Mayim Bialik's Breakdown

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/ BialikBreakdown.com YouTube.com/mayimbialik Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 BialikBreakdown.com YouTube.com/mayimbialik Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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/ BialikBreakdown.com YouTube.com/mayimbialik Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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/ BialikBreakdown.com YouTube.com/mayimbialik Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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/ BialikBreakdown.com YouTube.com/mayimbialik Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 BialikBreakdown.com YouTube.com/mayimbialik Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. BialikBreakdown.com YouTube.com/mayimbialik Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 BialikBreakdown.com YouTube.com/mayimbialik Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 BialikBreakdown.com YouTube.com/mayimbialik Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 BialikBreakdown.com YouTube.com/mayimbialik Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 BialikBreakdown.com YouTube.com/mayimbialik Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. BialikBreakdown.com YouTube.com/mayimbialik Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. BialikBreakdown.com YouTube.com/mayimbialik Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 BialikBreakdown.com YouTube.com/mayimbialik Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 BialikBreakdown.com YouTube.com/mayimbialik Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 BialikBreakdown.com YouTube.com/mayimbialik Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 BialikBreakdown.com YouTube.com/mayimbialik Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 BialikBreakdown.com YouTube.com/mayimbialik Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 BialikBreakdown.com YouTube.com/mayimbialik Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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/ BialikBreakdown.com YouTube.com/mayimbialik Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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/ BialikBreakdown.com YouTube.com/mayimbialik Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. BialikBreakdown.com YouTube.com/mayimbialik Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 BialikBreakdown.com YouTube.com/mayimbialik Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 BialikBreakdown.com YouTube.com/mayimbialik Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 BialikBreakdown.com YouTube.com/mayimbialik Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 BialikBreakdown.com YouTube.com/mayimbialik Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. BialikBreakdown.com YouTube.com/mayimbialik Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 BialikBreakdown.com YouTube.com/mayimbialik Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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/ BialikBreakdown.com YouTube.com/mayimbialik Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 BialikBreakdown.com YouTube.com/mayimbialik Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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/ BialikBreakdown.com YouTube.com/mayimbialik Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 BialikBreakdown.com YouTube.com/mayimbialik Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 BialikBreakdown.com YouTube.com/mayimbialik Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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/ BialikBreakdown.com YouTube.com/mayimbialik Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jenna von Oy (“Six” from Blossom!) reunites with Mayim to discuss coming of age on television, their mixed feelings about 90’s nostalgia, and the evolution of Jenna’s sexuality. They reminisce about all things Blossom - the origins of its “hat culture”, their on-set inside jokes & pranks, the groundbreaking nature of the show, why the odds were stacked against them, and their excitement about a potential Blossom reboot. Jenna explains how she cultivated emotional agility to handle rejection as a child actor, her people-pleasing tendencies that developed from portraying “girl next door” qualities, and how her role in her family changed after she found success acting, including the hard financial lessons she had to learn. She also opens up about the acceptance she found after beginning a relationship with a woman. Check out Jenna von Oy's work with The Cassandra Project: https://www.thecassandraproject.net/ BialikBreakdown.com YouTube.com/mayimbialik Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We're revisiting another episode from the MBB vault! Glennon Doyle helps us break down the emotional toll it takes to share authentically, the evolution of love in her life, how to improve communication when both parts of a couple are in recovery, and the shame that comes from simply existing as a human. She also discusses the benefits of being an introvert and how she learned to reframe her anxiety. Enjoy the best moments of Glennon Doyle, and tune in on Tuesday for a brand new full episode of MAYIM BIALIK’S BREAKDOWN. Check out our full episode with Glennon Doyle: https://mayim.simplecast.com/episodes/personal-truth-transformation-and-managing-anxiety-with-glennon-doyle BialikBreakdown.com YouTube.com/mayimbialik Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Atsuko Okatsuka (stand-up comedian) joins us in studio to discuss her “Scooby-Doo” brand of comedy, her parents meeting on a Japanese dating show, and how her mom’s schizophrenia impacted her childhood. She opens up about why it’s difficult for her to identify her own needs, how navigating the uncertainty of her childhood led her to disordered eating, and rebelling against her family with her first romantic relationship. Atsuko also explains first bonding with her husband over his own mother’s schizophrenia diagnosis and their recent, hilarious discovery that they were not actually legally married. She considers her blind optimism and love of people as a result of her upbringing, Margaret Cho’s influence on her comedy and career, the origins of her distinctive hairstyle, and living at the complicated intersection of different Asian cultures. Thank you to BetterHelp for sponsoring the show and to Haesue Jo, Licensed Therapist and Head of Clinical Operations at BetterHelp. #ad BialikBreakdown.com YouTube.com/mayimbialik Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We're recapping the best moments from Mayim's appearance on Rabbi David Kasher's Best Book Ever podcast! Mayim and Rabbi Kasher discuss how and why the human brain is wired for belief, how we can function in a world gone mad, and how mystical and spiritual structure help us navigate life. You know, light stuff! They also consider the scientific, physiological basis for emotions and spiritual experiences, why there is room for both science and spirituality to exist, what biological functions allegiance to a higher power serves, why love equates to safety, and the science of prayer. Check out the full episode here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/best-book-ever/id1588788530?i=1000610954397 BialikBreakdown.com YouTube.com/mayimbialik Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jesse Tyler Ferguson (Modern Family, Dinner’s On Me Podcast) discusses why Modern Family was a pop culture touchstone, being bullied as a child and typecast as an adult, and the importance of having well-rounded gay characters. Jesse reveals he used to have a crush on Mayim as a kid, he and Mayim discuss being on competing shows at the same time, and their shared friendship with Jim Parsons. He opens up about why he resonated with Modern Family’s premise and cast, the show’s fears about showing displays of affection between its gay characters, and meeting his husband at the start of the series. He reflects on getting arrested for shoplifting porn as a child, his awareness of his sexuality at a young age, why community theater and debate club were a positive outlet for him, and why winning a Tony award had a deep impact on him. Jesse Tyler Ferguson's Podcast, Dinner's on Me: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dinners-on-me-with-jesse-tyler-ferguson/id1683905652 BialikBreakdown.com YouTube.com/mayimbialik Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

David Lascher (Blossom, Hey Dude) & Christine Taylor (Zoolander, Hey Dude) discuss David’s experience playing Mayim’s boyfriend on Blossom, how the pandemic brought Christine and husband Ben Stiller back together, and they help us break down the deeper psychological layers of nostalgia. They reflect on the cult following of their show Hey Dude on the early days of Nickelodeon, Christine’s comedy trajectory and her legendary role as Marcia Brady in the Brady Bunch movies, and what David thinks landed him the Blossom role. Mayim, Christine, and David explain why people are so nostalgic for the 90’s and why content from that era resonates with so many today, why the pandemic forced us to reexamine our interpersonal relationships, and why their kids are better prepared for the world than they were. David Lascher & Christine Taylor's podcast, Hey Dude... The 90's Called: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ben-stiller-thats-it-thats-the-title-because-its-ben-stiller/id1658407772?i=1000597172616 BialikBreakdown.com YouTube.com/mayimbialik Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Revisiting one of our most popular episodes from the early days of the podcast - an oldie but a goodie with Kunal Nayyar! Kunal and Mayim had a little Big Bang Theory reunion. Kunal shares the dangers of overidentifying with anxiety, including his own experiences with debilitating panic attacks while driving on the highway and eventually riding in elevators, and how that led him to therapy and a modern day path of self-discovery. He also explains the importance of spirituality as it ties to mindfulness, encourages us to rethink the power we give our minds, and gives us practical ways to turn inward and stay present. Enjoy the best moments of Kunal Nayyar, and tune in on Tuesday for a brand new full episode of MAYIM BIALIK’S BREAKDOWN. Check out our full episode with Kunal Nayyar: https://mayim.simplecast.com/episodes/staying-present-knowing-yourself-with-kunal-nayyar BialikBreakdown.com YouTube.com/mayimbialik Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dr. Theresa Larson (movement health & inclusive wellness expert, Movement RX founder) joins us to discuss her work with adaptive athletes, what it was like to join the U.S. military after 9/11 and as a woman, and what you need to take full ownership over your pain. Mayim discusses first learning breathwork through Dr. T and they break down movement healing, downregulating the nervous system to improve mental wellness, why social support is so crucial to recovering from physical and emotional wounds, and practical ways to improve your daily ergonomics. Dr. T recalls growing up in a physically competitive household, her shift in self-esteem after her mom passed at an early age, and her job searching for land mines in Iraq. She explains her struggle to advocate for herself when her disordered eating impacted her military service, why disordered eating can feel extremely lonely, its prevalence amongst military personnel, how she was finally able to ask for help, and how her recovery led her to living with more intention & becoming less of a people-pleaser. Dr. T's Movement Rx Programs: https://instagram.com/mrxleaders?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== BialikBreakdown.com YouTube.com/mayimbialik Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A collection of the best moments from our conversation with writer, director, actor, and singer Jennette McCurdy! Join us as we revisit all of Jennette's empowering nuggets of wisdom, from disordered eating and her enmeshed relationship with her mother to the profound revelations she experienced following her mother’s death. Jennette also helps us break down harmful coping mechanisms, the pressures and anxieties she faced as a child actress and the source of financial support for her family, why we tolerate emotional discomfort for so long, and the power struggles surrounding love. Enjoy the best moments of Jennette McCurdy, and tune in on Tuesday for a brand new full episode of MAYIM BIALIK’S BREAKDOWN. Check out our full episode with Jennette McCurdy: https://mayim.simplecast.com/episodes/jennette-mccurdy-enmeshment-individuating-coping-mechanisms BialikBreakdown.com YouTube.com/mayimbialik Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rosie O’Donnell (The Rosie O’Donnell Show, A League of Their Own, Onward podcast) discusses the ripple effects of her mom passing when Rosie was a child, the emergence of the first LGBTQ movement, and the emotional highs and lows of becoming an activist for gay parents. She explains how she got into stand-up comedy as a teenager, the prevalence of alcoholism and abuse on her father's side of the family, and how losing mother made her strive to please the adults in her life and putting on a tough persona as a cry for love. Rosie opens up about the differences between her coming out process and what it’s like to come out now, her intense quest for spirituality, and navigating her youngest daughter’s autism diagnosis & what her daughter has taught her about inclusivity. She describes the odd circumstances of her heart attack and how symptoms differ between men and women, what it was like to address her ex-wife’s suicide as a public person, and how alcoholism varies from drug addiction. Mayim and Rosie break down adoption trauma, nature vs nurture in adoption, why women’s rights affect everything, and Rosie’s opinion on The View after all these years. Rosie O'Donnell's new podcast, Onward: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/onward-with-rosie-odonnell/id1677010022 BialikBreakdown.com YouTube.com/mayimbialik Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Are you ignoring your true desires, and is your body paying the price? Mayim and Jonathan break down how stress can cause frequent infections, what our bodies are trying to tell us with physical pain & muscle aches, and the potential sinister origins of having low energy. They explain the importance of feeling excited in day-to-day life, how not living the life you want can lead to depression and anxiety, and the underlying psychological conditions that can lead to disordered eating. They also discuss the science behind the effects of sugar, why troubled work and personal relationships may indicate dissatisfaction with one’s quality of life, and the negative effects of not presenting your authentic self to the world. Psychology Today article, "8 Subtle Clues You Are Ignoring Your True Desires": https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/heal-the-mind-heal-the-body/202211/8-subtle-clues-you-are-ignoring-your-true-desires BialikBreakdown.com YouTube.com/mayimbialik Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kyla Pratt (The Proud Family, One on One) & Julian Gant (As They Made Us, Oddballs) join us in the studio to discuss working with Mayim on Call Me Kat, their shared grief journeys after losing their friend and co-star Leslie Jordan, and not conforming to society & the entertainment industry. Julian opens up about losing jobs in Hollywood because of his refusal to cut his hair and his alarming racially motivated police interactions. He compares his skills as a professional fighter with performing, shares the piece of acting advice Dustin Hoffman gave him, and strategies he uses to cope with anxiety tied to his dyslexia. Kyla reveals her struggles as an empath and picking up other people’s negative energies, her grounding techniques, and how her food sensitivities affect her mental and physical health. She gives us a show-and-tell about her crystals, explains the practice of learning when to ask for help, and ways she stays in tune with her body. Mayim, Kyla, and Julian consider how their real personas inform their Call Me Kat characters, the importance of sharing different opinions, and dealing with rejections during auditions. Catch Call Me Kat Thursdays at 9:30 PM (8:30c) on Fox! BialikBreakdown.com YouTube.com/mayimbialik Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Carla Naumburg, PhD, LICSW (clinical social worker & bestselling author) helps us break down "sh*tty parent syndrome", the evolution in parenting methods from generation to generation, and practical ways to practice self-care. Mayim and Carla discuss the unusual origin story of their friendship after Carla wrote an article criticizing Mayim’s parenting techniques. They explain the importance of honesty when sharing parenting struggles and not comparing yourself to other parents, how meditation impacts their parenting skills, and the dark side of "mommy blogging." Carla shares why she doesn’t believe there are bad parents, what self-compassion in parenting really means, and her tips for parenting with anxiety and mindfulness-based stress reduction. BialikBreakdown.com YouTube.com/mayimbialik Check out Carla Naumburg's latest book, You Are Not A Sh*tty Parent: https://www.carlanaumburg.com/books/youre-not-a-shtty-parent/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Dangers of Being Too Nice: Dr. Gabor Maté (renowned speaker and bestselling author) on another Thursday Bite-Sized Breakdown. Revisit the powerful nuggets of wisdom from our episode with Dr. Gabor that could literally change how you understand health and well-being. Many people have said this is their favorite episode of MBB! Dr. Maté explains who's most prone to chronic illness and practical ways our childhood trauma is impacting us now and might lead to disease. Dr. Gabor breaks down how attachment, autoimmune disease, loneliness, and emotional regulation are all connected. Enjoy the best moments of Dr. Gabor Maté, and tune in on Tuesday for a brand new full episode of MAYIM BIALIK’S BREAKDOWN. Check out our full episode with Dr. Gabor Maté: https://mayim.simplecast.com/episodes/dr-gabor-mate-your-biggest-resource-is-internal BialikBreakdown.com YouTube.com/mayimbialik Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Danny Trejo (actor, Machete, Breaking Bad, Boba Fett & author) joins us in-studio to discuss how the culture he was raised in contributed to his early drug and alcohol use, the evolution of his relationship with a higher power from one of fear to one of love, and his transition from convict to actor/author/restaurateur. He opens up about being conditioned as a child to use rage and violence to survive, what early sobriety taught him, and why he feels like he can reach troubled youth better than other adults. Danny explains what it was like to be incarcerated for the first time, his role as an "Inmate Social Catalyst" in prison, and why his parole board actually suggested he murder someone. Mayim and Danny consider the weaknesses of our prison system and the inhumanity of solitary confinement after Danny shares his heartbreaking experience being locked up "in the hole." Danny reveals how his drug counseling skills led him to land acting roles, his experiences training movie stars in the art of prison boxing, his love of good food and the fascinating story of how he got into the restaurant business. He also considers the negative effects of toxic masculinity, his complex relationships with women, why his children are his vulnerable spot, his favorites of his iconic acting roles, and his status as a Los Angeles icon. Danny Trejo's new cookbook, Trejo's Cantina: https://a.co/d/2vwr7qM BialikBreakdown.com YouTube.com/mayimbialik Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to our very first Thursday Bite-Sized Breakdown with Jewel (multi-platinum recording artist & mental health advocate)! We wanted to make it easy to revisit the enlightening moments and inspiring words of wisdom from our episode with Jewel. From her lifelong spiritual relationship with nature to practical ways to get in touch with our inner observer, Jewel captivated us with powerful advice to anyone struggling with mental health. Enjoy the best moments of Jewel, and tune in on Tuesday for a brand new full episode of MAYIM BIALIK’S BREAKDOWN. Check out our full episode with Jewel: https://mayim.simplecast.com/episodes/jewel-turn-your-life-around-one-thought-at-a-time BialikBreakdown.com YouTube.com/mayimbialik Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices