Podhero Picks: Talk About It Edition
Thursday, October 10th, marks World Mental Health Day. On this day around the world, more conversations about mental health, mental illness, and support for those who are struggling, will be taking place. It’s incredibly hard to know where to start in these moments — and for many of us, it may help to listen first.
If that’s you, you’re in luck. We’ve curated a list of podcasts from hosts and shows who hold these difficult discussions year-round. We hope this list will offer affirmation and support to those who live with mental illnesses, and reassurance and talking points to those who want to reach out.
“Gary Gulman is a Brilliant Comedian and an Ineffective Offensive Lineman”, from The Hilarious World of Depression
Host John Moe recognized a curious throughline in his relationships with comedians: many of them mentioned depression, anxiety, or panic as a part of their personal stories. His podcast delved first into the lives of comedians, and later into the lives of other entertainers — writers, musicians, media personalities — with a question to answer: “is depression funny?”
The interviews themselves do find a bit of levity in the experience of living with mental illness, but there’s more often a poignancy and sense of insight. You leave each episode feeling closer to the subjects, and grateful to Moe for bringing out these less often talked about aspects of who they are. We’ve highlighted his episode with Gary Gulman, of the recent HBO special “The Great Depresh.” Some of the journey that led Gary to write that special is covered in this episode.
“Social Anxiety (with) Dr. Ellen Hendriksen”, from The Mental Illness Happy Hour with Paul Gilmartin
Like Moe, Paul Gilmartin is interested in the stories of those who are living with mental illness among us. But his scope widens from public figures into authors, doctors, patient advocates, and other individuals who are deeply affected — personally, professionally, or interpersonally — by mental illness.
What results is an emotional and insightful listening experience that, in the words of Psychology Today, “normalizes what so many others feel but have been too fearful or ashamed to express [in a] remarkable [way].” We’ve highlighted his interview with Dr. Ellen Hendriksen, whose book on social anxiety not only delves into research on the topic, but also addresses her experience with it.
“Comedy Outliers ft. Brandon Collins”, from You Good? with Mike Brown
Speaking of comedians, Mike Brown is a comedian, writer, and podcast who wants to expand the conversation on mental health. His “You Good?” is a mix of solo episodes and conversations with fellow comedians, discussing how their mental health (or mental illness, as the case may be) impacts their work.
The highlighted episode features his friend and occasional collaborator Brandon Collins, in a frank and open conversation that addresses a yearlong rift the pair had after their co-hosted live show dissolved. For those who find it difficult to patch things up with a friend after symptoms of their mental illness have “gotten in the way,” this is a powerful episode…made all the more powerful by the fact that it’s happening between two Black men.
“Ten Sessions”, from This American Life
While This American Life is not in its own right a podcast about mental health or mental illness, this recent episode was too affecting to not mention in this roundup. A writer from the show shares a raw and revealing journey through Cognitive Processing Therapy, a radically different method of treatment that aims to address trauma in 10–12 sessions…while equipping the patient to continue treatment on their own.
The method is one that’s gaining in popularity for those seeking to work through deep trauma and PTSD, so the narrative approach of hearing someone go through the process is highly informative for those considering the method. Lowe balances an honesty about the process with care in editing, allowing for some privacy as she digs deep within herself.
“Session 87: Entrepreneurship and Mental Health”, from Therapy for Black Girls
While mental health and therapy can be highly stigmatized, this stigma is even more acute in communities of color. Recognizing this challenge, Dr. Joy Harden Bradford has sought to fill in some of these gaps in knowledge and conversation with her podcast. On it, she balances solo episodes with guest appearances to talk not only about depression, anxiety, and panic, but also about topics like divorce, sex, relationships, and other facts of life that can bring pain and struggle.
In this episode, she highlights some of the challenges that impact entrepreneurs — a necessary conversation given the high numbers of Black women entering into entrepreneurship and business ownership.
“The Cut Off: Setting Boundaries”, from Talk About It: The Mental Health Podcast
In recent years, athletes have revealed struggles with mental health. Some have been lauded for their candor, while others have been shunned or stigmatized for the conversations they’ve attempted to start. Hosts Asia Alston and Mario Hines believe there should be more of the former going on, and so their podcast Talk About It aims to normalize this conversation specifically as it pertains to athletes.
The highlighted episode talks about an important part of preserving mental health: setting boundaries with friends and loved ones. Boundaries are not only important for developing a sense of self-respect, but also matter when interacting with others who might test or even worsen your condition. Mario and Asia hold this conversation with a combination of lightness and insight that makes it easier to listen to…and hopefully, eventually have with someone close to you.
“72: Disability — I was so worried my mental illness would be permanent as well”, from Mental: The Podcast to Destigmatise Mental Health
As we mentioned, today is World Mental Health Day, so we’re pleased to include this offering from across the pond. Bobby Temps started this podcast as a way to create a “safe space to hear honest and insightful mental health interviews in the hope listeners will feel more empowered to continue the conversation with others.”
In this episode, he chats with a guest about an intersection that isn’t talked about as frequently: how disability can impact our mental health. In conversation with Chris Coombs, the pair explores the stigma that surrounds each element of identity, and how the collision of the two can be even more isolating.
“Episode 4: Sad in Silicon Valley”, from Sincerely, X
Although the goal of milestones like World Mental Health Day are observed with the goal of sharing difficult stories, it can also be true that individuals aren’t ready to share their stories or struggles with mental illness. For that reason, anonymous talk lines and more personal approaches to help like text therapy remain important in our larger conversations on the matter.
This episode of Sincerely, X (now a Luminary podcast) highlights an example of the disclosure that can come when anonymity is offered…all while showing hope for the mental health care system.
It is our hope that these podcasts will create an opening for you to take these conversations from your ears, to your words and actions with those around you. Did we miss any good offerings? Let us know on Twitter!
Podhero is a platform dedicated to being “the easiest way to support podcast creators.” Join us to directly support your favorite podcasts for only $5.99/month! No contracts, offers access to over 1 million podcasts in 30+ countries, and we don’t take a cut. Head to our site to learn more, sign up, and put your 💰where your ❤️ is.
