Dr. Brad Miller welcomes Dave Mowry—author of OMG, That’s Me and Healing with Humor, stand‑up comic, mental health advocate, and survivor of what he calls his “14 lost years” of bipolar disorder, crippling anxiety, and depression. Dave traces his journey from “successful businessman with the great house and the great family” to a single moment on the freeway when his mind “snapped,” launching more than a decade of panic attacks, isolation, and despair—then the unlikely, often hilarious path back through blogging, comedy classes, and teaching others to turn their pain into punchlines.
What unfolds is a raw, hopeful, and surprisingly funny story about mental illness, shame, resilience, and the strange power of comedy to literally rewire a suffering brain.

Brad and Dave explore:
● The 1996 snap and the ‘14 dark years’
● What a panic attack really feels like
● Depression, anxiety, and the basic acts of living
● The turning point: writing and being seen
● Discovering comedy in a NAMI class
● The hospital joke that changed everything
● From student to teacher
● The moment on stage when a switch flips
● Stories from the book Healing with Humor
● Marriage, loss, and a different kind of success
● Baby steps, not getting stuck, and tiny acts of kindness
This guide offers:
● A vivid, honest picture of bipolar disorder and severe anxiety
In‑the‑trenches descriptions of panic attacks, depression, and the “constant conversations in my head” that typical tip‑sheet articles miss.
● A new way to relate to dark thoughts and triggers
How deliberately hunting for jokes in painful memories can interrupt panic, build resilience, and gradually “rewire” your responses.
● Practical, tiny‑step strategies for the ‘lost years’
Concrete examples of micro‑moves—changing your seat on the couch, going outside at night, then in daylight—that keep you from getting stuck.
● Hope for those who can’t imagine a comeback yet
Why “you’re not alone,” why suicide is a permanent solution to a temporary problem, and what it looks like to slowly emerge on the other side.
● Tools for caregivers, spouses, and friends
Stories and language you can share so others really understand what living with serious mental illness feels like—and how to support without fixing.
● A model for turning pain into purpose
From blog posts to comedy stages to books and audiobooks, Dave shows how your most painful experiences can become a lifeline for someone else.

The brutal realities of bipolar disorder, panic, and long‑term depression don’t magically vanish—but with honest storytelling, practical baby steps, and a willingness to laugh at the right things, they become battles you don’t have to fight alone. Whether you’re in your own “lost years,” love someone who is, or simply want to understand mental illness beyond clichés, Dave’s journey offers clarity, courage, and a path toward healing with humor.