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...
Oct 13, 2022•24 min
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 -- plea...
Oct 06, 2022•25 min
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 intertwin...
Sep 29, 2022•31 min
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, reporti...
Sep 22, 2022•27 min
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 licens...
Sep 15, 2022•29 min
"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 Mic...
Sep 08, 2022•30 min
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 trans...
Sep 01, 2022•27 min
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 underst...
Aug 25, 2022•26 min
“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...
Aug 18, 2022•27 min
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-...
Aug 11, 2022•23 min
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 th...
Aug 04, 2022•28 min
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 a...
Jul 28, 2022•27 min
“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 receiv...
Jul 21, 2022•27 min
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 abou...
Jul 14, 2022•25 min
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 ...
Jul 07, 2022•22 min
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 h...
Jun 30, 2022•28 min
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 o...
Jun 23, 2022•31 min
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 -- ...
Jun 16, 2022•31 min
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 teleme...
Jun 09, 2022•27 min
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, a...
Jun 02, 2022•30 min
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 smal...
May 26, 2022•33 min
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 wor...
May 19, 2022•25 min
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 re...
May 12, 2022•30 min
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...
May 05, 2022•27 min
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, ever...
Apr 28, 2022•32 min
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 ...
Apr 21, 2022•31 min
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 episod...
Apr 14, 2022•27 min
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 b...
Apr 07, 2022•28 min
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...
Mar 31, 2022•28 min
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 ...
Mar 24, 2022•28 min
