Mental Illness Happy Hour

Paul’s trusted support group friend Brianne Davis comes to lend him emotional support around his current mental/emotional struggles and to talk about her own experience with the challenge of mean self-talk and working towards having nonjudgemental self-compassion. A great conversation for anyone who is curious about how vulnerability, honesty and sitting with agonizing feelings can be discussed between trusted friends in support groups, especially when one of them is struggling. More about Brianne Davis: Brianne is a relationship and trauma coach, author, speaker, podcast host, wife, mom—and unapologetic truth-teller. Instagram: @thebriannedavisTwitter: @thebriannedavisTikTok: @the.briannedavisWebsite: briannedaviscoach.comNovels: secretlifepodcast.comPodcast: secretlifenovel.comBecoming My Own F-ing Soulmate: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1736106554This 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.Th

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, anxiety, including social anxiety, suicidal ideation and treatment-resistant depression. Her fabulous new book is called How To Be Okay When Nothing is Okay.\More about Jenny:www.TheBloggess.comIG www.Instagram.com/TheBloggessSubstack https://thebloggess.substack.com/Her latest book (Paul highly recommends it) How To Be Okay When Nothing Is Okay is available wherever books are sold.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/happyhourThis episode is sponsored by Timeline. T

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 author is one of the most compassionate and truth-seeking guests we’ve ever had. Some links for Laurenne:Check out her critically acclaimed books (especially her children’s books): https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B015AJ8S5O?ccs_id=8ad74b39-41be-42dc-9e0a-ea3ee5da39f5Her website: laurenne.com (for writing and work) Instagram www.instagram.com/salisimaFacebook https://www.facebook.com/laurenne.sala/The suicide support community she started at www.DontSendFlowers.coThis 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

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 saved her life. Sounds pretty hilarious huh?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/happyhourThis episode is sponsored by Timeline. Timeline’s clinically proven formula is now available at a new, lower price . Mitopure now starts at $99, with the exact same science and formula and listeners can still get 20% off when they go to www.timeline.com/MENTALThis episode is sponsored by The Jordan Harbinger Show. Learn more about the world, improve your critical thinkin

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 healing through it all. Look for her acclaimed new memoir, Such A Pretty Picture, out now. More about Andrea Leeb:Website and info about how to buy her book Such A Pretty Picture www.andrealeebauthor.comIG www.instagram.com/andrealisaleebThis 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/happyhourThis 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: jordan

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. She also shares her good and bad experiences with anxiety--and why she has an attachment to the condition. More about Olga Khazan: Her Substack writing: https://olgakhazan.substack.com/Her IG. www.Instagram.com/olganatorHer book/website: www.OlgaKhazan.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 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/happyhourThis episode is sponsored by The Jordan Harbinger Show. Learn more about the world, improve your critical thinking skills and be entertained! Listen or subs

 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 she’s done to heal, as well as the process of her own divorce.For more about Erin: www.erinvalentetherapy.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 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/happyhourThis 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/spotifyHer

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: Teaching My Father How to Love, and his podcast of the same name.More about Mike de la Rocha:Book: https://www.amazon.com/Sacred-Lessons-Teaching-Father-Love/dp/B0D5WKQDSPIG: https://www.instagram.com/mrmikedelarocha/?hl=enPodcast: https://www.instagram.com/oursacredlessons/?hl=enRevolve:https://www.revolveimpact.com/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/happyhourThis episode is sponsored by The Jordan Harbinger Show. Learn more about the world, improve your

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 Washington. She and Paul discuss the importance of communication when it comes to sex and the imperative of tossing shame out the window when it comes to what turns you on.More about Dr Nicole McNicholsCheck out her new book You Could Be Having Better S-x (Simon Element, Feb. 3, 2026) Check out her website Dr. Nicole McNicholsFollow her on (Instagram and TikTok) 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/happyhourThis episode is sponsored by The Jordan Harbing

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/happyhourThis 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-ev

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 tips for managing burnout--and avoiding it altogether. For more, look for his new book Mind Over Grind: How to Break Free When Work Hijacks Your LifeMore about Guy:His new book: Mind Over Grind https://www.guywinch.com/books/mind-over-grind/Guy’s website: www.GuyWinch.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/guywinchauthor/IG: https://www.instagram.com/guywinch/?hl=enYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/guywinchThis episode is sponsored by Greenleaf Book Club. Pick up your copy of Mountains to Cross wherever books are sold!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.If you’re interested in seeing or buying the furniture that Paul designs and makes follow his IG @ShapedFurniture or vis

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 episode is sponsored by Greenleaf Book Club. Pick up your copy of Mountains to Cross wherever books are sold!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.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.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

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:www.marriagetherapyradio.comwww.ZachBrittle.comIG @marriagetherapyradioYouTube https://www.youtube.com/@marriagetherapyradioRead Zach’s books This episode is sponsored by Greenleaf Book Club. Pick up your copy of Mountains to Cross wherever books are sold!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 AlmaVisit helloalma.com/happyhour to schedule a free therapy consultation today.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.comWAYS TO HELP THE MIHH PODCASTSubscribe via Apple Podcasts (or whatever player you use). It costs no

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 codependency and using work as a tool to cope with her feelings. She also shares some personal experiences she had working on behalf of inmates on Death Row.More about Sophia:Follow her on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sophia_laurenzi/Subscribe to her newsletter: https://sophialaurenzi.substack.com/Learn more on Sophia's website: https://www.sophialaurenzi.com/ This episode is sponsored by Greenleaf Book Club. Pick up your copy of Mountains to Cross wherever books are sold!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 AlmaVisit helloalma.com/happyhour to schedule a free therapy consultation today.If you’re interested in seeing o

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 no-contact. More about Jennifer:https://youtube.com/@therapistsanctuary?si=LXxyNlcClD00m-Qzhttps://www.holistichealingcounselling.com/therapist-sanctuaryhttps://insta.openinapp.co/7s936This episode is sponsored by Greenleaf Book Club. Pick up your copy of Mountains to Cross wherever books are sold!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 AlmaVisit helloalma.com/happyhour to schedule a free therapy consultation today.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.comWAYS TO HELP THE MIHH PODCASTSubscribe via Apple Podc

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 resilience, particularly in children. More about KyleLook for his videos on MedCircle.com and BabaBlast.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 AlmaVisit helloalma.com/happyhour to schedule a free therapy consultation today.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.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/po

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) after her death and the transformative moments spent with her father while he was dying. Look for her podcast, Brain Stories, which shares personal stories about mental healthBrain Stories Website: https://brainstoriesproductions.com/Podcasts Platform Episode Links to Gwen's Story: Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/brain-stories/id1841732261Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/1yGQWomCxHNfZSOl8i1lcyYouTube - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YlD2knQFJBA&list=PLqeyxQ9EY_wg2wXgSB7DmJBKf2vymkVrv&index=3iHeart - https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-brain-stories-296272929/episode/gwen-three-generations-a-broken-310804975/BrainStories email. BrainstoriesProductions@gmail.comThis episode is sponsored by AlmaVisit helloalma.com/happyhour to schedule a fr

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 one people-pleaser interviews another! Enjoy Janet parrying a compliment coming her way! En grade! More about Janetwww.JanetVarney.comIG and Threads @TheJVClubTikTok @Janet.VarneySketchfest https://sfsketchfest2026.sched.com/This episode is sponsored by AlmaVisit helloalma.com/happyhour to schedule a free therapy consultation today.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.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.comWAYS TO HELP THE MIHH PODCASTSubscribe via Apple Podcasts (or whatever player you use). It costs nothing. It’s extremely helpful

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 ancestors she feels are informed by fear. She talks about growing up in Massachusetts and feeling guilty for not having more obvious reason to explain her sadness, panic and anger, and how motherhood is helping her to recognize the familial and cultural cycles she would like to break. She and Paul also do an epic Fear/Love Off.More about Jamie:TV Roles: Orange Is the New Black, Happy Hour, The Mighty B!, F Is for Family, Terriers, Return of the Mac.Film Appearances: The Heat, Spy, Daddy's Home, Must Love Dogs, Yes Man.Comedy & Podcasts: A staple in the comedy scene, especially with her popular podcast Ronna & Beverly, and appearances on The Thrilling Adventure Hour.Writer: Created the Lifetime series American

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 turn her life around.More about Laura:website: https://lauramoran.com/IG: @LauraPotatoesTikTok: LaurampotatoesThis episode is sponsored by AlmaVisit helloalma.com/happyhour to schedule a free therapy consultation today.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.Note: Some past episodes may still contain ads for BetterHelp. This podcast no longer endorses them in any way, shape or form.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.comWAYS TO HELP THE MIHH PODCASTSubscribe via Apple Podcasts (or whatever player you use). It costs nothing. It’s extrem