Mental Illness Happy Hour

Mental Illness Happy Hour

Author: Paul Gilmartin Language: English Episodes: 100
Hosted by comedian Paul Gilmartin, Mental Illness Happy Hour has become a unique and essential space for conversations many shy away from. This isn't a clinical program, but rather a series of raw, honest dialogues where Gilmartin and his guests share their personal experiences with mental health struggles, addiction, fear, and the lasting impacts of childhood trauma. The atmosphere is intentionally crafted to be a perversely safe place, a description noted by The New York Times, where vulnerability is met with compassion rather than judgment. Listeners will find a podcast that deliberately explores the grey areas of human experience, with Slate Magazine highlighting Gilmartin's conscious effort to share stories that aren't simply black and white. It’s this approach that has led publications like Psychology Today to call it "remarkable" and Esquire to deem it a vital gem addressing a deep need. Tuning in, you'll hear a blend of personal narrative, dark humor, and profound connection that has earned the show a global audience and recognition as a top health podcast. Each episode serves as a reminder that you're not alone in your struggles, creating a sense of community through shared, often unvarnished truth.
Episodes
#796 A Deep Dark Dive with Jenny Lawson [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:51:22
The brilliantly dark, funny and sensitive 5x NY Times bestselling author and blogger(@TheBloggess) drops by for a mammoth and deep episode about her struggles with imposter syndrome, trichotillomania, dermatillomania, an…
#795 Taking Off The Mask - A Best Of Ep w/Laurenne Sala [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:54:29
A Best Of ep originally aired in 2014. What happens when the Homecoming Queen takes off her popularity mask and deals with the pain of her co-dependent mom and the suicide of her gay father? The critically acclaimed auth…
#794 Best Of: Maria Bamford & The Psych Ward [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:53:02
In this listener-favorite ep from 2013, the groundbreaking and critically acclaimed comedian talks about her lifelong battles with OCD, Unwanted Thoughts Syndrome, BiPolar II, and the recent hospitalization that probably…
#793 - Darkness In The "Wholesome" Family - Andrea Leeb [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:38:25
Andrea Leeb is a writer and advocate who opens up about her experience as an incest survivor and the betrayal of both her father, who abused her, and her mother, who turned the other way. She also shares her path to heal…
#792 Can Personalities Change? - Olga Khazan [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:14:37
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.…
#791 Couple Issues - Erin Valente [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:37:00
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…
#790 Fathers, Sons & Vulnerability - Mike de la Rocha [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:37:05
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: Tea…
#789 Sexual Shame - Dr. Nicole McNichols [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:09:11
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 Washingto…
#788 Discovering Sexuality & Processing Trauma - "Marilyn" [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:11:10
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 herse…
#787 Burnout - Dr. Guy Winch [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:33:52
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 ti…