Mayim Bialik's Breakdown

This week we're sitting down with the fearless, hilarious, and thoughtful Brett Gelman (Stranger Things, Fleabag) as he opens up about the challenges that have shaped him, from his early battles with OCD and questioning his identity, to intense enmeshment with his mother and overcoming those tendencies as he navigates adult relationships.

Brett opens up about:

- The ways he felt different growing up

- His early experiences with drug use

- His OCD around numbers and fear of the future

- Why questioning his sexuality as a kid led him to have a breakdown

He also shares insights on method acting, the importance of creating space for men to challenge toxic masculinity, and the importance of infusing all of your endeavors with a little bit of yourself.

PLUS Mayim explains why self-centeredness may actually be at the root of our attempts at caring for others!

This conversation is a must-watch for anyone seeking to understand the intricate dance between our past experiences and our present selves.

TUNE IN to find out how facing your past can dramatically reshape your future!

Brett Gelman's new book, The Terrifying Realm of the Possible: Nearly True Stories: https://www.harpercollins.com/products/the-terrifying-realm-of-the-possible-brett-gelman?variant=41073650204706

Vagus Nerve Secrets REVEALED: Discover how to feel safe with the groundbreaking creator of the Polyvagal Theory, Dr. Stephen Porges!

Dr. Porges helps us answer all of the important questions, like:

- Why are we attracted to "BAD" people?

- How can trauma prevent us from accessing the body?s healing resources, AND what is the link between TRAUMA & OBESITY?

- Why do certain sounds instantly calm us down?

- Why might neurodivergent individuals have a hard time connecting with others?

- How can vagus findings be used to improve institutions like prisons, hospitals, and schools?

PLUS find out what signals you're sending without even realizing it and how to create a safer, more connected world around us.

WE ALSO BREAK DOWN:

- Dr. Porges' journey of discovering the vagus nerve and polyvagal theory

- Scientific evidence for why the dating process should be slowed

- Good vs Bad stress

- Why dissociation is an adaptation

- How speech patterns can affect our anxiety levels

- How Heart Rate Variability (HRV) is connected to our mindset and well-being

- "Freezing" as an alternative to "Fight" & "Flight"

- The importance of creating a safe space for others

- The traits of a well-attuned therapist

- Why hypersensitivity (especially auditory) affects everything

- The dangers of labels without accounting for individual history

Whether you're a neuroscience enthusiast, seeking self-improvement tips, or just curious about the hidden powers within us, this episode is packed with intriguing insights and practical advice. Don't miss out on this deep dive into the wonders of the human body and mind.

TUNE IN to discover the SECRET to EMOTIONAL SAFETY!

Dr. Stephen Porges' book, Our Polyvagal World: How Safety and Trauma Change Us: https://a.co/d/iO7BMqh

Psychedelics, Making a Deal with God, the Unity of Music, Wilderness Therapy, Untying Identity from Physical Appearance....this episode has it all!

Dive deep into the soul-stirring journey of renowned musician Matisyahu, where music and mysticism collide in an unforgettable revelation.

We explore Matisyahu's self-diagnosed learning disabilities, his life as "the last hippie", and the spiritual awakening that led him from dropping out of high school to become a Dead Head and follow Phish on tour, to a stint in rehab and an empowering experience in a wilderness therapeutic program.

This is a RAW & REVEALING account of how psychedelic experiences, spirituality, and music have intertwined to shape his path from a troubled youth to a reggae music sensation!

Matisyahu also opens up about his move toward becoming very religious in his Jewish faith - including growing an extremely recognizable beard and studying at the yeshiva - the intersectionality between reggae and Judaism, the underground healer who saved his life, and the ebbs and flows of his relationship with religion....PLUS where he?s currently at with it now.

From pairing psychedelic drugs with spirituality and music at an early age - leading to a deep calling to dedicate his life to God and his music career - to the pressures of fame driving him to shave his iconic beard, this episode is a very personal examination of the ties between loneliness and spirituality.

Don't miss this powerful episode that challenges us to question: Does God feel pestered by humanity? 

Matisyahu?s new EP, Hold The Fire: https://open.spotify.com/album/4F9mJZpV1TLqBEQefHe2Bt

An adrenaline-fueled war reporter, self-medicated with cocaine. The panic attack on live TV that brought him to meditation.

This is a RAW & REVEALING look into how Dan Harris (10% Happier author & podcaster) struggled behind his polished on-screen persona.

What's a better way to celebrate MBB's 200TH EPISODE?!!!

Dan reveals how his reporting from the frontlines of Iraq led to self-medicating his depression with recreational drugs, and how meditation was the ultimate game-changer.

THIS IS A CALL TO ACTION FOR ANYONE WHO THINKS THEY CAN'T MEDITATE!

Learn the practical skills to happiness, how to detach from your narrative through metacognition, and create a buffer between stimulus and reaction.

Mayim shares her personal struggles with meditation and gets practical tips from Dan that could change your perception of meditation forever. Plus, dive into different forms of meditation that enhance concentration, gratitude, and how a lovingkindness meditation practice can reshape your day-to-day life.

Dan also explains how meditation caused him to shift his perception of himself and in relation to others, what our goals with meditation should be, and what his lovingkindness meditation practice looks like today.

Curious about MDMA's therapeutic potential for emotional awareness, adrenaline addiction, or what a coke-fueled panic looks like from the inside? This episode is your front-row seat to a MIND-BLOWING conversation that could very well be the nudge you need to start your own meditation journey.

TUNE IN to help us celebrate 200 episodes of MBB with Dan Harris! 

The 10th anniversary edition of  Dan Harris' book, 10% HAPPIER: https://www.harpercollins.com/products/10-happier-10th-anniversary-dan-harris?variant=41074377523234

Dan Harris' Podcast, TEN PERCENT HAPPIER: https://www.tenpercent.com/podcast

Dan Harris' TEN PERCENT HAPPIER App: https://app.tenpercent.com/link/download

Mayim guests on Dan Harris' Podcast, TEN PERCENT HAPPIER: https://www.tenpercent.com/tph/podcast-episode/mayim-bialik-600 

Rediscover the band that CHANGED MUSIC FOREVER.

RUN D.M.C. were the Beatles of Hip-Hop. Darryl "DMC" McDaniels was a comic book nerd who pretended his way into hip-hop stardom and changed the world forever.

We dive into Darryl?s journey from a shy Catholic school boy, being bullied to becoming an icon in the music industry. Darryl shares his struggles with the dark side of stardom, which lead to alcohol abuse and drinking a case of 40-oz bottles per day.

Darryl opens up about confronting the realities of adoption trauma after discovering he was adopted at the age of 35, the pressures that lead him to suicidal ideation, and his diagnoses of suppressed emotions & OCD.

He also REVEALS the origins of Run D.M.C.'s famous remake of Aerosmith's "Walk This Way," their signature fashion style ("Adidas with no laces!"), their close relationship with the Beastie Boys, his rock 'n' roll inspirations, what it was like to be the first rap group on MTV, and grief over losing Jam Master Jay to homicide.

PLUS Darryl discusses practicing meditation through his creativity, his exciting upcoming music with Travis Barker, what music he?s listening to these days and what he thinks of hip hop and rap today, and the surprising story of how Sarah McLachlan saved his life!

Whether you're a long-time Run D.M.C. fan or new to the hip hop scene, you'll discover something new and inspiring.

This episode will leave you feeling like a fly on the wall as you witness MUSIC HISTORY - TUNE IN to MBB! 

Peacock?s docuseries Kings From Queens: The Run DMC Story: https://www.peacocktv.com/stream-tv/kings-from-queens-the-run-dmc-story

Darryl "DMC" McDaniels' memoir, Ten Ways Not to Commit Suicide: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0062368788?ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_dp_VESZMBJ6FQ8Q4VVM656K

Darryl "DMC" McDaniels' Children's Book, Darryl's Dream: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/704151/darryls-dream-by-darryl-dmc-mcdaniels-shawnee-warfield-johnny-warfield-and-adam-padilla-illustrated-by-tristan-tait/

Darryl "DMC" McDaniels' foster care nonprofit, The Felix Organization: https://www.thefelixorganization.org/about1-c8e1

Darryl Makes Cookies: https://www.dmc-cookies.com/

Darryl Makes Comics: https://www.instagram.com/dmcmakescomics/

The Ultimate Guide to Living Longer and Happier ? with World Famous Longevity MD, Peter Attia!

Dr. Peter Attia?s MOST personal interview yet.

Best-selling author of Outlive & host of The Drive podcast Dr. Peter Attia reveals why the current medical model is failing us and how a focus on combating the erosion of healthspan could be the secret to a fuller, richer life.

We can PREVENT chronic diseases - Dr. Attia's insights will change the way you think about your health forever!

He helps us break down everything from the real reasons we should avoid certain foods and the impact of mental health on our physical well-being, to the role of spirituality as a healing component to terminal illness and trauma. We also cover:

- Why most people today are dying from chronic diseases

- Impediments our doctors are currently facing

- Certain foods to avoid

- How to best make use of the time we have to dedicate to our health each week

- The benefits of young people spending time with the elderly population

- How to prioritize and implement new health information in the ever-changing medical landscape

- What is parasuicide and how do we tackle it?

- How to detach your behaviors from your urges

Dr. Attia GETS PERSONAL in a way you've never seen him before. He opens up about:

- Being addicted to workaholism, perfectionism, anger, and even oxycontin

- The physiological ramifications he experienced from going cold turkey off of oxytocin

- His psychedelic experiences

- What numbing the pain looks like for him now

- Why the underlying emotion under his anger is helplessness

Are you ready to challenge everything you thought you knew about health and longevity?

TUNE IN to MBB for this life-altering perspective on making the most out of our time on this earth!

Dr. Peter Attia's book, Outlive: The Science and Art of Longevity: https://peterattiamd.com/outlive/ 

Dr. Peter Attia's Podcast, The Drive: https://peterattiamd.com/podcast/ 

Learn more about Early Medical: https://www.earlymedical.com/ 

Comedian Jeff Foxworthy Wants You to Know....Laughter Can Heal the Conflict!

Jeff Foxworthy (Blue Collar Comedy Tour, Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?) REVEALS the origins of his famous \"You might be a redneck if...\" jokes, the shame he felt from his parents being the first divorced couple he knew, and his decision to stay away from political and religious humor where the divide is already great.

He opens up about his reservations about being asked to guest on MBB, his tech beginnings working for IBM, and why it?s more difficult to be a clean comic than dirty.

Jeff highlights the importance of living a balanced life, realizing that everyone is dealing with their own personal struggles, and why we could all stand to laugh at ourselves a little bit more.

PLUS Jeff shows off his impressive illustrating skills that most of the world doesn?t know him for.

TUNE IN to MBB to hear the full hilarious, heartfelt conversation!

Check out Jeff Foxworthy's games including Relative Insanity, Relative Insanity 2, and See What I Mean! 

I Felt Pressure to Be Sexy: Boy Meets World Star on Growing & Sexploitation in Hollywood.

Danielle Fishel aka "Topanga Lawrence" REVEALS the real reason she nearly quit BOY MEETS WORLD!

She opens up in the MBB studio about facing body image issues and the pressures of objectification while she was underage, what it was like to have global pop star Lance Bass from NSYNC as her first serious boyfriend, and how chasing validation led her to perfectionism.

Danielle discusses why BOY MEETS WORLD holds such a nostalgic feeling for all of us (& did you know she didn?t originally get the role of "Topanga"?!?!), how fame affected her friendships in school, her divorce, and getting into therapy after her first marriage ended.

She also shares how her background in psychology led her to realize the importance of being established in who you are before you begin a healthy adult relationship.

TUNE IN to MBB today to hear the full convo!

Danielle Fishel's podcast, Pod Meets World: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/pod-meets-world/id1629908611

Killed by LIGHTNING, meeting GOD, the afterlife, psychic-visions, and becoming a medical medium - Elizebeth G. Krohn's journey back from the afterlife is a TRUE STORY too unbelievable to make up.

In this jaw-dropping new interview, Elizabeth G. Krohn (author, Changed in a Flash and Eyewitness to the Afterlife) details her near-death experience after being struck by lightning, her 2-week experience in heaven, and the newfound knowledge and abilities she returned with.

A prior spiritual skeptic, Elizabeth provides visceral descriptions of the sights and sounds of the afterlife and its nonlinear nature, and discusses making the difficult decision to leave her ?home? in heaven and return to the cloudiness and uncertainty of earth.

She explains why she thinks everyone?s experience of heaven is different, what changed about how she saw the world after her experience, how she revealed the unexplainable occurrence to her friends and family, and even how it changed the way she parented her children.

We learn about the pre-cognitive nightmares she experienced predicting natural and manmade disasters, the synesthesia and aura-reading abilities she acquired, why she is hesitant to utilize her psychic abilities with others, and how she handles responsibility of knowing what?s going to happen.

Jeffrey J. Kripal (Philosophy and Religious Thought at Rice University, co-author of Changed in a Flash) helps us make sense of near-death experiences as he considers the patterns he sees throughout people?s experiences and attempts to apply scientific models to explain them.

Elizabeth answers ALL of our burning questions - why did this near-death experience happened to her? Is reincarnation real? Do we pick our parents before we are born?

See how Elizabeth's near-death experience can empower us all!

Changed in a Flash, by Elizabeth G. Krohn & Jeffrey J. Kripal: https://a.co/d/26AiNNE

Elizabeth G. Krohn's latest book, Eyewitness to the Afterlife: My Two Weeks in Heaven: https://a.co/d/dkOgg7B

Find out more about Elizabeth G. Krohn: https://elizabethkrohn.com/

Find out more about Jeffrey J. Kripal: https://jeffreyjkripal.com/

Tom Papa (stand-up comedian, author of We?re All In This Together?..So Make Some Room) is in the MBB studio to chat about channeling his artist sensitivity into comedy and hilarious emotional processing with his wife before bed that leaves him unable to sleep! He opens up about what it?s like being known as ?the nice guy? in comedy, how to parent kids who struggle with something you?ve never struggled with, and why he?s never gone to therapy. Tom considers genetic makeup vs modeled affirmations in coping with life?s struggles, the empathy he feels for those struggling with genetic predispositions, and why it became easier to take care of himself after he had kids. He explains how psychedelics gave him new perspective but got in the way of his humor, the effect the ?cathartic experience? of comedy can have on loneliness, and how allowing yourself to feel emotions can remove fear associated with the situation. Mayim and Jonathan discuss how mantras can rewire your brain and how they?ve evolved personally and together in the 3rd year of the podcast!

See Tom Papa live on tour: TomPapa.com/tour

Tom Papa's latest book, We?re All In This Together.....So Make Some Room: https://a.co/d/2CKTxfz

Dr. David Spiegel (Stanford University School of Medicine, Center on Stress and Health and the Center for Integrative Medicine, Co-founder of Reveri self-hypnosis app) breaks down how hypnosis can ease your chronic pain, addictions, and help manage stress! He explains hypnotizability - who has it, who doesn?t, and can we increase it? - and clarifies whether or not the practice can actually be dangerous, PLUS he hypnotizes Jonathan who shares what it feels like in the body and mind! Dr. Spiegel reveals how stage hypnotism works and why it can be harmful, why dissociation is more valuable than we realize, and the benefits of seeing our stressors from another point of view through hypnosis. He also explains guilt as a trauma response, when he does and doesn?t turn to hypnosis as a healing modality, how we can surprise ourselves with our capacities for change, why social support is necessary to combat chronic illness, and the physiological description of acceptance. Dr. Spiegel demonstrates a breathwork session and explains why it works and Mayim considers the link between maternal stress and a child?s asthma.

For 2 weeks of Reveri for free, just tap this link from your mobile: https://reverihealth.app.link/mbb

Rob Thomas (lead singer of Matchbox 20) makes a rare podcast appearance to discuss how he went from stealing cars to being one of the most notable voices in alternative rock! He opens up about his tumultuous childhood growing up with an absent father and his mom?s Hodgkins diagnosis, the life lessons he learned from his liquor-bootlegging grandma, and his skepticism of genuine connections after dealing with ?transactional? relationships for so long. Rob shares fascinating insights into the deep meanings behind so many of Matchbox 20?s hits, from which of their most famous songs is actually about mental health to his feelings on their hit song ?Push?s? role in the new Barbie movie. He reveals the surprising origins of his famous collab with Carlos Santana and his love-hate relationship with ?Smooth? now, how songwriting can be a form of therapy for him, how each member of Matchbox 20 being in therapy affects their collaboration, and what he credits his longtime marriage to in the midst of a rock-and-roll lifestyle. Rob also reflects on the value of social media, why he almost stopped therapy after a bad experience, his complicated relationship with alcohol today, his couples therapy goals, his struggles with panic attacks and what he does to manage them.

Rob Thomas? charity, Sidewalk Angels Foundation: https://www.sidewalkangelsfoundation.org/about

Matchbox Twenty?s new album, Where the Light Goes: https://matchboxtwenty.com/releases/where-the-light-goes/

See Matchbox 20 on tour: https://matchboxtwenty.com/events/

Mayim and Jonathan are bringing you their favorite podcast moments of 2023! Join us as we revisit ADHD and the benefits of reparenting yourself with Jodie Sweetin, Corey Feldman?s thoughts on forgiveness and life after child stardom, Dr. Susan David?s advice for ?unsticking? from emotions, Melissa Rauch and Mayim?s favorite Big Bang Theory memories, and Marc Maron?s reflections on grief. We also reflect back on Dr. Neil Theise?s explanation for why we?re all more connected than we think, Ben Stiller tells us how he rekindled his marriage during the pandemic, Gabriel Iglesias gives us his take on aliens, Whitney Cummings roasts Jonathan?s beard?.plus so much more!

John Stamos (actor, producer, author of If You Would Have Told Me) breaks down all things Full House, from his extremely close relationship with the late, great Bob Saget, to his struggle to come to terms with his iconic role as ?Uncle Jesse.? He opens up about his very public D.U.I. incident and why he finally decided to seek help for his addictions, his issues with not feeling smart enough, his thoughts on his teen idol status, and how he moved through his resentment toward his ex-wife, Rebecca Romijn. John discusses how his parents kept him grounded and motivated, ways he has found his ego has stood in his way, beginning his therapy journey after his dad died, what he loves most about being a father, and his meditation practice. Mayim and John reflect on parenting styles and he details his musical career and performances with the Beach Boys. 

John Stamos' new memoir, If You Would Have Told Me: https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250890979/if-you-would-have-told-me

Identify your inner expectations, zodiac personalities, and narcissistic personalities with Mayim and Jonathan! They go in-depth about the neuroscientific implications of Jonathan?s chipped tooth before having some fun with a variety of quizzes from labeling your inner expectations to zodiac sign-associated personality scales. Plus we break down the different facets of narcissism and find out where Mayim and Jonathan each rank on the Narcissistic Personality Inventory (NPI) scale!

Play along with Mayim & Jonathan here! 

Frankie Muniz (actor, musician, and race car driver) breaks down the life lessons he?s learned from the psychology of racing, the origins of his concussions and memory loss, plus his mini-stroke misdiagnosis and what the problem actually was. He opens up about the status of a possible Malcolm in the Middle reboot, the anxiety he felt getting back into race car driving after a near catastrophic accident, his career as a professional musician, and why he thinks moving away from the entertainment industry saved his life. He reveals the reasons he doesn?t drink, his meditation practice and why he struggles with it, and why he wants to start therapy. Mayim resonates with Frankie?s explanation of his memory loss as it relates to being an actor and she breaks down aura migraines.

Learn more about Frankie Muniz' racing career: https://www.munizracing.com/

Ron Funches (stand-up comedian, New Girl, Loot) joins us in the studio to discuss his recent divorce, coparenting, body image stressors, raising an autistic son, and the spiritual component of jiu jitsu. He explains what it?s like to have kids a generation apart and the different parenting resources he has at his disposal now that he didn?t have the first time around. Ron opens up about what his son?s autism has taught him, his self-focus after being a ?serial monogamist? for so long, his mom?s career as a social worker, and the eye-opening advice he learned from Mayim years ago. Mayim opens up about the shame of divorce and Ron explains how vision boards work.

NOTE: This episode was recorded during the WGA strike. 

See Ron Funches Live: https://ronfunches.com/shows/

Ed Robertson (Barenaked Ladies) breaks down his songwriting process for The Big Bang Theory and our very own MBB podcast theme songs! He opens up about his musical influences, his struggles with insecurities and imposter syndrome, and the shocking, fascinating story of how he came up with the TBBT theme. Ed reflects on growing up with an alcoholic father and how he learned to navigate their relationship. He explains why his career as a pilot means so much to him and details his frightening plane crash and the intense personal struggles it brought up for him. Ed also discusses what it has been like to avoid substance use and stay committed to his marriage in the midst of a rock-and-roll landscape, plus Jonathan schools Mayim on Canadian cowboy culture!

Barenaked Ladies' New Album, In Flight: https://bnl.lnk.to/In_Flight

Whitney Cummings (comedian, actor, writer, producer, director) - and her unborn child! - stop by the studio to break down practical ways to reparent your inner child, how weed and microdosing mushrooms brought her to a manic episode, her addictions to love and fantasy, and channeling trauma into an asset. She opens up about her fears that she?s not worth listening to and her propensities for workaholism, perfectionism, codependency, and people-pleasing. Whitney reflects on competing with the substances her parents were addicted to, the nuances of birth order, the characteristics of parentified children, and the origins of her disordered eating. She shares her thoughts on self-sabotage, healthy anxiety as a gift of intuition, signs she knows she needs to be doing more self-care, how to schedule time to worry, the science behind manifesting, wolf therapy, and crying as a tool. Whitney delves into all things parenting, from the egg-freezing process and her journey through pregnancy to what scares her most about parenting, why it?s so difficult to watch parenting styles you don?t agree with, and her in-utero programming. She also discusses the origins of her humor, the responsible and reckless uses of comedy, plus we learn more about her new special, Mouthy!

Whitney Cummings' latest stand-up special, Mouthy: https://of.tv/creators/whitney-cummings-presents/

Mayim breaks down the concept of ?Indigo children? and the signs that you might be one! She discusses the origins of the ?Indigo Child? notion, why it matters, and criticisms of the theory - plus we find out whether or not Jonathan is an Indigo Child! Mayim and Jonathan explain the aura and chakra system theories, and the importance of intuitive individuals to communities. 

Play along with Mayim and Jonathan! Find out if you're an Indigo Child here: https://lonerwolf.com/indigo-child/

Dr. Daniel Amen (physician, psychiatrist, author, founder of Amen Clinics) shares proven ways to change your brain! He explains what psychiatry is getting right and wrong, his mental health approach from a psychiatric, holistic, and neuroscientific perspective, and the importance of getting to the root cause of any mental health condition. Dr. Amen reveals how mold exposure and traumatic brain injury can contribute to mental illness, how toxins in products and foods can make our bodies work against us, and why he considers happiness to be a moral obligation. He considers why many people are disillusioned by the psychiatric field, the nature of having celebrity clientele and how fame can physically damage the brain, and depression as a symptom and not a diagnosis. Dr. Amen discusses the science of supplements and which ones he recommends taking, why he includes spirituality in his prescriptions, his thoughts on trauma reprocessing in the psychedelic realm, and his preferred forms of therapy.

Find out more about BrainMD: https://brainmd.com/

Jack Osbourne (The Osbournes, Ghosts & Grit podcast) breaks down why he thinks people are fascinated by his family, how he got into the paranormal, his struggles with substance abuse, and his multiple sclerosis diagnosis. He opens up about the toll his family?s reality show took on him, why he thinks the show was successful, and gives us a glimpse into what his dad is actually like off-camera. Jack details his detox experience, how he?s been able to maintain sobriety, and shares advice for those experiencing suicidal ideation. He discusses his mom?s battle with cancer, his dad?s Parkinson?s diagnosis, and his own experiences with talk and couples therapy. He also reflects on using his sense of humor as a defense mechanism, his jiu jitsu practice as a form of meditation, his divorce and new happy marriage, and his focus on removing shame from his relationship with his daughters. 

Jack Osbourne's newest podcast, ?Ghosts and Grit": https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ghosts-and-grit-with-jack-osbourne/id1711453860

It?s another episode of Ask Mayim Anything! Mayim answers your questions about her tattoos and the meanings behind them, food service on sets, and she reveals the strangest place she?s ever slept. She breaks down alexithymia, agoraphobia and when to seek help for it, how dyslexic brains differ from neurotypical brains, and the science behind startle reflexes. Mayim tackles your parenting questions, from combating overstimulation as a parent and parent-child attachment styles, to coping with parents who don?t want to be grandparents to your kids and tips of parenting older adopted children. She also reflects on whether or not therapy can actually make you worse off and the purpose of revisiting trauma.

Jada Pinkett Smith (actor, producer, musician, host, author, advocate) joins us to break down her struggles with depression and CPTSD, the status of her marriage to Will Smith, ?The Slap?, her ayahuasca experience, and connecting with her higher power. She discusses what it was like growing up in a household with substance abuse struggles, having to sell drugs as a means to provide for herself, and how she met and became close with Tupac. Jada opens up about her panic attacks, suicidal ideations and subsequent attempts, and the taboo nature of therapy in her community. She reflects on her codependent nature, the intoxication of her courtship with Will, the break they took from their marriage, public pressure they?ve faced, the nature of their ?open relationship?, and why they never actually divorced. Mayim and Jada discuss the patriarchal components of women being held responsible for the actions of men and Mayim and Jonathan demonstrate somatic tracking. 

Jada Pinkett Smith's memoir, Worthy: https://a.co/d/c0SN2xi

Justine Bateman (writer, director, producer, author) joins us to address society?s fears about aging especially when it comes to females, how she unpacks her irrational fears in order to get to the root problem, and concerns about the implementation of artificial intelligence into film and television projects. She breaks down the nuances of wearing makeup, differences between society?s views toward aging between men and women, and her foolproof method for combating fears rooted in our physical insecurities. Mayim breaks down choice feminism and Justine shares what our fears of being an outlier may be rooted in and why she thinks mainstream audiences are one step away from accepting generative A.I. 

NOTE: This episode was recorded before the Israel-Hamas conflict. Our hope is that MBB can be a positive distraction from what's going on in the world.

Justine Bateman's book, Face: One Square Foot of Skin: https://a.co/d/g6TTg70

Bob Odenkirk (Breaking Bad, Better Call Saul, Mr. Show) opens up about his recent near-death heart attack and the perspective it gave him, how he channels his fear, anxiety, and anger into his comedy, and how imposter syndrome has fit into the arc of his career. He breaks down the shame instilled into him throughout his Catholic upbringing, what it was like to watch his friends find fame before he did, and navigating his work ethic while still being around for his kids. Bob discusses the significance of the Hollywood strikes and the origins of his new book of poems he made with his kids. Bob?s daughter Erin joins the Breakdown to describe the creative process of working with her dad.

NOTE: This episode was recorded before the Israel-Hamas conflict. Our hope is that MBB can be a positive distraction from what's going on in the world.

Bob Odenkirk's new book, Zilot & Other Important Rhymes: https://a.co/d/7fDttFa

Geri Halliwell-Horner (Ginger Spice herself!) discusses what drew her to the Spice Girls from the very beginning, her foray into literature and writing, and the life lessons she has learned from American culture. She shares her thoughts on what it has meant to be Ginger Spice, the connotations associated with being a redhead, and how her intuition guided her to stand up for Spice Girls? biggest hit, ?Wannabe.? Mayim serenades Geri with Yiddish songs and Geri explains how she incorporates songwriting into her books, why she resonates with Sylvester Stallone, how becoming a mom changed her persona and why self-worth can be our best defense.

Geri Halliwell-Horner's new book, Rosie Frost and the Falcon Queen:  https://a.co/d/0co48Sh

Manti Te?o (former NFL player) opens up about enduring his very public catfishing scandal, the spiritual and familial strength he drew on to overcome it, and how it brought him to a journey of self-discovery. He explains his connection to his Samoan heritage, the giving nature of his culture, and the expectations that were placed on him as the oldest child in a large Polynesian family. Manti discusses the double-edged sword of having a public persona, using football as a means to help his family, and the nature of faith when life isn?t turning out the way you want it to. He considers how the devastating fires in Hawaii have impacted the people and culture there, and how he thinks people can best support the population through it.

Ben Stiller joins us in the studio to discuss his parents? influence, his mental health journey as a child, how the pandemic brought him and his wife Christine Taylor back together again, his workaholic tendencies, and what?s next for his career. He and Mayim share the nightmares they had the night prior, Ben shares his favorite Yiddish words and Mayim teaches him a new one during an impromptu Yiddish Word of the Day segment! Ben opens up about what it?s been like to make a documentary about his parents, how his marriage echoes his parents? relationship, and his mother?s struggles with alcoholism. He recounts his feelings of separation anxiety as a child, the interesting forms of therapies his family tried, and his experience with transcendental meditation. Mayim details her digital detox and inspires Ben to consider giving it a try, and they discuss how creativity can add something incredible to or get in the way of a romantic relationship.

Vanessa Bayer (SNL, I Love That for You) joins us in the MBB studio to discuss using humor to cope with her cancer diagnosis as a teenager, her tenure as one of longest-running female cast members of Saturday Night Live, and her transcendental meditation practice. She opens up about her Make-A-Wish experience, landing SNL and the resiliency working on the show entails. Vanessa?s brother Jonah Bayer (writer, podcaster, musician) joins in virtually to discuss his current studies in a Clinical Mental Health Counseling program, what inspired him to enter into the mental health field, and why he?s interested in the mental health of creatives in particular. He opens up about his experience navigating Vanessa?s illness, his own battle with leukemia, and how he uses yoga to maintain his mental wellness. Vanessa and Jonah profess their deep love of Blossom, explain their working relationship as siblings, and consider the difficulties around getting started with any mental health treatment.

Vanessa & Jonah's Podcast, How Did We Get Weird?: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-did-we-get-weird-with-vanessa-bayer-and-jonah-bayer/id1586365658

Dr. Richard Davidson (Professor of Psychology and Psychiatry, Founder & Director of the Center for Healthy Minds) shows us what it truly means to be well in your emotional self by harnessing our trauma mechanisms into well-being! He breaks down the scientific data he?s gathered on long-term meditators (including monks!) to show the efficacy of meditation, the parts of the brain most affected by meditation, and what all of that means for how we self-regulate and cope with trauma. Dr. Davidson explains how meditation can help parenting, how our expectations and narratives influence our perception of the world, and what our "emotional fingerprints" are. He and Mayim discuss how his framework of awareness, connection, insight, and purpose lead us to understand the science of well-being, the notion that love and kindness are innate and hate is learned, and the importance of teaching forms of meditation to our kids.

Check out the Center for Healthy Minds:  https://centerhealthyminds.org/give/overview

For well-being tools, visit: https://hminnovations.org

Download the free Healthy Minds meditation app:  https://hminnovations.org/meditation-app

Matt Gutman (ABC News?s chief national correspondent, author of No Time to Panic) opens up about the panic attack he had while reporting on the Kobe Bryant helicopter crash, which led him to pursue every remedy under the sun to treat his panic disorder. He breaks down the difference between panic and anxiety attacks, their biological purpose, why they present so uniquely in each individual, and how they physically manifest for him. Matt explains the shame that comes with panic disorder, how his \"safety behaviors\" actually primed him for panic, and shares alarming statistics about panic disorders. He discusses the impact of losing his father at an early age, his family?s intergenerational trauma, his fears of imperfection and social rejection, and how his own trauma aids his journalistic career. Mayim opens up about her own personal experiences with panic attacks and she and Matt unpack all of the traditional and unconventional remedies he has explored, from traditional talk therapy to holotropic breathwork, reiki, and even toad venom. He discusses his immunity to ayahuasca, why crying needs a cultural rebrand, and how his recovery journey has made him a better father.

Matt Gutman's new book, No Time to Panic: How I Curbed My Anxiety And Conquered A Lifetime Of Panic Attacks: https://a.co/d/feAfPmW

Kim Kelly (independent journalist, author, organizer) breaks down why unions matter, what exactly is at stake with the current Hollywood strikes, and how her experience in sideshow school informed her passion for the labor movement. She discusses the diversity of the labor movement and how she navigates the emotional component, from child labor laws and fast fashion to the nail industry and instances of increased cancers in flight attendants. Kim opens up about being born with ectrodactyly, a rare congenital disorder, how that led her to join a sideshow school, and describes the fascinating history of sideshow and hierarchy of sideshow performers. She explains why prisoners deserve rights and how her career as a heavy metal journalist translates to the labor world, and Mayim explains radical veganism.

Kim Kelly's Book, Fight Like Hell: The Untold History of American Labor: https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Fight-Like-Hell/Kim-Kelly/9781982171056

Sharon Salzberg (meditation pioneer, NYT bestselling author) breaks down what successful meditation looks like, how to extend lovingkindness to ourselves in the social media age, and what it really means to have compassion for our enemies while standing firm in our fight for others. She opens up about how her traumatic childhood and studying philosophy brought her to her career path today, why her first reaction to meditation was anger, the truth she has personally found in meditation, and how she managed to not allow early meditation critics to stand in her way. Sharon explains ways to combine introspection with lovingkindness, how balance and presence can lead to self-compassion, and the positives and negatives of anger. She and Mayim discuss the differences between meditation and prayer, the commercialization of meditation vs the foundation of mindfulness, the importance of slowing down to enjoy moments of happiness, and why we are more connected than we realize. Sharon reveals the role love and relationships has played in her life and shares her own personal meditation practice.

Sharon Salzberg's latest book, Real Life: The Journey from Isolation to Openness and Freedom: https://www.sharonsalzberg.com/reallife/

Thank you to BetterHelp for sponsoring the show and to Haesue Jo, Licensed Therapist and Head of Clinical Operations at BetterHelp. #ad

Mayim and Jonathan sit down for another positive news stories recap! They cover a study suggesting our brains sync as we interact with one another, breaking down how mirror neurons wire us to fit in and the positive and negative impacts of emotionally connecting with others. They also share the findings of a brain scan study showing ayahuasca?s profound impact, including its effects on the imagination, how hallucinatory drugs dampen some senses while heightening others, and even the cultural connotations of ayahuasca use. Mayim and Jonathan discuss how belief in God can trigger the same parts of the brain as drug use and explain group thinking, ties between the civil rights movement and religion, and why connection to music can be spiritual.

Check out our first Positive News Recap: https://mayim.simplecast.com/episodes/create-yourself-anew-breaking-down-2022-with-mayim-and-jonathan

Gabriel Iglesias (stand-up comedian) returns to MBB, but this time he?s in the studio for a chill summer fun episode! He describes his super fun birthday party and Mayim and Jonathan give him birthday presents. He also opens up about the terrifying moment his plane skid off the runway earlier this summer after being forced to make an emergency landing. Gabriel describes what burnout feels like for him and how he copes with it, his addiction to social media, his recent lifestyle changes, and using the stage as his therapy. He shares his take on artificial intelligence and what it means for performers, why he believes aliens exist, and how performing at smaller venues allowed him to fall back in love with comedy. Mayim breaks down veganism for Gabriel and they compare their experiences on Celebrity Wheel of Fortune.

See Gabriel Iglesias on Tour: https://fluffyguy.com/tour/

David Richo PhD, MFT (psychotherapist, teacher, writer, and workshop leader) shows us how to become the best we can be at loving as he dispels the myths of what love actually is, explains how our relationships with our parents may unwittingly affect our romantic partnerships, and the key factors needed to build real trust. He discusses the changes he?s seen in relationships over the decades, the spiritual integrity component of successful relationships, and how the mindsets of ego can negatively impact any relationship. Dr. Richo demonstrates practical language used to strengthen a relationship after conflict and shares ways to identify candidates who are qualified to be in a healthy adult relationship. He reveals how his findings hold up when considering polyamorous connections, how fear manifests itself in relationships, why expressing appreciation should never be underestimated, and why we are more likely to be emotionally satisfied during the \"honeymoon stage.\" Dr. Rich also explains how to mirror healthy love for your children, the actual forms of nurturing kids crave from their parents, and practical ways to teach children independence.

Dr. David Richo?s book, How to Be an Adult in Relationships: https://www.shambhala.com/how-to-be-an-adult-in-relationships-9781611809541.html

Dr. David Richo's book, How to Be an Adult in Love: https://www.shambhala.com/how-to-be-an-adult-in-love-2943.html

Get 25% off his online course, "How to Be an Adult in Relationships", with code "MB25": https://how-to-be-an-adult-in-relationships.webflow.io/

Sadhguru (yogi, mystic, visionary, and New York Times bestselling author) shares his perspectives on mindfulness, why mental health is such a widespread issue today, where we should find joy, and holistic ways to take charge of our mental health.

Jinger Duggar Vuolo ( 19 Kids and Counting , author of Becoming Free Indeed ) opens up about the evolution of her views on Bill Gothard?s extreme religious teachings, how it feels to deal with her family?s struggles as someone in the public eye, and her anxiety as a result of trying to precisely follow religious principles. She discusses the positives of her upbringing, like her community of siblings, as well as the harmful dynamics she witnessed often at the expense of women. Jinger recalls the origins of her disordered eating and how her mom helped her through it, what forced her to finally challenge her beliefs, and her technical approach to disentangling her truth from the religious falsehoods she was taught to believe. Mayim breaks down religious obsessive compulsive disorder and shares her pop culture recommendations with Jinger. They discuss why Jinger still wants to be in the public eye, how she feels about her parents now, and the value of privacy after a life of being observed. Jinger considers how her relationship with a higher power and how her views on sex and a woman?s role in a relationship have shifted.

Jinger Duggar Vuolo's new book, Becoming Free Indeed: My Story of Disentangling Faith from Fear

Christy Carlson Romano (Disney actress, activist, entrepreneur, content creator) breaks down her career pivot from Disney icon to child star advocate, the mechanisms of dissociation, and her struggles with love addiction. She details the juxtaposition between her typecasted acting roles with her actual complicated family dynamics, feeling ?othered? from her siblings as she became the focal point for family, and the insecurities she carried after her Disney career. Christy explains why child actors are prone to addiction, her own sobriety journey, and the importance of supporting children?s mental health on sets. She shares her heartbreaking story of being assaulted while on her path to recovery, why she once cut her family off, and how she was conned by a ?psychic?. Christy opens up about imposter syndrome when it comes to therapy, why she?s not active in it anymore, and her experience with EMDR.

NOTE: This episode was recorded before the SAG-AFTRA strike.

Christy Carlson Romano's Podcast, Vulnerable: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/vulnerable-with-christy-carlson-romano/id1611988143

8 Tips for Parents and Teens on Social Media Use ? from the US Surgeon General: https://apnews.com/article/social-media-tips-children-surgeon-general-ad87529f4a6a762e3162f59db1f4709c

Melissa Joan Hart (Sabrina the Teenage Witch, Clarissa Explains It All, What Women Binge podcast) explains how she got her starts on her iconic television series, her Blossom audition, what it?s like to have your mom as your manager, and how her strong sense of responsibility helped her cope with the pressures of being a child actor. She and Mayim bond over starring in female character-driven shows around the same time and Melissa teaches Mayim about "Christmas Culture." Melissa opens up about her journey as a lifelong learner, her foray into directing, and the fascinating story about how her mom inadvertently became her manager.

NOTE: This episode was recorded before the SAG-AFTRA strike.

Melissa Joan Hart's podcast, What Women Binge: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/what-women-binge/id1598931852

Susan David, Ph.D. (award-winning Harvard Medical School psychologist) breaks down emotional agility, explaining how navigating our emotions can impact every area of our lives, why emotional labor can lead to burnout, the importance of not allowing emotions to guide us, and ways to prevent internalizing stereotypes about ourselves. She reveals the dangers of toxic positivity, how our negative emotions can disconnect us from our true selves, why the power of choice equates to growth and freedom, and the four most common ?hooks? that prevent us from taking action. Dr. David provides strategies to change up your routine in a positive way, ways to align with your core values, and how to have your own back through self-compassion. She also shares her own personal grief journey and battle with disordered eating that led her to her life?s work. 

Dr. Susan David's Book, Emotional Agility: https://www.susandavid.com/book

Melissa Rauch (The Big Bang Theory, Night Court, True Blood) joins us for a TBBT reunion! She and Mayim reminisce about the series, from their bond at joining the cast together at the same time and the origins of Melissa?s Bernadette voice to their favorite on-set memories. Melissa opens up about the awkwardness that ensued when she tried to confess her deep love of Blossom to Mayim and what it was like to come of age in their acting careers just as social media was taking off. She discusses her comedy influences, what she likes about writing for herself, and demonstrates her formerly thick New Jersey accent. Melissa also describes her tendencies to beat herself up internally and the positives and negatives about how celebrity is looked at in our society.

NOTE: This episode was recorded before the SAG-AFTRA strike.

We're revisiting another episode from the MBB vault! Wil Wheaton helps us break down the importance of setting boundaries, getting to the root of emotional pain instead of self-medicating, and the beauty of becoming the parent you never had.  He opens up about his tumultuous relationship with his parents, his lifelong battle with depression, anxiety, & addiction, and his breakdown at the airport that led him to seek help. We also hear how sobriety and therapy became his ?escape hatch? and his explanation for why ?naming the thing? can cause it to lose its power over you. Enjoy the best moments of Wil Wheaton, and tune in on Tuesday for a brand new full episode of MAYIM BIALIK?S BREAKDOWN.

Check out our full episode with Wil Wheaton: https://mayim.simplecast.com/episodes/wil-wheaton-on-trauma-depression-self-discovery

R.K. Russell (former professional NFL football player, author, advocate) breaks down what it was like to be the first active NFL player to come out of the closet, the complexity around bisexuality, and compartmentalization as a survival mechanism. He reflects on his football beginnings, his close relationship with his single mother, and his struggles with internalizing society?s flaws and feeling ?othered.? Russ opens up about his watershed moment when he first realized he was bisexual and his internal battle that ensued, juggling both his masculine and feminine tendencies, and how society?s incorrect views about sexuality impacted the conversation around his own within the football world. He explains why he strives to debunk myths around bisexuality, the intersectionality of being a queer person and a person of color, curation vs creation, and the importance of representation and inclusivity in sports. Russ reveals why he finally decided to make himself and his happiness a priority over football and his advice to those holding big secrets.

R.K. Russell's book, The Yards Between Us: https://books.disney.com/book/the-yards-between-us/

It?s another episode of Ask Mayim Anything! Mayim answers your questions about her ear piercings, the dangers of self-diagnosis, why we overshare with strangers, advice for sending your adult children into the world, and ways to navigate a relationship with a parent who won?t acknowledge their abuse. She breaks down Highly Sensitive People, Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria, and the ?Gifted? label. Mayim shares tips for combating feelings of worthlessness, managing a highly active brain, coping with change, calming test-taking nerves, and enhancing your focus. Stay tuned until the end for a mini Yiddish Word of the Day!

Choosing a Jewish Life by Anita Diamant: https://a.co/d/bgPbYgR

Joel McHale (Community, The Soup, Animal Control) joins us in studio to discuss his struggles with dyslexia, ADHD, and imposter syndrome. He shares his experiences working on The Soup and Community, opens up about what it was like to work with Chevy Chase, and his fears about never being taken seriously as an actor. Joel recalls how his challenges with dyslexia impacted him in school and his ability to perform, how he was able to channel his imposter syndrome into positive motivation, and how his kids handle his fame.

Joel McHale's Book, Thanks for the Money: http://joelmchale.com/thanks-for-the-money/

Dr. Neil Theise (professor of pathology at the NYU Grossman School of Medicine) joins us to discuss how his adult stem cell and interstitium research led him to his "theory of everything", how complexity actually helps simplify our understanding of the universe, the illusion that humans are separate individual beings, and the scientific explanation of mysticism. He explains why philosophy, religion, and quantum mechanics fall short without incorporating intuition and human experience, how low-level randomness allows for adaptation, and why we can?t live forever no matter what we do. Dr. Theise opens up about his mother?s metaphysical experience with talking to dead people, his depression that stemmed from coming to terms with his sexuality, the impact of being a child of Holocaust survivors, and where his personal faith comes into play within his scientific work. He also breaks down healers and shamanism, chaos and information theories, the real definition of compassion, and the function and importance of microbiomes.

Dr. Neil Theise' Book, NOTES ON COMPLEXITY: https://a.co/d/aByhTg5

Eric Hutchinson (singer/songwriter), one of Mayim?s favorite musicians, stops by for an impromptu jam session with Mayim! He discusses harnessing depression to influence his musical creativity, the effects of his father?s muscular dystrophy on his family, and what he admires about the younger generations? attitude toward mental health. Mayim opens up about what Eric?s music has meant to her and they reflect on their struggles in high school. They also consider how the eldest sibling can set the tone of the household, how much of our difficult emotions we should share with our children, and Mayim?s process of "boring herself to sleep." Eric talks about his musical influences, the origins of his own musicality, the rollercoaster turn of events after being signed to Madonna?s record label, and who his songs are actually about. He explains why he chooses to lean into his depression in order to connect with his fans, his focus on staying present, and his emotional outlets apart from music. Mayim and Eric wrap the episode with a spontaneous jam session where they perform one of Eric?s songs together!

Eric Hutchinson's "Sounds Like This" 15th Anniversary Tour: https://www.erichutchinson.com/#tour

Drs. Alona Pulde & Matthew Lederman (WeHeal Co-Founders) break down practical ways to combine eastern & western medicine, lifestyle medicine, and nonviolent communication into a holistic approach to improve mental and overall wellness. They take us through their personal evolution toward incorporating self-care, play, and connection into wellness regimens, the importance of checking in with yourself, and what?s not working in the conventional model of primary care. Matthew and Alona explain how to cultivate nonviolent communication to live authentically and benefit your physical health. They also discuss the importance of providing kids with the vocabulary to express their needs and ways to balance your needs with your child?s.

Drs. Alona Pulde & Matthew Lederman's new book, Wellness to Wonderful:  https://weheal.health/wellness-to-wonderful/