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What if the shortest distance between despair and hope is actually a good punchline? Comedian, author, and mental health advocate Dave Mowry has lived with bipolar disorder and severe anxiety his entire adult life. After 14 years in the dark, a single stand-up comedy class changed everything — and now he teaches that same class to help others turn their pain into something that heals.
What You'll Hear
- How a newspaper ad for a stand-up comedy class for people with mental illness became the turning point of Dave's life
- Why almost all of his comedy is rooted in real, lived experience — anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, and the moments that once felt unsurvivable
- How reframing dark moments through humor creates new pathways in the brain, instead of reinforcing the old, negative ones
- The powerful transformation of his student Molly — a former physician who found her voice, her confidence, and a new identity on stage
- Dave's honest reflection on rebuilding trust with his son after years of illness, homelessness, and hardship separated them
- Why Dave pushes back hard against stigma — including the idea that people with mental illness are fragile, dangerous, or need to be "protected" from their own sense of humor
- His two guiding words: moderation, and "don't get stuck" — plus a few delightfully silly dad jokes to close things out
A note to listeners: this episode includes an open and honest discussion of suicidal ideation and mental illness recovery. Dave shares his story with hope and humor from the other side of it — if anything in this episode resonates with you personally, please know that support is available. The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is available 24/7 by call or text.
Resources Mentioned on this Episode
- Book: OMG! That's Me! by Dave Mowry — an award-winning guide to living with bipolar disorder, depression, anxiety, and panic attacks
- Book: Healing with Humor by Dave Mowry — following five comics, including Molly MacNab, who found their voice through stand-up
- Blog: bphope.com — Dave's widely-read writing on life with bipolar disorder
- davemowry.com — Dave's website, with links to his books and podcast appearances
- Learn more about Malcolm's work at the World Laughter Organization™
Featured Guest: Dave Mowry
His story is one of resilience, healing, and hope. Living with bipolar disorder and severe anxiety throughout his adult life, he went from being a successful businessman to losing everything to mental illness. After 14 difficult years, a stand-up comedy class for people with mental illness changed his life. By finding humor in his experiences, he began his recovery and regained control of his life. Today, he teaches stand-up comedy to others living with mental illness and performs on stage, using humor to break stigma, share stories, and remind people they are not alone.
He is the bestselling, award-winning author of OMG That’s Me! Bipolar Disorder, Depression, Anxiety, Panic Attacks, and more... and Healing with Humor: Mental Illness to Mental Health One Laugh, One Joke, One Inspiring Story at a Time. He is also a popular podcast guest and blogger for bpHope, where his posts have been read by more than a million people. Through openness, honesty, and plenty of humor, he shares what it is like to live with mental illness—and the journey from suffering in silence to recovery, healing, and hope.
Connect with Dave Mowry:
- Email: davemowry2@gmail.com
- Facebook: facebook.com/davemowry2
- Website: davemowry.com
Grab Dave's Book: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Dave-Mowry/author/B00RM48MUW?ccs_id=62a5b602-62a9-4912-b183-6ebd2eac4f8c
Meet the Host: Malcolm Grissom
Malcolm Grissom, affectionately known as "The Stand-up C.E.O.," is a team-building and employee engagement expert. Malcolm, an award-winning actor, comedian, International speaker, and best-selling author, masterfully blends humor, improv, and business acumen to enhance team dynamics and profitability. As a certified laughter leader, he leverages the power of positive psychology and his social work background to create engaging, results-driven experiences. Whether inspiring executives, strengthening teams, or energizing audiences, Malcolm’s unique approach fosters connection, creativity, and success. His ability to transform corporate culture with humor and insight makes him a sought-after speaker and consultant.
Follow Malcolm:
Website: malcolmgrissom.com
Facebook: facebook.com/malcolmgrissom
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/malcolmgrissom
Stressed, stuck, or leading on autopilot? It’s not a motivation problem—it’s a connection problem. Malcolm’s weekly virtual improv classes boost engagement, collaboration, and retention—all while having fun. Register now for a complimentary month: https://malcolmgrissom.thrivecart.com/everyday-encores/
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