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Mental As Anyone

A podcast to promote and raise awareness of mental health issues in comedians and entertainers by exploring views on mental health (from personal experience, or observations of peers and loved ones, or society in general).
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Mental As Anyone
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Now displaying: 2018
Mar 17, 2018

Interview with the wonderful, worldly and wise Justine Sless, who is not only an experienced Comedian: she also writes in various forms, run comedy workshops and has created her own festival (The Melbourne Jewish Comedy Festival). Other works by Justine include a Podcast (Kvetch with Sless) and a Blog (Excuse me there are crumbs in my comedy). She is also a Mother, completing her Masters, and doing extraordinary work in the Community/Non-Profit sector.

We discuss: The agency of performing comedy, experiencing misogyny, anti-Semitism and racism in comedy rooms, wanting to effect a change within the community, involvement with Raw House and Spark Theatre, Justine’s family tree and the creation of her festival in 2015, articulating culture through comedy, the points of difference in her festival to the commercial festivals, the aim of connecting people, the importance of natural gathering places and creating opportunity to connect, the challenge of raising teenagers, Justine’s European tour, being a Jew of the World, effecting change on a micro level to create opportunities for connection, care and compassion, finding light where there was darkness, remembering what we share in our humanity rather than our differences, Justine’s super power, being guided by integrity and morality, and Justine’s message of managing mental health by connecting with others in meaningful ways.

Mar 4, 2018

Interview with the determined and delightful Melbourne Comedian Miriam Levy. We discuss: The tendency to conceal the reality about mental health, Miriam's PhD in French Philosophy and addiction, her personal experience of addiction as a coping mechanism, the importance of connection, the art of balance, a near-death turning point, trauma and energy healing, Relaxation vs Dissociation, methods of meditation, Miriam’s super power, Sarah Silverman’s incredible display of empathy and compassion, assumptions and projecting pain, the importance of asking questions to assist with understanding, and Miriam’s message that there is no such thing as normal, and if we could recognise this, we would all be better off.

Feb 17, 2018

Interview with David Rose, who has been performing comedy for 6 years, including writing for Cracked magazine. David is co-producing a MICF show in 2018 called Just Kidding. Check it out at Tasma Terrace from 27th March to 1st April at 5.30pm. David is also hosting a gig on 22nd February at the McKinnon Hotel with a great line up, go to www.ticklepit.com for tickets.

We discuss: Anxiety, depression and hypochondria, learning mindfulness from a Liverpudlian Monk, Smiling Mind, Oak and Calm apps, Mindful vs Mindless Colouring, anxiety about being judged by other Comedians, the birthday present that may possibly outlast his relationship, visiting Little India and gigging in Singapore, David’s comedy tour of Germany, Bo Burnham’s take on happiness, misdirection and synesthesia with emotions, Dan Dennett’s concept of “Deepity”, Waking Up (book and podcast) by Sam Harris, and David’s super power.

Feb 10, 2018

Interview with Writer, Podcaster, and Performer of Comedy, Luke Morris. Luke is part of the close-knit comedy community in Bendigo, and competed in RAW this January. Luke is involved in running the Bendigo comedy workshops and gigs at the Metropolitan and Handle Bar, and also visits various Melbourne Open Mic nights regularly. For more info about what’s on in Bendigo, check out www.bendigocomedy.com.au Also check out: Bendigo Comedy Podcast, Luke’s informative episode on the Laborastory podcast about Dom Perignon and the production of champagne, and his 2018 MICF show called The Wine Science Show.

We discuss: The bullying survey he wasn’t allowed to complete as a kid, writing a book, being the change you want to see in the world, fond memories of The Old Church on the Hill, the lack of hecklers in Bendigo, Consumers vs Producers, being “a Great Avoider”, the philosophy of following your curiosity, the Manchester Gig, support from the social media community, writing and comedy influences, Luke’s superpower, and his message to go and see live comedy because it’s good for mental health.

Jan 27, 2018

Interview with the lovely and vivacious Tara Bell, who has been performing comedy for just over 6 months and already has a RAW competition notch in her belt from 2017. Tara started out in the (male dominated) Bendigo scene, and has now performs with the (female dominated) Wodonga scene. Tara also has a podcast called 20 Bucks Is 20 Bucks, discussing the ins and outs of the first/worst jobs people have had. Shae from MAA was a guest on episode 9. Find the podcast in all the usual places, or on Facebook: 20 Bucks Is 20 Bucks Podcast.

We discuss: Tara’s diagnosis when she was 16, growing up in a rural area, getting into comedy as coping mechanism, being a young Mum and having a gifted child, the benefits of exercise, the drawn-out process of receiving an accurate diagnosis, the problem of medicalising human nature, having a nervous breakdown, the eMoods tracking app, the importance of continuity of care, Tara’s super power, and her message to know yourself well so you know if something is not right, and seek support until you find it.

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