Mental As Anyone

Interview with Melbourne Comedian Catherine McClintock. Catherine is Canadian and has previously lived in Tasmania for 10 years, which is where she started performing comedy. She also has experience in acting, and film and television screen writing. Catherine first performed stand-up in the RAW Comedy competition, and smashed her solo show at Melbourne Fringe this year, which was titled Please and Thank Yous.

We discuss: The spreadsheet approach to the MICF, being an "extreme empath", losing her Mum at a young age, being adopted and dealing with grief, experiences with depression and anxiety, support from a Pastor and Therapists, the importance of taking care of your mind AND your body, having a chronic autoimmune disease called Dermatomyositis, being diagnosed while still at university, the balancing act of nursing, motherhood and comedy, reflecting on her mortality and living life to the full, the challenge of being a people pleaser, dealing with "emotional vampires", depersonalising by looking at the bigger picture and the other variables, the benefits of CBT, the book Change Your Thinking by Sarah Edelman, My Favorite Murder podcast, Catherine's super power and her message of being kind to yourself and other people.

Interview with Melbourne Comedian Caili Christian, who is back for round 2 after her first MAA appearance in March 2016. Caili has been keeping busy, performing 4 MICF shows in the past few years, co-establishing the Comedy Women's Association in Melbourne (see their Facebook page for more info) and running comedy rooms.

We discuss: Creating a comedy space for female-identifying and non-binary people, the #MeToo movement and the more balanced nature of line-ups in recent times, comedy becoming Caili's world and community, comedians coming from different walks of life and sharing the stage in common, managing anxiety with pacing and relaxation, curbing social media usage for self-care, being mindful of comparisons, adopting the Mum Role and striving to make comedy a better space, encouraging people to avoid punching down and to craft better jokes, reputations vs sense of safety, remembering Eurydice Dixon and the shockwaves through the community, the polarity between men and women's views on safety, the pain of facing the victim-blaming mentality, the charity Awkward Giraffe, the change in how the media report things, unhealthy gender stereotypes, Triple M's No Talk Day, enjoying Steph Tisdell and Dave Woodhead on Triple J Breakfast for NAIDOC Week, the seemingly-impossible becoming reality in world politics, Plan It Change 10, lack of funding for mental health, an update on Caili's super powers, and the brilliant Light the Way Home project to help female, trans, non-binary or other vulnerable performers get a lift home after comedy gigs (you can donate at: https://www.comedyfestival.com.au/lightthewayhome).

Interview with Musician, Counsellor and ACT Practitioner Deborah Hart, who also facilitates workshops and teaches music. Deb has many fine strings to her bow and has a lot to share about her career path and mental health journey.

We discuss: longing to call herself a Musician while growing up, panic attacks while studying, aspiring to be like (Music Educator and Conductor) Richard Gill, the challenge of nerves in auditions, working in an Orchestra in 1995, seeing a Psychologist and introduction to ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy), the prevalence of performance anxiety, the function of a music audition, fear of public speaking, "a lone monkey is a dead monkey", Noticing and Labelling, flight/fight/freeze/fawn, defining what it means to be a "Good Musician" and teasing out values, burning out and choosing a new career, common humanity, developing skill and getting out of your own way, the I Don't Sing Workshop, being wired to work together as a tribe, Susan West quote about the more you teach children music the less they want to do it, the Quicksand Analogy, the values behind the free gig in an aged care home, the philosophy that we're all in this human soup together, the prevalence of Imposter Syndrome, British Psychologist Paul Gilbert and the importance of self-compassion, Kelly Wilson and treating people like a sunset not a maths problem, music for connection, Deborah's sad and sweet super power, reflecting on values, and Deb's message to turn towards gratitude.

Bonus interview (at 1:04:08) with MAA Host, Psychologist and Comedy-Lover Shae: starting the podcast following Robin William's death in 2014 (not 2013) and wanting to support comedians, approaching the first podcast guest, Entertainment Assist, the importance of sharing and communicating about mental health, the unique stories people have shared along the way, observations about comedy, the vulnerability of opening up and sharing thoughts and feelings, the importance of support networks, praise for Hannah Gadsby, Shae's dream podcast guest, feedback from listeners and wanting to make a difference.

Interview with Perth-born Melbourne-based Comedian Anna Piper Scott, who has been performing comedy for about 10 years now. Anna and her co-star Sophie Joske were nominated for the Golden Gibbo in 2018 for their MICF show Almost Lesbians.

We discuss: similarities and differences of the Perth and Melbourne comedy scenes, the challenge of coming out as Trans with the lack of Trans voices in the media and not knowing how she might be received, the difficulties of finding therapy, some benefits of Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs), taking meds when you need and want them, awareness that there is no one-size-fits-all path for coming out, the challenge of finding a Trans-specialising GP in Melbourne, the strong support from her network of friends, a different view of childhood events after coming out, Trans-preferred language, the double-edged sword of gender stereotypes, IDAHOBIT and Trans Visibility Day, being in a great mental space from performing comedy and having a wonderful support network, actively addressing transphobic people who dead-name or misgender or use the T-word, being strong and true to herself, Nelly Thomas' books: Some Girls and Some Boys, Anna's super power, Definitions and language: Cis means within and Trans means across, and Anna's message to explore your gender.

Interview with the wonderful, worldly and wise Justine Sless, who is not only an experienced Comedian: she also writes in various forms, run comedy workshops and has created her own festival (The Melbourne Jewish Comedy Festival). Other works by Justine include a Podcast (Kvetch with Sless) and a Blog (Excuse me there are crumbs in my comedy). She is also a Mother, completing her Masters, and doing extraordinary work in the Community/Non-Profit sector.

We discuss: The agency of performing comedy, experiencing misogyny, anti-Semitism and racism in comedy rooms, wanting to effect a change within the community, involvement with Raw House and Spark Theatre, Justine's family tree and the creation of her festival in 2015, articulating culture through comedy, the points of difference in her festival to the commercial festivals, the aim of connecting people, the importance of natural gathering places and creating opportunity to connect, the challenge of raising teenagers, Justine's European tour, being a Jew of the World, effecting change on a micro level to create opportunities for connection, care and compassion, finding light where there was darkness, remembering what we share in our humanity rather than our differences, Justine's super power, being guided by integrity and morality, and Justine's message of managing mental health by connecting with others in meaningful ways.

Interview with the determined and delightful Melbourne Comedian Miriam Levy. We discuss: The tendency to conceal the reality about mental health, Miriam's PhD in French Philosophy and addiction, her personal experience of addiction as a coping mechanism, the importance of connection, the art of balance, a near-death turning point, trauma and energy healing, Relaxation vs Dissociation, methods of meditation, Miriam's super power, Sarah Silverman's incredible display of empathy and compassion, assumptions and projecting pain, the importance of asking questions to assist with understanding, and Miriam's message that there is no such thing as normal, and if we could recognise this, we would all be better off.

Interview with David Rose, who has been performing comedy for 6 years, including writing for Cracked magazine. David is co-producing a MICF show in 2018 called Just Kidding. Check it out at Tasma Terrace from 27th March to 1st April at 5.30pm. David is also hosting a gig on 22nd February at the McKinnon Hotel with a great line up, go to www.ticklepit.com for tickets.

We discuss: Anxiety, depression and hypochondria, learning mindfulness from a Liverpudlian Monk, Smiling Mind, Oak and Calm apps, Mindful vs Mindless Colouring, anxiety about being judged by other Comedians, the birthday present that may possibly outlast his relationship, visiting Little India and gigging in Singapore, David's comedy tour of Germany, Bo Burnham's take on happiness, misdirection and synesthesia with emotions, Dan Dennett's concept of "Deepity", Waking Up (book and podcast) by Sam Harris, and David's super power.

Interview with Writer, Podcaster, and Performer of Comedy, Luke Morris. Luke is part of the close-knit comedy community in Bendigo, and competed in RAW this January. Luke is involved in running the Bendigo comedy workshops and gigs at the Metropolitan and Handle Bar, and also visits various Melbourne Open Mic nights regularly. For more info about what's on in Bendigo, check out www.bendigocomedy.com.au Also check out: Bendigo Comedy Podcast, Luke's informative episode on the Laborastory podcast about Dom Perignon and the production of champagne, and his 2018 MICF show called The Wine Science Show.

We discuss: The bullying survey he wasn't allowed to complete as a kid, writing a book, being the change you want to see in the world, fond memories of The Old Church on the Hill, the lack of hecklers in Bendigo, Consumers vs Producers, being "a Great Avoider", the philosophy of following your curiosity, the Manchester Gig, support from the social media community, writing and comedy influences, Luke's superpower, and his message to go and see live comedy because it's good for mental health.

Interview with the lovely and vivacious Tara Bell, who has been performing comedy for just over 6 months and already has a RAW competition notch in her belt from 2017. Tara started out in the (male dominated) Bendigo scene, and has now performs with the (female dominated) Wodonga scene. Tara also has a podcast called 20 Bucks Is 20 Bucks, discussing the ins and outs of the first/worst jobs people have had. Shae from MAA was a guest on episode 9. Find the podcast in all the usual places, or on Facebook: 20 Bucks Is 20 Bucks Podcast.

We discuss: Tara's diagnosis when she was 16, growing up in a rural area, getting into comedy as coping mechanism, being a young Mum and having a gifted child, the benefits of exercise, the drawn-out process of receiving an accurate diagnosis, the problem of medicalising human nature, having a nervous breakdown, the eMoods tracking app, the importance of continuity of care, Tara's super power, and her message to know yourself well so you know if something is not right, and seek support until you find it.

Interview with the humble and very humorous Thomas McMahon, who has been performing comedy in Melbourne for 11 years (on and off).

We discuss: Microphone logistics, Thomas’ experience with bipolar disorder, an insight into mania, the helpfulness of tracking moods, adjusting to having a diagnosis, issues with people self-diagnosing, the benefits of multiple professional opinions and check ups, Progressive Muscle Relaxation with soundtracks and music, Dalek Relaxation, the importance of a good support network, dealing with the stigma of mental health issues, analogy of a car without an accelerator or brake, the benefits of exercise, super powers, and Thomas’ message to talk to people and seek help because things can get a lot better.