Paul Gilmartin's Mental Illness Happy Hour

Today I speak with comedian Paul Gilmartin, former host of Dinner and a Movie on TBS. After leaving standup and television, Gilmartin started The Mental Illness Happy Hour, a podcast that puts the world of living with mental illness into sharp focus and gets a laugh. Gilmartin came up on the comedy scene in Chicago at Second City with people like Bob Odenkirk of Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul. Paul shares the story of his unusual first encounter with Chris Farley. His own recovery from alcoholism and depression led Paul to want to create a stage where he could do comedy but go to the depths of life and it’s suffering and to let people dealing with trauma, substance abuse and grief know they’re not alone. We talk about being creative while sober and with a healthier mind. Paul is also open about his childhood experience of covert sexual abuse by his mother: "She created a sexualized environment. I would years later come to know that that your body and your soul can experience two different things at the same time. My body was reacting and I blamed myself." After sitting with Paul for two minutes, you realize you could share anything with this guy. He’s not afraid to talk about any topic on The Mental Illness Happy Hour, and his many fans credit his persistence at bringing out vulnerability in his guests for their own recovery successes. "God, somebody needs to talk about this. The complexity of mental illness." Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SoulOfLifeShow​ or Twitter: https://twitter.com/SoulofLifeShow​ Want to book Keith as a guest on your podcast? Contact him at [email protected]. ***7-Week Stress Reduction & Relationship Growth Course*** If you and your significant other are looking for ways to improve communication and strengthen your bonds, there is still time to enroll in my upcoming live 7-Week Stress Reduction & Relationship Growth Course. For more information visit: https://community.souloflifeshow.com/