Mayim Bialik's Breakdown

Kal Penn (Harold and Kumar, House, Designated Survivor, author of You Can’t Be Serious) discusses navigating and overcoming stereotypes and racial biases in Hollywood. He considers the feelings of motivation and anxiety that can stem from family expectations, how a lens of positivity can lead to less stress, and ways to overcome apathy about making a societal impact. Mayim and Kal bond over their time at UCLA and working together on The Big Bang Theory. Kal opens up about the cultural phenomenon of the Harold & Kumar franchise, how he became involved in the Obama administration, and being a late bloomer in terms of his sexuality.Kal Penn's Book: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1982171383/kalpenn-20 BialikBreakdown.com YouTube.com/mayimbialik Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dr Joe Dispenza (bestselling author, researcher, speaker) breaks down practical steps we can take to unlock our potential. He discusses his early days of hypnotizing his roommates, the philosophy of yoga, and the three different types of stress. Dr Joe explains the neuroscience behind why rumination and invoking feelings of the past are harmful to personal growth and how biochemistry can impact pathways. He considers the reason most change is facilitated by crisis or trauma, the benefits of mental rehearsal, and somatic reactions to emotional responses. BialikBreakdown.com YouTube.com/mayimbialik Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Felicia Day (author, actress Supernatural, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, The Guild) stops by to discuss the pursuit of her own creative endeavors after feeling like she didn’t belong. She explains the positives and negatives of her socially isolated homeschool upbringing and people-pleasing tendencies. Felicia touches on imposter syndrome, the commoditization of artists, and the importance of setting the template for those who come after you in your industry. Mayim and Felicia consider the consequences of allowing others to determine your self-worth, especially through the use of social media.Watch Felicia Day on Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/feliciaday BialikBreakdown.com YouTube.com/mayimbialik Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Colin Quinn (comedian, actor, author, former Saturday Night Live "Weekend Update" host) stops by to discuss the science of stand-up and his journey toward sobriety. He takes us through his comedic evolution, from heckling teachers in school to pursuing comedy full-time after getting sober. Colin opens up about his unrecognized issues manifesting during his time at SNL, his experiences with jungian therapy, and his belief in purgatory. Mayim and Colin discuss sensory reactions to comedic timing, comedic sensibilities informed by demographics, and the consequences of ego.See Colin Quinn on Tour: http://colinquinn.com/ BialikBreakdown.com YouTube.com/mayimbialik Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nikki Blonsky (Hairspray, Huge series, Bosco film) stops by to discuss the importance of seeing oneself represented accurately in the media, body type stigmas, and her coming our journey. She opens up about her start as a singer, the moment she first fell in love with Hairspray and how it changed her life. Nikki shares the tension she faced in the entertainment industry from not fitting the mold, the origins and evolution of her self-confidence, and how she feels about the notion of radical self-acceptance. Mayim considers self-awareness and situations where we may not always present our true selves. BialikBreakdown.com YouTube.com/mayimbialik Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Corey Taylor (frontman for Slipknot and Stone Sour, NY Times bestselling author) opens up about his early drug and alcohol addiction and how he makes sense of his extrasensory observations with the paranormal. He discusses his difficult childhood, his process of discovering music and writing as an outlet, and his journey toward sobriety. Corey explains the depression he faced after suffering a severe spinal cord injury from a stage dive, using therapy to find healthier ways to parent, and how he was able to quit smoking cigarettes. He shares his intense experiences with paranormal intelligent energy and how he makes sense of the phenomena. Mayim breaks down the scientific understanding of Chi energy and its important role in medical treatment.See Corey Taylor on tour with Slipknot: https://slipknot1.com/events/ BialikBreakdown.com YouTube.com/mayimbialik Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dr. Maya Shankar (cognitive scientist, Senior Advisor to Obama administration, host of Slight Change of Plans podcast) breaks down the role of language in cognition and why understanding human behavior makes a huge difference in informing government policy. She discusses her pivot from Juilliard violinist into neuroscience after suffering a permanent hand injury as a teenager, and how she created her own role in the White House. Mayim and Maya explain why "I" statements are the best way to communicate difficult emotions, the benefits of speaking to yourself in third person, and achieving positive lifestyle changes through a technique called "temptation bundling." Maya opens up about using her anxious thoughts to propel her to strive for positive change in the world, and the benefits of spending effective time in the past and future. Mayim addresses the notion of self-sabotage within a relationship in another installment of Ask Mayim Anything.Dr. Maya Shankar's Podcast: http://podcasts.pushkin.fm/slight-change-of-plans BialikBreakdown.com YouTube.com/mayimbialik Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Moby (musician, DJ, photographer, author, animal rights activist) opens up about his unconventional childhood, what sobriety has taught him, and the effectiveness of activism. He discusses his drug and alcohol abuse which began at an early age and being forced to drop out of college due to crippling panic attacks. Moby details the impact his anxiety had on his journey to pursuing a musical career, why being vegan is a core aspect of who he is, and what philosophy can teach us about our sense of self. Mayim and Moby consider the painful journey of getting to know oneself, achieving fulfillment and happiness through being of service to others, and the process of overcoming the fear-driven desire for control.  BialikBreakdown.com YouTube.com/mayimbialik Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Look for more exclusive rapid fire episodes on @bialikbreakdown!  BialikBreakdown.com YouTube.com/mayimbialik Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nora McInerny (Terrible, Thanks for Asking podcast, author of Bad Vibes Only) helps us build understanding around grief by taking us through her own grief journey. She discusses what her life was like before suffering extreme loss, what happened upon receiving her husband’s terminal brain cancer diagnosis, and how she dealt with a miscarriage and the loss of her father and husband weeks apart. Nora and Mayim consider the struggle of dealing with people’s expectations of your feelings during mourning periods, why it may be difficult to relate to people who are moving through grief, and the importance of allowing oneself time to truly grieve. They discuss reasons why mourning is so specific and individualistic, productivity associated with grief, and the benefits of finding a support group. Mayim breaks down the typical grief timeline, its physical symptoms, and its potential impact on every area of one’s life.Nora's Book: https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Bad-Vibes-Only/Nora-McInerny/9781982186715Nora's Podcast: https://www.ttfa.org/ BialikBreakdown.com YouTube.com/mayimbialik Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices