Inside Mental Health

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 BioLauren 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 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

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 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

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 BioActor 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 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

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 BioDavid 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 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

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 BioDr. 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 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

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 BiosAbby 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

Guest Juli C. Liske, who lives with autism spectrum disorder and has children on the spectrum, discusses the relationship between autism and mental health. Topics include ADHD, debunking vaccines causing autism, the struggle with OCD and the need for specialized treatment, various approaches to treating autism, progress in diagnosing autism in women, and the misunderstood nature of OCD.

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 BioLilian 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 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

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 BioFrom 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 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

Why are conspiracy theories so popular, and why are so many people willing to believe the most unbelievable things? Today’s guest, New York Times’ bestselling author and historian Brad Meltzer, explains that the idea of secret societies and conspiracy theories are actually mirrors that reflect a culture’s fears, insecurities, and fascinations.Join us as Brad shares examples of how the Kennedy assassination conspiracy changed from decade to decade, how to speak with a friend or family member who believes in a conspiracy, and exactly who is buried in John Wilkes Booth’s grave.To learn more -- or read the transcript -- visit the show's official episode page here.Guest BioBrad Meltzer is the #1 New York Times’ bestselling author of 12 previous thrillers, including “The Escape Artist,” with more than 11 million copies sold. He also helped find the missing 9/11 flag with his History Channel TV show “Brad Meltzer’s Lost History” and “Brad Meltzer's Decoded.” In addition, he’s the author of the nonfiction bestseller “The Lincoln Conspiracy,” as well as the blockbuster children’s history book series “Ordinary People Change the World.” A PBS KIDS TV show based on his books, “Xavier Riddle and the Secret Museum,” now has 28 million viewers and was recently nominated for multiple Emmys and TCA Awards. Meltzer has written bestselling comic books with Superman, Batman, and Spider-Man. The Hollywood Reporter put him on their list of the 25 Most Powerful Authors, he’s a favorite author of multiple U.S. Presidents, and he’s been asked to serve as a member of the America250 Council to celebrate the upcoming 250th birthday of the country. He lives in Florida with his wife and three children.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