

Mayim Bialik's Breakdown
Mayim Bialik
Mayim Bialik’s Breakdown is a quirky, informative, and interactive podcast breaking down the myths and misunderstandings about mental health and emotional well-being. Neuroscientist Mayim Bialik combines her academic background with vast personal experience to provide listeners with valuable practical advice focusing on removing the stigma surrounding mental health and encouraging an understanding of the mind-body connection. Nothing is off limits as Mayim breaks it down with an amazing collection of guests.
Episodes
Mentioned books

8 snips
Nov 1, 2022 • 1h 34min
Dr. Gabor Maté: Who Gets Sick, and How to Prevent it
Dr. Gabor Maté (addiction, stress, and childhood development speaker & bestselling author) joins us to explain which groups of people tend to be most prone to chronic illness, practical ways we can prevent these diagnoses, and the link between childhood trauma and mental & physical health conditions later on in life. He details health conditions you may not know have stress-related causes and explains why healthy attachment and meeting a child’s needs is even more important than we think. Dr. Maté identifies characteristics of those who are prone to chronic illness, reveals why autoimmune diseases predominantly affect women, and discusses the dangers of systematic denial of our emotions. He and Mayim consider the ways well-meaning loving parents can unintentionally create lower level trauma in their kids, how feelings of being unwanted can lead to workaholism, and the limitations of a traditional nuclear family. They discuss Dr. Maté’s time working at a supervised injection site, why most people in the prison system are highly traumatized, and why trauma goes hand-in-hand with addiction.Dr. Gabor Maté's New Book, THE MYTH OF NORMAL: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/608273/the-myth-of-normal-by-gabor-mate-md-with-daniel-mate/
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Oct 25, 2022 • 1h 1min
Cassandra "Elvira" Peterson: Happy, Healthy, Dead
Cassandra Peterson ("Elvira, Mistress of the Dark" horror icon) drops by for a super spooky special episode of MBB! She discusses her love for Halloween and the macabre, her time living in a haunted house, and the time she witnessed an actual murder. We hear about her small town beginnings, from growing up on a farm to becoming the youngest showgirl in Vegas history. We delve into the origins of her "Elvira" persona, the confidence the character gives her, and Elvira’s impact on modern culture. Cassandra reflects on her Groundlings comedy days with Paul "Pee-wee Herman" Reubens and Phil Hartman, and her current long term relationship with a woman after being married to a man for 25 years. She breaks down the empowerment that comes from owning your body and sexuality, society’s often impossible standards for women, and the science of mind.Cassandra "Elvira" Peterson's Book: https://www.hachettebooks.com/titles/cassandra-peterson/yours-cruelly-elvira/9780306874352/
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Oct 18, 2022 • 1h 14min
Gabriel Iglesias: On Stage Nothing Hurts
Gabriel "Fluffy" Iglesias (comedian) opens up about redefining himself after his long term relationship came to an end, the therapeutic benefits he gets from sharing his struggles onstage, and the significance of his milestones in relation to his Mexican heritage. He discusses the origins of his sense of humor, being bullied as a kid, and why he chose to have a sober period. Gabriel explains how his dogs help him regulate his emotions, why he had always been reluctant to start therapy, and how therapy has taught him to be a better listener in every area of his life. He and Mayim bond over their processes for "coming down" after a performance high before geeking out over Gabriel’s incredible car collection. Mayim and Jonathan consider the importance of having positive communication tools when discussing difficult topics in any relationship. Gabriel Iglesias' Website: https://fluffyguy.com/
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Oct 11, 2022 • 1h 1min
Iliza Shlesinger: Be Skeptical, Not Cynical
Iliza Shlesinger (comedian, actor, writer, producer and author) returns to the podcast to reveal the solutions to her somatic pain, the changing cultural sensitivity toward comedy, and her approach to expressing anger. She discusses the origins and process of her observational and inclusive comedy style, new motherhood, and the epidemic of online hate, especially toward women. Mayim and Iliza break down the difference between being skeptical and cynical, the risks of consuming negative news, and the dangers of materialism.Iliza's new Netflix special, HOT FOREVER: https://www.netflix.com/title/81485998Iliza's new book ALL THINGS ASIDE: https://www.abramsbooks.com/product/all-things-aside_9781419759406/See Iliza on Tour: https://www.iliza.com/tourCheck out the cool original music from @TimaLikesMusic featured in Iliza's new special: https://www.tiktok.com/@timalikesmusic?lang=en
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Oct 4, 2022 • 1h 1min
Alanis Morissette: Self-Care is No Longer a Luxury
Alanis Morissette (singer, songwriter, musician) breaks down different versions of restoration, the dangers of intolerance and a lack of boundary-setting, and the beauty of anger as a catalyst for positive change. She explains why meditation may not be for everyone, the benefits of guided meditations, and her approach to creating her new meditation album. Alanis opens up about the origins of her disordered eating, her prophetic visions about her career, and the dangers of turning anger inward. Mayim and Jonathan discuss the reasons we project our parents’ relationship onto our own partners, cranial sacral therapy, and what it means to truly rest. Stick around until the end to hear Mayim sing and dissect Alanis lyrics!Alanis Morissette's Meditation Album: https://orcd.co/thestormbeforethecalmSee Alanis Morissette on Tour: https://alanis.com/events
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Sep 27, 2022 • 59min
Candace Cameron Bure: Have Grace in Everything You Do
Candace Cameron Bure (Full House actress, producer, director, author) joins us to discuss her transition from child star to wife and mom, her 4 secrets to a happy marriage, and Bob Saget’s impact on her life and her grief journey after his passing. Mayim recounts auditioning for Candace’s role as "D.J. Tanner" on Full House . She and Candace consider how structure from child acting has impacted their adult personalities, and how that structure was both a source of comfort and cause of harm that led to disordered eating. They discuss the importance of sex physically, emotionally, and spiritually, and Mayim breaks down sex as a communication tool in relationships. Candace, Mayim, and Jonathan take part in a fun and meaningful "Gratitude Challenge"!Take Candace Cameron Bure's Gratitude Challenge yourself here!: https://candacecbure.com/gratitude/Candace Cameron Bure's Clothing Line: https://www.qvc.com/fashion/candace-cameron-bure/_/N-lgltZ13kj9af/c.html
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Sep 20, 2022 • 1h 13min
Reggie Watts: Seek Different Points of View
Reggie Watts (bandleader on The Late Late Show with James Corden, Comedian/Writer/Actor) joins us to break down his experiences with depression and psychedelics, the science behind addiction and improvisation, and his plans after The Late Late Show with James Corden comes to an end. He discusses growing up on air force bases and as one of the only POC in his town, the factors from his childhood that influenced his humor and creativity, and what the Seattle grunge music scene was really like in the 90’s. Reggie opens up about experiencing depression derived from body image issues, a bottleneck in creativity, and the current state of humanity. He considers how psychedelics can be used as tools to gain self-understanding, shares the importance of incorporating transcendental experiences into everyday life, and he and Jonathan bond over their optimism about technology.Reggie Watts' Band, Wajatta: https://wajatta.lnk.to/downReggie Watts' App, WattsApp: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/wattsapp-by-reggie-watts/id1489429381
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Sep 13, 2022 • 1h 15min
Charlamagne Tha God: Harness Your Superpowers
Charlamagne Tha God (The Breakfast Club radio show, Comedy Central’s Hell of a Week, bestselling author, philanthropist) discusses his journey to discovering his true self apart from his famous radio persona, how CBT therapy taught him to unlearn, and his positive and frightening encounters with the spirit realm. He opens up about his history with panic attacks, the vigilance he developed while selling drugs, and how anxiety can sometimes be his superpower. Charlamagne details growing up Jehovah’s Witness, why he believes God is a woman, and the origins of his dark sense of humor. He explains why he uses his authentic, unapologetic voice to touch on touchy subjects especially around mental health gaps in the Black community, including the intergenerational trauma and institutional racism that can prevent minorities from seeking support. Mayim and Charlamagne consider anxiety around returning to our hometowns and bond over their love for Marvel comics and Judy Blume books.Mental Wealth Alliance: https://www.mentalwealthalliance.com/Charlamagne Tha God's Books: https://www.cthagodworld.com/books
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Sep 6, 2022 • 1h 9min
Zak Williams: Discover Opportunities for Post-Traumatic Growth
Zak Williams (son of the late Robin Williams, mental health advocate, Call For Help Podcast) discusses the benefits and challenges of the new 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (formerly known as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline). He talks openly about the struggles he faced after the loss of his father, including self-medication with alcohol, PTSD, generalized anxiety disorder, and depression. Zak and Mayim break down the complexities of death by suicide, public mourning, and the clinical symptoms of PTSD. They explain why law enforcement isn’t always the most well-suited to respond to mental health crisis calls and why individuals in the prison system may not always get the mental health support they need. Jonathan opens up about the survivor’s guilt he faced after his brother’s near fatal car accident, and how the trauma of the event altered his family dynamics.Listen to "Call For Help" (Lemonada Media) here: https://link.chtbl.com/CallForHelp
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Sep 1, 2022 • 48min
Steve-O Part 2: I’ve Beaten Bigger Odds Than This
Part 2 of our interview with Steve-O! (Jackass, A Hard Kick in the Nuts book, Steve-O’s Wild Ride podcast) Steve-O discusses life after clown college, including his job performing as a clown on a cruise ship, finding his bottom, and the intervention that friend and fellow Jackass castmate Johnny Knoxville organized for him. He reveals why he finally decided to take his stay in a mental health facility and sober living home seriously, his advice for those who want to do what he does, and the value enthusiasm has over talent or intellect. Steve-O opens up about feeling funnier now that he lives a sober life than he ever was while he was under the influence, and explains why his value is made up of more than his skills as a performer.See Steve-O on Tour: https://www.steveo.com/pages/tour-datesPre-Order Steve-O's New Book: https://www.hachettebooks.com/titles/stephen-steve-o-glover/a-hard-kick-in-the-nuts/9780306826771/Steve-O's Podcast: https://www.steveo.com/pages/podcast
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