What is it like to be the government agent that has to physically investigate allegations of abuse or neglect and sometimes even remove children from a home? “Ray”, a 3rd generation social worker, former homebuilder and punk rocker opens up about his passion and struggles working for Child Protective Services.
The actress (Mr. Show), comedian (Behind You), and writer (The Ellen DeGeneres Show) shares about struggling to fit in, body shame, her alcoholism, her mother’s Alzheimers, learning to accept her body and become vulnerable and her experiences in therapy. Recorded 4/20/13 at the Bridgetown Comedy Festival.
The podcaster (Walking the Room), author (He’s Just Not That Into You) and guitarist (The Reigning Monarchs) returns to discuss the mania, depression and paranoia that left him considering suicide in a Montreal hotel room, and his subsequent decision to go on medication. They also discuss passion versus obsession, finding a sense of purpose, therapy, and the fluidity and dynamics of suicidal ideation.
Claire shares about her bullied, asthmatic childhood outside London with a neurotic mom and a mysterious, stoic dad prone to explosive fits of rage and how escaping into fantasy worlds, especially books, became her way of coping. They also talk about her sometimes crippling social anxiety, her fear of commitment, not being married, not having kids or owning a home as well as coming to grips with her bisexuality and a seminal event at 14 while travelling in Turkey that still affects her.
The talented writer (The Ellen DeGeneres Show, Lucky Louie) comedian (Comedy Central, Letterman, Conan, Kimmel, The Howard Stern Show) and podcaster (Fitzdog Radio) opens up about his tumultuous relationship with his late father, his temper, his body shame, ADHD and alcohol. He also authored the critically acclaimed book Dear Mrs. Fitzsimmons.
The writer (Agorafabulous!, XOJane.com, Vice.com) and performer (Comedy Central, MTV) talks about a popular friend’s suicide in high school that informed much of her later life, having a nervous breakdown during college, her families history of depression and anxiety and her Agoraphobia. They also share tips to avoid isolating and talk in depth about everybody’s favorite topic; catheters!
The former Green Beret/Special Forces Medic talks about his childhood in Texas, the loss of his adoptive mother, his tours in Afghanistan, Iraq and Africa, the injury that resulted in his getting a Purple Heart and living with PTSD. Robert is a spokesperson for USA Cares and the author of Love Me When I’m Gone.
The singer/songwriter guitarist talks to Paul about being a female guitarist in a male-dominated industry, her negative self-talk, fear of failure, workaholism, and why she stayed with a past boyfriend whose actions betrayed and disgusted her.
The siblings discuss growing up in an affluent but emotionally witholding household, and how their struggles with depression and her eating disorder ultimately brought the two of them closer together. They talk about the difficulty of connecting with an emotionally shutdown mother consumed with presenting a facade of normalcy to the outside world. They discuss John’s childhood self-harming, Megan’s non-purging bulimia and compulsive exercising and starving, and the importance of finally asking for help from people who could emotionally provide it. They also talk about the danger to one’s military career (John was in the Air Force) with disclosing a history of mental illness. And the importance of naps without guilt!!