Inside Mental Health

“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 BioJennette 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 HostGabe 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 BioDr. 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 HostGabe 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 BioDr. 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 HostGabe 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 BioIgnacia 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 HostGabe 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 BioDave 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 HostGabe 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 BioWil 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 HostGabe 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 BioLuisa 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.ukInside Mental Health Podcast HostGabe 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 BioConsidered 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 HostGabe 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 BioTHEO 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 HostGabe 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 BioSince 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 HostGabe 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