Mental Illness Happy Hour

Olga Khazan is an author and staff writer for The Atlantic. Today she talks about the experiments she undertook to change her own personality traits over the course of a year, which inspired her new book, Me, But Better. She also shares her good and bad experiences with anxiety--and why she has an attachment to the condition. More about Olga Khazan: Her Substack writing: https://olgakhazan.substack.com/Her IG. www.Instagram.com/olganatorHer book/website: www.OlgaKhazan.comThis episode is sponsored Quince. Go to www.Quince.com/mental for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too.This episode is sponsored by Alma. Search their directory of over 20,000 therapists with different specialities, life experiences, and identities, and 99% of them take insurance. Go to www.HelloAlma.com/happyhourThis episode is sponsored by The Jordan Harbinger Show. Learn more about the world, improve your critical thinking skills and be entertained! Listen or subs

 Erin Valente is a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist (LMFT) who gives practical advice for managing issues in your marriage, including moving through divorce. She also opens up about her abusive childhood and the work she’s done to heal, as well as the process of her own divorce.For more about Erin: www.erinvalentetherapy.comThis episode is sponsored Quince. Go to www.Quince.com/mental for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too.This episode is sponsored by Alma. Search their directory of over 20,000 therapists with different specialities, life experiences, and identities, and 99% of them take insurance. Go to www.HelloAlma.com/happyhourThis episode is sponsored by The Jordan Harbinger Show. Learn more about the world, improve your critical thinking skills and be entertained! Listen or subscribe here: jordanharbinger.com/subscribe Apple Podcasts: jordanharbinger.com/itunesSpotify: jordanharbinger.com/spotifyHer

Mike de la Rocha is a musician, author, and social justice advocate who joins Paul to discuss why vulnerability is so important for men– something his father’s death helped him see. Look for his book, Sacred Lessons: Teaching My Father How to Love, and his podcast of the same name.More about Mike de la Rocha:Book: https://www.amazon.com/Sacred-Lessons-Teaching-Father-Love/dp/B0D5WKQDSPIG: https://www.instagram.com/mrmikedelarocha/?hl=enPodcast: https://www.instagram.com/oursacredlessons/?hl=enRevolve:https://www.revolveimpact.com/This episode is sponsored Quince. Go to www.Quince.com/mental for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too.This episode is sponsored by Alma. Search their directory of over 20,000 therapists with different specialities, life experiences, and identities, and 99% of them take insurance. Go to www.HelloAlma.com/happyhourThis episode is sponsored by The Jordan Harbinger Show. Learn more about the world, improve your

Dr. Nicole McNichols is an internationally renowned human sexuality professor, author, and speaker whose college course, The Diversity of Human Sexuality, is the most popular in the history of the University of Washington. She and Paul discuss the importance of communication when it comes to sex and the imperative of tossing shame out the window when it comes to what turns you on.More about Dr Nicole McNicholsCheck out her new book You Could Be Having Better S-x (Simon Element, Feb. 3, 2026) Check out her website Dr. Nicole McNicholsFollow her on (Instagram and TikTok) This episode is sponsored Quince. Go to www.Quince.com/mental for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too.This episode is sponsored by Alma. Search their directory of over 20,000 therapists with different specialities, life experiences, and identities, and 99% of them take insurance. Go to www.HelloAlma.com/happyhourThis episode is sponsored by The Jordan Harbing

Marilyn is a support group friend who opens up about her journey to discovering her sexuality and her tendency toward love addiction. She talks about how she’s processing her trauma and what it meant to come out to herself and her community.This episode is sponsored Quince. Go to www.Quince.com/mental for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too.This episode is sponsored by Alma. Search their directory of over 20,000 therapists with different specialities, life experiences, and identities, and 99% of them take insurance. Go to www.HelloAlma.com/happyhourThis episode is sponsored by The Jordan Harbinger Show. Learn more about the world, improve your critical thinking skills and be entertained! Listen or subscribe here: jordanharbinger.com/subscribe Apple Podcasts: jordanharbinger.com/itunesSpotify: jordanharbinger.com/spotifyHere are the two episodes Paul recommended.https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/1280-cory-doctorow-why-ev

Dr. Guy Winch is a psychologist and bestselling author who advocates for integrating the science of emotional health into our daily lives. He and Paul talk about the science of burnout and offer insights and practical tips for managing burnout--and avoiding it altogether. For more, look for his new book Mind Over Grind: How to Break Free When Work Hijacks Your LifeMore about Guy:His new book: Mind Over Grind https://www.guywinch.com/books/mind-over-grind/Guy’s website: www.GuyWinch.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/guywinchauthor/IG: https://www.instagram.com/guywinch/?hl=enYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/guywinchThis episode is sponsored by Greenleaf Book Club. Pick up your copy of Mountains to Cross wherever books are sold!This episode is sponsored Quince. Go to www.Quince.com/mental for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too.If you’re interested in seeing or buying the furniture that Paul designs and makes follow his IG @ShapedFurniture or vis

Lane Falcon is a podcast listener who discusses one of her Mental Illness Happy Hour survey responses and opens up about her struggles with bipolar disorder, trauma, and codependency.More about Lanewww.LaneFalcon.comThis episode is sponsored by Greenleaf Book Club. Pick up your copy of Mountains to Cross wherever books are sold!This episode is sponsored Quince. Go to www.Quince.com/mental for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too.If you’re interested in seeing or buying the furniture that Paul designs and makes follow his IG @ShapedFurniture or visit the website www.shapedfurniture.comWAYS TO HELP THE MIHH PODCASTSubscribe via Apple Podcasts (or whatever player you use). 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

Marriage Therapist Zach Brittle talks with Paul about things that can kill marriages, his own struggles with coping with his feelings -especially anger- and how to truly work as a team in relationships.More about Zach:www.marriagetherapyradio.comwww.ZachBrittle.comIG @marriagetherapyradioYouTube https://www.youtube.com/@marriagetherapyradioRead Zach’s books This episode is sponsored by Greenleaf Book Club. Pick up your copy of Mountains to Cross wherever books are sold!This episode is sponsored Quince. Go to www.Quince.com/mental for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too.This episode is sponsored by AlmaVisit helloalma.com/happyhour to schedule a free therapy consultation today.If you’re interested in seeing or buying the furniture that Paul designs and makes follow his IG @ShapedFurniture or visit the website www.shapedfurniture.comWAYS TO HELP THE MIHH PODCASTSubscribe via Apple Podcasts (or whatever player you use). It costs no

Writer/Journalist Sophia Laurenzi @Sophia_Laurenzi shares about the family secrets that were kept from her for years, her father coming out of the closet and his battles with mental health, her struggles with codependency and using work as a tool to cope with her feelings. She also shares some personal experiences she had working on behalf of inmates on Death Row.More about Sophia:Follow her on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sophia_laurenzi/Subscribe to her newsletter: https://sophialaurenzi.substack.com/Learn more on Sophia's website: https://www.sophialaurenzi.com/ This episode is sponsored by Greenleaf Book Club. Pick up your copy of Mountains to Cross wherever books are sold!This episode is sponsored Quince. Go to www.Quince.com/mental for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too.This episode is sponsored by AlmaVisit helloalma.com/happyhour to schedule a free therapy consultation today.If you’re interested in seeing o

Jennifer Westcott is a therapist and regular guest on the pod. This week, she and Paul discuss the complexity of reconciling good memories with abusive memories and the pain of missing family members after choosing to go no-contact. More about Jennifer:https://youtube.com/@therapistsanctuary?si=LXxyNlcClD00m-Qzhttps://www.holistichealingcounselling.com/therapist-sanctuaryhttps://insta.openinapp.co/7s936This episode is sponsored by Greenleaf Book Club. Pick up your copy of Mountains to Cross wherever books are sold!This episode is sponsored Quince. Go to www.Quince.com/mental for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too.This episode is sponsored by AlmaVisit helloalma.com/happyhour to schedule a free therapy consultation today.If you’re interested in seeing or buying the furniture that Paul designs and makes follow his IG @ShapedFurniture or visit the website www.shapedfurniture.comWAYS TO HELP THE MIHH PODCASTSubscribe via Apple Podc

Kyle Kittleson is a YouTube host and a mental health and animal advocate. He shares his experience with losing his mother as a child, how it affects his adult relationships, and the importance of building empathy and resilience, particularly in children. More about KyleLook for his videos on MedCircle.com and BabaBlast.comThis episode is sponsored Quince. Go to www.Quince.com/mental for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too.This episode is sponsored by AlmaVisit helloalma.com/happyhour to schedule a free therapy consultation today.If you’re interested in seeing or buying the furniture that Paul designs and makes follow his IG @ShapedFurniture or visit the website www.shapedfurniture.comWAYS TO HELP THE MIHH PODCASTSubscribe via Apple Podcasts (or whatever player you use). It costs nothing. It’s extremely helpful to have your subscription set to download all episodes automatically. https://itunes.apple.com/us/po

Sarah Haufrect is a returning guest and long-time listener who shares her experience with loss, grief, and the parent-child relationship. She opens up about processing her mother’s borderline personality disorder (BPD) after her death and the transformative moments spent with her father while he was dying. Look for her podcast, Brain Stories, which shares personal stories about mental healthBrain Stories Website: https://brainstoriesproductions.com/Podcasts Platform Episode Links to Gwen's Story: Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/brain-stories/id1841732261Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/1yGQWomCxHNfZSOl8i1lcyYouTube - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YlD2knQFJBA&list=PLqeyxQ9EY_wg2wXgSB7DmJBKf2vymkVrv&index=3iHeart - https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-brain-stories-296272929/episode/gwen-three-generations-a-broken-310804975/BrainStories email. [email protected] episode is sponsored by AlmaVisit helloalma.com/happyhour to schedule a fr

The very first MIHH ep ever which originally aired in March of 2011.. Paul interviews his Dinner and a Movie co-host Janet Varney (@theJVClub) about her battles with anxiety, depression food and panic attacks. Listen as one people-pleaser interviews another! Enjoy Janet parrying a compliment coming her way! En grade! More about Janetwww.JanetVarney.comIG and Threads @TheJVClubTikTok @Janet.VarneySketchfest https://sfsketchfest2026.sched.com/This episode is sponsored by AlmaVisit helloalma.com/happyhour to schedule a free therapy consultation today.This episode is sponsored Quince. Go to www.Quince.com/mental for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too.If you’re interested in seeing or buying the furniture that Paul designs and makes follow his IG @ShapedFurniture or visit the website www.shapedfurniture.comWAYS TO HELP THE MIHH PODCASTSubscribe via Apple Podcasts (or whatever player you use). It costs nothing. It’s extremely helpful

This ep was one of our first ever, recorded in 2011. Comedic actress / improvisor / writer / podcaster Jamie Denbo aka @JamieDenbo talks about being an only child, born to Jewish parents whose lives, culture and ancestors she feels are informed by fear. She talks about growing up in Massachusetts and feeling guilty for not having more obvious reason to explain her sadness, panic and anger, and how motherhood is helping her to recognize the familial and cultural cycles she would like to break. She and Paul also do an epic Fear/Love Off.More about Jamie:TV Roles: Orange Is the New Black, Happy Hour, The Mighty B!, F Is for Family, Terriers, Return of the Mac.Film Appearances: The Heat, Spy, Daddy's Home, Must Love Dogs, Yes Man.Comedy & Podcasts: A staple in the comedy scene, especially with her popular podcast Ronna & Beverly, and appearances on The Thrilling Adventure Hour.Writer: Created the Lifetime series American

Laura Moran is a television writer. She talks about a lifelong battle with depression, self-harm and the suicide attempt that helped her realize she needed help resulting in a stay in a psychiatric facility which helped turn her life around.More about Laura:website: https://lauramoran.com/IG: @LauraPotatoesTikTok: LaurampotatoesThis episode is sponsored by AlmaVisit helloalma.com/happyhour to schedule a free therapy consultation today.This episode is sponsored Quince. Go to www.Quince.com/mental for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too.Note: Some past episodes may still contain ads for BetterHelp. This podcast no longer endorses them in any way, shape or form.If you’re interested in seeing or buying the furniture that Paul designs and makes follow his IG @ShapedFurniture or visit the website www.shapedfurniture.comWAYS TO HELP THE MIHH PODCASTSubscribe via Apple Podcasts (or whatever player you use). It costs nothing. It’s extrem

Jesse Perez is a friend of Paul’s, a cancer survivor, a podcaster, and a Latino man navigating life under the current administration. Look for his podcast, Equanimity, which focuses on this experience.Check out an episode of Jesse’s podcast Equanimity:A Father and Son Journey Through the ProcessThis episode is sponsored by AlmaVisit helloalma.com/happyhour to schedule a free therapy consultation today.This episode is sponsored Quince. Go to www.Quince.com/mental for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too.If you’re interested in seeing or buying the furniture that Paul designs and makes follow his IG @ShapedFurniture or visit the website www.shapedfurniture.comWAYS TO HELP THE MIHH PODCASTSubscribe via Apple Podcasts (or whatever player you use). 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

Chris Grace (@ChrisGraceComedy) is a comedian and actor who shares his stories of love, tragic loss, and growing up as the child of an immigrant. He discusses grief and racial dynamics in both comedy and the gay community.Follow Chris on IG and TikTok @ChrisGraceComedyWebsite www.ChrisGrace.comThis episode is sponsored Quince. Go to www.Quince.com/mental for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too.This episode is sponsored by NOCD.  If you're struggling with OCD or unrelenting intrusive thoughts, NOCD can help. Book a free 15 minute call to get started: https://learn.nocd.com/mentalpodIf you’re interested in seeing or buying the furniture that Paul designs and makes follow his IG @ShapedFurniture or visit the website www.shapedfurniture.comWAYS TO HELP THE MIHH PODCASTSubscribe via Apple Podcasts (or whatever player you use). It costs nothing. It’s extremely helpful to have your subscription set to download all episodes automatically. ht

Nate Berkus (@NateBerkus) is an interior designer and a NYT best-selling author (look for his new book, Foundations: Timeless Design That Feels Personal) who joins Paul to share his story of growing up, his challenges with authenticity, and the trauma he endured while being stuck in the middle of a natural disaster, where he witnessed death on a massive scale, including that of his own partner.For more about Nate:www.nateberkus.comwww.instagram.com/nateberkuswww.facebook.com/nateberkuswww.twitter.com/nateberkusNate’s new book Foundations:Timeless Design That Feels Personal This episode is sponsored Quince. Go to www.Quince.com/mental for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too.This episode is sponsored by NOCD.  If you're struggling with OCD or unrelenting intrusive thoughts, NOCD can help. Book a free 15 minute call to get started: https://learn.nocd.com/mentalpodIf you’re interested in seeing or buying the furniture that Paul designs and makes f

Anna Runkle, aka @CrappyChildhoodFairy, joins Paul to share her experience of growing up in a commune, living with CPTSD, and finding new ways to heal when talk therapy wasn’t working. Look for her new book Connectability: Heal the Hidden Ways You Isolate, Find Your People and Feel (At Last) Like You Belong.For more about Anna: https://crappychildhoodfairy.com https://www.youtube.com/@crappychildhoodfairy https://www.instagram.com/crappychildhoodfairy/ https://www.facebook.com/CrappyChildhoodFairy/ https://twitter.com/cchildhoodfairy https://www.hayhouse.com/shop-by-topic/relationships/parenting/connectability-hardcover?srsltid=AfmBOop3l4ofaw9DeUdvL23mV2AhKbiznZ3InNUl4I6eKHklyLKNMhAQ https://www.hayhouse.com/re-regulated-hardcover?srsltid=AfmBOoqaOonBYV6agjPSXfIEftToqSPXLocThpF0OcqUmEBB25om6bHHPaul mentioned a book that a listener recommended called A World Made By Hand by James Howard Kuntsler.Paul also mentioned a new podcast called Brain Stories. You can find it at w

Fellow support group member Derek shares about growing up in extreme poverty and isolation. Recently he has been learning how to connect and practice boundaries but is still struggling with being attracted to women who treat him badly.This episode is sponsored Quince. Go to www.Quince.com/mental for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too.This episode is sponsored by NOCD.  If you're struggling with OCD or unrelenting intrusive thoughts, NOCD can help. Book a free 15 minute call to get started: https://learn.nocd.com/mentalpodIf you’re interested in seeing or buying the furniture that Paul designs and makes follow his IG @ShapedFurniture or visit the website www.shapedfurniture.com  WAYS TO HELP THE MIHH PODCASTSubscribe via Apple Podcasts (or whatever player you use). It costs nothing. It’s extremely helpful to have your subscription set to download all episodes automatically. https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/mental-il