Join Gabe, who lives with bipolar, and Dr. Nicole, a board certified psychiatrist, as they explore the spectrum of this misunderstood illness.
They tackle bipolar disorder using real world examples, the latest research, and just enough funny to keep you intrigued. Signal Award Gold Winner, 2024. Signal Award Listener's Choice Winner, 2024 & 2025! Webby Honoree two years in a row -- 2024 & 2025!
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Bipolar Hacks to Live Better and Thrive
Monday, July 27, 2026 ⢠Duration 47:12
You don't need a miracle cure to manage bipolar disorderâsometimes the smallest changes can have the biggest impact. Discover practical bipolar hacks that can help you recognize mood episodes earlier, reduce everyday stress, build healthier routines, and make life a little easier.
In this episode, Gabe Howard (who lives with bipolar disorder) and Dr. Nicole Washington share practical, evidence-informed, real-world coping skills that can help you stay one step ahead of bipolar disorder. Gabe also shares the personal strategies he uses to recognize the early warning signs of episodes, and together they explore whether ideas like getting a pet, volunteering, or driving for rideshare apps are genuinely helpful bipolar hacksâor whether they can backfire depending on where you are in your recovery.
Listeners will learn:
Why lowering the bar on difficult days can improve long-term recovery
How to build your own personalized "toolbox" of bipolar hacks
Which bipolar hacks psychiatrists actually recommend
Why chasing perfection is a recipe for suffering
If you've ever wondered, "What can I actually do today to better manage bipolar disorder?" this episode is packed with answers.
"The hack isn't expecting less from yourself foreverâit's adjusting your expectations when you need to so you can keep moving forward." ~Gabe Howard, Host
Our host, Gabe Howard, is an award-winning podcast host, author, and sought-after suicide prevention and mental health speaker, but he wouldnât be any of those things today if he hadnât been committed to a psychiatric hospital in 2003.Gabe also hosts Healthline's Inside Mental Health podcast has appeared in numerous publications, including Bipolar magazine, WebMD, Newsweek, and the Stanford Online Medical Journal. He has appeared on all four major TV networks, ABC, NBC, CBS, and FOX. Among his many awards, he is the recipient of Mental Health Americaâs Norman Guitry Award, received two Webby Honoree acknowledgements, and received an official resolution from the Governor of Ohio naming him an âEveryday Hero.â
Gabe wrote the popular book, "Mental Illness is an Asshole and other Observations," available from Amazon; signed copies are available directly from the author with free swag included! To learn more about Gabe, or to book him for your next event, please visit his website, gabehoward.com.
Our host, Dr. Nicole Washington, is a native of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where she attended Southern University and A&M College. After receiving her BS degree, she moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma to enroll in the Oklahoma State University College of Osteopathic Medicine. She completed a residency in psychiatry at the University of Oklahoma in Tulsa. Since completing her residency training, Dr. Nicole has spent most of her career caring for and being an advocate for those who are not typically consumers of mental health services, namely underserved communities, those with severe mental health conditions, and high performing professionals. Through her private practice, podcast, speaking, and writing, she seeks to provide education to decrease the stigma associated with psychiatric conditions. Find out more at DrNicolePsych.com.
Coping Skills to Stop Impulsive Behaviors
Monday, July 13, 2026 ⢠Duration 44:29
Living with bipolar disorder often means navigating a minefield of impulsive thoughts and actions. For example, have you ever made a snap decision that you immediately regretted?
In this episode, Gabe Howard (who lives with bipolar) and Dr. Nicole Washington dive deep into the chaotic reality of bipolar impulsivity. They discuss the critical difference between having an impulsive personality and experiencing impulsivity as a disruptive symptom of bipolar disorder. By learning to identify your personal baseline, you can start setting strategic guardrails before a passing thought becomes a permanent problem.
Listeners will learn:
how delaying gratification by just 24 hours can prevent regret
how to conduct a chain analysis and why it works
how reflecting on past destructive behaviors can provide valuable data to protect your future
Managing a mental health condition is undeniably exhausting, but recognizing your patterns is the first step toward reclaiming your peace of mind. Listen now to learn practical, real-world strategies to stop impulsive behaviors in their tracks and protect your long-term stability.
Cold Open Transcript:
Gabe Howard: Any barrier, even a few-second one, can really help curb impulsive behavior. Maybe before you buy something, you wander around the block real quick. Maybe before you go home with that person, you go to the bathroom and splash water on your face. Maybe before you yell, you count to three. Impulsive behavior comes in all shapes and sizes and everybody's different and everybody has different tolerance levels, etc., so it's, it's really hard to find coping skills for something that is analogous to a bomb, right? It's everything's fine. Poof! Right. And now it's like, what's the coping skill for that?
Our host, Gabe Howard, is an award-winning podcast host, author, and sought-after suicide prevention and mental health speaker, but he wouldnât be any of those things today if he hadnât been committed to a psychiatric hospital in 2003.Gabe also hosts Healthline's Inside Mental Health podcast has appeared in numerous publications, including Bipolar magazine, WebMD, Newsweek, and the Stanford Online Medical Journal. He has appeared on all four major TV networks, ABC, NBC, CBS, and FOX. Among his many awards, he is the recipient of Mental Health Americaâs Norman Guitry Award, received two Webby Honoree acknowledgements, and received an official resolution from the Governor of Ohio naming him an âEveryday Hero.â
Gabe wrote the popular book, "Mental Illness is an Asshole and other Observations," available from Amazon; signed copies are available directly from the author with free swag included! To learn more about Gabe, or to book him for your next event, please visit his website, gabehoward.com.
Our host, Dr. Nicole Washington, is a native of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where she attended Southern University and A&M College. After receiving her BS degree, she moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma to enroll in the Oklahoma State University College of Osteopathic Medicine. She completed a residency in psychiatry at the University of Oklahoma in Tulsa. Since completing her residency training, Dr. Nicole has spent most of her career caring for and being an advocate for those who are not typically consumers of mental health services, namely underserved communities, those with severe mental health conditions, and high performing professionals. Through her private practice, podcast, speaking, and writing, she seeks to provide education to decrease the stigma associated with psychiatric conditions. Find out more at DrNicolePsych.com.
Self-Esteem in Bipolar: The Hidden Issue No One Talks About
Monday, June 29, 2026 ⢠Duration 42:41
Why is it so easy to believe that every setback, unfinished task, messy room, or missed opportunity means you're failing? And why do so many people living with bipolar disorder automatically assume that everyone else has life figured out?
After receiving an email from a listener managing feelings of worthlessness, Gabe Howard (who lives with bipolar) and Dr. Nicole Washington tackle one of the most painful and least discussed realities of bipolar disorder: the damage it can do to your sense of self.
Listeners will learn:
why comparing yourself to others often leads to unnecessary stress
practical ways to challenge negative self-talk and self-criticism
why bipolar disorder can intensify feelings of self-doubt
why accepting the difficulty of managing bipolar disorder doesn't mean youâre giving up
If you've ever looked at your life and wondered whether bipolar disorder has permanently damaged your ability to be happy, successful, or fulfilled, this episode offers something more valuable than easy answers: a thoughtful conversation about how to move forward without letting the diagnosis define your worth.
Cold Open Transcript:
Gabe: There's no scientific or medical way that you can prescribe somebody something and make them feel better about living with bipolar disorder. And please correct me if I'm wrong, Dr. Nicole.
Dr. Nicole: Not, not 100%. I can't give you a magic pill that will make you all of a sudden feel like you have value and worth, that makes you wake up the next day and say oh, how valuable am I to the world?
Our host, Gabe Howard, is an award-winning podcast host, author, and sought-after suicide prevention and mental health speaker, but he wouldnât be any of those things today if he hadnât been committed to a psychiatric hospital in 2003.Gabe also hosts Healthline's Inside Mental Health podcast has appeared in numerous publications, including Bipolar magazine, WebMD, Newsweek, and the Stanford Online Medical Journal. He has appeared on all four major TV networks, ABC, NBC, CBS, and FOX. Among his many awards, he is the recipient of Mental Health Americaâs Norman Guitry Award, received two Webby Honoree acknowledgements, and received an official resolution from the Governor of Ohio naming him an âEveryday Hero.â
Gabe wrote the popular book, "Mental Illness is an Asshole and other Observations," available from Amazon; signed copies are available directly from the author with free swag included! To learn more about Gabe, or to book him for your next event, please visit his website, gabehoward.com.
Our host, Dr. Nicole Washington, is a native of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where she attended Southern University and A&M College. After receiving her BS degree, she moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma to enroll in the Oklahoma State University College of Osteopathic Medicine. She completed a residency in psychiatry at the University of Oklahoma in Tulsa. Since completing her residency training, Dr. Nicole has spent most of her career caring for and being an advocate for those who are not typically consumers of mental health services, namely underserved communities, those with severe mental health conditions, and high performing professionals. Through her private practice, podcast, speaking, and writing, she seeks to provide education to decrease the stigma associated with psychiatric conditions. Find out more at DrNicolePsych.com.
Hypomania: The Mood State Few People FearâBut Should
Monday, June 15, 2026 ⢠Duration 35:54
For many, a surge of energy, creativity, and expansive mood can feel like an absolute gift. For those living with bipolar disorder, a hypomanic episode feels less like a symptom and more like winning the mental health lottery. But beneath this romanticized exterior lies a sneaky and potentially destructive reality.
In this episode, Gabe Howard (who lives with bipolar) and Dr. Nicole Washington break down the complex nuances of hypomania. Dr. Nicole explains the hidden risks of leaving these episodes unchecked and Gabe opens up about the difficulty of distinguishing between genuine happiness and a brewing clinical episode, providing a raw look at the internal tug-of-war patients face.
Listeners will Learn:
Teasing out the differences between having a great day and experiencing an abnormally expansive mood
Why a decreased need for sleep is a massive red flag rather than a newfound productivity hack
Learn the functional differences between mania from hypomania
Acknowledge that romanticizing a hypomanic high often ignores the depressive plunge that follows
Whether you are navigating a bipolar 2 diagnosis, wanting to understand the role hypomania plays in a bipolar 1 diagnosis, or supporting a loved one this conversation delivers straight talk without the medical jargon. Tune in to learn how to spot the warning signs, establish safety guardrails, and safely navigate the deceptive highs of hypomania. Listen Now!
Pull Quote: âI know more people with hypomania who have gotten themselves into trouble than I do who thrive because of it." ~Gabe Howard, Host
Our host, Gabe Howard, is an award-winning podcast host, author, and sought-after suicide prevention and mental health speaker, but he wouldnât be any of those things today if he hadnât been committed to a psychiatric hospital in 2003.Gabe also hosts Healthline's Inside Mental Health podcast has appeared in numerous publications, including Bipolar magazine, WebMD, Newsweek, and the Stanford Online Medical Journal. He has appeared on all four major TV networks, ABC, NBC, CBS, and FOX. Among his many awards, he is the recipient of Mental Health Americaâs Norman Guitry Award, received two Webby Honoree acknowledgements, and received an official resolution from the Governor of Ohio naming him an âEveryday Hero.â
Gabe wrote the popular book, "Mental Illness is an Asshole and other Observations," available from Amazon; signed copies are available directly from the author with free swag included! To learn more about Gabe, or to book him for your next event, please visit his website, gabehoward.com.
Our host, Dr. Nicole Washington, is a native of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where she attended Southern University and A&M College. After receiving her BS degree, she moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma to enroll in the Oklahoma State University College of Osteopathic Medicine. She completed a residency in psychiatry at the University of Oklahoma in Tulsa. Since completing her residency training, Dr. Nicole has spent most of her career caring for and being an advocate for those who are not typically consumers of mental health services, namely underserved communities, those with severe mental health conditions, and high performing professionals. Through her private practice, podcast, speaking, and writing, she seeks to provide education to decrease the stigma associated with psychiatric conditions. Find out more at DrNicolePsych.com.
Share the show with everyone you know! :-) Thank you!
Navigating the âFear of Fearâ Cycle of Panic Attacks with Bipolar
Monday, June 1, 2026 ⢠Duration 46:47
What if the anxiety you're facing isnât bipolar disorder alone â but the fear of what might happen next?
With humor, honesty, and practical insight, Gabe Howard, who lives with bipolar disorder, shares devastatingly real stories â including the panic attack that caused him to quit a job from the parking lot. Along the way, Dr. Nicole explains the critical differences between anxiety, panic attacks, panic disorder, and bipolar disorder, while unpacking why these disorders so commonly occur alongside bipolar disorder.
Youâll learn why anxiety can quietly fuel isolation, how avoidance behaviors grow, what treatment actually looks like, and why therapy, coping skills, and medication each play different roles in recovery. Most importantly, this episode asks a powerful question: Can panic attacks and anxiety ever truly go away â or is the goal learning how to fight back?
Listeners will learn:
why using the correct terminology to describe panic and anxiety is essential for effective treatment
why medication is often a temporary fix and not a long-term solution
how to understand the âfear of fearâ cycle â and begin breaking free from it
Whether youâre having trouble leaving the house or trying to understand why your brain feels stuck on a âwhat ifâ roundabout, this episode offers the clinical clarity and authentic perspective needed to help break the cycle. Hit play to better understand the science of panic, anxiety, and bipolar disorder â and learn how to start taking your life back.
"Panic attacks are disruptive as hell, I mean, how many times can I âpanic quitâ my job from the parking lot before it becomes problematic?" ~Gabe Howard, host
Our host, Gabe Howard, is an award-winning podcast host, author, and sought-after suicide prevention and mental health speaker, but he wouldnât be any of those things today if he hadnât been committed to a psychiatric hospital in 2003.Gabe also hosts Healthline's Inside Mental Health podcast has appeared in numerous publications, including Bipolar magazine, WebMD, Newsweek, and the Stanford Online Medical Journal. He has appeared on all four major TV networks, ABC, NBC, CBS, and FOX. Among his many awards, he is the recipient of Mental Health Americaâs Norman Guitry Award, received two Webby Honoree acknowledgements, and received an official resolution from the Governor of Ohio naming him an âEveryday Hero.â
Gabe wrote the popular book, "Mental Illness is an Asshole and other Observations," available from Amazon; signed copies are available directly from the author with free swag included! To learn more about Gabe, or to book him for your next event, please visit his website, gabehoward.com.
Our host, Dr. Nicole Washington, is a native of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where she attended Southern University and A&M College. After receiving her BS degree, she moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma to enroll in the Oklahoma State University College of Osteopathic Medicine. She completed a residency in psychiatry at the University of Oklahoma in Tulsa. Since completing her residency training, Dr. Nicole has spent most of her career caring for and being an advocate for those who are not typically consumers of mental health services, namely underserved communities, those with severe mental health conditions, and high performing professionals. Through her private practice, podcast, speaking, and writing, she seeks to provide education to decrease the stigma associated with psychiatric conditions. Find out more at DrNicolePsych.com.
Please SHARE the show with everyone you know as that's how we're gonna grow! Thank you for listening. :)
Is it Anxiety, Bipolar, or Both? (And How to Tell the Difference)
Monday, May 18, 2026 ⢠Duration 47:59
It is a common misconception that anxiety is just part of the package when you live with bipolar disorder. While anxiety can certainly be a symptom of a mood episode, for many people, it is its own distinct, comorbid diagnosis.
In this episode, Gabe Howard (who lives with bipolar and anxiety) and Dr. Nicole Washington get real about the overlap between bipolar disorder and anxiety. Dr. Nicole explains the clinical difference between being a "worrier" and having a pathology, while Gabe shares personal stories of suffering from â and overcoming â anxiety.
Listeners Will Learn:
How to tell if your anxiety is a symptom of mania/depression or its own disorder.
Why anxiety ruminations feel like an endless scroll of negative thoughts.
Dr. Nicoleâs genius (and socially acceptable) tactic for escaping an anxiety-inducing situation.
How to avoid the suffering Olympics when it comes to bipolar and anxiety
Whether youâre dealing with anxiety related to emails from your boss or youâre afraid to leave the house, weâre sharing practical, real-world strategies to help you pull back instead of pushing through. Listen Now!
"My best anxiety coping skill, unfortunately, still involves me having that initial momentary terror. But it sure beats the old skill where I panicked, freaked out, and yelled at everybody." ~Gabe Howard, Host
Our host, Gabe Howard, is an award-winning podcast host, author, and sought-after suicide prevention and mental health speaker, but he wouldnât be any of those things today if he hadnât been committed to a psychiatric hospital in 2003.Gabe also hosts Healthline's Inside Mental Health podcast has appeared in numerous publications, including Bipolar magazine, WebMD, Newsweek, and the Stanford Online Medical Journal. He has appeared on all four major TV networks, ABC, NBC, CBS, and FOX. Among his many awards, he is the recipient of Mental Health Americaâs Norman Guitry Award, received two Webby Honoree acknowledgements, and received an official resolution from the Governor of Ohio naming him an âEveryday Hero.â
Gabe wrote the popular book, "Mental Illness is an Asshole and other Observations," available from Amazon; signed copies are available directly from the author with free swag included! To learn more about Gabe, or to book him for your next event, please visit his website, gabehoward.com.
Our host, Dr. Nicole Washington, is a native of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where she attended Southern University and A&M College. After receiving her BS degree, she moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma to enroll in the Oklahoma State University College of Osteopathic Medicine. She completed a residency in psychiatry at the University of Oklahoma in Tulsa. Since completing her residency training, Dr. Nicole has spent most of her career caring for and being an advocate for those who are not typically consumers of mental health services, namely underserved communities, those with severe mental health conditions, and high performing professionals. Through her private practice, podcast, speaking, and writing, she seeks to provide education to decrease the stigma associated with psychiatric conditions. Find out more at DrNicolePsych.com.
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Sharing the show with the people you know is how we grow!
When Joy Goes Missing: Understanding Anhedonia in Bipolar Disorder
Monday, May 4, 2026 ⢠Duration 37:49
Are you no longer experiencing pleasure or joy in day-to-day life? If you are living with bipolar disorder, you know the crushing weight of the ânothingnessâ â that specific, hollow moment where the things that used to define happiness suddenly feel like chores. This may not be a bad mood or a lack of discipline; it could be a clinical symptom known as anhedonia.In this episode, Gabe Howard (who lives with bipolar disorder) and Dr. Nicole Washington (a board certified psychiatrist) peel back the layers of this often-misunderstood symptom. Together, they share that losing your spark isn't a character flaw, but a biological hurdle that you can overcome.Â
Listener takeaways:
Learn exactly what anhedonia is â and is not.
Learn how anhedonia can appear in dysphoric or agitated mania.
Learn to distinguish between clinical loss of joy and simply âoutgrowingâ things.
Learn how to define â and understand â ânormal.â
If youâve ever felt like a âbadâ or âlazyâ person because you couldn't find the joy in life, this episode is the reality check you need. Learn why âgray is OKâ and how to start the climb back to contentment. Listen now!
"A lot of people don't recognize that boredom and contentment and blah is not depression. It's not anhedonia. It's not joy or happiness, but it is stability." ~Gabe Howard, Host
Our host, Gabe Howard, is an award-winning podcast host, author, and sought-after suicide prevention and mental health speaker, but he wouldnât be any of those things today if he hadnât been committed to a psychiatric hospital in 2003.Gabe also hosts Healthline's Inside Mental Health podcast has appeared in numerous publications, including Bipolar magazine, WebMD, Newsweek, and the Stanford Online Medical Journal. He has appeared on all four major TV networks, ABC, NBC, CBS, and FOX. Among his many awards, he is the recipient of Mental Health Americaâs Norman Guitry Award, received two Webby Honoree acknowledgements, and received an official resolution from the Governor of Ohio naming him an âEveryday Hero.â
Gabe wrote the popular book, "Mental Illness is an Asshole and other Observations," available from Amazon; signed copies are available directly from the author with free swag included! To learn more about Gabe, or to book him for your next event, please visit his website, gabehoward.com.
Our host, Dr. Nicole Washington, is a native of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where she attended Southern University and A&M College. After receiving her BS degree, she moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma to enroll in the Oklahoma State University College of Osteopathic Medicine. She completed a residency in psychiatry at the University of Oklahoma in Tulsa. Since completing her residency training, Dr. Nicole has spent most of her career caring for and being an advocate for those who are not typically consumers of mental health services, namely underserved communities, those with severe mental health conditions, and high performing professionals. Through her private practice, podcast, speaking, and writing, she seeks to provide education to decrease the stigma associated with psychiatric conditions. Find out more at DrNicolePsych.com.
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Can I Stop My Bipolar Meds? Cold Turkey vs Tapering
Monday, April 20, 2026 ⢠Duration 45:02
"Do I have to take these meds forever?" Itâs the most common question psychiatrists hear, but the answer is rarely a simple yes or no. In this episode, hosts Gabe Howard (living with bipolar) and Dr. Nicole Washington (board-certified psychiatrist) dive into the risks, the realities, and the honest conversations most doctors avoid when it comes to stopping bipolar medication.
They break down why "cold turkey" is a recipe for disaster and explain the equally dangerous "hot turkey" otherwise known as restarting a full medication cocktail after a long break. Gabe shares his own journey of switching doctors to find a specialist in titration, illustrating the difference between "Mercedes Benz care" and trying to navigate a "hoopty" ride on your own. Dr. Nicole explains the science of brain receptors, the logistical hurdles of compounding pharmacies, and why the medical community is often resistant to "deprescribing."
Listeners Will Learn:
¡ Instead of "stopping" try reframing the conversation as "decreasing reliance"
¡ Why lowering your medication slowly gives you better results
¡ Finding a psych doctor who understands "deprescribing" may take time
¡ A successful, safe medication adjustment can take a year or moreâit is a marathon, not a sprintÂ
Whether youâre struggling with side effects like brain fog and sexual dysfunction or you simply want to feel more in control, this episode offers a roadmap for having an honest, data-driven conversation with your treatment team. Learn why "decreasing reliance" on medication is often a more successful goal than quitting entirely, and how to treat bumps in the road as data points rather than failures.
"Most people think stopping meds is like flipping a light switchâon Monday you're on them, and on Tuesday you're not. But in reality, itâs a slow, medical taper. Itâs more accurate to describe this as 'decreasing our reliance' rather than just quitting, so we can actually see what the data tells us." ~Gabe Howard, Host
Our host, Gabe Howard, is an award-winning podcast host, author, and sought-after suicide prevention and mental health speaker, but he wouldnât be any of those things today if he hadnât been committed to a psychiatric hospital in 2003.Gabe also hosts Healthline's Inside Mental Health podcast has appeared in numerous publications, including Bipolar magazine, WebMD, Newsweek, and the Stanford Online Medical Journal. He has appeared on all four major TV networks, ABC, NBC, CBS, and FOX. Among his many awards, he is the recipient of Mental Health Americaâs Norman Guitry Award, received two Webby Honoree acknowledgements, and received an official resolution from the Governor of Ohio naming him an âEveryday Hero.â
Gabe wrote the popular book, "Mental Illness is an Asshole and other Observations," available from Amazon; signed copies are available directly from the author with free swag included! To learn more about Gabe, or to book him for your next event, please visit his website, gabehoward.com.
Our host, Dr. Nicole Washington, is a native of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where she attended Southern University and A&M College. After receiving her BS degree, she moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma to enroll in the Oklahoma State University College of Osteopathic Medicine. She completed a residency in psychiatry at the University of Oklahoma in Tulsa. Since completing her residency training, Dr. Nicole has spent most of her career caring for and being an advocate for those who are not typically consumers of mental health services, namely underserved communities, those with severe mental health conditions, and high performing professionals. Through her private practice, podcast, speaking, and writing, she seeks to provide education to decrease the stigma associated with psychiatric conditions. Find out more at DrNicolePsych.com.
Tell a Friend: Sharing the show with the people we know is how our podcast will grow!
BONUS: Headlines of Horror: Schizophrenia Portrayals in News Media
Saturday, April 18, 2026 ⢠Duration 40:04
Bonus Episode of "Inside Schizophrenia" podcast from Healthline Media.
âParanoid schizophrenic admits to attacking dog walker.â When we watch a horror movie, we know the âmadmanâ on screen is a work of fiction. But when the nightly news leads with a diagnosis to explain a tragedy, the fear it creates is very real â and often permanent.Why does the media lead with schizophrenia only when the story involves violence, yet remain silent when it comes to stories of recovery, hope, and humanity?
In this hard-hitting episode, host Rachel Star Withers (who lives with schizophrenia) explores the Lead with Fear phenomenon â the dangerous journalistic trend of linking a diagnosis to a crime before the facts are even in â and why schizophrenia seems to have the worst PR team in the world.
Later in the show, we sit down with two media heavyweights who are using their platforms to overhaul how the world views mental health.:
Janet Yang, an Emmy and Golden Globe Award-winning producer and former President of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
Frank Kosa, an Emmy-nominated documentary filmmaker for National Geographic, the History Channel, and A&E.
Listener Take-A-Ways:
why "paranoid schizophrenia" is an obsolete clinical term that journalists refuse to let go of
the startling statistic that fewer than 20% of news stories about schizophrenia include themes of recovery
practical ways you can hold news outlets accountable and promote stories of hope
Our guest, Frank Kosa, is an award-winning documentary producer-writer-director, and a journalist. He produced National Geographicâs âThe Story of God with Morgan Freeman,â wrote the inaugural season of Travel Channelâs hit show âBooze Traveler,â produced the award-winning âThe Revolutionary War,â a mini-series for A&E, âChristianity: The Second Millenniumâ and multiple shows of TVâs most engaging documentary series including âLife Without People,â âThe Universe,â and âGame Changers.â
His shows have aired on The Science Channel, The History Channel, Discovery, A&E, TLC, Animal Planet, The Travel Channel, The Weather Channel, Lifetime, Bloomberg TV, HGTV, and National Geographic. His print journalism has appeared in The LA Times, USA Today, Sacramento Bee, The Christian Science Monitor, and numerous magazines. He has also worked for films and TV shows produced by Universal, Warner Bros., & Sony. He is Emmy-nominated, has won a Cable Ace and other awards, and strives to tell stories that deeply connect with audiences.Â
Our guest, Janet Yang, is an Emmy and Golden Globe Award-winning Hollywood producer, former President of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, and has been named one of the â50 Most Powerful Women in Hollywoodâ by the Hollywood Reporter. Yangâs extensive film and television credits include âThe Joy Luck Club,â âThe People vs. Larry Flynt,â âThe Weight of Water,â âShanghai Calling,â âHigh Crimes,â âZero Effect,â and âOver the Moon.â Yang began her career by running the first distribution company to market Chinese films into North America. She also brokered the reintroduction of American studio films to the Chinese marketplace after a decades-long hiatus. This, in turn, led to joining Steven Spielberg on the historic production of âEmpire of the Sun.â This was followed by long-term partnership with multiple Academy-Award winning writer/director, Oliver Stone.
Our host, Rachel Star Withers, (Link: www.rachelstarlive.com) is an entertainer, international speaker, video producer, and schizophrenic. She has appeared on MTVâs Ridiculousness, TruTV, NBCâs Americaâs Got Talent, Marvel's Black Panther, TUBIâs #shockfight, Goliath: Playing with Reality, and is the host of the HealthLine podcast âInside Schizophreniaâ. She grew up seeing monsters, hearing people in the walls, and having intense urges to hurt herself.
Rachel creates videos documenting her schizophrenia, ways to manage, and letting others like her know they are not alone and can still live an amazing life. She has created a kidâs mental health comic line, The Adventures of ____. (Learn more at this link: https://www.amazon.com/Adventures-Fearless-Unstoppable-Light-Ambitious/dp/B0FHWK4ZHS )
Our cohost, 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.
He also hosts the twice Webby honored podcast, Inside Bipolar, with Dr. Nicole Washington.
To learn more about Gabe, please visit his website, gabehoward.com.
Solo Parenting with Bipolar: Staying Stable as a Single Parent
Monday, April 6, 2026 ⢠Duration 42:08
Are you living with bipolar and a single parent or managing a household alone? Have you been told things like sleep hygiene (as an example) is a pillar of stability, but your teenagerâs late-night schedule and the on-call pressure of solo parenting make that feel impossible?
In this episode, hosts Gabe Howard (who lives with bipolar) and Dr. Nicole Washington (a board-certified psychiatrist) respond to a raw, honest listener email that challenges the "nuclear family" advice often given to single parents. They dismantle the crushing weight of "Mom Guilt" and the stigma that suggests a mental health diagnosis disqualifies you from raising healthy kids. Is the ship destined to sink, or are you just holding yourself to a standard that doesn't exist?
Listeners will Learn:
Why striving for perfection is a trap that leads to burnout
If you don't prioritize your health, the whole household suffers
How being real with your children can build a stronger foundation for the future
Listen in to hear why Dr. Nicole believes youâthe parentâare the undisputed MVP of your household. This episode is an essential look at modeling self-care for your children, setting "Do Not Disturb" boundaries without the guilt, and realizing that your kids don't need a superhero, they just need a healthy you. Â
"Bipolar might be wriggling into your brain and attacking something you love -- your skills as a parent -- Don't let it." ~Gabe Howard, Host
Our host, Gabe Howard, is an award-winning podcast host, author, and sought-after suicide prevention and mental health speaker, but he wouldnât be any of those things today if he hadnât been committed to a psychiatric hospital in 2003.Gabe also hosts Healthline's Inside Mental Health podcast has appeared in numerous publications, including Bipolar magazine, WebMD, Newsweek, and the Stanford Online Medical Journal. He has appeared on all four major TV networks, ABC, NBC, CBS, and FOX. Among his many awards, he is the recipient of Mental Health Americaâs Norman Guitry Award, received two Webby Honoree acknowledgements, and received an official resolution from the Governor of Ohio naming him an âEveryday Hero.â
Gabe wrote the popular book, "Mental Illness is an Asshole and other Observations," available from Amazon; signed copies are available directly from the author with free swag included! To learn more about Gabe, or to book him for your next event, please visit his website, gabehoward.com.
Our host, Dr. Nicole Washington, is a native of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where she attended Southern University and A&M College. After receiving her BS degree, she moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma to enroll in the Oklahoma State University College of Osteopathic Medicine. She completed a residency in psychiatry at the University of Oklahoma in Tulsa. Since completing her residency training, Dr. Nicole has spent most of her career caring for and being an advocate for those who are not typically consumers of mental health services, namely underserved communities, those with severe mental health conditions, and high performing professionals. Through her private practice, podcast, speaking, and writing, she seeks to provide education to decrease the stigma associated with psychiatric conditions. Find out more at DrNicolePsych.com.
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