Mentally Gil Podcast: How Do We Deal With Mental Illness?

 

The freshman season of the Mentally Gil podcast exemplifies what makes podcasting such an ideal media format for listeners. I'll just note that there are more podcasts that instruct you how to get washboard abs than get your head straight. In a battle between a six-pack and finding my mental happy place, I'll take the head health every time.

What makes the Mentally Gil podcast so unique is...everything. From its smart-ass podcast name -- a takeoff on mentally ill because the creator and host is Gil Kruger -- to its cutesy, make you laugh title song that begins, "His name is Gil, and he's mentally ill."

This new podcast, which premiered on October 20, 2022, deals with mental illness. Yes, there are numerous other podcasts that deal with mental illness, although not enough.

This is how creator and host Gil Kruger framed his new podcast: "On the Mentally Gil podcast, I interview some of the world's biggest YouTube and social media creators about their mental health journeys. Season one centers around anxiety, OCD, and burnout. The show also explores the connection between mental illness and creativity."

 Now, as creator and host of his own podcast, Kruger gets to showcase his on-air talents. And he's superb at it. He's a terrific host with nicely woven interviewing skills, supercharged sonic energy, and vocal empathy.  

When asked why he focused on popular creators from YouTube and other media, Kruger answered, "It’s the world that I know the best. I’ve been working with video creators for ten years, and I’ve seen a lot happen: some have quit, some have burned out and eventually returned, others lost themselves in the hamster wheel and are only now learning who they are inside. In future seasons, I’d love to open up the series to interviews with influential people from all walks of life."

In December, for example, Kruger interviewed writer and actor Natasha Negovanlis, who talked about her journey to a diagnosis, her skin-picking disorder, and social anxiety. In another episode, Kruger spoke to musician Austin Archer, who discussed how his anxiety affects his work and his ability to do normal human tasks such as eating, going to the dentist, and even flying.

In earlier episodes, Kruger spoke to an actor dealing with grief over her little sister's suicide, a pet influencer discussing imposter syndrome, and a Canadian YouTuber who suffers from emetophobia, an intense fear of vomiting. 

About his focus on mental health issues, Kruger opines: "I’m not trying to make any big statements with the podcast, but personally, I think there’s a lot more work to be done in normalizing conversations around mental health. We also need as a country need to provide better access to mental healthcare."

I've listened to all episodes from mid-October until the end of December, and they're ear worthy for several reasons.

First, Kruger is an excellent interviewer, and he displays those subtle but important skills in both episodes. Unlike some podcasts hosts who can't control their guests from blurting out their entire story, Kruger is patient and empathetic with his guests. He helps them unfold their stories carefully, with no demand for lurid details or overhyped stories.

Second, the guests do not have these horrendous childhood tales that make you as the listener go, "That's why." No, their stories of burgeoning anxiety are more complex and ultimately more instructive for listeners.

No doubt we all connect creativity with mental illness. Go to the Van Gogh exhibit to appreciate the connection.

And check out Mentally Gil. Kruger helps us ultimately to understand ourselves better. And we all need that.