Jennette McCurdy: Enmeshment, Individuating, & Coping Mechanisms

Moshe Kasher: Nature vs. Nurture, Growing Up CODA & Rebuilding Trust: Moshe Kasher, stand-up comedian and author of Mayim’s favorite memoir ‘Kasher in the Rye,’ talks about his experience through childhood growing up with deaf parents and the mixed emotions of independence, embarrassment, and rage that came with it. Mayim and Moshe explore the idea of the chicken and the egg when it came to his therapy early in life; whether he was exposed to therapy because of exhibited behaviors or whether that exposure fed into those behaviors. We close the episode by coming full circle with a callback to Rick Doblin’s MAPS and the idea that the only way to truly heal from trauma is to go back through it. by Mayim Bialik's Breakdown

96 min listen

Bill Prady: Origins of Sheldon, Neurodiversity & Sensory Overload: Bill Prady, co-creator of "The Big Bang Theory," discusses how he came up with the idea to make a show about socially challenged scientists. What many may not know is that Prady himself is on the autism spectrum. Mayim explains "neuro-a typical' and sensory overload, Bill opens up about his quirks and challenges and shares intimately about his journey from awkward child and teen to well-adjusted, if eccentric, adult. by Mayim Bialik's Breakdown

68 min listen

Ricki Lake and Abby Epstein: The Truth About the Pill: Mayim breaks down how the neurochemical basis of women's hormones and the impacts of the menstrual cycle on their bodies and minds. Mayim also covers how our understanding of women's health has changed over time, including a brief overview of what Freud got wrong. Activists Ricki Lake and Abby Epstein discuss their most recent project tackling the misperceptions about women's mental health related to increasing rates of overprescription of the birth control pill. And Mayim shares about her experience on the pill and the differential access to reproductive health in under-serviced communities and what we can do about it. by Mayim Bialik's Breakdown

88 min listen

Grace Helbig: Comedy from Home Beats Anxiety: Mayim & Grace Helbig break down anxiety - why we have it and how it impacts many of us. Grace takes us on a journey through her childhood as a young comedian and why she chose to become a "comedian from home." Grace also shares hilarious anecdotes about how she has managed her anxiety, her dating life, difficult conversations, and a flourishing career. Grace reveals her inspiration for pursuing a graduate degree in Depth psychology and puts on her doctor hat to offer Mayim and Jonathan some needed advice. by Mayim Bialik's Breakdown

100 min listen

Introducing Mayim Bialik's Breakdown: Armed with a Phd in Neuroscience and plenty of personal experience, Mayim Bialik connects with special guests and breaks down the things that make us break down. Episodes include insightful interviews, personal stories, practical advice, and signs to watch out for. See www.bialikbreakdown.com to 'Ask Mayim Anything' and have a chance to get your question answered on air. by Mayim Bialik's Breakdown

3 min listen

Sal Khan: Emotional Stress, Standardized Tests, & A New Approach to Education: Salman “Sal” Khan, acclaimed educator and philanthropist describes his journey through the educational system and his plans to change it for the better. Originally an analyst at a hedge fund, Sal decided to leave his cushioned career in order to focus on his true passion, education. This is when https://www.khanacademy.org/ was born. Mayim and Sal discuss his vision of a world where everyone has the opportunity to receive individualized, compassionate education without the fear, stress, and anxiety of standardized tests and ranking systems. Mayim shares about her own experiences in the education system as a student and as a teacher to her children. Sal and Mayim discuss the “natural curiosity” of all human beings and comment on how the traditional education system has failed many students in many ways. by Mayim Bialik's Breakdown

77 min listen

Sam Harris: Transcend the Illusion of Self: Mayim explains the benefits and historical role of meditation with her former colleague and UCLA PHD graduate buddy Sam Harris. Sam talks about his journey discovering mindfulness through an altered state as a teenager which led him to a life dedicated to encouraging others to get in touch with their base desires through a meditative practice. How do you unlink your thoughts and uncover patterns of emotion, behavior, and beliefs that no longer serve you? How do you transcend the constructed notion of who you are to access your soul? Mayim and Jonathan get put into a meditative trance by the silky timber of Sam's voice as he tackles misperceptions about meditation and explains how to access different realms of consciousness and connect to your true self. by Mayim Bialik's Breakdown

93 min listen

Iliza Shlesinger: Hurts to Be Awesome: Mayim breaks down how our overall stress can have real physical impacts and Iliza Shlesinger discusses being a female stand up comedian among men in her profession, how we as a society struggle to communicate, and how her hectic work life caught up with her in the form of debilitating nerve pain. This plus lots of jokes on Ep 3 of the show! by Mayim Bialik's Breakdown

87 min listen

Kunal Nayyar: Stay Present & Know Yourself: Mayim's reunion with Big Bang Theory co-star explores Kunal's childhood and path to becoming an actor - including getting punched in the face by Mark Harmon on NCIS. While Kunal is known for his acting, his instagram account Buddha in Jeans shares deep spiritual wisdom which Kunal brings with him to this episode. He discusses the importance of seeing past perception and shares how his experiences of anxiety and debilitating panic attacks led him to hypnotherapy and a modern day path of self-discovery. by Mayim Bialik's Breakdown

71 min listen

Lamorne Morris: Breaking Barriers, Life Coaching & Different Shades of Black: Lamorne Morris (New Girl, Call Me Kat, Woke, Sandy Wexler, Barbershop 3, Game Night, BET personality) details how growing up in the southside of Chicago shaped his approach to navigating through equality roadblocks and the invisible entertainment gatekeeper. He and Mayim discuss how learning the history of one’s culture provides empowerment and why the media’s portrayal of marginalized communities matters. Lamorne breaks down how last year’s civil rights protests impacted his mental health, the benefits of life coaching, how he found motivation to succeed in Hollywood through defiance, his experiences playing "Winston Bishop" on New Girl and working with Mayim on the set of Call Me Kat. by Mayim Bialik's Breakdown

85 min listen

John Ross Bowie: Angry Young Man Finds Sobriety: Mayim Breaks down the chemical and environmental aspects of addiction and The Big Bang Theory actor John Ross Bowie shares his story of being an angry young man who turned to alcohol to numb his pain. This touching exploration of John's journey allows him to share aspects of his sobriety and his struggles as a father and actor which he had not previously explored. by Mayim Bialik's Breakdown

76 min listen

Leslie Jordan: Gay, Sober & Fabulous: Mayim explores the neurobiology and neuroanatomical differences between gay and straight men while the beloved comedian Leslie Jordan shares his personal struggles with crystal meth and alcoholism. He discusses growing up gay in the south at a time when no one talked about gay rights and he reflects on starting his first serious relationship in his 50s and how sobriety has allowed him access to aspects of his mental health and love life he had never experienced. by Mayim Bialik's Breakdown

60 min listen

Cheyenne Jackson: Depression, Identity & Broadway: Cheyenne Jackson's journey began as a closeted musical-loving kid in a tiny town in Idaho. He has gone on to star in 7 broadway shows and a myriad of film and TV projects. He's currently co-starring as Mayim's love interest in their new Fox show Call Me Kat. In this episode, Cheyenne opens up and shares touching stories on how sobriety helped him define his path as he navigated depression, anxiety, and addiction. by Mayim Bialik's Breakdown

92 min listen

Glennon Doyle: Manage Anxiety, Personal Truth & Transformation: Mayim gets starstruck and emotional talking with NYT best selling author, Oprah Book club alum, and featured Goop friend Glennon Doyle. Mayim and Glennon bond about the challenges of being publically vulnerable and the emotional toll it takes to share authentically. We discuss blended families, making relationships work, and how to improve communication when both parts of a couple are in recovery. The ep touches on personal transformation, finding one's personal truth, and how Glennon and Mayim's relationship with anxiety has changed over time. Do not miss this emotional, heartfelt, and very personal episode. by Mayim Bialik's Breakdown

83 min listen

Bevisode with Mayim’s Mom! Anxiety, Sexuality & Mind-Body Connection: Oh boy, let’s see how this goes. Introducing the first of many to come, the Bevisode… where Mayim and her mother sit down to analyze previous episodes and how the topics within them relate to their shared and individual experience in life. This week Bev dissects a few core topics from some of our earliest releases. Namely, anxiety as it relates to Grace Helbig’s episode, honesty about depression shared by Leslie Jordan, the idea of holding and the mind body connection explored by Iliza Shlesinger, plus Bev's deep connection to the testimony shared by Cheyenne Jackson during his appearance. by Mayim Bialik's Breakdown

45 min listen

Rick Doblin: Overcome Trauma: Mayim explains the neurobiology of trauma and reveals her own experience working to overcome a traumatic event. Rick details the ground-breaking research his lab is doing using MDMA to treat PTSD. Rick and Mayim discuss everything from the ancient cultural origins of psychedelics and explore the "unified mystical experience of oneness" that is often brought on through the use of this medicine. Rick explains how MDMA can help free people who are stuck in a fight-or-flight response by calming their overactive amygdala while reconnecting them to disconnected memories. Jonathan volunteers Mayim for Rick's next study to get help with her on-going nightmares and Rick shares in real time the results of his most recent research which promises to change the laws and future of how we treat PTSD. by Mayim Bialik's Breakdown

105 min listen

Jaleel White: Did I do That? A Case Study of a Young Star: Mayim opens up about her days on Blossom, how she started in the industry, and the huge pressures and expectations she faced. Jaleel discusses the path which led him to fame as a teenager and talks about what it was like to have so much power at a young age. Both experienced a sense of being owned by the industry and the public and share how they were trained to be deferential to adults. While they both experienced unique opportunities, including stories of 90's NBA all star games with Michael Jordan, and stories with Karl Malone and Penny Hardaway, the conversation turns to one about Jaleel’s identity as a young black man in a predominantly white industry and the impact this had on his mental health and his outlook on his career. by Mayim Bialik's Breakdown

72 min listen

Rainn Wilson: Embrace Your Eccentricities & A Petri Dish of Creativity: Rainn Wilson (The Office, Six Feet Under, Metaphysical Milkshake with Rainn & Reza, SoulPancake) joins Mayim and Jonathan in the studio as their first ever in-person guest to discuss his nerdy childhood, growing up with social misfit parents, and the evolution that therapy has provided to every area of his life. He explains how feeling unloved and alienated as a child in a petri dish of dysfunction led to anxiety, depression, panic attacks, and addiction issues. Rainn admits to learning early on in his acting career to embrace playing the role of an alienated misfit, and opens up about his meditation process and the tools his faith gave him in finding his own path and identity. Mayim and Rainn bond over being band geeks and chess club members and the expectations, insecurities, and limitations that come with being sitcom character actors. They examine the similarities between a recovery journey and spiritual journe by Mayim Bialik's Breakdown

65 min listen

AJ McLean: Backstreet’s Back! Rehabilitation, Sobriety & Relapse: Mayim accompanies AJ along his journey from addiction to rehabilitation. Mayim and AJ discuss alcohol and substance use as an ongoing battle between sobriety and relapse. AJ goes into depth on the genesis of the Backstreet Boys and how his bandmates/friends helped him to see he needed help. Mayim and AJ talk about the pressures of growing up in the public eye and the difficulty of switching between "stage" personas and their own personas. The conversation segues into self-care, and AJ talks about his mountain biking, golfing, and nail painting escapades. Mayim and AJ get down to the crux of addiction: It is not about the substance, it is about why sober living is so painful. by Mayim Bialik's Breakdown

68 min listen

Bevisode with Mayim’s Mom! Millennials, Mindfulness, & Memories: Back again this week with what is quickly becoming a fan favorite, the Bevisode! In this third installment we go a little meta with Bev breaking down her own episode... breaking down other guests’ episodes. Bev goes on to share her admiration for us getting a ‘down to earth’ millennial like Sofia Franklyn on the show along with her lack of enthusiasm for the mindful, philosophical conversation we had with Sam Harris. Later Bev reflects on the sadness she felt during Jaleel White’s openness about the realities of being a child star and the similarities she saw in Mayim. And finally, we breakdown her thoughts on male nail polish in AJ McLean’s episode, plus the correlations around the idea of ‘chaos’ that she experienced in her life. by Mayim Bialik's Breakdown

29 min listen

Bevisode with Mayim’s Mom! Mindfulness, Self Esteem & Psychedelic Experiences: Bev is back! This week we breakdown our recent episodes with Kunal Nayyar, Ricki Lake & Abby Epstein, Glennon Doyle, and Rick Doblin alongside Mayim’s mother Bev. After contemplating whether or not Kunal was deeply profound or just acting the part of ‘Buddha in Jeans,’ we tackle the idea of ageism in Bev’s critique on our first show addressing women’s health. We also discuss the idea of ‘self esteem’ in today’s age of empowerment and how our show on MDMA brought back some old experiences with Bev’s undulating Mescaline trips. by Mayim Bialik's Breakdown

45 min listen

Hunter McGrady: Redefining Beauty, Mantras & Body Positivity: Hunter McGrady, the lovely and talented trailblazer for plus size modeling, shares the ups and downs of her career including her journey to be on the cover of Sport Illustrated’s Swim Suit issue in nothing but body paint! Mayim and Hunter discuss the anxiety and depression that both men and women face in response to unrealistic societal body standards. Hunter opens up a dialogue on the important role that therapy has played in helping her to learn self love and build her confidence! She even gives Mayim some mantras to work on. by Mayim Bialik's Breakdown

75 min listen

Bobby Moynihan: Puppetry, People-Pleasing & The SNL Pressure Cooker: Bobby Moynihan, comedic actor and former SNL cast member, shares his rollercoaster journey through comedy, from puppetry classes and performing improv during the aftermath of 9/11, through his 9-season run on SNL and beyond. Mayim and Bobby discuss the misconceptions about comedic performers, the role perfectionism plays in triggering physical symptoms of stress, and how therapy and meditation can help us process career trauma. Hear Mayim's tips for recognizing your breaking point when it comes to work stress with a constructive session of "You Might Need Help If..." by Mayim Bialik's Breakdown

68 min listen

Sofia Franklyn: Mug Shots, Mormonism & Mayhem: Mayim brings out the introspective and reflective side of Sofia - one of the podcast world's biggest stars as they breakdown how she became the fierce, independent, and outspoken woman she is today. This spicy episode brings out Mayim's inner millennial as she and Sofia cover anxiety, boundaries, and sexual health. Sofia, an outspoken and at times unabashed spokeswoman for female sexual empowerment, talks about getting her mug shot on a t-shirt, meeting her father for the first time at 15, and how leaving her job in investment banking propelled her to internet stardom. by Mayim Bialik's Breakdown

63 min listen

Oliver Hudson: Sibling Stressors, Love Languages & Ego Elimination: Oliver Hudson, actor and fellow podcaster, joins us to discuss the nuance and evolution of family dynamics and how he overcame feeling like the black sheep of his famous family with the help of a pillow and a wiffle ball bat. Together, Mayim, Jonathan, and Oliver examine the ways that they give and receive love in the context of their own upbringings and sensibilities. To round off their discussion, Mayim shares a bit about the neuroendocrinology behind relational differences between men and women. by Mayim Bialik's Breakdown

71 min listen

Kelly Clarkson: Small-Town Starts, F-You Attitudes, & Combating Industry Standards: Kelly Clarkson, Grammy Award-winning singer and Emmy Award-winning talk show host, takes us through her mental and physical health journey after becoming one of the biggest popstars in the world. She shares how growing up in a small Texas town prepared her for global fame and how her voice has evolved over the years. Kelly and Mayim discuss treating their respective thyroid issues with eastern and western medicines and the benefits of NMN supplements. They detail their ongoing struggles with living up to industry standards, combating public opinions of their personal lives, and charting one's own path despite the opinions of others. Kelly's perspectives, affirmations, and "F-you attitude" leave Mayim inspired to tackle her own insecurities. by Mayim Bialik's Breakdown

80 min listen

Elizabeth Bachner: Alternative Medicine, Acupuncture & Adrenal Failure - Doulas Do it Right: Elizabeth Bachner, acclaimed midwife, acupuncturist and healer, explains how her life was seemingly perfect on paper but simply didn’t feel right. By unraveling this thread, she was guided on a path of personal and spiritual transformation that many will relate to. Elizabeth brings her extensive exploration of Easter healing and Mayim and Elizabeth delve into the neuropsychological underpinnings of naturalistic medicine. Elizabeth even leads us in group meditation (Prepare to smell some lemons)! The show examines the hardships of human experience, from cancer, birth, death, and much more. by Mayim Bialik's Breakdown

90 min listen

Hayley Williams: Mind-Body Breakthroughs, Weird Weddings & Intensive Therapy: Hayley Williams, the Grammy Award winning singer and founder of Paramore, shares her personal experience of ‘getting out’ of a traumatic relationship and the mind-body connection she uncovered during the process. Mayim and Hayley connect over their shared choice of combat boots and disconnected enthusiasm in their previous weddings. Hayley opens up on her recent journey through intensive therapy and how an integrated health approach has positively impacted her life. The conversation turns esoteric and mystical near the end with a discussion of intergenerational trauma and family system. by Mayim Bialik's Breakdown

84 min listen

Dr. Gary Small: Bolster Your Brain & Lengthen Longevity: Dr. Gary Small, Professor of Psychiatry, Biobehavioral Sciences & Aging and Director of the UCLA Longevity Center, breaks down the biological causes and symptoms of aging and its impact on mental wellness. He discusses the effects of neurodegenerative memory disorders on patients and caregivers, his personal experiences with Alzheimer’s, and the toll his work with the difficult aspects of cognitive transitions takes on him. Mayim and Dr. Small examine the negative effects of stress and isolation on the aging process and how technology has the potential to help or harm it before delving into the ways we can strengthen our brains through meditation, sleep, therapy, social connections, learning a language or instrument, and even certain foods. They unpack the roles of the elderly in our society and the ways various cultures treat aging populations. Mayim opens up about her father’s degenerative condition, details common reasons we d by Mayim Bialik's Breakdown

91 min listen

Jennette McCurdy: Enmeshment, Individuating, & Coping Mechanisms: Jennette McCurdy, writer, director, actor, and singer ( iCarly, Sam & Cat), inspires Mayim with her openness and vulnerability as she shares the harmful coping mechanisms and profound revelations she experienced following the death of her mother - leading to Jennette’s one woman show "I’m Glad My Mom Died." Jennette discusses the pressures and anxieties she faced at an early age as a hugely popular children’s TV star and the source of financial support for her family. Jennette unpacks how her identity was tied to her mother’s perceptions of her and how the enmeshed relationship impacted her. Mayim breaks down the psychological concept of enmeshment, including the effects of removing an enmeshed relationship from one’s life, the reasons we tolerate emotional discomfort for so long, and the elements of the power struggles surrounding love. Mayim and Jennette deeply connect over their self-discovery journeys, including thei by Mayim Bialik's Breakdown

78 min listen

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Jennette McCurdy: Enmeshment, Individuating, & Coping Mechanisms

Jennette McCurdy: Enmeshment, Individuating, & Coping Mechanisms

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