Michael Sweetney, (former NBA player & current Yeshiva Assistant Coach) details his journey through professional basketball, from the pressure he felt as a star player and student athlete at Georgetown to his experience with depression after the sudden, tragic loss of his father. He opens up about why he hated playing basketball at first, the grueling mind-body experience of being drafted, and the criticism he faced for removing himself from the NBA. Michael explains his backfired attempt to use basketball as an outlet following his father’s death, which resulted in a suicide attempt and how his family structure and faith motivated him to seek help. Mayim breaks down reasons the rate of depression is so much higher in professional athletes and the causes and dangers of professional masking. She and Michael discuss trying to balance work and grieving and ways the conversation about mental health around athletes has evolved over time. Mayim suggests ways to broach mental health topics with your family in another installment of Ask Mayim Anything.

Jalen Rose (NBA player, NY Times best-selling author, NBA Countdown, Jalen & Jacoby, Get Up) opens up about the brotherhood of the Fab 5, the impact of stress from playing professional basketball on his mental health, and his undying love for the city of Detroit. He describes his childhood growing up in the segregated city of Detroit during a drug epidemic, his partnership and close bond with his mom, and how his entrepreneurial spirit was influenced by never knowing his NBA star father, Jimmy Walker. Jalen details his rededication to the game and self-discipline after getting kicked out of school, why he started looking up to public figures with flaws, and the feelings of unworthiness he experienced as a member of the Fab 5. Mayim and Jalen bond over the similarities between being an athlete and performer, and Jalen educates Mayim and Jonathan with his Guide to Trash Talk. They discuss their admiration for Simone Biles & Naomi Osaka, the life skills and mental health coping mechanisms that can be learned from playing sports, and the United States’ history of valuing entertainment over education. After Jalen opens up about the role faith plays in his life especially after the failed assassination attempt on his life, Mayim considers the balance between science an religion in another installment of Ask Mayim Anything.

Alan Gordon (founder of the Pain Psychology Center and author of The Way Out: A Revolutionary, Scientifically Proven Approach to Healing Chronic Pain) stops by to guide Mayim through somatic tracking in an effort to alleviate her severe, stress-induced chronic back pain. After detailing his own journey suffering years of sustained pain in almost every area of his body, Alan highlights the benefits of pain as a danger signal and the importance of understanding the source of physiological symptoms in order to identify neuroplastic pain. Mayim and Alan break down the neuroscience behind the use of Pain Reprocessing Therapy to deactivate pain, the benefits of body scan meditation, and the relation between sensitivity to physical stimuli and experiencing strong emotional connections. Mayim and Alan wrap the episode with another round of "You Might Need Help If..."

David Archuleta ( American Idol , OK, All Right Tour, author of My Little Prayer ) opens up about discovering his sexual identity and the aspects of his religion he continues to hang onto as he navigates it. David discusses how taking time to step back from his musical career to go on his mission amidst fears he was sabotaging his career and an urge to keep American Idol fans proud of him led to deep introspection and transformation. After Mayim breaks down the process of dissociation as a coping mechanism, David details what it felt like to fight his attractions, the isolation that comes with carrying a huge secret, and the process of finally confronting his feelings. He recalls the unexpected reaction his church elder had after he opened up about his sexuality, what he thinks God wants for his life, and the responses he’s received since coming out. Mayim considers the value of getting to know oneself and David reveals the song that came to him in a dream.

David Sinclair (biologist, Professor of Genetics at Harvard Medical School, and author of Lifespan: Why We Age and Why We Don’t Have To) discusses ways we can extend our lifespan and the work he’s doing to slow and reverse aging brain cells. He details the best lifestyle changes and emerging technologies available now to prevent most diseases until our 80’s, increase longevity, and even reverse the effects of aging. David opens up about his mental health struggles stemming from his own insecurities and frustrations with the planet, how his mother’s passing changed his outlook on life, and the dream he had that influenced his research and became a turning point in his career. After debating about intermittent fasting, Mayim and David examine the thread between solving problems in medicine, economics, and sociology, the effects of stress on the aging process, and mental health components tied to the aging brain. Mayim considers the amount of resources needed if humans lived longer, and the impact western culture’s attitude about aging might have on an increased lifespan.

Andy Richter ( Conan, Madagascar, Three Questions with Andy Richter podcast) opens up about his childhood, mental health struggles, and his almost 30-year tenure as a late night tv sidekick. He details his experience with depression and lack of self-assuredness at an early age, and explains what lured him to performing. Andy describes the lack of agency and confusion he felt for being okay with his role as a sidekick, learning to be by himself and navigate the dating world after divorce, and what might be next for his professional career. Mayim and Andy consider the benefits of therapy and medication, the importance of mental healthcare for low income individuals, and the psychological benefits of having a dog. Mayim discusses ways to manage mental health while grieving in another installment of Ask Mayim Anything.

Michael Sweetney, (former NBA player & current Yeshiva Assistant Coach) details his journey through professional basketball, from the pressure he felt as a star player and student athlete at Georgetown to his experience with depression after the sudden, tragic loss of his father. He opens up about why he hated playing basketball at first, the grueling mind-body experience of being drafted, and the criticism he faced for removing himself from the NBA. Michael explains his backfired attempt to use basketball as an outlet following his father’s death, which resulted in a suicide attempt and how his family structure and faith motivated him to seek help. Mayim breaks down reasons the rate of depression is so much higher in professional athletes and the causes and dangers of professional masking. She and Michael discuss trying to balance work and grieving and ways the conversation about mental health around athletes has evolved over time. Mayim suggests ways to broach mental health topics with your family in another installment of Ask Mayim Anything.

Jalen Rose (NBA player, NY Times best-selling author, NBA Countdown, Jalen & Jacoby, Get Up) opens up about the brotherhood of the Fab 5, the impact of stress from playing professional basketball on his mental health, and his undying love for the city of Detroit. He describes his childhood growing up in the segregated city of Detroit during a drug epidemic, his partnership and close bond with his mom, and how his entrepreneurial spirit was influenced by never knowing his NBA star father, Jimmy Walker. Jalen details his rededication to the game and self-discipline after getting kicked out of school, why he started looking up to public figures with flaws, and the feelings of unworthiness he experienced as a member of the Fab 5. Mayim and Jalen bond over the similarities between being an athlete and performer, and Jalen educates Mayim and Jonathan with his Guide to Trash Talk. They discuss their admiration for Simone Biles & Naomi Osaka, the life skills and mental health coping mechanisms that can be learned from playing sports, and the United States’ history of valuing entertainment over education. After Jalen opens up about the role faith plays in his life especially after the failed assassination attempt on his life, Mayim considers the balance between science an religion in another installment of Ask Mayim Anything.

Alan Gordon (founder of the Pain Psychology Center and author of The Way Out: A Revolutionary, Scientifically Proven Approach to Healing Chronic Pain) stops by to guide Mayim through somatic tracking in an effort to alleviate her severe, stress-induced chronic back pain. After detailing his own journey suffering years of sustained pain in almost every area of his body, Alan highlights the benefits of pain as a danger signal and the importance of understanding the source of physiological symptoms in order to identify neuroplastic pain. Mayim and Alan break down the neuroscience behind the use of Pain Reprocessing Therapy to deactivate pain, the benefits of body scan meditation, and the relation between sensitivity to physical stimuli and experiencing strong emotional connections. Mayim and Alan wrap the episode with another round of "You Might Need Help If..."

David Archuleta ( American Idol , OK, All Right Tour, author of My Little Prayer ) opens up about discovering his sexual identity and the aspects of his religion he continues to hang onto as he navigates it. David discusses how taking time to step back from his musical career to go on his mission amidst fears he was sabotaging his career and an urge to keep American Idol fans proud of him led to deep introspection and transformation. After Mayim breaks down the process of dissociation as a coping mechanism, David details what it felt like to fight his attractions, the isolation that comes with carrying a huge secret, and the process of finally confronting his feelings. He recalls the unexpected reaction his church elder had after he opened up about his sexuality, what he thinks God wants for his life, and the responses he’s received since coming out. Mayim considers the value of getting to know oneself and David reveals the song that came to him in a dream.

David Sinclair (biologist, Professor of Genetics at Harvard Medical School, and author of Lifespan: Why We Age and Why We Don’t Have To) discusses ways we can extend our lifespan and the work he’s doing to slow and reverse aging brain cells. He details the best lifestyle changes and emerging technologies available now to prevent most diseases until our 80’s, increase longevity, and even reverse the effects of aging. David opens up about his mental health struggles stemming from his own insecurities and frustrations with the planet, how his mother’s passing changed his outlook on life, and the dream he had that influenced his research and became a turning point in his career. After debating about intermittent fasting, Mayim and David examine the thread between solving problems in medicine, economics, and sociology, the effects of stress on the aging process, and mental health components tied to the aging brain. Mayim considers the amount of resources needed if humans lived longer, and the impact western culture’s attitude about aging might have on an increased lifespan.

Andy Richter ( Conan, Madagascar, Three Questions with Andy Richter podcast) opens up about his childhood, mental health struggles, and his almost 30-year tenure as a late night tv sidekick. He details his experience with depression and lack of self-assuredness at an early age, and explains what lured him to performing. Andy describes the lack of agency and confusion he felt for being okay with his role as a sidekick, learning to be by himself and navigate the dating world after divorce, and what might be next for his professional career. Mayim and Andy consider the benefits of therapy and medication, the importance of mental healthcare for low income individuals, and the psychological benefits of having a dog. Mayim discusses ways to manage mental health while grieving in another installment of Ask Mayim Anything.