Take Your Pills, Psychopath! - podcast cover

Take Your Pills, Psychopath!

"Take Your Pills, Psychopath!" is a comedy podcast that delves deep into the gnarly, misunderstood, painful hellscape of mental illness and boldly laughs in its face. Hosts John F. O'Donnell and Ben Siy-Hian aim to bring together a supportive community of people dealing with mental health issues, i.e. "Psychos," who can motivate each other to proactively take responsibility as best we can for our mental health, i.e. to figuratively or literally "Take our pills." Episodes include interviews with folks with different diagnoses, mental health professionals, and friends and family touched by mental illness.
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Episodes

Ep. 29 Drug and Alcohol Addiction Plus Time in the Psych Ward w/ Lizzy Cassidy

In this episode of TYPP!, JFOD interviews comedian, Lizzy Cassidy. They discuss Lizzy's struggles with drug and alcohol addiction. They also compare and contrast their experiences in the psych ward. Fun times! Follow Lizzy Cassidy on twitter: @lizzaster Follow Lizzy Cassidy on IG: @lizzycassidy Join the newsletter: jfodnews.com Follow JFOD on twitter: @TheRealJFOD

Jun 07, 20221 hr 6 min

Ep. 28 The "Manic-Impressive" Solo Show w/ Tristan J. Miller

In this episode, John F. O'Donnell is joined by actor and comedian, Tristan J. Miller. Tristan shares his experiences with Bipolar 2 Disorder. He also discusses his solo show, "Manic-Impressive." **Please subscribe, rate, review the pod. It really helps other people find out about it*** Support JFOD: patreon.com/typp Become a psycho: jfodnews.com Check out Tristan J. Miller's podcast: Positive and Negative Follow Tristan J. Miller on Instagram: @tristanjmiller

Aug 11, 202154 min

Ep. 27 Psychotic Disorder Not Otherwise Specified w/ Arthur Brem

In this episode of TYPP!, JFOD interviews podcaster, Arthur Brem. Arthur and John share the same diagnosis of Bipolar 1 Disorder! They compare and contrast and share stories of the more insane variety. It's a lot of fun. Enjoy the latest episode, and thanks for listening! **Please subscribe, rate, review the pod. It really helps other people find out about it*** Support JFOD: patreon.com/typp Become a psycho: jfodnews.com Check out Arthur Brem's podcast: rftb.me Follow Radio Free Tote Bag on Twi...

May 27, 20211 hr 2 min

Ep. 26 Psychedelics as Therapeutics and the Oneness of Life w/ Shelly Smith

In this episode of TYPP!, JFOD interviews his dear friend, Shelly Smith. Shelly is a ray of light and to know her is to love her. John and Shelly swap stories about their nearly twenty-year friendship. And then Shelly delves into her experiences with psychedelics. She explains their holistic and therapeutic qualities. Please enjoy this fascinating episode! **Please subscribe, rate, review the pod. It really helps other people find out about it*** Support JFOD: patreon.com/typp Become a psycho: j...

Apr 15, 20211 hr 24 min

Ep. 25 A Buddhist's Perspective on Mental Health w/ Rhonda Windham

In this episode of TYPP!, JFOD interviews Buddhist veterinarian and dear friend, Rhonda Windham. They explore mental health from the perspective of a Buddhist. ***Please subscribe, rate, review the pod. It really helps other people find out about it*** Support JFOD: patreon.com/typp Become a psycho: jfodnews.com Learn about Soka Gakkai International: sgi-usa.org

Feb 02, 20211 hr 22 min

Ep. 24 Challenges of Sobriety and Comedy on the Road During the Pandemic w/ Tim Warner

In this episode of TYPP!, JFOD interviews Tim Warner. Tim is on a multifaceted journey. He's on a figurative journey to stay sober. He's struggled with alcoholism for many years, but is doing great these days. He's also on a literal journey. He's been driving all over the country seeking out stage time to perform stand up comedy. This one is pretty dang inspirational, y'all. Enjoy and thanks for listening! ***Please subscribe, rate, review the pod. It really helps other people find out about it*...

Jan 21, 20211 hr 20 min

Ep. 23 Recent Bipolar II Diagnosis Plus Saving Manic JFOD w/ Andrea Allen

Close friend, comedian and host of the “Hot Mess Comedy Hour,” joins JFOD to discuss her very recent Bipolar II diagnosis, which she is taking in stride. She also tells the harrowing and hilarious story of what it was like to be part of the “JFOD Rescue Crew” during his last manic episode. ***Please subscribe, rate, review the pod. It really helps other people find out about it*** Support JFOD: patreon.com/typp Check out Andrea on IG: AndreaAllen69 Check out JFOD's YouTube channel: youtube.com/j...

Jan 06, 20212 hr 9 min

Ep. 22 Evolution of Consciousness and Keeping a Positive Frame of Mind w/ Chemda Khalili

In this long-awaited episode of TYPP!, JFOD is joined by longtime friend and podcasting pioneer, Chemda Khalili of Keith and the Girl. They delve deep into evolution of consciousness, keeping a positive frame of mind and the importance of gratitude, all while having a lot of fun and laughs throughout. Enjoy and thanks for listening! ***Please subscribe, rate, review the pod. It really helps other people find out about it*** Become a Psycho: jfodnews.com Check out Keith and the Girl: KATG.com Che...

Dec 22, 20201 hr 51 min

Ep. 21 JFOD’s Optimistic/Vulnerable Update After Having a Manic Episode

In this episode of TYPP!, JFOD is solo. He opens up about a recent manic episode that he’s still currently recovering from. Thanks for listening! ***Please subscribe, rate, review the pod. It really helps other people find out about it*** Become a Psycho: jfodnews.com Check out JFOD's YouTube channel: youtube.com/jfodcomedy

Dec 16, 202032 min

Ep. 20 Surviving the NYC Foster "They Don't" Care System w/ Kareem Green

In this episode of TYPP!, JFOD interviews the brilliant, hilarious, ball of positivity that is comedian, Kareem Green. Back in the day, Kareem was already established in the NYC comedy scene when JFOD moved to town. So this is a really fun opportunity for these two to reconnect and reminisce. Kareem graciously opens up about the difficulties he experienced growing up in the 1980's NYC foster care system. We also delve into his recent ADHD diagnosis. Kareem has been through a lot of gnarly shit a...

Aug 25, 20202 hr 11 min

Ep. 19 Addiction as Disease, Not Weakness. Bipolar 1 Versus Bipolar 2 w/ Hans Freiwald (Part 3)

This episode of TYPP! discusses the reality that addition to drugs and alcohol is a disease, not a weakness of character. Unfortunately, it's often still viewed in our society that a person experiencing addition just doesn't have the will power or strength to stop, like they're some sort of damaged or immoral person. This type of stigma is damaging for all involved, and it's actually a major deterrent to recovery. My guest, sketch comedian Hans Freiwald, who is in recovery from alcoholism, expla...

Jul 29, 20201 hr 38 min

Ep. 18 Secret Alcoholism and the Ridiculous Road to Recovery w/ Hans Freiwald (Part 2)

In this heartwarming, insightful and vulnerably hilarious interview with comedian Hans Freiwald, we share some of the wild experiences that we had together in the NYC comedy scene over the years. Hans also talks about what it was like to be my roommate while I was in the throws of mania. He then opens up about his “secret alcoholism” and lets us know about the dramatic event that almost killed him and, ultimately, started him on his road to recovery. I’m truly grateful to get to share this equal...

Jul 22, 20201 hr 29 min

Ep. 17 My Former Bipolar II, Alcoholic Roommate w/ Hans Freiwald

Hans Freiwald of the infamous 'The Jerk Practice' sketch group is a hilarious, insightful, kind and delightfully neurotic human being, who I am so grateful to get to call a dear friend. We came up together in the NYC comedy scene, and he was actually one of my roommates during my epic manic episode of 2008. Thus, he was in the epicenter of my wrath. We get into it. He also has been in recovery from alcoholism for a number of years now and has a recent diagnosis of Bipolar II Disorder, so we disc...

Jun 15, 20201 hr 33 min

Ep. 16 Adult Bedwetting in Order to Save His Family w/ OCD comedian Sean Patton

Sean Patton is a truly hilarious and original comedian. He's also a dear friend who has really been there for me throughout my struggles with Bipolar Disorder. In this episode of TYPP!, Sean very candidly and beautifully opens up about his struggles with OCD and what he’s been able to do to keep it in check. He explains all sorts of misconceptions about the disorder, and he owns what he’s been through in an inspired and hilarious way. Enjoy. ***Please subscribe, rate, review the pod. It really h...

Jun 02, 20201 hr 36 min

Ep. 15 Radical NYC Registered Nurse's Take on Mental Health w/ Syd Casey

Syd Casey is an NYC registered nurse in the thick of it in NYC during this pandemic. She explains her take on what's going on, shares her own struggles with mental illness and gives her informed opinion about reform that needs to happen with our heath care. This episode is full of piss and vinegar. Enjoy. ***Please subscribe, rate, review the pod. It really helps other people find it*** Become a Psycho: jfodnews.com Donate to Covid Bail Out NYC: covidbailout.org Check out JFOD's YouTube channel:...

May 20, 20201 hr 22 min

Ep. 14 Suicidal Ideation with the Jiu Jitsu Black Belt w/ Erin Herle (Part 2)

In this episode of TYPP! we continue our incredibly engaging, insightful, vulnerable and entertaining discussion with Jiu Jitsu black belt, Erin Herle. We discuss her struggles with Depression and triumphs with Jiu Jitsu. We also talk about family tragedy with her father and how she turned that into the service of tackling stigma around mental illness in the fight community. This interview was so much fun to do. Enjoy it, you Psychos. ***Please subscribe, rate, review the pod. It really helps ot...

May 08, 20201 hr 18 min

Ep. 13 Meet the Jiu Jitsu Black Belt with Generalized Anxiety Disorder w/ Erin Herle (Part 1)

Wow. What an awesome interview with the truly badass Erin Herle. She's a black belt in Jiu Jitsu and is now pursuing her MMA training. She started the #SubmitTheStigma movement which aims to break the silence about mental health issues in the fight community. In this interview, Erin speaks openly about her struggles with anxiety, ADHD, depression and family tragedy. She explains how finding Jiu Jitsu saved her. ***Please subscribe, rate, review the pod. It really helps other people find it*** Be...

Apr 30, 20201 hr 27 min

Ep. 12 An Even Deeper Dive Explanation of Borderline Personality Disorder w/ Jenn Tisdale (Part 2)

Jenn Tisdale of the 'Death Becomes Us Festival' and 'Brightest Young Things' continues to open up about her Borderline Personality Disorder. If you're left wanting to learn even more after the revelatory, vulnerable, honest and hilarious part 1, then part 2 is certainly for you. ***Please subscribe, rate, review the pod. It really helps other people find it*** Become a Psycho: jfodnews.com Check out Jenn Tisdale's true crime festival: brightestyoungthings.com/death-becomes-us Check out JFOD's Yo...

Apr 21, 20201 hr 14 min

Ep. 11 A Deep Dive Explanation of Borderline Personality Disorder w/ Jenn Tisdale (Part 1)

A lot of you Psychos have been asking me to do an episode about Borderline Personality Disorder. Well, I'm excited to say, here is that episode. My guest this week is my friend from DC, Jenn Tisdale, who is the creator of the popular true crime festival, 'Death Becomes Us.' She also has a diagnosis of Borderline Personality Disorder. Jenn was awesome enough to come on TYPP! and discuss this little understood, highly stigmatized mental disorder at length. Jenn was so engaging and insightful that ...

Apr 10, 20201 hr 25 min

Ep. 10 Going Mental While Escaping Lockdown in Italy w/ Ben Schiffer

Ben Schiffer is an accomplished UK screenwriter who is an old friend of John's. They catch up about when they studied in Dublin, Ireland together back in the day. They delve into John's manic episode that Ben was acutely around. This a deep cut manic episode from all the way back in 2003. Ben also tells the harrowingly hilarious tale of recently escaping Italy just as the lockdown was happening. Stay safe and well, psychos. And we hope you enjoy the episode. Keep an eye out for the new Netflix s...

Apr 03, 20201 hr 43 min

Ep. 9 Growing Up with a Schizoaffective Father w/ Claudia Cogan

Claudia Cogan is a brilliant comedian who John has been friends with for fifteen years. In this episode, she very graciously opens up about the struggles her father had with Schizoaffective disorder. She also gets into what it was like to grow up with a parent who had a severe mental illness. ***Please subscribe, rate, review the pod. It really helps other people find it*** Become a Psycho: jfodnews.com Follow Claudia Cogan on Twitter: @BlaudiaBlogan Check out JFOD's YouTube channel: youtube.com...

Mar 26, 20201 hr 17 min

Ep. 8 Self-care during self-quarantine, the listener-assisted episode

Host John F. O'Donnell is hunkered down all by himself in his Brooklyn apartment. With no direct access to a guest, he goes solo withe pod for the 1st time. Luckily, he has great questions, thoughts and insights from listeners to keep him on track. Topics discussed included Borderline Personality Disorder, how to be a good caregiver, a schizophrenic genius and how it feels to be diagnosed with a mental illness. ***Please subscribe, rate, review the pod. It really helps other people find it*** Be...

Mar 17, 20201 hr 7 min

Ep 6. Clinical Anxiety, Marijuana Versus Anti-Depressants w/ Carlos Delgado

It's the first ever interview episode of TYPP! with hilarious comedian and dear friend of John's, Carlos Delgado. Carlos opens up about his struggles with clinical anxiety and the personalized wellness regiment he has put in place. He also discusses the widespread stigma about mental illness that still exists in the Latino community. John and Carlos also talk comedy successes and failures with ironic bitterness. Yeah, let's go with that, ironic bitterness...

Mar 03, 20201 hr 23 min

Ep 5. Are we addicted to ourselves? It's the egomaniac episode.

John and Andrea reveal their egomaniac tendencies. They do just enough whining about their comedy careers to get some catharsis but not be too annoying about it. John delves into how he feels about actress, Chyler Leigh, coming out publicly about being Bipolar. Then John and Andrea take an egomaniac quiz called, "Ontological Addiction: Are You Addicted to Yourself?"

Feb 19, 20201 hr 21 min

Ep 4. Is JFOD's Blood Attacking His Brain?

John delves into a hilariously terrifying study about how the blood of people with Bipolar Disorder may be attacking their brains. He also talks about the difficulty of having to say goodbye to his therapist of the past two years. The episode also explores keeping perspective on actions we feel ashamed about, and how to get back on track when we're slipping with our health regiment. Plus, of course, more stories of mania and songs John thought were about him.

Feb 19, 20202 hr 30 min

Ep 3. Bipolar Versus Schizo-Affective Versus Schizophrenia

John opens this episode talking about a Tinder date whose "Psychopath" status totally blows him out of the water. He also delves into how when manic he tried to track down Esme Weijun Wang, the author of the brilliant, vulnerable and eye-opening book, "The Collected Schizophrenias." The heart of the episode is an earnest attempt to explain the difference between Bipolar, Schizo-Affective and Schizophrenia. Also, yet even more songs John thought were written about him.

Feb 19, 20201 hr 48 min

Ep 2. JFOD Graduates From Mental Health Court

It turns out that John F. O'Donnell has quite the backlog of his own personal insanity to explore. He has, after all, been dealing with a diagnosis of Bipolar 1 Disorder for close to 20 years. This time around he talks about his recent graduation from Mental Health Community Court in Washington, DC (Yes, that's a thing), how to overcome the shame of living with mental illness, and even more songs he thought were written about him.

Feb 19, 20201 hr 19 min

Ep 1. All Things Mentally Ill

This is the maiden voyage of John F. O'Donnell's new podcast. It's a comedic deep dive into the land of all things mentally ill. This episode's topics include the Hindu lady's 50th birthday party that a manic John attended uninvited, what it's like to deal with being on psychotropic medication, and the desire to create a healing, destigmatized community for all the "Psychos" out there.

Feb 05, 20201 hr 12 min

Ep 0. Introducing Take Your Pills, Psychopath!

"Take Your Pills, Psychopath!" is a comedy podcast that delves deep into the gnarly, misunderstood, painful hellscape of mental illness and boldly laughs in its face. Hosts John F. O'Donnell and Ben Siy-Hian aim to bring together a supportive community of people dealing with mental health issues, i.e. "Psychos," who can motivate each other to proactively take responsibility as best we can for our mental health, i.e. to figuratively or literally "Take our pills." Episodes include interviews with ...

Feb 04, 20201 min
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