From Racing Thoughts to Lifting Others: Kevin Crispin on Mental Health, Cancer, and Comedy

From Racing Thoughts to Lifting Others: Kevin Crispin on Mental Health, Cancer, and Comedy

Author: Dr. Brad Miller January 29, 2026 Duration: 58:53

In this episode of “Cancer and Comedy”, Dr. Brad Miller talks with mental health advocate, performer, and podcast host Kevin Crispin (Behind Beautiful Things) about living with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), anxiety, and the “things that eat you alive” on the inside. Anchored in a Bob Dylan lyric— “Behind every beautiful thing, there’s some kind of pain”—Kevin shares how he’s learned to acknowledge both the hurt and the hope, and how we can choose what to focus on.

Kevin opens about childhood racing thoughts, irrational fears, and feeling “other,” and how therapy, performing, and his one-man show “Invisible Now” helped him put words (and even humor) to what was happening in his mind. He and Dr. Brad explore the power of storytelling to lift shame, reduce isolation, and build empathy—especially for people facing cancer, depression, or any adversity that quietly consumes them.

If you’ve ever struggled with your own thoughts, or loved someone who has, this conversation offers compassion, perspective, and a reminder that telling the truth—sometimes with a little laughter—can be a powerful step toward healing.

“Cancer and Comedy” with Dr. Brad Miller helps people confront life’s hardest realities with hope and humor. Learn more and join the community at cancerandcomedy.com/follow.

Website: https://www.kevincrispin.com/the-actor

Podcast Website: https://www.sadtimespodcast.com/


There's a particular kind of alchemy that happens when serious things meet sincere laughter, and that's the space where you'll find Cancer and Comedy: Helping Cancer Impacted People to Cope with Hope and Humor. Hosted by Dr. Brad Miller, this podcast emerged from a deeply personal place. Fresh into retirement after 43 years as a pastor, Brad received a prostate cancer diagnosis during the Christmas season of 2022. His instinctive reaction-to laugh as a way to keep from crying-sparked a mission. Each episode is built on the belief that those touched by cancer are not done living, and that facing the grim with a grin is a powerful form of resilience. You'll hear conversations that blend candid stories from the cancer journey with a genuine, often surprising, sense of humor. It’s not about dismissing the difficulty, but about discovering pockets of light and levity within it. Brad brings his unique perspective as both a longtime spiritual guide and a current patient, creating dialogues that are as educational about mental and physical wellness as they are uplifting. This isn't a lecture; it's a companionable audio experience for anyone seeking to fortify their spirit with hope and an honest, sometimes healing, laugh. Tune in for a podcast that redefines strength, proving that coping can be a creative, and even comedic, act of self-improvement.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Cancer and Comedy: Helping Cancer Impacted People to Cope with Hope and Humor
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