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, sustai...
Aug 22, 2024•32 min
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 ...
Aug 08, 2024•27 min
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 ...
Jul 25, 2024•25 min
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...
Jul 11, 2024•29 min
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 ...
Jun 27, 2024•24 min
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. H...
Jun 13, 2024•27 min
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...
May 30, 2024•25 min
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...
May 23, 2024•2 min
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 biolog...
May 16, 2024•23 min
“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...
May 09, 2024•27 min
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 positiv...
May 02, 2024•23 min
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 ...
Apr 25, 2024•30 min
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 ...
Apr 18, 2024•29 min
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 treatme...
Apr 11, 2024•40 min
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 ...
Apr 04, 2024•27 min
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...
Mar 28, 2024•36 min
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 journalin...
Mar 21, 2024•24 min
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 conve...
Mar 14, 2024•31 min
“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 de...
Mar 14, 2024•28 min
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,...
Mar 07, 2024•27 min
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 ...
Feb 29, 2024•26 min
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 screening...
Feb 22, 2024•30 min
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 ha...
Feb 15, 2024•29 min
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 t...
Feb 08, 2024•28 min
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 ...
Feb 01, 2024•28 min
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 curren...
Jan 25, 2024•32 min
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...
Jan 18, 2024•29 min
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 hand...
Jan 11, 2024•29 min
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 d...
Jan 04, 2024•25 min
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 real...
Dec 28, 2023•29 min
