Inside Mental Health

Police officers are seldom asked to respond to something positive. The nature of their jobs is to assist when things go wrong. Vehicle accidents, crime, and death are part of the job description for the average law enforcement officer. They are trained to run toward danger rather than away from it.   Yet when it comes to managing their mental health, the general practice is to bury those emotions...

When Daniel Bergner’s brother received a bipolar disorder diagnosis, his family was told he needed to adhere to the doctor’s orders or death was a likely outcome. This set off a chain reaction of fear his life while Daniel’s brother was just trying to manage a difficult and persistent illness.  The common denominators? Fear and uncertainty.  Today’s guest is the author of "The Mind and the Moon: M...

Since childhood, most of us have been socialized to “forgive and forget.” We’ve been told that to do anything else risks our mental health and causes emotional pain. But is that actually good advice? Does forgiving someone actually increase our mental stability? Join us as today’s guest explains why this simplistic idea doesn’t always work for people and how it is absolutely possible to move on wi...

Despite growing up in Nigeria and the UK, Tobi Bamtefa received the same stereotypical messaging surrounding what it means to be a man: men are strong, handle their responsibilities stoically, and men never cry. Ever.  Join us as Tobi shares how living with these societal expectations can be stifling and damage men’s mental health. He shares how becoming an actor and being encouraged to participat...

"The TV is talking directly to me" is a common delusion nowadays. But delusions have existed throughout history, so what did people in the Middle Ages have delusions about when there was no TV?   Join us as historian Victoria Shepherd tells us about the King of France who thought his body was made of glass, a woman who believed her husband and children had been swapped by imposters, and the man wh...

Have you seen all the amazing stuff your friends’ kids are doing while scrolling through social media? Are you worried that your kids aren’t keeping up and that maybe it is your fault? Or that maybe it’s because you are a terrible parent?  Join us as today’s guest, Dr. Carla Naumburg, explains why you are not as bad at parenting as you think. Dr. Naumburg shares why parents may think this way and...

Laurie Dhue appeared to have it all — a successful career as a broadcast journalist, a beautiful apartment over Central Park, a great family, and lots of friends. But she had what she thought of as a “naughty and thrilling” secret — a cocaine addiction.  Join us as she shares with Gabe her motivation for getting clean, how she did it, and what she is up to now. To learn more -- or read the transcr...

Today’s guest experienced a “trifecta of trauma” when three experiences of death and illness affected her family within just 10 months. These experiences led her to a revelation and the discovery of her life’s purpose. Join us as Lisa Honig Buksbaum, the author of “SOARING Into Strength,” shares her personal story as well as thoughts on how trauma can actually foster resilience. To learn more --or...

Veteran and double bronze star recipient shares how military culture might contribute to suicidality — or at least a lack of willingness to get help — and how the American Legion is trying to fix that. Every day, 17 U.S. military veterans die by suicide. How can we even begin to stop this tragedy? The American Legion, a 107-year-old organization dedicated to serving veterans, has a plan. To learn...

Of all the people on a hockey team to have anxiety, the last one you would expect would be the goalie. They have to be so cool and collected, have nerves of steel, and always be at the top of their game. Right?  In today’s episode, Stanley Cup-winning goaltender Corey Hirsch talks about his battle with anxiety, OCD, and thoughts of suicide — and his efforts to keep it secret from those around him....

How can you tell the difference between anxiety as an emotion and a disorder that needs medical intervention? Join us as today’s guest, Dr. Tracey Marks, explains the difference between being nervous about an upcoming event and something more serious like generalized anxiety disorder. She also shares tips and tricks that almost anyone can try at home to reduce the impact of anxiety. To learn more...

What does it mean to give up or surrender? Today’s guest, Kute Blackson, is an expert on the topic, having written “The Magic of Surrender.” Join us as Kute explains that surrendering doesn’t mean lying down, pulling the covers over your head, and giving up. Rather, surrender can give us the power of relinquishing control and no longer trying to put conditions on our lives. To learn more -- or rea...

Everyone has been through a bad breakup — it can seem like you will never get over the relationship. Today’s guest, Jodie Eckleberry-Hunt, is the author of “Getting to Good Riddance: A No Bullsh*t Breakup Survival Guide.” Join us as Dr. Hunt tells us how to get over the bad feelings and move on. (Please remember, everyone deserves healthy relationships. National Domestic Violence Hotline https://w...

Working moms are always being pulled in multiple directions, and often don’t feel like they have the time for self-care. In today’s episode, we learn that moms don’t have the time to not take care of themselves. This episode is filled with motivation, practical advice, and even some humor. Join us as the founder and CEO of Brooke Burke Body tells us that working moms may not be able to have it all...

Populism is defined as a political approach that strives to appeal to ordinary people who feel that their concerns are disregarded by established elite groups. On paper, it sounds perfect; why shouldn’t politicians appeal to “ordinary” people?  However, once you get beyond the dictionary definition, populist leaders use lies, fear, and racism to gain power. Join us as Dr. Karyne Messina explains w...

The Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA) is the leading patient-led national organization focusing on mood disorders, including depression and bipolar disorder. Join us as their CEO, Michael Pollock, sits down with Gabe to discuss the group’s patient advocacy goals, the current challenges facing the mental health community, and changes brought on by the pandemic. To learn more -- or read...

Hannah Sward’s new memoir details her journey with addiction, her life experiences, and her time as a sex worker. Join us as Gabe speaks with Hannah about her former occupation, her views on the sex industry, and whether sex work is a positive or negative experience. To learn more -- or read the transcript -- please visit the official episode page. Guest Bio Hannah Sward’s work has appeared or is...

Many leaders rely on traditional office-centric collaboration and management styles in managing hybrid teams. Yet research conclusively demonstrates that instead of incrementally improving on the old school office-centric approach, the best outcomes in managing hybrid teams come from adopting a flexible hybrid-first work model.  If the results are so clear, why are executives unwilling to change?...

Does EMDR (eye movement desensitization and reprocessing) therapy work for trauma? It has been all the rage recently, but what is it? Does it have any studies or scientific basis — or is it just the latest internet fad? The basis of the therapy is reliving a traumatic memory while receiving bilateral stimulation, such as a therapist waving their hand in front of your face. It may sound out of the...

Over four years ago, Kai Koerber survived the Parkland school shooting. Hear his feelings about what has transpired in the United States since that day. Kai also shares that he doesn't want that day to define him as a victim, but rather as a hero. Listen in to learn more about what he has been up to and shares with us his ideas for societal reform through the use of technology. To learn more -- or...

Millions of people start taking antidepressants every year. But how many stop? Despite what we have heard for years, the process of withdrawing from antidepressant medications can be long, unpleasant, and even dangerous. Today’s guest is one of the foremost researchers in “deprescribing” or withdrawing from antidepressants. Join us as Dr. Mark Horowitz from University College London explains the p...

Brooke Siem was among the first generation of teenagers to be prescribed antidepressants. As Brooke was initially diagnosed and treated in the wake of her father’s sudden death, this psychiatric intervention sent a message that something was pathologically wrong with her and taught her that her only solution was medication. For the next 15 years, Brooke took antidepressants exactly as prescribed. ...

Greg Grunberg has a son who lives with epilepsy. But his story isn’t that different from that of someone caring for a loved one with mental illness. Being a caregiver or support person to a loved one is challenging, no matter the diagnosis or the type of care they need. Join us as he tells us about the importance of self-care and how to make sure you stay balanced and moving forward. To learn more...

How do we decide we are in love? How can we know if it is the right person? Today’s guest tells us that we are all enacting a “love story.” These are the stories we tell ourselves about how romance and relationships should go. They are largely unconscious, but they form the foundation of all relationships throughout our life. Tune in to figure out how to find your personal love story and how to kn...

From housebound to pop superstar, Taylor Dayne is most well-known for her hit “Tell It to My Heart,” which made her an overnight sensation in 1987. Listen in as she tells Gabe that before her rise to stardom, she struggled with anxiety and agoraphobia so severe, she was often housebound. Taylor explains when her symptoms started, how she treated them, and how she is doing now. To learn more -- or...