The Psych Central Show: Candid Chat On Mental Health & Psychology

Of all the people on a hockey team to have anxiety, the last one you would expect would be the goalie. They have to be so cool and collected, have nerves of steel, and always be at the top of their game. Right?  In today’s episode, Stanley Cup-winning goaltender Corey Hirsch talks about his battle with anxiety, OCD, and thoughts of suicide — and his efforts to keep it secret from those around him. To learn more -- or read the transcript -- please visit the official episode page. Guest Bio Corey Hirsch is a former National Hockey League Stanley Cup Champion. Having struggled with severe anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorder during his hockey career, Hirsch has become an outspoken advocate for mental health education, destigmatizing mental illness, and encouraging those to get help who need it. Hirsch’s 2017 article in The Players’ Tribune, “Dark, Dark, Dark, Dark, Dark, Dark, Dark, Dark,” is still one of the most widely searched and read articles in the platform’s history, leading to the launch of his men

How can you tell the difference between anxiety as an emotion and a disorder that needs medical intervention? Join us as today’s guest, Dr. Tracey Marks, explains the difference between being nervous about an upcoming event and something more serious like generalized anxiety disorder. She also shares tips and tricks that almost anyone can try at home to reduce the impact of anxiety. To learn more -- or read the transcript -- please visit the official page. Guest Bio With expertise in perhaps the most newsworthy subject pervading our lives both personally and culturally, Dr. Tracey Marks is ready to address, advise, and help heal our nation’s anxiety epidemic. She broadcasts to over a million followers weekly on her YouTube channel and is a general and forensic psychiatrist of over 20 years. Dr. Marks’ mission is to increase mental health awareness and understanding by educating people on psychiatric disorders, mental well-being, and self-improvement. She believes that insight creates change, both on a micro-

What does it mean to give up or surrender? Today’s guest, Kute Blackson, is an expert on the topic, having written “The Magic of Surrender.” Join us as Kute explains that surrendering doesn’t mean lying down, pulling the covers over your head, and giving up. Rather, surrender can give us the power of relinquishing control and no longer trying to put conditions on our lives. To learn more -- or read the transcript -- visit the official episode page. Guest Bio Kute Blackson is a beloved inspirational speaker and transformational teacher. He speaks at countless events he organizes around the world as well as at outside events including A-Fest, YPO (Young Presidents’ Organization), and EO (Entrepreneurs’ Organization). He is a member of the Transformational Leadership Council, a select group of 100 of the world’s foremost authorities in the personal development industry. Winner of the 2019 Unity New Thought Walden Award, Blackson is widely considered a next generation leader in the field of personal development.

Everyone has been through a bad breakup — it can seem like you will never get over the relationship. Today’s guest, Jodie Eckleberry-Hunt, is the author of “Getting to Good Riddance: A No Bullsh*t Breakup Survival Guide.” Join us as Dr. Hunt tells us how to get over the bad feelings and move on. (Please remember, everyone deserves healthy relationships. National Domestic Violence Hotline https://www.thehotline.org/) To learn more -- or read the transcript -- visit the official episode page. Guest Bio Jodie Eckleberry-Hunt is a recovering people pleaser, control freak, worrier, and motherf*cker. One thing she knows is that life sometimes hurts, and we can’t run from that. We have a choice of whether to deny it or go with it. She’s learned that going with it is a better investment, but we need to laugh while doing it. After more than 20 years of providing counseling services, Eckleberry-Hunt developed the idea of combining cognitive behavioral techniques, mindfulness techniques, and profanity to help people ge

Working moms are always being pulled in multiple directions, and often don’t feel like they have the time for self-care. In today’s episode, we learn that moms don’t have the time to not take care of themselves. This episode is filled with motivation, practical advice, and even some humor. Join us as the founder and CEO of Brooke Burke Body tells us that working moms may not be able to have it all, but they can have more. To learn more -- or to read the transcript -- please visit the official episode page. Guest Bio BROOKE BURKE is a television host, cancer survivor, entrepreneur, fitness educator, philanthropist, podcaster, and women’s health advocate who has been thriving in Hollywood for decades. The title she holds dearest, however, is that of mother to her four children. Brooke has held numerous successful network television jobs and high-profile brand partnerships. In 2008, Brooke became the champion of “Dancing with the Stars” (DWTS) season 7 which she later parlayed into a co-hosting job that she wou

Populism is defined as a political approach that strives to appeal to ordinary people who feel that their concerns are disregarded by established elite groups. On paper, it sounds perfect; why shouldn’t politicians appeal to “ordinary” people?  However, once you get beyond the dictionary definition, populist leaders use lies, fear, and racism to gain power. Join us as Dr. Karyne Messina explains why populism is dangerous and why it appears to be undergoing a global resurgence. To learn more -- or read the transcript -- please visit the official episode page. Guest Bio Dr. Karyne Messina is a psychologist, psychoanalyst, and author. She is also on the medical staff of Suburban Hospital—Johns Hopkins Medicine. Her books include Misogyny, Projective Identification and Mentalization: Psychoanalytic, Social and Institutional Manifestations (Routledge, 2019); Aftermath: Healing from the Trump Presidency (IPI Press, 2020); and Resurgence of Global Populism: A Psychoanalytic Study of Projective Identification, Blame

The Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA) is the leading patient-led national organization focusing on mood disorders, including depression and bipolar disorder. Join us as their CEO, Michael Pollock, sits down with Gabe to discuss the group’s patient advocacy goals, the current challenges facing the mental health community, and changes brought on by the pandemic. To learn more -- or read the transcript -- please visit the official episode page. Guest Bio A thoughtful, motivated, outcomes-oriented leader, Michael Pollock serves as CEO for the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance. Michael drives DBSA’s mission of providing hope, help, support, and education to improve the lives of people living with mood disorders. He is a fierce advocate for the value of peer support, accessible mental health care, and programs and policies that empower people living with mood disorders to reach their full potential. During his 20+ years of nonprofit experience, Michael has held leadership positions at the Nation

Hannah Sward’s new memoir details her journey with addiction, her life experiences, and her time as a sex worker. Join us as Gabe speaks with Hannah about her former occupation, her views on the sex industry, and whether sex work is a positive or negative experience. To learn more -- or read the transcript -- please visit the official episode page. Guest Bio Hannah Sward’s work has appeared or is forthcoming in numerous literary journals, including Arts & Letters, Yemassee (University of South Carolina), Halcyone (Black Mountain Press), Red Wheelbar­row, Porter Gulch Review, Other Voices (Canada), Anthology of The Mad Ones, Milk, Alimentum, Anthology of Women Writ­ers, Hypertext, Pig Iron Malt, Pindeldboz, Nerve Cowboy, Af­ternoon, Wimpole Street Writers, and Word Riot. She has been a regular contributor at Erotic Review since 2015 and was Editor and Columnist at Third Street Villager Los Angeles and a con­tributor at The Fix and YourTango. Hannah is on the board at Right To Write Press, a nonprofit that sup

Many leaders rely on traditional office-centric collaboration and management styles in managing hybrid teams. Yet research conclusively demonstrates that instead of incrementally improving on the old school office-centric approach, the best outcomes in managing hybrid teams come from adopting a flexible hybrid-first work model.  If the results are so clear, why are executives unwilling to change? Join us as Dr. Gleb Tsipursky, an expert on the cognitive biases that affect business decisions, tells us why some bosses are not looking out for the best interests of their companies and where we need to focus our attention as leaders — and employees. To learn more -- or read the transcript -- please visit the official episode page. Guest Bio Dr. Gleb Tsipursky helps tech and insurance executives seize competitive advantage in hybrid work by driving employee retention, collaboration, and innovation through cognitive science as the CEO of the future-proofing consultancy Disaster Avoidance Experts, a cognitive scient

Does EMDR (eye movement desensitization and reprocessing) therapy work for trauma? It has been all the rage recently, but what is it? Does it have any studies or scientific basis — or is it just the latest internet fad? The basis of the therapy is reliving a traumatic memory while receiving bilateral stimulation, such as a therapist waving their hand in front of your face. It may sound out of the ordinary, but it actually has robust data showing its effectiveness. Join us as Timothy Meyer of the Lukin Center for Psychotherapy explains this puzzling therapy for PTSD and other traumas.  To learn more -- or read the transcript -- please visit the show's official episode page. Guest Bio Timothy Meyer, LCSW, is a psychotherapist specializing in working with trauma, anxiety, and depression, focusing primarily on working with adults, teens, and families. He also serves as the Assistant Clinical Director at Lukin Center in northern New Jersey. Timothy has completed extensive training in eye movement desensitization a

Over four years ago, Kai Koerber survived the Parkland school shooting. Hear his feelings about what has transpired in the United States since that day. Kai also shares that he doesn't want that day to define him as a victim, but rather as a hero. Listen in to learn more about what he has been up to and shares with us his ideas for societal reform through the use of technology. To learn more -- or read the transcript -- please visit the official episode page. Guest Bio Kai Koerber is a Parkland shooting survivor, technologist, mental health activist, and founder of both Koer A.I., Inc (the creator of the Joy App) and the mental health nonprofit the Societal Reform Corporation (https://societal-reform.org/). He has made appearances on various television shows like The View and The Daily Show and has been featured in dozens of publications including INSIDER, People Magazine, TIME Magazine, and The New York Times. Kai is heading into his senior year at the University of California, Berkeley. His current focus i

Millions of people start taking antidepressants every year. But how many stop? Despite what we have heard for years, the process of withdrawing from antidepressant medications can be long, unpleasant, and even dangerous. Today’s guest is one of the foremost researchers in “deprescribing” or withdrawing from antidepressants. Join us as Dr. Mark Horowitz from University College London explains the possible side effects of withdrawal, how to taper slowly and safely, and why you might want to consider going off antidepressants. To learn more -- or read the transcript -- visit the official episode page. Guest Bio Dr. Mark Horowitz, MBBS, PhD, is a Clinical Research Fellow in Psychiatry at the National Health Service (NHS) in England, an Honorary Clinical Research Fellow at University College London, and is a training psychiatrist. He has a PhD from the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience at King’s College London in the neurobiology of depression and antidepressant action. He is an associate edito

Brooke Siem was among the first generation of teenagers to be prescribed antidepressants. As Brooke was initially diagnosed and treated in the wake of her father’s sudden death, this psychiatric intervention sent a message that something was pathologically wrong with her and taught her that her only solution was medication. For the next 15 years, Brooke took antidepressants exactly as prescribed.  When she turned 30, she realized that maybe she was misdiagnosed and decided to taper off the medications with the help of her doctor. But stopping meds after 15 years isn’t as easy as people may think. Join us as Brooke shares her story of antidepressants and antidepressant withdrawal. And don’t forget to tune in next week as Dr. Mark Horowitz explains the medical side of Brooke’s personal experience. To learn more -- or read the transcript -- please the official episode page. Guest Bio Brooke Siem was among the first generation of teens to be prescribed antidepressants. Fifteen years later, Siem's work explores t

Greg Grunberg has a son who lives with epilepsy. But his story isn’t that different from that of someone caring for a loved one with mental illness. Being a caregiver or support person to a loved one is challenging, no matter the diagnosis or the type of care they need. Join us as he tells us about the importance of self-care and how to make sure you stay balanced and moving forward. To learn more -- or read the transcript -- visit the official episode page. Guest Bio Greg Grunberg is best known for his role as X-wing pilot Snap Wexley in “STAR WARS,” as well as “STAR TREK,” “A STAR IS BORN,” and alongside Al Pacino in the Barry Levinson film “PATERNO.” In addition, he has many memorable series regular roles on shows “HEROES,” “CASTLE ROCK,” “LOST,” “ALIAS,” and “FELICITY”. Currently, Grunberg stars alongside Kevin Smith in the cult classic “MAX RELOAD & THE NETHER BLASTERS” as well as the much beloved “BIG ASS SPIDER.” Grunberg has written pilots & films and co-wrote the graphic novel series “DREAM JUMPER”

How do we decide we are in love? How can we know if it is the right person? Today’s guest tells us that we are all enacting a “love story.” These are the stories we tell ourselves about how romance and relationships should go. They are largely unconscious, but they form the foundation of all relationships throughout our life. Tune in to figure out how to find your personal love story and how to know if you and your partner have compatible stories.  To learn more -- or read the transcript -- please visit the official episode page. Guest Bio Dr. Karin Sternberg is an entrepreneur and research psychologist based in Ithaca, New York. She has a PhD in psychology from the University of Heidelberg, Germany, as well as an MBA with a specialization in banking from the University of Cooperative Education in Karlsruhe, Germany. She completed some of her doctoral research at Yale University and her postdoctoral work at the University of Connecticut. Afterward, she worked as a research associate at Harvard University’s K

From housebound to pop superstar, Taylor Dayne is most well-known for her hit “Tell It to My Heart,” which made her an overnight sensation in 1987. Listen in as she tells Gabe that before her rise to stardom, she struggled with anxiety and agoraphobia so severe, she was often housebound. Taylor explains when her symptoms started, how she treated them, and how she is doing now. To learn more -- or read the transcript -- please visit the official episode page. Guest Bio Taylor Dayne is an American pop icon with a career spanning 3 decades. Taylor’s groundbreaking debut single “Tell It To My Heart” turned her into an overnight star in 1987. She followed the smash hit with seventeen Top 20 singles over the course of her career. Taylor has sold over 75 million albums and singles worldwide, earned three Grammy nominations, an American Music Award, multiple New York Music Awards, received New York Music Hall of Fame honors, and ranked as the Number 18 Female Dance artist of all time by “Rolling Stone” magazine. She

Would you even think to bring a sex toy to rehab? Even if you tried to, most rehab facilities don’t allow them, as it turns out. Today’s guest, comedian Pam Gaslow, tells us how she learned that you can’t take a vibrator, or teddy bear for that matter, to rehab. (Spoiler alert: She didn’t learn the hard way.) We’ll explore the ups and downs of Pam’s journey to sobriety. While addiction isn’t funny, as Pam says, “I was either going to laugh or cry.” To learn more -- or read the transcript -- please visit the official episode page. Guest Bio She’s designed catalogs for J.Crew, performed stand-up comedy, even worked as Henri Bendel’s only female security guard. Pam Gaslow has had an eventful life -- including once being threatened by her family with disownment over her Depressed Hot Girl blog -- and it’s about to get even more so with her first-person confessional “Don’t Bring Your Vibrator to Rehab.” It’s a hilarious chronicle of her journey toward sobriety from a toxic marijuana addiction, told with candor, ho

To an outsider looking in, it may seem like singer Casey McQuillen has it all — she was a contestant on season 13 of American Idol, and went on to have a successful career in singing. Yet despite her success, she still struggles with a negative, nagging sense of self-doubt that she attributes to the bullying she endured in middle school. These difficult early experiences left such a mark that she started an anti-bullying program. Listen as she shares stories about how her mental health intertwines with her music, the pain and pressure of being on a reality show, and how she uses her voice to advocate against bullying today. To learn more -- or read the transcript -- please visit the official episode page. Guest Bio Casey McQuillen, a Brooklyn-based singer-songwriter, activist, and powerhouse vocalist, burst onto the scene on season 13 of “American Idol.” Since then, the rising star has organically accumulated tens of thousands of followers on social media and millions of views and streams of her music online

It seems like every story of mass violence or a school shooting includes speculation about what mental illness the alleged perpetrator has. Why is that? What can we do about it? Join us as Emmy Award winning journalist Elizabeth Vargas contests these thoughts and shares the media’s point of view. To learn more -- or read the transcript -- please visit the official episode page. Guest Bio Emmy Award winning journalist Elizabeth Vargas has traveled the world covering breaking news stories, reporting on-depth investigations, and conducting newsmaker interviews. She is the host of America’s Most Wanted on Fox TV. She hosted the hit newsmagazine show 20/20 on ABC for 15 years, and was co-anchor of World News Tonight, and news anchor and frequent host of Good Morning America. She hosted A&E Investigates, doing a series of documentaries that still air on Hulu. During the historic Iraqi elections in December 2005, she reported extensively for World News Tonight from Baghdad on both civilian life in Iraq and American

Over 70 million Americans are neurodivergent or live with learning and thinking differences. What does that mean? Is it a mental disorder, and what can be done? What type of prognosis do these folks have? Join us as today’s guest, Understood.org’s Dr. Andrew Kahn, who identifies as neurodivergent, explains how to help neurodivergent children find academic and lifelong success. To learn more -- or read the transcript -- please visit the official episode page. Guest Bio Dr. Andrew Kahn is a licensed psychologist specializing in working with individuals who think and learn differently. In his role as a Subject Matter Expert in Psychology and Learning, Dr. Kahn focuses on ADHD, autism spectrum disorders, anxiety, general learning and behavioral challenges, and learning and social-emotional functioning.  For nearly 20 years, Dr. Kahn worked within the public school system providing training, evaluations, direct consultation, and therapeutic support to students, their families, and staff. He has worked closely with