Mental Health Comedy

Sonia and Robin are partners at https://tranzitionsconsulting.org/ and The Evolve Program. They help Neurodiverse Kids and Young Adults transition from high school to college and into the working world. Their work is amazing and really what becomes clear is that when you look at diversity, neuro or otherwise, you learn about everything; how your brain works, how you learn, how you respond to your mental health. And being conscious ...

There’s only one Jackie Kashian. Maybe there are other people with that name, but only one like this; a great comic, funny, thoughtful, an industry. From growing up in Wisconsin with neigbors like Mrs. Grubschmidt and Mr. Clump, to growing up emotionally, we talk about those kinds of things on this episode. Jackie tells stories about finding a really good therapist who told her to “do the work” because this is a very expensive plac...

Jimmy has been uniting comedy and social service for a long time. When you go to his website https://jimmytingle.com/ you see all these shows that are coming up, but they’re not at comedy clubs. They’re benefits for different community organizations that help people. And his array of shows and credits are unique. There just aren’t a lot of comics who’ve given a commencement speech at Harvard, run for Lieutenant Governor of Mass, ho...

Bill is an old friend and a great writer who I have known since he came to LA. It feels like it was in the Mesozoic era. Then came Mr Show, Futurama, 16 years of The Simpson’s and now Disenchantment. Bill is really funny and interesting to listen to. In listening to him, you realize immediately, he’s very honest and talks about the anger and other things he’s feeling; even writing out things that might be bothering him so he doesn’...

Julie and Brandy talk about the news and they’re really funny, sharp and smart while talking shit about all the shit that’s swirling around us 24/7. They’ve been hosting a great podcast https://starburns.audio/podcasts/dumb-gay-politics/ for years! We talk about the search for mining actual news and telling people to get the fuck off Facebook. Julie and Brandy also talk about how to deal, having to deal and reach with people in ext...

Rebecca is a actress, comedian, writer and producer. With us, she talks about reframing thoughts; the idea of “what do I GET to do” rather than the resentment that comes with “what do I HAVE to do.” We also talk about mindsets, like confidence, scarcity; mindsets that can eitehr be born out of fear or love. We also touch on diversity and that white people need to support the conversation, but not lead the conversation. Find Rebecca...

I’ve known Mike for many years, since his SF Comedy days. He’s a great comic, speaker and advocate about issues like parenting and raising a child with autism. In this epsiode, we talk about the resilience that comes with being open to learn and respond, rather than react. Mike has earned so much from all his kids and especially from his daughter Maria. She has taught him the whole spectrum, not being “on the spectrum” but living w...

Dani is a writer, a storyteller, a social entrepreneur and the founder of Laughter On Call. https://www.laughteroncall.com/ This company brings professional comics and improvisers to reach and teach people through laughter. In this episode, Dani talks about growing up as a kid who liked to break the tension. When Dani’s mom was suffering from Alzheimer’s, she wanted to do anything to cheer her up. So she paid a comic to come and he...

Fielding has a very funny show based on her life and marriage to actor Larry Clarke called Bitter Homes & Gardens https://www.youtube.com/c/BitterHomes. She’s a talented comic, actress and writer who is pretty fearless in talking about stuff that most people don’t share, but all people think and feel. In a time that’s all about positivity and saying the right things, doing comedy about the petty stuff you don’t like in your rel...

Brandon is a talented comic, host and film critic. He currently hosts a great movie comedy podcast called Medium Popcorn https://www.mediumpopcorn.com/ and started doing a show called Drunk Black History https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/drunk-black-history/id1535495844 where guests talk about pivotal people and events in Black History that you don’t often hear about, and drinking is involved. We also talked about how “growing ...

Great conversation with Kelly! It’s a unique story as old as the Earth itself. Girl grows up with a legendary comedian dad and a talented mom struggling with addiction; then learns how to transform her life and help others. It’s much more than that of course. We talk about how to see and talk to yourself. And life changing moments for Kelly; like when her mom came to her and told her that everything was going to be okay. Of course,...

Ron James has been all over the map on every level and that is also the title of his new book. In it, he talks about his childhood and the many conversations, and life lessons he’s experienced with people while performing on the road for years as a comic. He seems to be a Stand-Up who’s a stand up guy. In this conversation, what stood out was his honesty and perspective. He talks about losing a 23 year marriage, and takes reponsib...

In this episode, we have a great conversation with comedian and actor Eddie Pepitone. We talk about what goes on in our heads and the conscious choices we make throughout a day. And rest assured, there’s panic, insanity and trauma right under the surface. I sound like Eckhart Tolle’s great grandson, if he had never read any of his books. What I love and admire about Eddie is his great mix of mental and spiritual awareness, corporat...

Frank and Kathleen are friends and neighbors in the same NY apartment building. It sounds like a sitcom, but it’s a lot funnier than that. Two brilliant comics and writers, each very unique and original. In this episode they are personal, hilarious and moving. Frank talks about recovery from a quadruple bypass, Kathleen relates stories about a therapist she had who she liked and did sessions from a nursing home. We also talk about ...

We thought it was time to listen to our listeners and answer your questions for cryin’ out loud! Well, Jennifer answers them, because I’m not licensed East or West of The Mississippi. Questions like:

How do I keep myself sane while staying informed about COVID and watching the news?

How do I help someone who refuses to get help?

My husband and I fight a lot, and it's gotten to the point where I expect it to happen. What can I do ...

Even though I hit the wrong button again and sound like I’m doing the show from a barrel, still a really good show with a great guest! One word: Mindpower! And say it with a Southern accent. Jordan Brady is a Father, a Husband and a Filmmaker. He has mindpower (with a Southern accent). He’s done so much good work; started as a comic, 4 Narrative Films, 3 feature docs, Maria Bamford’s Netflix special, over 1200 commercials, a hit po...

I’ve known Howie for many years and his love of comedy and talent are huge. He is also very clear and empathetic when it comes to Mental Health. He’s been such a big advocate for many years. In this classic episode, he talks about the fact that every person needs coping skills and that Mental Health should be treated the same as Physical Health. I have no idea why I’m capitalizing everything. He described how he experiences OCD and...

Stuart Preston is fascinating. In this episode we find out how a straight-laced guy, who’s father worked for The D.E.A. and had never taken drugs in his life, learned to heal and deal with the grief over his 19 year old son’s suicide, by using psychedlics. Stuart is a comedian, public speaker, podcast host and the author of a book called “The Grief Trip.” He’s trying to break the stigmas of mental health, suicide and psychedlics. O...

Alonzo is a regular on Wait Wait Don’t Tell Me and he has a new daily talk show from 4-7 on KBLA radio https://kbla1580.com/alonzo-bodden-whos-paying-attention/. In this epsiode we talk about mental health in the Black Community, and the stress that shoots through your head when a police car is behind you, no matter who you are or what you’re doing. We talk about addiction, the feelings that you try to stop with drugs or alcohol, 3...