife, Kendall, and a Miniature Schnauzer dog that he never wanted, but now can’t imagine life without. To book Gabe for your next event or learn more about him, please visit gabehoward.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hey, everybody, this is Gabe Howard, host of the Inside Mental Health podcast. And for the last nine years, we have released an episode every single week, including over the holidays, over the summer. I have never taken a break. Well, that schedule just got a bit cumbersome. So, instead of releasing weekly episodes, we are going to switch to bi-weekly episodes. It's going to be the same great podcast, with the same great guests and the same cool things happening. But, instead of happening weekly, it will happen bi-weekly. So tune in next week for the next episode of the Inside Mental Health podcast! Gabe Howard (Healthline Media) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

on adoptees' perspectives, highlighting the often overlooked side of adoption narratives. Our conversation delves into how the adoption industry, driven by a multibillion-dollar market, prioritizes the narratives of adoptive parents, sidelining the voices and experiences of adoptees. We discuss the societal expectations placed on adoptees to feel grateful despite the complexities of their experiences, including feelings of loss, identity issues, and the challenges of connecting with their biological roots. Furthermore, the dialogue touches on systemic issues in adoption practices, such as the lack of access to original birth records for adoptees. Through their stories and insights, Sara and Louise stress the need for greater understanding, reform in adoption practices, and more inclusive conversations that give adoptees a platform to share their experiences and identities. “I think you can do both. You can love your family. And you can also want to know your other family and your roots and who you are. It's like an inherent right, I think, to know who you are because we strive for it. Like we may not know we're searching, but we are always, because you have like this, this hole that's missing. And you're taken from your mother. It's a strange scenario if you think about it, and you put somewhere else. No one talks to you about it, and you try to navigate the world. And so all these little subtle things growing up affect a lot of people.” ~Louise Browne To learn more -- or read the transcript -- please visit the official episode page. Sarah Reinhardt is a co-host of “Adoption: The Making of Me,” a podcast by and for adoptees. She is a writer, empty-nester, OCD dog parent, and works in Public Media in Kansas City, MO. Sarah hopes her voice will help resonate with other adoptees facing similar issues. Currently, she is working on a book of humorous essays that follow the theme of searching for identity. Louise Browne is a co-host of “Adoption: The Making of Me,” a podcast by and for adoptees. Louise works for the executive leadership team in digital banking. She is working on a YA novel and has written two children’s books along and several poems. Louise lives along the Central Coast of California with her husband, Bill, and their dog, Gracie. She has a grown son who lives in Los Angeles. She is trying to change the narrative of adoption to include the voices of adoptees and to help change the way adoption is run as a business. Our host, Gabe Howard, is an award-winning writer and speaker who lives with bipolar disorder. He is the author of the popular book, "Mental Illness is an Asshole and other Observations," available from Amazon; signed copies are also available directly from the author. Gabe makes his home in the suburbs of Columbus, Ohio. He lives with his supportive wife, Kendall, and a Miniature Schnauzer dog that he never wanted, but now can’t imagine life without. To book Gabe for your next event or learn more about him, please visit gabehoward.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

 “The Holocaust was real” should not be a controversial statement, but sadly it has become one. Today, we feature Dr. David Hazony, an expert on Jewish philosophy, who dives into the troubling rise of Holocaust denial and its roots in conspiracy theory and antisemitism. Hazony describes Holocaust denial as not only an offshoot of historical antisemitism but also a mechanism for individuals to express disenchantment with societal authorities, attributing personal or societal failures to fabricated Jewish conspiracies. He emphasizes the grave consequences of dismissing the Holocaust, warning that such denial undermines the lessons learned from one of history's darkest chapters, potentially making society vulnerable to repeating past atrocities. “When you don't want to believe something, you find ways of not believing it. When there's a market for disbelief and denial, you'll find people prepared to fulfill the needs of that market through false scholarship, through false books, through false documentaries and films, and all of the false information. The question is not so much what are they thinking as why are they thinking it. What need does it fulfill? What role in society does it fulfill? Why does it make them feel good? And how do we get to the bottom of what's driving people who want to believe that they’re forces geared up against them to take away that which is rightfully theirs? That's the real question that we need to ask.” ~Dr. David Hazony To learn more -- or read the transcript -- visit the official episode page. David Hazony is an award-winning editor, translator, and author. He is the former editor-in-chief of the journal Azure and was the founding editor of TheTower.org. His book “The Ten Commandments” (Scribner, 2010) was a finalist for the National Jewish Book Award. His translation of Uri Bar-Joseph’s “The Angel” (HarperCollins, 2016) won the National Jewish Book Award. He has edited two previous anthologies: “Essential Essays on Judaism” by Eliezer Berkovits (Shalem, 2002) and, with Yoram Hazony and Michael B. Oren, “New Essays on Zionism” (Shalem, 2007). He has a PhD in Jewish Philosophy from the Hebrew University and lives in Jerusalem. Our host, Gabe Howard, is an award-winning writer and speaker who lives with bipolar disorder. He is the author of the popular book, "Mental Illness is an Asshole and other Observations," available from Amazon; signed copies are also available directly from the author. Gabe makes his home in the suburbs of Columbus, Ohio. He lives with his supportive wife, Kendall, and a Miniature Schnauzer dog that he never wanted, but now can’t imagine life without. To book Gabe for your next event or learn more about him, please visit gabehoward.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dr. Asima Ahmad discusses the significant role doulas can play in pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum care, highlighting the importance of clear roles and communication between healthcare professionals, doulas, and birthing individuals for optimal outcomes. Dr. Asima’s personal experience with a doula demonstrates the benefits of having tailored support for physical and emotional well-being, underscoring the potential for doulas to alleviate stress and anxiety, and contribute to a more positive birthing experience. The conversation also addresses controversies surrounding doula services, emphasizing the necessity of teamwork and understanding in medical settings to prevent miscommunication and ensure the safety and health of both the mother and baby, with research supporting the positive impact of doulas on reducing medical interventions and improving mental health outcomes. To learn more -- or read the transcript -- visit the official episode page. “So I think there's a lot of different roles that doulas can play. I don't think it's just like a copy and paste for all. Personally, I've had five pregnancies, I have four children, and I'm lucky that I've always had a good support system in place. But for this last delivery, I did have a postpartum doula, and even though I had gone through it three times before, I found her insight and support to be valuable to not only myself but also to my family and friends.” ~Asima Ahmad, MD, MPH Our guest, Asima Ahmad, MD, MPH, is a co-founder and the chief medical officer (CMO) of Carrot Fertility, the leading global fertility care platform. As Carrot’s CMO, Ahmad leads clinical strategy, overseeing the company’s expansive network and telehealth program, which offers access to more than 10,000 reproductive endocrinologists, urologists, adoption experts, mental health experts, OB/GYNs, doulas, and midwives.   In addition to her role at Carrot, Ahmad is a practicing reproductive endocrinologist and infertility specialist. She is double board certified in reproductive endocrinology and infertility and obstetrics and gynecology. Ahmad earned a combined medical and public health degree from the University of Chicago’s Pritzker School of Medicine and the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health in Boston. She completed her residency in OB/GYN at Yale-New Haven Hospital in Connecticut and her fellowship training in reproductive endocrinology and infertility at the University of California, San Francisco. She has worked alongside and received mentorship from former ASRM presidents Dr. Hugh Taylor and Dr. Marcelle Cedars. Ahmad’s work has been published extensively in academic literature and internationally on various topics related to infertility, reproductive and hormonal health, gynecologic malignancies, and patient safety.  Ahmad has been recognized by Entrepreneur magazine and Fierce Healthcare on their Women of Influence lists and named to Business Insider’s 30 under 40 in Healthcare list. She has also spoken at The World Economic Forum and has been featured in The New York Times, the “Today” show, “Good Morning America,” NPR, CNN, USA Today, Women’s Health, and more. Our host, Gabe Howard, is an award-winning writer and speaker who lives with bipolar disorder. He is the author of the popular book, "Mental Illness is an Asshole and other Observations," available from Amazon; signed copies are also available directly from the author. Gabe makes his home in the suburbs of Columbus, Ohio. He lives with his supportive wife, Kendall, and a Miniature Schnauzer dog that he never wanted, but now can’t imagine life without. To book Gabe for your next event or learn more about him, please visit gabehoward.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Our guest, Greg Harden, is a renowned peak performance coach best known for his work with Tom Brady and Michael Phelps. In today’s episode, Greg emphasizes the importance of self-knowledge, mental training, and understanding that fear and anxiety are natural parts of life to be managed, not feared. His latest book, "Stay Sane in an Insane World," offers insights into achieving personal success and well-being by adopting self-supporting attitudes and behaviors. If you want to be a better version of yourself, this episode is for you. To learn more -- or read the transcript -- visit the official episode page. “What we do is sometimes we get so preoccupied with worrying about things we can't control, that when we can get to the things that we can do something about, we're worn out and tired. And what I try to do is get people to simply make a commitment to be someone that when you talk to yourself, you change the way you talk to yourself. To improve the way that I talk to myself, the way I see myself, the secret that's not a secret, Gabe, is self-love and self-acceptance.” ~Greg Harden Greg Harden is a peak performance coach, motivational speaker, and executive consultant best known for his work with seven-time Super Bowl champion quarterback Tom Brady. He also worked with Heisman Trophy winner, and Super Bowl MVP Desmond Howard and 23-time Olympic Gold medalist Michael Phelps. He’s spent more than 30 years counseling, motivating, and coaching them at the University of Michigan, including 400 future professional athletes, 50 NFL first-round draft picks, and 120 Olympians from more than 20 countries. He gained national recognition when “60 Minute Sports” profiled him as “Michigan’s Secret Weapon.” Our host, Gabe Howard, is an award-winning writer and speaker who lives with bipolar disorder. He is the author of the popular book, "Mental Illness is an Asshole and other Observations," available from Amazon; signed copies are also available directly from the author. Gabe makes his home in the suburbs of Columbus, Ohio. He lives with his supportive wife, Kendall, and a Miniature Schnauzer dog that he never wanted, but now can’t imagine life without. To book Gabe for your next event or learn more about him, please visit gabehoward.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today, Dwight "Doc" Gooden, a former Major League Baseball pitcher, discusses his journey with addiction, relapse, and the significance of addressing mental health alongside substance misuse. He emphasizes the importance of honesty, self-forgiveness, and seeking proper help, including for mental health issues, which he feels are often overlooked despite their significance. Doc also highlights the human toll of his addiction beyond baseball, such as the time lost with his children and the impact on his family. To learn more -- or read the transcript -- please visit the official episode page. “Those are the most people that you see out on the streets or holding signs saying, I want to work for food. And it's sad because that was somebody's kid, I mean, at the end of the day, we're all brothers and sisters. And that would definitely be me if I didn't have money. So when I see those people, I try to talk to them a little bit if I can. Sometimes you go to the store and you see people outside. I just talk where you from. I just like to talk to them, see what's going on, because they are people too, and they need help. And saddest part is those people, most of those people and they’re out here suffering and nothing's been done. It's so deep and that's mental health.” ~Dwight "Doc" Gooden Our guest, Dwight Eugene Gooden, aka “Doc,” is well known for his baseball heroics. Dwight’s career accolades include Rookie of the Year, a Cy Young Award, three World Series championships, and a storybook no-hitter. Earning the nickname “Doctor K” due to his propensity for pitching strikeouts, it could be argued that Dwight Gooden earned it all in his playing career. Dwight Gooden’s history also includes substance use and addiction, league suspensions, arrests, and a long road toward learning how his various struggles were associated with his mental health. Receiving treatment and now over four years sober, Dwight Gooden uses his unique perspective to offer support and insightful guidance to others struggling with mental illness. Having served thousands through various speeches, talks and advocacy endeavors, Dwight Gooden is retired from baseball but considers now the prime of his career as he sees his true purpose in helping others. In addition to participating in various mental health causes, Dwight Gooden is working to spread nutritional awareness through St. Augustine’s Fountain. He also looks forward to when the New York Mets will give him the highest honor a player could receive from their club when they retire his #16 jersey this year. Our host, Gabe Howard, is an award-winning writer and speaker who lives with bipolar disorder. He is the author of the popular book, "Mental Illness is an Asshole and other Observations," available from Amazon; signed copies are also available directly from the author. Gabe makes his home in the suburbs of Columbus, Ohio. He lives with his supportive wife, Kendall, and a Miniature Schnauzer dog that he never wanted, but now can’t imagine life without. To book Gabe for your next event or learn more about him, please visit gabehoward.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dr. Raghu Kiran Appasani and author Brooke Siem join us for a nuanced discussion about the complexities of prescribing psychiatric medications to children. They explore the importance of informed consent, the inadequacies of the current mental health system, and the societal shift toward over-medicalizing everyday life challenges.  Both Brooke, as an advocate with personal experience, and Dr. Raghu, from a medical perspective, agree on the need for a multifaceted approach to mental health treatment, moving beyond reliance on medication alone. However, they disagree on the best path forward and share their perspectives. To learn more -- or read the transcript -- please visit the official episode page. “When people come to me and they ask me these questions, they are never thriving, which is another piece of anecdata for me, that just shows that these drugs don't really work long term. I mean, I honestly have not met one single person who has been medicated for, let's say, more than 2 to 3 years for depression, who says they're thriving. I hear them say they're coping. They're, you know, they're okay. They're fine. That's kind of the best it gets. They're never living their best life. And so I think we just really attribute a lot of that to just like, oh, it's just being an adult, you know, life's hard and then you die type of attitude.” ~Brooke Siem Our guest, Brooke Siem (@brookesiem), is both a chef to professional athletes and the surprising face of psychiatric drug withdrawal awareness and advocacy. Her book, “May Cause Side Effects,” won the 2023 BIBA Prize for memoir and was named as one of “Good Morning America's” most anticipated reads. Her work on antidepressant withdrawal has also appeared in The Washington Post, New York Post, Psychology Today, and more. She is a Food Network "Chopped" Champion, founder of the newsletter Happiness Is A Skill, and creator of the F**it Bucket™.  Our guest, Dr. Raghu Kiran Appasani, is an integrative & addiction psychiatrist, neuroscientist, and social entrepreneur focused on bridging the gap between Western and Eastern practices to create a wholesome society by taking a proactive approach to health. He recently completed his Addiction Psychiatry Fellowship at the University of California-San Francisco (June 2023). His interests lie at the intersection of psychodynamic psychotherapy, integrative/nutritional psychiatry, mental health literacy, advocacy, wellness, entrepreneurship, and psychedelics. His alter ego's life goal is to become a chef integrating farm-to-table experiences in stunning landscapes around the world. For his contributions, he has been recognized as a World Economic Forum Global Shaper, One Young World Delegate Ambassador, StartingBloc Fellow, Nexus Global Delegate, EchoingGreen, MassChallenge, and Kellogg Innovation Network Delegate. Through his extensive scientific research, he has published more than 35 peer-reviewed articles and edited 5 books. He has given more than 120 talks on mental health, entrepreneurship, global health, and consciousness in parallel with authorship and features on CNN, Vogue, The Boston Globe, ThriveGlobal, The Better India, The Zoe Report, and The Huffington Post. Our host, Gabe Howard, is an award-winning writer and speaker who lives with bipolar disorder. He is the author of the popular book, "Mental Illness is an Asshole and other Observations," available from Amazon; signed copies are also available directly from the author. Gabe makes his home in the suburbs of Columbus, Ohio. He lives with his supportive wife, Kendall, and a Miniature Schnauzer dog that he never wanted, but now can’t imagine life without. To book Gabe for your next event or learn more about him, please visit gabehoward.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Krista St-Germain shares her journey with grief following the death of her husband by a drunken driver. She explains how the commonly referenced five stages of grief are inadequate – if not outright inaccurate – for many people's experiences. She discusses alternative grief theories, such as the dual process model, and introduces the concepts of “grief plateau” and “grief fog,” highlighting the complexity and uniqueness of each person's experience of grief. In her work as a grief expert, Krista advocates for a more individualized approach to grief, emphasizing the process of integration and post-traumatic growth rather than just “moving on” or reaching acceptance. She is a master certified life coach, a post-traumatic growth and grief expert, widow, mom, and the host of “The Widowed Mom Podcast.” To learn more -- or read the transcript -- please visit the episode page. Our guest, Krista St-Germain, is a Master Certified Life Coach, Post-Traumatic Growth and grief expert, widow, mom and host of The Widowed Mom Podcast. When her husband was killed by a drunk driver in 2016, Krista’s life was completely and unexpectedly flipped upside down. After therapy helped her uncurl from the fetal position, Krista discovered Life Coaching, Post Traumatic Growth and learned the tools she needed to move forward and create a future she could get excited about. Now she coaches and teaches other widows so they can love life again, too. Krista has been featured online and in print in Psychology Today, Medium, Thrive Global, Bustle, Psych Central, and Parents Magazine and on select podcasts such as The SelfWork Podcast, Seek The Joy, Life Check Yourself, and You Need A Budget to name a few.  Our host, Gabe Howard, is an award-winning writer and speaker who lives with bipolar disorder. He is the author of the popular book, "Mental Illness is an Asshole and other Observations," available from Amazon; signed copies are also available directly from the author. Gabe makes his home in the suburbs of Columbus, Ohio. He lives with his supportive wife, Kendall, and a Miniature Schnauzer dog that he never wanted, but now can’t imagine life without. To book Gabe for your next event or learn more about him, please visit gabehoward.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Michael Caparrelli spent 100 hours with David Berkowitz, once known as the “Son of Sam” killer. In today’s episode, they discuss Berkowitz's transformation from a serial killer into the remorseful, service-oriented individual and born-again Christian he is today. All of this suggests that during his time in prison, he became a different person, indicating that profound rehabilitation is possible even for those who have committed heinous acts. Dr. Caparrelli explains that through his pastoral and academic experience, he aims to humanize individuals like Berkowitz to understand the factors leading to such violence and possibly prevent future crimes. He is the author of "Monster Mirror: 100 Hours with David Berkowitz, Once Known as Son of Sam," about his extensive interviews with the infamous serial killer, focusing on the psychological and humanitarian aspects rather than the crimes themselves. Our guest, Michael Caparrelli, was a pastor for 16 years who shepherded an inner-city church in Rhode Island that served as a hospital for the mentally ill. His church offered a variety of support groups for people with depression, anxiety, addictions, and grief. He also worked within three prisons as an advocate and counselor for inmates. He now has a PhD in Advanced Studies in Human Behavior and continues his passion through lectures on mental health from a faith-based perspective.  He authored 5 books on mental health and travels the nation speaking on this subject within churches, rehabilitation centers, prisons, and schools. He has traveled 18 states and 3 nations over the past few years. He is a professor of behavioral science at two colleges — Northpoint in Haverhill, Massachusetts, and Manchester Community College in New Hampshire.  Most recently, he conducted a 100-hour case study on David Berkowitz, once known as the “Son of Sam.” He met with David for 34 sessions to explore the mental health factors behind violence as well as his life of sobriety in prison now. This case study was recently published in a book, “Monster Mirror,” which ranked No. 1 New Release in True Crime on Amazon in October. Our host, Gabe Howard, is an award-winning writer and speaker who lives with bipolar disorder. He is the author of the popular book, "Mental Illness is an Asshole and other Observations," available from Amazon; signed copies are also available directly from the author. Gabe makes his home in the suburbs of Columbus, Ohio. He lives with his supportive wife, Kendall, and a Miniature Schnauzer dog that he never wanted, but now can’t imagine life without. To book Gabe for your next event or learn more about him, please visit gabehoward.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today’s guest is a “happiness explorer,” and she discusses her realization of the need to strip back negativity in life through her experiences on the hit CBS reality series "Survivor." She highlights how the show's contestants revealed their true potential and capabilities only when faced with extreme challenges. She emphasizes that happiness is a choice backed by intentional, consistent action and shares insights from her book, which provides practical activities like photography and journaling prompts to help readers explore and enhance their happiness. Tune in as Emmy Award-winning TV producer Maria Baltazzi, author of "Take a Shot at Happiness: How to Write, Direct and Produce the Life You Want,” shares a lifetime's worth of knowledge about finding happiness framed around “Survivor” stories. “And I think positive thinking has also taken on a bit of a negative connotation. I don't really prescribe to positive thinking. I prescribe to constructive thinking. What is going to serve you? What is going to serve the greater good? And what makes you a happier human being?” ~Maria Baltazzi, PhD, MFA To learn more -- or read the transcript -- please visit the official page. Our guest, Maria Baltazzi, is a Happiness Explorer. Her experience as an Emmy-winning TV producer, well-being teacher, world traveler, and luxury travel designer specializing in transformative adventures has given her a unique lens into conscious living. Maria has developed and produced shows around the world. She was one of the original supervising producers of the mega TV hit Survivor. She is a member of both the Producers and Directors Guilds of America, a Fellow National Member of The Explorers Club, and an Advisor for the Transformational Travel Council. Maria holds an MFA in film from ArtCenter College of Design and a PhD in Conscious-Centered Living from the University of Sedona. Additional studies include Mindfulness Meditation Teaching Training with Jack Kornfield and Tara Brach, Primordial Sound Meditation Teacher Training from The Chopra Center, Happiness Studies with Tal Ben-Shahar, Positive Neuroplasticity Training with Rick Hanson, Spiritual Psychology with Ron and Mary Hulnick at the University of Santa Monica, Positive Psychology at the University of Pennsylvania, the Science of Happiness at the University of Berkley, and an Inner MBA from MindfulNYU. Our host, Gabe Howard, is an award-winning writer and speaker who lives with bipolar disorder. He is the author of the popular book, "Mental Illness is an Asshole and other Observations," available from Amazon; signed copies are also available directly from the author. Gabe makes his home in the suburbs of Columbus, Ohio. He lives with his supportive wife, Kendall, and a Miniature Schnauzer dog that he never wanted, but now can’t imagine life without. To book Gabe for your next event or learn more about him, please visit gabehoward.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

From the streets of San Francisco to the depths of human struggle, Dr. Robert L. Okin, MD, shares the deeply personal narratives of people he spoke with experiencing homelessness during his two-year journey living among and listening to the stories of homeless individuals with mental illness. Reflecting on the vulnerability and resilience of the individuals he met, Dr. Okin challenges societal perceptions and sheds light on the systemic failures that perpetuate homelessness. Through candid conversations and intimate observations, this episode confronts the stigma surrounding homelessness and mental illness, highlighting the shared humanity that binds us all. Join the conversation as Gabe and Dr. Okin uncover the untold stories and advocate for meaningful change in our communities. Join host Gabe Howard as he delves into the raw realities of homelessness and mental illness in today's society. Our guest, Dr. Okin, is the recipient of the American Psychiatric Association's Human Rights Award and author of "Silent Voices: People with Mental Disorders on the Street." “I also expected them to blame their homelessness on bad luck, or on society on something outside of themselves. In fact, they tended to blame themselves wrongly, in my opinion. I met people who were interesting and emotionally connected to me, and I felt energized. Other days, I heard so much sadness and so much pain that I went home with a lump in my throat, and I wasn't sure I could make it out the next day.” ~Robert L. Okin, MD To learn more, please visit the official episode page. Out guest, Robert L. Okin, MD, is a world-recognized expert on human rights for the mentally disabled. He served as chief of service of the San Francisco General Hospital Department of Psychiatry, where he oversaw the development of crucial services for patients with acute and chronic mental illness. He was also professor and vice chair of the UC San Francisco School of Medicine’s Department of Psychiatry. In 2009, he received the American Psychiatric Association’s prestigious Human Rights Award for his work in developing countries. He is the author of “Silent Voices: People with Mental Disorders on the Street” (2nd edition, August 2023). Our host, Gabe Howard, is an award-winning writer and speaker who lives with bipolar disorder. He is the author of the popular book, "Mental Illness is an Asshole and other Observations," available from Amazon; signed copies are also available directly from the author. Gabe makes his home in the suburbs of Columbus, Ohio. He lives with his supportive wife, Kendall, and a Miniature Schnauzer dog that he never wanted, but now can’t imagine life without. To book Gabe for your next event or learn more about him, please visit gabehoward.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

“Ten percent of the population has amassed a huge amount of wealth, more than 50% of the bottom half of the population combined. Government basically, through our taxation policies, stuffed the richest segment of the population, which inevitably meant that it starved the poorest segment and the homeless population are the true casualties of this huge disparity in wealth.” ~Robert L. Okin, MD From the streets of San Francisco to the depths of human struggle, Dr. Robert L. Okin, MD, shares the deeply personal narratives of people he spoke with experiencing homelessness during his two-year journey living among and listening to the stories of homeless individuals with mental illness. Reflecting on the vulnerability and resilience of the individuals he met, Dr. Okin challenges societal perceptions and sheds light on the systemic failures that perpetuate homelessness. Through candid conversations and intimate observations, this episode confronts the stigma surrounding homelessness and mental illness, highlighting the shared humanity that binds us all. Join the conversation as Gabe and Dr. Okin uncover the untold stories and advocate for meaningful change in our communities. Join host Gabe Howard as he delves into the raw realities of homelessness and mental illness in today's society. Our guest, Dr. Okin, is the recipient of the American Psychiatric Association's Human Rights Award and author of "Silent Voices: People with Mental Disorders on the Street." Out guest, Robert L. Okin, MD, is a world-recognized expert on human rights for the mentally disabled. He served as chief of service of the San Francisco General Hospital Department of Psychiatry, where he oversaw the development of crucial services for patients with acute and chronic mental illness. He was also professor and vice chair of the UC San Francisco School of Medicine’s Department of Psychiatry. In 2009, he received the American Psychiatric Association’s prestigious Human Rights Award for his work in developing countries. He is the author of “Silent Voices: People with Mental Disorders on the Street” (2nd edition, August 2023). Our host, Gabe Howard, is an award-winning writer and speaker who lives with bipolar disorder. He is the author of the popular book, "Mental Illness is an Asshole and other Observations," available from Amazon; signed copies are also available directly from the author. Gabe makes his home in the suburbs of Columbus, Ohio. He lives with his supportive wife, Kendall, and a Miniature Schnauzer dog that he never wanted, but now can’t imagine life without. To book Gabe for your next event or learn more about him, please visit gabehoward.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dive into the depths of your past and discover the keys to unlocking your present as we explore the powerful concepts of "family of origin" and “origin wounds.” From the tender moments to the subtle missteps, our early family dynamics shape the very core of who we are. It's not just about trauma or neglect; even the most loving caregivers leave imprints that ripple through our lives. Join us as New York Times bestselling author Vienna Pharaon guides us through the intricate web of relationships, self-worth, and worldview that we inherit from our upbringing. Together, we'll uncover the patterns that stealthily influence our present, and learn how confronting our origin wounds can lead to profound mental health and personal growth. Don't miss this eye-opening journey into the heart of your past, where understanding paves the way to healing and self-discovery. “I'll hear people kind of with the narrative of, well, they did the best that they could, or they were so much better than their parents were to them. Right? There's many reasons why looking back at our family of origins can feel overwhelming and complicated. Sometimes we feel guilty. Sometimes we feel ungrateful. We're not on a hunt to find something. Right? It's not about trying to throw our parents or the adults under the bus. We're not trying to hate anybody. We're here. We're looking to acknowledge how we experienced those years and how we've internalized those things.” ~Vienna Pharaon, Author of “The Origins of You” To learn more -- or read the transcript -- visit the official episode page. Our guest, Vienna Pharaon, is a licensed Marriage and Family therapist and one of New York City’s most sought-after relationship therapists. She has practiced therapy for more than fifteen years and is the founder of the group practice Mindful Marriage and Family Therapy.  She received her master of science in marriage and family therapy from Northwestern University and trained extensively at The Family Institute, Bette D. Harris Family & Child Clinic. Pharaon has been featured in The Economist, Vice, and Motherly, and has led workshops for Peloton and Netflix, among others. Vienna is the author of national bestseller The Origins of You, and the creator of @mindfulMFT on Instagram where she’s helping over 600K people around the world heal their wounds. About "This Keeps Happening" Every week, I speak with anonymous strangers about the challenges they’re facing in their lives and relationships. Listen as real people unpack emotional wounds with me. Together, we’ll attempt to break unhealthy patterns and find clarity and a way forward. Our host, Gabe Howard, is an award-winning writer and speaker who lives with bipolar disorder. He is the author of the popular book, "Mental Illness is an Asshole and other Observations," available from Amazon; signed copies are also available directly from the author. Gabe makes his home in the suburbs of Columbus, Ohio. He lives with his supportive wife, Kendall, and a Miniature Schnauzer dog that he never wanted, but now can’t imagine life without. To book Gabe for your next event or learn more about him, please visit gabehoward.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We discuss the importance of starting mental and emotional health conversations with children from a young age, highlighting the benefits for their emotional development and future stability and happiness.  In today’s episode, Rebecca Rolland, a Harvard lecturer and author, emphasizes that these discussions should be ongoing and developmentally appropriate, focusing not only on negative emotions but also on the positive aspects of mental health to build resilience and empathy.  Rolland encourages openness and adaptability in these talks, reassuring children they have support and an open line of communication for any emotional challenges they may face. “Just as children are constantly developing over time in, say, their ability to read, their ability to tie their shoes and do physical things, we want to think about them as developing emotions and emotional vocabulary. We wouldn't tell a 6- or 7-year-old, well, let's talk about the nuances of depression in the same way we would do that with a teenager. That wouldn't make sense to them because they don't necessarily have a framework for that.” ~Rebecca Rolland, EdD To learn more -- or read the transcript -- please visit the official episode page. Our guest, Rebecca Rolland is the author of The Art of Talking with Children (HarperOne, 2022), a book designed to support educators, parents, and caregivers in enhancing their interactions with children. She is a nationally certified speech-language pathologist who has worked clinically with populations ranging from early childhood through high school and provided teacher professional development. She teaches at the Harvard Graduate School of Education and Harvard Medical School. She served as the Academic Learning Specialist at Kingsley Montessori School and as an Oral and Written Language Specialist in the Learning Disabilities Team at Children's Hospital Boston. She has an Ed.D. from the Harvard Graduate School of Education, an M.S. in Speech-Language Pathology from the MGH Institute of Health Professions, and a B.A. in English from Yale Our host, Gabe Howard, is an award-winning writer and speaker who lives with bipolar disorder. He is the author of the popular book, "Mental Illness is an Asshole and other Observations," available from Amazon; signed copies are also available directly from the author. Gabe makes his home in the suburbs of Columbus, Ohio. He lives with his supportive wife, Kendall, and a Miniature Schnauzer dog that he never wanted, but now can’t imagine life without. To book Gabe for your next event or learn more about him, please visit gabehoward.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) is a psychometric test used to assess personality traits and psychopathology. It’s also used to determine hiring, promotion practices, and even parole status. However, is a test really able to determine if someone will excel at a job? Today’s guest, Dr. Lindsay Oberleitner, acknowledges that while the MMPI has been revised to better represent diverse populations, it still has limitations, particularly when used in isolation for job screenings. She emphasizes that the test should be one of many tools used to gain insight into an individual, rather than a stand-alone measure for important decisions like employment. While personality tests are very common in workplaces, there is a lot of misunderstanding surrounding them. Listen now to learn more.  “The MMPI should be one piece of a puzzle. I would never, in my own clinical practice, use the MMPI in isolation because I want to know how does it fit in with this broader picture of the individual I'm sitting with, how does it fit into their story? And I think even when we're considering it for something like jobs, it's an important aspect. And if other pieces don't match up with that, we don't automatically ignore the MMPI and we don't automatically ignore something else, like a fantastic interview with a potential applicant.” ~Lindsay Oberleitner, PhD To learn more -- or read the transcript -- please visit the official episode page. Our guest, Lindsay Oberleitner, PhD, is a clinical psychologist and the Education Director at SimplePractice Learning, as well as an Assistant Professor Adjunct at the Yale University School of Medicine. Prior to joining SimplePractice, Dr. Oberleitner was full-time faculty at the Yale University School of Medicine where she oversaw an interdisciplinary team of behavioral health providers and developed and managed grant-funded programs to increase access to integrated treatments for addiction, mental health, and physical health, and conducted clinical and forensic psychological evaluations. Our host, Gabe Howard, is an award-winning writer and speaker who lives with bipolar disorder. He is the author of the popular book, "Mental Illness is an Asshole and other Observations," available from Amazon; signed copies are also available directly from the author. Gabe makes his home in the suburbs of Columbus, Ohio. He lives with his supportive wife, Kendall, and a Miniature Schnauzer dog that he never wanted, but now can’t imagine life without. To book Gabe for your next event or learn more about him, please visit gabehoward.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today’s guest shares his personal journey with obsessive compulsive disorder, explaining the challenges of getting a correct diagnosis and effective treatment. This is in no small part due to the condition's misunderstood nature and lack of specialist providers. This led our guest, Stephen Smith, to start his company, NOCD, aimed at addressing these deficiencies.  NOCD, an online therapy platform, addresses these issues by offering specialized exposure and response prevention (ERP) therapy and has demonstrated success in improving OCD management more efficiently than the standard of care. Individuals seeking help for OCD can learn more and access NOCD's services through their website, NOCD.com, or mobile app, with the option of scheduling a free 15-minute call to discuss therapy options. “The OCD journey is broken in many ways. First, there are issues related to awareness which causes misunderstanding, which causes a misdiagnosis. Second, then people don't really get the trust needed to start treatment. It's challenging to take your first steps in. And third, it's tough to get treatment once you're ready to go.” Stephen Smith, Co-founder and CEO of NOCD To learn more -- or read the transcript, visit the official episode page. Today's Guest, Stephen Smith, is the Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of NOCD, the largest provider focused on ending worldwide suffering caused by obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). After emerging from a personal struggle with undiagnosed OCD, and experiencing the success of exposure & response prevention (ERP) therapy firsthand, Stephen made it his mission to transform the behavioral health treatment system with the goal of creating an anytime, anywhere virtual care platform that allows those with OCD to receive a diagnosis quickly and accurately, as well as appropriate treatment using ERP therapy — considered the gold standard treatment for OCD.  Since its inception, NOCD has built the world’s largest OCD patient community online and has become the #1 provider of ERP therapy. Its international OCD-specialized network provides hundreds of thousands of treatment visits annually and is contracted to serve hundreds of millions of Americans as an insurance benefit. Moreover, the NOCD Therapy treatment model was proven by peer-reviewed research to significantly reduce OCD severity in half the amount of time than the standard under Smith's leadership, making it one of the most successful treatment models in the behavioral health industry. Smith has secured over $85 M in financing since NOCD launched commercially in 2018. He was also named to the Crain's Notable Entrepreneur list in 2020, the Forbes 30 under 30 list in 2021, and the Top 50 In Digital Health list in 2022. Our host, Gabe Howard, is an award-winning writer and speaker who lives with bipolar disorder. He is the author of the popular book, "Mental Illness is an Asshole and other Observations," available from Amazon; signed copies are also available directly from the author. Gabe makes his home in the suburbs of Columbus, Ohio. He lives with his supportive wife, Kendall, and a Miniature Schnauzer dog that he never wanted, but now can’t imagine life without. To book Gabe for your next event or learn more about him, please visit gabehoward.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today’s episode, two members of The Sweet Spot Burlesque discuss why embracing one's sensuality leads to empowerment and self-discovery. They point out that embracing our sensuality doesn’t mean having an affair or joining a swinger’s club, and they encourage us to explore our sexuality without shame and within the context of our values and relationships.  The Sweet Spot is designed to be an inclusive experience, sparking conversations around sex positivity and allowing people to engage with their sensuality in a fun and open environment. Our guests, Ainsley Burrows (founder) and Laurielle Noel (CEO), define “what sensuality and sexuality” means to them and offer easy steps toward increasing the sensuality in your life. Hosted by Gabe Howard. “And whenever we have male dancers, the majority of men would get up and go to the bar or go to the bathroom. When I'm hosting this show, I said, okay, fellas, we're about to have a male dancer on stage, and I know what's happening right now because I grew up in the patriarchy and I understand it. You're feeling some discomfort because you think that if you're sitting in the audience watching a man dance on stage, that's going to make you gay. And I’m like, that is not how gay works. Because they have these ideas that they've never questioned. And I'm like, it's fine for you to sit in an audience and enjoy a man on stage dancing.” ~Ainsley Burrows To learn more -- or read the transcript -- please visit the official episode page. Our guest, Ainsley Burrows, founder of The Sweet Spot Burlesque (2006), is a multi-disciplinary visionary artist who has redefined the world of burlesque entertainment. Producing mesmerizing shows and thought-provoking storytelling series and captivating audiences for 17 years in 30+ cities nationwide, Ainsley celebrates sensuality, empowerment, and inclusivity. As a prolific author, he invites audiences to question societal norms and embrace their unique perspectives. Ainsley's hypnotic performances transport audiences into a realm of artistic expression that challenges social norms and ignites conversations. Through The Sweet Spot Burlesque, he continues to push artistic boundaries and inspire others to manifest their authenticity. Our guest, Laurielle Noel, is a first-generation Haitian-American, passionate art enthusiast, CEO/Accelerator, and performance artist in The Sweet Spot Burlesque show. With her vibrant leadership, Laurielle has propelled the show to become the largest Black burlesque production in the country. Her unwavering commitment to empowering artistic experiences has made her a driving force in the world of burlesque entertainment, leading The Sweet Spot troupe on an 11-year journey and captivating audiences in 30+ cities nationwide. Laurielle is dedicated to creating safe spaces for people to enjoy sex-positive "edutainment" and serves as a beacon of inspiration for those seeking to break free from societal constraints. Our host, Gabe Howard, is an award-winning writer and speaker who lives with bipolar disorder. He is the author of the popular book, "Mental Illness is an Asshole and other Observations," available from Amazon; signed copies are also available directly from the author. Gabe makes his home in the suburbs of Columbus, Ohio. He lives with his supportive wife, Kendall, and a Miniature Schnauzer dog that he never wanted, but now can’t imagine life without. To book Gabe for your next event or learn more about him, please visit gabehoward.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today’s guest is Morra Aarons-Mele, host of the Anxious Achiever podcast and author of "The Anxious Achiever: Turn Your Biggest Fears into Leadership Superpower." Morra is a renowned expert on the topic of living well in spite of anxiety. In this episode, she discusses the spectrum of anxiety, its role in achievement, and strategies for people to manage anxiety in their personal lives and the workplace. Morra emphasizes the importance of understanding and identifying anxiety, self-advocating in treatment, and shifting workplace cultures to better support those with anxiety. To learn more -- or read the transcript -- please visit the official episode page. “We create workplaces that are designed to use anxiety as a tool to drive performance. By constant surveillance, by not having enough time, by being on Zoom all day, by delivering packages all day without the ability to take a bio break or a lunch break, and by having constant leaderboards that show your progress against others. And then we wonder why people are burnt out and anxious.” ~Morra Aarons-Mele Our guest, Morra Aarons-Mele, is the host of The Anxious Achiever, a top-10 management podcast that helps people rethink the relationship between their mental health and their leadership. Morra founded Women Online and The Mission List, an award-winning digital consulting firm and influencer marketing company dedicated to social change, in 2010 and sold her businesses in 2021. She helped Hillary Clinton log on for her first internet chat and has launched digital campaigns for President Obama, Malala Yousafzai, the United Nations, the CDC, and many other leading figures and organizations. She lives outside Boston with her family and menagerie. For more details, visit www.theanxiousachiever.com. Our host, Gabe Howard, is an award-winning writer and speaker who lives with bipolar disorder. He is the author of the popular book, "Mental Illness is an Asshole and other Observations," available from Amazon; signed copies are also available directly from the author. Gabe makes his home in the suburbs of Columbus, Ohio. He lives with his supportive wife, Kendall, and a Miniature Schnauzer dog that he never wanted, but now can’t imagine life without. To book Gabe for your next event or learn more about him, please visit gabehoward.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Why do mental health professionals diagnose mental illness by medical observation and not by something more definitive like a blood test or a brain scan? It’s often pointed out that illnesses like cancer or diabetes have blood or urine tests, scans, and so forth. So why not mental health issues? Join us as our host asks these questions and discusses the state of genomic research with the executive director of the National Institute of Mental Health, Dr. Joshua A. Gordon. Dr. Gordon shares current research, explains the limits of scientific testing, and answers why there isn’t a more definitive test for disorders like bipolar, depression, schizophrenia, and so on.  “Simplifying can be useful because it helps us understand fundamental concepts. Genes cause mental illness. That's true, right? But it's also not wholly accurate. It doesn't tell the whole story. The whole story is genes contribute to mental illness, but so does trauma. So does infection in pregnancy. So does stress because you lost a job. All those different things contribute to mental illness. We have to be able to let some of that complexity. Because if all that we do is focus on genes, we're going to be missing a big part of the story.” ~Dr. Joshua A. Gordon To learn more -- or read the transcript -- please visit the official episode page. Our guest, Joshua A. Gordon, MD, PhD, is the Director of the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), the lead federal agency for research on mental disorders. He oversees an extensive research portfolio of basic and clinical research that seeks to transform the understanding and treatment of mental illnesses, paving the way for prevention, recovery, and cure. Dr. Gordon pursued a combined MD-PhD degree at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF). Upon completion of the dual degree program at UCSF, Dr. Gordon went to Columbia University for his psychiatry residency. He joined the Columbia faculty in 2004 as an assistant professor in the Department of Psychiatry. Dr. Gordon’s research focuses on the analysis of neural activity in mice carrying mutations of relevance to psychiatric disease. His lab studied genetic models of these diseases from an integrative neuroscience perspective, focused on understanding how a given disease mutation leads to a behavioral phenotype across multiple levels of analysis. To this end, he employs a range of systems neuroscience techniques, including in vivo imaging, anesthetized and awake behavioral recordings, and optogenetics, which is the use of light to control neural activity. His research has direct relevance to schizophrenia, anxiety disorders, and depression. In addition to his research, Dr. Gordon was an associate director of the Columbia University/New York State Psychiatric Institute Adult Psychiatry Residency Program, where he directed the neuroscience curriculum and administered research training programs for residents. Dr. Gordon also maintained a general psychiatric practice, caring for patients who suffer from the illnesses he studied in his lab at Columbia. Our host, Gabe Howard, is an award-winning writer and speaker who lives with bipolar disorder. He is the author of the popular book, "Mental Illness is an Asshole and other Observations," available from Amazon; signed copies are also available directly from the author. Gabe makes his home in the suburbs of Columbus, Ohio. He lives with his supportive wife, Kendall, and a Miniature Schnauzer dog that he never wanted, but now can’t imagine life without. To book Gabe for your next event or learn more about him, please visit gabehoward.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dating is difficult. Most everyone agrees but most people don’t understand that it can be even more difficult when you live with depression (or other mental health issues). But, just because something is difficult doesn’t mean we don’t want to do it.  When you have depression symptoms, it can feel impossible to find the energy to go on a date, which can lead to feeling even more alone. Join us as today’s guest, therapist Kati Morton, gives some tips on dating with mental illness and mentions that you might not even be ready to date yet. “You mentioned how isolated you felt when you were like, I'm going to be single. I cannot encourage people enough to invest in their friendships. I know with a mental illness, that can even be tricky. But connect with those people because, really, statistically speaking, our friendships last way longer than most of our romantic relationships. So, we need to have that also so we're not putting all of our social connection and fulfillment on one person.” ~Kati Morton, LMFT To learn more -- or read the transcript -- visit the official episode page. Our guest, Kati Morton is widely recognized as a leading mental health advocate and educator. She is a licensed marriage and family therapist with a Master's degree in Clinical Psychology from Pepperdine University. For over a decade, Kati has been using social media to share mental health information globally through her YouTube channel, which has amassed over 1.3 million subscribers and 124 million views. She is also a sought-after media personality, having made appearances on Dr. Phil, CBS The Doctors, KTLA's Morning News, E! News, Fox 11 Good Day LA, and featured in Glamour UK magazine. Her first book, "Are u ok?: A Guide to Caring for Your Mental Health," was released in December 2018, followed by her latest book, "Traumatized: Identify, Understand and Cope With PTSD and Emotional Stress," which was released in September 2021. Kati's passion for mental health advocacy has helped her expand her online community to all major internet platforms, enabling her to respond to mental health questions from viewers worldwide. Her ultimate goal is to increase global awareness of mental health issues, improve access to mental health services, and reduce the stigma surrounding mental illness. Our host, Gabe Howard, is an award-winning writer and speaker who lives with bipolar disorder. He is the author of the popular book, "Mental Illness is an Asshole and other Observations," available from Amazon; signed copies are also available directly from the author. Gabe makes his home in the suburbs of Columbus, Ohio. He lives with his supportive wife, Kendall, and a Miniature Schnauzer dog that he never wanted, but now can’t imagine life without. To book Gabe for your next event or learn more about him, please visit gabehoward.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Even though grief is part of the human condition and we will all experience it eventually, there are a lot of misunderstandings surrounding it. For example, how long should we grieve? Is there a “right” way to grieve? Does the length of time you are grieving show how much you loved the person you lost? Join us as today’s guest, host of the “Mentally Stronger” podcast, Amy Morin, LCSW, answers these questions and more. Amy also shares her personal experiences of grief and some strategies for handling crying in public. To learn more -- or read the transcript -- please visit the episode page. “And then we have this other stuff about the stages of grief which most people have heard. So then it kind of leads people to believe that you go through these nice, neat stages and then you can be like, hey, I'm in stage three. This must be almost over, or we don't really know how long it's supposed to last. Companies give you like three days of bereavement time. So then we think, oh, at the end of the fourth day I'm going to start to feel better. But there's so many factors that go into this, and it's not nice and neat, and it's a lot messier than the definition would lead us to believe.” ~Amy Morin, LCSW Our guest, Amy Morin, is a psychotherapist, mental strength trainer, and the award-winning host of the “Mentally Stronger with Therapist Amy Morin” podcast.  She’s an international bestselling author. Her books, including “13 Things Mentally Strong People Don’t Do” and “13 Things Mentally Strong Women Don’t Do,” have been translated into more than 40 languages and sold more than 1 million copies. The Guardian dubbed her “the self-help guru of the moment.” Forbes calls her a “thought leadership star” and People says her book is one of the top 20 must-read books of all time. Her TEDx talk, The Secret of Becoming Mentally Strong, is one of the most viewed talks of all time with more than 23 million views. She lives on a sailboat in the Florida Keys. Our host, Gabe Howard, is an award-winning writer and speaker who lives with bipolar disorder. He is the author of the popular book, "Mental Illness is an Asshole and other Observations," available from Amazon; signed copies are also available directly from the author. Gabe makes his home in the suburbs of Columbus, Ohio. He lives with his supportive wife, Kendall, and a Miniature Schnauzer dog that he never wanted, but now can’t imagine life without. To book Gabe for your next event or learn more about him, please visit gabehoward.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dave Pelzer endured unimaginable abuse as a child, which he chronicled in the 1995 book, “A Child Called ‘It.’” When he was finally removed from his abusive home at age 12, he weighed 64 pounds and he couldn’t speak because his esophagus had been burned by the ammonia he was forced to swallow. But that was then. How is Dave doing now? Would it surprise you to know that he considers himself to be the most blessed person he knows? Join us as Dave explains how he survived, thrived, and shares his daily philosophy. “I am definitely not saying that child abuse is a good thing, but I'm looking at a bigger picture here. I try to tell people [that] whether it's a divorce or cancer or child abuse, whatever the challenge was, you survived for a reason and hopefully, you survived to be happy. So it's that kaleidoscope of looking through things through a different lens.” ~Dave Pelzer To learn more -- or read the transcript -- please visit the official episode page. Our Guest, Dave Pelzer, is the author of nine inspirational books. Dave’s first book, A Child Called “It” was on the New York Times Best Sellers List for a record-setting six years. His other books were also on the New York Times Best Sellers List for over twelve years. Dave was the first author to have four #1 international bestsellers and to have four books simultaneously on the New York Times Best Sellers List. In 1993, Dave was honored as one of the Ten Outstanding Young Americans, joining a distinguished group including John F. Kennedy and Walt Disney. In 2005, Dave was the recipient of the National Jefferson Award, which is considered the Pulitzer Prize of public service. As a member of the armed forces, Dave was hand-picked to midair refuel the then highly secretive SR-71 Blackbird and the F-117 Stealth Fighter. Dave has served as a Volunteer Fire Captain at the Northern Sonoma Coast and the Russian River, California. Our host, Gabe Howard, is an award-winning writer and speaker who lives with bipolar disorder. He is the author of the popular book, "Mental Illness is an Asshole and other Observations," available from Amazon; signed copies are also available directly from the author. Gabe makes his home in the suburbs of Columbus, Ohio. He lives with his supportive wife, Kendall, and a Miniature Schnauzer dog that he never wanted, but now can’t imagine life without. To book Gabe for your next event or learn more about him, please visit gabehoward.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As we head into the New Year, many of us have self-improvement plans for 2024. But what if what you really need is a little time for self-reflection? Join us as today’s guest, “A Million Little Things” and “The Devil Wears Prada” actor Stephanie Szostak, shares the eight self-reflection exercises she created in her new playbook. Listen in to learn more about yourself, which can lead to increased confidence, joy, and meaning. “What do you say to yourself about your story? You know, what? I'm really unlucky. I'm really. What do you repeat in your head about who you are? What's your self-talk? What does your self-talk sound like? We are the authors of our own stories. And if we rewrite the way we talk to ourselves or the story we tell ourselves about our reality, we can really change our reality.” ~Stephanie Szostak To learn more -- or read the transcript -- please visit the official episode page. Our guest, Stephanie Szostak is an actress and Give an Hour Ambassador who speaks on overcoming failure, being an outsider, and living with authenticity. Szostak left her native France to study business and play varsity golf at the College of William & Mary. At twenty-nine years old, after a brief stint at Chanel in New York City, she took a leap and gave the acting world a try. Her most notable projects include “The Devil Wears Prada,” “Iron Man 3,” “Dinner for Schmucks,” and the ABC hit series “A Million Little Things.” Ten years into her career, she suffered from crippling imposter syndrome which pushed her to address her mindset and develop her own Playbook as a daily practice of mental fitness. She hopes your Self!sh Playbook will support your journey of discovery, learning, and growth. Our host, Gabe Howard, is an award-winning writer and speaker who lives with bipolar disorder. He is the author of the popular book, "Mental Illness is an Asshole and other Observations," available from Amazon; signed copies are also available directly from the author. Gabe makes his home in the suburbs of Columbus, Ohio. He lives with his supportive wife, Kendall, and a Miniature Schnauzer dog that he never wanted, but now can’t imagine life without. To book Gabe for your next event or learn more about him, please visit gabehoward.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Most people think of ketamine therapy for mental health conditions as being experimental and new. Today’s guest shares that ketamine has been successfully used for mental health conditions for over 20 years and for other medical purposes for decades. The discussion answers important questions like why we are so hesitant about this treatment option when we are so quick to embrace others. Join us as the CEO of Mindbloom tells us about a recent study showing that at-home ketamine therapy is one of the most effective treatments for anxiety and depression.  “I think we've lumped a bunch of these illegal drugs or substances together. Some of them have been shown for a long time to have stunning and profound therapeutic benefits. Seemingly overnight, people have been starting to prescribe or use psychedelic therapies like ketamine therapy. There's that quote: An overnight success is ten years in the making. In this case, ketamine would be 20 years in the making. The first study on ketamine for depression was published in 2000. And since then, over 100 clinical studies have been published showing consistently the safety and efficacy of ketamine therapy for a range of mental health care issues.” ~Dylan Beynon To learn more -- or read the transcript -- please visit the official episode page. Please note: Healthline content is strictly information and should not be considered medical advice. See a licensed medical professional for diagnosis or treatment recommendations. Our guest, Dylan Beynon is the Founder & CEO of Mindbloom — a mental health company that is transforming lives through psychedelic medicine, starting with ketamine therapy. A three-time founder, Dylan has been named a Top 25 Consumer HealthTech Executive and one of the Top 100 Most Influential People in Psychedelics and received the Tony Hsieh Award for the innovative culture he built at Mindbloom. Mindbloom has been featured by the likes of the New York Times, Vogue, and Women's Health, and its clinicians facilitate over 100,000 ketamine therapy sessions annually. Our host, Gabe Howard, is an award-winning writer and speaker who lives with bipolar disorder. He is the author of the popular book, "Mental Illness is an Asshole and other Observations," available from Amazon; signed copies are also available directly from the author. Gabe makes his home in the suburbs of Columbus, Ohio. He lives with his supportive wife, Kendall, and a Miniature Schnauzer dog that he never wanted, but now can’t imagine life without. To book Gabe for your next event or learn more about him, please visit gabehoward.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Have you ever started to cry at work and felt unable to control it? Did this cause you feelings of shame or embarrassment? Similarly, have you ever tried to comfort a co-worker who was crying? For many people, crying — whether themselves or someone else — can be an unwelcome emotional response while in the workplace.  Today’s guest, Alex Wills, MD, shares how to handle crying at work, basic tips for managing emotions, and why crying is so stigmatized but shouldn’t be. Listen now! To learn more -- or read the transcript -- visit the official episode page. Our guest, Alex Wills, MD, is a board-certified psychiatrist. He is a graduate of the Sackler School of Medicine and completed his residency and fellowship training in Hawaii with additional training from Columbia University. He is the owner of Perma Mental Health, a private psychiatric practice with offices across Idaho. Alex’s clinical days are spent using the Radical Emotional Acceptance method to help patients heal from issues ranging from past traumas to interpersonal struggles in their marriages. Give a F*ck, Actually is based on that experience. Learn more at RadicalEmotionalAcceptance.com Our host, Gabe Howard, is an award-winning writer and speaker who lives with bipolar disorder. He is the author of the popular book, "Mental Illness is an Asshole and other Observations," available from Amazon; signed copies are also available directly from the author. Gabe makes his home in the suburbs of Columbus, Ohio. He lives with his supportive wife, Kendall, and a Miniature Schnauzer dog that he never wanted, but now can’t imagine life without. To book Gabe for your next event or learn more about him, please visit gabehoward.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

ERP is widely considered the gold standard treatment for OCD. Unfortunately, very few people with OCD receive this type of therapy due to many external factors. It can take up to 17 years for someone with OCD symptoms to receive any treatment let alone the best one. Also, many people with OCD are unaware of ERP’s existence or how it even works.  We explain what OCD is and is not and address some common reasons people don’t seek help for OCD.  Join us as our host, Gabe Howard, speaks with Dr. Patrick McGrath, the clinical director of NOCD.com, an app-based platform that specializes in bringing ERP to those who need it. Special thanks to NOCD for graciously sponsoring this episode. Learn more at treatmyocd.com. To read the transcript or see show notes, please visit the official episode page. Our guest, Dr. Patrick B. McGrath serves as the Chief Clinical Officer for NOCD, an app-based platform for the treatment of OCD, leading their teletherapy services across the world. He opened Intensive Outpatient, Partial Hospital, and Residential Treatment Programs for Anxiety Disorders, School Refusal, and OCD. He is also a member of the Scientific Advisory Board of the International OCD Foundation. He is a Fellow of the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies. He authored “Don’t Try Harder, Try Different,” and “The OCD Answer Book.” He was featured on Discovery Health Channel’s, “Panic” and on three episodes of TLC’s “Hoarding; Buried Alive.” Our host, Gabe Howard, is an award-winning writer and speaker who lives with bipolar disorder. He is the author of the popular book, "Mental Illness is an Asshole and other Observations," available from Amazon; signed copies are also available directly from the author. Gabe makes his home in the suburbs of Columbus, Ohio. He lives with his supportive wife, Kendall, and a Miniature Schnauzer dog that he never wanted, but now can’t imagine life without. To book Gabe for your next event or learn more about him, please visit gabehoward.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dating apps are the most popular way to find romance in America. However, many people believe they cause more issues than they resolve. Some experts have opined that apps can exacerbate feelings of loneliness and rejection, for example. Also, a contingent of people have not tried them and are suspicious about how they work. Join us as Michael Kaye from OkCupid shares some tips for success and what is going on right now in the online dating world. Our host, Gabe Howard (who met his wife on OkCupid), shares his own experiences as well. To learn more -- or read the transcript -- please visit the official episode page. Our guest, Michael Kaye is the Head of Global Communications at OkCupid, one of the world's largest dating apps, where he leads public relations programming, influencer marketing, and social media. Michael has been a leading voice in dating and relationships and has been featured in ABC News, Business Insider, Bustle, CBS, CNN, Cosmopolitan, Elite Daily, Good Morning America, The New York Times, and The Washington Post. Our host, Gabe Howard, is an award-winning writer and speaker who lives with bipolar disorder. He is the author of the popular book, "Mental Illness is an Asshole and other Observations," available from Amazon; signed copies are also available directly from the author. Gabe makes his home in the suburbs of Columbus, Ohio. He lives with his supportive wife, Kendall, and a Miniature Schnauzer dog that he never wanted, but now can’t imagine life without. To book Gabe for your next event or learn more about him, please visit gabehoward.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In 1980, about 1 in 100 children in the US were taking psychiatric medications. Today, that number is 1 in 10. Even more shockingly, 1% of 3-year-olds in the US are taking psychiatric medications. Across the board, 1 in 5 Americans takes daily psychiatric medications, including antidepressants, anti-anxiety medications, mood stabilizers, and sleeping pills — and these numbers continue to rise.  Presumably, humans haven’t changed in the past 40 years, so why has the way we are treating their symptoms changed? Join us as Dr. David Cohen looks at psychoactive drugs and how their desirable and undesirable effects have been constructed for society through language, policy, attitudes, and social interactions. Today’s two-part episode looks at how we got here, examines the possible implications for our society, and attempts to answer the question, “Is this the best medical treatment available?” Please note, this is part 2 of 2. The first episode is titled "Do We Medicate Normal Behaviors? With Dr. David Cohen (Part 1/2)" and is available on your favorite player. To learn more -- or read the transcript -- please visit the official episode page. For 20+ years our guest, Professor David Cohen, has been doing research on psychoactive drugs (prescribed, licit, and illicit) and their desirable and undesirable effects. He has also authored and co-authored over 120 articles and book chapters on these and other subjects. Recently he was one of the main experts interviewed in “Medicating Normal,” an in-depth documentary about the overuse and harmful impact of commonly prescribed psychiatric drugs. About 1 in 5 Americans takes daily psychiatric medications, including antidepressants, anti-anxiety medications, mood stabilizers, and sleeping pills. Most people take them for months and years. While these medications can provide effective short-term relief, Dr. David estimates about 30–35% of regular users experience harm and/or are made worse by the drugs. But the real percentage could be higher because harms are not studied carefully. Driven by profit, pharmaceutical companies, which spend billions of dollars annually promoting psychiatric drugs, keep evading the serious study of the dangers and long-term harms these drugs can cause. And no other responsible agency is taking up the slack. Our host, Gabe Howard, is an award-winning writer and speaker who lives with bipolar disorder. He is the author of the popular book, "Mental Illness is an Asshole and other Observations," available from Amazon; signed copies are also available directly from the author. Gabe makes his home in the suburbs of Columbus, Ohio. He lives with his supportive wife, Kendall, and a Miniature Schnauzer dog that he never wanted, but now can’t imagine life without. To book Gabe for your next event or learn more about him, please visit gabehoward.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In 1980, about 1 in 100 children in the US were taking psychiatric medications. Today, that number is 1 in 10. Even more shockingly, 1% of 3-year-olds in the US are taking psychiatric medications. Across the board, 1 in 5 Americans takes daily psychiatric medications, including antidepressants, anti-anxiety medications, mood stabilizers, and sleeping pills — and these numbers continue to rise.  Presumably, humans haven’t changed in the past 40 years, so why has the way we are treating their symptoms changed? Join us as Dr. David Cohen looks at psychoactive drugs and how their desirable and undesirable effects have been constructed for society through language, policy, attitudes, and social interactions. Today’s two-part episode looks at how we got here, examines the possible implications for our society, and attempts to answer the question, “Is this the best medical treatment available?” Please note, this is part 2 of 2. The first episode is titled "Do We Medicate Normal Behaviors? With Dr. David Cohen (Part 1/2)" and is available on your favorite player. To learn more -- or read the transcript -- please visit the official episode page. For 20+ years our guest, Professor David Cohen, has been doing research on psychoactive drugs (prescribed, licit, and illicit) and their desirable and undesirable effects. He has also authored and co-authored over 120 articles and book chapters on these and other subjects. Recently he was one of the main experts interviewed in “Medicating Normal,” an in-depth documentary about the overuse and harmful impact of commonly prescribed psychiatric drugs. About 1 in 5 Americans takes daily psychiatric medications, including antidepressants, anti-anxiety medications, mood stabilizers, and sleeping pills. Most people take them for months and years. While these medications can provide effective short-term relief, Dr. David estimates about 30–35% of regular users experience harm and/or are made worse by the drugs. But the real percentage could be higher because harms are not studied carefully. Driven by profit, pharmaceutical companies, which spend billions of dollars annually promoting psychiatric drugs, keep evading the serious study of the dangers and long-term harms these drugs can cause. And no other responsible agency is taking up the slack. Our host, Gabe Howard, is an award-winning writer and speaker who lives with bipolar disorder. He is the author of the popular book, "Mental Illness is an Asshole and other Observations," available from Amazon; signed copies are also available directly from the author. Gabe makes his home in the suburbs of Columbus, Ohio. He lives with his supportive wife, Kendall, and a Miniature Schnauzer dog that he never wanted, but now can’t imagine life without. To book Gabe for your next event or learn more about him, please visit gabehoward.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Is your child acting entitled and selfish? Are you worried they are showing signs of narcissism? Some warning signs can include constantly wanting to be the center of attention, never compromising, and continually insisting that things can only be their way.  However, as a parent, how can you tell the difference between a budding narcissist and a child throwing a tantrum? After all, healthy children push boundaries and act out as part of typical development. Join us as our guest, renowned early childhood narcissism expert Dr. Mary Ann Little, explains the difference between usual childhood behavior and potential warning signs. To learn more -- or read the transcript -- please visit the official episode page. Our guest, Mary Ann Little, PhD, is a clinical psychologist who has been in private practice for over four decades. She is currently an adjunct professor at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas and has served as an adjunct professor in the departments of psychology and special education at the University of Texas at Dallas. Dr. Little authored Loving Your Children Better: Matching Parenting Styles to the Age and Stage of Your Children; Cooperation Station, an educational toy for kids and families; and the Competent Kids Series. Her latest book, Childhood Narcissism: Strategies to Raise Unselfish, Unentitled, and Empathetic Children, is out now. Dr. Little has been a consultant to numerous educational and psychiatric facilities and frequently lectures to both lay and professional audiences. When not in her Dallas office, she can be found with her husband cooking, cycling back roads in Europe, or hiking trails near Santa Fe. Visit her online at drmaryannlittle.com. Our host, Gabe Howard, is an award-winning writer and speaker who lives with bipolar disorder. He is the author of the popular book, "Mental Illness is an Asshole and other Observations," available from Amazon; signed copies are also available directly from the author. Gabe makes his home in the suburbs of Columbus, Ohio. He lives with his supportive wife, Kendall, and a Miniature Schnauzer dog that he never wanted, but now can’t imagine life without. To book Gabe for your next event or learn more about him, please visit gabehoward.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Everyone wants to be happy, but reaching that goal is quite complicated. For example, what does happiness even look like for you? Many of us haven’t defined it in our own minds. Then we get to more complex questions like, is it even possible for humans to truly be happy?   Join us as noted voice-over talent, podcaster, and actress Randye Kaye explains that our goal shouldn’t be happiness; it should be to be happier. She explains why that distinction is important and how we can get there. And, you guessed it, she shares how this can be a much simpler process. To learn more -- or read the transcript -- please visit the official episode page. Our guest, Randye Kaye's passions for theater and improv help her inspire audiences and workshop participants to get human again - Connect, Create, Communicate - so we empower each other to live happier, more meaningful lives. Two bestselling books, Happier Made Simple and Ben Behind His Voices, tie into her work as speaker, radio and podcast host, actress, singer, and mental health advocate. Her most recent podcast, Schizophrenia: 3 Moms in the Trenches, is entering its 4th season. Our host, Gabe Howard, is an award-winning writer and speaker who lives with bipolar disorder. He is the author of the popular book, "Mental Illness is an Asshole and other Observations," available from Amazon; signed copies are also available directly from the author. Gabe makes his home in the suburbs of Columbus, Ohio. He lives with his supportive wife, Kendall, and a Miniature Schnauzer dog that he never wanted, but now can’t imagine life without. To book Gabe for your next event or learn more about him, please visit gabehoward.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Join us for a wide-ranging conversation about the power of positive thinking, the mind-body connection, and the realization that many of our limits are self-imposed. Dr. Langer even helps our host with some of his own insecurities and answers the question: "can positive thinking improve hearing loss and the need for glasses?" Dr. Ellen Langer is known as the “mother of mindfulness” and was the first woman to whom Harvard gave tenure in psychology. She is nothing less than psychology royalty. Listen now! To learn more -- or read the transcript -- please visit the official episode page. Our guest, Dr. Ellen J. Langer, was the first woman to be tenured in psychology at Harvard, where she is still professor of psychology. The recipient of three Distinguished Scientists awards, the Arthur W. Staats Award for Unifying Psychology, a Guggenheim Fellowship, and the Liberty Science Genius Award, Dr. Langer is the author of twelve other books, including the international bestseller Mindfulness, as well as The Power of Mindful Learning, Counterclockwise and On Becoming an Artist. Her trailblazing experiments in social psychology have earned her inclusion in The New York Times Magazine’s “Year in Ideas” issue. She is known worldwide as the “mother of mindfulness” and the “mother of positive psychology.” She lives in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Our host, Gabe Howard, is an award-winning writer and speaker who lives with bipolar disorder. He is the author of the popular book, "Mental Illness is an Asshole and other Observations," available from Amazon; signed copies are also available directly from the author. Gabe makes his home in the suburbs of Columbus, Ohio. He lives with his supportive wife, Kendall, and a Miniature Schnauzer dog that he never wanted, but now can’t imagine life without. To book Gabe for your next event or learn more about him, please visit gabehoward.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Comedian Liz Glazer and her wife experienced the trauma of their daughter, Leo Pearl, being stillborn at 33 weeks. Liz explains that, “Leo existed, but she never lived.” As a way to process this trauma, she did what she knows best and made a comedy album about the experience.   Join us as Liz shares a vulnerable and practical firsthand look at the experience and explains why she decided to make the album, how the process was healing for her, what pushback she received from the public, and the particular grief that attends a stillbirth. To learn more -- or read the transcript -- please visit the official episode page. Our guest, Liz Glazer, released her latest album on the one-year anniversary of her first daughter’s stillbirth titled, “A Very Particular Experience.”  As a previous winner of the Boston Comedy Festival and Ladies of Laughter Competition and former tenured law professor, Liz’s style is fast-paced and gripping. This debut album about grief, stillbirth, and inherited trauma (Liz is also the granddaughter of 4 Holocaust survivors) is heartfelt, vulnerable, and hilarious all at once. “A Very Particular Experience is the testimony I offered to honor my wife’s and my first daughter Leo Pearl’s stillbirth so as to create something positive from the experience. And while that experience wasn’t and isn’t funny, the album is,” said Liz.  Liz’s comedy has been featured in the Wall Street Journal and she opens for Maria Bamford. Liz has also appeared as an actor on “The Blacklist” on NBC, “For Life” on ABC, and “BULL” on CBS. She headlines clubs, law schools, law firms, and synagogues, and performs at the Comedy Cellar in NYC. Liz also had a bunch of accomplishments in law, having been published in journals such as the Northwestern University Law Review and the Georgetown Law Journal, where one of her pieces became the subject of a symposium in the journal’s centennial volume. Liz is currently working on a comedy pilot about her life as a law professor turned comedian. Liz lives in New Jersey with her wife who is a rabbi and her cat Jack, who also is.  A Very Particular Experience is available wherever comedy albums are streamed or sold. Our host, Gabe Howard, is an award-winning writer and speaker who lives with bipolar disorder. He is the author of the popular book, "Mental Illness is an Asshole and other Observations," available from Amazon; signed copies are also available directly from the author. Gabe makes his home in the suburbs of Columbus, Ohio. He lives with his supportive wife, Kendall, and a Miniature Schnauzer dog that he never wanted, but now can’t imagine life without. To book Gabe for your next event or learn more about him, please visit gabehoward.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Originally designed to treat diabetes, GLP-1 analogs are now prescribed as weight loss medications. But is this a good idea and should parents allow their kids to try this if they want to lose weight? Can these drugs increase the rates of eating disorders among young people? Diet pills have been around for decades and historically have been pulled from the market after noting serious side effects. So, what do patients — and parents — need to know about weight loss medications? Dr. Anna B. Tanner, Vice President of Child and Adolescent Medicine for Accanto Health, shares her findings on whether these medications are safe and whether they can lead to eating disorders. To learn more -- or read the transcript -- please visit the official episode page. Our guest, Dr. Anna B. Tanner (she/her), is Vice President of Child and Adolescent Medicine for Accanto Health, the parent company of Veritas Collaborative, The Emily Program, and Gather Behavioral Health. In this role, she has the opportunity to help younger patients access treatment with age-appropriate medical care. She works with child and adolescent medical sites across The Emily Program and Veritas Collaborative brands and also enjoys providing direct care to patients at Veritas’ Atlanta facility. Dr. Tanner is driven to provide research-based medicine to young people and is passionate about preventing the long-term effects of eating disorders in children and adolescents. Medical complications in eating disorders are often treated through an age-neutral lens, yet children and adolescents have unique medical complications related to growth and development. Dr. Tanner is a board-certified pediatrician who has specialized in the care of adolescent patients, in particular patients with eating disorders, for almost 25 years. Dr. Tanner completed medical school and residency at Vanderbilt University and then remained there to serve on the Pediatrics faculty in the Division of Young Adult and Adolescent Medicine. Dr. Tanner has been very involved in advocacy and education efforts and serves on national and international committees for eating disorders education. She speaks frequently across the United States on the medical complications of eating disorders, especially as they affect children and young adolescents, and contributed a book chapter on that topic in the 4th edition of Dr. Philip S. Mehler’s “Eating Disorders: A Comprehensive Guide to Medical Care and Complications.” Dr. Tanner currently serves as an Adjunct Assistant Professor of Pediatrics for Emory University School of Medicine and Morehouse School of Medicine. She is co-chair of the Academy of Eating Disorders (AED) Medical Care Standards Committee and a member of the International Association of Eating Disorders Professionals (IAEDP) Curriculum Committee. Dr. Tanner is a Fellow in the Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine (SAHM), a Certified Eating Disorder Specialist and a Certified Eating Disorders Supervisor. She has been named by Atlanta magazine as a “Top Doctor” every year from 2013 to 2023 and named by Castle Connelly as an Exceptional Woman in Medicine and one of America’s Most Honored Doctors. Our host, Gabe Howard, is an award-winning writer and speaker who lives with bipolar disorder. He is the author of the popular book, "Mental Illness is an Asshole and other Observations," available from Amazon; signed copies are also available directly from the author. Gabe makes his home in the suburbs of Columbus, Ohio. He lives with his supportive wife, Kendall, and a Miniature Schnauzer dog that he never wanted, but now can’t imagine life without. To book Gabe for your next event or learn more about him, please visit gabehoward.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

One day last fall, multiplatinum recording artist K.Flay woke up deaf in her right ear — hearing loss that she later learned was permanent. Suddenly losing half your hearing is traumatic for anyone, but what if you make your living as a musician? The only thing our guest, K.Flay, could think to do was head to the studio and start making music, which was difficult with all the sensory changes she was experiencing. However, in a story of resilience and internal fortitude, K.Flay pressed onward. Listen as she shares her emotions and story and how that led to her latest album, MONO. To learn more -- or read the transcript -- please visit the official episode page. Our Guest is based in LA and originally from Illinois. Welcome multiplatinum artist K.Flay, born Kristine Flaherty, started rapping and writing songs on a lark while attending Stanford University and soon began releasing her self-produced mixtapes. In 2017, she released her major label debut album “Every Where Is Some Where,” earning two GRAMMY Award nominations for the album’s iconic smash single “Blood in the Cut'' and sending her to arenas around the world with her kinetic live set. As a songwriter, musician, and producer, she’s lent her talents to numerous collaborations, working with Fitz and the Tantrums, Bishop Briggs, Tom Morello, Louis the Child, Kaskade, Walk the Moon, Imagine Dragons, grandson, The Regrettes, Two Feet, MisterWives, and more. Whether working on her music or with others, K.Flay’s output remains rooted in her undeniable lyrical skills, an element she attributes to her innate love of language and its infinite possibilities. This spring, she announced her fifth studio album MONO — due out September 15th. The LP is her first for Giant Music and is her first since going suddenly and completely deaf in her right ear at the end of last summer. Although K.Flay’s hearing loss deeply informed her songwriting on MONO, the album marks the start of a new era for the artist who explores an entire spectrum of existential questions and complex matters of the heart and mind on the LP. Additionally, K.Flay wrote an original song “T-Rex” for Neflix’s groundbreaking new animated film “Nimona” which was released last month. A relentlessly boundary-pushing artist with more than 1 BILLION streams and 100K+ tickets sold, K.Flay continues to commit herself to constant growth by holding herself to higher and more rigorous standards in every aspect of her artistry. Our host, Gabe Howard, is an award-winning writer and speaker who lives with bipolar disorder. He is the author of the popular book, "Mental Illness is an Asshole and other Observations," available from Amazon; signed copies are also available directly from the author. Gabe makes his home in the suburbs of Columbus, Ohio. He lives with his supportive wife, Kendall, and a Miniature Schnauzer dog that he never wanted, but now can’t imagine life without. To book Gabe for your next event or learn more about him, please visit gabehoward.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What is critical race theory and why does it make some people so uncomfortable? Join us as today’s guest, Dr. Joanne Lunceford, explains the legacy of slavery and the systems that were built during that era that are still with us almost 200 years after the Emancipation Proclamation.   Dr. Lunceford has a deep understanding that while no one currently alive has ever owned or been a slave, the legacy of those institutions are still impacting people today. To learn more -- or read the transcript -- please visit the official episode page. Our Guest, Dr. Joanne Lunceford, earned her Doctor of Social Work from the University of Southern California with her studies focusing on race, cognition, behavior, and barriers. She obtained her Master of Science in Social Administration (MSW-equivalent) from Case Western Reserve University and her Bachelor of Arts from Miami University (Oxford). Dr. Lunceford has worked as a social work and criminal justice professional for over 25 years, and has held many volunteer, organization, leadership, direct service, board, management, and administrative positions. She is the founding Executive Director of The Peace Project (TPP) — a grassroots racial justice/violence prevention organization that assists, uplifts, and supports the community through prevention, advocacy, and consultation services, and was most recently appointed by Mayor Andrew Ginther as the Deputy Director of the Office of Violence Prevention for the City of Columbus. Dr. Lunceford has served as an Adjunct Professor of Social Work to doctorate level social work students and as an Adjunct Instructor of Criminal Justice, Sociology, and General Studies to career college students. She has also been faculty through the Supreme Court of Ohio’s Probation Officer’s Training Program, teaching how trauma from lived experiences derived from racial inequalities can often manifest itself as violence in communities and the importance of using cognitive-based interventions to address behavioral issues in lieu of incarceration and community separation when appropriate. Her education and career has focused on the intersectionality of Race, Social Work, and Criminal Justice and how to create and utilize strategies to deconstruct race, disrupt racism, and dismantle racial inequality in all systems and disciplines. Our host, Gabe Howard, is an award-winning writer and speaker who lives with bipolar disorder. He is the author of the popular book, "Mental Illness is an Asshole and other Observations," available from Amazon; signed copies are also available directly from the author. Gabe makes his home in the suburbs of Columbus, Ohio. He lives with his supportive wife, Kendall, and a Miniature Schnauzer dog that he never wanted, but now can’t imagine life without. To book Gabe for your next event or learn more about him, please visit gabehoward.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We all have people with “high conflict personalities” (aka jerks) in our lives. They are the people we have to walk on eggshells around, the ones who are always instigating an argument or causing drama. So how should you deal with them? Do you have to cut them out of your life or just reconcile yourself to being at war forever? And what if one of these people is in a position of authority, like your boss? Join us as today’s guest, personal injury attorney Samantha Drum, teaches us how to recognize a high conflict personality and shares effective strategies for defusing and managing the situation. To learn more -- or read the transcript -- please visit the episode page. Samantha Drum is a high-conflict strategist and personal injury attorney with years of experience managing high-conflict people and situations, as well as coaching others to do the same.  After facing several high-conflict personalities at the start of her career, she realized a harsh truth—law school did not prepare her for managing high-conflict behavior or extreme personalities. She decided to take the time to study high-conflict personalities to learn effective tools and strategies that she could use when she found herself in high-conflict situations.  She learned how high-conflict personalities work, the way they think, and what causes them to go off. Then she learned to implement plans for managing the situation so she could minimize the damage they cause and maximize her control of the situation. Now she wants to empower other people with these same skills. Our host, Gabe Howard, is an award-winning writer and speaker who lives with bipolar disorder. He is the author of the popular book, "Mental Illness is an Asshole and other Observations," available from Amazon; signed copies are also available directly from the author. Gabe makes his home in the suburbs of Columbus, Ohio. He lives with his supportive wife, Kendall, and a Miniature Schnauzer dog that he never wanted, but now can’t imagine life without. To book Gabe for your next event or learn more about him, please visit gabehoward.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Quelling anxiety and relaxing are common reasons people give for smoking or vaping. But is that really possible? Will nicotine help relieve anxiety or other mental health conditions? Robin Koval, CEO and President of Truth Initiative, discusses the nuances between vaping and smoking and their impact on mental health and anxiety. We also delve into some common beliefs about nicotine and answer the question “Is it true that vaping is safer than smoking?” Join us as the Truth Initiative tells us, you guessed it, the truth! To learn more -- or read the transcript -- please visit the official episode page. Our guest, Robin Koval, is CEO and President of Truth Initiative®, the national public health organization dedicated to achieving a culture where all young people reject smoking, vaping, and nicotine. Since joining Truth Initiative in 2013, Koval has transformed the national award-winning truth® youth tobacco prevention campaign and grown the organization’s world-class research, youth activism, and digital cessation programs. Under her leadership, truth has prevented millions of young people from becoming smokers and helped drive the youth smoking rate to a historic low of less than 2%. As youth e-cigarette use skyrocketed, Koval expanded the organization’s reach to be a leader in the fight against the youth e-cigarette crisis and all forms of youth nicotine addiction. Research now shows that truth campaign awareness is significantly associated with lower likelihood of vaping among young people ages 15–24. She has led the expansion of the truth brand to include innovative quitting tools and resources designed to protect and empower young people to live nicotine-free lives, including the first-of-its kind text message quit vaping program for teens and young adults, This is Quitting, which has enrolled over 570,000 since launch and a national youth e-cigarette prevention curriculum Vaping: Know the truth, now reaching almost 6,000 schools across the country. During her tenure, truth has been voted one of the most influential campaigns of the 21st century and named the most effective brand of the year by the American Marketing Association. Fast Company has recognized Truth Initiative as one of the World’s Most Innovative Companies and a top ten nonprofit organization in 2022. Prior to joining Truth Initiative, Koval, a highly acclaimed leader in the advertising and marketing world, was co-founder and CEO of the Kaplan Thaler Group, which she grew from a fledgling start-up in 1997 to a billion-dollar agency working with leading brands such as Procter & Gamble, Pfizer, Wendy’s, and Aflac. She was named CEO when her agency merged with Publicis to become Publicis Kaplan Thaler and led the 700-person agency to become the fifth largest in New York City. In addition, Koval is a New York Times best-selling author. She and co-author Linda Kaplan Thaler have written several books, including Grit to Great: How Perseverance, Passion and Pluck Take You from Ordinary to Extraordinary, The Power of Nice, and The Power of Small. Our host, Gabe Howard, is an award-winning writer and speaker who lives with bipolar disorder. He is the author of the popular book, "Mental Illness is an Asshole and other Observations," available from Amazon; signed copies are also available directly from the author. Gabe makes his home in the suburbs of Columbus, Ohio. He lives with his supportive wife, Kendall, and a Miniature Schnauzer dog that he never wanted, but now can’t imagine life without. To book Gabe for your next event or learn more about him, please visit gabehoward.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Many people believe that young children and preteens are incapable of dying by suicide. However, it's important to understand that it isn’t just teenagers and adults who struggle with suicidality — young children, including 7- ,8-, and 9-year-olds, can also feel this way.   But how do you even begin to talk about a subject like suicide to children so young? Join us as today’s guest, a pediatrician, shares conversation starters and tips on when and how to start talking with your younger children about suicide. To learn more -- or read the transcript -- please visit the official episode page. Our guest, Dr. Noor Jihan Abdul-Haqq, is a board certified pediatrician from Oklahoma City, OK, and a faculty trainer for The REACH Institute. She’s a proud graduate of the Oklahoma School of Science and Mathematics. She graduated from Spelman College with honors with a degree in Biochemistry. Her medical school and residency training were completed through Morehouse School of Medicine where she was active with various medical organizations.  She has done medical work in Barbados, Dominican Republic, and Mexico. Her awards include the Leonard Tow Humanism in Medicine award, Practitioner of Excellence Award from Sisters United Organization, Journal Record’s Achievers under 40 award and Outstanding Minority owned business leader. She’s received a Regional award for her work in the OKC Chapter of Jack and Jill of America for providing STEM opportunities for youth. Most recently she was honored as a Healthcare Hero by the Journal Record. Dr. Abdul-Haqq has been interviewed numerous times on local radio, TV, and print media. Dr. Abdul-Haqq opened her current practice Peace of Mind Pediatrics in Sept of 2015 to serve the community that she grew up in. She opened a 2nd location in Spring of 2021. She serves as a mentor for high school and college students and has assisted other physicians with starting their own practices. In September 2020, she helped open the Clara Community Health Center in OKC which is a free clinic for the uninsured. In 2018, Dr. Abdul-Haqq took a REACH training course to increase her confidence and skills in diagnosing and managing mental health in pediatric primary care. Three years later, she joined the faculty to assist with expanding mental health education and training for PCPs. Dr. Abdul-Haqq has a particular interest in integrative medicine and is continuously taking additional courses to further her knowledge.  She and her loving husband are the proud parents to 3 wonderful children. Our host, Gabe Howard, is an award-winning writer and speaker who lives with bipolar disorder. He is the author of the popular book, "Mental Illness is an Asshole and other Observations," available from Amazon; signed copies are also available directly from the author. Gabe makes his home in the suburbs of Columbus, Ohio. He lives with his supportive wife, Kendall, and a Miniature Schnauzer dog that he never wanted, but now can’t imagine life without. To book Gabe for your next event or learn more about him, please visit gabehoward.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

There are lots of books written by doctors aiming to help people manage mental illness or families help their loved ones — all from a purely medical perspective. But today’s guest, NAMI's Dr. Ken Duckworth, wrote a book that, in part, shares the collected wisdom of regular people living with mental illness as well as the perspective of their family and friends. Join us as we discuss the National Alliance on Mental Illness's (NAMI) first book. Dr. Duckworth shares why it only makes sense that people who actually live with mental illness have probably learned a thing or two along the way. His new book, “You Are Not Alone,” is out now. To learn more -- or read the transcript -- visit the official episode page. Our guest, Ken Duckworth, MD, is the chief medical officer of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) and has worked with NAMI since 2003. Ken is board certified in adult psychiatry and child and adolescent psychiatry, and is an assistant professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School. He was previously acting commissioner and medical director at the Massachusetts Department of Mental Health. Ken has worked on an assertive community treatment team, at an early psychosis program, an elementary school, a health plan, and with people who are unhoused. His passion for this work comes from his loving dad who had bipolar disorder. Ken lives with his family in Boston. The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) is the nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization, dedicated to building better lives for the millions of Americans affected by mental illness. nami.org | @namicommunicate Our host, Gabe Howard, is an award-winning writer and speaker who lives with bipolar disorder. He is the author of the popular book, "Mental Illness is an Asshole and other Observations," available from Amazon; signed copies are also available directly from the author. Gabe makes his home in the suburbs of Columbus, Ohio. He lives with his supportive wife, Kendall, and a Miniature Schnauzer dog that he never wanted, but now can’t imagine life without. To book Gabe for your next event or learn more about him, please visit gabehoward.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A few decades after Max J. Friedman’s parents died, his grandson wanted to understand more about the family, including his grandparents, a pair of Holocaust survivors who met in a Swedish refugee camp. Friedman realized he knew very little about who his parents really were, especially about their lives before they met one another. They never spoke of their lives before the Holocaust and very little even about the Holocaust years. He was determined to find out and ended up discovering, after a 5-year, multi-nation search, who they really were — and who he had become as a result. Join us as Gabe and Max discuss his writing journey and what lessons can be found from the Holocaust for society today. To learn more -- or read the transcript -- visit the official episode page. Our Guest, Max Friedman, has been telling the stories of others for his whole career — as a journalist, publicist, corporate editorial director, and book ghostwriter. He finally got to share his story by penning a stirring family memoir, Painful Joy: A Holocaust Family Memoir (Amsterdam Publishers). Early in his career, he held a variety of positions in the communications field, ranging from newspaper and magazine journalism (with articles featured in the The New York Times, Chicago Tribune, Washington Post, TV Guide, and elsewhere) to serving as director of editorial services at Channel 13, New York's public television station as well as the unit publicist for Bill Moyers Journal.  At Bristol-Myers Squibb for two decades as vice president of communications, he was primarily responsible for the company's global internal communications efforts. He joined the company in 1983 and his work there included speechwriting, employee publications, development and oversight of the company's internet site, brochures, multimedia presentations, corporate advertising, video production, the company's intranet efforts — including a webzine — and its annual report to shareholders.  He also worked in publishing as an advertising copywriter with Macmillan, in the government (as a spokesman and editor at the Environmental Protection Agency), in education as a grant proposal writer for the City University of New York and in public relations, as an account executive with Ruder & Finn (now Ruder Finn). He holds a BA in English and Asian Studies from Columbia College and a master’s degree in Journalism from the University of California at Berkeley Graduate School of Journalism. Max and his wife, Jennifer, a reference librarian, live in Larchmont, New York. They raised twin boys and have two grandchildren, one of whom lives in China. For more information, please consult: www.maxfriedman.net. Our host, Gabe Howard, is an award-winning writer and speaker who lives with bipolar disorder. He is the author of the popular book, "Mental Illness is an Asshole and other Observations," available from Amazon; signed copies are also available directly from the author. Gabe makes his home in the suburbs of Columbus, Ohio. He lives with his supportive wife, Kendall, and a Miniature Schnauzer dog that he never wanted, but now can’t imagine life without. To book Gabe for your next event or learn more about him, please visit gabehoward.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Why do so many former NFL players seem to have mental health concerns when they retire? Could we be doing more to address their emotional needs during their playing days, and if we did, do they have the tools to take action? Former NFL player Derek Price became a doctor after retiring from play and now heads up Sierra Tucson, one of the nation’s largest mental health treatment centers in the country. He shares how these answers are not as straightforward as we think and discusses the struggles of returning military and retiring law enforcement and what he sees as a doctor.  Join us as today’s guest tells us about his story of leaving the NFL, the reasons behind the stigma surrounding mental illness, and his new program for first responders. To learn more -- or read the transcript -- please visit the episode page. Our guest, Derek Price, is the Chief Executive Officer of Sierra Tucson, the award-winning Arizona-based mental health center renowned for its decades of success in treating trauma, anxiety, addiction, and chronic pain. Before joining Sierra Tucson, Derek served as CEO for American Addiction Centers, leading the 150-bed Desert Hope Treatment Center in Las Vegas. Our host, Gabe Howard, is an award-winning writer and speaker who lives with bipolar disorder. He is the author of the popular book, "Mental Illness is an Asshole and other Observations," available from Amazon; signed copies are also available directly from the author. Gabe makes his home in the suburbs of Columbus, Ohio. He lives with his supportive wife, Kendall, and a Miniature Schnauzer dog that he never wanted, but now can’t imagine life without. To book Gabe for your next event or learn more about him, please visit gabehoward.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Why would someone cheat on their spouse? Would it surprise you to learn that according to Johns Hopkins University and Ashley Madison (yes, that Ashley Madison), the answer is not as simple as wanting more sex or being dissatisfied in the relationship.  New research tells us that the reasons vary from emotional connection to ego boosting to seeking adventure. But wanting to break up with a romantic partner often doesn’t factor in at all. For many people, the answer to “what if you love your significant other but want to experience other forms of sex?” is not to end the relationship — but to have a discreet affair. To learn more -- or read the transcript -- visit the episode page. Our guest, Paul Keable, is the chief strategy officer for Ashley Madison, the world's leading married dating website available in more than 50 countries and 15 different languages. With more than 7 years of experience working for the Canadian-based company, Paul currently oversees the brand marketing and communications division of the business. In the past year alone, the company had steady growth with more than 4.4 million new male and female global registrants, representing more than 12,200 new members joining daily. The company also recently hit the 80-million member milestone since its inception in 2002. Our host, Gabe Howard, is an award-winning writer and speaker who lives with bipolar disorder. He is the author of the popular book, "Mental Illness is an Asshole and other Observations," available from Amazon; signed copies are also available directly from the author. Gabe makes his home in the suburbs of Columbus, Ohio. He lives with his supportive wife, Kendall, and a Miniature Schnauzer dog that he never wanted, but now can’t imagine life without. To book Gabe for your next event or learn more about him, please visit gabehoward.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We’ve all seen depictions of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) in pop culture: characters like Sheldon Cooper from “The Big Bang Theory” or Detective Adrian Monk from “Monk.” Their compulsions are portrayed as annoying, but ultimately it just makes people with OCD appear quirky. However, those depictions don’t even scratch the surface of what OCD really is. Imagine being obsessed with images of violence or death or being worried that you might actually be a bad person and are doomed to hell. Often, there is nothing cute or quirky about OCD in the real world. Join us as Shala Nicely, a woman who lives with OCD, explains the truth about OCD and shares the challenges it has caused in her life. To learn more -- or read the transcript -- please visit the episode page. Our guest, Shala Nicely, LPC, is the author of Is Fred in the Refrigerator? Taming OCD and Reclaiming My Life and coauthor with Jon Hershfield, MFT of Everyday Mindfulness for OCD: Tips, Tricks & Skills for Living Joyfully. She is a counselor and cognitive behavioral therapist in metro Atlanta, specializing in the treatment of OCD & related disorders and anxiety disorders. Shala produces the Shoulders Back! Tips & Resources for Taming OCD newsletter and blogs for Psychology Today, offering an inside perspective on life with OCD. She is currently working on her third book, a murder mystery called In Neptune’s Orbit, about the true price of secrets we keep from ourselves. Our host, Gabe Howard, is an award-winning writer and speaker who lives with bipolar disorder. He is the author of the popular book, "Mental Illness is an Asshole and other Observations," available from Amazon; signed copies are also available directly from the author. Gabe makes his home in the suburbs of Columbus, Ohio. He lives with his supportive wife, Kendall, and a Miniature Schnauzer dog that he never wanted, but now can’t imagine life without. To book Gabe for your next event or learn more about him, please visit gabehoward.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What do human potential and self-actualization really mean? We hear buzzwords like this often, but how can we use these concepts to better our everyday lives? Can we use them as part of our educational system to help kids who are managing mental health issues to achieve more?  Dr. Scott Barry Kaufman, host of The Psychology Podcast, calls in to discuss all this and more on this week’s episode. To learn more -- or read the transcript -- please visit the official episode page. Our Guest, Dr. Scott Barry Kaufman, is a cognitive scientist and humanistic psychologist exploring the mind, creativity, and the depths of human potential. He is founder and director of the Center for Human Potential, and he has taught at Columbia University, Yale, NYU, the University of Pennsylvania, and elsewhere. Dr. Kaufman received a B.S. in psychology and human computer interaction from Carnegie Mellon, an M. Phil in experimental psychology from the University of Cambridge under a Gates Cambridge Scholarship, and a Ph.D. in cognitive psychology from Yale University. He is also an Honorary Principal Fellow at the University of Melbourne’s Centre for Wellbeing Science. Our host, Gabe Howard is an award-winning writer and speaker who lives with bipolar disorder. He is the author of the popular book, "Mental Illness is an Asshole and other Observations," available from Amazon; signed copies are also available directly from the author. Gabe makes his home in the suburbs of Columbus, Ohio. He lives with his supportive wife, Kendall, and a Miniature Schnauzer dog that he never wanted, but now can’t imagine life without. To book Gabe for your next event or learn more about him, please visit gabehoward.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Does it seem like these days no one can take a joke? Every time you turn around, someone is getting offended and the soul who said the “offensive” thing is canceled, never to be heard from again.  But is that true? Has anyone actually ever been truly “canceled”? Join us as today’s guest, comedian and journalist Emma Arnold, explains what cancel culture is – and isn’t – and why she isn’t worried about it because she isn’t a “whiny baby.” (Content warning: sexual assault, suicide) To learn more -- or read the transcript -- please visit the official episode page. Our Guest, Emma Arnold, is an Idaho backcountry-raised comedian, artist, and beekeeper. Her comedy special, “Yes, Please,” has been viewed over a million times and she’s put out four critically acclaimed standup comedy albums with Blonde Medicine Records. In 2019, she was featured in Forbes Magazine, which called her, “one of the hardest-working comics in the industry.” When not touring, Emma lives in Boise, where she enjoys being the much-beloved host of the much-beloved City Cast Boise podcast and keeping bees and children with varying degrees of success. Our host, Gabe Howard, is an award-winning writer and speaker who lives with bipolar disorder. He is the author of the popular book, "Mental Illness is an Asshole and other Observations," available from Amazon; signed copies are also available directly from the author. Gabe makes his home in the suburbs of Columbus, Ohio. He lives with his supportive wife, Kendall, and a Miniature Schnauzer dog that he never wanted, but now can’t imagine life without. To book Gabe for your next event or learn more about him, please visit gabehoward.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

You are walking down the street, having a good day, when suddenly you remember something you did 10 years ago — something you regret. How do you deal with that?   Should you dwell and ruminate on it? Should you let it go and never think of it again? Or, as today’s guest suggests, should you try to learn from it and move on? Join us as Robert Leahy, a pivotal figure in the development of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), explains the difference between productive and unproductive regret. To learn more -- or read the transcript -- please visit the official episode page. Guest, Robert L. Leahy, PhD, is Director of the American Institute for Cognitive Therapy in New York City and Clinical Professor of Psychology in the Department of Psychiatry at Weill Cornell Medical College. Dr. Leahy is Associate Editor of the International Journal of Cognitive Therapy and is past president of the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies, the International Association for Cognitive Psychotherapy, and the Academy of Cognitive and Behavioral Therapies. He is a recipient of the Aaron T. Beck Award from the Academy of Cognitive and Behavioral Therapies. Dr. Leahy is author or editor of 29 books for mental health professionals and the general public, including If Only and The Worry Cure. His books have been translated into 21 languages. https://www.cognitivetherapynyc.com/ Our host, Gabe Howard is an award-winning writer and speaker who lives with bipolar disorder. He is the author of the popular book, "Mental Illness is an Asshole and other Observations," available from Amazon; signed copies are also available directly from the author. Gabe makes his home in the suburbs of Columbus, Ohio. He lives with his supportive wife, Kendall, and a Miniature Schnauzer dog that he never wanted, but now can’t imagine life without. To book Gabe for your next event or learn more about him, please visit gabehoward.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A new survey reports that a whopping 14% (1 in 7) of American physicians note that they have used alcohol or a controlled substance while working. Additionally, 46% mentioned consuming alcohol or a controlled substance up to 12 hours before their shift. We can all guess that healthcare workers have been stressed out since the pandemic started, but what is going on? And, perhaps most importantly, is anyone doing anything about it? Listen as Dr. Philip Hemphill, Chief Clinical Officer and Strategic Board Advisor for APN, shares what the latest findings show. To learn more -- or read the transcript -- visit the show's official episode page. A celebrated expert with 30 years of experience in the behavioral health and addictive service industry, Dr. Philip Hemphill serves as Chief Clinical Officer and Strategic Board Advisor for APN, where he is responsible for maintaining excellent clinical care across the entire continuum of care that APN offers. As a highly respected thought leader, Dr. Hemphill regularly publishes academic research and is sought after by the top industry conferences where he’s provided hundreds of professional papers, posters, and workshop presentations throughout his illustrious career. Before joining APN, Dr. Hemphill served as a full-time professor of Practice at Tulane School of Social Work where he helped train the next generation. Prior to that, he held leadership positions at premier addiction and behavioral health treatment facilities as Chief Clinical Officer, consultant, director, board advisor, manager, and coach. He assisted thousands of legal, mental health, and medical professionals in the wake of hurricanes Katrina and Rita and pioneered the assessment and treatment of professionals based on this work. In 2013, he co-authored “Taming Disruptive Behavior” and Dr. Hemphill’s second book entitled “Integrated Care in Addiction Treatment” was published in 2022. He currently maintains a faculty position at LSU Health Sciences, Department of Psychiatry, where he has taught didactics since 2000. Our host, Gabe Howard is an award-winning writer and speaker who lives with bipolar disorder. He is the author of the popular book, "Mental Illness is an Asshole and other Observations," available from Amazon; signed copies are also available directly from the author. Gabe makes his home in the suburbs of Columbus, Ohio. He lives with his supportive wife, Kendall, and a Miniature Schnauzer dog that he never wanted, but now can’t imagine life without. To book Gabe for your next event or learn more about him, please visit gabehoward.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Existentialism is a philosophy that emphasizes the existence of the individual person as a free and responsible agent who determines their own development through acts of will. So, what is existential therapy and how can this philosophy be used to better our own lives through counseling?  Join us as today’s guest, Dr. Christopher S. Taylor, tells us more about this therapeutic practice and what basis it has in science. It’s a practice that seems new, but has actually been around for a very long time. To learn more -- or read the transcript -- please visit the official episode page. Our guest. Christopher S. Taylor, Ph.D. LPC-S, author of My Digital Practice and host of the For Self-Examination podcast, is an adjunct professor of counseling ethics at Dallas Theological Seminary and Amberton University. Dr. Taylor utilizes existential psychotherapy to provide treatment for individuals struggling with loss of identity. In 2015, he was appointed by Governor Greg Abbott to serve on the Texas State Board of Examiners of Professional Counselors as a professional member, and was reappointed to continue serving on the board in 2021. In 2018, he was unanimously voted as vice-chair of the board. Dr. Taylor founded Taylor Counseling Group in 2015 with a mission to provide affordable, accessible, and reliable mental health services. Taylor Counseling Group was founded on five core values: Affordable Care, Transformational Change, Collaborative Growth, Community Support and Human Capital. With 9 locations in Dallas, Galleria Dallas, Coppell, Southlake, Fort Worth, Waxahachie, Houston Memorial Park, The Woodlands, and San Antonio, the affordable counseling provider has plans for rapid growth throughout Texas.  Working with various state and private organizations such as Child Protective Services since 2008, Dr. Taylor has experienced the lack of community support for broken homes in both urban and rural communities. In an endeavor to alleviate this issue, Dr. Taylor served as the court coordinator and program developer for Legacy Family Court in Dallas County from 2013 to 2016. In 2015, Legacy Family Court was recognized as “An Agent of Change” by the Council on Drug and Alcohol Abuse and was awarded an official resolution by Dallas County. In 2016, the Agricultural Commissioner appointed Dr. Taylor to serve on the Rural Health Task Force to assist in developing solutions for the expansion of mental health programs in rural Texas communities.  Dr. Taylor completed his Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy with a concentration in existentialism at Texas A&M University. He continues to research and write on the subject of identity and existential development. Our host, Gabe Howard is an award-winning writer and speaker who lives with bipolar disorder. He is the author of the popular book, "Mental Illness is an Asshole and other Observations," available from Amazon; signed copies are also available directly from the author. Gabe makes his home in the suburbs of Columbus, Ohio. He lives with his supportive wife, Kendall, and a Miniature Schnauzer dog that he never wanted, but now can’t imagine life without. To book Gabe for your next event or learn more about him, please visit gabehoward.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A lot of people don’t want to volunteer. Who wants to give up a Saturday and not get paid for it? But what if volunteering and being of service to your community could not just improve the world, but also your mental health?  Join us as today’s guest, Travis Van Winkle, talks about how being of service led him to a profound emotional transformation. To learn more -- or read the transcript -- please visit the official episode page. Travis Van Winkle’s career has seamlessly transitioned between both television and film for over two decades. He can currently be seen as one of the leads in the Netflix/Skydance action-comedy “FUBAR,” which premiered on May 25, 2023, co-starring opposite Arnold Schwarzenegger. Most recently, he played Cary Conrad on season 3 of Netflix’s acclaimed “You.” The hit series, which began streaming season 3 on Friday, October 15, 2021, quickly became the #1 program on the global streamer, taking down “Squid Game.” For his role as “the King of the cul de sac,” the actor received both critical and fan acclaim. Previously, Van Winkle had a starring run on Michael Bay/TNT’s high-concept drama “The Last Ship” for five seasons and a series regular role alongside Alan Cumming on the CBS drama “Instinct.” Some of his previous memorable television roles include recurring on CW’s “Hart of Dixie” and ABC’S “Happy Endings.” Feature film roles include a lead roles in Paramount’s Friday the 13th remake, “Transformers,” “Meet the Spartans,” and Universal’s comedy “Accepted” with Justin Long, Jonah Hill, and Blake Lively. Van Winkle has been a proud mentor within the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Los Angeles youth empowerment organization since 2011 and hosted two of their galas that raised just over $1 million. He is also currently a member of their Junior Board. He serves as a Global Ambassador to the nonprofit organization buildOn. Through his work with buildOn, he has engaged and inspired his creative network to help raise over $470,000 and has led on-the-ground teams to build eight schools: three in Malawi, two in Senegal, and one in Haiti, Nepal, and Nicaragua. Travis Van Winkle was born in Victorville, California; his parents’ Air Force responsibilities would bring him to both Michigan and Georgia before he eventually made his way to Hollywood at the age of 20. Our host, Gabe Howard is an award-winning writer and speaker who lives with bipolar disorder. He is the author of the popular book, "Mental Illness is an Asshole and other Observations," available from Amazon; signed copies are also available directly from the author. Gabe makes his home in the suburbs of Columbus, Ohio. He lives with his supportive wife, Kendall, and a Miniature Schnauzer dog that he never wanted, but now can’t imagine life without. To book Gabe for your next event or learn more about him, please visit gabehoward.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Movie and TV star Romina D’Ugo shares what life is like for a woman in Hollywood. She also shares a deeply personal story of how a nude scene was sprung on her without her consent.   Society often paints people who identify as feminists as frigid or man hating. But, is that truly what the term means or has it been hijacked? Join us as Romina shares why feminism became important to her. To learn more -- or read the transcript -- visit the official episode page. CSA Best Actress nominee Romina D'Ugo is a first-generation Canadian and proud daughter to Italian immigrant parents. Originally from Toronto, Romina grew up dancing and trained since the age of 9 at one of the most competitive dance schools in the country. Performing has been a natural extension of Romina’s being since a young age but her career began when she landed a supporting role in the Universal Pictures film “How She Move.” Romina became a household name when she earned a spot as one of the Top 20 dancers on season 1 of the hugely popular series “So You Think You Can Dance.” She went on to star opposite Justin Chatwin in the feature film, “Funkytown.” In 2010, Romina also starred in MTV’s original movie “Turn The Beat Around,” for which she was nominated for Best Actress in a Leading Role at the Canadian Screen Awards. Romina has appeared in a plethora of TV series including “Godfather of Harlem” (EPIX), “Coyote” (Paramount), “Designated Survivor” (NBC/Netflix), “12 Monkeys” (SYFY/NBC), “Rookie Blue” (ABC/Global), “Nikita” (CW), and “Nurses” (NBC/Global). Romina also choreographed for Margot Robbie and Cara Delevingne in the DC Comics film “Suicide Squad.” Most recently, she starred in the coming-of-age dramatic comedy “I Like Movies,” making its world premiere at the 2022 Toronto International Film Festival. The film is currently making the festival rounds and will be released in select theatres in Canada in March. Passionate about artistry in all its forms, Romina is also the designer and creator of the eco-conscious jewelry line, WILYMI Jewelry Co. WILYMI stands for "Wear It Like You Mean It” and was created as a way of imbuing her life lessons into wearable art. Each piece holds a unique and purposeful intention and is an expression of this intimate process. Romina spends hours dreaming up designs, and relishes in the journey of sourcing materials to bring her visions to reality, meticulously handpicking stones and crafting each luxe, limited edition piece. A champion of women's empowerment movements, a portion of the proceeds go to the GIRLS INC charity, which equips girls to navigate gender, economic, and social barriers, and advocates for legislation and policies to increase opportunities and rights for all girls. Our host, Gabe Howard is an award-winning writer and speaker who lives with bipolar disorder. He is the author of the popular book, "Mental Illness is an Asshole and other Observations," available from Amazon; signed copies are also available directly from the author. Gabe makes his home in the suburbs of Columbus, Ohio. He lives with his supportive wife, Kendall, and a Miniature Schnauzer dog that he never wanted, but now can’t imagine life without. To book Gabe for your next event or learn more about him, please visit gabehoward.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Our society has a difficult relationship with authority. Many of us were taught as children that it was important to show respect and defer to those above us. We are told to trust people in positions of power — people like doctors, clergy, and police officers.  But we also see daily evidence of these same people making errors or putting their needs above the facts. In that case, what is the average person to do? Is it OK to question authority? Join us as today’s guest, The Punk Rock Doc, explains where we go from here. To learn more -- or read the transcript -- please visit the shows official episode page. Dr. J.J. Kelly, The Punk Rock Doc, is a licensed clinical psychologist, emotional intelligence skills training expert, and bestselling author of The Holy Shit Series. J.J. is also the CEO & Founder of UnorthoDocs, Inc., a punk alternative to traditional psychotherapy. Dr. Kelly and the unortho “docs” live their lives with the belief that global healing is achieved by teaching people the skills to like themselves. “Happy People Act Right!” Our host, Gabe Howard is an award-winning writer and speaker who lives with bipolar disorder. He is the author of the popular book, "Mental Illness is an Asshole and other Observations," available from Amazon; signed copies are also available directly from the author. Gabe makes his home in the suburbs of Columbus, Ohio. He lives with his supportive wife, Kendall, and a Miniature Schnauzer dog that he never wanted, but now can’t imagine life without. To book Gabe for your next event or learn more about him, please visit gabehoward.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

There’s a common misconception that, due to asylum closures, only “dangerous” people get committed to a psychiatric wards and hospitals. We also believe that forcing someone with mental illness into treatment is rare. However, millions of Americans are subjected to psychiatric detention or forced treatment every year.  Often well meaning family members are trying to “help,” but end up traumatizing and permanently damaging their loved ones. Join us as investigative journalist Rob Wipond explains how most states have broadened their criteria for psychiatrically detaining someone far beyond “imminent harm” and that as a practical matter, this could happen to almost anyone. Join us for a special two part episode of Inside Mental Health. (Part 1 of 2) To learn more -- or read the transcript -- please visit the official episode page. Rob Wipond is a freelance investigative journalist who writes frequently at the interfaces between psychiatry, civil rights, policing, surveillance and privacy, and social change. His articles have been nominated for 17 magazine and journalism awards for writing in medicine, science and technology, business, and law. He has taught journalism and creative nonfiction at the University of Victoria and Royal Roads University and also works and volunteers with non-profit groups that do neighborhood community building. Gabe Howard is an award-winning writer and speaker who lives with bipolar disorder. He is the author of the popular book, "Mental Illness is an Asshole and other Observations," available from Amazon; signed copies are also available directly from the author. Gabe makes his home in the suburbs of Columbus, Ohio. He lives with his supportive wife, Kendall, and a Miniature Schnauzer dog that he never wanted, but now can’t imagine life without. To book Gabe for your next event or learn more about him, please visit gabehoward.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

There’s a common misconception that, due to asylum closures, only “dangerous” people get committed to a psychiatric wards and hospitals. We also believe that forcing someone with mental illness into treatment is rare. However, millions of Americans are subjected to psychiatric detention or forced treatment every year.  Often well meaning family members are trying to “help,” but end up traumatizing and permanently damaging their loved ones. Join us as investigative journalist Rob Wipond explains how most states have broadened their criteria for psychiatrically detaining someone far beyond “imminent harm” and that as a practical matter, this could happen to almost anyone. Join us for a special two part episode of Inside Mental Health. (part 2 of 2) To learn more -- or read the transcript -- please visit the official episode page. Rob Wipond is a freelance investigative journalist who writes frequently at the interfaces between psychiatry, civil rights, policing, surveillance and privacy, and social change. His articles have been nominated for 17 magazine and journalism awards for writing in medicine, science and technology, business, and law. He has taught journalism and creative nonfiction at the University of Victoria and Royal Roads University and also works and volunteers with non-profit groups that do neighborhood community building. Gabe Howard is an award-winning writer and speaker who lives with bipolar disorder. He is the author of the popular book, "Mental Illness is an Asshole and other Observations," available from Amazon; signed copies are also available directly from the author. Gabe makes his home in the suburbs of Columbus, Ohio. He lives with his supportive wife, Kendall, and a Miniature Schnauzer dog that he never wanted, but now can’t imagine life without. To book Gabe for your next event or learn more about him, please visit gabehoward.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Can you name a millionaire tech mogul with bipolar disorder? Well, you can now. Today’s guest is Paul English, the tech mogul best known as the founder of travel website Kayak.  As more and more celebrities in the arts publicly share their bipolar disorder diagnoses many people in the business world still choose to conceal their illness due to stigma and discrimination.  Join us as Paul tells us his story of living with bipolar disorder, including some of the stigma he has faced in the workplace. To learn more - or read the transcript -- please visit the show's official episode page. Guest Paul English is the founder of Boston Venture Studio. Paul has previously co-founded and successfully sold six startups — Kayak, Lola, Moonbeam, GetHuman, Boston Light and Intermute. Paul is also the founder of four nonprofits — Summits Education in Haiti, Embrace Boston, The Winter Walk for Homelessness, and the Bipolar Social Club. Paul is the subject of Tracy Kidder’s book, “A Truck Full of Money.” You can hear an interview with Paul on “How I Built This” with Guy Raz, and you can see his video from TEDxBoston in 2022. Host Gabe Howard is an award-winning writer and speaker who lives with bipolar disorder. He is the author of the popular book, "Mental Illness is an Asshole and other Observations," available from Amazon; signed copies are also available directly from the author. Gabe makes his home in the suburbs of Columbus, Ohio. He lives with his supportive wife, Kendall, and a Miniature Schnauzer dog that he never wanted, but now can’t imagine life without. To book Gabe for your next event or learn more about him, please visit gabehoward.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dr. Kay Redfield Jamison believes that medication is an overused option and that many people can make great strides recovering from “mental suffering” using therapy, art, and meaningful hobbies. She also shares that we can learn a lot by understanding the lessons learned from resilient people who came before us. Using numerous historical examples, Dr. Jamison takes us on a journey of understanding our present mental health states by using the past.  What do soldiers who suffer from PTSD, mourners after a death, and people with mental illness all have in common? According to New York Times’ best selling author and Johns Hopkins professor Dr. Jamison, they all have an unquiet mind they need to heal.  To learn more -- or read the transcript -- please visit the official episode page. Kay Redfield Jamison is the Dalio Professor in Mood Disorders and a professor of psychiatry at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, as well as an honorary professor of English at the University of St. Andrews in Scotland. She is the coauthor of the standard medical text on bipolar disorder and author of An Unquiet Mind, Night Falls Fast, Exuberance, and Touched with Fire. Her most recent book, Robert Lowell: Setting the River on Fire, was a Pulitzer Prize finalist. Dr. Jamison is a Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and of the Royal Society of Edinburgh. She is a recipient of the Lewis Thomas Prize, the Sarnat Prize from the National Academy of Medicine, and a John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Fellowship. Gabe Howard is an award-winning writer and speaker who lives with bipolar disorder. He is the author of the popular book, "Mental Illness is an Asshole and other Observations," available from Amazon; signed copies are also available directly from the author. Gabe makes his home in the suburbs of Columbus, Ohio. He lives with his supportive wife, Kendall, and a Miniature Schnauzer dog that he never wanted, but now can’t imagine life without. To book Gabe for your next event or learn more about him, please visit gabehoward.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

There is a lot of stigma against people with diagnosed borderline personality disorder (BPD), even within the mental health community. People living with a borderline diagnosis are unfairly characterized as difficult and overly dramatic, and many feel that people with BPD reject needed treatments or interventions because “they don’t want to get better.” In this episode, we ask why people living with BPD may be reluctant to seek treatment. Further, today’s guest, Dr. Connell Cowan, offers advice for family and friends about how they can become allies and be more understanding of the resistance. To learn more -- or read the transcript -- please visit the official episode page. Guest Bio Dr. Connell Cowan (Los Angeles, CA) is a clinical psychologist. He co-wrote Smart Women/Foolish Choices, a runaway bestseller that spawned an entire genre of books dealing with male/female dilemmas. The book spent nearly a year on the New York Times bestseller list, sold millions of copies, has been published in 23 different languages, and was made into a hit musical. His second book, Women Men Love/Women Men Leave, also became a NYT bestseller. Husbands & Wives completed the relationship trio. He has appeared on hundreds of radio and television shows and his writings have been published in a number of journals, magazines, and newspapers internationally. Dr. Cowan also established the Human Sciences Center in Los Angeles––a nonprofit center for research and treatment funded in part by a grant from the Eli Lilly Foundation. The innovative work he developed at the Center was featured on CBS’s “60 Minutes.” He has taught at the California School of Professional Psychology and in UCLA’s School of Public Health. Along with his writings and clinical practice, Dr. Cowan has created and produced a number of television and video projects for syndication and cable blending both psychological information and drama. His new book, Override: Discover Your Brain Type, Why You Do What You Do, How to Do It Better, is written in with Dr. David Kipper. It’s based on breakthrough science and reveals the blueprint of our DNA and gives readers a practical, easy-to-grasp, yet revolutionary framework to go beyond survival and toward achieving the life you really want. Inside Mental Health Podcast Host Gabe Howard is an award-winning writer and speaker who lives with bipolar disorder. He is the author of the popular book, "Mental Illness is an Asshole and other Observations," available from Amazon; signed copies are also available directly from the author. Gabe makes his home in the suburbs of Columbus, Ohio. He lives with his supportive wife, Kendall, and a Miniature Schnauzer dog that he never wanted, but now can’t imagine life without. To book Gabe for your next event or learn more about him, please visit gabehoward.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We all know that the COVID pandemic has taken a toll on healthcare workers. But how was their mental health before the pandemic?  Today’s guest, Dr. Rola Hallam, has opened 7 hospitals in Syria as part of her humanitarian work. Dr. Hallam shares with us that compassion fatigue isn’t really about compassion or fatigue, it’s more likely trauma from having large amounts of empathy. To learn more -- or read the transcript -- visit the show's official episode page. Guest Bio Dr. Rola Hallam is an award-winning doctor, humanitarian, campaigner, speaker, social entrepreneur, and trauma-informed life coach. She has been honored with several awards and is also the first Syrian TED Fellow and founder of CanDo — a humanitarian organization supporting frontline health and aid workers to save children’s lives in their war-devastated communities. She has helped build 7 hospitals in Syria, including the first ever crowdfunded hospital, together reaching over 4 million people. An advocate for the protection of healthcare, healthcare workers, and civilians in conflict, Dr. Hallam has shared global stages with presidents, celebrities, and grassroots activists, and her work has been featured in media from the New York Times to The Daily Show, including two BBC documentaries. Her online talks have been seen over 11 million times, inspiring thousands. Inside Mental Health Podcast Host Gabe Howard is an award-winning writer and speaker who lives with bipolar disorder. He is the author of the popular book, "Mental Illness is an Asshole and other Observations," available from Amazon; signed copies are also available directly from the author. Gabe makes his home in the suburbs of Columbus, Ohio. He lives with his supportive wife, Kendall, and a Miniature Schnauzer dog that he never wanted, but now can’t imagine life without. To book Gabe for your next event or learn more about him, please visit gabehoward.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In honor of mental health awareness month, we want to welcome you to the first ever Inside Mental Health podcast clips show. Listen now to hear some great insights from some of the best guests of the past year. Featuring clips from Jennette McCurdy, Alanis Morissette, Wil Wheaton, Brooke Burke, Dr. Phil and Paul Gilmartin – there is something for everyone. Our host, Gabe Howard, combed through hours of audio to pick his favorites. Please enjoy! To learn more -- or read the transcript -- visit the official episode page. Inside Mental Health Podcast Host Gabe Howard is an award-winning writer and speaker who lives with bipolar disorder. He is the author of the popular book, "Mental Illness is an Asshole and other Observations," available from Amazon; signed copies are also available directly from the author. Gabe makes his home in the suburbs of Columbus, Ohio. He lives with his supportive wife, Kendall, and a Miniature Schnauzer dog that he never wanted, but now can’t imagine life without. To book Gabe for your next event or learn more about him, please visit gabehoward.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Most parents (and other adults) want to be able to talk to teenagers and young adults about mental health and mental illness. But, uncertainty and awkwardness often stop well-intentioned people from broaching the subject.  In this episode, we discuss how to have these conversations with the young people in our lives by inviting Dr. Laura Erickson-Schroth, chief medical officer of The Jed Foundation (JED). Dr. Erickson-Schroth gives practical tips and hints on how to have these sometimes awkward conversations and what to do if a teenager doesn’t want to talk back. To learn more -- or read the transcript -- please visit the official episode page. Guest Bio Dr. Laura Erickson-Schroth (she/they), Chief Medical Officer for The Jed Foundation (JED), is a psychiatrist committed to improving mental health through education and resource creation. She provides guidance on how individuals, families, schools, communities, media, and other youth-serving organizations can take actions to protect mental health and prevent suicide in teens and young adults, ensuring that all young people are being served in data-informed and culturally responsive ways. Dr. Erickson-Schroth joined JED in 2022 after providing crisis intervention and mental health support to thousands of patients in over ten emergency rooms in New York City, including as an attending psychiatrist and associate professor at the Columbia University Comprehensive Psychiatric Emergency Program. Much of her career has focused on LGBTQ mental health, and she continues to see clients at Hetrick-Martin Institute for LGBTQIA+ Youth. Dr. Erickson-Schroth is the editor of “Trans Bodies, Trans Selves” (Oxford, 2014, second edition 2022), a resource guide written by and for trans communities. She has appeared on NPR’s “Fresh Air” and “On Point.” She is a former board member of the Association of LGBTQ+ Psychiatrists and of GLMA: Health Professionals Advancing LGBTQ Equality.  Dr. Erickson-Schroth obtained her medical degree from Dartmouth Medical School. She completed a psychiatry residency at New York University, public psychiatry fellowship at Columbia University, and consultation-liaison psychiatry fellowship at Mount Sinai. Inside Mental Health Podcast Host Gabe Howard is an award-winning writer and speaker who lives with bipolar disorder. He is the author of the popular book, "Mental Illness is an Asshole and other Observations," available from Amazon; signed copies are also available directly from the author. Gabe makes his home in the suburbs of Columbus, Ohio. He lives with his supportive wife, Kendall, and a Miniature Schnauzer dog that he never wanted, but now can’t imagine life without. To book Gabe for your next event or learn more about him, please visit gabehoward.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Children and teenagers are expressing unprecedented levels of anxiety and many experts believe there is currently a crisis of anxiety in the United States. If that is true, what can adults — who may also be managing anxiety — do to help young people?     While many experts believe social media and news outlets play a role, we have to accept that these things are here to stay — so what is our next step? Join us as Laura Morton and Joan Lunden explain what they discovered working on the new documentary “Anxious Nation.” For information on where to view Anxious Nation, visit anxiousnation.com.  To learn more -- or read the transcript -- please visit the episode page. Guest Bios Laura Morton has been involved in the entertainment industry for more than 25 years as a bestselling author, producer, speaker and entrepreneur. She is the founder of Lasega Films and the soon to be launched Anxious Nation Network (ANN). Morton has written over 60 books and a staggering 21 New York Times bestsellers, with a wide range of celebrities and business leaders, including Justin Bieber, the Jonas Brothers, Susan Lucci, John Maxwell, Jennifer Hudson, Al Roker, Deborah Roberts, Joan Lunden, Marilu Henner, Melissa Etheridge, Katherine Schwarzenegger, Kim Zimmer, Kathy Ireland, Sandra Lee, Danica Patrick, Glenn Stearns, Bob Parsons, and more. Laura continues to pursue projects of interest that cross publishing, production, and electronic media through her company, including her award-winning documentary film, “Anxious Nation.” Laura frequently speaks to organizations on a variety of topics, mixing humor and emotional storytelling in her dazzling and memorable presentations. Joan Lunden is an award-winning journalist, bestselling author, television host, and motivational speaker. She has been a trusted voice in American homes for more than 40 years. For nearly two decades, Lunden greeted viewers each morning on “Good Morning America,” making her the longest running female host ever on early morning television. Lunden is the host of the PBS television series, “Second Opinion with Joan Lunden” and the Washington Post Podcast series, “Caring for Tomorrow” on the future of healthcare. Lunden is also the ambassador to the Poynter Institute’s MediaWise for Seniors program which educates individuals over 50 on media literacy, separating fact from fiction online.  In June of 2014, Lunden was diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer. An eternal optimist, she turned her diagnosis and subsequent cancer treatment into an opportunity to become an advocate to help others. Lunden shared her battle against breast cancer in her book “Had I Known.”  Lunden continues to interact with American’s daily on her website, Joanlunden.com, as well as her social media platforms. Her latest book, "Why Did I Come Into This Room? A Candid Conversation About Aging" is available now. Inside Mental Health Podcast Host Gabe Howard is an award-winning writer and speaker who lives with bipolar disorder. He is the author of the popular book, "Mental Illness is an Asshole and other Observations," available from Amazon; signed copies are also available directly from the author. Gabe makes his home in the suburbs of Columbus, Ohio. He lives with his supportive wife, Kendall, and a Miniature Schnauzer dog that he never wanted, but now can’t imagine life without. To book Gabe for your next event or learn more about him, please visit gabehoward.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

12-step programs like Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous dominate the recovery space. In fact, when most people think of someone in recovery, they typically assume they are part of a 12-step program. But, what if the traditional 12-step programs don’t work for you? For example, if you are an atheist, don’t like the idea of a sponsor, or want a program driven by self-empowerment, are there other options? Join us as today’s guest, Mary Beth O’Connor, shares with us that 12 steps are not the only choice when it comes to peer support recovery programs. To learn more -- or read the transcript -- please visit the official episode page. Guest Bio Mary Beth O'Connor has been sober since 1994. She has also been in recovery from abuse, trauma, and anxiety. Six years into her recovery, Mary Beth attended Berkeley Law. She worked at a large firm, then litigated class actions for the federal government. In 2014, she was appointed a federal administrative law judge, a position she held until 2020. Mary Beth is a director, secretary, and founding investor for She Recovers Foundation and a director for LifeRing Secular Recovery. She regularly speaks about multiple paths to recovery to groups such as Women for Sobriety. Mary Beth’s op-ed, "I Beat Addiction Without God," where she described combining ideas from several secular programs to create a robust recovery foundation, appeared in the Wall Street Journal. Inside Mental Health Podcast Host Gabe Howard is an award-winning writer and speaker who lives with bipolar disorder. He is the author of the popular book, "Mental Illness is an Asshole and other Observations," available from Amazon; signed copies are also available directly from the author. Gabe makes his home in the suburbs of Columbus, Ohio. He lives with his supportive wife, Kendall, and a Miniature Schnauzer dog that he never wanted, but now can’t imagine life without. To book Gabe for your next event or learn more about him, please visit gabehoward.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

ADD and ADHD are typically discussed as a controversial diagnosis. Some people — including experts — feel that these conditions are over diagnosed, underdiagnosed, or simply don’t exist. ADD and ADHD have been used to attack parents, defend behavior challenges, and seemingly everything in between. But what is the real story? Join us as today’s guest, Dr. Theresa Cerulli, explains the challenges in helping people with ADD and ADHD and the steps people can take to make sure they get the best care. To learn more -- or read the transcript -- visit the official episode page. Guest Bio Theresa Cerulli, M.D., is a graduate of Tufts University, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Harvard Longwood Residency Program in Adult Psychiatry, and Harvard Fellowships in Medical Psychiatry and Neuropsychiatry. Dr. Cerulli is board certified in psychiatry and is on faculty at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston and for NEI, the Neuroscience Education Institute. Dr. Cerulli is the co-founder and prior Chief Medical Officer of ADD Health and Wellness Centers, specializing in the holistic treatment of children and adults with ADD/ADHD and coexisting behavioral health conditions. Her vision is in combining traditional medicine with healthy living to promote cognitive and emotional well-being. Inside Mental Health Podcast Host Gabe Howard is an award-winning writer and speaker who lives with bipolar disorder. He is the author of the popular book, "Mental Illness is an Asshole and other Observations," available from Amazon; signed copies are also available directly from the author. Gabe makes his home in the suburbs of Columbus, Ohio. He lives with his supportive wife, Kendall, and a Miniature Schnauzer dog that he never wanted, but now can’t imagine life without. To book Gabe for your next event or learn more about him, please visit gabehoward.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dallas Roquemore, aka Lil Dallas, is a personal friend of — and has worked with — famed rapper, Mozzy. While Dallas’s rap career started out very strong, it was derailed when he went to prison at age 16 and was incarcerated for the next 11 years.   Join us as restored citizen and prison reform and reentry advocate Lil Dallas tells us what life in prison is really like, what he thinks might help more people from his community stay out of prison, and the recovery program he is working with now. To learn more -- or read the transcript -- visit the episode page. Guest Bio Dallas Roquemore, aka Lil Dallas, is 27 years old and has been incarcerated since he was 16. He returned from prison on March 13, 2022. Dallas grew up alongside famous rapper Mozzy. They were incredibly close as children and would rap together as they lived in the same neighborhood. When Dallas wasn’t making music, he was establishing himself as one of the most recognized gang members in his city. At 16, Dallas had made enough bad choices to land himself in federal prison. While in prison, Dallas met his wife and they got married in the Salinas Valley State Prison. While completing his time, he realized that the only reason he and his community committed themselves to a life of gang conflict was because that was the way they were brought up. Gangs and drugs were normalized and easily accessible. He realized all the bad decisions he made were because he was under the influence, so Dallas decided to put his faith in his passions and family.  As soon as he returned to his community, he began working with Healthy Life Recovery to tell his story and hopefully inspire others to make better choices. Firsthand experience carries a lot of weight, and Dallas carries his stories to adults and children who also grew up in environments around gangs and drugs. Dallas works with Healthy Life Recovery and is also pursuing his rap career. If he hadn’t gone to prison, Dallas could have risen to stardom alongside his childhood friend Mozzy. Now, Dallas is focused on bettering his career and the world. His album, Permanent Scars, is available on Apple Music. Inside Mental Health Podcast Host Gabe Howard is an award-winning writer and speaker who lives with bipolar disorder. He is the author of the popular book, "Mental Illness is an Asshole and other Observations," available from Amazon; signed copies are also available directly from the author. Gabe makes his home in the suburbs of Columbus, Ohio. He lives with his supportive wife, Kendall, and a Miniature Schnauzer dog that he never wanted, but now can’t imagine life without. To book Gabe for your next event or learn more about him, please visit gabehoward.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Police officers are seldom asked to respond to something positive. The nature of their jobs is to assist when things go wrong. Vehicle accidents, crime, and death are part of the job description for the average law enforcement officer. They are trained to run toward danger rather than away from it.   Yet when it comes to managing their mental health, the general practice is to bury those emotions and “just do your job.” Join us as Sheriff Jay Armbrister shares why this practice must change for not only officer safety but public safety as well. To learn more -- or read the transcript -- please visit the show's official episode page. Guest Bio Sheriff Jay Armbrister has served the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office for 24 years as a law enforcement officer, and he was elected Sheriff and took office in January 2021. As Sheriff, Jay has committed to ensuring the long-term success of the Sheriff’s Office and improving outcomes for residents with behavioral health needs and public safety in the community. Sheriff Armbrister, who serves on the Board of Directors of the Bert Nash Community Mental Health Center, has worked with community leaders from many sectors to develop a continuum of behavioral health crisis services to serve the right person in the right place at the right time. This includes the development of the Treatment and Recovery Campus of Douglas County that provide services and housing for individuals with serious mental illness, substance use disorders, and addiction challenges. As Sheriff, he has also made it a priority to support the mental health of law enforcement officers and all first responders, by giving DGSO employees access to a culturally competent clinician. The agency’s Peer Support team members are trained to offer support individually and to conduct critical incident debriefings for those who responded to a difficult call. At the state level, he has testified before the Kansas Senate Commerce Committee in favor of a bill that would secure workers’ compensation benefits for first responders with PTSD. Armbrister is involved in numerous community organizations in Douglas County and has received the Sheriff’s Office Medal of Bravery and a Silver Life Saving award from the Kansas Association of Chiefs of Police for his responses to the 2005 Boardwalk Apartments fire in Lawrence and an Operations Commendation Award and Silver Valor Award for rescuing a driver involved in a rollover crash. Armbrister is a graduate of Pittsburg State University as well as numerous law enforcement leadership programs, including the University of Kansas Certified Public Manager (CPM) program. Inside Mental Health Podcast Host Gabe Howard is an award-winning writer and speaker who lives with bipolar disorder. He is the author of the popular book, "Mental Illness is an Asshole and other Observations," available from Amazon; signed copies are also available directly from the author. Gabe makes his home in the suburbs of Columbus, Ohio. He lives with his supportive wife, Kendall, and a Miniature Schnauzer dog that he never wanted, but now can’t imagine life without. To book Gabe for your next event or learn more about him, please visit gabehoward.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When Daniel Bergner’s brother received a bipolar disorder diagnosis, his family was told he needed to adhere to the doctor’s orders or death was a likely outcome. This set off a chain reaction of fear his life while Daniel’s brother was just trying to manage a difficult and persistent illness.  The common denominators? Fear and uncertainty.  Today’s guest is the author of "The Mind and the Moon: My Brother's Story, the Science of Our Brains, and the Search for Our Psyches." It’s the story of Daniel’s brother’s illness and his family’s quest to understand more about how modern psychiatry works. Join us as Gabe and Daniel discuss why the discussion surrounding medication is so polarized, how we can have a more balanced understanding of the limits of modern psychiatry, and how to move the discussion toward the middle ground. To learn more -- or read the transcript -- please visit the official episode page. Guest Bio Daniel Bergner is a contributing writer for the New York Times Magazine and the author of six books of nonfiction — The Mind and the Moon, Sing for Your Life, What Do Women Want?, The Other Side of Desire,In the Land of Magic Soldiers, and God of the Rodeo — as well as a novel, Moments of Favor. Sing for Your Life was a New York Times bestseller and a New York Times and Washington Post Notable Book of the Year. In the Land of Magic Soldiers received an Overseas Press Club Award for international reporting and a Lettre-Ulysses Award for the Art of Reportage and was named a Los Angeles Times Best Book of the Year. God of the Rodeo was a New York Times Notable Book of the Year. In addition to the New York Times Magazine, Daniel’s writing has appeared in the Atlantic, Granta, Harper’s, Mother Jones, Talk, and the New York Times Book Review, and on the op-ed page of the New York Times. His writing is included in The Norton Reader: An Anthology of Nonfiction. Inside Mental Health Podcast Host Gabe Howard is an award-winning writer and speaker who lives with bipolar disorder. He is the author of the popular book, "Mental Illness is an Asshole and other Observations," available from Amazon; signed copies are also available directly from the author. Gabe makes his home in the suburbs of Columbus, Ohio. He lives with his supportive wife, Kendall, and a Miniature Schnauzer dog that he never wanted, but now can’t imagine life without. To book Gabe for your next event or learn more about him, please visit gabehoward.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Since childhood, most of us have been socialized to “forgive and forget.” We’ve been told that to do anything else risks our mental health and causes emotional pain. But is that actually good advice? Does forgiving someone actually increase our mental stability? Join us as today’s guest explains why this simplistic idea doesn’t always work for people and how it is absolutely possible to move on with your life in a healthy way without offering forgiveness. To learn more -- or read the transcript -- please visit the official episode page. Guest Bio Kate Schroeder is a Licensed Professional Counselor, Nationally Certified Counselor, and owner of Transformation Counseling, LLC. With over 25 years in the mental health field, her clinical background includes experience as a school counselor, mental health therapist in an urban university’s counseling center, clinical researcher, and individual, couples, group, and family therapist. Within these settings, Kate has provided dedicated counseling for clients experiencing difficulties in areas including complex PTSD (C-PTSD), depression and anxiety, family and childhood conflicts, interpersonal relationships, grief and trauma, and various other interpersonal conflicts. Through personalized and experiential psychotherapy methods as well as the use of both the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator and the Enneagram typology system of personality, Kate works with individuals to identify and address deep, long standing pain points that lead to profound, lasting solutions.  Inside Mental Health Podcast Host Gabe Howard is an award-winning writer and speaker who lives with bipolar disorder. He is the author of the popular book, "Mental Illness is an Asshole and other Observations," available from Amazon; signed copies are also available directly from the author. Gabe makes his home in the suburbs of Columbus, Ohio. He lives with his supportive wife, Kendall, and a Miniature Schnauzer dog that he never wanted, but now can’t imagine life without. To book Gabe for your next event or learn more about him, please visit gabehoward.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Despite growing up in Nigeria and the UK, Tobi Bamtefa received the same stereotypical messaging surrounding what it means to be a man: men are strong, handle their responsibilities stoically, and men never cry. Ever.  Join us as Tobi shares how living with these societal expectations can be stifling and damage men’s mental health. He shares how becoming an actor and being encouraged to participate in the arts was both a protective and threatening factor. To learn more -- or read the transcript -- please visit the official episode page. Guest Bio Tobi Bamtefa can currently be seen starring opposite Jeremy Renner in Taylor Sheridan’s MAYOR OF KINGSTOWN. Season 2 is airing now on Paramount+. Brought up between London and Nigeria, after a career as a spoken word artist, Tobi landed the leading regular role of 'Godswill' in Rowan Joffe's series TIN STAR for Kudos Television/ Sky Atlantic opposite Tim Roth and Christina Hendricks. Some of Tobi’s other screen credits include Woody Harrelson’s self-penned, directorial debut feature LOST IN LONDON and HOW TO BUILD A GIRL as well as the BAFTA nominated A CONFESSION (ITV) and the international Emmy winning production RESPONSIBLE CHILD (BBC). Most recently, Tobi did a stunning performance in Inua Ellams’s adaptation of THREE SISTERS directed by Nadia Fall at the National Theatre. Find out more on Instagram @tobibamtefa. Inside Mental Health Podcast Host Gabe Howard is an award-winning writer and speaker who lives with bipolar disorder. He is the author of the popular book, "Mental Illness is an Asshole and other Observations," available from Amazon; signed copies are also available directly from the author. Gabe makes his home in the suburbs of Columbus, Ohio. He lives with his supportive wife, Kendall, and a Miniature Schnauzer dog that he never wanted, but now can’t imagine life without. To book Gabe for your next event or learn more about him, please visit gabehoward.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"The TV is talking directly to me" is a common delusion nowadays. But delusions have existed throughout history, so what did people in the Middle Ages have delusions about when there was no TV?   Join us as historian Victoria Shepherd tells us about the King of France who thought his body was made of glass, a woman who believed her husband and children had been swapped by imposters, and the man who thought magnetism was controlling the British Parliament. Victoria tells us how all delusions are products of their time and culture and how they hold the key to our collective traumas and anxieties.   To learn more -- or read the transcript -- please visit the official episode page. Guest Bio Victoria Shepherd is an award-winning producer of history documentaries for BBC radio. She has a masters in creative writing and has just completed her first book, "A History of Delusions: The Glass King, a Substitute Husband and a Walking Corpse." Inside Mental Health Podcast Host Gabe Howard is an award-winning writer and speaker who lives with bipolar disorder. He is the author of the popular book, "Mental Illness is an Asshole and other Observations," available from Amazon; signed copies are also available directly from the author. Gabe makes his home in the suburbs of Columbus, Ohio. He lives with his supportive wife, Kendall, and a Miniature Schnauzer dog that he never wanted, but now can’t imagine life without. To book Gabe for your next event or learn more about him, please visit gabehoward.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Have you seen all the amazing stuff your friends’ kids are doing while scrolling through social media? Are you worried that your kids aren’t keeping up and that maybe it is your fault? Or that maybe it’s because you are a terrible parent?  Join us as today’s guest, Dr. Carla Naumburg, explains why you are not as bad at parenting as you think. Dr. Naumburg shares why parents may think this way and what you can do to stop. To learn more -- or read the transcript -- please visit the episode page. Guest Bio Carla Naumburg, PhD, is a clinical social worker and mother. She’s the author of four non-fiction books, including her international bestseller, “How to Stop Losing Your Sh*t With Your Kids” (Workman, 2019), as well as “You Are Not a Sh*tty Parent,” and the forthcoming “How to Stop Freaking Out,” the (completely swear-free) middle-grade adaptation of “How to Stop Losing Your Sh*t With Your Kids.”  Carla’s writing has appeared in a variety of online and print publications, including The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Huffington Post, Mindful Magazine, Slate.com, Psychology Today, WBUR’s Cognoscenti Blog, Brain, Child, Motherwell, Parents.com, PsychCentral, and Today Moms.  Carla completed a bachelor’s degree in psychology at Middlebury College, a master’s degree in social work from Smith College, and a PhD in clinical social work from Simmons College in Boston. Carla grew up in Santa Fe, New Mexico, and the Bay Area of California and she currently lives outside of Boston with her husband and two daughters. Inside Mental Health Podcast Host Gabe Howard is an award-winning writer and speaker who lives with bipolar disorder. He is the author of the popular book, "Mental Illness is an Asshole and other Observations," available from Amazon; signed copies are also available directly from the author. Gabe makes his home in the suburbs of Columbus, Ohio. He lives with his supportive wife, Kendall, and a Miniature Schnauzer dog that he never wanted, but now can’t imagine life without. To book Gabe for your next event or learn more about him, please visit gabehoward.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Laurie Dhue appeared to have it all — a successful career as a broadcast journalist, a beautiful apartment over Central Park, a great family, and lots of friends. But she had what she thought of as a “naughty and thrilling” secret — a cocaine addiction.  Join us as she shares with Gabe her motivation for getting clean, how she did it, and what she is up to now. To learn more -- or read the transcript - -please visit the official episode page. Guest Bio Laurie Dhue is Chief Brand Officer at Recovery Education and Applied Learning (REAL). One of the nation’s leading recovery advocates, Laurie is in long-term recovery from alcohol misuse and drug addiction. She has worked closely with the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP), the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), Faces and Voices of Recovery (FAVOR) and the National Council on Alcohol and Drug Dependence (NCADD). Laurie has spoken on behalf of many national recovery organizations including the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation and the Caron Foundation.   Laurie has had the distinct honor of speaking at the White House in 2014 and 2017 on behalf of ONDCP. She was also a featured speaker at the inaugural UNITE to Face Addiction national rally in Washington, DC in 2015. Laurie appeared in the award-winning 2013 documentary “The Anonymous People” and the Emmy-nominated 2017 documentary “Reversing the Stigma,” produced in conjunction with OASAS (New York State’s Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse). Prior to her work in the recovery field, Dhue enjoyed a distinguished career as an award-winning national news anchor who hosted shows on all three major cable news networks: CNN, MSNBC, and Fox News Channel. Her 25 years in news has included interviews with numerous world leaders, politicians, entertainers, and prominent newsmakers as well as extensive reporting from the Middle East during the War on Terror. Dhue joined forces with REAL to give addiction a face and voice, helping crush the stigma surrounding the disease, further proving that long-term recovery is possible. She travels coast to coast giving speeches, emceeing events, and moderating panel discussions, as well as offering commentary in national media. Inside Mental Health Podcast Host Gabe Howard is an award-winning writer and speaker who lives with bipolar disorder. He is the author of the popular book, "Mental Illness is an Asshole and other Observations," available from Amazon; signed copies are also available directly from the author. Gabe makes his home in the suburbs of Columbus, Ohio. He lives with his supportive wife, Kendall, and a Miniature Schnauzer dog that he never wanted, but now can’t imagine life without. To book Gabe for your next event or learn more about him, please visit gabehoward.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today’s guest experienced a “trifecta of trauma” when three experiences of death and illness affected her family within just 10 months. These experiences led her to a revelation and the discovery of her life’s purpose. Join us as Lisa Honig Buksbaum, the author of “SOARING Into Strength,” shares her personal story as well as thoughts on how trauma can actually foster resilience. To learn more --or read the transcript -- please visit the episode page. Guest Bio Lisa Honig Buksbaum, MAPP, MBA, is an author, social entrepreneur, and Positive Psychology thought leader. Lisa is a passionary: a visionary driven by great passion and action. An intuitive healer, well-loved inspirational speaker, and expert workshop leader and facilitator, Lisa has shared her wisdom with thousands of people throughout the world. Three experiences with death and illness in her family during a 10-month period motivated her to launch Soaringwords, a nonprofit organization devoted to inspiring children, families, adults, seniors, and healthcare professionals to take active roles in self-healing to experience greater physical, emotional, and mental well-being. She is the author of “SOARING into Strength: Love Transcends Pain,” her debut memoir. Lisa graduated with honors from The University of Pennsylvania and holds an MBA in Marketing from Columbia University Graduate School of Business and a Master of Applied Positive Psychology (MAPP) from The University of Pennsylvania. She has a certificate in Narrative Medicine from Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons and a certificate from the American Institute for Mental Imagery. Lisa is President-Elect of the International Positive Psychology Association’s (IPPA) Health and Wellbeing Division, is on the Advisory Board of the Global Positive Health Initiative, and serves on the Board of the Coincidence Project. She’s been featured as an expert on ABC News, Fortune’s Small Business, USA Today, Delta Sky magazine, and CEO to Watch in The Chronicle of Philanthropy. Lisa was a columnist for Inc. magazine. She was the non-celebrity winner of the Lives That Make a Difference Award from A&E Television Networks, and won a National Mothering That Works Award from Working Mother Media. She was inducted into the YMCA Academy of Women Achievers Hall of Fame. She was on the board of Advertising Women of New York, the leading organization for executive women in communications; board of directors of The New York Women’s Agenda; board of the Alumnae Committee for Columbia University Graduate School of Business; and the advisory board for the Center for Business Womens’ Research in Washington, D.C. She has led professional development workshops at dozens of Fortune 500 companies such as Accenture, Cigna, Cisco, Deloitte, Lilly, Meta, Google, Johnson & Johnson, JPMorgan Chase, New York Life, SONY, Verizon, and Viacom. Lisa lives in New York City with her husband Jacob. Her pride and joy are her two grown sons, Jonathan and Joshua, daughter-in-law Evelyn, and adorable grandbaby Charlotte. She gets her energy from swimming each day and connecting with people in fun and meaningful ways.  Inside Mental Health Podcast Host Gabe Howard is an award-winning writer and speaker who lives with bipolar disorder. He is the author of the popular book, "Mental Illness is an Asshole and other Observations," available from Amazon; signed copies are also available directly from the author. Gabe makes his home in the suburbs of Columbus, Ohio. He lives with his supportive wife, Kendall, and a Miniature Schnauzer dog that he never wanted, but now can’t imagine life without. To book Gabe for your next event or learn more about him, please visit gabehoward.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Veteran and double bronze star recipient shares how military culture might contribute to suicidality — or at least a lack of willingness to get help — and how the American Legion is trying to fix that. Every day, 17 U.S. military veterans die by suicide. How can we even begin to stop this tragedy? The American Legion, a 107-year-old organization dedicated to serving veterans, has a plan. To learn more -- or read the transcript -- please visit the official episode page. Guest Bio Dave Berkenfield leads the Chip Ganassi Racing, GMC HUMMER EV, Extreme E competition group as well as the broader Chip Ganassi Racing Teams, developing Human Performance Initiative on both the IndyCar and US / Global Sports Car Teams. Prior to joining Chip Ganassi Racing Teams, Berkenfield completed a 25-year career serving in the U.S. Military Special Operations community focusing on building and leading small teams in dynamic and austere combat environments. During his military career, Berkenfield helped implement and apply cutting-edge and emerging technologies in tactical ground Mobility operations. He created advanced & performance driver training and curriculum development in addition to overseeing the engineering, development, and testing from conception through to validation of many unique and advanced two- and four-wheeled military off-road platforms. Serving with distinction during numerous combat deployments, SOCS (SEAL) Ret. Berkenfield was awarded two Bronze Stars with the Valorous devices, one Joint Commendation medal with Valor device, the Purple Heart medal, three combat action ribbons, two National Intelligence Meritorious Unit Citations among many Presidential unit citations, and a multitude of other qualifications and awards. Berkenfield retired after a successful Troop Chief tour with 25 years of service in May of 2021 as a Senior Chief Special Warfare Operator (SEAL). Berkenfield graduated summa cum laude from Norwich University with a Bachelor of Science in Strategic Studies and Defense Analysis. Inside Mental Health Podcast Host Gabe Howard is an award-winning writer and speaker who lives with bipolar disorder. He is the author of the popular book, "Mental Illness is an Asshole and other Observations," available from Amazon; signed copies are also available directly from the author. Gabe makes his home in the suburbs of Columbus, Ohio. He lives with his supportive wife, Kendall, and a Miniature Schnauzer dog that he never wanted, but now can’t imagine life without. To book Gabe for your next event or learn more about him, please visit gabehoward.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Of all the people on a hockey team to have anxiety, the last one you would expect would be the goalie. They have to be so cool and collected, have nerves of steel, and always be at the top of their game. Right?  In today’s episode, Stanley Cup-winning goaltender Corey Hirsch talks about his battle with anxiety, OCD, and thoughts of suicide — and his efforts to keep it secret from those around him. To learn more -- or read the transcript -- please visit the official episode page. Guest Bio Corey Hirsch is a former National Hockey League Stanley Cup Champion. Having struggled with severe anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorder during his hockey career, Hirsch has become an outspoken advocate for mental health education, destigmatizing mental illness, and encouraging those to get help who need it. Hirsch’s 2017 article in The Players’ Tribune, “Dark, Dark, Dark, Dark, Dark, Dark, Dark, Dark,” is still one of the most widely searched and read articles in the platform’s history, leading to the launch of his mental health podcast, Blindsided, and the publishing of his book “The Save of My Life.” Inside Mental Health Podcast Host Gabe Howard is an award-winning writer and speaker who lives with bipolar disorder. He is the author of the popular book, "Mental Illness is an Asshole and other Observations," available from Amazon; signed copies are also available directly from the author. Gabe makes his home in the suburbs of Columbus, Ohio. He lives with his supportive wife, Kendall, and a Miniature Schnauzer dog that he never wanted, but now can’t imagine life without. To book Gabe for your next event or learn more about him, please visit gabehoward.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How can you tell the difference between anxiety as an emotion and a disorder that needs medical intervention? Join us as today’s guest, Dr. Tracey Marks, explains the difference between being nervous about an upcoming event and something more serious like generalized anxiety disorder. She also shares tips and tricks that almost anyone can try at home to reduce the impact of anxiety. To learn more -- or read the transcript -- please visit the official page. Guest Bio With expertise in perhaps the most newsworthy subject pervading our lives both personally and culturally, Dr. Tracey Marks is ready to address, advise, and help heal our nation’s anxiety epidemic. She broadcasts to over a million followers weekly on her YouTube channel and is a general and forensic psychiatrist of over 20 years. Dr. Marks’ mission is to increase mental health awareness and understanding by educating people on psychiatric disorders, mental well-being, and self-improvement. She believes that insight creates change, both on a micro-level (personal growth) and a macro-level (reduction in fear and social judgment). Dr. Marks produces educational videos on her YouTube channel, DrTraceyMarks. As a forensic psychiatrist, she has formulated over 1,000 opinions through independent medical evaluations, criminal assessments, or civil litigation consultations. She has been military court-martialed and qualified as an expert in multiple federal and state courts. She also maintains a general psychiatry clinical practice focusing on mood disorders, anxiety disorders, and burnout. Dr. Marks has been sought after by CNN and HLN for forensic and general psychiatric commentary. Inside Mental Health Podcast Host Gabe Howard is an award-winning writer and speaker who lives with bipolar disorder. He is the author of the popular book, "Mental Illness is an Asshole and other Observations," available from Amazon; signed copies are also available directly from the author. Gabe makes his home in the suburbs of Columbus, Ohio. He lives with his supportive wife, Kendall, and a Miniature Schnauzer dog that he never wanted, but now can’t imagine life without. To book Gabe for your next event or learn more about him, please visit gabehoward.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What does it mean to give up or surrender? Today’s guest, Kute Blackson, is an expert on the topic, having written “The Magic of Surrender.” Join us as Kute explains that surrendering doesn’t mean lying down, pulling the covers over your head, and giving up. Rather, surrender can give us the power of relinquishing control and no longer trying to put conditions on our lives. To learn more -- or read the transcript -- visit the official episode page. Guest Bio Kute Blackson is a beloved inspirational speaker and transformational teacher. He speaks at countless events he organizes around the world as well as at outside events including A-Fest, YPO (Young Presidents’ Organization), and EO (Entrepreneurs’ Organization). He is a member of the Transformational Leadership Council, a select group of 100 of the world’s foremost authorities in the personal development industry. Winner of the 2019 Unity New Thought Walden Award, Blackson is widely considered a next generation leader in the field of personal development. His mission is simple: To awaken and inspire people across the planet to access inner freedom, live authentically, and fulfill their true life’s purpose. Inside Mental Health Podcast Host Gabe Howard is an award-winning writer and speaker who lives with bipolar disorder. He is the author of the popular book, "Mental Illness is an Asshole and other Observations," available from Amazon; signed copies are also available directly from the author. Gabe makes his home in the suburbs of Columbus, Ohio. He lives with his supportive wife, Kendall, and a Miniature Schnauzer dog that he never wanted, but now can’t imagine life without. To book Gabe for your next event or learn more about him, please visit gabehoward.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Everyone has been through a bad breakup — it can seem like you will never get over the relationship. Today’s guest, Jodie Eckleberry-Hunt, is the author of “Getting to Good Riddance: A No Bullsh*t Breakup Survival Guide.” Join us as Dr. Hunt tells us how to get over the bad feelings and move on. (Please remember, everyone deserves healthy relationships. National Domestic Violence Hotline https://www.thehotline.org/) To learn more -- or read the transcript -- visit the official episode page. Guest Bio Jodie Eckleberry-Hunt is a recovering people pleaser, control freak, worrier, and motherf*cker. One thing she knows is that life sometimes hurts, and we can’t run from that. We have a choice of whether to deny it or go with it. She’s learned that going with it is a better investment, but we need to laugh while doing it. After more than 20 years of providing counseling services, Eckleberry-Hunt developed the idea of combining cognitive behavioral techniques, mindfulness techniques, and profanity to help people get over themselves with a good belly laugh. She has a PhD in Counseling Psychology and is board certified in health psychology. She has a psychology practice in Michigan where she lives with her husband, two teenage sons, and the dog prince, Bacon. She is a human being and a work in progress — just like you. Find out more at jodieeckleberryhunt.com. Inside Mental Health Podcast Host Gabe Howard is an award-winning writer and speaker who lives with bipolar disorder. He is the author of the popular book, "Mental Illness is an Asshole and other Observations," available from Amazon; signed copies are also available directly from the author. Gabe makes his home in the suburbs of Columbus, Ohio. He lives with his supportive wife, Kendall, and a Miniature Schnauzer dog that he never wanted, but now can’t imagine life without. To book Gabe for your next event or learn more about him, please visit gabehoward.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Working moms are always being pulled in multiple directions, and often don’t feel like they have the time for self-care. In today’s episode, we learn that moms don’t have the time to not take care of themselves. This episode is filled with motivation, practical advice, and even some humor. Join us as the founder and CEO of Brooke Burke Body tells us that working moms may not be able to have it all, but they can have more. To learn more -- or to read the transcript -- please visit the official episode page. Guest Bio BROOKE BURKE is a television host, cancer survivor, entrepreneur, fitness educator, philanthropist, podcaster, and women’s health advocate who has been thriving in Hollywood for decades. The title she holds dearest, however, is that of mother to her four children. Brooke has held numerous successful network television jobs and high-profile brand partnerships. In 2008, Brooke became the champion of “Dancing with the Stars” (DWTS) season 7 which she later parlayed into a co-hosting job that she would hold for eight seasons. Some of her other notable credits include producing and hosting the award-winning Saturday morning educational show “Hidden Heroes,” hosting TV Land’s branded content series “I Dare You,” and, most recently, co-hosting the iHeartRadio podcast Intimate Knowledge.  Brooke is constantly seeking creative ways to engage, inspire, and motivate women and men everywhere. After successfully launching her fitness career with a Sony DVD series and several partnerships with Guthy-Renker, Brooke launched her VIP Malibu Booty BURN class as well as female transformation retreats nationwide. A born nurturer and motivator, Brooke became a certified breathwork teacher to help further her knowledge of whole-body wellness and, in 2019, created Brooke Burke Body (BB Body) — a mindful wellness app designed to Sweat Smart by working out from the comfort and safety of home. Dedicated to helping everyBODY make health and wellness a priority, BB Body is the mindful digital gym. Brooke produces and choreographs all of the workouts to be done at home, without equipment, for every fitness level, and in increments of 5 to 50 minutes to fit every schedule. In just two short years, the app has grown substantially and is now available in all app stores as well as Apple TV, Amazon Fire, Roku, Samsung Smartcast and Vizio Smartcast.  A trusted resource for women everywhere, Brooke has graced the cover of countless fitness, fashion, and lifestyle magazines including Fitness, Health, Ladies’ Home Journal, Prevention, Redbook, Shape and many more.  Brooke remains one of social media’s “moms to follow” with nearly 4 million dedicated followers. For more Brooke, visit BrookeBurke.com follow her on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. For the latest information on Brooke Burke Body, follow the brand on Instagram and TikTok. Inside Mental Health Podcast Host Gabe Howard is an award-winning writer and speaker who lives with bipolar disorder. He is the author of the popular book, "Mental Illness is an Asshole and other Observations," available from Amazon; signed copies are also available directly from the author. Gabe makes his home in the suburbs of Columbus, Ohio. He lives with his supportive wife, Kendall, and a Miniature Schnauzer dog that he never wanted, but now can’t imagine life without. To book Gabe for your next event or learn more about him, please visit gabehoward.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Populism is defined as a political approach that strives to appeal to ordinary people who feel that their concerns are disregarded by established elite groups. On paper, it sounds perfect; why shouldn’t politicians appeal to “ordinary” people?  However, once you get beyond the dictionary definition, populist leaders use lies, fear, and racism to gain power. Join us as Dr. Karyne Messina explains why populism is dangerous and why it appears to be undergoing a global resurgence. To learn more -- or read the transcript -- please visit the official episode page. Guest Bio Dr. Karyne Messina is a psychologist, psychoanalyst, and author. She is also on the medical staff of Suburban Hospital—Johns Hopkins Medicine. Her books include Misogyny, Projective Identification and Mentalization: Psychoanalytic, Social and Institutional Manifestations (Routledge, 2019); Aftermath: Healing from the Trump Presidency (IPI Press, 2020); and Resurgence of Global Populism: A Psychoanalytic Study of Projective Identification, Blame-Shifting and the Corruption of Democracy (Routledge, August 2022). A fourth book will be available in the spring 2023.She is currently co-editing a book with Richard Wood, PhD, about Putin, Ukraine, and current threats to democracy from psychoanalytic and political perspectives. Inside Mental Health Podcast Host Gabe Howard is an award-winning writer and speaker who lives with bipolar disorder. He is the author of the popular book, "Mental Illness is an Asshole and other Observations," available from Amazon; signed copies are also available directly from the author. Gabe makes his home in the suburbs of Columbus, Ohio. He lives with his supportive wife, Kendall, and a Miniature Schnauzer dog that he never wanted, but now can’t imagine life without. To book Gabe for your next event or learn more about him, please visit gabehoward.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA) is the leading patient-led national organization focusing on mood disorders, including depression and bipolar disorder. Join us as their CEO, Michael Pollock, sits down with Gabe to discuss the group’s patient advocacy goals, the current challenges facing the mental health community, and changes brought on by the pandemic. To learn more -- or read the transcript -- please visit the official episode page. Guest Bio A thoughtful, motivated, outcomes-oriented leader, Michael Pollock serves as CEO for the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance. Michael drives DBSA’s mission of providing hope, help, support, and education to improve the lives of people living with mood disorders. He is a fierce advocate for the value of peer support, accessible mental health care, and programs and policies that empower people living with mood disorders to reach their full potential. During his 20+ years of nonprofit experience, Michael has held leadership positions at the National Safety Council, Thresholds, and United Way. Michael is an alumnus of Bowling Green State University, where he earned both a BS in Business Administration and MS of Organization Development. Inside Mental Health Podcast Host Gabe Howard is an award-winning writer and speaker who lives with bipolar disorder. He is the author of the popular book, "Mental Illness is an Asshole and other Observations," available from Amazon; signed copies are also available directly from the author. Gabe makes his home in the suburbs of Columbus, Ohio. He lives with his supportive wife, Kendall, and a Miniature Schnauzer dog that he never wanted, but now can’t imagine life without. To book Gabe for your next event or learn more about him, please visit gabehoward.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hannah Sward’s new memoir details her journey with addiction, her life experiences, and her time as a sex worker. Join us as Gabe speaks with Hannah about her former occupation, her views on the sex industry, and whether sex work is a positive or negative experience. To learn more -- or read the transcript -- please visit the official episode page. Guest Bio Hannah Sward’s work has appeared or is forthcoming in numerous literary journals, including Arts & Letters, Yemassee (University of South Carolina), Halcyone (Black Mountain Press), Red Wheelbar­row, Porter Gulch Review, Other Voices (Canada), Anthology of The Mad Ones, Milk, Alimentum, Anthology of Women Writ­ers, Hypertext, Pig Iron Malt, Pindeldboz, Nerve Cowboy, Af­ternoon, Wimpole Street Writers, and Word Riot. She has been a regular contributor at Erotic Review since 2015 and was Editor and Columnist at Third Street Villager Los Angeles and a con­tributor at The Fix and YourTango. Hannah is on the board at Right To Write Press, a nonprofit that supports emerging writers who are incarcerated. She lives in Los Angeles. Find out more at hannahsward.com. Inside Mental Health Podcast Host Gabe Howard is an award-winning writer and speaker who lives with bipolar disorder. He is the author of the popular book, "Mental Illness is an Asshole and other Observations," available from Amazon; signed copies are also available directly from the author. Gabe makes his home in the suburbs of Columbus, Ohio. He lives with his supportive wife, Kendall, and a Miniature Schnauzer dog that he never wanted, but now can’t imagine life without. To book Gabe for your next event or learn more about him, please visit gabehoward.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Many leaders rely on traditional office-centric collaboration and management styles in managing hybrid teams. Yet research conclusively demonstrates that instead of incrementally improving on the old school office-centric approach, the best outcomes in managing hybrid teams come from adopting a flexible hybrid-first work model.  If the results are so clear, why are executives unwilling to change? Join us as Dr. Gleb Tsipursky, an expert on the cognitive biases that affect business decisions, tells us why some bosses are not looking out for the best interests of their companies and where we need to focus our attention as leaders — and employees. To learn more -- or read the transcript -- please visit the official episode page. Guest Bio Dr. Gleb Tsipursky helps tech and insurance executives seize competitive advantage in hybrid work by driving employee retention, collaboration, and innovation through cognitive science as the CEO of the future-proofing consultancy Disaster Avoidance Experts, a cognitive scientist, a cutting-edge thought leader, and best-selling author of Leading Hybrid and Remote Teams: A Manual on Benchmarking to Best Practices for Competitive Advantage. Inside Mental Health Podcast Host Gabe Howard is an award-winning writer and speaker who lives with bipolar disorder. He is the author of the popular book, "Mental Illness is an Asshole and other Observations," available from Amazon; signed copies are also available directly from the author. Gabe makes his home in the suburbs of Columbus, Ohio. He lives with his supportive wife, Kendall, and a Miniature Schnauzer dog that he never wanted, but now can’t imagine life without. To book Gabe for your next event or learn more about him, please visit gabehoward.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Does EMDR (eye movement desensitization and reprocessing) therapy work for trauma? It has been all the rage recently, but what is it? Does it have any studies or scientific basis — or is it just the latest internet fad? The basis of the therapy is reliving a traumatic memory while receiving bilateral stimulation, such as a therapist waving their hand in front of your face. It may sound out of the ordinary, but it actually has robust data showing its effectiveness. Join us as Timothy Meyer of the Lukin Center for Psychotherapy explains this puzzling therapy for PTSD and other traumas.  To learn more -- or read the transcript -- please visit the show's official episode page. Guest Bio Timothy Meyer, LCSW, is a psychotherapist specializing in working with trauma, anxiety, and depression, focusing primarily on working with adults, teens, and families. He also serves as the Assistant Clinical Director at Lukin Center in northern New Jersey. Timothy has completed extensive training in eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR), and is EMDRIA certified: the highest level of certification for an EMDR practitioner. Timothy is also a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional Level II (CCTP-II), which allows him to treat complex trauma clients effectively. He also has advanced training in hypnotherapy, trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy (TF-CBT), dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), motivational interviewing, and structural family therapy. He has extensive experience working with children, adults, and families with a broad range of difficulties.  Using evidence-based practices and theories, Timothy’s goal-oriented approach to therapy addresses each of his clients’ particular concerns. He and his clients collaborate to craft personalized treatment plans that address their individual needs. His objective is to get them feeling well and to help them become the best possible version of themselves. Timothy earned his master’s degree (MSW) from Columbia University and his BA in psychology from Montclair State University. Working through the Lukin Center for Psychotherapy, one of the largest private practices in the area, Timothy also supervises and trains other clinicians in the field along with providing evidenced-based psychotherapy to his clients.  Inside Mental Health Podcast Host Gabe Howard is an award-winning writer and speaker who lives with bipolar disorder. He is the author of the popular book, "Mental Illness is an Asshole and other Observations," available from Amazon; signed copies are also available directly from the author. Gabe makes his home in the suburbs of Columbus, Ohio. He lives with his supportive wife, Kendall, and a Miniature Schnauzer dog that he never wanted, but now can’t imagine life without. To book Gabe for your next event or learn more about him, please visit gabehoward.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Over four years ago, Kai Koerber survived the Parkland school shooting. Hear his feelings about what has transpired in the United States since that day. Kai also shares that he doesn't want that day to define him as a victim, but rather as a hero. Listen in to learn more about what he has been up to and shares with us his ideas for societal reform through the use of technology. To learn more -- or read the transcript -- please visit the official episode page. Guest Bio Kai Koerber is a Parkland shooting survivor, technologist, mental health activist, and founder of both Koer A.I., Inc (the creator of the Joy App) and the mental health nonprofit the Societal Reform Corporation (https://societal-reform.org/). He has made appearances on various television shows like The View and The Daily Show and has been featured in dozens of publications including INSIDER, People Magazine, TIME Magazine, and The New York Times. Kai is heading into his senior year at the University of California, Berkeley. His current focus is on launching tech projects which focus on mental health, public safety, and tech for social good. Follow him on Instagram or Twitter @KaiStoneKoerber. Inside Mental Health Podcast Host Gabe Howard is an award-winning writer and speaker who lives with bipolar disorder. He is the author of the popular book, "Mental Illness is an Asshole and other Observations," available from Amazon; signed copies are also available directly from the author. Gabe makes his home in the suburbs of Columbus, Ohio. He lives with his supportive wife, Kendall, and a Miniature Schnauzer dog that he never wanted, but now can’t imagine life without. To book Gabe for your next event or learn more about him, please visit gabehoward.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Millions of people start taking antidepressants every year. But how many stop? Despite what we have heard for years, the process of withdrawing from antidepressant medications can be long, unpleasant, and even dangerous. Today’s guest is one of the foremost researchers in “deprescribing” or withdrawing from antidepressants. Join us as Dr. Mark Horowitz from University College London explains the possible side effects of withdrawal, how to taper slowly and safely, and why you might want to consider going off antidepressants. To learn more -- or read the transcript -- visit the official episode page. Guest Bio Dr. Mark Horowitz, MBBS, PhD, is a Clinical Research Fellow in Psychiatry at the National Health Service (NHS) in England, an Honorary Clinical Research Fellow at University College London, and is a training psychiatrist. He has a PhD from the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience at King’s College London in the neurobiology of depression and antidepressant action. He is an associate editor of the journal Therapeutic Advances in Psychopharmacology. He co-authored the recent Royal College of Psychiatry guidance on “Stopping Antidepressants,” and his work informed the recent NICE guidelines on safe tapering of psychiatric medications. He has written several papers about safe approaches to tapering psychiatric medications, including publications in The Lancet Psychiatry, JAMA Psychiatry, and Schizophrenia Bulletin. He has an interest in rational psychopharmacology and deprescribing psychiatric medication and co-founded Outro Health, the first personalized, clinician-guided service for coming off antidepressants. He has experienced the difficulty of withdrawing from psychiatric medications firsthand, which has informed much of his work. Inside Mental Health Podcast Host Gabe Howard is an award-winning writer and speaker who lives with bipolar disorder. He is the author of the popular book, "Mental Illness is an Asshole and other Observations," available from Amazon; signed copies are also available directly from the author. Gabe makes his home in the suburbs of Columbus, Ohio. He lives with his supportive wife, Kendall, and a Miniature Schnauzer dog that he never wanted, but now can’t imagine life without. To book Gabe for your next event or learn more about him, please visit gabehoward.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Brooke Siem was among the first generation of teenagers to be prescribed antidepressants. As Brooke was initially diagnosed and treated in the wake of her father’s sudden death, this psychiatric intervention sent a message that something was pathologically wrong with her and taught her that her only solution was medication. For the next 15 years, Brooke took antidepressants exactly as prescribed.  When she turned 30, she realized that maybe she was misdiagnosed and decided to taper off the medications with the help of her doctor. But stopping meds after 15 years isn’t as easy as people may think. Join us as Brooke shares her story of antidepressants and antidepressant withdrawal. And don’t forget to tune in next week as Dr. Mark Horowitz explains the medical side of Brooke’s personal experience. To learn more -- or read the transcript -- please the official episode page. Guest Bio Brooke Siem was among the first generation of teens to be prescribed antidepressants. Fifteen years later, Siem's work explores the reality of antidepressant withdrawal and recovering from long-term depression. Her newsletter, “Happiness Is a Skill” is devoted to philosophy, research, and strategies to help people unravel internal scripts, heal from depression, and practice the skill of happiness. Her memoir, “May Cause Side Effects” is available wherever books are sold. Inside Mental Health Podcast Host Gabe Howard is an award-winning writer and speaker who lives with bipolar disorder. He is the author of the popular book, "Mental Illness is an Asshole and other Observations," available from Amazon; signed copies are also available directly from the author. Gabe makes his home in the suburbs of Columbus, Ohio. He lives with his supportive wife, Kendall, and a Miniature Schnauzer dog that he never wanted, but now can’t imagine life without. To book Gabe for your next event or learn more about him, please visit gabehoward.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Greg Grunberg has a son who lives with epilepsy. But his story isn’t that different from that of someone caring for a loved one with mental illness. Being a caregiver or support person to a loved one is challenging, no matter the diagnosis or the type of care they need. Join us as he tells us about the importance of self-care and how to make sure you stay balanced and moving forward. To learn more -- or read the transcript -- visit the official episode page. Guest Bio Greg Grunberg is best known for his role as X-wing pilot Snap Wexley in “STAR WARS,” as well as “STAR TREK,” “A STAR IS BORN,” and alongside Al Pacino in the Barry Levinson film “PATERNO.” In addition, he has many memorable series regular roles on shows “HEROES,” “CASTLE ROCK,” “LOST,” “ALIAS,” and “FELICITY”. Currently, Grunberg stars alongside Kevin Smith in the cult classic “MAX RELOAD & THE NETHER BLASTERS” as well as the much beloved “BIG ASS SPIDER.” Grunberg has written pilots & films and co-wrote the graphic novel series “DREAM JUMPER” for Scholastic. Book 2 is available everywhere now. Grunberg hosted and produced, alongside Kevin Smith, the pop-culture talk show “GEEKING OUT” for AMC and currently is a staple on the popular gameshow “25 WORDS OR LESS.” He has a few podcasts: “TALK ABOUT IT,” “VESTED INTEREST,” and “AN ACTOR, COMEDIAN & A MUSICIAN WALK INTO A BAR.” Currently, he is filming his popular YouTube series “THE CAREGIVER“ for the epilepsy community. As a drummer, Grunberg started his celebrity rock band “THE ACTION FIGURES“ (TheActionFiguresBand.com) with fellow actors Jesse Spencer, Adrian Pasdar, Jack Coleman, and Scott Grimes, benefiting TalkAboutIt.org, his foundation to raise awareness for people with epilepsy as his eldest son has the condition. Inside Mental Health Podcast Host Gabe Howard is an award-winning writer and speaker who lives with bipolar disorder. He is the author of the popular book, "Mental Illness is an Asshole and other Observations," available from Amazon; signed copies are also available directly from the author. Gabe makes his home in the suburbs of Columbus, Ohio. He lives with his supportive wife, Kendall, and a Miniature Schnauzer dog that he never wanted, but now can’t imagine life without. To book Gabe for your next event or learn more about him, please visit gabehoward.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How do we decide we are in love? How can we know if it is the right person? Today’s guest tells us that we are all enacting a “love story.” These are the stories we tell ourselves about how romance and relationships should go. They are largely unconscious, but they form the foundation of all relationships throughout our life. Tune in to figure out how to find your personal love story and how to know if you and your partner have compatible stories.  To learn more -- or read the transcript -- please visit the official episode page. Guest Bio Dr. Karin Sternberg is an entrepreneur and research psychologist based in Ithaca, New York. She has a PhD in psychology from the University of Heidelberg, Germany, as well as an MBA with a specialization in banking from the University of Cooperative Education in Karlsruhe, Germany. She completed some of her doctoral research at Yale University and her postdoctoral work at the University of Connecticut. Afterward, she worked as a research associate at Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government and School of Public Health. She has held a grant from the National Institutes of Health for the development of a cognitive training program for seniors. Karin teaches at Cornell (most recently, child development), and is writing a child development textbook that will be published by Oxford University Press in fall 2022.  Karin’s interest focuses on the application of psychological/behavioral research with the purpose of improving people’s relationships and lives (https://lovemultiverse.com). Karin is the author of a textbook on the psychology of love, “Love 101,” and coauthor of “The Psychologist’s Companion,” “Cognitive Psychology,” “The Nature of Hate,” and “The New Psychology of Love,” amongst other books. Inside Mental Health Podcast Host Gabe Howard is an award-winning writer and speaker who lives with bipolar disorder. He is the author of the popular book, "Mental Illness is an Asshole and other Observations," available from Amazon; signed copies are also available directly from the author. Gabe makes his home in the suburbs of Columbus, Ohio. He lives with his supportive wife, Kendall, and a Miniature Schnauzer dog that he never wanted, but now can’t imagine life without. To book Gabe for your next event or learn more about him, please visit gabehoward.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

From housebound to pop superstar, Taylor Dayne is most well-known for her hit “Tell It to My Heart,” which made her an overnight sensation in 1987. Listen in as she tells Gabe that before her rise to stardom, she struggled with anxiety and agoraphobia so severe, she was often housebound. Taylor explains when her symptoms started, how she treated them, and how she is doing now. To learn more -- or read the transcript -- please visit the official episode page. Guest Bio Taylor Dayne is an American pop icon with a career spanning 3 decades. Taylor’s groundbreaking debut single “Tell It To My Heart” turned her into an overnight star in 1987. She followed the smash hit with seventeen Top 20 singles over the course of her career. Taylor has sold over 75 million albums and singles worldwide, earned three Grammy nominations, an American Music Award, multiple New York Music Awards, received New York Music Hall of Fame honors, and ranked as the Number 18 Female Dance artist of all time by “Rolling Stone” magazine. She is one of the very few artists in musical history to successfully cross over into almost every musical genre and chart with hit singles in Pop, Dance, R&B, Adult Contemporary, and Rock. Taylor has appeared in film, TV and stage, from Broadway favorites like Elton John’s award-winning production of “Aida,” and Mel Brooks’ “Archie” and “Mehitable,” to working with legendary composer Jule Styne to reprise the role of Fanny Brice on Broadway. Taylor also appeared in movies including “Love Affair” with Warren Beatty and Annette Benning and co-starred in Denis Leary’s TV drama “Rescue Me.” She also starred in the HBO film “STAG” and co-starred on Showtime’s original series “Rude Awakening.” Her growth as an artist was enhanced by the birth of her twins in early 2002. Her voice became stronger and more meaningful as she took on single motherhood, empowerment, surrogacy, and parenthood head-on, becoming a voice and an advocate for working woman, same sex marriage, parenting and fertility. Her 2016 TEDWomen talk opened her career to more speaking engagements, inspirational and monumental moments, and paved the way to her memoir. This past summer she released a new single called “Please” and is working on anticipated new music. In addition, in September 2020, she competed in the Fox hit show “The Masked Singer” for the 4th season. She competed as PopCorn and made it to the semifinals. For updates and tour dates please visit www.taylordayne.com. Inside Mental Health Podcast Host Gabe Howard is an award-winning writer and speaker who lives with bipolar disorder. He is the author of the popular book, "Mental Illness is an Asshole and other Observations," available from Amazon; signed copies are also available directly from the author. Gabe makes his home in the suburbs of Columbus, Ohio. He lives with his supportive wife, Kendall, and a Miniature Schnauzer dog that he never wanted, but now can’t imagine life without. To book Gabe for your next event or learn more about him, please visit gabehoward.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Would you even think to bring a sex toy to rehab? Even if you tried to, most rehab facilities don’t allow them, as it turns out. Today’s guest, comedian Pam Gaslow, tells us how she learned that you can’t take a vibrator, or teddy bear for that matter, to rehab. (Spoiler alert: She didn’t learn the hard way.) We’ll explore the ups and downs of Pam’s journey to sobriety. While addiction isn’t funny, as Pam says, “I was either going to laugh or cry.” To learn more -- or read the transcript -- please visit the official episode page. Guest Bio She’s designed catalogs for J.Crew, performed stand-up comedy, even worked as Henri Bendel’s only female security guard. Pam Gaslow has had an eventful life -- including once being threatened by her family with disownment over her Depressed Hot Girl blog -- and it’s about to get even more so with her first-person confessional “Don’t Bring Your Vibrator to Rehab.” It’s a hilarious chronicle of her journey toward sobriety from a toxic marijuana addiction, told with candor, honesty, absurdism, and the trademark wit that has brought her to comedy club stages across the country. The New York-born writer is also a contributor to The Huffington Post, The Good Men Project, The Times of Israel, and Newsbreak. Gaslow, who also works as a mixed-media artist, once owned and designed children’s clothing lines under the brands Pamela Jo (for girls) and Handsome Jack (for boys). Now based in Miami, she is sober and enjoys visiting petting zoos on weekends. For more salacious details and quirky randomness follow her on Instagram @pamgaslow Inside Mental Health Podcast Host Gabe Howard is an award-winning writer and speaker who lives with bipolar disorder. He is the author of the popular book, "Mental Illness is an Asshole and other Observations," available from Amazon; signed copies are also available directly from the author. Gabe makes his home in the suburbs of Columbus, Ohio. He lives with his supportive wife, Kendall, and a Miniature Schnauzer dog that he never wanted, but now can’t imagine life without. To book Gabe for your next event or learn more about him, please visit gabehoward.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

To an outsider looking in, it may seem like singer Casey McQuillen has it all — she was a contestant on season 13 of American Idol, and went on to have a successful career in singing. Yet despite her success, she still struggles with a negative, nagging sense of self-doubt that she attributes to the bullying she endured in middle school. These difficult early experiences left such a mark that she started an anti-bullying program. Listen as she shares stories about how her mental health intertwines with her music, the pain and pressure of being on a reality show, and how she uses her voice to advocate against bullying today. To learn more -- or read the transcript -- please visit the official episode page. Guest Bio Casey McQuillen, a Brooklyn-based singer-songwriter, activist, and powerhouse vocalist, burst onto the scene on season 13 of “American Idol.” Since then, the rising star has organically accumulated tens of thousands of followers on social media and millions of views and streams of her music online, largely because her songs are authentic, intimate, and relatable.   Casey’s first single, “Beautiful,” debuted globally on ExtraTV in April 2019. Her debut album, “Skinny,” released in April 2022 from Plymouth Rock Recording, includes “In & Out,” a duet with singer-songwriter, Jon McLaughlin. Throughout her career, Casey has dedicated herself to the causes of anti-bullying, body positivity, and mental health advocacy. Following “Idol,” she founded the You Matter Tour, an interactive, anti-bullying assembly show that she’s performed for 40,000+ students at over 100 middle and high schools in the U.S. and Europe. The tour has been recognized by the UN Foundation and GLAAD and featured on The Kelly Clarkson Show. Casey has toured the U.S. and Europe headlining her own shows and supporting talented singer-songwriters, such as James Morrison, Stephen Kellogg, Kate Voegele, Tyler Hilton, Eric Hutchison, Clark Beckham, David Ryan Harris, and Nick Howard. Starting in May, Casey hit the road for concerts in New York City, Los Angeles, Boston, and Nashville, and will return to the U.K. in early October for shows in Edinburgh, Newcastle upon Tyne, Liverpool, Leicester, and London. For more information, please visit Casey’s official website – www.listentocasey.com. Inside Mental Health Podcast Host Gabe Howard is an award-winning writer and speaker who lives with bipolar disorder. He is the author of the popular book, "Mental Illness is an Asshole and other Observations," available from Amazon; signed copies are also available directly from the author. Gabe makes his home in the suburbs of Columbus, Ohio. He lives with his supportive wife, Kendall, and a Miniature Schnauzer dog that he never wanted, but now can’t imagine life without. To book Gabe for your next event or learn more about him, please visit gabehoward.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It seems like every story of mass violence or a school shooting includes speculation about what mental illness the alleged perpetrator has. Why is that? What can we do about it? Join us as Emmy Award winning journalist Elizabeth Vargas contests these thoughts and shares the media’s point of view. To learn more -- or read the transcript -- please visit the official episode page. Guest Bio Emmy Award winning journalist Elizabeth Vargas has traveled the world covering breaking news stories, reporting on-depth investigations, and conducting newsmaker interviews. She is the host of America’s Most Wanted on Fox TV. She hosted the hit newsmagazine show 20/20 on ABC for 15 years, and was co-anchor of World News Tonight, and news anchor and frequent host of Good Morning America. She hosted A&E Investigates, doing a series of documentaries that still air on Hulu. During the historic Iraqi elections in December 2005, she reported extensively for World News Tonight from Baghdad on both civilian life in Iraq and American military involvement there. She has interviewed leaders from around the world, including President Bush from the Oval Office in the White House. Vargas has also anchored ABC News coverage of live, breaking stories, including the deaths of President Ronald Reagan and John F. Kennedy, Jr., and Hurricane Katrina’s devastation on the U.S. Gulf Coast. Vargas won an Emmy in 2000 for Outstanding Instant Coverage of a News Story for anchoring live coverage of the Elian Gonzalez case. Vargas has also interviewed a wide range of celebrities, from actors and musicians to business leaders and authors, including: Ellen DeGeneres, Jeff Skoll, Sheryl Crow, Madonna, Johnny Depp, Hugh Hefner, Jessica Simpson, Mick Jagger, Drew Barrymore, Dan Brown, Alanis Morissette, and Cat Stevens. In 2016, Vargas released her memoir, “Between Breaths: A Memoir of Panic and Addiction.” The book details her lifelong struggle with anxiety and how she self-medicated with alcohol, and tells a powerful story of healing and coping. The book spent several weeks on the New York Times bestseller list and won numerous awards. Vargas is a member of the board of directors for the nonprofit Partnership to End Addiction. She hosts a podcast, Heart of the Matter, about addiction, recovery, and the stigma so many face in their effort to heal. Inside Mental Health Podcast Host Gabe Howard is an award-winning writer and speaker who lives with bipolar disorder. He is the author of the popular book, "Mental Illness is an Asshole and other Observations," available from Amazon; signed copies are also available directly from the author. Gabe makes his home in the suburbs of Columbus, Ohio. He lives with his supportive wife, Kendall, and a Miniature Schnauzer dog that he never wanted, but now can’t imagine life without. To book Gabe for your next event or learn more about him, please visit gabehoward.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Over 70 million Americans are neurodivergent or live with learning and thinking differences. What does that mean? Is it a mental disorder, and what can be done? What type of prognosis do these folks have? Join us as today’s guest, Understood.org’s Dr. Andrew Kahn, who identifies as neurodivergent, explains how to help neurodivergent children find academic and lifelong success. To learn more -- or read the transcript -- please visit the official episode page. Guest Bio Dr. Andrew Kahn is a licensed psychologist specializing in working with individuals who think and learn differently. In his role as a Subject Matter Expert in Psychology and Learning, Dr. Kahn focuses on ADHD, autism spectrum disorders, anxiety, general learning and behavioral challenges, and learning and social-emotional functioning.  For nearly 20 years, Dr. Kahn worked within the public school system providing training, evaluations, direct consultation, and therapeutic support to students, their families, and staff. He has worked closely with underserved communities struggling with the impact of poverty, food insecurity, and limited access to educational support. Additionally, he supported school committees to develop policies on mental health, suicide prevention, and access to learning interventions. Prior to joining Understood, Dr. Kahn served as a clinician, clinical director of a community mental health agency, and a presenter for Summit Professional Education on ADHD, autism, and anxiety for nearly 10 years. He was also an appointee to the Maine Advisory Committee for School Psychology and educator at the University of Maine. Dr. Kahn identifies as a person with learning and thinking differences. He earned his bachelor’s degree in psychology from Syracuse University and both master’s and doctoral degrees from Nova Southeastern University. For more information on Understood.org, please visit https://www.understood.org. Inside Mental Health Podcast Host Gabe Howard is an award-winning writer and speaker who lives with bipolar disorder. He is the author of the popular book, "Mental Illness is an Asshole and other Observations," available from Amazon; signed copies are also available directly from the author. Gabe makes his home in the suburbs of Columbus, Ohio. He lives with his supportive wife, Kendall, and a Miniature Schnauzer dog that he never wanted, but now can’t imagine life without. To book Gabe for your next event or learn more about him, please visit gabehoward.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"Mine" is one of the first words babies learn. By the time we grow up, the idea of ownership seems natural, whether we’re buying a cup of coffee or a house. But who controls the space behind your airplane seat: you reclining or the squished laptop user behind? Why is plagiarism wrong but it's OK to copy a recipe or a dress design? After a snowstorm, why does a chair in the street hold your parking space in Chicago but in New York you lose the space and the chair? Join us as James Salzman and Michael Heller explain that the concept of ownership comes down to 6 simple stories. To learn more -- or read the transcript -- visit the official episode page. Guest Bio Michael Heller and James Salzman are among the world's leading authorities on ownership. Heller is the Lawrence A. Wien Professor of Real Estate Law at Columbia Law School. He is the author of “The Gridlock Economy: How Too Much Ownership Wrecks Markets, Stops Innovation, and Costs Lives.” Salzman is the Donald Bren Distinguished Professor of Environmental Law, with joint appointments at the UCLA School of Law and the UCSB Bren School of Environmental Science & Management. He is the author of “Drinking Water: A History.” Inside Mental Health Podcast Host Gabe Howard is an award-winning writer and speaker who lives with bipolar disorder. He is the author of the popular book, "Mental Illness is an Asshole and other Observations," available from Amazon; signed copies are also available directly from the author. Gabe makes his home in the suburbs of Columbus, Ohio. He lives with his supportive wife, Kendall, and a Miniature Schnauzer dog that he never wanted, but now can’t imagine life without. To book Gabe for your next event or learn more about him, please visit gabehoward.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Have you ever noticed that there always seems to be a new “miracle food” that will improve our lives if we just eat more of it? Like some magic supplement or exotic green that is going to cure mental illness forever? Today’s guest explains why that kind of thinking is what keeps us sick. Join us as Dr. Drew Ramsey tells us all about nutrition psychiatry and how what we eat can influence our mental health in subtle ways. He shares some tips and favorite recipes. To learn more -- or read the transcript -- visit the official episode page. Guest Bio Drew Ramsey, MD, (@DrewRamseyMD) is a psychiatrist, author, and mental health advocate. His work focuses on nutritional psychiatry, male mental health, and optimizing mental fitness. He founded and leads the Brain Food Clinic, which offers consultation and integrative treatment regarding depression, anxiety and emotional wellness concerns. He is an assistant clinical professor of psychiatry at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons and in active clinical practice based in New York City and Jackson, Wyoming.  Inside Mental Health Podcast Host Gabe Howard is an award-winning writer and speaker who lives with bipolar disorder. He is the author of the popular book, "Mental Illness is an Asshole and other Observations," available from Amazon; signed copies are also available directly from the author. Gabe makes his home in the suburbs of Columbus, Ohio. He lives with his supportive wife, Kendall, and a Miniature Schnauzer dog that he never wanted, but now can’t imagine life without. To book Gabe for your next event or learn more about him, please visit gabehoward.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Often the way we talk to ourselves internally is drastically different from how we speak to others. If a friend lost their job, you’d likely console them and lend encouragement and a helping hand. If it was you, would the conversation be the same? Or would you belittle yourself, fill with doubt, and feel angry? Turns out, self compassion is a skill most of us could use more of. Join us as today’s guest explains how to foster this skill, and the benefits of being a little more patient and understanding of yourself. To learn more -- or read the transcript -- please visit the official episode page. Guest Bio Dr. Kristin Neff is currently an Associate Professor of Educational Psychology at the University of Texas at Austin. She is a pioneer in the field of self-compassion research, conducting the first empirical studies on self-compassion nearly twenty years ago. She has been recognized as one of the most influential researchers in psychology worldwide. She is author of the bestselling book Self-Compassion. Along with her colleague Chris Germer, she developed the Mindful Self-Compassion program, taught internationally, and co-wrote The Mindful Self-Compassion Workbook. Her newest book is Fierce Self-Compassion: How Women Can Harness Kindness to Speak Up, Claim Their Power, and Thrive. For more info go to www.self-compassion.org. Inside Mental Health Podcast Host Gabe Howard is an award-winning writer and speaker who lives with bipolar disorder. He is the author of the popular book, "Mental Illness is an Asshole and other Observations," available from Amazon; signed copies are also available directly from the author. Gabe makes his home in the suburbs of Columbus, Ohio. He lives with his supportive wife, Kendall, and a Miniature Schnauzer dog that he never wanted, but now can’t imagine life without. To book Gabe for your next event or learn more about him, please visit gabehoward.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

“I’m glad my mom died,” said almost no one. Except it’s the title of a new book by Jennette McCurdy, Nickelodeon actress turned author. Our host Gabe Howard simply had to know: Is McCurdy truly glad her mom died? And if so, Why? Listen now to learn the circumstances behind McCurdy's book and what lead the iCarly star to share her feelings with the world.  To learn more -- or read the transcript -- please visit the official episode page. Guest Bio Jennette McCurdy starred in Nickelodeon’s hit show “iCarly” and its spin-off, “Sam & Cat,” as well as in the Netflix series “Between.” In 2017, she quit acting and began pursuing writing/directing. Her films have been featured in the Florida Film Festival, the Salute Your Shorts Film Festival, Short of the Week, and elsewhere. Her essays have appeared in HuffPost and The Wall Street Journal. Her one-woman show “I’m Glad My Mom Died” had two sold-out runs at the Lyric Hyperion Theatre and Hudson Theatre in Los Angeles. She hosts a podcast called “Empty Inside,” which has topped Apple’s charts and features guests speaking about uncomfortable topics. She lives in Los Angeles. Jennette’s heartbreaking and hilarious memoir “I’m Glad My Mom Died” was released in August 2022. Find out more at www.JennetteMcCurdy.com. Inside Mental Health Podcast Host Gabe Howard is an award-winning writer and speaker who lives with bipolar disorder. He is the author of the popular book, "Mental Illness is an Asshole and other Observations," available from Amazon; signed copies are also available directly from the author. Gabe makes his home in the suburbs of Columbus, Ohio. He lives with his supportive wife, Kendall, and a Miniature Schnauzer dog that he never wanted, but now can’t imagine life without. To book Gabe for your next event or learn more about him, please visit gabehoward.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It might be hard to remember the last time you got really angry with someone who respects you. That’s because of the unique role that respect plays in our emotional regulation and interactions with others.  Dr. Joseph Shrand, a triple board certified psychiatrist, explains how this feeling can change your interactions with everyone from complete strangers to those you’re closest with. We’ll also discuss how to get respect, simple ways to show others you value and respect them, and Dr. Shrand’s I-M Method, which reminds us we’re all doing the best we can.  To learn more -- or read the transcript -- please visit the show's official episode page. Guest Bio Dr. Joseph Shrand is Chief Medical Officer of Riverside Community Care headquartered in Dedham, Massachusetts. He has been a Lecturer of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School and an adjunct faculty of Boston Children's Hospital. He is triple board certified in adult psychiatry, child and adolescent psychiatry, and addiction medicine. He is also a diplomate of the American Board of Addiction Medicine. Dr. Shrand hosts a weekly radio show on WATD 95.9 FM, The Dr. Joe Show, exploring who we are and why we do what we do. He is the author of “Unleashing the Power of Respect: The I-M Approach,” “Manage Your Stress: Overcoming Stress in the Modern World;” “Outsmarting Anger: 7 Strategies for Defusing Our Most Dangerous Emotion” the winner of the 2013 Books for a Better Life Awards, Psychology self-help category; “The Fear Reflex: Five Ways to Overcome It and Trust Your Imperfect Self;” and “Do You Really Get Me? Finding Value in Yourself and Others Through Empathy and Connection.” “Outsmarting Anger” has recently been republished in paperback due to demand. Among colleagues and staff, he is affectionately called “Doctor Joe,” as he was “Joe” in the original children’s cast of the PBS series “Zoom.” Find out more about him at https://www.drshrand.com/. Inside Mental Health Podcast Host Gabe Howard is an award-winning writer and speaker who lives with bipolar disorder. He is the author of the popular book, "Mental Illness is an Asshole and other Observations," available from Amazon; signed copies are also available directly from the author. Gabe makes his home in the suburbs of Columbus, Ohio. He lives with his supportive wife, Kendall, and a Miniature Schnauzer dog that he never wanted, but now can’t imagine life without. To book Gabe for your next event or learn more about him, please visit gabehoward.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Asian American stereotypes are no secret: successful white collar professionals, like doctors and engineers, who are also quiet, hardworking, and dedicated to their families. It all sounds good, right? Even though these may seem positive, Dr. Jenny Wang explains how these stereotypes limit the options of people in these communities and exert unnecessary pressure on them. When you add the history of trauma that can come with immigration, the picture becomes ever more complicated — with ripples that affect everything from parenting styles to the intensity of emotions and overall mental health. To learn more -- or read the transcript -- please visit the official episode page. Guest Bio Dr. Jenny Wang is a Taiwanese American clinical psychologist and national speaker on mental health and racial trauma in Asian American, BIPOC, and immigrant communities. Her work focuses on the intersection of Asian American identity, mental health, and social justice. She is the founder of the @asiansformentalhealth Instagram community, in which she discusses the unique experiences of Asian diaspora and immigrant communities. She spearheaded the Asian, Pacific Islander, and South Asian American Therapist Directory and its companion Canadian directory to help Asians seek culturally reverent mental health providers. Inside Mental Health Podcast Host Gabe Howard is an award-winning writer and speaker who lives with bipolar disorder. He is the author of the popular book, "Mental Illness is an Asshole and other Observations," available from Amazon; signed copies are also available directly from the author. Gabe makes his home in the suburbs of Columbus, Ohio. He lives with his supportive wife, Kendall, and a Miniature Schnauzer dog that he never wanted, but now can’t imagine life without. To book Gabe for your next event or learn more about him, please visit gabehoward.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ignacia Soto-Aguilar is a prominent Hollywood makeup artist (FX's “The Bear” / TNT’s “Claws”) who grew up with a mother with severe and persistent mental illness. Join us as she shares what it was like to grow up in a household where the most important thing was protecting the secret of her mom’s illness and the trauma caused by not openly discussing the elephant in the room.  Soto-Aguilar also shares what happened to her mother and how she has made peace with her experiences now that she is an adult.  To learn more -- or read the transcript -- please visit the official episode page. Guest Bio Ignacia Soto-Aguilar is a Chilean makeup artist raised in the Bay Area of California. After acquiring a Political Science degree from UC Davis, her affinity for beauty and fine arts led her to put a pause on law school. She enrolled in the Paul Mitchell Academy in San Francisco where she discovered the world of makeup design. After her training, that "law school break" became permanent as Ignacia went on to take part in fashion and beauty teams for editorials, and high-profile fashion events for multiple years. Her work has been featured in the likes of Vogue Italy, as well as various national and international publications. Feeling the pull to take her creativity a bit further, Ignacia transitioned into the world of film and television makeup. As evolving filmmaking demanded versatility, it quickly led her to immersion in the art of special effects as well. Her onscreen resume now includes various department head credits alongside some of the most prestigious artists in the industry. In addition to her work as an artist, Ignacia uses her voice and platform to advocate for various causes such as women’s rights, race equality, the Nation Immigrant Justice Center (NIJC), as well as animal rescue foundations. She’s also an advocate for the Child Mind Institute Organization, which focus on direct care, education, community support, advocacy, and advancing scientific understanding of mental illness in children. Her most recent work includes the hit TNT series “Claws” (starring Niecy Nash, Jenn Lyon, Carrie Preston, Karrueche Tran, and Judy Reyes), which has been defined by its aesthetic range from gritty realism to over-the-top glamour. The series premiered its fourth and final season December 19, 2021.  Inside Mental Health Podcast Host Gabe Howard is an award-winning writer and speaker who lives with bipolar disorder. He is the author of the popular book, "Mental Illness is an Asshole and other Observations," available from Amazon; signed copies are also available directly from the author. Gabe makes his home in the suburbs of Columbus, Ohio. He lives with his supportive wife, Kendall, and a Miniature Schnauzer dog that he never wanted, but now can’t imagine life without. To book Gabe for your next event or learn more about him, please visit gabehoward.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

“Joey Gladstone” is practically a household name, everyone knows the fun-loving Full House character. But Dave Coulier, the actor’s actual name, may not ring a bell. Even fewer people may recall that Dave is a recovering alcoholic. Earlier this year, he took to Instagram to publicly announce his addiction, and that he’s been sober for more than two years. In this episode, Coulier describes the moment he realized alcohol was a problem, how he continues to stay sober, the type of support he received, and how he is doing now. To learn more -- or read the transcript -- please visit the show's official episode page. Guest Bio Dave Coulier is perhaps best known as “Joey” from the hit ABC television series, Full House, which aired for eight seasons (1987-1995, with 192 episodes produced) and is currently starring in Live+Local on Pure Flix Streaming. The first two episodes will be available exclusively on Pure Flix on July 7th, 2022 and a new episode will air every Thursday.  Highly regarded for his voice-over talent, Dave's additional credits include many Saturday morning cartoon favorites. He began by doing voices on HannaBarbera's Scooby Doo and the re-syndicated version of The Jetson's. He then went on to lend his versatile voice to Jim Henson's multiple Emmy Award-winning animated series, The Muppet Babies , where he portrayed Animal and Dr.Bunsen Honeydew for the run of the series, and then became the voice of three additional characters; Waldorf and Statler (the two old guys in the balcony on the original Muppet Show) and Bean Bunny. He voiced Peter Venkman for The Real Ghostbusters cartoon, and the Cartoon Networks' Robot Chicken.   Dave currently resides in Los Angeles. In his free time, he enjoys flying airplanes, playing ice hockey, and golf. Inside Mental Health Podcast Host Gabe Howard is an award-winning writer and speaker who lives with bipolar disorder. He is the author of the popular book, "Mental Illness is an Asshole and other Observations," available from Amazon; signed copies are also available directly from the author. Gabe makes his home in the suburbs of Columbus, Ohio. He lives with his supportive wife, Kendall, and a Miniature Schnauzer dog that he never wanted, but now can’t imagine life without. To book Gabe for your next event or learn more about him, please visit gabehoward.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Most survivors of childhood emotional abuse don’t cut free from their parents, but actor and author Wil Wheaton is an exception. He made the decision to completely disconnect from his parents as an adult. Join us as he explains why he took this major step, how he did it, and how it continues to impact his life and parenting.  Producer’s Note: We couldn’t fit all the amazing information from Wil’s interview with us in May into just one episode. So here’s part two. It’s filled with revelations about his past you haven’t heard before and won’t want to miss.  To read the transcript -- or learn more -- please visit the show's official episode page. Guest Bio Wil Wheaton, celebrated actor from “Stand By Me,” “Star Trek: The Next Generation,” “The Big Bang Theory,” and more has come out with “Still Just a Geek,” an updated memoir with all new material as he reexamines his upbringing in Hollywood and opens up about his life, falling in love, coming to grips with his past work, choices, childhood trauma and family, and finding fulfillment in the new phases of his career. This isn’t your typical celebrity memoir – instead, Wil is in conversation with his past self, engaging with his 2004 memoir through updated annotations. The result is fascinating as present-day Wil gets to confront his past toxic thoughts, hold himself accountable for his problematic behavior, and show what mental illness looks like as well as the path to healing. See more at WilWheaton.net. Inside Mental Health Podcast Host Gabe Howard is an award-winning writer and speaker who lives with bipolar disorder. He is the author of the popular book, "Mental Illness is an Asshole and other Observations," available from Amazon; signed copies are also available directly from the author. Gabe makes his home in the suburbs of Columbus, Ohio. He lives with his supportive wife, Kendall, and a Miniature Schnauzer dog that he never wanted, but now can’t imagine life without. To book Gabe for your next event or learn more about him, please visit gabehoward.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

You may have noticed the way your friend absentmindedly twirls their hair as they scroll on their phone, or how your sibling bites their nails. Maybe you’re prone to picking your skin, leading you to wonder why it’s hard to stop. These body-focused repetitive behaviors, or BFRBs, affect many of us. But when does something that might seem like a bad habit become a medical disorder? Join us as Luisa Zettinig explains her history with BFRBs, the power of community for people trying to reduce these behaviors, and how her company is trying to foster mindfulness. To learn more -- or read the transcript -- please visit the official episode page. Guest Bio Luisa Zettinig is a public health executive and businesswoman, whose career has spanned multiple countries and sectors. She currently lives in Zurich, Switzerland, where she works at the children’s hospital and as the strategy director at Nudge. Her passion lies in the application of technology to improving healthcare provision and the treatment of mental health conditions.Nudge is a UK-based company on a mission to raise awareness of body-focused repetitive behaviors (BFRBs). Their product, the Nudge Band, was born out of the founding team’s shared wish to develop an affordable, evidence-based solution for people affected by BFRBs, such as compulsive skin picking, hair pulling and nail biting. The Nudge Band is a wrist-worn smart device that uses sophisticated technology to alert the wearer whenever their hand moves towards their face. Learn more and order your band at: www.nudgeband.co.uk Inside Mental Health Podcast Host Gabe Howard is an award-winning writer and speaker who lives with bipolar disorder. He is the author of the popular book, "Mental Illness is an Asshole and other Observations," available from Amazon; signed copies are also available directly from the author. Gabe makes his home in the suburbs of Columbus, Ohio. He lives with his supportive wife, Kendall, and a Miniature Schnauzer dog that he never wanted, but now can’t imagine life without. To book Gabe for your next event or learn more about him, please visit gabehoward.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Greg Louganis, simply put, is the greatest diver of all time, and over 30 years later, his records remain unbroken. Even so, many people remember Louganis for hitting his head during a dive at the ’88 Olympics, for being HIV-positive, for being an out gay man in the ’80s, and for all the controversy surrounding these topics.  Join us as Louganis shares his struggles since retiring from diving, including bouts with mental illness, suicide attempts, and substance use issues. He also discusses how he is doing now and whether pop culture portrayals of him in shows like “Family Guy” ruffle his feathers. To learn more -- or read the transcript -- please visit the official episode page. Guest Bio Considered the greatest diver in history, Greg Louganis is the only male to win gold medals on both 3-meter springboard and 10-meter platform in consecutive Olympic Games (1984, 1988). A trained actor, dancer, model, and spokesman, Greg’s wide repertoire of skills keeps him in demand and in the public eye.  As the undisputed GOAT of mindset, Greg shares his knowledge and wisdom through his meditation and mindfulness course, as well as through his books, interviews, and speaking engagements. Across the globe, billions who watched either the 1984 or 1988 Olympics were enthralled by the poetry that was Greg Louganis: The beauty and power of his diving captured the world. With a total of 5 Olympic medals, 5 World Championship titles, and 47 national titles, more than any person in U.S. history, his records remain unbroken. Today, as a coach, speaker, author, actor, activist, and humanitarian, he continues his tradition of excellence. Causes close to his heart include HIV/AIDS, LGBTQ+, Adoption/Foster Care, Mental Health/Addiction, Human Rights, Animals, Environmental Issues and Climate Change. More information is available at GregLouganis.com. Inside Mental Health Podcast Host Gabe Howard is an award-winning writer and speaker who lives with bipolar disorder. He is the author of the popular book, "Mental Illness is an Asshole and other Observations," available from Amazon; signed copies are also available directly from the author. Gabe makes his home in the suburbs of Columbus, Ohio. He lives with his supportive wife, Kendall, and a Miniature Schnauzer dog that he never wanted, but now can’t imagine life without. To book Gabe for your next event or learn more about him, please visit gabehoward.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today’s guest is Netflix and FX star Theo Rossi. Rossi is known for portraying Shades on “Luke Cage” and Juice on “Sons of Anarchy.” But what is he really like? He is a father of two and, in his own words, had a “rough go as a kid.” Listen in as he discusses how he is a proponent of microdosing, or using small amounts of psilocybin, to better understand himself and manage his mental health. To learn more, please visit the show's official episode page. Guest Bio THEO ROSSI can currently be seen on the popular Netflix limited series “True Story” opposite Kevin Hart and Wesley Snipes. The series debuted at #1 globally for streamer and Rossi received great critical and fan acclaim. Other recent credits include Zack Snyder’s Netflix global hit feature “Army of the Dead” which also hit #1, falling into Netflix’s Top 10 films of all time and ending 2021 as one of IMDb’s Top 10 most searched movies of the year.  He next stars in the independent feature “Emily the Criminal” opposite Aubrey Plaza which was just announced for Sundance 2022.  Future credits include the independent feature “Dear Zoe,” where he stars opposite Sadie Sink. Other credits include Nate Parker’s “American Skin,” which won the Sconfini award at the 2019 Venice Film Festival and was produced by Spike Lee. Rossi co-starred opposite Demián Bichir and Eva Longoria in “Lowriders,” produced by Jason Blum and Brian Grazer, and in the Lionsgate film “Vault” opposite Don Johnson and Samira Wiley, as well as the Netflix release “Rattlesnake” opposite Carmen Ejogo.  On the television side, Rossi is well known for playing Shades on the hit Marvel Netflix series “Luke Cage” and Juice on FX’s cultural phenomenon “Sons of Anarchy.”  When not filming, he resides in Austin with his wife and two sons.   Inside Mental Health Podcast Host Gabe Howard is an award-winning writer and speaker who lives with bipolar disorder. He is the author of the popular book, "Mental Illness is an Asshole and other Observations," available from Amazon; signed copies are also available directly from the author. Gabe makes his home in the suburbs of Columbus, Ohio. He lives with his supportive wife, Kendall, and a Miniature Schnauzer dog that he never wanted, but now can’t imagine life without. To book Gabe for your next event or learn more about him, please visit gabehoward.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Alanis Morissette has been one of the most influential singer-songwriters of her generation. Join us as she talks about her experiences with anxiety and depression, and why she doesn’t dislike being labeled as angry — even though she’s “irretrievably Canadian and relational.”  Morissette also discusses her role as a feminist icon, the mental health lessons she has drawn after 25 years in the public eye, and what it means to be multitudinous. Listen now! To learn more -- or read the transcript -- please visit the show's official episode page. Guest Bio Since 1995, Alanis Morissette has been one of the most influential singer-songwriter-musicians in contemporary music. Her deeply expressive music and performances have earned vast critical praise and seven Grammy awards. Morissette’s 1995 debut, “JAGGED LITTLE PILL,” was followed by nine more eclectic and acclaimed albums. She has contributed musically to theatrical releases and has acted on the big and small screen. On December 5, 2019, “JAGGED LITTLE PILL” the musical made its Broadway debut at the Broadhurst Theatre in New York City. The show was nominated for fifteen Tony Awards and won two Tony Awards at the 2021 ceremony. In July 2020, Alanis released her ninth studio album, “Such Pretty Forks in the Road,” to rave reviews. In August 2021, Alanis kicked off her sold-out world tour celebrating 25 years of “Jagged Little Pill.” The tour became the #1 female-fronted tour of 2021 and one of the Top Worldwide Tours of 2021 selling over 500,000 tickets. Alanis also stars in Fox’s sitcom, “The Great North,” which will return for season 3 in 2022. Outside entertainment, Alanis is an avid supporter of mental health, female empowerment, and spiritual and physical wellness. In 2016, she launched “Conversation with Alanis Morissette,” a podcast that features conversations with a variety of revered authors, doctors, educators, and therapists, covering a wide range of psychosocial topics, extending from spirituality to recovery to developmentalism to art. Guests have included Gabor Maté and Dan Siegel as well as many other leaders and teachers. A dedicated charitable activist, she has supported numerous causes that focus on empowerment, art, psychological and spiritual healing, relationships, and environmental causes, earning her a Global Tolerance Award from the United Nations. Alanis was also honored with the Rock the Vote’s Patrick Lippert Award for her dedication to causes making the world safer for young people, including the benefit concert Groundwork:Act to Reduce Hunger, as well as several fundraisers for gun control and 9/11 relief. Along with Harville Hendrix, John Gottman, Sue Johnson, and Dr. Dan Siegel, Alanis founded the Relationships First Organization, which empowers people to communicate without criticism, listen without judgment, and connect through their differences. She has given keynote talks at a variety of events, including the Evolution of Psychotherapy Conference and 1440 Multiversity, where she explored “remaining connected with oneself, spirit and others.” Inside Mental Health Podcast Host Gabe Howard is an award-winning writer and speaker who lives with bipolar disorder. He is the author of the popular book, "Mental Illness is an Asshole and other Observations," available from Amazon; signed copies are also available directly from the author. Gabe makes his home in the suburbs of Columbus, Ohio. He lives with his supportive wife, Kendall, and a Miniature Schnauzer dog that he never wanted, but now can’t imagine life without. To book Gabe for your next event or learn more about him, please visit gabehoward.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Do people who practice consensual non-monogamy or polyamory have higher rates of jealousy than those who are in monogamous relationships?What types of people are involved in these types of relationships?  Find the answers to these questions and more as our host interviews Dr. Mimi Winsberg, the co-founder of Brightside. To learn more -- or read the transcript -- visit the show's official episode page. Guest Bio Mimi Winsberg, MD, is the co-founder and Chief Medical Officer of Brightside, a telemedicine platform for anxiety and depression care. Dr. Winsberg is a Stanford-trained psychiatrist with more than 25+ years of clinical experience, and the former in-house psychiatrist at Facebook. Her first book, “Speaking in Thumbs,” which looks at the love language of texts, is available now. Inside Mental Health Podcast Host Gabe Howard is an award-winning writer and speaker who lives with bipolar disorder. He is the author of the popular book, "Mental Illness is an Asshole and other Observations," available from Amazon; signed copies are also available directly from the author. Gabe makes his home in the suburbs of Columbus, Ohio. He lives with his supportive wife, Kendall, and a Miniature Schnauzer dog that he never wanted, but now can’t imagine life without. To book Gabe for your next event or learn more about him, please visit gabehoward.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Can you eliminate mental health stigma through TikTok? Obviously not, but you can spark a larger conversation about mental health, or just send a friend something cute to cheer them up. That’s exactly what today’s guest’s “bad animations” are all about. A self-described “bad animator,” Danny Casale, better known as Coolman_Coffeedan, has built up a huge following of people who love his characters and derive emotional comfort from them. Join us as we chat about his work, mental health advocacy, and hopes for a better future for us all. To learn more -- or read the transcript -- please visit the official episode page. Guest Bio Self-titled “Bad Animator” and Forbes 30 Under 30 nominee Danny Casale (aka Coolman Coffeedan) first went viral when his cartoon titled “Snakes Have Legs” received tens of millions of views. Casale has since turned his humorous and crudely-drawn cartoons into a profession, with an internet following well into the millions and his first book, UR SPECIAL: Advice for Humans from Coolman Coffeedan on sale now.   Danny grew up getting in trouble for doodling during class. He didn’t see himself as an artist by any means but loved the process of getting the cartoonish visions out of his head and onto paper. As an adult, he’s taken those doodles and turned them into wildly popular animations that bring a dose of positivity to millions of people’s timelines.  Inside Mental Health Podcast Host Gabe Howard is an award-winning writer and speaker who lives with bipolar disorder. He is the author of the popular book, "Mental Illness is an Asshole and other Observations," available from Amazon; signed copies are also available directly from the author. Gabe makes his home in the suburbs of Columbus, Ohio. He lives with his supportive wife, Kendall, and a Miniature Schnauzer dog that he never wanted, but now can’t imagine life without. To book Gabe for your next event or learn more about him, please visit gabehoward.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Postpartum psychosis is commonly associated with wanting to harm, or even kill, your newborn baby. But can it present in any other ways? Join us as Sarah Wynter from the acclaimed TV shows "24" and "Flight of the Conchords" shares her personal experience with postpartum psychosis following the arrival of her twins. Guest Bio Glamorous and poised, Sarah Wynter has established herself as one of Hollywood’s most precious gems. Having commanded a vast array of characters on both screens big and small, she’s likely most recognized for her role as Kate Warner on the hit series “24.” Other credits include David E. Kelley’s “Goliath” opposite Billy Bob Thornton, NBC’s “American Odyssey,” “Californication,” “Damages,” “Windfall,” “Flight of the Concords,” “Sex and the City,” “The 6th Day” opposite Arnold Schwarzenegger, and “Lost Souls,” opposite Winona Ryder, among numerous others. She also recently executive produced “A Mouthful of Air,” starring Amanda Seyfried, which released theatrically in the fall of 2021 and is now streaming. A native of Newcastle, Australia, and mom to three young boys, Sarah is certainly just as grounded as she is stunning. Despite her love for the lights of tinsel town, she is first and foremost a mom. As such, it’s no surprise that she’s a tremendous advocate for gun control and is a member of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, which falls under the umbrella of Michael Bloomberg’s Everytown for Gun Safety.   Sarah resides in New York City with her three boys. To learn more -- or read the transcript -- please visit the official episode page. Inside Mental Health Podcast Host Gabe Howard is an award-winning writer and speaker who lives with bipolar disorder. He is the author of the popular book, "Mental Illness is an Asshole and other Observations," available from Amazon; signed copies are also available directly from the author. Gabe makes his home in the suburbs of Columbus, Ohio. He lives with his supportive wife, Kendall, and a Miniature Schnauzer dog that he never wanted, but now can’t imagine life without. To book Gabe for your next event or learn more about him, please visit gabehoward.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Multiplatinum recording artist Jewel has won many awards and performed at the Super Bowl — but how much do you really know about her? She grew up with no running water, was a homeless teenager in San Diego, and turned all that into music for her album “Pieces of You,” which is one of the bestselling debuts of all time. In this episode, Jewel discusses her anxiety disorder, her past traumas, and what different song lyrics from her vast catalog of music mean to her. She also tells us about her work with the Inspiring Children Foundation, a foundation that has spent the past 18 years empowering children who struggle with financial hardship, anxiety, depression, and suicidal ideation.  To learn more -- or read the transcript -- please visit the official episode page here. Guest Bio Jewel went from a girl who grew up with no running water on an Alaskan homestead, to a homeless teenager in San Diego, to an award-winning, multiplatinum recording artist who released one of the bestselling debuts of all time. Throughout her career, Jewel has sold over 30 million albums worldwide and has earned 26 nominations for awards such as the Grammy Awards, American Music Awards, VMAs, VH1 Awards, Billboard Music Awards, and Country Music Awards, winning eight times. Jewel has been featured on the covers of TIME and Rolling Stone and has performed on “Saturday Night Live,” at the Super Bowl and the NBA Finals, and for the pope and the president of the United States. She is one of the few singer-songwriters to top the chart in every genre she wrote for: folk, pop, club, country, standards, children's, and holiday music. See more at jeweljk.com. ABOUT INSPIRING CHILDREN FOUNDATION: For 18 years, Jewel’s Inspiring Children Foundation and Never Broken program have been empowering children struggling with financial hardship, anxiety, depression, and suicidal ideation by giving them the ultimate environment to survive and then thrive. With teenage suicide up by 70% and anxiety and depression doubling, they have been at the forefront of solving this epidemic. The program equips at-risk youth with everything they need to be physically, emotionally, and mentally healthy in a fun and inspirational way, online and in person. This ecosystem of excellence includes: emotional intelligence, SEL, mindfulness/meditation, group counseling and mentoring, leadership development, entrepreneur skills, nutrition, yoga, tennis, sleep science, and academics. 80% of the foundation’s operations are run by the children. The children gain know-how, an understanding of themselves, and confidence by earning their way in a real-life “project driven learning” program. The young leaders have been so academically, athletically, and personally developed that 95% have been offered scholarships and admissions into the best colleges in the world, including: Stanford, Harvard, Princeton, Yale, Georgetown, Penn-Wharton, Brown, Dartmouth, Williams, Columbia, Naval Academy, USC, Vanderbilt and 100 more. Most importantly, these children are being armed with a “psychology for life” that helps them generate their own peace of mind and contentment as self-actualized leaders. To learn more about Jewel’s program, visit www.inspiringchildren.org. Inside Mental Health Podcast Host Gabe Howard is an award-winning writer and speaker who lives with bipolar disorder. He is the author of the popular book, "Mental Illness is an Asshole and other Observations," available from Amazon; signed copies are also available directly from the author. Gabe makes his home in the suburbs of Columbus, Ohio. He lives with his supportive wife, Kendall, and a Miniature Schnauzer dog that he never wanted, but now can’t imagine life without. To book Gabe for your next event or learn more about him, please visit gabehoward.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

One thing the internet especially loves to critique is other people’s parenting — especially mothers. What happens when mom lives with schizophrenia? Do people react differently? Join us as our host interviews Lauren Kennedy West, a woman who lives with schizophrenia and recently gave birth for the first time. She documented this on her popular YouTube channel, “Living Well with Schizophrenia.” Lauren tells us what the reaction has been to the birth of her youngest child and the difference in responses to her mothering her older two children, who came in a package deal when she married her husband. To learn more -- or read the transcript -- please visit the show's official episode page here. Guest Bio Lauren Kennedy West is a mental health advocate who lives with schizoaffective disorder, bipolar type. She has worked as a social worker in various capacities, including in the mental health care system. Lauren and her husband Rob started the YouTube channel ‘Living Well with Schizophrenia.’ It’s intended as both an educational resource and a tool to help reduce stigma and connect people living through similar challenges. The channel is a resource for those living with the illness, their loved ones, healthcare professionals, and people who just want to know more. In addition to the YouTube channel, Lauren has delivered talks to various audiences including healthcare professionals, law enforcement, students, etc. Inside Mental Health Podcast Host Gabe Howard is an award-winning writer and speaker who lives with bipolar disorder. He is the author of the popular book, "Mental Illness is an Asshole and other Observations," available from Amazon; signed copies are also available directly from the author. Gabe makes his home in the suburbs of Columbus, Ohio. He lives with his supportive wife, Kendall, and a Miniature Schnauzer dog that he never wanted, but now can’t imagine life without. To book Gabe for your next event or learn more about him, please visit gabehoward.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Join us as Wil Wheaton, who had leading roles in “Star Trek: The Next Generation” and “The Big Bang Theory,” discusses revisiting his 2004 memoir “Just a Geek,” which he recently re-released as “Still Just a Geek.” Every page is filled with footnotes and parenthetical comments talking to his younger self, and in many cases decrying his previous racism, homophobia, and misogyny. How did he manage to confront his younger self without dying of shame? Listen now to find out. To learn more, visit the official episode page here. Guest Bio Wil Wheaton, celebrated actor from Stand By Me, Star Trek: The Next Generation, The Big Bang Theory, and more has come out with STILL JUST A GEEK, an updated memoir with all new material as he reexamines his upbringing in Hollywood, and opens up about his life, falling in love, coming to grips with his past work, choices, childhood trauma and family, and finding fulfillment in the new phases of his career. This isn’t your typical celebrity memoir – instead, Wil is in conversation with his past self, engaging with his 2004 memoir through updated annotations. The result is fascinating as present-day Wil gets to confront his past toxic thoughts, hold himself accountable for his problematic behavior, and show what mental illness looks like as well as the path to healing. See more at WilWheaton.net. Inside Mental Health Podcast Host Gabe Howard is an award-winning writer and speaker who lives with bipolar disorder. He is the author of the popular book, "Mental Illness is an Asshole and other Observations," available from Amazon; signed copies are also available directly from the author. Gabe makes his home in the suburbs of Columbus, Ohio. He lives with his supportive wife, Kendall, and a Miniature Schnauzer dog that he never wanted, but now can’t imagine life without. To book Gabe for your next event or learn more about him, please visit gabehoward.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Many people believe that 6 weeks is the window when new mothers need to worry about postpartum depression. Today’s guest, NBC’s “The Endgame” star Ryan Michelle Bathé, shares how that misunderstanding was devastating to her and her family.  Bathé shares with us how much she struggled after the birth of her first child, despite having access to — and utilizing — medical professionals. She shares how difficult it was and how no one around her realized anything was wrong because on the outside, everything appeared to be fine.  To learn more, please visit the show's official episode page here. Guest Bio Actor and producer Ryan Michelle Bathé can be seen starring in NBC’s high stakes thriller series "The Endgame", which premiered in February 2022. She portrays the relentless and socially outcast FBI agent Val Turner, who is on the hunt for an international arms dealer.  In 2020, Bathé launched Down on Maple Productions and signed a first-look deal with ViacomCBS MTV Entertainment Group. The partnership covers content created and/or developed for television and new media, with a focus on identifying emerging talent and underrepresented voices. Inside Mental Health Podcast Host Gabe Howard is an award-winning writer and speaker who lives with bipolar disorder. He is the author of the popular book, "Mental Illness is an Asshole and other Observations," available from Amazon; signed copies are also available directly from the author. Gabe makes his home in the suburbs of Columbus, Ohio. He lives with his supportive wife, Kendall, and a Miniature Schnauzer dog that he never wanted, but now can’t imagine life without. To book Gabe for your next event or learn more about him, please visit gabehoward.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

No one disputes that America has a problem with drugs. In 2021 alone there were almost 100,000 overdose deaths. This is why we need the government sponsored war on drugs, right?  Just imagine how bad things would be if no one was doing anything to resolve the various issues surrounding drug use. But is that true? Is there any data to support that our policies are even working? Join us as the late activist David Poses explains why we are thinking about overdoses and drug policy all wrong, and how the War on Drugs is actually a war on our own people – a war that is literally killing us. To learn more -- or read the transcript -- please visit the official episode page here. Guest Bio David Poses (1976 - 2022) was a writer, speaker, and activist. After hiding his struggle with depression and opioids for twenty years, he started opening up and challenging conventional addiction wisdom. He has been published by the Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, and New York Daily News and has appeared on national TV programs, including The Doctors TV Show, and numerous radio shows and podcasts. With candor, humor, and a unique perspective informed by science and experience, he advocates for evidence-based approaches to drug policy, prevention, and treatment. David lived in New York with his wife and two kids and entirely too many guitars for such a mediocre player. See more at DavidPoses.com. His book, The Weight of Air, can be found on Amazon. Inside Mental Health Podcast Host Gabe Howard is an award-winning writer and speaker who lives with bipolar disorder. He is the author of the popular book, "Mental Illness is an Asshole and other Observations," available from Amazon; signed copies are also available directly from the author. Gabe makes his home in the suburbs of Columbus, Ohio. He lives with his supportive wife, Kendall, and a Miniature Schnauzer dog that he never wanted, but now can’t imagine life without. To book Gabe for your next event or learn more about him, please visit gabehoward.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For some, ADHD is a debilitating disorder. For others, it’s seen as a conspiracy designed by lazy teachers, parents, and an aggressive pharmaceutical industry. And many reasonable people believe that ADHD is something that only impacts children and not adults. What is the truth? Today’s guest, Dr. George Sachs, has written extensively on ADHD in both children and adults and helps us better understand exactly what ADHD is – and isn’t.  To read the transcript or learn more visit the official episode page here. Guest Bio Dr. George Sachs is a licensed child psychologist and adult psychologist, specializing in the treatment of ADD/ADHD and Autism Spectrum Disorders in children, teen and adults. Dr. Sachs is the co-founder of Inflow, a science-based app for adults with ADHD. He is also author of The Adult ADD Solution, Helping the Traumatized Child and Helping Your Husband with Adult ADD. Dr. Sachs has appeared on NBC Nightly News, CBS and other major media outlets, discussing his unique holistic approach to ADD/ADHD treatment.   Inside Mental Health Podcast Host Gabe Howard is an award-winning writer and speaker who lives with bipolar disorder. He is the author of the popular book, "Mental Illness is an Asshole and other Observations," available from Amazon; signed copies are also available directly from the author. Gabe makes his home in the suburbs of Columbus, Ohio. He lives with his supportive wife, Kendall, and a Miniature Schnauzer dog that he never wanted, but now can’t imagine life without. To book Gabe for your next event or learn more about him, please visit gabehoward.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When you say, “The Pill” there is no debate about what pill you are talking about. Birth control pills have been a tool of the women’s liberation movement for over 60 years. Birth control in general is as ubiquitous in our society as aspirin – and seems as harmless. But what do we really know about how hormonal contraception works and impacts our bodies? Today’s guests, Ricki Lake and Abby Epstein, have a new documentary, “The Business of Birth Control,” which examines the complex relationship between hormonal birth control and women’s health and liberation.  Weaving together the stories of bereaved parents, body literacy activists, and femtech innovators, the film reveals a new generation seeking holistic and ecological alternatives to the pill while redefining the meaning of reproductive justice. Guest Bios Abby Epstein started her career as a theatre director with her own production company, Roadworks Productions, which is based in Chicago. Roadworks Productions was founded in 1992, and the company had seen much success in the mid 1990s. After directing a few productions in Chicago, Abby moved to New York to be an assistant director on the production of Rent. She then worked on The Vagina Monologues with Eve Ensler. Epstein directed her first documentary Until the Violence Stops, a film about the impact of The Vagina Monologues on a global scale. Five years later, Abby Epstein released The Business of Being Born in 2008. Much of Abby Epstein's film career deals with birth and sex. Her film Until the Violence Stops premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in 2004 and won an Emmy after its screening on Lifetime. The Business of Being Born debuted at the Tribeca Film Festival in 2007 and was released theatrically in 2008. In October 2018, Epstein released Weed the People, a documentary buoyed by hopeful experiences with medical marijuana, that she worked on for 6 years with Ricki Lake as an executive producer. Pop culture icon Ricki Lake has built an extraordinary career.  The world first met Ricki in 1988 as Tracy Turnblad in John Waters’ beloved film Hairspray. Ricki went on to appear in other films such as Cry-Baby, Cecil B. Demented, Serial Mom, and Gemini. She also starred on television in China Beach and King of Queens.  At the impressive age of twenty-four, Ricki became the youngest talk show host in history. For 11 years, her long-running show was met with unprecedented success and changed daytime television forever. She went on to win an Emmy for Best Talk Show Host for her work on the reboot of The Ricki Lake Show.  In her intimate book, “Never Say Never: Finding a Life That Fits,” Ricki took readers behind the scenes of her troubled childhood—filled with food issues, abuse, and an unabashed yearning for a better life outside of her suburban home. She pulled back the curtain on her talk show and her early days as a “fat actress.”  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Are you curious about autism? Do you wonder about its relationship to mental health conditions? You are not alone, as autism is one of the top search terms on PsychCentral.com.  Common questions people ask are “Is autism a mental illness?” and “Are people with autism more likely to be violent or aggressive?” Today’s guest lives with autism spectrum disorder and has children who are also on the spectrum. Learn the answers to these questions — and more — on today’s episode with Juli C. Liske. Guest Bio Juli C. Liske is the president of Red Door Nonprofit Consulting, LLC, and consults with local nonprofits on improving their autism-related programs and services. She also currently serves on the Tennessee Governor’s Council for Autism Spectrum Disorders, as well as the national SPARK for Autism Advisory Council. As a highly capable individual with autism, Liske has worked in the field of autism for over 19 years. She is also the author of “In the Eye of the Hurricane: Finding Peace Within the Storm of Autism.” From 2008 to 2017, Liske worked as the founder and executive director of The Brown Center for Autism in Nashville. The mission of The Brown Center was to provide comprehensive early intervention to young children with autism, as well as intensive parent training, support, and community education. Additionally, Liske is an authorized facilitator for Stewards of Children. She resides in Brentwood, TN with her husband, Jim, and has two exceptional sons, ages 31 and 21, both of whom are on the autism spectrum, and one amazing daughter, age 30. Inside Mental Health Podcast Host Gabe Howard is an award-winning writer and speaker who lives with bipolar disorder. He is the author of the popular book, "Mental Illness is an Asshole and other Observations," available from Amazon; signed copies are also available directly from the author. Gabe makes his home in the suburbs of Columbus, Ohio. He lives with his supportive wife, Kendall, and a Miniature Schnauzer dog that he never wanted, but now can’t imagine life without. To book Gabe for your next event or learn more about him, please visit gabehoward.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today’s guest is the first woman to announce the WWE’s WrestleMania event and the first female in-cage announcer in combat sports history. Mixed Martial Arts (MMA), professional wrestling, and combat sports in general can be a bastion of toxic masculinity. So what was it like for a woman trying to enter — and excel — in that arena?  Join us as Lilian Garcia shares how smashing the glass ceiling is equal parts exhilarating and mentally taxing. She explains the challenges to her mental health that being a trailblazer entails and how she got through her own trying times. To Learn more -- or read the transcript -- please visit the official episode page here. Guest Bio Lilian Garcia is a woman with a platform, a history maker and barrier ‘breaker. This Spanish beauty has solidified her name into sports, entertainment, wellness, and mainstream media. Lilian is a multi-talented singer/songwriter, television personality & producer, 15-year WWE Host, and the first woman to announce WrestleMania. She’s currently the Professional Fighters League (PFL - ESPN MMA) in-cage announcer, once again making history as the first woman to be an "in-cage" announcer within combat sports. Lilian is an influencer in every sense and has carved the way for others throughout her career. See more at www.LilianGarcia.com. Inside Mental Health Podcast Host Gabe Howard is an award-winning writer and speaker who lives with bipolar disorder. He is the author of the popular book, "Mental Illness is an Asshole and other Observations," available from Amazon; signed copies are also available directly from the author. Gabe makes his home in the suburbs of Columbus, Ohio. He lives with his supportive wife, Kendall, and a Miniature Schnauzer dog that he never wanted, but now can’t imagine life without. To book Gabe for your next event or learn more about him, please visit gabehoward.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Do you like mental health podcasts? Today’s guest started one of the original mental health podcasts, Mental Illness Happy Hour. Over 10 years later, it’s still one of the most popular podcasts in the genre. In this episode, the host of Mental Illness Happy Hour, Paul Gilmartin, tells us all about his own mental health journey, how he designs his podcast, and why he believes that humor and real talk are the best ways to move forward with addiction and mental illness. To learn more, or read the transcript, please visit the show's official episode page here. Guest Bio From 1995 to 2011 Paul Gilmartin co-hosted TBS’ “Dinner and a Movie” and performed his half-hour stand-up special “Comedy Central Presents: Paul Gilmartin.” He is a frequent guest on the “Jimmy Dore Show,” performing political satire as his right-wing Congressman Richard Martin (R-Ohio). In 2011 he began The Mental Illness Happy Hour, a weekly audio podcast consisting of interviews with artists, friends, listeners, and the occasional mental health professional about all the battles in our heads. With a 5/5 Apple Podcasts rating, it is frequently chosen as an Editor’s Pick. It was chosen by Esquire as one of the best podcasts of 2016 and featured in the PBS Documentary "A New State of Mind." Inside Mental Health Podcast Host Gabe Howard is an award-winning writer and speaker who lives with bipolar disorder. He is the author of the popular book, "Mental Illness is an Asshole and other Observations," available from Amazon; signed copies are also available directly from the author. Gabe makes his home in the suburbs of Columbus, Ohio. He lives with his supportive wife, Kendall, and a Miniature Schnauzer dog that he never wanted, but now can’t imagine life without. To book Gabe for your next event or learn more about him, please visit gabehoward.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices