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Inside Mental Health

Inside Mental Health

By: Healthline Media
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 Award-winning weekly podcast that approaches psychology and mental health in an accessible way. Listen as our host Gabe Howard speaks candidly with experts, celebrities, and other notables to break down complex topics into simpler terms.262552 Copyright 2015-2024 Healthline Media. All rights reserved. Hygiene & Healthy Living Psychology Psychology & Mental Health Social Sciences
Episodes
  • Injustice as Trauma: Tackling Systemic Bias in Mental Health Care

    Injustice as Trauma: Tackling Systemic Bias in Mental Health Care
    Apr 30 2026
    Members of marginalized communities are often told to be "resilient," but how do you bounce back when the system itself is the weight on your shoulders? When policy is the source of the trauma, the burden of healing shouldn't rest solely on the individual. Joining us for this episode is a powerhouse in the field of psychology: the President of the American Psychological Association, Dr. Debra M. Kawahara. In this unflinching conversation, we dismantle the myth of individual resiliency and confront the systemic forces shaping our mental well-being. From the healthy paranoia required for survival in marginalized communities to the traumatizing optics of immigration enforcement, we explore how sociopolitical climates act as a direct catalyst for mental health crises. Listeners will learn: why focusing solely on individual grit can lead to victim-blaming and ignoring systemic failures how society takes psychological comfort in believing people “deserve” their circumstances why viewing healthcare and education as human rights is the first step toward equity If you’ve ever felt like anxiety is a rational response to an irrational world, this exploration of systemic inequity and the fight for collective wellness is for you. Learn how to stay in the fight without letting the weight of the world knock you out. "Don't get knocked out because we need you." ~Dr. Debra M. Kawahara, President of the American Psychological Association Debra M. Kawahara, Ph.D., is a psychologist, scholar, and advocate for justice and mental health resource accessibility. As the 2025 President of the American Psychological Association and Associate Dean of Academic Affairs at Alliant University, she leads with vision and heart — shaping psychology’s future through cultural humility, intersectional insight, and systemic care. Her work spans over 20 academic programs across six campuses and online, and her scholarship bridges feminist theory, Buddhist psychotherapy, Asian American mental health, and leadership grounded in equity. Internationally published and recognized, Debra brings both academic excellence and therapeutic wisdom to her teaching, speaking, and clinical practice — where she works with individuals, couples, families, and organizations in cultivating resilience and meaningful change. Our host, 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 the author. Gabe is also the host of the "Inside Bipolar" podcast with Dr. Nicole Washington. Gabe makes his home in the suburbs of Columbus, Ohio. He lives with his supportive wife, Kendall, and a Miniature Schnauzer dog that he never wanted, but now can’t imagine life without. To book Gabe for your next event or learn more about him, please visit gabehoward.com. * * * * Please share this podcast with your networks! Sharing the show with the people you know is how we'll grow. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    23 mins
  • Why I Miss My Hallucinations with Kit Wallis aka SchizoKitzo

    Why I Miss My Hallucinations with Kit Wallis aka SchizoKitzo
    Apr 16 2026
    Most people think "hearing voices" would be a nightmare symptom of mental illness, but for some, it feels more like a friendship. In the medical world, hallucinations and delusions are symptoms to be eliminated. But for Kit Wallis, the reality of living with schizoaffective disorder is far more complicated. For years, she shared her life with her delusions, including Orion, a "sassy, funny, and supportive" internal voice who helped her study, hyped her up for exams, and ensured she was never truly alone. In a culture that views psychosis through a lens of fear, Kit saw her symptoms as a lifeline. However, when a life-altering psychotic break required antipsychotic medication, the "recovery" came with a devastating price. As the medication began to work, her voices didn't just fade — they "broke up like a bad phone call." Kit didn't just lose her symptoms; she lost her closest friends. Listeners will take-a-way: Understanding the mourning process Kit experienced when medication worked to eliminate her hallucinations Why the medical community often ignores the "positive" aspects of psychosis Kit’s conflict surrounding wanting the voices back while knowing the importance of treatment In this deeply personal conversation, host Gabe Howard and guest Kit Wallis explore the "hard dialectic" of mental health: the grief of getting well and the complicated mourning process that sometimes follows successful treatment. Listen now! "No one really warns you about losing the good stuff, too … They just think, ‘Oh, psychosis is all bad. We want it all gone.’ But stories like mine aren't really out there very often." ~Kit Wallis aka SchizoKitzo Our guest, Kit Wallis, who goes by SchizoKitzo, is a content creator who advocates for schizoaffective and bipolar disorders. She uses long-form videos on her YouTube channel and short-form content on platforms like TikTok and Instagram. Her content centers around her personal experience with schizoaffective disorder and often includes deep dives into research topics regarding mental health. Kit was diagnosed with the bipolar type of schizoaffective disorder in late 2020 and has struggled with symptoms since she was in middle school. Schizoaffective disorder is a mental health condition where someone experiences symptoms of schizophrenia--such as delusions and hallucinations--but also symptoms of a mood disorder--either major depression or, in Kit's case, bipolar. Realizing there was a lack of schizoaffective advocates, she decided to start her SchizoKitzo project to raise awareness for this complex condition. The mission of SchizoKitzo is to raise awareness of schizoaffective disorder and all of its aspects, from the mood side to the psychotic side. Kit works to bridge the gap between life and science so she can help break the stigma around mental health. Our host, 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 the author. Gabe is also the host of the "Inside Bipolar" podcast with Dr. Nicole Washington. Gabe makes his home in the suburbs of Columbus, Ohio. He lives with his supportive wife, Kendall, and a Miniature Schnauzer dog that he never wanted, but now can’t imagine life without. To book Gabe for your next event or learn more about him, please visit gabehoward.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    31 mins
  • Rock Bottom to a Netflix Documentary: The Philly Captain Shares His Bipolar Journey

    Rock Bottom to a Netflix Documentary: The Philly Captain Shares His Bipolar Journey
    Apr 2 2026
    In 2012, Jon McCann was sitting in a car weeping and preparing to end his life. He was struggling with a failing marriage, alcoholism, and a recent bipolar diagnosis that he feared was a "death sentence." Fast forward to today, and Jon—better known as "The Philly Captain"—is the subject of the Emmy Award-winning Netflix documentary “The Turnaround,” produced by Barack and Michelle Obama. How does a man go from the brink of suicide to having a former President tell part of his story? It started with a single, viral act of empathy. When Philadelphia Phillies star Trea Turner was mired in a massive slump, Jon didn't call for boos; he called for "love love." He convinced an entire city to give a struggling athlete a standing ovation, proving that grace often achieves what "tough love" can’t. Listeners Will Learn: · How supporting others helps silence your own inner critic · The accidental origin story of "The Philly Captain" · Turning unique hobbies into a healthy, stable routine · The difference between "love love" and “tough love” In this moving and often hilarious interview, Jon joins host Gabe Howard to discuss the "story behind the story." He opens up about the terrifying moments of his mental health crisis, the power of a supportive family (including his mother’s bipolar awareness tattoo), and the life-changing realization that his story was worth telling. Whether you are navigating your own mental health journey or just looking for a reason to believe in yourself, Jon’s transformation from self-hate to self-worth is the inspiration you need to keep moving forward."The fact that (Barack and Michelle) Obama produced a movie (about me for Netflix), it made me believe in myself that I'm not a pile of garbage." ~Jon McCann, The Philly Captain Our guest, The Philly Captain, aka Jon McCann, is a charismatic YouTuber, lifelong Phillies fan, and the unexpected face of a powerful mental health comeback story. Known for his high-energy vlogs across the streets of Philadelphia—from neighborhood deep dives to rowdy baseball recaps—he also carries a quieter truth: he almost didn’t make it. In the Emmy Award winning Netflix short documentary The Turnaround (produced by Barack and Michelle Obama via Higher Ground), viewers get a raw look at the moment he nearly ended his life—and the unlikely path that brought him back: connection, community, and a camera. Today, The Philly Captain speaks openly about suicidal ideation, depression, and what it really means to fight your way back when hope feels impossible. Blending brutal honesty, street-smart humor, and unfiltered heart, his talks leave audiences inspired, entertained, and more willing to speak their own truth. He’s not a doctor. He’s not perfect. He’s living proof that survival is worth it—and that you don’t have to be fixed” to keep showing up. Our host, 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 the author. Gabe is also the host of the "Inside Bipolar" podcast with Dr. Nicole Washington. Gabe makes his home in the suburbs of Columbus, Ohio. He lives with his supportive wife, Kendall, and a Miniature Schnauzer dog that he never wanted, but now can’t imagine life without. To book Gabe for your next event or learn more about him, please visit gabehoward.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    25 mins
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