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.

Tardive dyskinesia (TD) is often misunderstood, misdiagnosed, or simply ignored — leaving many people feeling isolated, frustrated, and afraid to speak up. In this episode, we share the deeply personal story of Sherland Peterson, a woman living with tardive dyskinesia, while exploring the physical, emotional, and social impact of this complex movement disorder.

Whether you are living with TD yourself, caring for someone who is, or simply trying to better understand the realities of long-term mental health treatment, this episode offers insight, validation, and practical understanding. Our guest discusses what it was like to first notice the symptoms, the challenges of getting answers, and how TD affected confidence, relationships, communication, and daily life.

Listeners will learn:

• the emotional toll of living with visible involuntary movements 
• how psychiatric medication side effects can create complicated treatment decisions 
• what caregivers and loved ones should know about supporting someone 
• how stigma and shame can prevent people from seeking help 

If you’ve ever wondered what TD actually feels like beyond the clinical definition — or if you’re searching for hope, support, and real-world perspective — this episode delivers an authentic and compassionate look at life with TD.
We would like to thank Teva Pharmaceuticals for providing educational support for this episode.

“In my case, my mouth was so affected by TD (tardive dyskinesia), my jaw would quiver, my speech would be slurred.” ~Sherland Peterson

Our guest, Sherland Peterson, is a vocal advocate for mental health awareness and has appeared in numerous podcasts, TV, and radio interviews in which she shares her mental health journey. Ms. Peterson attended Hunter College and City College of NYC. She has taught English at LaGuardia Community College, City College of NYC, and DeVry Institute in NYC. She has also served as a Schedule C in the Obama administration’s Administrative Conference of the US.

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.

Grammy-nominated singer, actress, and mental health advocate Carnie Wilson joins Gabe Howard to discuss one of the most misunderstood conditions in mental health: tardive dyskinesia (TD).

In this candid conversation, Wilson opens up about her own experiences with depression, postpartum depression, addiction recovery, and the isolation that often accompanies mental health challenges. She explains why vulnerability can become a source of strength and why speaking up may be the most important first step toward healing.

Listeners will learn:

• why many people wait months or years before discussing symptoms with a healthcare professional

• Carnie Wilson’s personal history with mental health struggles 

• why people fear judgment for their diagnosis and for visible symptoms of TD

Together, Gabe and Carnie explore the stigma surrounding mental illness, the unique challenges faced by people living with TD, and the emotional impact these conditions can have on relationships, self-esteem, and daily life. They also discuss why so many people delay seeking help and what can happen when fear gives way to action.

Whether you're living with a mental health condition, supporting someone who is, or simply want to better understand TD, this episode offers a powerful message of empathy, education, and hope. Listen now!

Cold Open Transcript:

“They become an advocate for themselves. They finally say, when I look in the mirror, I see my tongue darting from right, left, right, left. And I don't want to go to work today because I think my students at the school will judge me. These are everyday people that have these jobs that are affected. And I'm here to say, don't be ashamed. There's nothing wrong with you.” ~Carnie Wilson, Grammy Nominated Pop Sensation

Our guest, Carnie Wilson, is a Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter and mental health advocate. 

Carnie Wilson has always been an advocate for helping and empowering others. Now, it means so much to her to be able to use her voice to be open about her own mental health journey, with the hope that she can help people facing their own challenges. 

In the past, she's openly shared her experiences with postpartum depression and addiction and found strength by being open about her mental health challenges, as well as seeking treatment and support. 

Carnie Wilson, born into the music world, has made her own mark on the entertainment world as a singer, TV personality, and actress. She is a founding member of the pop trio Wilson Phillips. Beyond her music career, Carnie has appeared on television as a host and guest star and even made a memorable cameo in the comedy film “Bridesmaids.” Her diverse talents continue to inspire and entertain audiences worldwide. She loves cooking and baking with her family and resides in California with her family. 

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.

No one likes to throw up. But for some, the mere thought of vomiting is a Level 12 emergency that halts life in its tracks. Imagine avoiding bars, concerts, and even the grocery store because a stranger might look "pale." This is the reality of emetophobia—a debilitating fear of vomiting that often hides in the shadows of more common diagnoses like anxiety or eating disorders.

In this episode, we peel back the layers of this misunderstood condition with ADAA member expert Ken Goodman, LCSW, and emetophobia sufferer Lorraine Leal. Ken breaks down why emetophobia is far more than a gross-out reaction; it is a complex anxiety disorder that forces sufferers to construct elaborate safety behaviors just to survive the day. Lorraine shares her raw, personal journey of living with a fear so intense she would rather die than vomit. She details the isolation of being labeled a bad friend for avoiding germ-filled social spaces and the crushing guilt of feeling like a burden on her family.

Listener Takeaways

• Understanding that for many, the fear of others getting sick is just as paralyzing
• Learn how safety behaviors can actually fuel the phobia instead of preventing the danger
• Recognize why emetophobia is frequently mistaken for other disorders
• Learn what type of therapist to seek out to treat this unique disorder

Tune in to dive into the overlap between emetophobia and OCD, the safety behaviors that keep sufferers trapped, and a surprising look at why treatment doesn't actually involve being forced to vomit.

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

"Some people would rather die than vomit, and that is something that most onlookers don't see." ~Lorraine Leal, Emetophobia Survivor

Our guest, Lorraine Leal, is 42 and a lifelong emetophobia sufferer. Lorraine is from Long Island where she enjoys performing in local musical theater productions, nail art, and reading.

Our guest, Ken Goodman, LCSW, specializes in the treatment of anxiety disorders and OCD.  He is on the board of directors for the Anxiety and Depression Association of America and is Founding Director of QuietMindSolutions.com. He has authored and produced several self-help courses and books including “The Anxiety Solution Series,” a 12-hour audio course, “Break Free from Anxiety,” a coloring self-help book, and “The Health Anxiety Handbook.” He also wrote the top selling book on emetophobia, “The Emetophobia Manual,” and produced a pre-recorded emetophobia course. He lectures at universities and organizations across the country. He earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from UCLA and operates his online private practice in Los Angeles.

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.

While many people have heard of Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) fewer know about Mentalization-Based Treatment (MBT), an evidence-based therapy that is producing remarkable results for people living with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD).

In this episode, host Gabe Howard sits down with Robert P. Drozek, LICSW, a teaching associate in psychiatry at Harvard Medical School and author of “Mentalization: Utilizing Reflection to Heal from Borderline Personality Disorder.” Together, they explore how mentalization—the ability to understand your own thoughts, feelings, and motivations while considering the perspectives of others—can help reduce the emotional instability, relationship challenges, impulsivity, and self-destructive behaviors often associated with borderline personality disorder.

Robert explains what happens when intense emotions or fears of rejection disrupt a person's ability to accurately interpret themselves and others. He breaks down how Mentalization-Based Treatment works, what a typical therapy session looks like, and why some people who haven't connected with DBT may find MBT to be a powerful alternative.

Listeners Will Learn:

·      Discover how Mentalization-Based Treatment (MBT) was developed and why it is evidence-based

·      Explore the key differences between MBT and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)

·      Find out what happens during a typical MBT therapy session

·      Understand how rigid certainty about yourself or others can fuel emotional suffering

Whether you've been diagnosed with borderline personality disorder, love someone who has, or simply want to better understand this treatable mental health condition, this conversation offers hope, practical insights, and a fresh perspective on recovery. Listen now!

“When (people with borderline personality disorder) are overwhelmed by emotion, they stop reflecting. Mentalization helps them get their minds back online.” ~Robert P. Drozek, LICSW

Robert P. Drozek, LICSW, is the clinical director of the Mentalization-Based Treatment Clinic at McLean Hospital in Belmont, Massachusetts. He is a teaching associate in the Department of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School, specializing in the treatment of borderline personality disorder, narcissistic personality disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder. He is author of the new book, Mentalization: Utilizing reflection to heal from borderline personality disorder—the first book for the general public about mentalization-based treatment.

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.

Think working in mental health is just sitting and listening? The reality is a chaotic, high volume front line where workers face severe psychological crises every single day. In this episode, our host sits down with the author of “So You Want To Work in Mental Health?: The Good, the Bad, and the Unforgettable,” Cliffard Mayo, MBA, LAC, to pull back the curtain on what really happens behind closed doors for many mental health workers.

Listeners will learn:

• Mental health workers are trained not to internalize a client's failures, and therefore often refuse to take credit for their successes.
• Nonclinical staff absorb crisis trauma but are often denied essential training and support.
• Empathy fatigue is where clients begin to feel like a rotation of numbers rather than people.
• Training vs. Reality: Academia teaches how to run a controlled, one-on-one clinical session, but often fails to prepare graduates for the volume, chaos, and emotional exhaustion of the actual field.

Whether you are a professional working in healthcare or someone determined to understand the current, raw state of mental health advocacy, this conversation delivers the essential insights and perspectives you need. Hit play to uncover the unspoken truths of caregiving and learn how we can preserve the people who spend their lives saving others.   

"School prepared me to be a therapist in a session [...] It didn't prepare me for handling the sheer volume of vicarious trauma, chaos, exhaustion." — Cliffard Mayo, author of “So You Want to Work in Mental Health?”

Our guest, Cliffard Mayo, MBA, LAC, is an award‑winning author and behavioral health professional with a decade of direct care experience, including crisis intervention and residential therapy.

Known for his authenticity and emotional intelligence, Cliffard blends professional expertise with deeply human storytelling to challenge stigma and inspire resilience.

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.

Please share the show with everyone you know! Thank you!

Is our mental health system helping children or simply getting better at labeling them? With some reports suggesting that 70% of adolescents are struggling with mental health issues, host Gabe Howard asks the tough question: Is it possible that the majority of teenagers are truly "sick" or is there a flaw in how we calculate and categorize human distress?

Joining the show is Dr. Will Dobud, a social worker, researcher, and co-author of “Kids These Days: Understanding and Supporting Youth Mental Health.” Dr. Dobud pulls back the curtain on the clinical world, revealing that a staggering number of psychologists have concerns about the validity of the DSM, the very book used to dictate treatment and insurance coverage. He argues that the "expert-led" model often ignores the most predictive factors of success: the therapeutic relationship and the child’s own engagement.

Listener Takeaways

• Learn why the therapeutic bond and the child's belief in the treatment are more predictive of recovery than the specific clinical interventions used.
• Learn how to perform a "resource audit" to identify your child's strengths and support systems rather than focusing exclusively on clinical deficits.
• Learn why a child’s belief that they are in the right place is the primary driver of improvement.
• Navigate the insurance system to ensure a child gets care without receiving a "severe and persistent" label that sticks with them for life.
  

In this candid conversation, Dr. Dobud explains his philosophy of "crew, not passengers," encouraging parents to focus on what works rather than getting hung up on what they feel they “should” be doing. This episode is a must-listen for any caregiver who wants to support their child’s mental well-being while honoring their autonomy and long-term potential. 

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"The (child) is not the problem. The problem is the problem."~Dr. Will Dobud, co-author of Kids These Days

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Our guest, Dr. Will Dobud, is a social worker, researcher, and educator who has worked with adolescents and families in the United States, Australia, and Norway. Will is from Washington, D.C., and divides his time between the United States and Australia each year. Will is an award-winning researcher and educator who has received recognition for excellence in research, teaching, and crime prevention. Dr. Dobud is a Senior Lecturer in Social Work at Charles Sturt University, Australia's largest social work school. Will is an invited international speaker who conducts workshops for therapists and families around the globe.

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.

Please share the show with everyone you know!

In this thought-provoking episode, host Gabe Howard sits down with child psychiatrist and author Dr. Sami Timimi to challenge some of the most widely accepted ideas in modern mental health care.

Drawing from his latest book, “Searching for Normal: A New Approach to Understanding Mental Health, Distress, and Neurodiversity,” Dr. Timimi explores why diagnoses like ADHD, depression, and anxiety may be less about biology and more about cultural context. The conversation dives into how labeling distress can sometimes obscure the real drivers of human experience—life experiences, relationships, and environments.

Listeners will learn:

• the risks of viewing mental health challenges as lifelong disorders
• how context, development, and adversity shape emotional experiences
• what a more humane, supportive approach to distress could look like

This episode invites listeners to reconsider what it means to be “normal,” and whether our current mental health framework is helping — or limiting — our understanding of the human condition. If you’ve ever questioned the labels, wondered about overdiagnosis, or wanted a deeper conversation about mental health beyond the surface, this episode is for you.

“We have this fantasy that we can live lives that are devoid of any sort of emotional suffering, but that creates a really artificial idea about what life should be like." ~Dr. Sami Timimi, author of Searching for Normal

Our guest, Dr. Sami Timimi, is a practicing consultant child and adolescent psychiatrist and psychotherapist in the UK's National Health Service. He has contributed to over forty books on subjects related to critical psychiatry, childhood, psychotherapy, depression, behavioral problems, and cross-cultural psychiatry; authored six books, including “Naughty Boys: Anti-Social Behaviour, ADHD, and the Role of Culture” and “Insane Medicine: How the Mental Health Industry Creates Damaging Treatment Traps and How You Can Escape Them”; co-edited four books, including “Liberatory Psychiatry: Philosophy, Politics and Mental Health with Carl Cohen”; and co-authored two others, including “The Myth of Autism: Medicalising Men’s and Boys’ Social and Emotional Competence” with Neil Gardiner and Brian McCabe. His most recent book is “Searching for Normal: A New Approach to Understanding Mental Health, Distress and Neurodiversity.”

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.

Please share the show with everyone you know!

Members of marginalized communities are often told to be "resilient," but how do you bounce back when the system itself is the weight on your shoulders? When policy is the source of the trauma, the burden of healing shouldn't rest solely on the individual. Joining us for this episode is a powerhouse in the field of psychology: the President of the American Psychological Association, Dr. Debra M. Kawahara.

In this unflinching conversation, we dismantle the myth of individual resiliency and confront the systemic forces shaping our mental well-being. From the healthy paranoia required for survival in marginalized communities to the traumatizing optics of immigration enforcement, we explore how sociopolitical climates act as a direct catalyst for mental health crises.

Listeners will learn:

• why focusing solely on individual grit can lead to victim-blaming and ignoring systemic failures
• how society takes psychological comfort in believing people “deserve” their circumstances
• why viewing healthcare and education as human rights is the first step toward equity

If you’ve ever felt like anxiety is a rational response to an irrational world, this exploration of systemic inequity and the fight for collective wellness is for you. Learn how to stay in the fight without letting the weight of the world knock you out.

"Don't get knocked out because we need you."
~Dr. Debra M. Kawahara, President of the American Psychological Association

Debra M. Kawahara, Ph.D., is a psychologist, scholar, and advocate for justice and mental health resource accessibility. As the 2025 President of the American Psychological Association and Associate Dean of Academic Affairs at Alliant University, she leads with vision and heart — shaping psychology’s future through cultural humility, intersectional insight, and systemic care.

Her work spans over 20 academic programs across six campuses and online, and her scholarship bridges feminist theory, Buddhist psychotherapy, Asian American mental health, and leadership grounded in equity. Internationally published and recognized, Debra brings both academic excellence and therapeutic wisdom to her teaching, speaking, and clinical practice — where she works with individuals, couples, families, and organizations in cultivating resilience and meaningful change.

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.

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Most people think "hearing voices" would be a nightmare symptom of mental illness, but for some, it feels more like a friendship. In the medical world, hallucinations and delusions are symptoms to be eliminated. But for Kit Wallis, the reality of living with schizoaffective disorder is far more complicated.

For years, she shared her life with her delusions, including Orion, a "sassy, funny, and supportive" internal voice who helped her study, hyped her up for exams, and ensured she was never truly alone.

In a culture that views psychosis through a lens of fear, Kit saw her symptoms as a lifeline. However, when a life-altering psychotic break required antipsychotic medication, the "recovery" came with a devastating price. As the medication began to work, her voices didn't just fade — they "broke up like a bad phone call." Kit didn't just lose her symptoms; she lost her closest friends.

Listeners will take-a-way:

• Understanding the mourning process Kit experienced when medication worked to eliminate her hallucinations
• Why the medical community often ignores the "positive" aspects of psychosis
• Kit’s conflict surrounding wanting the voices back while knowing the importance of treatment

In this deeply personal conversation, host Gabe Howard and guest Kit Wallis explore the "hard dialectic" of mental health: the grief of getting well and the complicated mourning process that sometimes follows successful treatment. Listen now!

"No one really warns you about losing the good stuff, too … They just think, ‘Oh, psychosis is all bad. We want it all gone.’ But stories like mine aren't really out there very often." ~Kit Wallis aka SchizoKitzo

Our guest, Kit Wallis, who goes by SchizoKitzo, is a content creator who advocates for schizoaffective and bipolar disorders. She uses long-form videos on her YouTube channel and short-form content on platforms like TikTok and Instagram. Her content centers around her personal experience with schizoaffective disorder and often includes deep dives into research topics regarding mental health.

Kit was diagnosed with the bipolar type of schizoaffective disorder in late 2020 and has struggled with symptoms since she was in middle school. Schizoaffective disorder is a mental health condition where someone experiences symptoms of schizophrenia--such as delusions and hallucinations--but also symptoms of a mood disorder--either major depression or, in Kit's case, bipolar. Realizing there was a lack of schizoaffective advocates, she decided to start her SchizoKitzo project to raise awareness for this complex condition.

The mission of SchizoKitzo is to raise awareness of schizoaffective disorder and all of its aspects, from the mood side to the psychotic side. Kit works to bridge the gap between life and science so she can help break the stigma around mental health.

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.

In 2012, Jon McCann was sitting in a car weeping and preparing to end his life. He was struggling with a failing marriage, alcoholism, and a recent bipolar diagnosis that he feared was a "death sentence." Fast forward to today, and Jon—better known as "The Philly Captain"—is the subject of the Emmy Award-winning Netflix documentary “The Turnaround,” produced by Barack and Michelle Obama.

How does a man go from the brink of suicide to having a former President tell part of his story? It started with a single, viral act of empathy. When Philadelphia Phillies star Trea Turner was mired in a massive slump, Jon didn't call for boos; he called for "love love." He convinced an entire city to give a struggling athlete a standing ovation, proving that grace often achieves what "tough love" can’t.

Listeners Will Learn:

·  How supporting others helps silence your own inner critic

·  The accidental origin story of "The Philly Captain"

·  Turning unique hobbies into a healthy, stable routine

·  The difference between "love love" and “tough love”

In this moving and often hilarious interview, Jon joins host Gabe Howard to discuss the "story behind the story." He opens up about the terrifying moments of his mental health crisis, the power of a supportive family (including his mother’s bipolar awareness tattoo), and the life-changing realization that his story was worth telling. Whether you are navigating your own mental health journey or just looking for a reason to believe in yourself, Jon’s transformation from self-hate to self-worth is the inspiration you need to keep moving forward.
"The fact that (Barack and Michelle) Obama produced a movie (about me for Netflix), it made me believe in myself that I'm not a pile of garbage." ~Jon McCann, The Philly Captain

Our guest, The Philly Captain, aka Jon McCann, is a charismatic YouTuber, lifelong Phillies fan, and the unexpected face of a powerful mental health comeback story. Known for his high-energy vlogs across the streets of Philadelphia—from neighborhood deep dives to rowdy baseball recaps—he also carries a quieter truth: he almost didn’t make it. 

In the Emmy Award winning Netflix short documentary The Turnaround (produced by Barack and Michelle Obama via Higher Ground), viewers get a raw look at the moment he nearly ended his life—and the unlikely path that brought him back: connection, community, and a camera.

Today, The Philly Captain speaks openly about suicidal ideation, depression, and what it really means to fight

your way back when hope feels impossible. Blending brutal honesty, street-smart humor, and unfiltered heart, his talks leave audiences inspired, entertained, and more willing to speak their own truth.

He’s not a doctor. He’s not perfect. He’s living proof that survival is worth it—and that you don’t have to be fixed” to keep showing up.

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.