Not Crazy

A Bipolar, A Schizophrenic, and a Podcast is BACK with Michelle Hammer and Gabe Howard. Yes, Brand New Episodes like this one! Subscribe to the new BSP Feed on your favorite podcast player or visit our new home at thisemotionallife.org/bsp so you don't miss any epsiodes (and go binge listen the episodes you've already missed!) Whenever there is mass violence in the United States, politicians are quick to blame people living with mental illness. These same politicians are often also quick to the cut mental health budgets and create barriers to psychiatric care for people who are sick.

In this episode, Gabe and Michelle discuss guns, mental illness, and sex toys — among other important points. Needless to say, they aren’t happy being blamed for the deaths of innocent people, including children. Listen now to hear their thoughts.

Hey! Follow Society of Valued Minds on Instagram by clicking here or search for @societyofvaluedminds.

This podcast is proudly sponsored by Betterhelp. Save 10% on your first month with the discount code “BSP22” or by clicking here.

Gabe Howard is a professional speaker, writer, and activist living with bipolar and anxiety disorders. Diagnosed in 2003, he has made it his mission to put a human face on mental illness.

He’s the author of Mental Illness is an Asshole and Other Observations and a popular podcast host. Learn more at gabehoward.com.

Michelle Hammer is a Schizophrenia Activist and spends her time passionately fighting stigma. She is an NYC native featured in the WebMD documentary Voices, which was nominated for a Tribeca X Award at the Tribeca Film Festival 2018.

Founded and run by Michelle, Schizophrenic.NYC is a clothing brand with the mission of reducing stigma by starting conversations about mental health.

Gabe Howard and Michelle Hammer are returning for a limited run of 10 episodes with the first episode launching on January 4th, 2022. Episodes weekly through the end of the season.

Our original run ended in 2019 after garnering massive praise in the mental health community and boasting tens of thousands of listeners. 

Subscribe on your favorite podcast player or visit thisemotionallife.org/bsp

Sadly, this is the end. No, not the end of the world, although it sometimes feels like it. This is the end of the Not Crazy podcast. Why are we checking out? Join us as Gabe and Lisa explain why the podcast has come to a close and also fill you in on new things to come.

And as a wise man (Dr. Seuss) once said, “Remember me and smile, for it's better to forget than to remember me and cry.”  

About The Hosts

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 Gabe Howard. To learn more, please visit his website, gabehoward.com.

Gabe also hosts The Psych Central Podcast available on your favorite podcast player or by visiting psychcentral.com/show.   

Lisa is the producer of the Psych Central podcast, Not Crazy. She is the recipient of The National Alliance on Mental Illness's “Above and Beyond” award, has worked extensively with the Ohio Peer Supporter Certification program, and is a workplace suicide prevention trainer. Lisa has battled depression her entire life and has worked alongside Gabe in mental health advocacy for over a decade. She lives in Columbus, Ohio, with her husband; enjoys international travel; and orders 12 pairs of shoes online, picks the best one, and sends the other 11 back.  

As a child, Lisa would daydream about suicide. It wasn’t until her sophomore year in college that she would be diagnosed with major depressive disorder. What was her long journey like? What finally helped her?

Join us as Lisa shares her personal story of living with depression and a sleep disorder. She also reveals her personal struggle with taking meds, even though they have helped her tremendously.

About The Hosts

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 Gabe Howard. To learn more, please visit his website, gabehoward.com.

Gabe also hosts The Psych Central Podcast available on your favorite podcast player or by visiting psychcentral.com/show.   

Lisa is the producer of the Psych Central podcast, Not Crazy. She is the recipient of The National Alliance on Mental Illness's “Above and Beyond” award, has worked extensively with the Ohio Peer Supporter Certification program, and is a workplace suicide prevention trainer. Lisa has battled depression her entire life and has worked alongside Gabe in mental health advocacy for over a decade. She lives in Columbus, Ohio, with her husband; enjoys international travel; and orders 12 pairs of shoes online, picks the best one, and sends the other 11 back.  

How did Gabe and Lisa go from being spouses to divorcees to best friends? Do they hold any residual anger toward each other? Hurt feelings? Secret attraction? How do their current spouses feel about their friendship?

If you’re curious to understand their unique journey, join us as they tell all on today’s podcast.

For More Information and a complete transcript, visit Podcast: From Divorce to Besties.

Find More Episodes of Not Crazy online at psychcentral.com/notcrazy

About The Hosts

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 Gabe Howard. To learn more, please visit his website, gabehoward.com.

Gabe also hosts The Psych Central Podcast available on your favorite podcast player or by visiting psychcentral.com/show.   

Lisa is the producer of the Psych Central podcast, Not Crazy. She is the recipient of The National Alliance on Mental Illness's “Above and Beyond” award, has worked extensively with the Ohio Peer Supporter Certification program, and is a workplace suicide prevention trainer. Lisa has battled depression her entire life and has worked alongside Gabe in mental health advocacy for over a decade. She lives in Columbus, Ohio, with her husband; enjoys international travel; and orders 12 pairs of shoes online, picks the best one, and sends the other 11 back.  

Schizophrenia has been around since the dawn of time but actually treating it has only been around the past 100 years. In this episode host and schizophrenic Rachel Star Withers takes you through the dark and disturbing evolution of schizophrenia treatments. From systematic euthanasia to hydrotherapy, electroconvulsive therapy to the infamous lobotomy. 

Were these doctors "mad scientists" torturing the mentally ill or were they the only ones trying to help a population of people seen as a burden? 

Is there a correct way to grieve? What if you lose an estranged family member with whom you have unresolved differences? In today’s show, Lisa discusses the death of her grandfather, whom she wasn’t close to, and how she has mentally and emotionally processed the loss.

Join us for a closer look at the grieving process and how there is no one way to handle death.

For More Information and a complete transcript, visit Podcast: Grieving and Radical Honesty.

Find More Episodes of Not Crazy online at psychcentral.com/notcrazy

About The Hosts

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 Gabe Howard. To learn more, please visit his website, gabehoward.com.

Gabe also hosts The Psych Central Podcast available on your favorite podcast player or by visiting psychcentral.com/show.   

Lisa is the producer of the Psych Central podcast, Not Crazy. She is the recipient of The National Alliance on Mental Illness's “Above and Beyond” award, has worked extensively with the Ohio Peer Supporter Certification program, and is a workplace suicide prevention trainer. Lisa has battled depression her entire life and has worked alongside Gabe in mental health advocacy for over a decade. She lives in Columbus, Ohio, with her husband; enjoys international travel; and orders 12 pairs of shoes online, picks the best one, and sends the other 11 back.  

What’s it like growing up with a sibling with mental illness? In today’s show, we hear it straight from Gabe’s little sister Debbie, who shares what it was like living with Gabe well before anyone knew he had bipolar disorder. 

Join us for a great discussion on mental health issues in families. While it’s always hard, there is often a silver lining. 

For More Information and a complete transcript, visit Podcast: Family Perspective on Mental Illness.

Find More Episodes of Not Crazy online at psychcentral.com/notcrazy

About The Hosts

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 Gabe Howard. To learn more, please visit his website, gabehoward.com.

Gabe also hosts The Psych Central Podcast available on your favorite podcast player or by visiting psychcentral.com/show.   

Lisa is the producer of the Psych Central podcast, Not Crazy. She is the recipient of The National Alliance on Mental Illness's “Above and Beyond” award, has worked extensively with the Ohio Peer Supporter Certification program, and is a workplace suicide prevention trainer. Lisa has battled depression her entire life and has worked alongside Gabe in mental health advocacy for over a decade. She lives in Columbus, Ohio, with her husband; enjoys international travel; and orders 12 pairs of shoes online, picks the best one, and sends the other 11 back.  

Can a never-depressed person truly understand what your depression is like? Or give you advice? Probably not. It’s like getting parenting advice from a non-parent. In today’s show, our two depressed co-hosts, Gabe and Lisa, understand the pain of depression and are here to share their experiences and offer some helpful tips.

If you’re struggling with depression, tune in for a great discussion -- from two people who have been there and understand what you’re going through. By the end, you will know you're not alone.

For More Information and a complete transcript, visit Podcast: Depression Management Hints and Tips.

Find More Episodes of Not Crazy online at psychcentral.com/notcrazy

About The Hosts

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 Gabe Howard. To learn more, please visit his website, gabehoward.com.

Gabe also hosts The Psych Central Podcast available on your favorite podcast player or by visiting psychcentral.com/show.   

Lisa is the producer of the Psych Central podcast, Not Crazy. She is the recipient of The National Alliance on Mental Illness's “Above and Beyond” award, has worked extensively with the Ohio Peer Supporter Certification program, and is a workplace suicide prevention trainer. Lisa has battled depression her entire life and has worked alongside Gabe in mental health advocacy for over a decade. She lives in Columbus, Ohio, with her husband; enjoys international travel; and orders 12 pairs of shoes online, picks the best one, and sends the other 11 back.  

It’s that time of year again! That’s right -- Gabe’s Annual Birthday Blog. Each year, Gabe looks back on the important events and lessons he’s encountered during the previous 12 months. But what events can he talk about when COVID came and stole the show? 

Join Gabe and Lisa as they discuss the Year of Coronavirus and the good and bad that came with it.

For More Information and a complete transcript, visit Podcast: Birthdays, COVID, and Reframing (Oh My!)

Find More Episodes of Not Crazy online at psychcentral.com/notcrazy

About The Hosts

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 Gabe Howard. To learn more, please visit his website, gabehoward.com.

Gabe also hosts The Psych Central Podcast available on your favorite podcast player or by visiting psychcentral.com/show.   

Lisa is the producer of the Psych Central podcast, Not Crazy. She is the recipient of The National Alliance on Mental Illness's “Above and Beyond” award, has worked extensively with the Ohio Peer Supporter Certification program, and is a workplace suicide prevention trainer. Lisa has battled depression her entire life and has worked alongside Gabe in mental health advocacy for over a decade. She lives in Columbus, Ohio, with her husband; enjoys international travel; and orders 12 pairs of shoes online, picks the best one, and sends the other 11 back.