Mental Illness Happy Hour

Latest Episodes:

#789 Sexual Shame - Dr. Nicole McNichols Feb 27, 2026

Show notes

Dr. Nicole McNichols is an internationally renowned human sexuality professor, author, and speaker whose college course, The Diversity of Human Sexuality, is the most popular in the history of the University of Washington. She and Paul discuss the importance of communication when it comes to sex and the imperative of tossing shame out the window when it comes to what turns you on.

More about Dr Nicole McNichols

Check out her new book You Could Be Having Better S-x(Simon Element, Feb. 3, 2026)

Check out her website Dr. Nicole McNichols

Follow her on (Instagram and TikTok)

This episode is sponsored Quince. Go to www.Quince.com/mental for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too.

This episode is sponsored by Alma. Search their directory of over 20,000 therapists with different specialities, life experiences, and identities, and 99% of them take insurance. Go to www.HelloAlma.com/happyhour

This episode is sponsored by The Jordan Harbinger Show. Learn more about the world, improve your critical thinking skills and be entertained! Listen or subscribe here:

jordanharbinger.com/subscribe
Apple Podcasts: jordanharbinger.com/itunes
Spotify: jordanharbinger.com/spotify

Here are the two episodes Paul recommended.

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/1280-cory-doctorow-why-everything-got-worse-and-what/id1344999619?i=1000747830030

And

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/1238-ken-burns-what-if-the-american-revolution-isnt-over/id1344999619?i=1000736232557

If you’re interested in seeing or buying the furniture that Paul designs and makes follow his IG @ShapedFurniture or visit the website www.shapedfurniture.com

WAYS TO HELP THE MIHH PODCAST

Subscribe via Apple Podcasts (or whatever player you use). It costs nothing. It’s extremely helpful to have your subscription set to download all episodes automatically. https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/mental-illness-happy-hour/id427377900?mt=2

Spread the word via social media. It costs nothing.

Our website is www.mentalpod.com our FB is www.Facebook.com/mentalpod and our Twitter and Instagram are both @Mentalpod

Become a much-needed Patreon monthly-donor (with occasional rewards) for as little as $1/month at www.Patreon.com/mentalpod

Become a one-time or monthly donor via PayPal at https://mentalpod.com/donate

You can also donate via Zelle (make payment to mentalpod@gmail.com)

To donate via Venmo make payment to @Mentalpod

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

#788 Discovering Sexuality & Processing Trauma - "Marilyn" Feb 20, 2026

Show notes

Marilyn is a support group friend who opens up about her journey to discovering her sexuality and her tendency toward love addiction. She talks about how she’s processing her trauma and what it meant to come out to herself and her community.

This episode is sponsored Quince. Go to www.Quince.com/mental for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too.

This episode is sponsored by The Jordan Harbinger Show. Learn more about the world, improve your critical thinking skills and be entertained! Listen or subscribe here:

jordanharbinger.com/subscribe
Apple Podcasts: jordanharbinger.com/itunes
Spotify: jordanharbinger.com/spotify

Here are the two episodes Paul recommended.

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/1280-cory-doctorow-why-everything-got-worse-and-what/id1344999619?i=1000747830030

And

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/1238-ken-burns-what-if-the-american-revolution-isnt-over/id1344999619?i=1000736232557

If you’re interested in seeing or buying the furniture that Paul designs and makes follow his IG @ShapedFurniture or visit the website www.shapedfurniture.com

WAYS TO HELP THE MIHH PODCAST

Spread the word via social media. It costs nothing.

Our website is www.mentalpod.com our FB is www.Facebook.com/mentalpod and our Twitter and Instagram are both @Mentalpod

Become a much-needed Patreon monthly-donor (with occasional rewards) for as little as $1/month at www.Patreon.com/mentalpod

Become a one-time or monthly donor via PayPal at https://mentalpod.com/donate

You can also donate via Zelle (make payment to mentalpod@gmail.com)

To donate via Venmo make payment to @Mentalpod

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

#787 Burnout - Dr. Guy Winch Feb 13, 2026

Show notes

Dr. Guy Winch is a psychologist and bestselling author who advocates for integrating the science of emotional health into our daily lives. He and Paul talk about the science of burnout and offer insights and practical tips for managing burnout--and avoiding it altogether. For more, look for his new book Mind Over Grind: How to Break Free When Work Hijacks Your Life

More about Guy:

His new book: Mind Over Grind https://www.guywinch.com/books/mind-over-grind/

Guy’s website: www.GuyWinch.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/guywinchauthor/

IG: https://www.instagram.com/guywinch/?hl=en

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/guywinch

This episode is sponsored by Greenleaf Book Club. Pick up your copy of Mountains to Cross wherever books are sold!

This episode is sponsored Quince. Go to www.Quince.com/mental for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too.

If you’re interested in seeing or buying the furniture that Paul designs and makes follow his IG @ShapedFurniture or visit the website www.shapedfurniture.com

WAYS TO HELP THE MIHH PODCAST

Spread the word via social media. It costs nothing.

Our website is www.mentalpod.com our FB is www.Facebook.com/mentalpod and our Twitter and Instagram are both @Mentalpod

Become a much-needed Patreon monthly-donor (with occasional rewards) for as little as $1/month at www.Patreon.com/mentalpod

Become a one-time or monthly donor via PayPal at https://mentalpod.com/donate

You can also donate via Zelle (make payment to mentalpod@gmail.com)

To donate via Venmo make payment to @Mentalpod

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

#786 Shame, BiPolar & Codependency - Lane Falcon Feb 06, 2026

Show notes

Lane Falcon is a podcast listener who discusses one of her Mental Illness Happy Hour survey responses and opens up about her struggles with bipolar disorder, trauma, and codependency.

More about Lane

www.LaneFalcon.com

This episode is sponsored by Greenleaf Book Club. Pick up your copy of Mountains to Cross wherever books are sold!

This episode is sponsored Quince. Go to www.Quince.com/mental for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too.

If you’re interested in seeing or buying the furniture that Paul designs and makes follow his IG @ShapedFurniture or visit the website www.shapedfurniture.com

WAYS TO HELP THE MIHH PODCAST

Spread the word via social media. It costs nothing.

Our website is www.mentalpod.com our FB is www.Facebook.com/mentalpod and our Twitter and Instagram are both @Mentalpod

Become a much-needed Patreon monthly-donor (with occasional rewards) for as little as $1/month at www.Patreon.com/mentalpod

Become a one-time or monthly donor via PayPal at https://mentalpod.com/donate

You can also donate via Zelle (make payment to mentalpod@gmail.com)

To donate via Venmo make payment to @Mentalpod

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

#785 - Owning Our Issues In Relationships - Zach Brittle Jan 30, 2026

Show notes

Marriage Therapist Zach Brittle talks with Paul about things that can kill marriages, his own struggles with coping with his feelings -especially anger- and how to truly work as a team in relationships.

More about Zach:

www.marriagetherapyradio.com

www.ZachBrittle.com

IG @marriagetherapyradio

YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@marriagetherapyradio

Read Zach’s books

This episode is sponsored by Greenleaf Book Club. Pick up your copy of Mountains to Cross wherever books are sold!

This episode is sponsored Quince. Go to www.Quince.com/mental for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too.

This episode is sponsored by Alma

Visit helloalma.com/happyhourto schedule a free therapy consultation today.

If you’re interested in seeing or buying the furniture that Paul designs and makes follow his IG @ShapedFurniture or visit the website www.shapedfurniture.com

WAYS TO HELP THE MIHH PODCAST

Spread the word via social media. It costs nothing.

Our website is www.mentalpod.com our FB is www.Facebook.com/mentalpod and our Twitter and Instagram are both @Mentalpod

Become a much-needed Patreon monthly-donor (with occasional rewards) for as little as $1/month at www.Patreon.com/mentalpod

Become a one-time or monthly donor via PayPal at https://mentalpod.com/donate

You can also donate via Zelle (make payment to mentalpod@gmail.com)

To donate via Venmo make payment to @Mentalpod

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

#784 Family Secrets & Letting Go - Sophia Laurenzi Jan 23, 2026

Show notes

Writer/Journalist Sophia Laurenzi @Sophia_Laurenzi shares about the family secrets that were kept from her for years, her father coming out of the closet and his battles with mental health, her struggles with codependency and using work as a tool to cope with her feelings. She also shares some personal experiences she had working on behalf of inmates on Death Row.

More about Sophia:

Follow her on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sophia_laurenzi/

Subscribe to her newsletter: https://sophialaurenzi.substack.com/

Learn more on Sophia's website: https://www.sophialaurenzi.com/

This episode is sponsored by Greenleaf Book Club. Pick up your copy of Mountains to Cross wherever books are sold!

This episode is sponsored Quince. Go to www.Quince.com/mental for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too.

This episode is sponsored by Alma

Visit helloalma.com/happyhourto schedule a free therapy consultation today.

If you’re interested in seeing or buying the furniture that Paul designs and makes follow his IG @ShapedFurniture or visit the website www.shapedfurniture.com

WAYS TO HELP THE MIHH PODCAST

Spread the word via social media. It costs nothing.

Our website is www.mentalpod.com our FB is www.Facebook.com/mentalpod and our Twitter and Instagram are both @Mentalpod

Become a much-needed Patreon monthly-donor (with occasional rewards) for as little as $1/month at www.Patreon.com/mentalpod

Become a one-time or monthly donor via PayPal at https://mentalpod.com/donate

You can also donate via Zelle (make payment to mentalpod@gmail.com)

To donate via Venmo make payment to @Mentalpod

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

#783 Reconciling Good Memories Of Abusers - Jennifer Westcott #4 Jan 16, 2026

Show notes

Jennifer Westcott is a therapist and regular guest on the pod. This week, she and Paul discuss the complexity of reconciling good memories with abusive memories and the pain of missing family members after choosing to go no-contact.

More about Jennifer:

https://youtube.com/@therapistsanctuary?si=LXxyNlcClD00m-Qz

https://www.holistichealingcounselling.com/therapist-sanctuary

https://insta.openinapp.co/7s936

This episode is sponsored by Greenleaf Book Club. Pick up your copy of Mountains to Cross wherever books are sold!

This episode is sponsored Quince. Go to www.Quince.com/mental for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too.

This episode is sponsored by Alma

Visit helloalma.com/happyhourto schedule a free therapy consultation today.

If you’re interested in seeing or buying the furniture that Paul designs and makes follow his IG @ShapedFurniture or visit the website www.shapedfurniture.com

WAYS TO HELP THE MIHH PODCAST

Spread the word via social media. It costs nothing.

Our website is www.mentalpod.com our FB is www.Facebook.com/mentalpod and our Twitter and Instagram are both @Mentalpod

Become a much-needed Patreon monthly-donor (with occasional rewards) for as little as $1/month at www.Patreon.com/mentalpod

Become a one-time or monthly donor via PayPal at https://mentalpod.com/donate

You can also donate via Zelle (make payment to mentalpod@gmail.com)

To donate via Venmo make payment to @Mentalpod

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

#782 Loss, Empathy & Resilience - Kyle Kittleson Jan 09, 2026

Show notes

Kyle Kittleson is a YouTube host and a mental health and animal advocate. He shares his experience with losing his mother as a child, how it affects his adult relationships, and the importance of building empathy and resilience, particularly in children.

More about Kyle

Look for his videos on MedCircle.com and BabaBlast.com

This episode is sponsored Quince. Go to www.Quince.com/mental for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too.

This episode is sponsored by Alma

Visit helloalma.com/happyhourto schedule a free therapy consultation today.

If you’re interested in seeing or buying the furniture that Paul designs and makes follow his IG @ShapedFurniture or visit the website www.shapedfurniture.com

WAYS TO HELP THE MIHH PODCAST

Spread the word via social media. It costs nothing.

Our website is www.mentalpod.com our FB is www.Facebook.com/mentalpod and our Twitter and Instagram are both @Mentalpod

Become a much-needed Patreon monthly-donor (with occasional rewards) for as little as $1/month at www.Patreon.com/mentalpod

Become a one-time or monthly donor via PayPal at https://mentalpod.com/donate

You can also donate via Zelle (make payment to mentalpod@gmail.com)

To donate via Venmo make payment to @Mentalpod

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

#781 Losing A Parent - Sarah Haufrect Returns Jan 02, 2026

Show notes

Sarah Haufrect is a returning guest and long-time listener who shares her experience with loss, grief, and the parent-child relationship. She opens up about processing her mother’s borderline personality disorder (BPD) after her death and the transformative moments spent with her father while he was dying. Look for her podcast, Brain Stories, which shares personal stories about mental health

Brain Stories Website: https://brainstoriesproductions.com/

Podcasts Platform Episode Links to Gwen's Story:

Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/brain-stories/id1841732261

Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/1yGQWomCxHNfZSOl8i1lcy

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YlD2knQFJBA&list=PLqeyxQ9EY_wg2wXgSB7DmJBKf2vymkVrv&index=3

iHeart - https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-brain-stories-296272929/episode/gwen-three-generations-a-broken-310804975/

BrainStories email. BrainstoriesProductions@gmail.com

This episode is sponsored by Alma

Visit helloalma.com/happyhourto schedule a free therapy consultation today.

This episode is sponsored Quince. Go to www.Quince.com/mental for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too.

If you’re interested in seeing or buying the furniture that Paul designs and makes follow his IG @ShapedFurniture or visit the website www.shapedfurniture.com

WAYS TO HELP THE MIHH PODCAST

Spread the word via social media. It costs nothing.

Our website is www.mentalpod.com our FB is www.Facebook.com/mentalpod and our Twitter and Instagram are both @Mentalpod

Become a much-needed Patreon monthly-donor (with occasional rewards) for as little as $1/month at www.Patreon.com/mentalpod

Become a one-time or monthly donor via PayPal at https://mentalpod.com/donate

You can also donate via Zelle (make payment to mentalpod@gmail.com)

To donate via Venmo make payment to @Mentalpod

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

#780 Best Of - Janet Varney (Our Very 1st Ep) Dec 26, 2025

Show notes

The very first MIHH ep ever which originally aired in March of 2011.. Paul interviews his Dinner and a Movie co-host Janet Varney (@theJVClub) about her battles with anxiety, depression food and panic attacks. Listen as one people-pleaser interviews another! Enjoy Janet parrying a compliment coming her way! En grade!

More about Janet

www.JanetVarney.com

IG and Threads @TheJVClub

TikTok @Janet.Varney

Sketchfest https://sfsketchfest2026.sched.com/

This episode is sponsored by Alma

Visit helloalma.com/happyhourto schedule a free therapy consultation today.

This episode is sponsored Quince. Go to www.Quince.com/mental for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too.

If you’re interested in seeing or buying the furniture that Paul designs and makes follow his IG @ShapedFurniture or visit the website www.shapedfurniture.com

WAYS TO HELP THE MIHH PODCAST

Spread the word via social media. It costs nothing.

Our website is www.mentalpod.com our FB is www.Facebook.com/mentalpod and our Twitter and Instagram are both @Mentalpod

Become a much-needed Patreon monthly-donor (with occasional rewards) for as little as $1/month at www.Patreon.com/mentalpod

Become a one-time or monthly donor via PayPal at https://mentalpod.com/donate

You can also donate via Zelle (make payment to mentalpod@gmail.com)

To donate via Venmo make payment to @Mentalpod

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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