How does trauma-informed mental health care save lives and improve long-term recovery? Dr. Jasleen Chhatwal, psychiatrist and suicide prevention advocate, joins Gabe Howard to explain this vital yet often overlooked approach. With compassion and clarity, Dr. Chhatwal shares her personal story of losing her father to suicide, highlighting the ripple effects of trauma and the urgent need for systemic change. 

She reveals how healthcare systems — often unintentionally — can retraumatize vulnerable individuals and emphasizes the importance of safety, empowerment, and understanding in mental health treatment. Plus, learn actionable steps anyone can take to support loved ones, reduce stigma, and help lower the suicide rate. This candid, insightful conversation sheds light on how we can all become part of the solution. Whether you're a caregiver, someone in need, or a supporter, this conversation will inspire you to think differently about mental health and suicide prevention.

“Oftentimes folks who are struggling with thoughts of death or thoughts of suicide may feel that even though you're asking them how they're doing, you're not really up for truly hearing how awful they are feeling. So, in some ways, they might couch their words or under report something to you because they're trying to protect you, and they're worried that you will overreact and not be able to sort of handle it.” ~Jasleen Chhatwal, MBBS, MD

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

Jasleen Chhatwal, MBBS, MD, serves as Chief Medical Officer and Director of the Mood Disorders Program at Sierra Tucson. She is a board-certified psychiatrist, integrative medicine, and addiction medicine physician with experience treating complex mental health disorders in inpatient, residential, and outpatient settings. She is intentional in treating the whole person, using psychotherapy, allopathic, neuro-therapeutic, integrative, evidence-based, and evidence-informed treatments. She believes each individual has a unique, authentic story and is grateful to all those who have entrusted her with their stories.

As Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Chhatwal is responsible for managing the medical department, which includes psychiatrists, physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, as well as overseeing the teams that provide integrative care, pharmacy, experiential therapy, nutrition services, applied neuroscience services, psychology services and treatment outcomes. She strives to ensure consistent, high-quality patient care through the optimization of internal processes that help increase provider face time with patients. She also serves on the facility’s executive leadership team with an identified mission to expand access to high quality mental health care across the continuum of care.

She is active in the medical community, advocating for her patients’, colleagues, and profession through elected and appointed positions in state, regional and national organizations. Amongst her service roles, she is Past President of the Arizona Psychiatric Society (APS), the Arizona Representative to the American Psychiatric Association (APA) Assembly, Assistant Professor at the University of Arizona College of Medicine and sits on various state government and non-profit boards.

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.

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Why do kids freak out, and how can adults guide them through it without just saying, "Stop it?” Dr. Carla Naumburg, clinical social worker and author of How to Stop Losing Your Shit with Your Kids, joins Gabe Howard to unpack the science of emotional outbursts. Learn the surprising reasons behind freak-outs, how to manage them with humor (learn about acronyms FART and BuRP), and why telling kids to calm down often backfires. This episode is packed with practical advice for parents, teachers, and anyone who works with kids, helping them navigate tough moments with empathy and skill.

“Let's say you are a kid and you have a parent who stays 100% perfect and calm and smiley and always gives you what you want. When you go out in the real world, you're not going to be able to deal with life at all because that's never going to be recreated, right? And so, when your parent loses their temper with you from time to time, packs you a lunch you don't like, forgets to pick you up at school and you're left there for half an hour. When your parent does X, Y, and Z that are considered less than perfect parenting, what you learn is that people aren't perfect, and that's okay. That you can handle things not going the way you want, and you'll be okay. It actually makes kids more resilient.” ~Carla Naumburg, PhD

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

Our guest, Carla Naumburg, PhD, LICSW, is a clinical social worker and the author of five books, including the bestselling How to Stop Losing Your Sh*t With Your Kids and its middle-grade companion How to Stop Freaking Out. Her writing has appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Huffington Post, CNN, and Mindful Magazine, among other places. Carla lives in Massachusetts with her husband and two daughters.

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.

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What if trauma didn’t just break us but could also shape us in powerful ways? In this thought-provoking episode, Krista St-Germain and Gabe Howard dive into the complex world of post-traumatic growth — exploring how some people emerge from life’s darkest moments with deeper purpose, stronger connections, and realigned values.

This concept, however, isn’t about being “grateful” for suffering. It’s about rejecting toxic positivity, confronting internal conflicts, and embracing intentional choices. Discover how curiosity, authenticity, and self-reflection can guide you from surviving to thriving — without minimizing pain. If you’ve ever wondered whether growth after trauma is possible (or how it really works), this episode will change the way you think about resilience.

“My husband died when I was 40. He was killed by a drunk driver. And that was the most awful thing I ever experienced, right? Bar none. I didn't want it to happen. I'm not grateful that it happened. I used to think that in order to experience post-traumatic growth, when I first learned about it, that would mean I would have to be happy that it happened, 100%, no! Right? No, not at all.” ~Krista St-Germain

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

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Why won’t mental health professionals share with the public when they suspect a presidential candidate has mental illness? As election cycles intensify, the public often seeks expert opinions on candidates’ mental health, but there’s a reason psychiatrists stay silent.

In today’s episode, host Gabe Howard and guest Rachael Beairsto dive into the history of the 1964 Goldwater Rule, which prohibits mental health experts from publicly diagnosing public figures without firsthand evaluation. They explore why this rule was established after the Barry Goldwater controversy, the ethical and practical dilemmas it addresses, and how "post-truth" culture challenges its boundaries.

In a world where facts can feel secondary to personal beliefs, this episode unpacks why mental health diagnoses in the political sphere may be more divisive than informative. Tune in to discover the surprising reasons why expert silence might protect both democracy and those living with mental illness.

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

This episode is sponsored, in part, by Cornbread Hemp. They produced the first-ever USDA-certified organic CBD gummies in America. Save 30% on your first order using code "Inside30."

Guest co-host, Rachael Beairsto, is a senior editor with Healthline Media. She covers many health topics, including mental health, chronic conditions, and skin care. Most recently, she supported the launch of Wellos, a mobile wellness app that helps members reach their stress, nutrition, and weight goals. She’s passionate about sharing accurate, engaging health information to help people lead their healthiest, happiest lives.

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.

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Today’s guest is a self-described “Grim Reaper’s cheerleader” and author of You Only Die Once. In this episode, we explore a fascinating approach to breaking out of autopilot: counting how many Mondays you have left to live. With a blend of humor and urgency, Jodi Wellman challenges us to think differently about mortality and how it impacts our choices, passions, and the way we live each day.

Our host, Gabe Howard, calculates his own remaining Mondays, where he’s hit with the reality of limited time. This sparks a conversation about how the knowledge of a final “deadline” can help us seize the moment. Jodi reveals how facing our own mortality — without an existential crisis — can motivate us to act on our dreams and live with intention. With insights from positive psychology and a unique perspective on life’s ultimate countdown, this episode will change how you look at the life you have left.

“It is not remembering we're going to die so that we can just be dour and have a really morbid conversation and talk about how well that sucks. I grew up and my mom had a button that she wore on her lapel, like on her acid-washed jacket. Like, life sucks and then you die. We're not talking like that. No, this is about remembering that you're temporary so that it does help you to refine what your priorities are, to feel a little bit more of that sense again, or maybe that intensity and urgency.” ~Jodi Wellman, MAPP

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

This episode is sponsored, in part, by Cornbread Hemp. They produced the first-ever USDA-certified organic CBD gummies in America. Save 30% on your first order using code "Inside30."

Our guest, Jodi Wellman, is the founder of Four Thousand Mondays, a speaker, author, and assistant instructor in the Master of Applied Positive Psychology program at the University of Pennsylvania. Jodi's TEDx talk is called How Death Can Bring You Back to Life; with over 1.3 million views, it is the 14th most-watched TEDx talk released in 2022, out of 15,900! Check her book out, too... “You Only Die Once: How to Make It to the End with No Regrets.”

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 

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Mental health professionals often provide support, but what happens when they need help themselves? In this episode, Dr. Jessi Gold and Gabe Howard explore burnout, emotional exhaustion, and the unique challenges doctors and therapists face. Using humor and honesty, they discuss the stigmas around mental health care providers seeking treatment themselves and the importance of "practicing what you preach."

Dr. Gold reveals how burnout can manifest emotionally and physically, from depersonalization to feeling disconnected from personal accomplishments. She explains why mental health workers, who deal in emotions daily, often avoid addressing their own emotional struggles. The episode explores the delicate balance between maintaining empathy and protecting oneself from burnout, and Dr. Gold shares practical strategies for self-care – for professionals and patients.

Whether you're a healthcare worker, a patient, or someone curious about the inner lives of mental health professionals, this episode offers a candid look into the emotional toll of caregiving. Listen Now!

“And it did not help my burnout. I think that I do what a lot of people do, which is actually a symptom of burnout, which is depersonalization, which is disconnecting as much as humanly possible. And I think we learn that in training as a way to protect ourselves. But what happens with burnout or what happens when story after story after story is resonating too much is we kind of disconnect completely. And so we're no longer like that person is a person. We're sort of like, that's just another, like it's an object.” ~Jessi Gold, MD, MS

This episode is sponsored, in part, by Cornbread Hemp. They produced the first-ever USDA-certified organic CBD and THC gummies in America. Save 30% on your first order using code "Inside30."

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

Our guest, Jessi Gold, MD, MS, is the Chief Wellness Officer of the University of Tennessee System and an associate professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center. This inaugural leadership position encompasses all five University of Tennessee campuses, UT Knoxville, UT Chattanooga, UT Southern, UT Martin, and UT Health Science Center, and includes up about 59,000 students and 19,0000 faculty and staff. In her clinical practice, she sees healthcare workers, trainees, and young adults in college. 

Dr. Gold is also a fierce mental health advocate and highly sought-after expert in the media on everything from burnout to celebrity self-disclosure. She has written widely for the popular press, including for The New York Times, The Atlantic, InStyle, Slate, and Self. Her first book, “HOW DO YOU FEEL? One Doctor’s Search for Humanity in Medicine” is out available now from Simon Element. A graduate of the University of Pennsylvania with a degree in anthropology), the Yale School of Medicine, and the Stanford University Department of Psychiatry, she spends her free time traveling with her friends, watching live music (especially Taylor Swift) or mindless television, and on walks with her dog, Winnie. Find her on X, Instagram, TikTok, or Threads @DrJessiGold.

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

How does a woman with schizophrenia manage life as an entertainer, stuntwoman, and podcast host all while managing a severe mental illness? In this episode, Rachel Star Withers shares her intense and often shocking journey—from growing up in the Bible Belt believing her hallucinations were demons, to undergoing an exorcism before finally receiving a medical diagnosis of schizophrenia.

She candidly discusses the stigma she faced, including being told she was "choosing Satan," and how she overcame it to become a thought leader in schizophrenia advocacy. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in psychology, mental health advocacy, or learning more about Rachel’s badass life as a stunt performer in blockbuster movies like Black Panther.

Rachel’s story is a testament to resilience, and she opens up about what it truly means to live with schizophrenia while pursuing your passions and defying expectations. Hit play to learn more about this inspiring story of strength and survival and how you can help yourself – or your loved ones – do the same.

“You know, I always think every thought that I have is dipped in schizophrenia. It’s all I've ever known. I grew up seeing monsters. It's not something that I've ever lived without. There's monsters with me right now. I hallucinate a good 90% of the time. I'm always kind of not 100% sure if something I saw or experienced is all real. It's very much a part of me. For me, this is part of who I am.” ~Rachel Star Withers

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

This episode is sponsored, in part, by Cornbread Hemp. They produced the first-ever USDA-certified organic CBD gummies in America. Save 30% on your first order using code "Inside30."

Our guest, Rachel Star Withers, creates videos documenting her schizophrenia, ways to manage and let others like her know they are not alone and can still live an amazing life. She has written Lil Broken Star: Understanding Schizophrenia for Kids and a tool for schizophrenics, To See in the Dark: Hallucination and Delusion Journal. Fun Fact: She has wrestled alligators.

Rachel grew up seeing monsters, hearing people in the walls, and having intense urges to hurt herself. She creates videos documenting her schizophrenia and ways to manage and let others like her know they are not alone and can still live an amazing life. To learn more about Rachel, please visit her website, RachelStarLive.com.

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

How does the patriarchy shape women’s thoughts and actions, often without them realizing it? In this episode, Gabe Howard sits down with feminist thought leader Kara Loewentheil to discuss how patriarchal conditioning impacts women, both at work and at home.

Kara explains the concept of the “brain gap” — the internal conflict between societal expectations and personal beliefs — and how women can work toward overcoming it. Through practical tools like her “10% Less (Crappy) Thought” technique, she helps listeners begin the journey of unlearning toxic thought patterns.

This conversation digs into the subtle, often unnoticed ways sexism shapes women’s everyday lives and offers actionable advice on how to reclaim their mental freedom and build stronger mental health. Listen now!

“​​We're all making a deal with the devil to some extent, like I think beauty norms are patriarchal and oppressive. And also I'm about to go on a book tour, so I'm going to get a lash lift, like, because I'm going to have a lot of photos taken and I don't actually like to do makeup. And yet I want my eyes to stand out in photos. I think people assume that if you're a feminist, you are like a kind of purist ideologue. And that is not the case for me or most of the women I work with.” ~Kara Loewentheil

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

This episode is sponsored, in part, by Cornbread Hemp. They produced the first-ever USDA-certified organic CBD gummies in America. Save 30% on your first order using code "Inside30."

Our guest, Kara Loewentheil, J.D., is a Master Certified Life Coach, founder of The School of New Feminist Thought, and host of the internationally top-ranked podcast UnF*ck Your Brain: Feminist Self-Help for Everyone (50 million downloads and counting!). 

Her first book, Take Back Your Brain: How A Sexist Society Gets in Your Head – and How to Get It Out (Penguin Life May 2024) has been called a “galvanizing debut” by Publisher’s Weekly, chosen as a “must-read” by the Next Big Ideas Book Club for May 2024, and praised by NYT-bestselling authors including Mel Robbins, Elise Loehnen, Dr. Marisa Franco, and Tori Dunlap. 

A graduate of Yale College and Harvard Law School, Kara did what every Ivy League lawyer should do: Quit a prestigious academic career to become a life coach! Eight years after she stepped down as director of a think tank at Columbia Law School, she has created a seven-figure business, taught millions of women how to identify the ways that sexist socialization impacts their brains, and helped women all over the world rewire their thought patterns to liberate themselves from the inside out. 

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

Shame is everywhere, and for women, it’s a constant, uninvited guest. Join host Gabe Howard and writer Melissa Petro as they explore how shame functions as a tool to keep women in line—dictating what they can be, how they should look, and who they’re allowed to become.

Melissa reveals the hidden forces at play that make women feel “not good enough,” no matter what they do. She introduces “shame resilience,” a powerful strategy to transform how we see ourselves by embracing our feelings and challenging the stories we've been told. If you're tired of walking the impossible line between “too much” and “not enough,” this episode is for you.

Discover how to break free from the labels, live more authentically, and reclaim your power in a world that constantly tries to diminish it. Tune in and start rewriting your own narrative today.

“Shame is going to lower treatment adherence. We're not going to follow their orders if we are having feelings of shame. And also, shame, just shame itself is bad for our health. So, when I say shame is killing us, I don't mean it's just really making us feel sad about ourselves. It's not. It's impacting our physical health, and it needs to be addressed on an individual but also societal level.” ~Melissa Petro

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

Our guest, Melissa Petro, is a journalist whose writing has been featured in The Washington Post, Allure, Cosmopolitan, Rolling Stone, Good Housekeeping, The Guardian, InStyle, and many other national publications. She was a finalist for the PEN/Fusion Emerging Writers Prize and she holds a bachelor’s degree in women’s studies from Antioch and an MFA in creative nonfiction from The New School. She lives with her husband and two young children in upstate New York.

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.

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As political campaigns ramp up, many of us feel the pressure and anxiety that come with the constant stream of fear-based rhetoric. In this timely episode, Gabe Howard sits down with Dr. Michelle A. Patriquin, the director of research at the Menninger Clinic and an associate professor at Baylor College of Medicine, to explore the phenomenon of election stress.

Dr. Patriquin sheds light on how these tactics prey on our core fears, the psychological impact of election-related anxiety, and why it affects people across political parties. Tune in to learn practical strategies for rising above the stress, understanding the broader picture, and maintaining your mental health in the face of uncertainty. This episode is a must listen for anyone feeling overwhelmed by this year’s presidential election.

“Like watching cars slow down when there's a wreck on the side of a road. It just evokes some emotions. And getting sort of sucked in. I keep using that word because it's so attractive. It's so like interesting and it’s like you get really caught up in it. And instead really kind of thinking about is this someone's opinion? Is this more logic and data driven?” ~Michelle A. Patriquin, PhD

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

Our guest, Dr. Michelle Patriquin, PhD, ABPP, is the Director of Research and a Senior Psychologist at The Menninger Clinic and Associate Professor in the Menninger Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas. She is a board certified and licensed psychologist. She has authored over 185 publications and presentations and has been honored with numerous awards for her research and mentorship. She serves as a board member for the Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA), as well as other nonprofits committed to mental health clinical care, research, and education. Across her work, she is committed to building real-world solutions that expedite the translation of mental health scientific discoveries into robust clinical innovation that improve mental health outcomes for all.

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