Mental Illness Happy Hour

Latest Episodes:

#779 Depression & Anxiety - Best Of - Jamie Denbo Dec 19, 2025

Show notes

This ep was one of our first ever, recorded in 2011. Comedic actress / improvisor / writer / podcaster Jamie Denbo aka @JamieDenbo talks about being an only child, born to Jewish parents whose lives, culture and ancestors she feels are informed by fear. She talks about growing up in Massachusetts and feeling guilty for not having more obvious reason to explain her sadness, panic and anger, and how motherhood is helping her to recognize the familial and cultural cycles she would like to break. She and Paul also do an epic Fear/Love Off.

More about Jamie:

TV Roles: Orange Is the New Black, Happy Hour, The Mighty B!, F Is for Family, Terriers, Return of the Mac.
Film Appearances: The Heat, Spy, Daddy's Home, Must Love Dogs, Yes Man.
Comedy & Podcasts: A staple in the comedy scene, especially with her popular podcast Ronna & Beverly, and appearances on The Thrilling Adventure Hour.
Writer: Created the Lifetime series American Princess and has written for Grey's Anatomy and The Mighty B!.

Follow Jamie on social media @JamieDenbo

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

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.

#778 Surviving The Deepest Depths - Laura Moran Dec 12, 2025

Show notes

Laura Moran is a television writer. She talks about a lifelong battle with depression, self-harm and the suicide attempt that helped her realize she needed help resulting in a stay in a psychiatric facility which helped turn her life around.

More about Laura:

website: https://lauramoran.com/

IG: @LauraPotatoes

TikTok: Laurampotatoes

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.

Note: Some past episodes may still contain ads for BetterHelp. This podcast no longer endorses them in any way, shape or form.

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.

#777 I.C.E. & The Latino Community - Jesse Perez Returns Dec 05, 2025

Show notes

Jesse Perez is a friend of Paul’s, a cancer survivor, a podcaster, and a Latino man navigating life under the current administration. Look for his podcast, Equanimity, which focuses on this experience.

Check out an episode of Jesse’s podcast Equanimity:

A Father and Son Journey Through the Process

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.

#776 Grief, Race & Being Gay - Chris Grace Nov 28, 2025

Show notes

Chris Grace (@ChrisGraceComedy) is a comedian and actor who shares his stories of love, tragic loss, and growing up as the child of an immigrant. He discusses grief and racial dynamics in both comedy and the gay community.

Follow Chris on IG and TikTok @ChrisGraceComedy

Website www.ChrisGrace.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 NOCD. If you're struggling with OCD or unrelenting intrusive thoughts, NOCD can help. Book a free 15 minute call to get started: https://learn.nocd.com/mentalpod

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.

#775 Nate Berkus - Surviving The 2004 Tsunami Nov 21, 2025

Show notes

Nate Berkus (@NateBerkus) is an interior designer and a NYT best-selling author (look for his new book, Foundations: Timeless Design That Feels Personal) who joins Paul to share his story of growing up, his challenges with authenticity, and the trauma he endured while being stuck in the middle of a natural disaster, where he witnessed death on a massive scale, including that of his own partner.

For more about Nate:

www.nateberkus.com

www.instagram.com/nateberkus

www.facebook.com/nateberkus

www.twitter.com/nateberkus

Nate’s new book Foundations:Timeless Design That Feels Personal

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 NOCD. If you're struggling with OCD or unrelenting intrusive thoughts, NOCD can help. Book a free 15 minute call to get started: https://learn.nocd.com/mentalpod

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.

#774 Hitting A Therapy Wall - Anna Runkle aka The Crappy Childhood Fairy Nov 14, 2025

Show notes

Anna Runkle, aka @CrappyChildhoodFairy, joins Paul to share her experience of growing up in a commune, living with CPTSD, and finding new ways to heal when talk therapy wasn’t working. Look for her new book Connectability: Heal the Hidden Ways You Isolate, Find Your People and Feel (At Last) Like You Belong.

For more about Anna:

https://crappychildhoodfairy.com

https://www.youtube.com/@crappychildhoodfairy

https://www.instagram.com/crappychildhoodfairy/

https://www.facebook.com/CrappyChildhoodFairy/

https://twitter.com/cchildhoodfairy

https://www.hayhouse.com/shop-by-topic/relationships/parenting/connectability-hardcover?srsltid=AfmBOop3l4ofaw9DeUdvL23mV2AhKbiznZ3InNUl4I6eKHklyLKNMhAQ

https://www.hayhouse.com/re-regulated-hardcover?srsltid=AfmBOoqaOonBYV6agjPSXfIEftToqSPXLocThpF0OcqUmEBB25om6bHH

Paul mentioned a book that a listener recommended called A World Made By Hand by James Howard Kuntsler.

Paul also mentioned a new podcast called Brain Stories. You can find it at www.BrainStoriesProductions.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 NOCD. If you're struggling with OCD or unrelenting intrusive thoughts, NOCD can help. Book a free 15 minute call to get started: https://learn.nocd.com/mentalpod

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.

#773 Poverty, Loneliness & Low Self-Esteem - Derek Nov 07, 2025

Show notes

Fellow support group member Derek shares about growing up in extreme poverty and isolation. Recently he has been learning how to connect and practice boundaries but is still struggling with being attracted to women who treat him badly.

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 NOCD. If you're struggling with OCD or unrelenting intrusive thoughts, NOCD can help. Book a free 15 minute call to get started: https://learn.nocd.com/mentalpod

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.

#772 One Family's Truths About Paralysis - Tyler & Jenny Smith Oct 31, 2025

Show notes

Tyler Smith was paralyzed from the neck down after contracting the West Nile virus. He and his wife, Jenny, join Paul for the second time to open up about the rage, shock, and loneliness of having become paralyzed as well as the stress and emotional toll it takes on Jenny to caretake someone with Tyler’s condition.

Tyler & Jenny’s GoFundMe

https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-for-tyler-smith-year-two

Follow Tyler on X @morelessons

Check out his movie talk website www.morethanonelesson.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 NOCD. If you're struggling with OCD or unrelenting intrusive thoughts, NOCD can help. Book a free 15 minute call to get started: https://learn.nocd.com/mentalpod

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.

#771 Growing Up With Hoarders - Amanda Uhle Oct 24, 2025

Show notes

Amanda Uhle is a journalist and nonfiction writer who shares her story of a loving but turbulent childhood and what it was like to grow up in a house of hoarders. Look for her new memoir, Destroy This House.

For more about Amanda:

https://www.amandauhle.com/

https://www.instagram.com/amanda.uhle/?hl=en

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 NOCD. If you're struggling with OCD or unrelenting intrusive thoughts, NOCD can help. Book a free 15 minute call to get started: https://learn.nocd.com/mentalpod

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.

#770 Imprisoned For Having HIV - Robert Suttle Oct 17, 2025

Show notes

Robert Suttle joins Paul to share his experience with the criminalization of HIV. He talks about the unexpected arrest related to his diagnosis, his experience in prison, and living with HIV in the modern day.

Links/Resources that Robert mentioned:

Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation site: https://elizabethtayloraidsfoundation.org/

Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation's HIV is Not a Crime initiative site: https://www.hivisnotacrime-etaf.org/

Robert Suttle's site: https://www.robertsuttle.com/

ETAF HIV is Not a Crime Roundtable Conversation with Don Lemon (featuring Robert): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_cC19N3_Irw

Video spotlight on Robert's story: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sw-ZvH-aI9Y

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 NOCD. If you're struggling with OCD or unrelenting intrusive thoughts, NOCD can help. Book a free 15 minute call to get started: https://learn.nocd.com/mentalpod

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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