Podcast Episodes

Fantasy & Love Addiction: Maia Akiva

Paul’s fellow support group friend shares about the huge role fantasy has played in her struggle to accept life; especially her love addiction. She talks about being unable to watch lesbian films in moderation (she is a lesbian) and how the CPTSD from her physical (and emotional) trauma at birth and being raised in an emotionally stifled home (where success was the only thing that mattered) have made intimacy and trust difficult especially with her struggles with low self-esteem. Inspired to help others as she has healed Maia now facilitates workshops and speaks publicly to help others who are also struggling.

Check out Maia’s website
http://www.maiaakiva.com/

Maia’s Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/maiaakiva/

Maia’s Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/maiaakiva2

Maia’s Twitter
https://twitter.com/maiaakiva

This podcast no longer recommends BetterHelp because of their unethical business practices as detailed in the suit brought against them in 2023 by the Federal Trade Commission for sharing private customer information with 3rd parties. To get your 1st week of online counseling free go to Must 18 or over.

This episode is sponsored by Blue Apron. To see this week’s menu or to get your first 3 meals free (with free delivery) go to www.BlueApron.com/mental

This episode is sponsored by Young Health’s probiotic Probimune To get your first bottle of Probimune free (plus $6.75 shipping) go to www.Probimune.com and use offer code MENTAL at checkout.

I Worry I’m Unlovable – Pauly David

The co-host of YouTube’s Pauly & Monks show shares about feeling unlovable, not being a good enough partner, trying to always “fix” other people, having to be an adult in his family at nine, learning to equate money with love and being rejected by relatives for being gay. Oh and his Bruce Willis-admiring grandfather shooting his grandmother.

Follow Pauly on Twitter @PaulyDavid and Instagram @PaulyDavid1

Check out the Pauly & Monks show on YouTube and on Twitter @PaulyandMonks

Visit them on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/PaulyandMonks/

Check out Pauly’s personal YouTube page http://YouTube.com/user/VapidDual

This podcast no longer recommends BetterHelp because of their unethical business practices as detailed in the suit brought against them in 2023 by the Federal Trade Commission for sharing private customer information with 3rd parties.com to try a week of online counseling for free go to You must be over 18.

This episode is sponsored by Young Health’s Probimune. To get your first bottle free (plus $6.75 shipping) go to www.probimune.com and use offer code MENTAL

This episode is sponsored by Stamps.com For a special 4 week trial go to www.stamps.com be sure to click on the microphone icon at the top of the page then enter offer code MENTAL

Please take this anonymous survey so potential advertisers will see our demographic. Plus you could win a $100 Amazon card. www.podsurvey.com/mentalpod

I Can’t Stop Worrying! – Giulia Rozzi

The Moth Grand Slam winner, standup and podcaster (Hopefully We Don’t Break Up) shares about being raised by Italian immigrant parents who worried a lot and her “high school brain” that still worries about being left out or gossiped about.

Follow Giulia on Twitter @GiuliaRozzi
Visit her website www.GiuliaRozzi.com
Check out her podcast www.HopefullyWeDontBreakup.com
Follow her on Instagram www.instagram.com/grozzi

This episode is sponsored by Young Health’s Probimune. Sign up for automated delivery and get your first bottle free (plus $6.75 shipping). Go to www.Probimune.com and use offer code MENTAL

This podcast no longer recommends BetterHelp because of their unethical business practices as detailed in the suit brought against them in 2023 by the Federal Trade Commission for sharing private customer information with 3rd parties.

This episode is sponsored by MadisonReed. For 10% off your first color kit plus free shipping, go to www.Madison-Reed.com and use offer code HAPPY

This episode is sponsored by ZipRecruiter. To post your job ads free go to www.ZipRecruiter.com/first

This episode is sponsored by Zola wedding registry. Receive $50 when you register and use Zola. Go to www.Zola.com/mental

For info or tix to the live recording of the podcast in Oakland on Feb 22 & 23 (Wed & Thurs) go to www.EastBayExpress.com/mental

Support the podcast by becoming a monthly donor via Patreon (and get free rewards from Paul) www.Patreon.com/mentalpod

Misophonia – Rage at Certain Sounds

35 year-old barista (and listener) Charlynn Schmiedt shares about having misophonia which is a “fight or flight” physical response to certain everyday sounds, such as gum chewing, throat clearing etc. and the complications and misunderstanding that arise out of having to interact with people who don’t think it is a “real thing”. Charlynn also shares about having an eating disorder in her 20s as well as depression and anxiety. Her husband Patrick sits in to also share what it is like to live with someone with misophonia.

Follow Charlynn on Twitter at @OhTheProfanity

For tix or info on Paul’s Feb 22 & 23 appearances in Oakland go to www.eastbayexpress.com/mental

This podcast no longer recommends BetterHelp because of their unethical business practices as detailed in the suit brought against them in 2023 by the Federal Trade Commission for sharing private customer information with 3rd parties. To try a week free go to and fill out a questionnaire to be matched with a counselor.

This ep is sponsored by MadisonReed. For 10% off your first hair color kit and free shipping go to www.Madison-Reed.com and use offer code HAPPY

This ep is sponsored by BlueApron. Check out this week’s menu and get your first 3 meals free (with free shipping) by going to www.BlueApron.com/mental

This ep is sponsored by Casper Mattresses. For $50 towards the purchase of any mattress go to www.CasperMattress.com/mental and use offer code MENTAL

Support the podcast by becoming a monthly donor at Patreon (and get free rewards from Paul) www.Patreon.com/mentalpod

Kevin Allison on Owning Your Weirdness & Flaws

The podcaster (RISK!) and sketch actor (The State) talks about learning to “own his weirdness”. From being a gay kid in a conservative town to being the black sheep in The State he has battled the paralysis and fear of not being perfect or even good enough. He shares about his attempt at being a prostitute, the 12 year gap between The State ending and him starting Risk! and how he learned to find his authentic voice when he was at his lowest and how he still struggles to act and feel like a grown-up.

Follow Kevin on Twitter @TheKevinAllison

Check out RISK! at www.risk-show.com or follow on Twitter @RISKshow

Check out his classes www.thestorystudio.org

For info on Paul’s upcoming live podcasts in Oakland Feb 22-23 go to www.eastbayexpress.com/mental

To become a monthly supporter of The Mental Illness Happy Hour go to www.patreon.com/mentalpod

This podcast no longer recommends BetterHelp because of their unethical business practices as detailed in the suit brought against them in 2023 by the Federal Trade Commission for sharing private customer information with 3rd parties. online counseling. (you must be at least 18)

This episode is sponsored by MadisonReed hair color kits. For 10% off your first kit and free shipping go to www.Madison-Reed.com and use offer code HAPPY

This episode is sponsored by MVMT Watches. For 15% off plus free shipping and free returns go to www.MVMTWatches.com/mental

This episode is sponsored by ZipRecruiter. To post jobs for free go to www.ZipRecruiter.com/first

Jenny R: Raised in Wealth, Sadness & Anxiety

The anxious only child of a drunk/rager mom and a passive dad shares about her family’s combination of material wealth and emotional ignorance/poverty. She talks about her fear of “just being” instead of always “doing”, including triathlons & rock climbing, her ongoing battles with disordered eating -especially binging- , her all-or-nothing thinking and struggles with intimacy while being married and having a family.

This podcast no longer recommends BetterHelp because of their unethical business practices as detailed in the suit brought against them in 2023 by the Federal Trade Commission for sharing private customer information with 3rd parties. online therapy. To learn more (and get your first week free) go to

This episode is sponsored by MadisonReed. For 10% your first hair color kit plus free shipping go to www.Madison-Reed.com and use offer code HAPPY

This episode is sponsored by Movement Watches. Get 15% off today (with free shipping and free returns) by going to www.MVMTWatches.com/mental

This episode is sponsored by ZipRecruiter. To post jobs for free go to www.ZipRecruiter.com/first

Support the podcast by becoming a monthly donor (for as little as $1/month and get rewards from Paul) at Patreon. www.patreon.com/mentalpod

For info on Paul’s upcoming live podcast shows in the Bay Area Feb 22 & Feb 23 go to www.eastbayexpress.com/mental

Working With Sexually Violent Predators: Renee G-M

The 40 year-old public administrator talks about “losing her humanity” being assigned to work on a criminal defense unit on behalf of sexually violent predators and the anxiety, panic and breakdowns that followed. She also talks about her chaotic and abusive upbringing which included her father molesting her brother, domestic violence and her coping by becoming a rescuer.

This podcast no longer recommends BetterHelp because of their unethical business practices as detailed in the suit brought against them in 2023 by the Federal Trade Commission for sharing private customer information with 3rd parties. To try out a week of counseling for free go to , fill out the questionnaire and get matched with a counselor, to see if it’s right for you.

This episode is sponsored by the one-stop wedding registry Zola. Receive $50 when you register and use Zola. Go to www.Zola.com/mental for details.

This episode is sponsored by MadisonReed. For 10% off your first hair color kit (plus free shipping) go to www.Madison-Reed.com and use offer code HAPPY

Consider becoming a recurring monthly donor to the podcast (and receive free rewards from Paul) go to www.Patreon.com/mentalpod

Neal Brennan

The writer and director of Inside Amy Schumer, co-creator of Chapelle’s Show and standup comic (3 Mics coming soon on Netflix) talks about being one of ten kids raised by a violent alcoholic father and his struggles today with trusting his feelings and needs and dealing with his anger especially with partners. He also talks about his relationship with Dave Chapelle and the conflicts and emotions he experienced when Dave decided to stop doing the show.

Neal’s standup special 3 Mics debuts Jan 17th on Netflix
Follow Neal on Twitter @NealBrennan

This episode is sponsored by the online therapy service BetterHelp For a free week of counseling go to and fill out a questionnaire.

This episode is sponsored by ZipRecruiter To post jobs for free go to www.ZipRecruiter.com/first

This episode is sponsored by Madison-Reed For 10% off your first hair color kit (and free shipping) go to www.Madison-Reed.com and use offer code HAPPY

This episode is sponsored by BlueApron. To get your first 3 meals free (with free shipping) go to www.BlueApron.com/mental

Why Am I A Mess? My Parents Loved Me – Amanda Bloom

The 30 year-old freelance journalist and Pilates teacher doesn’t have anything dramatic to point to in her life, yet she has struggled to find her voice in life with bad relationships, eating disorders, depression, body dysmorphia, and intense fears of rejection and feeling excluded. Paul and Amanda peel back the layers to try to find out what’s underneath.