Podcast · Health

Inside Mental Health

by Healthline Media · English · Health

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. Listen now and share widely.

New episodes: Weekly
Typical length: 25 min
Latest: 15 Oct 2026
Language: English

Latest episode

15 Oct 2026 · 20 minNew

Beyond ‘I’m Fine’: Navigating the Invisible Weight of Women’s Anxiety and Depression

“I’m fine” can be one of the most convincing ways to hide that something is wrong. For many women, anxiety and depression can remain invisible behind careers, relationships, family responsibilities, and the expectation to simply keep going. In this episode, host Gabe Howard talks with psychiatrist Dr. Helen Blair Simpson, Professor of Psychiatry at Columbia University Irving Medical Center and Director of the Center for OCD and Related Disorders, and an ADAA member expert, about why women experience anxiety and depression at higher rates than men and why so many continue to suffer in…

Play episodeWhatsApp Download

Earlier episodes 29 most recent

8 Oct 2026 · 23 min
When “Perfect” Is Actually Depression
What if the person everyone thinks has it all together is actually struggling with depression, and they don’t even know how to express it? What if that person is you? Clinical psychologist Dr. Margaret Rutherford joins host Gabe Howard to explore perfectly hidden depression, a pattern in which perfectionism, achievement, responsibility, and constant productivity can conceal serious emotional pain. These aren’t necessarily people pretending to be happy or deliberately creating a perfect life. They may genuinely believe that continually striving, helping others, solving problems, and staying…
1 Oct 2026 · 27 min
Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy for Mental Health
Psychedelics are having a moment in mental health care. Research is showing promising results for conditions including depression, treatment-resistant depression, anxiety, and PTSD. But how much do we actually know — and how much is hype? ADAA member expert and licensed psychologist Jonathan Schettino, PhD, explains how psychedelics went from being viewed primarily as illegal drugs to becoming the subject of serious clinical research. He breaks down what happens during psychedelic-assisted therapy, why standardized dosing matters, and why treatment involves much more than simply taking a…
24 Sep 2026 · 26 min
Is the World Making Us Sick? Why Mental Health Isn’t Just Self-Care
What if some of the anxiety, depression, and mental health issues we experience aren't simply problems inside us? What if they're actually signals telling us something about the world around us? Psychiatrist and author Dr. Joanna Cheek joins the show to challenge the way we think about mental health, diagnosis, treatment, and self-care. Her argument isn't that mental health disorders aren't real. They're real, they can be debilitating, and they deserve professional treatment. But focusing only on the individual can cause us to miss external factors that could be a contributing factor.…
17 Sep 2026 · 26 min
The Invisible Crisis: Reaching Men During Suicide Prevention Month
Men die by suicide at dramatically higher rates than women, accounting for nearly 80% of suicide deaths. Yet many men who are struggling never seek mental health support — and the consequences can be deadly. On this episode, host Gabe Howard talks with psychiatrist Dr. Sanjay Mathew, board president of the Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA), and Richard Reeves, president of the American Institute for Boys and Men and author of “Of Boys and Men: Why the Modern Male Is Struggling, Why It Matters, and What to Do About It.”The conversation explores why traditional mental health…
10 Sep 2026 · 22 min
TOMS Shoes Founder on Why There’s No ‘Magic Pill’ for Mental Health Recovery
What happens when you seemingly have everything — and still don't feel OK? TOMS Shoes founder Blake Mycoskie opens up about the severe depression that followed his departure from the company he built. What initially felt like a mild depression gradually became a years-long struggle marked by isolation, shame, loss of purpose, relationship difficulties, suicidal thoughts, and a painful disconnection from himself. Blake also shares his experience of being misdiagnosed with bipolar disorder and taking multiple psychiatric medications before working with a psychiatrist to carefully taper off…
3 Sep 2026 · 24 min
Living with Health Anxiety: How to Stop Worrying About Every Symptom
If you've ever convinced yourself a headache was a brain tumor or spent hours Googling symptoms only to feel even more anxious, you're not alone. In this episode, our host sits down with former Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA) president Dr. Karen Lynn Cassiday to unpack the difference between usual concern about your health and clinical health anxiety (also known as illness anxiety disorder). Dr. Cassiday shares practical, evidence-based tools to help you break free from health anxiety, know when self-help is enough, recognize when it's time for therapy, and understand…
27 Aug 2026 · 29 min
After Infidelity, Can Love & Relationships Survive?
Can a relationship survive infidelity? It is possible, but recovery isn't as simple as forgiving a cheating partner, staying together, or deciding to walk away. In this episode, host Gabe Howard talks with licensed professional counselor Dr. Monique Thompson, author of The Infidelity Recovery Workbook for Couples, about what really happens to a relationship — and to a person's sense of self — after an affair. The conversation also examines what the partner who cheated can do to rebuild trust, why apologies and grand gestures aren't enough, how “living amends” can demonstrate meaningful…
20 Aug 2026 · 22 min
Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD): Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatment
Everyone worries. Bills. Family. Health. Work. The future. Anxiety is a normal part of being human—but when does ordinary worry become something more? Something that needs professional intervention? More specifically, when does “everyday anxiety” become Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)? In this episode, host Gabe Howard sits down with ADAA member expert Ben Eckstein, LCSW, therapist, anxiety specialist, and author of “Worrying Is Optional,” to explain how clinicians distinguish everyday stress from a diagnosable anxiety disorder. You'll learn why worrying isn't the same as problem-solving,…
13 Aug 2026 · 26 min
What ‘The Pitt’ Gets Right About Caregiver Burnout
Millions of people care for loved ones every day — but who takes care of the caregiver? In this episode, Host Gabe Howard sits down with actress Cathryn Dylan Ortiz, whose powerful portrayal of Brenda in HBO Max's hit medical drama “The Pitt” sparked widespread conversations about caregiver burnout, anxiety, depression, and the invisible mental health struggles that often go unnoticed. Cathryn shares how she prepared for one of the show's most emotionally impactful storylines by combining extensive research with her own lived experience. Together, she and Gabe explore why mental illness and…
6 Aug 2026 · 22 min
What Are Prescription Digital Therapeutics (PDTs)?
Can your smartphone become part of your mental health treatment? Prescription digital therapeutics (PDTs) promise to do exactly that — but what are they, and do they actually work? In this episode, host Gabe Howard is joined by ADAA member experts John Torous, MD, MBI, a digital psychiatry expert, and Michelle A. Patriquin, PhD, ABPP, a clinical psychologist, to separate hype from reality. Together, they explain what PDTs are — and aren't — and how mental health apps fit into modern treatment. The conversation explores how apps can help bridge long wait times for therapy; reinforce skills…
30 Jul 2026 · 27 min
Does Race & Culture Impact Mental Health Treatment?
Does mental health treatment work the same for everyone? The answer is more complicated than many people realize. In this episode, host Gabe Howard is joined by Stephanie Robertson, J.D., Director of Mental Health Equity at NAMI, and Dr. Nicole Washington, psychiatrist and President-Elect of the Black Psychiatrists of America, for an honest conversation about mental health equity, cultural identity, and why representation matters in behavioral health. Rather than focusing on politics, this conversation centers on practical realities: how clinicians can better understand the people they…
23 Jul 2026 · 20 min
Bipolar Disorder in Spouses, Family, and Loved Ones
Many people know the term “bipolar disorder,” but few understand what mania actually looks like, how depression presents, or why recognizing the warning signs can be so difficult. In this episode, host Gabe Howard sits down with ADAA (Anxiety and Depression Association of America) Member expert Bruce M. Cohen, MD, PhD. Dr. Cohen is a psychiatrist, Harvard Medical School professor, and former president and psychiatrist-in-chief of McLean Hospital. Together, they break down the realities of bipolar disorder, including the differences between bipolar I, bipolar II, and cyclothymia. Listeners…
16 Jul 2026 · 29 min
Gambling Addiction: Why Some People Can't Just Stop Betting
Most people can buy a lottery ticket, join an office March Madness pool, or place an occasional sports bet without it becoming a problem. So why do some people lose their savings, relationships, careers, and even homes because they can't stop gambling? In this episode, host Gabe Howard sits down with certified gambling counselor Eric Webber, MA, to explore the realities behind gambling addiction and why it deserves to be treated as a serious mental health condition. This conversation examines the explosion of legal sports betting, in-game prop bets, fantasy sports, and gambling…
9 Jul 2026 · 19 min
Tardive Dyskinesia: A Personal Story for Caregivers and People Living with TD
Tardive dyskinesia (TD) is often misunderstood, misdiagnosed, or simply ignored — leaving many people feeling isolated, frustrated, and afraid to speak up. In this episode, we share the deeply personal story of Sherland Peterson, a woman living with tardive dyskinesia, while exploring the physical, emotional, and social impact of this complex movement disorder. Whether you are living with TD yourself, caring for someone who is, or simply trying to better understand the realities of long-term mental health treatment, this episode offers insight, validation, and practical understanding. Our…
2 Jul 2026 · 25 min
Pop Legend Carnie Wilson on Shame, Stigma, and Tardive Dyskinesia
Grammy-nominated singer, actress, and mental health advocate Carnie Wilson joins Gabe Howard to discuss one of the most misunderstood conditions in mental health: tardive dyskinesia (TD). In this candid conversation, Wilson opens up about her own experiences with depression, postpartum depression, addiction recovery, and the isolation that often accompanies mental health challenges. She explains why vulnerability can become a source of strength and why speaking up may be the most important first step toward healing. Listeners will learn: why many people wait months or years before discussing…
25 Jun 2026 · 28 min
Emetophobia: Understanding the Fear of Vomiting
No one likes to throw up. But for some, the mere thought of vomiting is a Level 12 emergency that halts life in its tracks. Imagine avoiding bars, concerts, and even the grocery store because a stranger might look "pale." This is the reality of emetophobia—a debilitating fear of vomiting that often hides in the shadows of more common diagnoses like anxiety or eating disorders. In this episode, we peel back the layers of this misunderstood condition with ADAA member expert Ken Goodman, LCSW, and emetophobia sufferer Lorraine Leal. Ken breaks down why emetophobia is far more than a gross-out…
18 Jun 2026 · 27 min
Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD): A New Treatment Beyond DBT
While many people have heard of Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) fewer know about Mentalization-Based Treatment (MBT), an evidence-based therapy that is producing remarkable results for people living with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD). In this episode, host Gabe Howard sits down with Robert P. Drozek, LICSW, a teaching associate in psychiatry at Harvard Medical School and author of “Mentalization: Utilizing Reflection to Heal from Borderline Personality Disorder.” Together, they explore how mentalization—the ability to understand your own thoughts, feelings, and motivations while…
11 Jun 2026 · 21 min
Want to Be a Mental Health Worker? Realities of the Front Lines
Think working in mental health is just sitting and listening? The reality is a chaotic, high volume front line where workers face severe psychological crises every single day. In this episode, our host sits down with the author of “So You Want To Work in Mental Health?: The Good, the Bad, and the Unforgettable,” Cliffard Mayo, MBA, LAC, to pull back the curtain on what really happens behind closed doors for many mental health workers. Listeners will learn: Mental health workers are trained not to internalize a client's failures, and therefore often refuse to take credit for their successes.…
28 May 2026 · 25 min
Kids These Days: Reimagining Youth Mental Healthcare
Is our mental health system helping children or simply getting better at labeling them? With some reports suggesting that 70% of adolescents are struggling with mental health issues, host Gabe Howard asks the tough question: Is it possible that the majority of teenagers are truly "sick" or is there a flaw in how we calculate and categorize human distress? Joining the show is Dr. Will Dobud, a social worker, researcher, and co-author of “Kids These Days: Understanding and Supporting Youth Mental Health.” Dr. Dobud pulls back the curtain on the clinical world, revealing that a staggering…
14 May 2026 · 31 min
Defining ‘Normal’: Overdiagnosing — Are We Pathologizing the Human Condition?
In this thought-provoking episode, host Gabe Howard sits down with child psychiatrist and author Dr. Sami Timimi to challenge some of the most widely accepted ideas in modern mental health care. Drawing from his latest book, “Searching for Normal: A New Approach to Understanding Mental Health, Distress, and Neurodiversity,” Dr. Timimi explores why diagnoses like ADHD, depression, and anxiety may be less about biology and more about cultural context. The conversation dives into how labeling distress can sometimes obscure the real drivers of human experience—life experiences, relationships,…
30 Apr 2026 · 23 min
Injustice as Trauma: Tackling Systemic Bias in Mental Health Care
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…
16 Apr 2026 · 31 min
Why I Miss My Hallucinations with Kit Wallis aka SchizoKitzo
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…
2 Apr 2026 · 25 min
Rock Bottom to a Netflix Documentary: The Philly Captain Shares His Bipolar Journey
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…
19 Mar 2026 · 21 min
Mental Health Isn’t a Movie: Olivia Nash on Changing Hollywood’s Narrative
Most movies treat mental health like a plot twist—something dramatic, visible, and easily explained. But real depression and anxiety don’t work that way, and filmmaker Olivia Nash is determined to flip the script and show a more realistic portrayal. In this episode, host Gabe Howard sits down with the actor, writer, and director of the indie film “Hi.” to tease out what it really means to portray mental health authentically on screen. The conversation goes beyond the film itself, diving into the realities of mental health in Hollywood, how Nash fostered open conversations on set, and what it…
5 Mar 2026 · 25 min
Does ‘Therapy Speak’ Hurt Relationships?
As therapy language floods social media, more people are associating friends, partners, and co-workers with mental health disorders, spotting “red flags” everywhere, and labeling regular human flaws as psychological abuse. In this episode, host Gabe Howard is joined by psychologist and author Dr. Isabelle Morley to unpack how therapy speak, short-form content, and armchair psychology are reshaping modern human interaction — and not always for the better. For example, believing your ex is a narcissist might feel validating, but is it actually helping you heal, or quietly harming your ability…
19 Feb 2026 · 25 min
Rethinking Narcissism: What Social Media Gets Wrong
Narcissism has become one of the most misused words in mental health — and social media hasn’t helped. In this episode, host Gabe Howard is joined by licensed marriage and family therapist Kati Morton to separate clinical reality from internet myth. Together, they break down what narcissistic personality disorder actually is, why confidence and disagreement don’t equal narcissism, and how terms like “gaslighting” and “love bombing” get distorted online.We answer common questions like: Can people with narcissistic personality disorder learn empathy? How can loved ones’ support change without…
5 Feb 2026 · 25 min
New Year’s Resolutions Fail Because We Set Them Wrong
New Year’s resolutions promise hope, but for many people, they quietly deliver shame, stress, and self-blame instead. If resolutions leave you feeling worse about yourself every January, this episode explains why — and what actually works. Host Gabe Howard is joined by returning favorite Jodi Wellman to unpack why traditional goal-setting often backfires, especially when it comes to mental health. They explore the psychology behind the “fresh start effect,” how all-or-nothing thinking sets us up to fail, and why massive lifestyle overhauls rarely stick. More importantly, they offer…
22 Jan 2026 · 23 min
Why Negative Self-Talk Feels True (And How to Stop Believing It)
Negative self-talk isn’t just annoying — it can quietly shape our decisions, confidence, and impact our mental health. But what if silencing that inner critic isn’t about positive affirmations, gratitude journals, or pretending everything is fine?In this episode, host Gabe Howard sits down with former NBC and CNN Headline News anchor and author Lynn Smith to unpack what negative self-talk really is, why our brains cling to it, and how to reframe it without slipping into toxic positivity. Lynn explains how the brain is wired to protect us through fear-based thinking, why perfectionism and…
8 Jan 2026 · 28 min
When Faith Hurts: Religion, Trauma, and Mental Health
For many people, religion is a source of comfort — but what happens when it becomes a source of fear, shame, or lifelong anxiety? In this episode, author Cassandra Brandt shares her deeply personal journey through religious indoctrination, purity culture, and the hidden mental health consequences that followed her into adulthood.Cassandra unpacks the emotional toll of being raised in an evangelical Christian environment: fearing the end times as a child, internalizing guilt as a spiritual obligation, and believing mental illness was a sign of demonic influence. She explains how these…

About Inside Mental Health

Inside Mental Health is a English health podcast from Healthline Media. Melo plays each episode straight from the publisher's own feed — no ads added, no account needed — and remembers where you stopped, in this browser only.

Publisher: Healthline Media
Language: English
Category: Health
New episodes: Weekly
Typical length: 25 min
Latest episode: 15 Oct 2026
Feed: RSS — paste into any podcast app
Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1175777581
Website: psychcentral.com/show

RSS feed Apple Podcasts Website

More English health

Take it with you

The Melo app keeps playing with the screen off, works in the car and on your watch, wakes you to your station, and browses the whole catalogue offline. Free, no ads, no account.