The Mentally ill Mentor

David Grant Miller
  • 5.0 (1)
  • Mental Health
  • Updated Weekly

Welcome to The Mentally ill Mentor — the podcast that's revolutionizing the way the world thinks about and deals with mental health. Hosted by self-help author and mental health advocate David Grant Miller, this show is built on a simple promise: if you want to lose mental weight, build mental muscle, and crush anxiety, depression, self-harm, and thoughts of suicide, you can come here every week to get the personal training you need from someone who knows how you feel. Dave is a mental health speaker, coach, and author of The Mentally ill Mentor. A husband of 25+ years and father of 7, he's de

  1. 4d ago

    75. Meditation and Temper Control: How I Stopped Yelling at My Kids

    In this episode, Dave shares a personal experience that brought up old memories from his own childhood, and reflects on how meditation transformed his own temper as a parent. He dives into the research on mindfulness and anger, from brain changes to a major 2025 meta-analysis, and makes the case for meditation as an underused tool for anger and emotional regulation. Topics covered: Dave's personal story and how it connected to memories from his own upbringingWhy anger and temper control deserve more attention in mental health conversationsResearch on cortisol, brain structure, and anger reduction through meditationA major 2025 meta-analysis on mindfulness, anger, and aggression across 118 studiesHow Transcendental Meditation specifically supports emotional regulationA challenge to build a daily meditation practice and notice the shift in reaction timeIf you've ever wished you could catch your temper before it catches you, this episode offers real, research-backed hope.

  2. Aug 7

    74. The Neuroscience of Meditation: How It Physically Changes Your Brain

    In this episode, Dave shares his own 8 year meditation journey, from starting with the Calm app to practicing Transcendental Meditation today. He dives into the neuroscience behind meditation, how it physically reshapes the amygdala, quiets the brain's rumination network, and even changes how monks experience emotional pain, backed by real brain-imaging research. Topics covered: Dave's personal meditation journey and how his practice has evolvedHow meditation changes the amygdala, the brain's fear and stress centerThe default mode network and its link to rumination, anxiety, and depressionResearch on Buddhist monks and reduced emotional pain during meditationInsights from neuroscientist Dr. Andrew Huberman on different meditation stylesThe top five meditation apps to tryA challenge to build a consistent 10 to 20 minute daily practiceIf you've ever wondered what's actually happening in your brain when you meditate, this episode breaks down the science.

  3. Jul 30

    73. AI Therapist: Can ChatGPT, Claude, or Grok Actually Help Your Mental Health?

    In this episode, Dave shares his own experience turning to Grok for what he expected to be a quick check-in, and ended up in a long, unexpectedly therapeutic conversation. He breaks down why it felt safe, validating, and impartial, and dives into the research on whether AI chatbots can genuinely help with mental health or whether they're a hazard to be cautious of. Topics covered: Dave's personal experience using Grok as a thinking and processing toolWhy AI redirected him to a real therapist when he tried to push its boundariesResearch comparing licensed therapists to AI chatbots on clinical standardsWhat psychologists are reporting about patients using AI alongside therapyGrok's own response explaining the line between a support tool and real therapyA challenge to try an honest conversation with AI as a thought-organizing toolIf you've ever wondered whether talking to AI about your mental health is helpful or risky, this episode gives you both sides.

  4. Jul 23

    72. Screen Time, Social Media, and the Mental Health of Our Teens

    In this episode, Dave shares his own experience as a parent navigating screen time with his kids, from raising his now-adult children to parenting teens today, and why the struggle has only gotten harder despite more parenting experience. He dives into Jonathan Haidt's book The Anxious Generation and the research behind the sharp rise in teen anxiety, depression, and suicide since smartphones and social media went mainstream. Topics covered: Dave's personal experience parenting kids through the shift from TV time to constant connectivityResearch on the rise in teen depression, anxiety, and suicide rates since 2010Jonathan Haidt's four norms for reversing the trendWhy free play and real-world independence matter more than everA challenge to bring more screen-free play into your family's weekIf you've ever wondered why parenting around screens feels harder than it used to, this episode is for you.

  5. Jul 16

    71. The $35 Costco Item That Could Be a Game Changer for Your Mental Health

    In this episode, Dave dives into creatine, a supplement best known for building muscle, and explores its emerging role in mental health. He breaks down how creatine fuels brain cells the same way it fuels muscles, and why a stressed brain, whether from anxiety, depression, or sleep deprivation, may benefit the most from supplementation. Topics covered: How creatine supplies energy to brain cells and supports mental function under stressClinical trial results showing creatine's impact on depression scores when combined with antidepressantsPopulation research linking dietary creatine intake to lower rates of depression and anxietyThe science behind brain energy metabolism, ATP, and neuroplasticityInsights from Dr. Darren Candow, a leading creatine researcher, featured on The Diary of a CEOA challenge to try creatine this week and track the results

  6. Jul 10

    70. Intermittent Fasting for Mental Health: How I Trained My Blood Sugar to Stabilize My Mood

    In this episode, Dave shares his own two-year journey with intermittent fasting, including the modified routine he's followed for the last six months: no breakfast, a Vega protein shake at 2pm, and dinner at 6pm. He breaks down why this pattern stopped the dizziness, brain fog, and mood swings he used to deal with, and what the research says about why it works. Topics covered: Dave's personal intermittent fasting routine and how it evolved over timeThe blood sugar science behind why fasting stabilizes mood and energyA 2025 brain-imaging study on fasting and anxietyA major review of 15 clinical trials on fasting and depressionHow autophagy and inflammation may play a role in mental clarityDr. Daniel Amen's perspective on blood sugar and brain healthA challenge to try this week to experiment with your own blood sugar awareness If you've ever felt like your mood is at the mercy of your next meal, this episode is for you.

  7. Jul 2

    69. Why LeBron James Sleeps 12 Hours a Day — The Science of Sleep and Mental Health

    In this episode of The Mentally ill Mentor, Dave dives into the power of sleep and why it might be the most important thing you can do for your mental health. Starting with LeBron James' powerful message from the Calm app — "greatness lies on the other side of sleep" — Dave shares his own journey of discovering the importance of sleep through meditation, then breaks down the science of what happens to your brain and body when you don't get enough rest. He wraps up with practical advice straight from his book, including barriers to sleep, real solutions for each one, and a bonus guided meditation technique that can help you fall asleep tonight. Topics covered: LeBron James on the power of sleep from his Calm app series Train Your Mind, Vol. IDave's personal story of learning about sleep through meditationLeBron's sleep routine: 8+ hours per night, room temperature, no screens, and "Rain on Leaves"The science: why adults need 7–9 hours of sleep per nightHow sleep deprivation is linked to every major disease including heart disease, cancer, diabetes, Alzheimer's, depression, anxiety, and suicideBeing awake for 21 hours is cognitively equivalent to being legally drunkSleep deprivation, weight gain, and the hunger hormone connectionWhy an extra hour of sleep does more for your happiness than a $60,000 raiseThe link between poor sleep and feeling helpless and aloneBenefits of proper sleep: energy, happiness, emotional stability, focus, memory, and overall healthCommon barriers to sleep and practical solutions for each oneA bonus sleep solution: a simple guided meditation technique from the book that really worksLinks: The Mentally ill Mentor (Dave's Book on Amazon) https://www.amazon.com/Mentally-Ill-Mentor-Principles-Maintaining/dp/148105869X LeBron James — "The Power of Sleep" (Spotify): https://open.spotify.com/track/6jP9k3iyjPk3NvZdt5ipubLeBron James — "Greatness Lies on the Other Side of Sleep" (YouTube): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ritwlNtHNrY

  8. Jun 25

    68. How Sugar Negatively Affects Your Mental Health — Dr. Mark Hyman Explains Why

    How Sugar Destroys Your Mental Health — Dr. Mark Hyman Explains Why In this episode of The Mentally ill Mentor, Dave shares the story of his legendary "Texas Homemade Banana Splits" — a massive bowl of ice cream smothered in chocolate sauce, hot chocolate powder, and chocolate chips — and how meditation helped him discover that his sugar habit was actually emotional eating in disguise. He dives into the latest research on how sugar affects your brain, fuels irritability, anxiety, and depression, and features insights from world-renowned functional medicine leader Dr. Mark Hyman on why sugar is one of the most destructive things you can put in your body. Topics covered: The connection between emotional eating and sugar cravingsHow sugar causes irritability, mood swings, and anxiety through blood sugar crashesThe brain science: inflammation, dopamine hijacking, and gut-brain disruptionDr. Mark Hyman on why sugar makes us addicted, inflamed, and depressedDr. Daniel Amen on why sugar is one of the worst things for your brainDave's meditation breakthrough and the Lucy kitchen storyPractical steps to improve your relationship with sugar starting todayResources mentioned: The Mentally Ill Mentor by Dave Miller (Amazon): https://www.amazon.com/Mentally-Ill-Mentor-Principles-Maintaining/dp/148105869X Dr. Mark Hyman — "Depressed or Anxious? You May Never Eat Sugar Again After Watching This" (YouTube): https://youtu.be/BYFxw5E6iQg Dr. Daniel Amen — Amen Clinics: https://www.amenclinics.comDr. Mark Hyman's website: https://drhyman.com

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About

Welcome to The Mentally ill Mentor — the podcast that's revolutionizing the way the world thinks about and deals with mental health. Hosted by self-help author and mental health advocate David Grant Miller, this show is built on a simple promise: if you want to lose mental weight, build mental muscle, and crush anxiety, depression, self-harm, and thoughts of suicide, you can come here every week to get the personal training you need from someone who knows how you feel. Dave is a mental health speaker, coach, and author of The Mentally ill Mentor. A husband of 25+ years and father of 7, he's de

Information

  • Creator
    David Grant Miller
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    74
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © David Grant Miller
  • Show Website
    The Mentally ill Mentor