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Mental Illness Happy Hour

Mental Illness Happy Hour

Paul Gilmartin 697 Episodes Jul 24, 2026

Mental Illness Happy Hour is a podcast hosted by Paul Gilmartin that explores mental health issues, fears, addictions, and traumatic childhoods. The show features candid conversations with guests and has been praised by Psychology Today, Esquire, the New York Times, and other outlets. It was named to top health podcast lists by several major publications.

Episodes

#810 Cults, Shootings & PTSD - Best Of - Matthew Walden
#810 Cults, Shootings & PTSD - Best Of - Matthew Walden Jul 24, 2026 02:04:55 Originally aired as our 148th episode, this Best Of replay is a riveting one. Although the writer/producer grew up in Hawaii, his childhood was far from paradise; enduring a cornucopia of PTSD, leaving him wondering what is real and what isn’t. He also shares his obsession with cults and the time he joined one to write about it and almost lost his mind.This episode is sponsored Quinc
#809 Weinstein Survivor Turned Therapist - Kaja Sokola
#809 Weinstein Survivor Turned Therapist - Kaja Sokola Jul 17, 2026 01:09:29 Kaja Sokola is a model-turned-psychologist and therapist–and one of Poland’s first public figures in mental health. She opens up about her battles with eating disorders, the work she’s done to overcome the psychological abuse that comes with working in the modeling industry, and the trauma of being one of the youngest victims of Harvey Weinstein’s crimes. More about Kaja:https://www.
#808 Perfectly Hidden Depression - Dr Margaret Rutherford
#808 Perfectly Hidden Depression - Dr Margaret Rutherford Jul 10, 2026 01:07:39 Dr. Margaret Rutherford is a clinical psychologist, author, and TEDx speaker. Throughout the course of her work, she noticed something that she calls Perfectly Hidden Depression, emotional pain camouflaged by achievement, tight emotional control, and a perfect-seeming life. If this sounds like you, look for her book Perfectly Hidden Depression Workbook: A Step-by-Step Guide to Challenge t
#807 Sex Esteem®️ & Therapy - Sari Cooper
#807 Sex Esteem®️ & Therapy - Sari Cooper Jul 3, 2026 02:09:03 Sari Cooper is the founder and Director of the Center for Love and Sex. A professional dancer turned sex therapist, Sari opens up about her path to this profession, including her own family history of mental illness. She also talks about her work and how you can begin to work through shame and build your sexual self-esteem. More about Sari Cooper:Follow her on TikTok @saricooperoffic
#806 - Best Of: Being An Outsider - Rama
#806 - Best Of: Being An Outsider - Rama Jun 26, 2026 03:04:29 A powerful and intimate conversation and one of Paul’s favorites (and the origin of the "Herbert's Butthole" riff). Originally aired in 2015, the then 28 year-old Syrian opens up about always being the minority wherever she lives (She was born in Syria, grew up in Brazil and now lives in the US), racism towards Arabs, recovering from sexual abuse, battling depression and anxiety and
#805 Eating Disorders & Males -Retired Boxer Danny O'Connor
#805 Eating Disorders & Males -Retired Boxer Danny O'Connor Jun 19, 2026 01:08:44 Danny O’Connor is an elite professional boxer and former member of the U.S. Olympic Boxing Team. He’s also the author of the book Weight Class: A Fighter's Life-or-Death Battle with an Eating Disorder. He opens up about his own struggles with disordered eating in the hopes that more men will see that they are not alone. Link to theatre show that I mentioned, by comedian Tom Hertz Jun
#804 Queer Erotica, Endometriosis & Survey Bonanza - Jenny Zigrino Returns
#804 Queer Erotica, Endometriosis & Survey Bonanza - Jenny Zigrino Returns Jun 12, 2026 02:29:14 Jenny Zigrino (a.k.a. Peggy Poundstone) is a comedian and writer of smut. She discusses the loss of her beloved sister, her struggles with endometriosis, and what inspired her to begin writing queer erotica. Keep an eye out for her new stand-up tour, Afterbirth. This interview with Jenny is bookended with roughly 40 mins before and 40 mins after of surveys from an ep in 2014.More about Je
#803 Treating Predators & Infidelity - Dr. Monique Thompson
#803 Treating Predators & Infidelity - Dr. Monique Thompson Jun 5, 2026 01:44:04 Dr. Monique Thompson is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) who helps couples heal from infidelity. She also has significant experience with treating predatory sexual behavior. She offers her insights on how people can heal from both issues and specifically offers resources for couples and individuals who have cheated and have been cheated on. More About Dr Monique Thompsonhttps:
#802 Bipolar, Vices & Psych Wards - Emily LoMenzo Washcovick
#802 Bipolar, Vices & Psych Wards - Emily LoMenzo Washcovick May 29, 2026 01:39:11 Fellow Midwesterner opens up to Paul about her battles with BiPolar including a hospitalization, and her struggles with vices.  More about Emily:Her show - Success, Rewritten can be found on any podcast platform + YouTube. Lots of great mental health content recently for May! Website : https://www.successrewrittenshow.com/Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/successrewritt
#801 Rewiring Negative Self-Talk - Thais Gibson
#801 Rewiring Negative Self-Talk - Thais Gibson May 22, 2026 01:47:50 Thais Gibson is a best-selling author, counselor, and the founder of Personal Development School, an online collection of courses to guide you in your emotional growth journey. She opens up about overcoming opioid addiction and gives new and practical tips for rewiring your brain to overcome negative self-talk. More about Thaishttps://university.personaldevelopmentschool.com/https://
#800 - Best Of - A Day Of You The Listener
#800 - Best Of - A Day Of You The Listener May 15, 2026 01:28:23 Originally aired in 2012, this was the first ever “all listener” show. Paul reads their emails, surveys and more, all filled out within a 24 hour period to give the audience a sense of what a given day in our community’s life is like. 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.Th
#799 Best Of - Bipolar Psychosis & Support - Haydn
#799 Best Of - Bipolar Psychosis & Support - Haydn May 8, 2026 02:08:23 Originally aired in 2015, in this “Best Of” episode the 27 year-old Colombian native shares about his recent hospitalization for Bipolar I psychosis. His girlfriend Rama (who was on the following week) sits in to share what it was like for her, trying to support him.Check out Haydn’s music hereThis episode is sponsored Quince. Go to www.Quince.com/mental for free shipping on you

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