Anxiety and Agoraphobia with ’80s Pop Icon Taylor Dayne

From housebound to pop superstar, Taylor Dayne is most well-known for her hit “Tell It to My Heart,” which made her an overnight sensation in 1987. Listen in as she tells Gabe that before her rise to stardom, she struggled with anxiety and agoraphobia so severe, she was often housebound. Taylor explains when her symptoms started, how she treated them, and how she is doing now.

To learn more -- or read the transcript -- please visit the official episode page.

Guest Bio

Taylor Dayne is an American pop icon with a career spanning 3 decades. Taylor’s groundbreaking debut single “Tell It To My Heart” turned her into an overnight star in 1987. She followed the smash hit with seventeen Top 20 singles over the course of her career. Taylor has sold over 75 million albums and singles worldwide, earned three Grammy nominations, an American Music Award, multiple New York Music Awards, received New York Music Hall of Fame honors, and ranked as the Number 18 Female Dance artist of all time by “Rolling Stone” magazine. She is one of the very few artists in musical history to successfully cross over into almost every musical genre and chart with hit singles in Pop, Dance, R&B, Adult Contemporary, and Rock.

Taylor has appeared in film, TV and stage, from Broadway favorites like Elton John’s award-winning production of “Aida,” and Mel Brooks’ “Archie” and “Mehitable,” to working with legendary composer Jule Styne to reprise the role of Fanny Brice on Broadway. Taylor also appeared in movies including “Love Affair” with Warren Beatty and Annette Benning and co-starred in Denis Leary’s TV drama “Rescue Me.” She also starred in the HBO film “STAG” and co-starred on Showtime’s original series “Rude Awakening.”

Her growth as an artist was enhanced by the birth of her twins in early 2002. Her voice became stronger and more meaningful as she took on single motherhood, empowerment, surrogacy, and parenthood head-on, becoming a voice and an advocate for working woman, same sex marriage, parenting and fertility. Her 2016 TEDWomen talk opened her career to more speaking engagements, inspirational and monumental moments, and paved the way to her memoir.

This past summer she released a new single called “Please” and is working on anticipated new music. In addition, in September 2020, she competed in the Fox hit show “The Masked Singer” for the 4th season. She competed as PopCorn and made it to the semifinals. For updates and tour dates please visit www.taylordayne.com.

Inside Mental Health Podcast 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.

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