Inside Mental Health

Looking to turn your big dreams into reality? You’re not alone — and it might not be your willpower that’s holding you back, but the way you set your goals. In this episode, host Gabe Howard welcomes Dr. Ross G. White, clinical psychologist, author of “The Tree That Bends,” and founder of Strive to Thrive, to demystify the SMART framework and help you build goals that stick.

Together, Gabe and Dr. White unpack each letter of SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-limited) to show you how to transform vague aspirations (“I want to get fit”) into crystal clear, trackable targets (“I will complete three 30-minute strength workouts each week for the next month”). You’ll hear concrete examples, common pitfalls, and Dr. White’s insider tips for aligning your goals with what truly matters in your life.

Plus, stick around for a candid discussion on why the “stay hard,” grit-and-grind mentality might be selling you short — and how a flexible mind can be your secret weapon for thriving, not just surviving. Tune in and start setting goals you’ll actually achieve!

“The mere ordinary seems to be resistant to going viral. It's only the incredible and the extraordinary that goes viral. So we are skewed in terms of some of the reference points that we have around what we should be capable of, what we should be doing, what we should be achieving. And that leads us to be highly motivated to try to make an impact, to establish ourselves. But it also then can tip over into threat if we feel that we're falling short, or that people are judging us for not being enough, for not doing enough, for not contributing enough.” ~Dr. Ross White



Our guest, Dr. Ross White, is a Professor of Clinical Psychology at Queen’s University Belfast and the founder of Strive2Thrive, a clinical psychology consultancy firm that provides interventions and training to help individuals and organizations thrive. He is an expert in supporting the mental well-being of adults working in high-performance settings. Ross is the author of several books, including “The Tree That Bends: How a flexible mind can help you thrive.”

Our host, 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. Gabe is also the host of the "Inside Bipolar" podcast with Dr. Nicole Washington.

Gabe makes his home in the suburbs of Columbus, Ohio. He lives with his supportive wife, Kendall, and a Miniature Schnauzer dog that he never wanted, but now can’t imagine life without. To book Gabe for your next event or learn more about him, please visit gabehoward.com.
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Today we peel back the layers of body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) — a condition far beyond simple vanity. Host Gabe Howard and clinician Scott M. Granet tear apart the facade of BDD — a mental battle where the mirror becomes your worst enemy. 

This episode exposes a disorder that distorts reality, making you question every reflection. Forget cosmetic fixes — plastic surgery rarely provides salvation. Scott bares his soul, recounting his harrowing struggle from a college crisis over a few stray hairs to a lifelong fight against the obsessive compulsion to fix what isn’t really broken.

With raw honesty and expert insights, this conversation dives into the complexities of living with BDD, highlighting the vital role of support systems and cognitive behavioral therapy. Whether you or someone you know battles inner demons or simply seeks a deeper understanding of mental health, this episode promises a captivating exploration of perception versus reality.

Special thanks to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America for sponsoring this episode.

“If you're somebody with BDD who has a problem with your physical appearance, your first thought is not going to be, I should go see a psychotherapist. Your first thought is probably going to be, I want to get this fixed. And even if they suspect they have a psychiatric problem, a major issue with BDD is that it's often considered a shame based disorder. There can be so much shame associated with this, to the point where people don't want to go for therapy and, you know, they're too embarrassed to tell somebody about this problem.” ~Scott M. Granet, LCSW



Today's guest, Scott Granet, LCSW, specializes in the treatment of OCD and BDD. He has presented at numerous conferences worldwide and has taught continuing education classes at universities and other institutions throughout the U.S., including the Rutgers University School of Social Work, the UC Berkeley Extension, the University of Chicago Crown Family School of Social Work, Policy and Practice and the NYU Silver School of Social Work. Mr. Granet is the author of “The Complete OCD Workbook: A Step-by-Step Guide to Free Yourself from Intrusive Thoughts and Compulsive Behaviors” and “Body Dysmorphic Disorder, Mine and Yours: A Personal and Clinical Perspective.”

Our host, 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. Gabe is also the host of the "Inside Bipolar" podcast with Dr. Nicole Washington.

Gabe makes his home in the suburbs of Columbus, Ohio. He lives with his supportive wife, Kendall, and a Miniature Schnauzer dog that he never wanted, but now can’t imagine life without. To book Gabe for your next event or learn more about him, please visit gabehoward.com.
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Why would a person make their own child sick — or lie about it — for attention? In this gripping and eye-opening episode, retired detective Mike Weber joins Gabe Howard to expose the disturbing reality behind Munchausen syndrome by proxy, now medically known as factitious disorder imposed on another. With 40 years of law enforcement experience and over 50 cases investigated, Weber pulls back the curtain on a form of child abuse that's more prevalent — and more chilling — than most people realize.

Forget what you think you know from TV dramas. This is not just a mental illness — it often involves calculated crime. Learn how people with this condition can manipulate doctors, deceive family members, and train children to play along in a twisted performance. Discover why nearly all are mothers, how children are affected, and why the justice system struggles to prosecute these complex cases.

If you're interested in true crime, psychology, or the darker corners of human behavior, this episode will stay with you long after it ends.

“She was given five years probation. That child was left in her care even after criminal charges were filed, even after she was convicted. These offenders have a compulsion very similar to what child sex abuse offenders have. That would be akin to placing a child back in the home with a child sex abuse offender that had offended on that child previously and expecting them to offend no more. That is what family court does quite often in these cases. Because we don’t want to believe that a mother could hurt their own child. That is just how we are as a society. We want to believe that all mothers are good and all mothers are not good.”  ~Detective Mike Weber, Author of "The Mother Next Door"

Our guest, Detective Mike Weber, has 40 years law enforcement experience, including 15 years as a crimes against children investigator. Detective Weber has investigated over 50 reports of Medical Child Abuse that have led to 13 convictions, 3 cases pending trial. Detective Weber co-authored the APSAC best practice guidelines on Medical Child Abuse titled Munchausen by Proxy: Clinical and Case Management (APSAC Advisor journal March 2018). Weber also authored a separate article in the same issue of the Advisor titled Investigation of Factitious Disorder Imposed on Another and Medical Child Abuse. Detective Weber authored Investigating Medical Child Abuse for the FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin journal (August 2018). Detective Weber was awarded the 2016 NCMEC Texas Hero for Children Award for the investigation of Geronimo Aguilar and Medical Child Abuse Cases. Weber is currently assigned to investigate crimes against children for the Tarrant County Sheriff’s Office and handles all reports of medical child abuse in Tarrant County. Detective Weber contributes to the true crime/educational podcast “Nobody Should Believe Me,” which examines medical child abuse through previous cases. Detective Weber co-authored the true crime novel “The Mother Next Door” with Andrea Dunlop.

Our host, 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. Gabe is also the host of the "Inside Bipolar" podcast with Dr. Nicole Washington.

Gabe makes his home in the suburbs of Columbus, Ohio. He lives with his supportive wife, Kendall, and a Miniature Schnauzer dog that he never wanted, but now can’t imagine life without. To book Gabe for your next event or learn more about him, please visit gabehoward.com.
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Sometimes, you are so consumed by caring for a loved one with a serious mental illness, like schizophrenia or bipolar disorder, that taking a moment for yourself feels like a betrayal. In this episode, host Gabe Howard and Dr. C. Alec Pollard reveal the hidden crisis of caregiver burnout in the world of serious mental illness. They dismantle the myth that self-care is selfish, showing how neglecting your own needs can worsen stress and strain the very relationships you cherish.



Dr. Pollard dives into the toxic beliefs that trap caregivers—those who support individuals with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and other severe conditions—into a cycle of resentment and exhaustion. With breakthrough strategies and compassionate advice, this episode offers a wake-up call for anyone feeling overwhelmed by the relentless demands of caregiving. Learn how nurturing yourself not only protects your well-being but also empowers you to care more effectively for your loved one.

Funding for this episode was provided by Evernorth Health Services.

“If you can do no good, at least do no harm. A lot of the, the things that families don't understand and caregivers is that they're actually doing things that not only they know it doesn't work okay. When they're doing these things, these naggings and lectures and all that, they know it's not working. But what they may not appreciate is it's actually making things worse over time.” ~C. Alec Pollard, PhD

Our guest, C. Alec Pollard, Ph.D., is Founding Director of the Center for OCD and Anxiety-Related Disorders at Saint Louis Behavioral Medicine Institute and Professor Emeritus of Family and Community Medicine at Saint Louis University School of Medicine. He is a licensed psychologist who works with a range of obsessive-compulsive and anxiety-related disorders, with a special interest in obstacles that might inhibit the pursuit of recovery or interfere with effective participation in treatment. He is on the Scientific and Clinical Advisory Board of the International OCD Foundation and chairs the organization’s Training Subcommittee, including a national training initiative called the Behavior Therapy Training Institute.  Dr. Pollard is former chair of the Clinical Advisory Board of the Anxiety and Depression Association of America and has authored over 100 publications, including 3 books – “The Agoraphobia Workbook, Dying of Embarrassment: Help for Social Anxiety & Phobia,” and “When a Loved One Won’t Seek Mental Health Treatment: How to Promote Recovery and Reclaim Your Family’s Well-Being.”



Our host, 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. Gabe is also the host of the "Inside Bipolar" podcast with Dr. Nicole Washington.

Gabe makes his home in the suburbs of Columbus, Ohio. He lives with his supportive wife, Kendall, and a Miniature Schnauzer dog that he never wanted, but now can’t imagine life without. To book Gabe for your next event or learn more about him, please visit gabehoward.com.
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What does it really mean to grieve — and when does grief become a danger to your life? In this weighty episode, host Gabe Howard sits down with Dr. Mary-Frances O’Connor, a leading expert in psychology whose work on grief and loss has touched millions. Dr. O’Connor shares groundbreaking insights on the subtle yet critical differences between the stereotypical grief process and prolonged grief, revealing why your heart can literally stop functioning due to loss.

From staggering statistics showing a man’s heart attack risk skyrockets on the day his spouse dies, to the intimate science of how our bonds regulate our well-being, this conversation is as thought-provoking as it is moving. Discover practical strategies to navigate those raw, overwhelming moments of loss, and learn how to build a personal toolkit for healing. Whether you're coping with grief yourself or supporting someone who is, this episode promises a deep, human exploration into turning heartbreak into hope.

This episode has been sponsored by the Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA).

“It's not just that you're having grief, which is normal. It's that we're unable to find a way to adapt given that we have grief. So people with prolonged grief feel like life holds no meaning anymore, or they feel so angry and bitter about what's happened that they have trouble connecting with their living loved ones.” ~ Mary-Frances O'Connor, PhD


Our guest, Mary-Frances O’Connor, PhD, is a professor of psychology at the University of Arizona, where she directs the Grief, Loss and Social Stress (GLASS) Lab, investigating the effects of grief on the brain and the body. Her book “The Grieving Brain” was included on Oprah’s list of Best Books to Comfort a Grieving Friend. O’Connor holds a PhD in clinical psychology from the University of Arizona and completed a postdoctoral fellowship in psychoneuroimmunology at the UCLA Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior. Having grown up in Montana, she now lives in Tucson, Arizona.


Our host, 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. Gabe is also the host of the "Inside Bipolar" podcast with Dr. Nicole Washington.
Gabe makes his home in the suburbs of Columbus, Ohio. He lives with his supportive wife, Kendall, and a Miniature Schnauzer dog that he never wanted, but now can’t imagine life without. To book Gabe for your next event or learn more about him, please visit gabehoward.com.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices