Mental Illness Happy Hour

The 34 year-old British writer/comedian/performer shares about the pain of her parents' nasty divorce when she was a kid, especially her father using her as a pawn and poisoning her mind about her mother. She also shares about her depression and only being turned on by men who treat her badly or are in some way unavailable. She talks about her struggle to not equate her self-worth with her career ups and downs and overcome her fear of not being enough. This episode is sponsored by MVMT watches. Get 15% off today with FREE shipping and FREE returns by going to www.mvmtwatches.com/mental This episode is sponsored by the magazine app Texture. For a 14 day FREE trial go to www.texture.com/mental To become a monthly donor to the podcast (and get rewards by Paul) sign up at www.patreon.com/mentalpod Follow Luisa on Twitter at www.twitter.com/luisaomielan Check out her website www.ILoveLuisa.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Priva

The actor/comedian (@Midnight) opens up about his recent suicide attempt, psych ward stay  and how it is motivating him to seek help and try to be a better husband, father and friend.  He shares about trying to break the cycle of bad parenting and untreated addiction/mental illness in his family and learn how to identify and express his emotions instead of coping with his anxiety and depression by getting high.  He also expresses his regret in being a bad parent to his 2 daughters, a bad husband to his first wife and his treatment and attitude towards women. This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp.com  To try a week of online counseling for free, go to www.betterhelp.com/mental This episode is sponsored by ZipRecruiter.  To post jobs for free go to www.ZipRecruiter.com/first This episode is sponsored by MadisonReed.  For 10% off your first color kit and free shipping go to www.Madison-Reed.com and use offer code HAPPY To support the podcast's new donation option Patreon (with level-based rewards for donors!)

Only hugged once in her life by her mother, 25 year-old Yohana is the daughter of conservative East African war refugees from Ethiopia & Eritrea.  All her life she has buried her rage by wearing the "good girl" mask to try to placate her narcissistic mother and having to be someone else to survive as a kid growing up in Oakland where there were some fixed ideas of what makes someone an "authentic African-American".  She shares about living with a learning disability, having physically disabled siblings(and a mother who is ashamed of them) and a passive father. She talks about her battles with body shame, emotional eating, anxiety and depression. This episode is sponsored by MadisonReed.  For 10% off your first hair color kit (and free shipping) go to www.Madison-Reed.com and use offer code HAPPY Follow Yohana on Twitter @Yohnkid For info and tickets to the upcoming live MIHH event at the In This Together Festival in Los Angeles go to www.ITTFest.com  It's Sunday Nov 13th and starts at 4pm.  Paul will be i

The 31 year-old writer discusses feminism, sexual violence and misogyny in the context of partisan politics, and her personal life. She shares about the complexities of marrying a Muslim, growing up being told "you're too sensitive", avoiding her emotions by achieving, hating her body, fighting the drill sergeant in her head and learning the power of being vulnerable and letting go of shame. Jamie's links Facebook: facebook.com/jamievaron Twitter: twitter.com/jamievaron Instagram: instagram.com/jamievaron All my published writing: jamievaron.com/writing Writing workshops: http://workshops.jamievaron.com This episode is sponsored by Madison Reed.  For 10% off your first color kit (and free shipping go to www.Madison-Reed.com and use the offer code HAPPY This episode is sponsored by Young Health's Probimune.  To get your first bottle free (plus $6.75 shipping) go to www.probimune.com and use offer code MENTAL This episode is sponsored by ZipRecruiter.  Listeners can post jobs free by going to www.ZipRecruiter.c

Jeff is Paul's friend of 28 years and the son of former guest and Holocaust survivor Kristine Keese. He shares about her recent passing, their deep but complicated relationship, how he made peace with her being "a terrible mom but a great friend" and the book she wrote Shadows of Survival: A Child's Memoir of the Warsaw Ghetto.  Buy Kristine's book here. Follow Jeff on Twitter @Jeff_Rosie Visit Jeff's Facebook page This episode is sponsored by Meundies.  For 20% off your first order go to www.meundies.com/mental This episode is sponsored by Young Health's Probimune.  For a free bottle go to www.probimune.com and use offer code MENTAL when you sign up for automated delivery. This episode is sponsored by MVMT watches.  For 15% off today with free shipping and free returns  go to www.mvmtwatches.com/mental For tix or info on the In This Together Festival Nov 13th in Los Angeles at the Avalon go to www.ITTFest.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/priva

The writer/improviser shares about the mental/emotional breakdown her freshman year of college at NYU that left her living in her car and squatting in empty buildings in New York City.  She looks back on her childhood and the familial love that was so often conditional, based on her weight and appearance.  She opens up about the body shaming women in her family unconsciously modeled for her, her relationship with food, difficulty setting boundaries with toxic people and finding out what she really wants instead of living to meet other people's expectations of her. This episode is sponsored by Young Health's Probimune.  For your first bottle free (plus $6.75 shipping) go to www.probimune.com and use offer code MENTAL This episode is sponsored by Casper mattresses.  Go to www.casper.com/mental This episode is sponsored by ZipRecruiter.com  Listeners can post jobs for free by going to www.ziprecruiter.com/first See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy

The 33 year-old listener was the woman who comforted Murray Valeriano during our live episode last week.  From a blended family with every kind of abuse imaginable, including her church elder step-grandfather who molested her, her descent into meth and drinking, finding sobriety, and getting therapy for her traumas. This episode is sponsored by Casper Mattresses.  Visit www.casper.com/mental This episode is sponsored by Criquet Shirts.  For 20% off your first purchase visit www.criquetshirts.com/mental and use offer code MENTAL This episode is sponsored by New Health's Probimune.  By signing up for automated delivery you'll get your first bottle free (plus $6.75 shipping and handling) Go to www.probimune.com and use offer code MENTAL at checkout. Click for free tickets to the UC Berkley panel Paul is participating in on OCT 17th. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The comedian/writer/podcaster had never talked much about losing his virginity at 15 to a 32 year-old tutor.  Tonight that changed and so did his view of the event and aftermath.  He also opens up about being a preacher's kid (who wasn't even allowed to see Footloose), being a father and the role "forbidden" music played in helping him cope as young man. If you would like to watch video of this episode, it will be archived at www.lapodfest.com (with all the other shows at the festival) until Oct 25th.  For $5 off use offer code HAPPY Listen to Murray's podcast Road Stories www.roadstories.tv (or Itunes)  Follow Murray on Twitter www.twitter.com/murrayv Check out his tour dates and his album Rusty Cow at Murray's website www.murrayvaleriano.com His Facebook page is www.facebook.com/murrayvalerianocomedy For info on the Out of The Darkness Walk go to www.chicagowalk.org This episode is sponsored by Young Health's Probimune.  For your first bottle free (plus $6.75 shipping) go to www.probimune.com and use offer

The producer/host of WNYC's Snap Judgment shares about being raised in a fundamentalist Christian cult, strategies he's used to survive racism, what he learned by visiting Japan as a college student, his struggles with bipolar and his family's history of mental illness especially his late brother. This episode is sponsored by Young Health's Probimune.  For your first bottle free (plus $6.75 shipping) go to www.Probimune.com and use offer code MENTAL. For more information on LAPodfest go to www.LAPodfest.com and use offer code HAPPY for $5 off.   The festival is Sept 23-25 in LA.  Our podcast records Sun Sept 25th at 9pm.  It can be watched in person, live streaming or up to 30 days archived. For more information on the In This Together Festival, where Paul will be interviewing NBA player Royce White, go to www.ITTFest.com  The festival is Nov 13th in LA. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/priv

You probably know her as the little girl from Matilda or Mrs. Doubtfire but you probably don't know that's around the time she lost her mom, developed OCD, anxiety, depression and panic attacks and that today she is an advocate for mental health.  She is also a playwright, author (Where Am I Now?) and still occasionally acts. This episode is sponsored by Probimune.  For your first bottle free and just $6.75 Shipping/handling go to www.Probimune.com and use offer code MENTAL Buy Mara's new book Where Am I Now? Follow Mara on Twiiter @MaraWilson Visit her webpage and blog at www.MaraWilsonWritesStuff.com For tickets or info about LAPodfest (Sept 23-25) visit www.LAPodfest.com  The podcast will be doing a live recording Sunday night Sept 25. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The psychiatrist and therapist talks about sexual trauma in the military, powerful men who fear intimacy, meds, treating personality disorders, doing therapy via Skype, the therapy process and why insurance companies suck. Check out Dr Dabney's site www.drldabney.com Buy tix to see MIHH at LAPodfest Sept 23-25 www.lapodfest.com  (MIHH is recording Sun. Sept 25th at 9pm) This episode is sponsored by Chicagoland Out of the Darkness Walk by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevent www.chicagowalk.org This episode is sponsored by BlueApron. To try your first three meals free with free delivery go to www.BlueApron.com/mental This episode is sponsored by Young Health's Probimune. For 50% off your first purchase of Probimune go to www.probimune.com  and use offer code MENTAL See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The comedian and actress talks her anxiety and depression, being raised in an incredibly anxious household, being bullied throughout childhood for her height (she was six feet tall in 8th grade), and raising two boys in a same sex marriage. This episode is sponsored by Young Health's Probimune. For 50% of your first order go to www.probimune.com and use offer code MENTAL at checkout.  This episode is sponsored by Meundies. For 20% of your first order go to www.meundies.com/mental  Follow Judy on Twitter @JewdyGold Check out her website www.judygold.com Check out her podcast Kill Me Now. For tix or info for LAPodfest (Sept 23-25, MIHH will be recording a live ep Sun Sept 25 at 9pm) go to www.lapodfest.com and use offer code HAPPY for $5 off. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

"My coach raped me over 200 times". The truth that Theo almost died trying to keep to himself. Only when he hit bottom with drugs, sex and gambling could he summon the courage to face what had happened when he was a rising 14 year-old phenom. He talks about his childhood, his hockey career, getting sober and his post-career mission of raising awareness and trying to change outdated sentencing laws that allow sexual predators to continue to abuse in Canada, especially the new documentary about it, Victor Walk.  To learn more about Theo's cause and the film Victor Walk go to www.victorwalkdoc.com  This episode is sponsored by BlueApron. For your first three meals free with free shipping go to www.blueapron.com/mental Thanks to retired NHL referee Kerry Fraser and the Player's Tribune website for permission to read his piece about Theo. It can be read here. http://www.theplayerstribune.com/2016-6-7-kerry-fraser-nhl-referee-stories/ For tickets to LAPodfest (in person, live stream or 30 day archive viewing) go t

Sarah shares about her mother's battles with Borderline Personality Disorder, her relationship with such a "beautifully disastrously complicated" woman, Sarah's own battles with bulimia, anxiety, and co-dependency and the role exercise has played in helping her moods. This episode is sponsored by Blue Apron.  For your first 3 meals free (with free shipping) go to www.blueapron.com/mental Follow Sarah on Twitter @Smartypants_Inc  www.twitter.com/smartypants_inc To read the Salon article she wrote about her mom go to http://www.salon.com/2016/02/28/i_loved_lived_with_and_lost_my_mother_to_borderline_personality_disorder/# The book Sarah mentioned reading is called Walking on Eggshells. Tickets are still available for LAPodfest.  Go to www.lapodfest.com and use offercode HAPPY for $5 off. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

You hear the phrase "love yourself" a lot.  But how do we get there? Maddy's story is a great example.  She was molested by a relative (and church leader) but didn't feel safe enough to speak up about it for years.  Then she got help and everything changed. This episode is sponsored by Casper Mattresses.  To find out more go to www.casper.com/mental To buy tickets for the In This Together Festival on Nov 13th go to www.ittfest.com To buy watch or attend LAPodfest Sept 23-25 go to www.lapodfest.com and use offer code HAPPY To sign the petition Maddy was talking about that looks to abolish the statute of limitations on childhood sex abuse cases go to  https://www.change.org/p/abolish-the-statute-of-limitations-for-child-sexual-abuse-in-the-state-of-california See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The reality TV producer (Somebody's Gotta Do It) opens up about his depression, social anxiety, history of unrequited love obsessions - especially as a kid, getting sober from prescription opiates and smoking speed thru a broken light bulb! This episode is sponsored by BlueApron. To get your first three meals free (with FREE shipping) go to www.blueapron.com/mental This episode is sponsored by SquareSpace for 10% off your first purchase go to www.squarespace.com and use offer code MENTAL For more on Stephen go to www.stbrophy.com (to buy his books go to the "merch" page on the site) Follow him on Twitter @STBrophy www.twitter.com/STBrophy For info on seeing the MIHH podcast at LA Podfest go to www.lapodfest.com For info on seeing the MIHH podcast at the In This Together Festival in Nov. go to www.ITTFest.com The post-abortion counseling resources mentioned on the show www.1in3campaign.org www.yourbackline.org www.plannedparenthood.org See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. See Privacy Policy at

28 year-old Cynthia Pena ACSW opens up about her life, experiencing skin tone prejudice within the Hispanic community, being the "good child" who gets forgotten, anxiety, triggers, working in an overloaded county system helping children with severe or persistent mental illnesses and her dream of expanding the role of mental health in athletics. Follow Cyndi on Twitter @Ms_Cyndi_Pena For more information on Paul's appearance at LAPodfest Sept 23-25 go to www.lapodfest.com and use offer code HAPPY for $5 off. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Paul's support group friend and writer talks about weighing 95 lbs at 5 years-old, being in foster homes and psych wards, surviving incest, learning self-love and dealing with addictions to food and abusive men. This episode is sponsored by Blue Apron.  To see this month's menu and your first three meals free (including free delivery) go to www.blueapron.com/mental See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The 43 year old teacher and recovering alcoholic talks about being sexualized as a child by her father, having to cut contact with her controlling mother, and trying to heal while dealing with anxiety, panic attacks and PTSD. Get info on Paul's upcoming appearances in Oakland July 20 & 21. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The podcaster (Too Beautiful To Live), radio host (Live Wire Radio) and tv host (CBS Morning News) talks about his outbursts of anger that get physical, always feeling uncomfortable in his skin and being hyper vigilant to avoid criticism. This episode is sponsored by SquareSpace. For a free trial and 10% off your first purchase go to www.squarespace.com and use offer code MENTAL Get info on Paul's upcoming appearances in Oakland Follow Luke Burbank on Twitter @LukeBurbank See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.