#776 Grief, Race & Being Gay - Chris Grace

#776 Grief, Race & Being Gay - Chris Grace

Author: Paul Gilmartin November 28, 2025 Duration: 1:02:53
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. 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.mentalpod.com our FB is www.Facebook.com/mentalpod and our Twitter and Instagram are both @Mentalpod Become a much-needed Patreon monthly-donor (with occasional rewards) for as little as $1/month at www.Patreon.com/mentalpod  Become a one-time or monthly donor via PayPal at https://mentalpod.com/donateYou can also donate via Zelle (make payment to mentalpod@gmail.com) To donate via Venmo make payment to @Mentalpod  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

Mental Illness Happy Hour
Podcast Episodes
#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…
#786 Shame, BiPolar & Codependency - Lane Falcon [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:55:52
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…
#785 - Owning Our Issues In Relationships - Zach Brittle [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:28:49
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:ww…
#784 Family Secrets & Letting Go - Sophia Laurenzi [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:15:35
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 codependenc…
#783 Reconciling Good Memories Of Abusers - Jennifer Westcott #4 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:37:52
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…
#782 Loss, Empathy & Resilience - Kyle Kittleson [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:10:35
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 res…
#781 Losing A Parent - Sarah Haufrect Returns [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:37:07
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) a…