Comedian Paul Gilmartin is the host of the long running podcast The Mental Illness Happy Hour, where he interviews all kinds of people–from celebrities to friends from his own support groups–about issues related to mental health, addiction, and personal struggles of all varieties. Meghan (despite being 100 percent sane) was a guest on The Mental Illness Happy Hour back in 2011 and she and Paul catch up on what's transpired since then and how the podcast has evolved. Paul talks about what he's learned about mental health over the years, how he approaches his interviews, and how his own life circumstances have played a big part in his podcast. Famously upfront about his past and present struggles, Paul talks about his mother's sexual inappropriateness, his challenges with intimacy, and what it was like to be single again in his 50s after a divorce. He and Meghan also discuss the mental health effects of the pandemic and Paul (who supports masking) shares his theory that some young people will have internalized mask trauma that will develop into a sexual kink later in life. You heard it here first!

 

If that's not personal enough, Paul sticks around for 30 minutes of bonus content and reflects on turning 60, staying afloat in the new creative economy, being in a new relationship after divorce, and getting better at intimacy while still enjoying his solitude, and how he felt at 11-years-old when a doctor told him he would never have children. (You read that right.) He asks Meghan some questions, too! To listen to this portion, support the podcast at meghandaum.substack.com and listen to premium episodes there. 

 

Guest Bio:

Paul Gilmartin launched the Mental Illness Happy Hour podcast in 2011. Before that, he hosted TBS' Dinner and a Movie for 16 years. As a standup he has appeared on Comedy Central Presents: Paul Gilmartin and number other shows. He is a frequent guest on the Jimmy Dore Show, performing political satire as right-wing Congressman Richard Martin.

 

Find him at:

@mentalpod

@dumbpile