Mayim Bialik's Breakdown

Justine Bateman, writer, director, producer, author, discusses the societal fears about aging, societal norms shaping perception of beauty, and the pressures to conform. They explore confronting irrational fears, societal value placed on different groups, and the impact of filters and cosmetic enhancements on perception of beauty.

Bob Odenkirk (Breaking Bad, Better Call Saul, Mr. Show) opens up about his recent near-death heart attack and the perspective it gave him, how he channels his fear, anxiety, and anger into his comedy, and how imposter syndrome has fit into the arc of his career. He breaks down the shame instilled into him throughout his Catholic upbringing, what it was like to watch his friends find fame before he did, and navigating his work ethic while still being around for his kids. Bob discusses the significance of the Hollywood strikes and the origins of his new book of poems he made with his kids. Bob’s daughter Erin joins the Breakdown to describe the creative process of working with her dad.NOTE: This episode was recorded before the Israel-Hamas conflict. Our hope is that MBB can be a positive distraction from what's going on in the world.Bob Odenkirk's new book, Zilot & Other Important Rhymes: https://a.co/d/7fDttFa BialikBreakdown.com YouTube.com/mayimbialik Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Former Spice Girls member Geri Halliwell-Horner discusses her career, writing books, and lessons from American culture. She talks about her experience as Ginger Spice, the significance of being a redhead, and her intuition in standing up for the Spice Girls' hit song. Mayim serenades Geri with Yiddish songs, and they discuss songwriting, becoming a mom, and the importance of self-worth.

Manti Te’o, former NFL player, discusses enduring a public catfishing scandal and his journey of self-discovery. He talks about the giving nature of his Samoan culture, the double-edged sword of having a public persona, and the impact of the devastating fires in Hawaii. He reflects on growing up as a college athlete in the public eye, the importance of family responsibility, and the significance of faith and curiosity in understanding others' lives. They also touch on navigating fame, staying grounded, and supporting Maui relief efforts to preserve Hawaiian culture.

Ben Stiller, famous actor and filmmaker, joins Mayim Bialik to discuss his parents' influence, his mental health journey as a child, saving his marriage during the pandemic, workaholism, making a documentary about his parents, and his mother's struggles with alcoholism. They also talk about therapy, growing up in an industry family, favorite Yiddish words, and the challenges of being parents.

Vanessa Bayer, SNL alum and cancer survivor, discusses using humor to cope with her diagnosis, her time on SNL, and her transcendental meditation practice. Her brother Jonah Bayer, a writer and podcaster, talks about his studies in mental health counseling and his own battle with leukemia. They talk about their love of Blossom, their working relationship, and the difficulties of mental health treatment.

Dr. Richard Davidson, Professor of Psychology and Psychiatry, Founder & Director of the Center for Healthy Minds, breaks down the efficacy of meditation and its impact on self-regulation and coping with trauma. He discusses how meditation can help parenting, the influence of expectations and narratives on perception, and the concept of 'emotional fingerprints.' The importance of teaching meditation to kids, the science of well-being, and the innate nature of love and kindness are also explored.

Matt Gutman (ABC News’s chief national correspondent, author of No Time to Panic) opens up about the panic attack he had while reporting on the Kobe Bryant helicopter crash, which led him to pursue every remedy under the sun to treat his panic disorder. He breaks down the difference between panic and anxiety attacks, their biological purpose, why they present so uniquely in each individual, and how they physically manifest for him. Matt explains the shame that comes with panic disorder, how his \"safety behaviors\" actually primed him for panic, and shares alarming statistics about panic disorders. He discusses the impact of losing his father at an early age, his family’s intergenerational trauma, his fears of imperfection and social rejection, and how his own trauma aids his journalistic career. Mayim opens up about her own personal experiences with panic attacks and she and Matt unpack all of the traditional and unconventional remedies he has explored, from traditional talk therapy to holotropic breathwork, reiki, and even toad venom. He discusses his immunity to ayahuasca, why crying needs a cultural rebrand, and how his recovery journey has made him a better father.Matt Gutman's new book, No Time to Panic: How I Curbed My Anxiety And Conquered A Lifetime Of Panic Attacks: https://a.co/d/feAfPmW BialikBreakdown.com YouTube.com/mayimbialik Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kim Kelly (independent journalist, author, organizer) breaks down why unions matter, what exactly is at stake with the current Hollywood strikes, and how her experience in sideshow school informed her passion for the labor movement. She discusses the diversity of the labor movement and how she navigates the emotional component, from child labor laws and fast fashion to the nail industry and instances of increased cancers in flight attendants. Kim opens up about being born with ectrodactyly, a rare congenital disorder, how that led her to join a sideshow school, and describes the fascinating history of sideshow and hierarchy of sideshow performers. She explains why prisoners deserve rights and how her career as a heavy metal journalist translates to the labor world, and Mayim explains radical veganism.Kim Kelly's Book, Fight Like Hell: The Untold History of American Labor: https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Fight-Like-Hell/Kim-Kelly/9781982171056 BialikBreakdown.com YouTube.com/mayimbialik Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Meditation pioneer Sharon Salzberg explores successful meditation, extending lovingkindness in the social media age, having compassion for enemies while fighting for others. She shares her traumatic childhood, anger towards meditation, and finding truth in it. Sharon discusses introspection with lovingkindness, balance and presence leading to self-compassion, and positives/negatives of anger. She compares meditation and prayer, commercialization vs mindfulness, importance of slowing down, and the power of love. Sharon's personal meditation practice is revealed.