Inside Mental Health

No one likes to throw up. But for some, the mere thought of vomiting is a Level 12 emergency that halts life in its tracks. Imagine avoiding bars, concerts, and even the grocery store because a stranger might look "pale." This is the reality of emetophobia—a debilitating fear of vomiting that often hides in the shadows of more common diagnoses like anxiety or eating disorders.

In this episode, we peel back the layers of this misunderstood condition with ADAA member expert Ken Goodman, LCSW, and emetophobia sufferer Lorraine Leal. Ken breaks down why emetophobia is far more than a gross-out reaction; it is a complex anxiety disorder that forces sufferers to construct elaborate safety behaviors just to survive the day. Lorraine shares her raw, personal journey of living with a fear so intense she would rather die than vomit. She details the isolation of being labeled a bad friend for avoiding germ-filled social spaces and the crushing guilt of feeling like a burden on her family.

Listener Takeaways


Understanding that for many, the fear of others getting sick is just as paralyzing

Learn how safety behaviors can actually fuel the phobia instead of preventing the danger

Recognize why emetophobia is frequently mistaken for other disorders

Learn what type of therapist to seek out to treat this unique disorder


Tune in to dive into the overlap between emetophobia and OCD, the safety behaviors that keep sufferers trapped, and a surprising look at why treatment doesn't actually involve being forced to vomit.

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

"Some people would rather die than vomit, and that is something that most onlookers don't see." ~Lorraine Leal, Emetophobia Survivor

Our guest, Lorraine Leal, is 42 and a lifelong emetophobia sufferer. Lorraine is from Long Island where she enjoys performing in local musical theater productions, nail art, and reading.



Our guest, Ken Goodman, LCSW, specializes in the treatment of anxiety disorders and OCD.  He is on the board of directors for the Anxiety and Depression Association of America and is Founding Director of QuietMindSolutions.com. He has authored and produced several self-help courses and books including “The Anxiety Solution Series,” a 12-hour audio course, “Break Free from Anxiety,” a coloring self-help book, and “The Health Anxiety Handbook.” He also wrote the top selling book on emetophobia, “The Emetophobia Manual,” and produced a pre-recorded emetophobia course. He lectures at universities and organizations across the country. He earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from UCLA and operates his online private practice in Los Angeles.



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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While many people have heard of Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) fewer know about Mentalization-Based Treatment (MBT), an evidence-based therapy that is producing remarkable results for people living with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD).

In this episode, host Gabe Howard sits down with Robert P. Drozek, LICSW, a teaching associate in psychiatry at Harvard Medical School and author of “Mentalization: Utilizing Reflection to Heal from Borderline Personality Disorder.” Together, they explore how mentalization—the ability to understand your own thoughts, feelings, and motivations while considering the perspectives of others—can help reduce the emotional instability, relationship challenges, impulsivity, and self-destructive behaviors often associated with borderline personality disorder.

Robert explains what happens when intense emotions or fears of rejection disrupt a person's ability to accurately interpret themselves and others. He breaks down how Mentalization-Based Treatment works, what a typical therapy session looks like, and why some people who haven't connected with DBT may find MBT to be a powerful alternative.

Listeners Will Learn:

·      Discover how Mentalization-Based Treatment (MBT) was developed and why it is evidence-based

·      Explore the key differences between MBT and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)

·      Find out what happens during a typical MBT therapy session

·      Understand how rigid certainty about yourself or others can fuel emotional suffering

Whether you've been diagnosed with borderline personality disorder, love someone who has, or simply want to better understand this treatable mental health condition, this conversation offers hope, practical insights, and a fresh perspective on recovery. Listen now!

“When (people with borderline personality disorder) are overwhelmed by emotion, they stop reflecting. Mentalization helps them get their minds back online.” ~Robert P. Drozek, LICSW

Robert P. Drozek, LICSW, is the clinical director of the Mentalization-Based Treatment Clinic at McLean Hospital in Belmont, Massachusetts. He is a teaching associate in the Department of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School, specializing in the treatment of borderline personality disorder, narcissistic personality disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder. He is author of the new book, Mentalization: Utilizing reflection to heal from borderline personality disorder—the first book for the general public about mentalization-based treatment.



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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Think working in mental health is just sitting and listening? The reality is a chaotic, high volume front line where workers face severe psychological crises every single day. In this episode, our host sits down with the author of “So You Want To Work in Mental Health?: The Good, the Bad, and the Unforgettable,” Cliffard Mayo, MBA, LAC, to pull back the curtain on what really happens behind closed doors for many mental health workers.

Listeners will learn:


Mental health workers are trained not to internalize a client's failures, and therefore often refuse to take credit for their successes.

Nonclinical staff absorb crisis trauma but are often denied essential training and support.

Empathy fatigue is where clients begin to feel like a rotation of numbers rather than people.

Training vs. Reality: Academia teaches how to run a controlled, one-on-one clinical session, but often fails to prepare graduates for the volume, chaos, and emotional exhaustion of the actual field.


Whether you are a professional working in healthcare or someone determined to understand the current, raw state of mental health advocacy, this conversation delivers the essential insights and perspectives you need. Hit play to uncover the unspoken truths of caregiving and learn how we can preserve the people who spend their lives saving others.   



"School prepared me to be a therapist in a session [...] It didn't prepare me for handling the sheer volume of vicarious trauma, chaos, exhaustion." — Cliffard Mayo, author of “So You Want to Work in Mental Health?”



Our guest, Cliffard Mayo, MBA, LAC, is an award‑winning author and behavioral health professional with a decade of direct care experience, including crisis intervention and residential therapy.

Known for his authenticity and emotional intelligence, Cliffard blends professional expertise with deeply human storytelling to challenge stigma and inspire resilience.



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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Is our mental health system helping children or simply getting better at labeling them? With some reports suggesting that 70% of adolescents are struggling with mental health issues, host Gabe Howard asks the tough question: Is it possible that the majority of teenagers are truly "sick" or is there a flaw in how we calculate and categorize human distress?

Joining the show is Dr. Will Dobud, a social worker, researcher, and co-author of “Kids These Days: Understanding and Supporting Youth Mental Health.” Dr. Dobud pulls back the curtain on the clinical world, revealing that a staggering number of psychologists have concerns about the validity of the DSM, the very book used to dictate treatment and insurance coverage. He argues that the "expert-led" model often ignores the most predictive factors of success: the therapeutic relationship and the child’s own engagement.

Listener Takeaways


Learn why the therapeutic bond and the child's belief in the treatment are more predictive of recovery than the specific clinical interventions used.

Learn how to perform a "resource audit" to identify your child's strengths and support systems rather than focusing exclusively on clinical deficits.

Learn why a child’s belief that they are in the right place is the primary driver of improvement.

Navigate the insurance system to ensure a child gets care without receiving a "severe and persistent" label that sticks with them for life.



In this candid conversation, Dr. Dobud explains his philosophy of "crew, not passengers," encouraging parents to focus on what works rather than getting hung up on what they feel they “should” be doing. This episode is a must-listen for any caregiver who wants to support their child’s mental well-being while honoring their autonomy and long-term potential. 

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"The (child) is not the problem. The problem is the problem."~Dr. Will Dobud, co-author of Kids These Days


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Our guest, Dr. Will Dobud, is a social worker, researcher, and educator who has worked with adolescents and families in the United States, Australia, and Norway. Will is from Washington, D.C., and divides his time between the United States and Australia each year. Will is an award-winning researcher and educator who has received recognition for excellence in research, teaching, and crime prevention. Dr. Dobud is a Senior Lecturer in Social Work at Charles Sturt University, Australia's largest social work school. Will is an invited international speaker who conducts workshops for therapists and families around the globe.



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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In this thought-provoking episode, host Gabe Howard sits down with child psychiatrist and author Dr. Sami Timimi to challenge some of the most widely accepted ideas in modern mental health care.

Drawing from his latest book, “Searching for Normal: A New Approach to Understanding Mental Health, Distress, and Neurodiversity,” Dr. Timimi explores why diagnoses like ADHD, depression, and anxiety may be less about biology and more about cultural context. The conversation dives into how labeling distress can sometimes obscure the real drivers of human experience—life experiences, relationships, and environments.



Listeners will learn:


the risks of viewing mental health challenges as lifelong disorders

how context, development, and adversity shape emotional experiences

what a more humane, supportive approach to distress could look like


This episode invites listeners to reconsider what it means to be “normal,” and whether our current mental health framework is helping — or limiting — our understanding of the human condition. If you’ve ever questioned the labels, wondered about overdiagnosis, or wanted a deeper conversation about mental health beyond the surface, this episode is for you.



“We have this fantasy that we can live lives that are devoid of any sort of emotional suffering, but that creates a really artificial idea about what life should be like." ~Dr. Sami Timimi, author of Searching for Normal



Our guest, Dr. Sami Timimi, is a practicing consultant child and adolescent psychiatrist and psychotherapist in the UK's National Health Service. He has contributed to over forty books on subjects related to critical psychiatry, childhood, psychotherapy, depression, behavioral problems, and cross-cultural psychiatry; authored six books, including “Naughty Boys: Anti-Social Behaviour, ADHD, and the Role of Culture” and “Insane Medicine: How the Mental Health Industry Creates Damaging Treatment Traps and How You Can Escape Them”; co-edited four books, including “Liberatory Psychiatry: Philosophy, Politics and Mental Health with Carl Cohen”; and co-authored two others, including “The Myth of Autism: Medicalising Men’s and Boys’ Social and Emotional Competence” with Neil Gardiner and Brian McCabe. His most recent book is “Searching for Normal: A New Approach to Understanding Mental Health, Distress and Neurodiversity.”

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.



Please share the show with everyone you know!
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