#788 Discovering Sexuality & Processing Trauma - "Marilyn"

#788 Discovering Sexuality & Processing Trauma - "Marilyn"

Author: Paul Gilmartin February 20, 2026 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 herself and her community. This 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 Alma. Search their directory of over 20,000 therapists with different specialities, life experiences, and identities, and 99% of them take insurance. Go to www.HelloAlma.com/happyhour This episode is sponsored by The Jordan Harbinger Show. Learn more about the world, improve your critical thinking skills and be entertained! Listen or subscribe here: jordanharbinger.com/subscribe Apple Podcasts: jordanharbinger.com/itunesSpotify: jordanharbinger.com/spotifyHere are the two episodes Paul recommended. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/1280-cory-doctorow-why-everything-got-worse-and-what/id1344999619?i=1000747830030 And https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/1238-ken-burns-what-if-the-american-revolution-isnt-over/id1344999619?i=1000736232557 If you’re interested in seeing or buying the furniture that Paul designs and makes follow his IG @ShapedFurniture or visit the website www.shapedfurniture.com WAYS TO HELP THE MIHH PODCAST Subscribe 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=2 Spread 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/donate You 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: 100

Mental Illness Happy Hour
Podcast Episodes
#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…
#780 Best Of - Janet Varney (Our Very 1st Ep) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 58:35
The very first MIHH ep ever which originally aired in March of 2011.. Paul interviews his Dinner and a Movie co-host Janet Varney (@theJVClub) about her battles with anxiety, depression food and panic attacks. Listen as…
#779 Depression & Anxiety - Best Of - Jamie Denbo [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:30:35
This ep was one of our first ever, recorded in 2011. Comedic actress / improvisor / writer / podcaster Jamie Denbo aka @JamieDenbo talks about being an only child, born to Jewish parents whose lives, culture and ancestor…
#778 Surviving The Deepest Depths - Laura Moran [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:46:01
Laura Moran is a television writer. She talks about a lifelong battle with depression, self-harm and the suicide attempt that helped her realize she needed help resulting in a stay in a psychiatric facility which helped…
#777 I.C.E. & The Latino Community - Jesse Perez Returns [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:20:19
Jesse Perez is a friend of Paul’s, a cancer survivor, a podcaster, and a Latino man navigating life under the current administration. Look for his podcast, Equanimity, which focuses on this experience. Check out an episo…
#776 Grief, Race & Being Gay - Chris Grace [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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 communit…
#775 Nate Berkus - Surviving The 2004 Tsunami [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:22:39
Nate Berkus (@NateBerkus) is an interior designer and a NYT best-selling author (look for his new book, Foundations: Timeless Design That Feels Personal) who joins Paul to share his story of growing up, his challenges wi…
#773 Poverty, Loneliness & Low Self-Esteem - Derek [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:24:11
Fellow support group member Derek shares about growing up in extreme poverty and isolation. Recently he has been learning how to connect and practice boundaries but is still struggling with being attracted to women who t…