Inside Mental Health
Episodes
Injustice as Trauma: Tackling Systemic Bias in Mental Health Care
30 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Members of marginalized communities are often told to be "resilient," but how do you bounce back when the system itself is the weight on your shoulder...
Why I Miss My Hallucinations with Kit Wallis aka SchizoKitzo
16 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Most people think "hearing voices" would be a nightmare symptom of mental illness, but for some, it feels more like a friendship. In the medical world...
Rock Bottom to a Netflix Documentary: The Philly Captain Shares His Bipolar Journey
02 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In 2012, Jon McCann was sitting in a car weeping and preparing to end his life. He was struggling with a failing marriage, alcoholism, and a recent bi...
Mental Health Isn’t a Movie: Olivia Nash on Changing Hollywood’s Narrative
19 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Most movies treat mental health like a plot twist—something dramatic, visible, and easily explained. But real depression and anxiety don’t work th...
Does ‘Therapy Speak’ Hurt Relationships?
05 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
As therapy language floods social media, more people are associating friends, partners, and co-workers with mental health disorders, spotting “red f...
Rethinking Narcissism: What Social Media Gets Wrong
19 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Narcissism has become one of the most misused words in mental health — and social media hasn’t helped. In this episode, host Gabe Howard is joine...
New Year’s Resolutions Fail Because We Set Them Wrong
05 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
New Year’s resolutions promise hope, but for many people, they quietly deliver shame, stress, and self-blame instead. If resolutions leave you feeli...
Why Negative Self-Talk Feels True (And How to Stop Believing It)
22 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Negative self-talk isn’t just annoying — it can quietly shape our decisions, confidence, and impact our mental health. But what if silencing that ...
When Faith Hurts: Religion, Trauma, and Mental Health
08 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
For many people, religion is a source of comfort — but what happens when it becomes a source of fear, shame, or lifelong anxiety? In this episode, a...
Medication & Schizophrenia: Why “Just Be Med Compliant” Fails
25 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Medication nonadherence in schizophrenia is often framed as defiance — but that narrative misses the truth and harms the very people it claims to he...
Early Indicators of Schizophrenia
18 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Most people imagine schizophrenia beginning with dramatic hallucinations or sudden breaks from reality—but the truth is far more subtle, far more co...
Inside Schizophrenia: What Hallucinations Really Feel Like
11 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Hallucinations are the most recognized—and most misunderstood—symptom of schizophrenia. Movies depict them as dramatic, terrifying commands or cin...
Chasing Happiness: Why Success Never Feels Like Enough
04 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Why does happiness always feel one step away? In this episode, we welcome back positive psychology expert Jodi Wellman to explore why so many of us ke...
How Racial Trauma Shapes Mental Health
27 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Can a single conversation help rewrite centuries of racial trauma? In this episode, host Gabe Howard sits down with award-winning podcaster Dominic La...
Why They Drank the Kool-Aid: Psychology of Cults
20 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Most of us think we’d never fall for a cult. We imagine the followers of Jim Jones as naïve, brainwashed, or broken people who “drank the Kool-Ai...
Rock & Roll, ADHD, and Anxiety with Musician Harley Olivia
13 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
What happens when a neurodivergent flight attendant trades jet lag for guitar riffs and finds better mental health in the process? In this inspiring a...
Race, Madness & the Complex History of a Jim Crow Asylum
06 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
What can the history of a Jim Crow–era mental asylum teach us about race and mental health today? MSNBC journalist Antonia Hylton joins Gabe Howard ...
Anosognosia in Schizophrenia: Understanding ‘A Lack of Insight’ with Guest Host Rachel Star Withers
30 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Imagine everyone around you — family, friends, even your doctors — insisting you have a serious mental illness, yet you’re certain they’re wro...
Perinatal and Postpartum OCD: When Parenting Anxiety Becomes More
23 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Intrusive thoughts are common for new parents — but when do they cross the line into something more serious? In this episode, you’ll learn how obs...
Hollywood Often Gets OCD Wrong: Actor & Director Speak Out
16 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Hollywood has never shied away from portraying obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) — but it often gets it wrong. Typically, OCD is reduced to a punc...
Punk Rock Meets Therapy: Understanding Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
09 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
How are punk rock and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) related? More than you think. In this episode, clinical psychologist and bestselling author D...
Governor John Kasich on Youth Mental Health Crisis
02 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The youth mental health crisis is one of the most urgent challenges facing families today — but what can be done at a policy level to create lasting...
Olympic Gold Medalist on Alcoholism, Recovery, and Redemption
25 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
How exactly does a three-time Olympic gold medalist end up with alcohol use disorder? At just 16, Carrie Bates stood on the Olympic podium with a gold...
Antisocial Myth: The Case for Leaving Early
18 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Have you ever found yourself halfway through a concert, dinner party, or even a family gathering and thought, “OK, I’m ready to go now,” even th...
Schizophrenia Hallucinations, Explained by Those Who Live It
11 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
For individuals living with schizophrenia, the world can be populated by voices, visions, or other sensory experiences that are intensely real yet imp...
Treatment-Resistant Depression Is Treatable — What You May Be Missing
05 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
What happens when therapy and medication don’t work? Treatment-resistant depression can feel like a dead end — but it’s not. In this episode, cl...
Beyond Monogamy: Sex, Love, and Connections
28 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
We’re sold the fairy tale from birth: find “the one,” make them your everything, and you’ll live happily ever after. But what happens if that ...
Conquering Social Anxiety in College
21 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Ever feel like your fear of judgment is holding you back from college life? In this no-nonsense episode, host Gabe Howard teams up with ADAA member ex...
Schizophrenia Unmasked: Facts, Myths, and Lived Reality
14 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
What do you really know about schizophrenia? Guest host Rachel Star Withers — who lives with schizophrenia — takes us beyond the headlines and hor...
OCD, Trauma, or Both? Understanding the Overlap
07 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Is it trauma? Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)? Or both? Can trauma trigger OCD? Can OCD feel like trauma? In this episode, Dr. Nathaniel Van Kirk...
Hollywood’s Struggles: Therapy, Rejection, and the Myth of Fame
31 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Think everyone working in Hollywood is rich, famous, and living the dream? Think again. In this episode, host Gabe Howard pulls back the velvet curtai...
Perimenopause and Depression: When Hormones Hijack Your Mental Health
24 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
What if the sudden mood changes, crushing fatigue, or unexpected anxiety you’re experiencing aren’t just stress or part of getting older, but sign...
From Victim to Victor: Rise Above Trauma with Dr. Scott Barry Kaufman
17 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
What if the biggest obstacle holding you back isn’t your past but your mindset? Psychologist Scott Barry Kaufman, PhD, challenges everything you thi...
Postpartum PTSD: What Parents Need to Know
10 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
What if giving birth left you with nightmares, hypervigilance, and a constant sense of dread — and no one believed you? Worse, what if you didn’t ...
Mental Fitness: Daily Hacks That Strengthen Your Mind
03 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
We all know about physical fitness, but what if we treated mental fitness with the same urgency and structure? In this episode, psychiatrist and autho...
When Is Picky Eating a Disorder? Understanding ARFID (Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder)
26 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Is your child a picky eater, or is it something more serious — and how can you tell? Avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID) goes far beyo...
Inside Cults: How Ordinary People Get Pulled In
19 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Cults don’t always start with Kool-Aid or crime scenes — sometimes, they begin with yoga classes, utopian promises, or someone saying you’re spe...
The Raw Reality of Self-Harm and Healing
12 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Dive into a no-holds-barred conversation that shatters common myths about self-harm. Join host Gabe Howard and renowned psychologist and ADAA member e...
Crafting Goals That Stick: Your Blueprint to Thrive
05 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Looking to turn your big dreams into reality? You’re not alone — and it might not be your willpower that’s holding you back, but the way you set...
The Mirror Lies: Unmasking BDD (Body Dysmorphic Disorder)
29 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Today we peel back the layers of body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) — a condition far beyond simple vanity. Host Gabe Howard and ADAA member expert Scot...
Unmasking Munchausen by Proxy: The Parent Next Door
22 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Why would a person make their own child sick — or lie about it — for attention? In this gripping and eye-opening episode, retired detective Mike W...
Avoiding Caregiver Burnout: Supporting a Mentally Ill Loved One
15 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Sometimes, you are so consumed by caring for a loved one with a serious mental illness, like schizophrenia or bipolar disorder, that taking a moment f...
Is It Prolonged Grief or Depression? Understanding the Differences
01 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
What does it really mean to grieve — and when does grief become a danger to your life? In this weighty episode, host Gabe Howard sits down with Dr. ...
Helping Kids Navigate Grief: A Story of Love, Loss, and Healing
17 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
When children grieve, the adults around them are often grieving, too—but how do we help them process loss when we’re struggling ourselves? In this...
Parenting Young Adults: From Manager to Mentor
03 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Ready to revolutionize the way you parent your newly minted adult children? In this episode, host Gabe Howard teams up with award-winning speaker Dr. ...
Can You Trust Mental Health Influencers? What You Should Consider
20 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Mental health influencers are everywhere — but can they be trusted? Kody Green, known online as Schizophrenic Hippie, joins Gabe Howard to tackle th...
Your Thoughts Are Lying to You: How to Take Back Control
06 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, our host interviews Dr. David Burns about his methods for overcoming negative thoughts and promoting joy using CBT techniques. Dr. Bu...
How Groupthink Shapes Parenting, Medicine, and Health
20 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Ever wonder why some of the smartest people, like doctors, can still get it wrong? In this eye-opening episode, Gabe Howard talks with Dr. Marty...
Understanding Codependency: Are You Too Invested in Others?
06 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Do you often feel exhausted, resentful, or underappreciated in your relationships? In this episode, Gabe Howard and licensed psychotherapist Terri Col...
Children's Mental Health: What Are The Warning Signs? With NAMI's Dr. Christine Crawford
23 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Is your child moody — or is it something more serious? Dr. Christine Crawford, associate medical director at NAMI, joins Gabe Howard to break down t...
Trauma-Informed Care and Suicide Prevention: A New Approach
09 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
How does trauma-informed mental health care save lives and improve long-term recovery? Dr. Jasleen Chhatwal, psychiatrist and suicide prevention advoc...
Freak-Outs and FARTs: Helping Kids Manage Big Emotions
26 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Why do kids freak out, and how can adults guide them through it without just saying, "Stop it?” Dr. Carla Naumburg, clinical social worker and autho...
Post-Traumatic Growth: Can Pain Fuel Transformation and Purpose?
12 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
What if trauma didn’t just break us but could also shape us in powerful ways? In this thought-provoking episode, Krista St-Germain and Gabe Howard d...
Diagnosing Politicians? Why Mental Health Experts Refuse
28 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Why won’t mental health professionals share with the public when they suspect a presidential candidate has mental illness? As election cycles intens...
Countdown to Death: How Embracing Time Helps Us Live Fully
14 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Today’s guest is a self-described “Grim Reaper’s cheerleader” and author of You Only Die Once. In this episode, we explore a fascinating appro...
When Healers Need Healing: Burnout in Mental Healthcare Workers
31 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Mental health professionals often provide support, but what happens when they need help themselves? In this episode, Dr. Jessi Gold and Gabe Howard ex...
Schizophrenia & Survival: A Marvel Stuntwoman’s Journey with Rachel Star Withers
17 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
How does a woman with schizophrenia manage life as an entertainer, stuntwoman, and podcast host all while managing a severe mental illness? In this ep...
Women vs. Patriarchy: Breaking Free for Stronger Mental Health
03 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
How does the patriarchy shape women’s thoughts and actions, often without them realizing it? In this episode, Gabe Howard sits down with feminist th...
Shame as a Feminist Issue: Reclaiming Your Story
19 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Shame is everywhere, and for women, it’s a constant, uninvited guest. Join host Gabe Howard and writer Melissa Petro as they explore how shame funct...
Election Anxiety: Navigating and Easing the Stress
05 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
As political campaigns ramp up, many of us feel the pressure and anxiety that come with the constant stream of fear-based rhetoric. In this timely epi...
Why We Fall for Fitness Quick Fixes and How to Break Free
22 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Why are we so drawn to the promise of quick fixes in our fitness goals, and why do they often lead to disappointment? In this episode, host Gabe Howar...
Challenging Monogamy: Women Leading the Way in Open Relationships
08 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this revealing episode, Dr. Tammy Nelson and Gabe Howard delve into the myths and realities of monogamy, infidelity, and open relationships. Discov...
Unmasking Fakes: Is Mental Health the New Excuse? (From Listener Questions)
25 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Dive into a candid discussion on mental health as host Gabe Howard speaks with Rachael Beairsto, a senior editor for Healthline. Together, they tackle...
Discussing Porn Addiction and Anxiety, One (Podcast) Episode at a Time with Paul Gilmartin
11 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Paul Gilmartin, host of the “Mental Illness Happy Hour” podcast, and Gabe discuss Paul’s struggles with anxiety, financial pressures, and porn a...
Lonely Together: Unpacking the Silent Epidemic with Dr. Margaret Rutherford
27 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
On today’s episode, Gabe interviews Dr. Margaret Rutherford, a clinical psychologist and the host of “The SelfWork Podcast.” They discuss the pr...
Blind Survivor of Suicide Shares his Story of Triumph
13 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Zach Tidwell transformed his life after a self-inflicted gunshot wound left him blind and deaf in one ear. Through perseverance, he has pursued numero...
Inside OCD: A Personal Journey Through Managing Obsessive Compulsive Disorder with Sam Temple
30 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
On today’s episode, sponsored by NOCD, designer and producer Sam Temple shares her experience living with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and he...
Switching to Bi-Weekly Episodes
23 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Hey, everybody, this is Gabe Howard, host of the Inside Mental Health podcast. And for the last nine years, we have released an episode every single w...
Adoptees' Untold Stories: Voices from the Adoptee Perspective
16 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
on adoptees' perspectives, highlighting the often overlooked side of adoption narratives. Our conversation delves into how the adoption industry, driv...
Psychology of Holocaust Denial Unveiled
09 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
“The Holocaust was real” should not be a controversial statement, but sadly it has become one. Today, we feature Dr. David Hazony, an expert on ...
Exploring the Role of Doulas in Maternal Mental Health Support
02 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Dr. Asima Ahmad discusses the significant role doulas can play in pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum care, highlighting the importance of clear rol...
Mastering Mental Fitness: Training for Self-Acceptance and Self-Affection
25 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Our guest, Greg Harden, is a renowned peak performance coach best known for his work with Tom Brady and Michael Phelps. In today’s episode, Greg emp...
Baseball’s Doc Gooden’s Journey from Star Pitcher to Mental Health Advocate
18 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Today, Dwight "Doc" Gooden, a former Major League Baseball pitcher, discusses his journey with addiction, relapse, and the significance of addressing ...
Kids and Psychiatric Medications: Navigating the Maze
11 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Dr. Raghu Kiran Appasani and author Brooke Siem join us for a nuanced discussion about the complexities of prescribing psychiatric medications to chil...
Beyond Five Stages: Rethinking Grief with Krista St-Germain
04 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Krista St-Germain shares her journey with grief following the death of her husband by a drunken driver. She explains how the commonly referenced five ...
Humanizing Evil: Into the Mind of 'Son of Sam' Killer, David Berkowitz
28 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Michael Caparrelli spent 100 hours with David Berkowitz, once known as the “Son of Sam” killer. In today’s episode, they discuss Berkowitz's tra...
Unexpected Hope: Insights from CBS' Survivor with Producer Maria Baltazzi
21 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Today’s guest is a “happiness explorer,” and she discusses her realization of the need to strip back negativity in life through her experiences ...
Untold Stories: Homelessness and Mental Illness
14 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
From the streets of San Francisco to the depths of human struggle, Dr. Robert L. Okin, MD, shares the deeply personal narratives of people he spoke wi...
Homelessness and Mental Illness (Bonus Content)
14 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
“Ten percent of the population has amassed a huge amount of wealth, more than 50% of the bottom half of the population combined. Government basicall...
Generational Echoes: Exploring Our "Family of Origin"
07 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Dive into the depths of your past and discover the keys to unlocking your present as we explore the powerful concepts of "family of origin" and “ori...
Tiny Minds, Big Conversations: Navigating Mental Health Talks with Younger Kids
29 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
We discuss the importance of starting mental and emotional health conversations with children from a young age, highlighting the benefits for their em...
Do Personality Tests Actually Work? Exploring the Validity of Psychometric Assessments like the MMPI
22 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) is a psychometric test used to assess personality traits and psychopathology. It’s also used ...
What Is OCD Really Like and What Treatment Options Are Available? With NOCD’s Stephen Smith
15 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Today’s guest shares his personal journey with obsessive compulsive disorder, explaining the challenges of getting a correct diagnosis and effective...
Embracing Your Sensuality: It’s Not What You Think
08 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
On today’s episode, two members of The Sweet Spot Burlesque discuss why embracing one's sensuality leads to empowerment and self-discovery. They poi...
How to Make Anxiety Your Ally in the Workplace
01 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Today’s guest is Morra Aarons-Mele, host of the Anxious Achiever podcast and author of "The Anxious Achiever: Turn Your Biggest Fears into Leadershi...
Is There a Genetic Test to Diagnose Mental Illness?
25 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Why do mental health professionals diagnose mental illness by medical observation and not by something more definitive like a blood test or a brain sc...
How to Date with Depression (or Another Mental Health Issue)
18 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Dating is difficult. Most everyone agrees but most people don’t understand that it can be even more difficult when you live with depression (or othe...
How Do You Move Past Grief?
11 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Even though grief is part of the human condition and we will all experience it eventually, there are a lot of misunderstandings surrounding it. For ex...
Addressing Your Childhood Trauma with Dave Pelzer
04 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Dave Pelzer endured unimaginable abuse as a child, which he chronicled in the 1995 book, “A Child Called ‘It.’” When he was finally removed fr...
Self-Reflection in Eight Steps with Actress Stephanie Szostak
28 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
As we head into the New Year, many of us have self-improvement plans for 2024. But what if what you really need is a little time for self-reflection? ...
Are Ketamine and Psychedelic Treatments Safe?
21 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Most people think of ketamine therapy for mental health conditions as being experimental and new. Today’s guest shares that ketamine has been succes...
Crying in the Workplace: How to Stop and Why You Shouldn't Have To
14 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Have you ever started to cry at work and felt unable to control it? Did this cause you feelings of shame or embarrassment? Similarly, have you ever tr...
Treating OCD with Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) Therapy with NOCD's Dr. Patrick McGrath
07 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
This episode is sponsored by NOCD. ERP is widely considered the gold standard treatment for OCD. Unfortunately, very few people with OCD receive this ...
Does Online Dating Increase Loneliness? With OkCupid's Michael Kaye
30 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Dating apps are the most popular way to find romance in America. However, many people believe they cause more issues than they resolve. Some experts h...
Do We Medicate Normal Behaviors? With Dr. David Cohen (Part 1/2)
23 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In 1980, about 1 in 100 children in the US were taking psychiatric medications. Today, that number is 1 in 10. Even more shockingly, 1% of 3-year-olds...
Are We Using Psychiatric Medications Correctly? (Part 2/2)
23 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In 1980, about 1 in 100 children in the US were taking psychiatric medications. Today, that number is 1 in 10. Even more shockingly, 1% of 3-year-olds...
Narcissism in Kids: Spotting the Early Warning Signs
16 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Is your child acting entitled and selfish? Are you worried they are showing signs of narcissism? Some warning signs can include constantly wanting to ...
Happier Made Simple with Randye Kaye
09 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Everyone wants to be happy, but reaching that goal is quite complicated. For example, what does happiness even look like for you? Many of us haven’t...
Mother of Mindfulness Shares How Positive Thinking Improves Our Health with Dr. Ellen Langer
02 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Join us for a wide-ranging conversation about the power of positive thinking, the mind-body connection, and the realization that many of our limits ar...
Stillbirth, Grief, and Humor with Comedian Liz Glazer
26 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Comedian Liz Glazer and her wife experienced the trauma of their daughter, Leo Pearl, being stillborn at 33 weeks. Liz explains that, “Leo existed, ...