What if some of the anxiety, depression, and mental health issues we experience aren't simply problems inside us? What if they're actually signals telling us something about the world around us?

Psychiatrist and author Dr. Joanna Cheek joins the show to challenge the way we think about mental health, diagnosis, treatment, and self-care. Her argument isn't that mental health disorders aren't real. They're real, they can be debilitating, and they deserve professional treatment. But focusing only on the individual can cause us to miss external factors that could be a contributing factor.

Focusing on the world or external circumstances raises complicated questions. For example, if anxiety can be a normal response to danger, when does it become an anxiety disorder? If low mood can be a signal that something in our environment isn't working, when does it become depression? And if treatment helps us feel better, does that mean the problem is solved?

Listeners Will Learn:

·      Why self-care alone may not be enough to improve mental health

·      What “collective care” means and why it matters

·      How small acts of kindness and connection can benefit well-being

·      Why anxiety and low mood aren't automatically mental health disorders

This episode isn't an argument against mental health treatment. It's about asking a bigger question: What if we're treating the symptoms without paying enough attention to what's causing them? Listen now for a fascinating conversation about what we misunderstand about mental health—and what we might be able to do about it.

“Self-care isn’t enough. We need to care for our collectives because this world will keep making us sick.” ~Dr. Joanna Cheek, Author of “It's Not You It's the World”

Our guest, Joanna Cheek, MD, is a board-certified psychiatrist, psychotherapist trained in dozens of modalities, researcher, meditation teacher, journalist, and Clinical Professor at the University of British Columbia’s Faculty of Medicine. She co-created the national-award-winning Mind Space collective, offering publicly-funded mental health workshops to teach effective mental health strategies through connection and care to tens of thousands of community members and physicians who, like us all, experience the mental health symptoms that arise from living in a disordered world.

Our host, Gabe Howard, is an award-winning writer and speaker who lives with bipolar disorder. He is the author of the popular book, "Mental Illness is an Asshole and other Observations," available from Amazon; signed copies are also available directly from the author. Gabe is also the host of the "Inside Bipolar" podcast with Dr. Nicole Washington.

Gabe makes his home in the suburbs of Columbus, Ohio. He lives with his supportive wife, Kendall, and a Miniature Schnauzer dog that he never wanted, but now can’t imagine life without. To book Gabe for your next event or learn more about him, please visit gabehoward.com.

Men die by suicide at dramatically higher rates than women, accounting for nearly 80% of suicide deaths. Yet many men who are struggling never seek mental health support — and the consequences can be deadly.

On this episode, host Gabe Howard talks with psychiatrist Dr. Sanjay Mathew, board president of the Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA), and Richard Reeves, president of the American Institute for Boys and Men and author of “Of Boys and Men: Why the Modern Male Is Struggling, Why It Matters, and What to Do About It.”
The conversation explores why traditional mental health language and services may not resonate with some men, how anger and irritability can be overlooked warning signs, and why men may be reluctant to seek or continue treatment. They examine the importance of friendship, community, purpose, and feeling needed — and why men may sometimes hold themselves to such high standards that they count themselves out before they even begin.

Listeners will learn:

• how adjusting the language around mental health may increase engagement among men
• why connection and belonging can be critical to men's well-being
• how friends and family can help prevent male suicide 
• why mental health treatment and therapy are a sign of strength, not weakness

Most importantly, the episode challenges the idea that improving men's mental health means taking anything away from women. The goal, the guests argue, is not either/or — it's helping everyone thrive. Listen now to learn more.

This episode has been sponsored by the Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA). 

“I think sending that message to men and perhaps especially to young men, ‘We need you,’ is actually something that as a culture, we're not doing very well now.” ~Richard Reeves, author of “Of Boys and Men: Why the Modern Male Is Struggling, Why It Matters, and What to Do About It”

Our guest, Richard V. Reeves, is the founder and president of the American Institute for Boys and Men (AIBM). Before founding AIBM in 2023, Reeves was a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution. While at Brookings, he focused on policies related to economic inequality, racial justice, social mobility, and boys and men.

Reeves is the author of several books, including “Of Boys and Men: Why the Modern Male is Struggling, Why it Matters, and What to do About It” and “Dream Hoarders: How the American Upper Class Is Leaving Everyone Else in the Dust, Why That is a Problem, and What to do About It.”

Inspired by his own experiences as a father and policy expert, Reeves founded AIBM to bring awareness to the challenges facing boys and men today and to develop evidence-based solutions.

Our guest, Dr. Sanjay Mathew, is a professor and department head in the Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences at Texas A&M University’s Naresh K. Vashisht College of Medicine.

Our host, Gabe Howard, is an award-winning writer and speaker who lives with bipolar disorder. He is the author of the popular book, "Mental Illness is an Asshole and other Observations," available from Amazon; signed copies are also available directly from the author. Gabe is also the host of the "Inside Bipolar" podcast with Dr. Nicole Washington.

Gabe makes his home in the suburbs of Columbus, Ohio. He lives with his supportive wife, Kendall, and a Miniature Schnauzer dog that he never wanted, but now can’t imagine life without. To book Gabe for your next event or learn more about him, please visit gabehoward.com.

What happens when you seemingly have everything — and still don't feel OK?

TOMS Shoes founder Blake Mycoskie opens up about the severe depression that followed his departure from the company he built. What initially felt like a mild depression gradually became a years-long struggle marked by isolation, shame, loss of purpose, relationship difficulties, suicidal thoughts, and a painful disconnection from himself.

Blake also shares his experience of being misdiagnosed with bipolar disorder and taking multiple psychiatric medications before working with a psychiatrist to carefully taper off them. They also explore an uncomfortable question: Have we taught people to expect medication to fix mental health problems in the same way we expect an antibiotic to cure an infection?

Listeners will learn:

• Success doesn’t make you immune to depression.
• Rock bottom looks different for everyone.
• Recovery often requires multiple tools.
• Feeling better doesn’t mean you stop doing the work.
  

Blake ultimately discovered that recovery wasn’t about finding a single solution — it was about reconnecting with himself, finding purpose, and continuing to do the work. Even after feeling better, he still shows up for therapy every week. Listen now to hear Blake’s powerful story of depression, recovery, and learning that there really is no magic pill.

Guest & Host Information:

Blake Mycoskie is best known as the founder of TOMS Shoes and the creator of the One for One movement, which gave over 100 million pairs of shoes to children in need and helped spark a new wave of social entrepreneurship. But behind the global success, he was quietly battling something deeper: the unshakable belief that he was never enough. After selling TOMS, that internal struggle became impossible to ignore. Despite having everything he once believed would bring fulfillment, family, success, community, and financial security, he found himself in a profound depression. At his lowest point, he came close to ending his life. That breaking point led to a life-altering realization: the wound wasn’t external, it was rooted within. And the only way forward was to heal the original lie that he wasn’t enough. From that awakening came his next chapter: ENOUGH. A cultural movement designed to challenge the deeply ingrained belief of “not enough” and reframe how we understand mental health at its core. Through simple but powerful symbols, like the green ENOUGH bracelet, sold in pairs, one to keep and one to give, he invites people to reconnect with a truth that has always been there: I am enough. You are enough. We are enough. Blake is also launching No Magic Pill - a podcast created for those who feel stuck, overwhelmed, or alone. It’s a space for honest, unfiltered conversations about mental health that are both relatable and practical. There’s no agenda, no product to push, and no requirement for a perfect ending. Just truth, shared openly.

This chapter is not just about healing, it’s about rediscovery. Through doing the inner work, Blake reawakened something he thought he had lost - his entrepreneurial spirit. What followed has been a renewed sense of clarity, creativity, and passion. Fueling a level of joy and productivity in his work that surpasses anything he has experienced before. He is now channeling that energy into new ventures as co-founder of Morning Water and Moovlab - brands rooted in wellness, intentional living, and human performance, each reflecting a more aligned and conscious approach to building. Beyond business, Blake is a proud father of two, an avid surfer, and a portrait photographer. He is currently working on a 50th birthday project, traveling to photograph and honor the people who have most shaped his life. Blake lives in Santa Barbara, California, where he continues to build, create, and connect from a place of wholeness rather than lack. His life’s work now sits at the intersection of mental health, creativity, and entrepreneurship, guided by a simple but transformative belief, that embracing our inherent enoughness is the foundation for everything that follows.

Our host, Gabe Howard, is an award-winning writer and speaker who lives with bipolar disorder. He is the author of the popular book, "Mental Illness is an Asshole and other Observations," available from Amazon; signed copies are also available directly from the author. Gabe is also the host of the "Inside Bipolar" podcast with Dr. Nicole Washington.

Gabe makes his home in the suburbs of Columbus, Ohio. He lives with his supportive wife, Kendall, and a Miniature Schnauzer dog that he never wanted, but now can’t imagine life without. To book Gabe for your next event or learn more about him, please visit gabehoward.com.

If you've ever convinced yourself a headache was a brain tumor or spent hours Googling symptoms only to feel even more anxious, you're not alone.

In this episode, our host sits down with former Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA) president Dr. Karen Lynn Cassiday to unpack the difference between usual concern about your health and clinical health anxiety (also known as illness anxiety disorder).

Dr. Cassiday shares practical, evidence-based tools to help you break free from health anxiety, know when self-help is enough, recognize when it's time for therapy, and understand why this condition is highly treatable.

Listeners will learn:

• why more medical tests don't always create peace of mind
• why online searching often makes health anxiety worse
• practical ways to reduce health anxiety without ignoring real medical concerns

Whether you're constantly worried about your own health or watching someone you love manage these fears, this conversation offers reassurance grounded in science — not endless reassurance seeking.

Educational funding for this episode has been provided by the Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA).

Our guest, Dr. Karen Cassiday, is a lively, sought-after speaker and commentator on national media such as Nightline, The Today Show, Animal Planet, The Joy Behar Show, Huffington Post, public radio and many more.  She is the host of the Moms Without Worry radio show featured on iHeart Radio. She is a TEDx speaker who shared her personal experience as a mother overcoming her own anxious perfectionism in the middle of Walt Disney World! She is the host of the Moms Without Worry radio show.  She served as the President of the Anxiety and Depression Association of America and is the founder of the Anxiety Treatment Center of Greater Chicago, the longest-running clinic to first use modern exposure-based treatment for anxiety disorders in the Chicago region.  

She is the author of The No Worries Guide to Raising Your Anxious Child and Freedom from Health Anxiety and Helping Children and Teens with Difficult-to-Treat OCD. She has also authored numerous peer-reviewed scientific articles and media articles on overcoming anxiety.

She won the Anxiety and Depression Association of America’s prestigious Clinician of Distinction Award and is a Clinical Fellow of the Anxiety and Depression Association of America.  She is also a Diplomate and Founding Fellow of the Academy of Cognitive Therapy, served as Chair of the Scientific Advisory Board of the Chicago OCD Foundation/Beyond OCD, and has been listed on numerous Who’s Who lists.   She has published numerous scientific articles and articles on parenting and managing anxiety.  She also has a long history training mental health professionals throughout the world.

Dr. Cassiday has five children and two friendly but not so bright dogs.  She loves travel, the outdoors and mental health volunteering.  She attributes her sense of humor to the challenges of being mom, stepmom, and dogmom of a crew of colorful personalities who repeatedly remind her to stay humble.

Our host, Gabe Howard, is an award-winning writer and speaker who lives with bipolar disorder. He is the author of the popular book, "Mental Illness is an Asshole and other Observations," available from Amazon; signed copies are also available directly from the author. Gabe is also the host of the "Inside Bipolar" podcast with Dr. Nicole Washington.

Gabe makes his home in the suburbs of Columbus, Ohio. He lives with his supportive wife, Kendall, and a Miniature Schnauzer dog that he never wanted, but now can’t imagine life without. To book Gabe for your next event or learn more about him, please visit gabehoward.com.

Can a relationship survive infidelity? It is possible, but recovery isn't as simple as forgiving a cheating partner, staying together, or deciding to walk away.

In this episode, host Gabe Howard talks with licensed professional counselor Dr. Monique Thompson, author of The Infidelity Recovery Workbook for Couples, about what really happens to a relationship — and to a person's sense of self — after an affair.

The conversation also examines what the partner who cheated can do to rebuild trust, why apologies and grand gestures aren't enough, how “living amends” can demonstrate meaningful change, and why past behavior doesn't necessarily guarantee future behavior.

Listeners Will Learn:

• Why couples shouldn't rush to stay or leave
• Why betrayal can change how you remember the relationship
• What the partner who cheated can do to rebuild trust
• What forgiveness actually means after an affair
• How long infidelity recovery can take

Whether you're trying to recover from infidelity, considering whether to stay, or struggling to understand what happened to your relationship, this conversation offers a compassionate look at healing after betrayal. Listen Now!

Our guest, Dr. Monique Thompson, is a licensed professional counselor, EMDR-trained therapist, and trauma-informed life coach with over 20 years of experience in private practice. She specializes in betrayal trauma, infidelity recovery, depression, anxiety, Bipolar Disorder, and PTSD.

Her work integrates neuroscience, body-based trauma approaches, attachment theory, and parts-based work to help clients restore internal stability, self-trust, and clarity after emotionally destabilizing experiences. Dr. Thompson is known for translating complex psychological science into practical, humane insights that resonate with both clinical and general audiences.

She is the author of a bestselling workbook on infidelity recovery, The Infidelity Recovery Workbook for Couples and is frequently featured as a mental health expert on podcasts, radio, and community education platforms.

Our host, Gabe Howard, is an award-winning writer and speaker who lives with bipolar disorder. He is the author of the popular book, "Mental Illness is an Asshole and other Observations," available from Amazon; signed copies are also available directly from the author. Gabe is also the host of the "Inside Bipolar" podcast with Dr. Nicole Washington.

Gabe makes his home in the suburbs of Columbus, Ohio. He lives with his supportive wife, Kendall, and a Miniature Schnauzer dog that he never wanted, but now can’t imagine life without. To book Gabe for your next event or learn more about him, please visit gabehoward.com.

Everyone worries. Bills. Family. Health. Work. The future. Anxiety is a normal part of being human—but when does ordinary worry become something more? Something that needs professional intervention? More specifically, when does “everyday anxiety” become Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)?

In this episode, host Gabe Howard sits down with ADAA member expert Ben Eckstein, LCSW, therapist, anxiety specialist, and author of “Worrying Is Optional,” to explain how clinicians distinguish everyday stress from a diagnosable anxiety disorder. You'll learn why worrying isn't the same as problem-solving, why avoiding anxiety often makes it worse, and how evidence-based treatments like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and exposure therapy help people reclaim their lives. 

Listeners Will Learn

• The physical symptoms that commonly accompany chronic anxiety
• Why avoidance can make anxiety stronger over time
• The role of medications like SSRIs and benzodiazepines in treating anxiety disorders
• Why worry can feel productive — even though it hardly ever is

Whether you've been diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder, wonder if your anxiety has crossed the line from normal to clinical, or want to better understand someone you care about, this conversation offers practical insights, expert guidance, and hope.

We would like to thank Otsuka for providing educational support for this episode.

Our guest, Ben Eckstein, LCSW, is the owner and director of Bull City Anxiety & OCD Treatment Center in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.  He's a therapist specializing in the treatment of OCD, Anxiety, and OC-Related Disorders. In addition to his clinical work, Ben is a trainer, speaker, and author of the book, “Worrying is Optional.” 

Our host, Gabe Howard, is an award-winning writer and speaker who lives with bipolar disorder. He is the author of the popular book, "Mental Illness is an Asshole and other Observations," available from Amazon; signed copies are also available directly from the author. Gabe is also the host of the "Inside Bipolar" podcast with Dr. Nicole Washington.

Gabe makes his home in the suburbs of Columbus, Ohio. He lives with his supportive wife, Kendall, and a Miniature Schnauzer dog that he never wanted, but now can’t imagine life without. To book Gabe for your next event or learn more about him, please visit gabehoward.com.

Millions of people care for loved ones every day — but who takes care of the caregiver?

In this episode, Host Gabe Howard sits down with actress Cathryn Dylan Ortiz, whose powerful portrayal of Brenda in HBO Max's hit medical drama “The Pitt” sparked widespread conversations about caregiver burnout, anxiety, depression, and the invisible mental health struggles that often go unnoticed.

Cathryn shares how she prepared for one of the show's most emotionally impactful storylines by combining extensive research with her own lived experience. Together, she and Gabe explore why mental illness and mental health issues often hide behind a calm exterior and how caregivers frequently ignore their own emotional needs.

Listeners will learn:

• why caregiver burnout is a serious mental health issue — not just stress
• what HBO Max’s “The Pitt” gets right about portraying mental health without stereotypes
• how simply asking "How are you doing?" can make a meaningful difference
• why caregivers often feel guilty asking for help themselves

Whether you're caring for a parent, spouse, child, friend, or simply trying to better understand someone who is, this episode offers compassionate insights into caregiver burnout, emotional overload, and the importance of recognizing that caregivers deserve support, too.

Our guest, Cathryn Dylan Ortiz, is an actress and graduate of Carnegie Mellon University's School of Drama, where she earned her BFA in Acting. She is best known for her recurring role as Brenda Azurmendi on HBO Max's acclaimed medical drama The Pitt, as well as appearances on Marshals, Grey's Anatomy, Law & Order: SVU, The Rookie, Chicago Justice, and Ray Donovan.

Her portrayal of Brenda - a mother whose son's medical emergency reveals her own silent mental health crisis - sparked widespread conversations among viewers of the HBO MAX series about caregiver burnout, dissociation, and the hidden emotional toll of caregiving. Following the response to the storyline, Cathryn has used her platform to engage in conversations surrounding mental health awareness, caregiver support, and the power of storytelling to help people feel seen.

Beyond acting, Cathryn is passionate about epilepsy advocacy, mental health advocacy, and animal welfare. She is involved with the Epilepsy Foundation Los Angeles and is committed to helping bridge the gap between storytelling, education, and meaningful public conversation.

Our host, Gabe Howard, is an award-winning writer and speaker who lives with bipolar disorder. He is the author of the popular book, "Mental Illness is an Asshole and other Observations," available from Amazon; signed copies are also available directly from the author. Gabe is also the host of the "Inside Bipolar" podcast with Dr. Nicole Washington.

Gabe makes his home in the suburbs of Columbus, Ohio. He lives with his supportive wife, Kendall, and a Miniature Schnauzer dog that he never wanted, but now can’t imagine life without. To book Gabe for your next event or learn more about him, please visit gabehoward.com.

Can your smartphone become part of your mental health treatment? Prescription digital therapeutics (PDTs) promise to do exactly that — but what are they, and do they actually work?

In this episode, host Gabe Howard is joined by ADAA member experts John Torous, MD, MBI, a digital psychiatry expert, and Michelle A. Patriquin, PhD, ABPP, a clinical psychologist, to separate hype from reality. Together, they explain what PDTs are — and aren't — and how mental health apps fit into modern treatment.

The conversation explores how apps can help bridge long wait times for therapy; reinforce skills learned in treatment; track mood, sleep, and behavior between appointments; and provide valuable insights that improve conversations with mental health clinicians.

Listeners will learn:

• the difference between FDA-approved mental health apps and standard wellness apps
• why choosing the "best" mental health app is less important than finding one you'll actually use consistently
• how to avoid common misconceptions about digital mental health tools and make informed choices 

If you've ever opened an app store looking for mental health support, this episode will help you separate marketing from evidence so you can make smarter, safer, and more informed decisions about incorporating technology into your mental health care.

This episode has been sponsored by the Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA).

Our guest, Dr. Michelle Patriquin, is the John S. Dunn Distinguished Professor and Associate Professor in Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at McGovern Medical School at UTHealth Houston, and serves as Assistant Dean of Digital Health & Innovation in the UTHealth Houston School of Behavioral Sciences. She is also Co-Director of Research for the John S. Dunn Behavioral Sciences Center, the largest academic inpatient psychiatric hospital in the United States. She is a board-certified clinical psychologist and researcher focused on digital mental health: bringing data-driven, tech-enabled mental health care into real-world clinical setting - especially intensive and inpatient mental healthcare - to improve safety, recovery, and access. Her work is widely published and is supported by state, federal, and foundation funding. 

Our guest, John Torous, MD, MBI, is director of the digital psychiatry division in the Department of Psychiatry at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC), a Harvard Medical School-affiliated teaching hospital, where he also serves as a staff psychiatrist and associate professor.  He has a background in electrical engineering and computer sciences and received an undergraduate degree in the field from UC Berkeley before attending medical school at UC San Diego. He completed his psychiatry residency, fellowship in clinical informatics, and master's degree in biomedical informatics at Harvard. Dr. Torous is active in investigating the potential of mobile mental health and AI technologies for psychiatry, and his team supports mindapps.org as the largest database of mental health apps, mindApps.ai for benchmarking AI chatbots,  mindLAMP technology platform for scalable digital phenotyping and interventions, and the Digital Navigator program to promote digital equity and access. Dr. Torous has published over 300 peer reviewed articles and 5 book chapters on the topic. He directs the Digital Psychiatry Clinic at BIDMC which seeks to improve access to and quality of mental health care through augmenting treatment with digital innovations. Dr. Torous serves as editor-in-chief for the journal JMIR Mental Health, web editor for JAMA Psychiatry, and a member of various American Psychiatric Association committees.

Does mental health treatment work the same for everyone? The answer is more complicated than many people realize.

In this episode, host Gabe Howard is joined by Stephanie Robertson, J.D., Director of Mental Health Equity at NAMI, and Dr. Nicole Washington, psychiatrist and President-Elect of the Black Psychiatrists of America, for an honest conversation about mental health equity, cultural identity, and why representation matters in behavioral health.

Rather than focusing on politics, this conversation centers on practical realities: how clinicians can better understand the people they serve, why patients deserve care that reflects their experiences, and how open conversations can reduce stigma while improving access to treatment. 

Listeners Will Learn:

• How implicit bias can affect healthcare decisions even when providers have good intentions
• Why mental health equity means providing care that meets people's unique needs—not simply providing identical care for everyone
• Why difficult conversations about mental health, culture, and bias are necessary to improve outcomes
• Why representation helps people feel understood, respected, and more willing to seek treatment

If you've ever wondered why diversity in mental health care matters—or how to achieve it—this episode explores why increasing diversity among mental health professionals isn't just about representation; it's about improving care, expanding access, and creating a mental health system that works better for everyone. 

Cold Open Transcript:

“Being misdiagnosed happens so often to people of color, to women. It's about understanding what people have experienced throughout their lives, not just because of being a person, but because of being a black person, because of being a woman, because of growing up in a large family, because of growing up in the South. You know, there are just things that are culturally and/or the nuances of how you grew up and what you were exposed to makes such a difference.” ~Stephanie Robertson, Director of Mental Health Equity at the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)

Our guest, Stephanie Robertson, is the Director of Mental Health Equity at the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), where she advances access to community-informed and culturally responsive mental health care. She partners with the NAMI Alliance and community-based organizations to address structural barriers to equitable care. Stephanie holds a BA from Duke University and a JD from Georgetown University Law Center. Her professional background spans corporate law, higher education, and diversity, equity, and inclusion leadership. Outside of work, she enjoys jogging, crafting handmade jewelry, and spending time with her mini Goldendoodle, Indie.

Our guest, Dr. Nicole Washington, is an ABMS board certified psychiatrist and the Chief Medical Officer of Elocin Psychiatric Services, a primarily virtual practice where she focuses on the mental health needs of women and the busy professional. Dr. Washington also serves as President-Elect of the Black Psychiatrists of America, Inc.

Dr. Washington has spent most of her career caring and advocating for people who aren't typically consumers of mental health services, namely underserved communities and high-performing professionals.

Our host, Gabe Howard, is an award-winning writer and speaker who lives with bipolar disorder. He is the author of the popular book, "Mental Illness is an Asshole and other Observations," available from Amazon; signed copies are also available directly from the author. Gabe is also the host of the "Inside Bipolar" podcast with Dr. Nicole Washington.

Gabe makes his home in the suburbs of Columbus, Ohio. He lives with his supportive wife, Kendall, and a Miniature Schnauzer dog that he never wanted, but now can’t imagine life without. To book Gabe for your next event or learn more about him, please visit gabehoward.com.

Many people know the term “bipolar disorder,” but few understand what mania actually looks like, how depression presents, or why recognizing the warning signs can be so difficult.

In this episode, host Gabe Howard sits down with ADAA (Anxiety and Depression Association of America) Member expert Bruce M. Cohen, MD, PhD. Dr. Cohen is a psychiatrist, Harvard Medical School professor, and former president and psychiatrist-in-chief of McLean Hospital. Together, they break down the realities of bipolar disorder, including the differences between bipolar I, bipolar II, and cyclothymia.

Listeners will learn:

• how some risk-taking behaviors could be warning signs

• how distinguishing bipolar from personality traits requires careful evaluation
• how caregivers need support and self-care to be effective

They also tackle an important question: When is someone simply energetic, dramatic, or outgoing — and when could those traits point to a mental health condition? Using real-world examples and decades of clinical experience, Dr. Cohen explains how mental health professionals distinguish personality from illness.

If you've ever wondered what bipolar disorder really looks like — or how to help someone who may be struggling — this episode is for you.

We would like to thank McLean Hospital for providing educational support for this episode.

“I've been doing this for 50 years and I've focused on psychotic disorders and bipolar disorders. [. . .] Most of them lead good lives and they're successful.” ~Bruce M. Cohen, MD, PhD

Our guest, Bruce M. Cohen, MD, PhD, is the Robertson-Steele Professor of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School and President/Psychiatrist-in-Chief Emeritus at McLean Hospital. Currently, as Director of the Program for Neuropsychiatric Research at McLean/Mass General Brigham, he leads a consortium using cell culture, genomic, pharmacologic, brain imaging, and clinical studies to increase understanding and develop new treatments for psychiatric disorders. This work is particularly focused on identifying inherent factors that might be modulated to reduce the risk of illness. Convergent evidence from these studies highlights key factors underlying risk for illness, prominently including abnormalities of energy production and brain cell growth and maturation. These abnormalities affect brain development, brain remodeling during adolescence, and brain repair with age. In addition, his work has documented evidence-based dimensional approaches for diagnosing psychiatric disorders that describe each person seeking treatment more accurately and thoroughly than standard diagnostic models. Collaborating investigators work at McLean, the Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, and international sites. Following undergraduate studies at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and graduate (molecular genetic) and medical studies at Case Western Reserve University, Dr. Cohen completed his residency training at McLean. He was co-founder of a Clinical Research Center, founding Director of McLean’s Brain Imaging Center, and director of McLean’s Residency Training Program, and a Vice President at McLean, before becoming President and Psychiatrist-in-Chief of the hospital. Under his leadership, McLean, which was struggling financially, established over 30 new programs, became financially stable and grew to treat more patients, perform more research, and teach more trainees than at any time in its distinguished history. He has taught locally, at McLean, Harvard Medical School, and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, as well as lecturing nationally and worldwide to academic and lay audiences. He has directed continuously funded translational research projects and centers for 48 years.  Dr. Cohen has over 400 publications and 5 awarded patents.  He authored one popular book for lay audiences and has chapters in 19 textbooks. He has consulted to industry and clinical centers. He has been featured in national publications as one of the best doctors in America, been named Psychiatrist of the Year twice by the National Alliance on Mental Illness of Massachusetts, and has won awards for research, teaching, and clinical care.

Our host, Gabe Howard, is an award-winning writer and speaker who lives with bipolar disorder. He is the author of the popular book, "Mental Illness is an Asshole and other Observations," available from Amazon; signed copies are also available directly from the author. Gabe is also the host of the "Inside Bipolar" podcast with Dr. Nicole Washington.

Gabe makes his home in the suburbs of Columbus, Ohio. He lives with his supportive wife, Kendall, and a Miniature Schnauzer dog that he never wanted, but now can’t imagine life without. To book Gabe for your next event or learn more about him, please visit gabehoward.com.

Most people can buy a lottery ticket, join an office March Madness pool, or place an occasional sports bet without it becoming a problem. So why do some people lose their savings, relationships, careers, and even homes because they can't stop gambling?

In this episode, host Gabe Howard sits down with certified gambling counselor Eric Webber, MA, to explore the realities behind gambling addiction and why it deserves to be treated as a serious mental health condition.

This conversation examines the explosion of legal sports betting, in-game prop bets, fantasy sports, and gambling advertisements that have made betting more accessible — and more difficult to avoid — than ever before. Eric explains how modern betting platforms are intentionally designed to deliver frequent rewards that keep people engaged, and why "just stop gambling" is no more helpful than telling someone with depression to "just cheer up."

Listeners will learn:

• how treatment for gambling addiction works and what to expect
• why gambling addiction is a real behavioral addiction, even without substances involved
• the critical role of peer support in long-term recovery
• potential warning signs that casual gambling may be turning into compulsive behavior

If you've ever wondered when gambling crosses the line from entertainment to addiction, this conversation may change the way you think about betting forever.
"People don't lose everything because they enjoy gambling. They lose everything because they can't stop — and that's what makes it an addiction." ~Eric J. Webber, MA

Our guest, Eric J. Webber, MA,  is the Caron Legal Professionals Program Coordinator and Senior Behavioral Health Therapist at Caron Treatment Center.  He provides direct care through individual and group counseling sessions, as well as specialty lectures focused on the disease of addiction, relapse, addiction interaction disorders, work/professional related issues, and other targeted needs. He conducts the Legal Professionals group and meets with legal professionals individually to provide counsel.  Mr. Webber is a Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor, Certified Clinical Supervisor, and holds a Certificate of Competency in Problem Gambling, all through the Pennsylvania Certification Board; he is also a Certified Sex Addiction Therapist and a Certified Multiple Addiction Therapist through the International Institute for Trauma and Addiction Professionals. He holds a master’s degree from Alvernia University.  

Our host, Gabe Howard, is an award-winning writer and speaker who lives with bipolar disorder. He is the author of the popular book, "Mental Illness is an Asshole and other Observations," available from Amazon; signed copies are also available directly from the author. Gabe is also the host of the "Inside Bipolar" podcast with Dr. Nicole Washington.

Gabe makes his home in the suburbs of Columbus, Ohio. He lives with his supportive wife, Kendall, and a Miniature Schnauzer dog that he never wanted, but now can’t imagine life without. To book Gabe for your next event or learn more about him, please visit gabehoward.com.