Mental Illness Happy Hour

Bo V, a stand-up comedian, actor, and writer, shares their journey navigating self-judgment and shame while embracing their non-binary identity. They discuss their search for a supportive church community after leaving Catholicism and the healing power of love and companionship. The conversation delves into the challenges of people-pleasing, personal trauma, and the importance of authenticity in mental health. Bo reflects on the complex dynamics with family and how these experiences shape their self-acceptance and identity.

Rich Forer, a Jewish-American author and activist, shares his journey from being a member of AIPAC to witnessing a profound shift in his views on Palestine. He discusses the complexities of Jewish identity amidst anti-Zionism, confronting personal biases while exploring the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Forer reveals how empathy towards Palestinian struggles led to a transformative awakening, emphasizing the importance of understanding shared humanity beyond cultural constructs. He urges listeners to address historical injustices and promote compassion in healing.

Dr. Jessica Zucker returns to the podcast for her 4th visit, focusing on the importance of talking about hard things: Cancer, miscarriages, perimenopause, and more. Watch for her new book, Normalize It: Upending the Silence, Stigma, and Shame That Shape Women's Lives.More about Jessica:Where to buy her book:AmazonBookshopInstagram: @ihadamiscarriageWebsite: drjessicazucker.comIf you’re interested in seeing or buying the furniture that Paul designs and makes follow his IG for his woodworking which is transitioning from @MIHHfurniture to its new handle @ShapedFurniture  WAYS TO HELP THE MIHH PODCASTSubscribe via iTunes. It costs nothing. It’s extremely helpful to have your subscription set to download all episodes automatically. https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/mental-illness-happy-hour/id427377900?mt=2Spread the word via social media.  It costs nothing.Our website is www.mentalpod.com our FB is www.Facebook.com/mentalpod and our Twitter and Instagram are both @Mentalpod Become a much-needed Patreon monthly-donor (with occasional rewards) for as little as $1/month at www.Patreon.com/mentalpod  Become a one-time or monthly donor via PayPal at https://mentalpod.com/donateYou can also donate via Zelle (make payment to mentalpod@gmail.com) To donate via Venmo make payment to @Mentalpod See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Mark M, a friend of Paul from a support group, shares his compelling story of addiction and deception. He reflects on his complicated family life and the losses he has endured, particularly around the tragic death of his brother due to alcoholism. Mark discusses navigating emotional vulnerability in relationships and the importance of support and communication in his recovery journey. He also touches on balancing personal responsibilities with professional duties, emphasizing the power of community in healing from grief and addiction.

Jennifer Westcott is a therapist who has shared her story of sexual abuse at the hands of her mother. She returns for her second visit on the pod and opens up about the emotional hangover she had after recording her first episode. In this episode, she digs into her healing journey and the immense progress she’s made.More about Jennifer:https://youtube.com/@therapistsanctuary?si=LXxyNlcClD00m-Qzhttps://www.holistichealingcounselling.com/therapist-sanctuaryhttps://insta.openinapp.co/7s936If you’re interested in seeing or buying the furniture that Paul designs and makes follow his IG for his woodworking which is transitioning from @MIHHfurniture to its new handle @ShapedFurniture  WAYS TO HELP THE MIHH PODCASTSubscribe via iTunes. It costs nothing. It’s extremely helpful to have your subscription set to download all episodes automatically. https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/mental-illness-happy-hour/id427377900?mt=2Spread the word via social media.  It costs nothing.Our website is www.mentalpod.com our FB is www.Facebook.com/mentalpod and our Twitter and Instagram are both @Mentalpod Become a much-needed Patreon monthly-donor (with occasional rewards) for as little as $1/month at www.Patreon.com/mentalpod  Become a one-time or monthly donor via PayPal at https://mentalpod.com/donateYou can also donate via Zelle (make payment to mentalpod@gmail.com) To donate via Venmo make payment to @Mentalpod See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this enlightening discussion, therapist Jennifer Westcott shares her harrowing journey of recalling sexual abuse by her mother, shedding light on the often-taboo topic of maternal sexual abuse. She delves into the emotional complexities of reconciling love with pain and the societal challenges that make acknowledgment difficult. Jennifer candidly recounts her family's painful reactions and how therapy, along with the support of her husband, has been crucial in her healing process. This heartfelt conversation emphasizes the importance of shared experiences and the struggle for validation.

Dr. Blaise Aguirre, an Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at Harvard, specializes in dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) for borderline personality disorder. He dives into the complexities of self-hatred, explaining how these feelings are learned rather than inherent. His new book, "I Hate Myself," offers insights on overcoming self-loathing. Aguirre emphasizes the importance of emotional regulation and compassionate dialogue in DBT, sharing strategies for managing mental health and the journey towards self-acceptance amid societal pressures.

Ryan Sheldon (@RealRyanSheldon) is a speaker, a model, an eating disorder advocate, and the author of F*ckboys Are Boring: A Gay Man’s Guide to Dating (For Everyone). He shares excerpts from his book and talks about his lifelong journey to self-acceptance, through eating disorders, body image issues, and dating all the wrong men. He also shares tips on healthy ways to look for partners. More about Ryan:@RealRyanSheldonwww.TheRyanSheldon.comIf you’re interested in seeing or buying the furniture that Paul designs and makes follow his IG for his woodworking which is transitioning from @MIHHfurniture to its new handle @ShapedFurniture  WAYS TO HELP THE MIHH PODCASTSubscribe via iTunes. It costs nothing. It’s extremely helpful to have your subscription set to download all episodes automatically. https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/mental-illness-happy-hour/id427377900?mt=2Spread the word via social media.  It costs nothing.Our website is www.mentalpod.com our FB is www.Facebook.com/mentalpod and our Twitter and Instagram are both @Mentalpod Become a much-needed Patreon monthly-donor (with occasional rewards) for as little as $1/month at www.Patreon.com/mentalpod  Become a one-time or monthly donor via PayPal at https://mentalpod.com/donateYou can also donate via Zelle (make payment to mentalpod@gmail.com) To donate via Venmo make payment to @Mentalpod See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This Best Of episode was originally recorded and aired in 2015. Jeanie, a writer, talks about being parentless at 3 and the complex relationship with her mentally disabled sister whom she now has guardianship of. She and Paul bond over suicidal thoughts, isolating and much much moreFor more about Jeanie's writing https://scriptanatomy.com/jeanie-bergen/Substack https://itcanbeboth.substack.com/If you’re interested in seeing or buying the furniture that Paul designs and makes follow his IG for his woodworking which is transitioning from @MIHHfurniture to its new handle @ShapedFurniture  WAYS TO HELP THE MIHH PODCASTSubscribe via iTunes. It costs nothing. It’s extremely helpful to have your subscription set to download all episodes automatically. https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/mental-illness-happy-hour/id427377900?mt=2Spread the word via social media.  It costs nothing.Our website is www.mentalpod.com our FB is www.Facebook.com/mentalpod and our Twitter and Instagram are both @Mentalpod Become a much-needed Patreon monthly-donor (with occasional rewards) for as little as $1/month at www.Patreon.com/mentalpod  Become a one-time or monthly donor via PayPal at https://mentalpod.com/donateYou can also donate via Zelle (make payment to mentalpod@gmail.com) To donate via Venmo make payment to @Mentalpod See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.