The Psych Central Show: Candid Chat On Mental Health & Psychology

To an outsider looking in, it may seem like singer Casey McQuillen has it all — she was a contestant on season 13 of American Idol, and went on to have a successful career in singing. Yet despite her success, she still struggles with a negative, nagging sense of self-doubt that she attributes to the bullying she endured in middle school. These difficult early experiences left such a mark that she started an anti-bullying program. Listen as she shares stories about how her mental health intertwines with her music, the pain and pressure of being on a reality show, and how she uses her voice to advocate against bullying today. To learn more -- or read the transcript -- please visit the official episode page. Guest Bio Casey McQuillen, a Brooklyn-based singer-songwriter, activist, and powerhouse vocalist, burst onto the scene on season 13 of “American Idol.” Since then, the rising star has organically accumulated tens of thousands of followers on social media and millions of views and streams of her music online

It seems like every story of mass violence or a school shooting includes speculation about what mental illness the alleged perpetrator has. Why is that? What can we do about it? Join us as Emmy Award winning journalist Elizabeth Vargas contests these thoughts and shares the media’s point of view. To learn more -- or read the transcript -- please visit the official episode page. Guest Bio Emmy Award winning journalist Elizabeth Vargas has traveled the world covering breaking news stories, reporting on-depth investigations, and conducting newsmaker interviews. She is the host of America’s Most Wanted on Fox TV. She hosted the hit newsmagazine show 20/20 on ABC for 15 years, and was co-anchor of World News Tonight, and news anchor and frequent host of Good Morning America. She hosted A&E Investigates, doing a series of documentaries that still air on Hulu. During the historic Iraqi elections in December 2005, she reported extensively for World News Tonight from Baghdad on both civilian life in Iraq and American

Over 70 million Americans are neurodivergent or live with learning and thinking differences. What does that mean? Is it a mental disorder, and what can be done? What type of prognosis do these folks have? Join us as today’s guest, Understood.org’s Dr. Andrew Kahn, who identifies as neurodivergent, explains how to help neurodivergent children find academic and lifelong success. To learn more -- or read the transcript -- please visit the official episode page. Guest Bio Dr. Andrew Kahn is a licensed psychologist specializing in working with individuals who think and learn differently. In his role as a Subject Matter Expert in Psychology and Learning, Dr. Kahn focuses on ADHD, autism spectrum disorders, anxiety, general learning and behavioral challenges, and learning and social-emotional functioning.  For nearly 20 years, Dr. Kahn worked within the public school system providing training, evaluations, direct consultation, and therapeutic support to students, their families, and staff. He has worked closely with

"Mine" is one of the first words babies learn. By the time we grow up, the idea of ownership seems natural, whether we’re buying a cup of coffee or a house. But who controls the space behind your airplane seat: you reclining or the squished laptop user behind? Why is plagiarism wrong but it's OK to copy a recipe or a dress design? After a snowstorm, why does a chair in the street hold your parking space in Chicago but in New York you lose the space and the chair? Join us as James Salzman and Michael Heller explain that the concept of ownership comes down to 6 simple stories. To learn more -- or read the transcript -- visit the official episode page. Guest Bio Michael Heller and James Salzman are among the world's leading authorities on ownership. Heller is the Lawrence A. Wien Professor of Real Estate Law at Columbia Law School. He is the author of “The Gridlock Economy: How Too Much Ownership Wrecks Markets, Stops Innovation, and Costs Lives.” Salzman is the Donald Bren Distinguished Professor of Environmen

Have you ever noticed that there always seems to be a new “miracle food” that will improve our lives if we just eat more of it? Like some magic supplement or exotic green that is going to cure mental illness forever? Today’s guest explains why that kind of thinking is what keeps us sick. Join us as Dr. Drew Ramsey tells us all about nutrition psychiatry and how what we eat can influence our mental health in subtle ways. He shares some tips and favorite recipes. To learn more -- or read the transcript -- visit the official episode page. Guest Bio Drew Ramsey, MD, (@DrewRamseyMD) is a psychiatrist, author, and mental health advocate. His work focuses on nutritional psychiatry, male mental health, and optimizing mental fitness. He founded and leads the Brain Food Clinic, which offers consultation and integrative treatment regarding depression, anxiety and emotional wellness concerns. He is an assistant clinical professor of psychiatry at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons and in active clinic

Often the way we talk to ourselves internally is drastically different from how we speak to others. If a friend lost their job, you’d likely console them and lend encouragement and a helping hand. If it was you, would the conversation be the same? Or would you belittle yourself, fill with doubt, and feel angry? Turns out, self compassion is a skill most of us could use more of. Join us as today’s guest explains how to foster this skill, and the benefits of being a little more patient and understanding of yourself. To learn more -- or read the transcript -- please visit the official episode page. Guest Bio Dr. Kristin Neff is currently an Associate Professor of Educational Psychology at the University of Texas at Austin. She is a pioneer in the field of self-compassion research, conducting the first empirical studies on self-compassion nearly twenty years ago. She has been recognized as one of the most influential researchers in psychology worldwide. She is author of the bestselling book Self-Compassion. Alon

“I’m glad my mom died,” said almost no one. Except it’s the title of a new book by Jennette McCurdy, Nickelodeon actress turned author. Our host Gabe Howard simply had to know: Is McCurdy truly glad her mom died? And if so, Why? Listen now to learn the circumstances behind McCurdy's book and what lead the iCarly star to share her feelings with the world.  To learn more -- or read the transcript -- please visit the official episode page. Guest Bio Jennette McCurdy starred in Nickelodeon’s hit show “iCarly” and its spin-off, “Sam & Cat,” as well as in the Netflix series “Between.” In 2017, she quit acting and began pursuing writing/directing. Her films have been featured in the Florida Film Festival, the Salute Your Shorts Film Festival, Short of the Week, and elsewhere. Her essays have appeared in HuffPost and The Wall Street Journal. Her one-woman show “I’m Glad My Mom Died” had two sold-out runs at the Lyric Hyperion Theatre and Hudson Theatre in Los Angeles. She hosts a podcast called “Empty Inside,” which

It might be hard to remember the last time you got really angry with someone who respects you. That’s because of the unique role that respect plays in our emotional regulation and interactions with others.  Dr. Joseph Shrand, a triple board certified psychiatrist, explains how this feeling can change your interactions with everyone from complete strangers to those you’re closest with. We’ll also discuss how to get respect, simple ways to show others you value and respect them, and Dr. Shrand’s I-M Method, which reminds us we’re all doing the best we can.  To learn more -- or read the transcript -- please visit the show's official episode page. Guest Bio Dr. Joseph Shrand is Chief Medical Officer of Riverside Community Care headquartered in Dedham, Massachusetts. He has been a Lecturer of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School and an adjunct faculty of Boston Children's Hospital. He is triple board certified in adult psychiatry, child and adolescent psychiatry, and addiction medicine. He is also a diplomate of

Asian American stereotypes are no secret: successful white collar professionals, like doctors and engineers, who are also quiet, hardworking, and dedicated to their families. It all sounds good, right? Even though these may seem positive, Dr. Jenny Wang explains how these stereotypes limit the options of people in these communities and exert unnecessary pressure on them. When you add the history of trauma that can come with immigration, the picture becomes ever more complicated — with ripples that affect everything from parenting styles to the intensity of emotions and overall mental health. To learn more -- or read the transcript -- please visit the official episode page. Guest Bio Dr. Jenny Wang is a Taiwanese American clinical psychologist and national speaker on mental health and racial trauma in Asian American, BIPOC, and immigrant communities. Her work focuses on the intersection of Asian American identity, mental health, and social justice. She is the founder of the @asiansformentalhealth Instagram co

Ignacia Soto-Aguilar is a prominent Hollywood makeup artist (FX's “The Bear” / TNT’s “Claws”) who grew up with a mother with severe and persistent mental illness. Join us as she shares what it was like to grow up in a household where the most important thing was protecting the secret of her mom’s illness and the trauma caused by not openly discussing the elephant in the room.  Soto-Aguilar also shares what happened to her mother and how she has made peace with her experiences now that she is an adult.  To learn more -- or read the transcript -- please visit the official episode page. Guest Bio Ignacia Soto-Aguilar is a Chilean makeup artist raised in the Bay Area of California. After acquiring a Political Science degree from UC Davis, her affinity for beauty and fine arts led her to put a pause on law school. She enrolled in the Paul Mitchell Academy in San Francisco where she discovered the world of makeup design. After her training, that "law school break" became permanent as Ignacia went on to take part in

“Joey Gladstone” is practically a household name, everyone knows the fun-loving Full House character. But Dave Coulier, the actor’s actual name, may not ring a bell. Even fewer people may recall that Dave is a recovering alcoholic. Earlier this year, he took to Instagram to publicly announce his addiction, and that he’s been sober for more than two years. In this episode, Coulier describes the moment he realized alcohol was a problem, how he continues to stay sober, the type of support he received, and how he is doing now. To learn more -- or read the transcript -- please visit the show's official episode page. Guest Bio Dave Coulier is perhaps best known as “Joey” from the hit ABC television series, Full House, which aired for eight seasons (1987-1995, with 192 episodes produced) and is currently starring in Live+Local on Pure Flix Streaming. The first two episodes will be available exclusively on Pure Flix on July 7th, 2022 and a new episode will air every Thursday.  Highly regarded for his voice-over tale

Most survivors of childhood emotional abuse don’t cut free from their parents, but actor and author Wil Wheaton is an exception. He made the decision to completely disconnect from his parents as an adult. Join us as he explains why he took this major step, how he did it, and how it continues to impact his life and parenting.  Producer’s Note: We couldn’t fit all the amazing information from Wil’s interview with us in May into just one episode. So here’s part two. It’s filled with revelations about his past you haven’t heard before and won’t want to miss.  To read the transcript -- or learn more -- please visit the show's official episode page. Guest Bio Wil Wheaton, celebrated actor from “Stand By Me,” “Star Trek: The Next Generation,” “The Big Bang Theory,” and more has come out with “Still Just a Geek,” an updated memoir with all new material as he reexamines his upbringing in Hollywood and opens up about his life, falling in love, coming to grips with his past work, choices, childhood trauma and family, an

You may have noticed the way your friend absentmindedly twirls their hair as they scroll on their phone, or how your sibling bites their nails. Maybe you’re prone to picking your skin, leading you to wonder why it’s hard to stop. These body-focused repetitive behaviors, or BFRBs, affect many of us. But when does something that might seem like a bad habit become a medical disorder? Join us as Luisa Zettinig explains her history with BFRBs, the power of community for people trying to reduce these behaviors, and how her company is trying to foster mindfulness. To learn more -- or read the transcript -- please visit the official episode page. Guest Bio Luisa Zettinig is a public health executive and businesswoman, whose career has spanned multiple countries and sectors. She currently lives in Zurich, Switzerland, where she works at the children’s hospital and as the strategy director at Nudge. Her passion lies in the application of technology to improving healthcare provision and the treatment of mental health co

Greg Louganis, simply put, is the greatest diver of all time, and over 30 years later, his records remain unbroken. Even so, many people remember Louganis for hitting his head during a dive at the ’88 Olympics, for being HIV-positive, for being an out gay man in the ’80s, and for all the controversy surrounding these topics.  Join us as Louganis shares his struggles since retiring from diving, including bouts with mental illness, suicide attempts, and substance use issues. He also discusses how he is doing now and whether pop culture portrayals of him in shows like “Family Guy” ruffle his feathers. To learn more -- or read the transcript -- please visit the official episode page. Guest Bio Considered the greatest diver in history, Greg Louganis is the only male to win gold medals on both 3-meter springboard and 10-meter platform in consecutive Olympic Games (1984, 1988). A trained actor, dancer, model, and spokesman, Greg’s wide repertoire of skills keeps him in demand and in the public eye.  As the undispute

Today’s guest is Netflix and FX star Theo Rossi. Rossi is known for portraying Shades on “Luke Cage” and Juice on “Sons of Anarchy.” But what is he really like? He is a father of two and, in his own words, had a “rough go as a kid.” Listen in as he discusses how he is a proponent of microdosing, or using small amounts of psilocybin, to better understand himself and manage his mental health. To learn more, please visit the show's official episode page. Guest Bio THEO ROSSI can currently be seen on the popular Netflix limited series “True Story” opposite Kevin Hart and Wesley Snipes. The series debuted at #1 globally for streamer and Rossi received great critical and fan acclaim. Other recent credits include Zack Snyder’s Netflix global hit feature “Army of the Dead” which also hit #1, falling into Netflix’s Top 10 films of all time and ending 2021 as one of IMDb’s Top 10 most searched movies of the year.  He next stars in the independent feature “Emily the Criminal” opposite Aubrey Plaza which was just announc

Alanis Morissette has been one of the most influential singer-songwriters of her generation. Join us as she talks about her experiences with anxiety and depression, and why she doesn’t dislike being labeled as angry — even though she’s “irretrievably Canadian and relational.”  Morissette also discusses her role as a feminist icon, the mental health lessons she has drawn after 25 years in the public eye, and what it means to be multitudinous. Listen now! To learn more -- or read the transcript -- please visit the show's official episode page. Guest Bio Since 1995, Alanis Morissette has been one of the most influential singer-songwriter-musicians in contemporary music. Her deeply expressive music and performances have earned vast critical praise and seven Grammy awards. Morissette’s 1995 debut, “JAGGED LITTLE PILL,” was followed by nine more eclectic and acclaimed albums. She has contributed musically to theatrical releases and has acted on the big and small screen. On December 5, 2019, “JAGGED LITTLE PILL” the

Do people who practice consensual non-monogamy or polyamory have higher rates of jealousy than those who are in monogamous relationships?What types of people are involved in these types of relationships?  Find the answers to these questions and more as our host interviews Dr. Mimi Winsberg, the co-founder of Brightside. To learn more -- or read the transcript -- visit the show's official episode page. Guest Bio Mimi Winsberg, MD, is the co-founder and Chief Medical Officer of Brightside, a telemedicine platform for anxiety and depression care. Dr. Winsberg is a Stanford-trained psychiatrist with more than 25+ years of clinical experience, and the former in-house psychiatrist at Facebook. Her first book, “Speaking in Thumbs,” which looks at the love language of texts, is available now. Inside Mental Health Podcast 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 Am

Can you eliminate mental health stigma through TikTok? Obviously not, but you can spark a larger conversation about mental health, or just send a friend something cute to cheer them up. That’s exactly what today’s guest’s “bad animations” are all about. A self-described “bad animator,” Danny Casale, better known as Coolman_Coffeedan, has built up a huge following of people who love his characters and derive emotional comfort from them. Join us as we chat about his work, mental health advocacy, and hopes for a better future for us all. To learn more -- or read the transcript -- please visit the official episode page. Guest Bio Self-titled “Bad Animator” and Forbes 30 Under 30 nominee Danny Casale (aka Coolman Coffeedan) first went viral when his cartoon titled “Snakes Have Legs” received tens of millions of views. Casale has since turned his humorous and crudely-drawn cartoons into a profession, with an internet following well into the millions and his first book, UR SPECIAL: Advice for Humans from Coolman Cof

Postpartum psychosis is commonly associated with wanting to harm, or even kill, your newborn baby. But can it present in any other ways? Join us as Sarah Wynter from the acclaimed TV shows "24" and "Flight of the Conchords" shares her personal experience with postpartum psychosis following the arrival of her twins. Guest Bio Glamorous and poised, Sarah Wynter has established herself as one of Hollywood’s most precious gems. Having commanded a vast array of characters on both screens big and small, she’s likely most recognized for her role as Kate Warner on the hit series “24.” Other credits include David E. Kelley’s “Goliath” opposite Billy Bob Thornton, NBC’s “American Odyssey,” “Californication,” “Damages,” “Windfall,” “Flight of the Concords,” “Sex and the City,” “The 6th Day” opposite Arnold Schwarzenegger, and “Lost Souls,” opposite Winona Ryder, among numerous others. She also recently executive produced “A Mouthful of Air,” starring Amanda Seyfried, which released theatrically in the fall of 2021 and i

Multiplatinum recording artist Jewel has won many awards and performed at the Super Bowl — but how much do you really know about her? She grew up with no running water, was a homeless teenager in San Diego, and turned all that into music for her album “Pieces of You,” which is one of the bestselling debuts of all time. In this episode, Jewel discusses her anxiety disorder, her past traumas, and what different song lyrics from her vast catalog of music mean to her. She also tells us about her work with the Inspiring Children Foundation, a foundation that has spent the past 18 years empowering children who struggle with financial hardship, anxiety, depression, and suicidal ideation.  To learn more -- or read the transcript -- please visit the official episode page here. Guest Bio Jewel went from a girl who grew up with no running water on an Alaskan homestead, to a homeless teenager in San Diego, to an award-winning, multiplatinum recording artist who released one of the bestselling debuts of all time. Througho