Best Healthline Media Podcasts (2025)

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Chasing Happiness: Why Success Never Feels Like Enough 36:45

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2d ago36:45

36:45

Why does happiness always feel one step away? In this episode, we welcome back positive psychology expert Jodi Wellman to explore why so many of us keep “moving the goalposts” on our own success, and learn why accomplishments that once thrilled us eventually feel ordinary. Jodi breaks down why we convince ourselves that one more thing — a new job, …

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Addressing Racial & Ethnic Groups in Bipolar Care: Stigma and Misdiagnosis Exposed 32:22

5d ago32:22

32:22

The mental health system didn’t start out fair — and in many ways, it still isn’t. In this powerful episode, Dr. Nicole Washington sits down with fellow psychiatrist Dr. Leesha Ellis-Cox to unpack the long, painful history that continues to shape the experiences of Black Americans seeking mental health care. From the horrifying “diagnosis” of drape…

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How Racial Trauma Shapes Mental Health 30:56

8d ago30:56

30:56

Can a single conversation help rewrite centuries of racial trauma? In this episode, host Gabe Howard sits down with award-winning podcaster Dominic Lawson to explore how America’s racial wounds continue to shape our collective mental health — and what it takes to begin healing. From the generational echoes of slavery to the modern-day silencing of …

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Why They Drank the Kool-Aid: Psychology of Cults 29:46

16d ago29:46

29:46

Most of us think we’d never fall for a cult. We imagine the followers of Jim Jones as naïve, brainwashed, or broken people who “drank the Kool-Aid.” But what if that’s not the truth at all? In this eye-opening episode, host Gabe Howard speaks with the award-winning author of “Death in the Jungle: Murder, Betrayal, and the Lost Dream of Jonestown,” …

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AI Therapy and Schizophrenia: What’s Possible (and What’s Not) 45:18

17d ago45:18

45:18

The integration of artificial intelligence, AI, in mental healthcare holds promise for enhancing treatments, diagnosing, personalizing care, and more. An emerging new use of AI is in therapy, but is it ready for schizophrenia? In today’s episode, host Rachel Star Withers, a diagnosed schizophrenic, and co-host Gabe Howard are going to explore the b…

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Parenthood, Choice, and Bipolar: Reproductive Justice Explain 38:59

18d ago38:59

38:59

People with mental illness, including bipolar disorder, have long been denied the right to make their own reproductive choices. This episode looks at how psychiatry’s history and stigma continue to shape who gets to decide. Dr. Nicole Washington sits down with mental health advocate Dr. Keris Myrick to unpack the intersection of reproductive justic…

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Rock & Roll, ADHD, and Anxiety with Musician Harley Olivia 32:00

23d ago32:00

32:00

What happens when a neurodivergent flight attendant trades jet lag for guitar riffs and finds better mental health in the process? In this inspiring and wildly relatable episode, Canadian alt-rock singer-songwriter Harley Olivia joins Gabe Howard to share how embracing her creativity helped her manage ADHD, anxiety, and depression, and why ignoring…

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Race, Madness & the Complex History of a Jim Crow Asylum 27:47

1M ago27:47

27:47

What can the history of a Jim Crow–era mental asylum teach us about race and mental health today? MSNBC journalist Antonia Hylton joins Gabe Howard to discuss her powerful book “Madness: Race and Insanity in a Jim Crow Asylum,” a deeply researched look at Crownsville Hospital, once known as The Hospital for the Negro Insane. Antonia reveals how Bla…

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Bonus: When You Don’t Know You’re Sick: Understanding Anosognosia 27:59

1M ago27:59

27:59

What if you were certain you were perfectly healthy — but everyone around you insisted you had schizophrenia? This may not be denial; it could be anosognosia — a neurological symptom that prevents people from recognizing they have a mental illness. In this special bonus episode, host Rachel Star Withers, who lives with schizophrenia, sits down with…

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How to Find Hope When Bipolar Steals It Away 46:16

1M ago46:16

46:16

Life with bipolar disorder often feels like a constant battle, so being told to find hope can seem like a cruel joke. But what if hope isn’t naïve — it’s necessary? In this episode, Gabe Howard, who lives with bipolar disorder, and Dr. Nicole Washington dive deep into the real, practical power of hope and how to find it even when it feels impossibl…

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Anosognosia in Schizophrenia: Understanding ‘A Lack of Insight’ with Guest Host Rachel Star Withers 28:58

1M ago28:58

28:58

Imagine everyone around you — family, friends, even your doctors — insisting you have a serious mental illness, yet you’re certain they’re wrong. This isn’t denial — it’s a symptom called anosognosia, a lack of awareness that can make treatment nearly impossible. In this episode, guest host Rachel Star Withers, who lives with schizophrenia, speaks …

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Perinatal and Postpartum OCD: When Parenting Anxiety Becomes More 25:49

1M ago25:49

25:49

Intrusive thoughts are common for new parents — but when do they cross the line into something more serious? In this episode, you’ll learn how obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) latches onto what matters most — in this case, the safety and well-being of the baby — and how evidence-based treatment like exposure and response prevention (ERP) can bri…

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Fish Oil and Bipolar: Hype or Helpful? 43:33

2M ago43:33

43:33

In this episode, Gabe Howard (who lives with bipolar disorder) and psychiatrist Dr. Nicole Washington unpack what the research actually shows, why supplement quality is inconsistent (and sometimes downright sketchy), and how side effects — even with “natural” products — are very real. In short, they dig into the science, hype, and hope surrounding …

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Artificial sweeteners and brain aging: What we know so far 32:15

2M ago32:15

32:15

In this episode, Medical News Today editors Yasemin Nicola Sakay and Maria Cohut join brain health researcher Claudia Suemoto, MD, PhD, to discuss how artificial sweeteners such as sucralose, aspartame, and erythritol affect the body — and in particular, the brain. The discussion centers on a recent Brazilian study on sugar substitutes and accelera…

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Hollywood Often Gets OCD Wrong: Actor & Director Speak Out 23:10

2M ago23:10

23:10

Hollywood has never shied away from portraying obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) — but it often gets it wrong. Typically, OCD is reduced to a punchline, a quirky habit, or a stereotype about neatness and handwashing. In this episode, TV & movie actor Rachel Alig and award-winning filmmaker Sam Sabawi take us behind the scenes of their acclaimed s…

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Childhood Schizophrenia: Controversy and What Parents Should Know 39:00

2M ago39:00

39:00

Childhood schizophrenia is one of the rarest — and most controversial — diagnoses in psychiatry. In this episode, host Rachel Star Withers (who lives with schizophrenia) and co-host Gabe Howard, joined by board certified psychiatrist Dr. Nicole Washington, explore the complexities of diagnosing schizophrenia in children and teens. Together, they un…

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Punk Rock Meets Therapy: Understanding Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) 31:15

2M ago31:15

31:15

How are punk rock and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) related? More than you think. In this episode, clinical psychologist and bestselling author Dr. J.J. Kelly — the “punk rock doc” — joins the conversation to break down DBT with raw honesty, humor, and zero fluff. Far from a gimmick, DBT is an evidence-based therapy that blends mindfulness and…

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Unpacking the Binge Eating Disorder and Bipolar Connection 40:58

2M ago40:58

40:58

What happens when binge eating disorder and bipolar disorder collide? Research shows they co-occur in as many as one in four cases — and yet, many people living with both conditions feel completely alone. In this episode, host Gabe Howard shares his personal journey of living with bipolar disorder and binge eating disorder, including how food was h…

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Governor John Kasich on Youth Mental Health Crisis 23:48

2M ago23:48

23:48

The youth mental health crisis is one of the most urgent challenges facing families today — but what can be done at a policy level to create lasting change? In this episode, former Ohio Governor John Kasich joins host Gabe Howard to share his work with the Bipartisan Policy Center and their recommendations for addressing this national emergency. Go…

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Olympic Gold Medalist on Alcoholism, Recovery, and Redemption 27:30

2M ago27:30

27:30

How exactly does a three-time Olympic gold medalist end up with alcohol use disorder? At just 16, Carrie Bates stood on the Olympic podium with a gold medal around her neck. To the world, she had it all — talent, drive, and glory. But behind the scenes, Carrie was fighting a growing battle with alcohol that nearly cost her everything. In this episo…

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Hypochondria (aka Illness Anxiety Disorder) in Bipolar Disorder Examined 35:28

3M ago35:28

35:28

What happens when bipolar disorder collides with hypochondria? Is it even possible for someone to have both conditions? In this episode, Gabe Howard (who lives with bipolar) and Dr. Nicole Washington (a psychiatrist) tackle the complex overlap between bipolar disorder and what’s often called hypochondria but is now known as illness anxiety disorder…

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Antisocial Myth: The Case for Leaving Early 26:25

3M ago26:25

26:25

Have you ever found yourself halfway through a concert, dinner party, or even a family gathering and thought, “OK, I’m ready to go now,” even though you’re having a good time? You’re not alone, and it doesn’t mean you’re antisocial or ungrateful. In this episode, host Gabe Howard sits down with Jodi Wellman, a positive psychology expert and TEDx sp…

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Dealing with the Trauma of Schizophrenia 35:35

3M ago35:35

35:35

The experiences of living with schizophrenia can be traumatic: hospitalizations, treatments, psychotic episodes. Even though the prevalence of comorbid post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in people with psychosis varies from 11% to 52%, treatment for traumatic experiences is rarely prescribed to people with schizophrenia. In this episode, host Ra…

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Schizophrenia Hallucinations, Explained by Those Who Live It 31:35

3M ago31:35

31:35

For individuals living with schizophrenia, the world can be populated by voices, visions, or other sensory experiences that are intensely real yet imperceptible to others. These hallucinations, which are a defining feature of schizophrenia, are not mere figments of imagination but rather vivid, often distressing, and deeply influential aspects of t…

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Beyond Pills: Proven, Science-Based Approaches to Bipolar Management 45:04

3M ago45:04

45:04

What if managing bipolar disorder wasn’t just about medication? Too often, conversations around bipolar treatment stop at the pharmacy counter. But what about therapy that helps you process trauma? What about learning your triggers before a full-blown episode hits? What about diet, exercise, creativity, and community support? These are not extras —…

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Treatment-Resistant Depression Is Treatable — What You May Be Missing 21:14

3M ago21:14

21:14

What happens when therapy and medication don’t work? Treatment-resistant depression can feel like a dead end — but it’s not. In this episode, clinical psychologist and ADAA member expert Dr. Jill Emanuele unpacks the nuanced differences between sadness, grief, and major depressive disorder — and why misusing these terms can delay real help. But the…

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Bonus: What Schizophrenia Hallucinations Really Feel Like 30:42

3M ago30:42

30:42

For individuals living with schizophrenia, the world can be populated by voices, visions, or other sensory experiences that are intensely real yet imperceptible to others. These hallucinations, which are a defining feature of schizophrenia, are not mere figments of imagination but rather vivid, often distressing, and deeply influential aspects of t…

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Beyond Monogamy: Sex, Love, and Connections 26:59

3M ago26:59

26:59

We’re sold the fairy tale from birth: find “the one,” make them your everything, and you’ll live happily ever after. But what happens if that one person can’t meet all your needs - or ever could? In this convention challenging conversation, sex experts Dr. Danielle Harel and Celeste Hirschman take aim at America’s deeply rooted ideas about monogamy…

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Firing Your Mental Health Provider: Ending Gracefully, Safely, and Professionally 41:18

3M ago41:18

41:18

Do you feel trapped in a therapy or psychiatry relationship that feels stagnant, unsettling, or just plain wrong? This episode pulls no punches as hosts Gabe Howard — who lives with bipolar disorder — and Dr. Nicole Washington — a board certified psychiatrist — tackle the uncomfortable question most people think about but rarely voice: “How, and wh…

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Conquering Social Anxiety in College 25:01

4M ago25:01

25:01

Ever feel like your fear of judgment is holding you back from college life? In this no-nonsense episode, host Gabe Howard teams up with ADAA member expert Ken Goodman, LCSW, to cut through the noise and tackle social anxiety head-on. Discover how everyday moments — like dropping a napkin or saying hello — can spiral into overwhelming anxiety and ho…

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How Age and Gender Affect Schizophrenia Symptoms 48:36

4M ago48:36

48:36

Schizophrenia may develop in people of all ages, and the early signs of the disorder vary greatly from person to person. While the symptoms are the same, the presentation of them can change due to age of onset, gender, and severity. Host Rachel Star Withers, a diagnosed schizophrenic, and co-host Gabe Howard explore how the early signs of schizophr…

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Schizophrenia Unmasked: Facts, Myths, and Lived Reality 30:44

4M ago30:44

30:44

What do you really know about schizophrenia? Guest host Rachel Star Withers — who lives with schizophrenia — takes us beyond the headlines and horror movies in this powerful, honest, and enlightening episode of Inside Mental Health. Joined by neuropsychologist and schizophrenia researcher Dr. Derin Cobia, Rachel explores what schizophrenia is, what…

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Do You Feel Taken Advantage Of Due to Bipolar? 40:17

4M ago40:17

40:17

Do you feel people are manipulating or using you because of your bipolar disorder diagnosis? If that question hits a nerve, this podcast episode is for you. When a listener emailed us because they felt they were being exploited due to their diagnosis, hosts Gabe Howard (who lives with bipolar disorder) and Dr. Nicole Washington (a licensed psychiat…