Inside Mental Health

Today, Dwight "Doc" Gooden, a former Major League Baseball pitcher, discusses his journey with addiction, relapse, and the significance of addressing mental health alongside substance misuse. He emphasizes the importance of honesty, self-forgiveness, and seeking proper help, including for mental health issues, which he feels are often overlooked despite their significance. Doc also highlights the human toll of his addiction beyond baseball, such as the time lost with his children and the impact on his family. To learn more -- or read the transcript -- please visit the official episode page. “Those are the most people that you see out on the streets or holding signs saying, I want to work for food. And it's sad because that was somebody's kid, I mean, at the end of the day, we're all brothers and sisters. And that would definitely be me if I didn't have money. So when I see those people, I try to talk to them a little bit if I can. Sometimes you go to the store and you see people outside. I just talk where you from. I just like to talk to them, see what's going on, because they are people too, and they need help. And saddest part is those people, most of those people and they’re out here suffering and nothing's been done. It's so deep and that's mental health.” ~Dwight "Doc" Gooden Our guest, Dwight Eugene Gooden, aka “Doc,” is well known for his baseball heroics. Dwight’s career accolades include Rookie of the Year, a Cy Young Award, three World Series championships, and a storybook no-hitter. Earning the nickname “Doctor K” due to his propensity for pitching strikeouts, it could be argued that Dwight Gooden earned it all in his playing career. Dwight Gooden’s history also includes substance use and addiction, league suspensions, arrests, and a long road toward learning how his various struggles were associated with his mental health. Receiving treatment and now over four years sober, Dwight Gooden uses his unique perspective to offer support and insightful guidance to others struggling with mental illness. Having served thousands through various speeches, talks and advocacy endeavors, Dwight Gooden is retired from baseball but considers now the prime of his career as he sees his true purpose in helping others. In addition to participating in various mental health causes, Dwight Gooden is working to spread nutritional awareness through St. Augustine’s Fountain. He also looks forward to when the New York Mets will give him the highest honor a player could receive from their club when they retire his #16 jersey this year. 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 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dr. Raghu Kiran Appasani and author Brooke Siem join us for a nuanced discussion about the complexities of prescribing psychiatric medications to children. They explore the importance of informed consent, the inadequacies of the current mental health system, and the societal shift toward over-medicalizing everyday life challenges.  Both Brooke, as an advocate with personal experience, and Dr. Raghu, from a medical perspective, agree on the need for a multifaceted approach to mental health treatment, moving beyond reliance on medication alone. However, they disagree on the best path forward and share their perspectives. To learn more -- or read the transcript -- please visit the official episode page. “When people come to me and they ask me these questions, they are never thriving, which is another piece of anecdata for me, that just shows that these drugs don't really work long term. I mean, I honestly have not met one single person who has been medicated for, let's say, more than 2 to 3 years for depression, who says they're thriving. I hear them say they're coping. They're, you know, they're okay. They're fine. That's kind of the best it gets. They're never living their best life. And so I think we just really attribute a lot of that to just like, oh, it's just being an adult, you know, life's hard and then you die type of attitude.” ~Brooke Siem Our guest, Brooke Siem (@brookesiem), is both a chef to professional athletes and the surprising face of psychiatric drug withdrawal awareness and advocacy. Her book, “May Cause Side Effects,” won the 2023 BIBA Prize for memoir and was named as one of “Good Morning America's” most anticipated reads. Her work on antidepressant withdrawal has also appeared in The Washington Post, New York Post, Psychology Today, and more. She is a Food Network "Chopped" Champion, founder of the newsletter Happiness Is A Skill, and creator of the F**it Bucket™.  Our guest, Dr. Raghu Kiran Appasani, is an integrative & addiction psychiatrist, neuroscientist, and social entrepreneur focused on bridging the gap between Western and Eastern practices to create a wholesome society by taking a proactive approach to health. He recently completed his Addiction Psychiatry Fellowship at the University of California-San Francisco (June 2023). His interests lie at the intersection of psychodynamic psychotherapy, integrative/nutritional psychiatry, mental health literacy, advocacy, wellness, entrepreneurship, and psychedelics. His alter ego's life goal is to become a chef integrating farm-to-table experiences in stunning landscapes around the world. For his contributions, he has been recognized as a World Economic Forum Global Shaper, One Young World Delegate Ambassador, StartingBloc Fellow, Nexus Global Delegate, EchoingGreen, MassChallenge, and Kellogg Innovation Network Delegate. Through his extensive scientific research, he has published more than 35 peer-reviewed articles and edited 5 books. He has given more than 120 talks on mental health, entrepreneurship, global health, and consciousness in parallel with authorship and features on CNN, Vogue, The Boston Globe, ThriveGlobal, The Better India, The Zoe Report, and The Huffington Post. 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 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Krista St-Germain shares her journey with grief following the death of her husband by a drunken driver. She explains how the commonly referenced five stages of grief are inadequate – if not outright inaccurate – for many people's experiences. She discusses alternative grief theories, such as the dual process model, and introduces the concepts of “grief plateau” and “grief fog,” highlighting the complexity and uniqueness of each person's experience of grief. In her work as a grief expert, Krista advocates for a more individualized approach to grief, emphasizing the process of integration and post-traumatic growth rather than just “moving on” or reaching acceptance. She is a master certified life coach, a post-traumatic growth and grief expert, widow, mom, and the host of “The Widowed Mom Podcast.” To learn more -- or read the transcript -- please visit the episode page. Our guest, Krista St-Germain, is a Master Certified Life Coach, Post-Traumatic Growth and grief expert, widow, mom and host of The Widowed Mom Podcast. When her husband was killed by a drunk driver in 2016, Krista’s life was completely and unexpectedly flipped upside down. After therapy helped her uncurl from the fetal position, Krista discovered Life Coaching, Post Traumatic Growth and learned the tools she needed to move forward and create a future she could get excited about. Now she coaches and teaches other widows so they can love life again, too. Krista has been featured online and in print in Psychology Today, Medium, Thrive Global, Bustle, Psych Central, and Parents Magazine and on select podcasts such as The SelfWork Podcast, Seek The Joy, Life Check Yourself, and You Need A Budget to name a few.  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 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Michael Caparrelli spent 100 hours with David Berkowitz, once known as the “Son of Sam” killer. In today’s episode, they discuss Berkowitz's transformation from a serial killer into the remorseful, service-oriented individual and born-again Christian he is today. All of this suggests that during his time in prison, he became a different person, indicating that profound rehabilitation is possible even for those who have committed heinous acts. Dr. Caparrelli explains that through his pastoral and academic experience, he aims to humanize individuals like Berkowitz to understand the factors leading to such violence and possibly prevent future crimes. He is the author of "Monster Mirror: 100 Hours with David Berkowitz, Once Known as Son of Sam," about his extensive interviews with the infamous serial killer, focusing on the psychological and humanitarian aspects rather than the crimes themselves. Our guest, Michael Caparrelli, was a pastor for 16 years who shepherded an inner-city church in Rhode Island that served as a hospital for the mentally ill. His church offered a variety of support groups for people with depression, anxiety, addictions, and grief. He also worked within three prisons as an advocate and counselor for inmates. He now has a PhD in Advanced Studies in Human Behavior and continues his passion through lectures on mental health from a faith-based perspective.  He authored 5 books on mental health and travels the nation speaking on this subject within churches, rehabilitation centers, prisons, and schools. He has traveled 18 states and 3 nations over the past few years. He is a professor of behavioral science at two colleges — Northpoint in Haverhill, Massachusetts, and Manchester Community College in New Hampshire.  Most recently, he conducted a 100-hour case study on David Berkowitz, once known as the “Son of Sam.” He met with David for 34 sessions to explore the mental health factors behind violence as well as his life of sobriety in prison now. This case study was recently published in a book, “Monster Mirror,” which ranked No. 1 New Release in True Crime on Amazon in October. 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 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today’s guest is a “happiness explorer,” and she discusses her realization of the need to strip back negativity in life through her experiences on the hit CBS reality series "Survivor." She highlights how the show's contestants revealed their true potential and capabilities only when faced with extreme challenges. She emphasizes that happiness is a choice backed by intentional, consistent action and shares insights from her book, which provides practical activities like photography and journaling prompts to help readers explore and enhance their happiness. Tune in as Emmy Award-winning TV producer Maria Baltazzi, author of "Take a Shot at Happiness: How to Write, Direct and Produce the Life You Want,” shares a lifetime's worth of knowledge about finding happiness framed around “Survivor” stories. “And I think positive thinking has also taken on a bit of a negative connotation. I don't really prescribe to positive thinking. I prescribe to constructive thinking. What is going to serve you? What is going to serve the greater good? And what makes you a happier human being?” ~Maria Baltazzi, PhD, MFA To learn more -- or read the transcript -- please visit the official page. Our guest, Maria Baltazzi, is a Happiness Explorer. Her experience as an Emmy-winning TV producer, well-being teacher, world traveler, and luxury travel designer specializing in transformative adventures has given her a unique lens into conscious living. Maria has developed and produced shows around the world. She was one of the original supervising producers of the mega TV hit Survivor. She is a member of both the Producers and Directors Guilds of America, a Fellow National Member of The Explorers Club, and an Advisor for the Transformational Travel Council. Maria holds an MFA in film from ArtCenter College of Design and a PhD in Conscious-Centered Living from the University of Sedona. Additional studies include Mindfulness Meditation Teaching Training with Jack Kornfield and Tara Brach, Primordial Sound Meditation Teacher Training from The Chopra Center, Happiness Studies with Tal Ben-Shahar, Positive Neuroplasticity Training with Rick Hanson, Spiritual Psychology with Ron and Mary Hulnick at the University of Santa Monica, Positive Psychology at the University of Pennsylvania, the Science of Happiness at the University of Berkley, and an Inner MBA from MindfulNYU. 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 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

From the streets of San Francisco to the depths of human struggle, Dr. Robert L. Okin, MD, shares the deeply personal narratives of people he spoke with experiencing homelessness during his two-year journey living among and listening to the stories of homeless individuals with mental illness. Reflecting on the vulnerability and resilience of the individuals he met, Dr. Okin challenges societal perceptions and sheds light on the systemic failures that perpetuate homelessness. Through candid conversations and intimate observations, this episode confronts the stigma surrounding homelessness and mental illness, highlighting the shared humanity that binds us all. Join the conversation as Gabe and Dr. Okin uncover the untold stories and advocate for meaningful change in our communities. Join host Gabe Howard as he delves into the raw realities of homelessness and mental illness in today's society. Our guest, Dr. Okin, is the recipient of the American Psychiatric Association's Human Rights Award and author of "Silent Voices: People with Mental Disorders on the Street." “I also expected them to blame their homelessness on bad luck, or on society on something outside of themselves. In fact, they tended to blame themselves wrongly, in my opinion. I met people who were interesting and emotionally connected to me, and I felt energized. Other days, I heard so much sadness and so much pain that I went home with a lump in my throat, and I wasn't sure I could make it out the next day.” ~Robert L. Okin, MD To learn more, please visit the official episode page. Out guest, Robert L. Okin, MD, is a world-recognized expert on human rights for the mentally disabled. He served as chief of service of the San Francisco General Hospital Department of Psychiatry, where he oversaw the development of crucial services for patients with acute and chronic mental illness. He was also professor and vice chair of the UC San Francisco School of Medicine’s Department of Psychiatry. In 2009, he received the American Psychiatric Association’s prestigious Human Rights Award for his work in developing countries. He is the author of “Silent Voices: People with Mental Disorders on the Street” (2nd edition, August 2023). 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 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

“Ten percent of the population has amassed a huge amount of wealth, more than 50% of the bottom half of the population combined. Government basically, through our taxation policies, stuffed the richest segment of the population, which inevitably meant that it starved the poorest segment and the homeless population are the true casualties of this huge disparity in wealth.” ~Robert L. Okin, MD From the streets of San Francisco to the depths of human struggle, Dr. Robert L. Okin, MD, shares the deeply personal narratives of people he spoke with experiencing homelessness during his two-year journey living among and listening to the stories of homeless individuals with mental illness. Reflecting on the vulnerability and resilience of the individuals he met, Dr. Okin challenges societal perceptions and sheds light on the systemic failures that perpetuate homelessness. Through candid conversations and intimate observations, this episode confronts the stigma surrounding homelessness and mental illness, highlighting the shared humanity that binds us all. Join the conversation as Gabe and Dr. Okin uncover the untold stories and advocate for meaningful change in our communities. Join host Gabe Howard as he delves into the raw realities of homelessness and mental illness in today's society. Our guest, Dr. Okin, is the recipient of the American Psychiatric Association's Human Rights Award and author of "Silent Voices: People with Mental Disorders on the Street." Out guest, Robert L. Okin, MD, is a world-recognized expert on human rights for the mentally disabled. He served as chief of service of the San Francisco General Hospital Department of Psychiatry, where he oversaw the development of crucial services for patients with acute and chronic mental illness. He was also professor and vice chair of the UC San Francisco School of Medicine’s Department of Psychiatry. In 2009, he received the American Psychiatric Association’s prestigious Human Rights Award for his work in developing countries. He is the author of “Silent Voices: People with Mental Disorders on the Street” (2nd edition, August 2023). 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 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dive into the depths of your past and discover the keys to unlocking your present as we explore the powerful concepts of "family of origin" and “origin wounds.” From the tender moments to the subtle missteps, our early family dynamics shape the very core of who we are. It's not just about trauma or neglect; even the most loving caregivers leave imprints that ripple through our lives. Join us as New York Times bestselling author Vienna Pharaon guides us through the intricate web of relationships, self-worth, and worldview that we inherit from our upbringing. Together, we'll uncover the patterns that stealthily influence our present, and learn how confronting our origin wounds can lead to profound mental health and personal growth. Don't miss this eye-opening journey into the heart of your past, where understanding paves the way to healing and self-discovery. “I'll hear people kind of with the narrative of, well, they did the best that they could, or they were so much better than their parents were to them. Right? There's many reasons why looking back at our family of origins can feel overwhelming and complicated. Sometimes we feel guilty. Sometimes we feel ungrateful. We're not on a hunt to find something. Right? It's not about trying to throw our parents or the adults under the bus. We're not trying to hate anybody. We're here. We're looking to acknowledge how we experienced those years and how we've internalized those things.” ~Vienna Pharaon, Author of “The Origins of You” To learn more -- or read the transcript -- visit the official episode page. Our guest, Vienna Pharaon, is a licensed Marriage and Family therapist and one of New York City’s most sought-after relationship therapists. She has practiced therapy for more than fifteen years and is the founder of the group practice Mindful Marriage and Family Therapy.  She received her master of science in marriage and family therapy from Northwestern University and trained extensively at The Family Institute, Bette D. Harris Family & Child Clinic. Pharaon has been featured in The Economist, Vice, and Motherly, and has led workshops for Peloton and Netflix, among others. Vienna is the author of national bestseller The Origins of You, and the creator of @mindfulMFT on Instagram where she’s helping over 600K people around the world heal their wounds. About "This Keeps Happening" Every week, I speak with anonymous strangers about the challenges they’re facing in their lives and relationships. Listen as real people unpack emotional wounds with me. Together, we’ll attempt to break unhealthy patterns and find clarity and a way forward. 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 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We discuss the importance of starting mental and emotional health conversations with children from a young age, highlighting the benefits for their emotional development and future stability and happiness.  In today’s episode, Rebecca Rolland, a Harvard lecturer and author, emphasizes that these discussions should be ongoing and developmentally appropriate, focusing not only on negative emotions but also on the positive aspects of mental health to build resilience and empathy.  Rolland encourages openness and adaptability in these talks, reassuring children they have support and an open line of communication for any emotional challenges they may face. “Just as children are constantly developing over time in, say, their ability to read, their ability to tie their shoes and do physical things, we want to think about them as developing emotions and emotional vocabulary. We wouldn't tell a 6- or 7-year-old, well, let's talk about the nuances of depression in the same way we would do that with a teenager. That wouldn't make sense to them because they don't necessarily have a framework for that.” ~Rebecca Rolland, EdD To learn more -- or read the transcript -- please visit the official episode page. Our guest, Rebecca Rolland is the author of The Art of Talking with Children (HarperOne, 2022), a book designed to support educators, parents, and caregivers in enhancing their interactions with children. She is a nationally certified speech-language pathologist who has worked clinically with populations ranging from early childhood through high school and provided teacher professional development. She teaches at the Harvard Graduate School of Education and Harvard Medical School. She served as the Academic Learning Specialist at Kingsley Montessori School and as an Oral and Written Language Specialist in the Learning Disabilities Team at Children's Hospital Boston. She has an Ed.D. from the Harvard Graduate School of Education, an M.S. in Speech-Language Pathology from the MGH Institute of Health Professions, and a B.A. in English from Yale 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 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) is a psychometric test used to assess personality traits and psychopathology. It’s also used to determine hiring, promotion practices, and even parole status. However, is a test really able to determine if someone will excel at a job? Today’s guest, Dr. Lindsay Oberleitner, acknowledges that while the MMPI has been revised to better represent diverse populations, it still has limitations, particularly when used in isolation for job screenings. She emphasizes that the test should be one of many tools used to gain insight into an individual, rather than a stand-alone measure for important decisions like employment. While personality tests are very common in workplaces, there is a lot of misunderstanding surrounding them. Listen now to learn more.  “The MMPI should be one piece of a puzzle. I would never, in my own clinical practice, use the MMPI in isolation because I want to know how does it fit in with this broader picture of the individual I'm sitting with, how does it fit into their story? And I think even when we're considering it for something like jobs, it's an important aspect. And if other pieces don't match up with that, we don't automatically ignore the MMPI and we don't automatically ignore something else, like a fantastic interview with a potential applicant.” ~Lindsay Oberleitner, PhD To learn more -- or read the transcript -- please visit the official episode page. Our guest, Lindsay Oberleitner, PhD, is a clinical psychologist and the Education Director at SimplePractice Learning, as well as an Assistant Professor Adjunct at the Yale University School of Medicine. Prior to joining SimplePractice, Dr. Oberleitner was full-time faculty at the Yale University School of Medicine where she oversaw an interdisciplinary team of behavioral health providers and developed and managed grant-funded programs to increase access to integrated treatments for addiction, mental health, and physical health, and conducted clinical and forensic psychological evaluations. 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 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices