Candid Minds with Dr. T and Friends

Mindful Care
  • 2.3 (3)
  • Self-Improvement

Candid Minds with Dr. T and Friends is a podcast by Mindful Care that explores mental health through culture, science, current events, and lived experience. Hosted by Dr. Tamir Aldad, Addiction Psychiatrist and Founder and CEO of Mindful Care, the show blends clinical insight with open conversation. Every episode is curious, candid, and rooted in the idea that mental health is connected to everything.

  1. 5d ago

    How to Build Healthy Habits That Last with Dr. Charbel Saghbini | Candid Minds

    What does it actually take to build healthier habits that last?  On this episode of Candid Minds with Dr. T and Friends, Dr. Tamir Aldad and Jackie Gilde, LCSW, sit down with family physician and health and fitness coach Dr. Charbel Saghbini to talk about making health and wellness more realistic, sustainable, and accessible.  Before becoming a physician, Dr. Saghbini studied exercise science and worked as a personal trainer, building a foundation in fitness that continues to shape how he approaches health today. His decision to pursue medicine was also deeply personal: helping his own parents improve their health and quality of life inspired a broader mission to help people turn health advice into realistic changes they can actually maintain.  Dr. Saghbini shares why consistency often matters more than intensity, how our environments can shape our choices, and why small changes may be more sustainable than an all-or-nothing approach. He also discusses his perspective on evidence-based medicine, the limitations of one-size-fits-all health advice, and the misinformation that can spread through social media and wellness trends.  From daily movement and sleep to creatine, cold plunges, sugar, and morning sunlight, Dr. Saghbini breaks down the habits he prioritizes, the ones that come down to personal preference, and how to make healthier choices easier to maintain in everyday life.    FOLLOW DR. CHARBEL SAGHBINI  Instagram: @saghbini.md    FOLLOW DR. TAMIR ALDAD  Instagram: @drtamiraldad  TikTok: @drtamiraldad  YouTube: @drtamiraldad  Subscribe to Candid Minds with Dr. T & Friends on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube for more candid conversations about mental health and the people and experiences that shape us.

    How to Build Healthy Habits That Last with Dr. Charbel Saghbini | Candid Minds

  2. Sep 16

    Terrell Owens: Greatness Beyond the Game | Candid Minds

    NFL Hall of Famer Terrell Owens built a career defined by talent, discipline, and a relentless drive to compete. But what happens when the game ends and athletes are left to figure out what comes next?  In this episode of Candid Minds with Dr. T & Friends, host Dr. Tamir Aldad, addiction psychiatrist, CEO of Mindful Care, and author of Too Close for Comfort, welcomes Owens for a candid conversation about football, fatherhood, mental health, and the mindset behind his legendary NFL career.  Owens shares his “3 Ds” of success: desire, dedication, and discipline. He reflects on raising young athletes, modern parenting and coaching, and his transition after football. He and Dr. Aldad also discuss mental health challenges among professional athletes, the need for greater support after their playing careers end, and Owens’ perspective on the Pro Football Hall of Fame selection process.    FOLLOW DR. TAMIR ALDAD  Instagram: @drtamiraldad TikTok: @drtamiraldad YouTube: @drtamiraldad  FOLLOW TERRELL OWENS  Instagram: @terrellowens TikTok: @terrellowens Facebook: @Terrell Owens  ABOUT TOO CLOSE FOR COMFORT  With a foreword by Howie Mandel, Dr. Tamir Aldad’s Too Close for Comfort explores how to support someone struggling with their mental health without losing yourself in the process.  📖 Too Close for Comfort is available now.  Order on Amazon: a.co/d/0hhbvnYG Learn more: TamirAldadMD.com  Subscribe to Candid Minds with Dr. T & Friends on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube for more candid conversations about mental health and the people and experiences that shape us.

    Terrell Owens: Greatness Beyond the Game | Candid Minds

  3. Sep 7

    Howie Mandel: Mental Health & "Too Close for Comfort"

    Howie Mandel has spent decades making people laugh, but behind the comedy is a lifelong experience with OCD, ADHD, anxiety, and depression.  In this episode of Candid Minds with Dr. T & Friends, psychiatrist and author Dr. Tamir Aldad sits down with Howie Mandel, who wrote the foreword to Dr. Aldad’s new book, Too Close for Comfort, for an open and deeply personal conversation about mental health, family, success, and the realities of living with mental illness in the public eye.  Howie reflects on receiving formal diagnoses later in life, the ultimatum from his wife that pushed him to seek help, and the unexpected moment he first publicly revealed his OCD diagnosis. He and Dr. Aldad also discuss the lack of preventative mental health care, barriers created by insurance, and why mental health still isn't treated with the same urgency as physical health.  Their conversation also explores a reality at the heart of Too Close for Comfort: mental health struggles don't only affect the person experiencing them. They can shape relationships, change family dynamics, and impact the people who love and support them. Howie shares his own perspective on how his mental health has affected his family and what he's learned from navigating those challenges together.    ABOUT TOO CLOSE FOR COMFORT  Howie Mandel wrote the foreword to Dr. Tamir Aldad's new book, Too Close for Comfort, which explores what happens when caring for someone struggling with their mental health begins to affect your own well-being.  Through clinical insight, real-world experiences, and practical guidance, Dr. Aldad examines the often-blurred line between supporting someone you love and becoming too consumed by their struggles.  📖 Too Close for Comfort is available September 8.  Pre-order on Amazon: https://a.co/d/0hhbvnYG  Learn more: https://TamirAldadMD.com    FOLLOW HOWIE MANDEL  Instagram: @howiemandel  TikTok: @officialhowiemandel  YouTube: @HowieMandelDoesStuff    FOLLOW DR. TAMIR ALDAD  Instagram: @drtamiraldad  TikTok: @drtamiraldad  YouTube: @drtamiraldad  Subscribe to Candid Minds with Dr. T & Friends on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube for more candid conversations about mental health and the people and experiences that shape us.

    Howie Mandel: Mental Health & "Too Close for Comfort"

  4. Sep 2

    Ray J: Crash Outs & Comebacks | Candid Minds

    Ray J joins Dr. Tamir Aldad for a raw and unfiltered conversation about mental health, identity, success, and the reality of living in the public eye.  Ray J opens up about the distinction between his public persona and the person behind it, his self-described “crash out campaign,” and his ongoing battle with an addiction to doing outlandish things. He also discusses recent health scares, pushing himself harder than ever, and what happens when the pressure to prove yourself begins to take a toll.  The conversation goes beyond the headlines as Ray J reflects on hitting rock bottom, his complicated relationship with success and money, fighting for what he believes is the truth, and the importance of knowing when to surround yourself with the right people. He also shares a more personal side of himself, including what he wants for his family and the relationships that matter most to him.  It’s a candid look at the person behind Ray J and the mental and physical cost of constantly pushing forward.    Follow Ray J: @rayj  Follow Dr. Tamir Aldad: @drtamiraldad  About Too Close for Comfort :In his new self-help book, Too Close for Comfort, Dr. Tamir Aldad explores what happens when caring for someone you love turns into carrying their emotional well-being. With practical strategies for setting healthy boundaries while maintaining compassion, the book offers a path forward for anyone navigating emotional dependency in a relationship.  Available September 8.   Pre-order now:  Amazon: https://a.co/d/0hhbvnYG Or visit TamirAldadMD.com

    Ray J: Crash Outs & Comebacks | Candid Minds

  5. Aug 14

    Connor Tomlinson on Finding Purpose & Advocacy | Candid Minds

    Join Dr. T for an inspiring episode of Candid Minds with Dr. T & Friends featuring fan favorite Connor Tomlinson and his mother, Lise Menard Smith, from Netflix's Love on the Spectrum. They're joined by Layla Luna, Founder and CEO of the nonprofit Just Bee, an organization dedicated to supporting individuals with autism spectrum disorder and the broader neurodivergent community.  Together, they explore life beyond reality television, the realities of navigating an autism diagnosis, and why advocacy matters now more than ever. Layla shares the powerful story behind Rio's Law, a groundbreaking identifier license plate initiative designed to help protect autistic and neurodivergent individuals during interactions with first responders. Connor discusses how he's using his platform to champion this legislation, embrace adulthood with confidence, and challenge the limitations society often places on neurodivergent individuals.  From behind-the-scenes stories about Love on the Spectrum to honest conversations about childhood bullying, Connor's aspirations in acting, and the lessons he's learned along the way, this episode is filled with humor, vulnerability, and hope.  Tune in for an unforgettable conversation about breaking stereotypes, discovering purpose, and creating a more inclusive world—one that celebrates strengths, embraces differences, and recognizes the limitless potential within every individual.  Follow the Guests & Organization: Connor Tomlinson: @connortomlinson5   Lise Menard Smith: @connorsmom_lise   Just Bee: @justbeethechange   Dr. T: @drtamiraldad   About Just Bee: Just Bee is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting individuals with autism spectrum disorder and the broader neurodivergent community. Learn more about Rio's Law and discover how you can support their grassroots mission.  If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to like, subscribe, and leave a review to help more people discover Candid Minds with Dr. T & Friends.

    Connor Tomlinson on Finding Purpose & Advocacy | Candid Minds

  6. Jul 29

    Martin Kove on Cobra Kai, Redemption & the Man Behind John Kreese | Candid Minds

    In this episode of Candid Minds with Dr. T & Friends, Dr. Tamir Aldad welcomes Martin Kove, best known as John Kreese from The Karate Kid and Cobra Kai, for a conversation about the person behind the character.  Martin reflects on decades in Hollywood, how he broke free from being typecast as the "tough guy," and why vulnerability has become the most meaningful part of his work. He shares what it was like returning to Kreese in Cobra Kai, the emotional toll of living in the "no mercy" mindset, and why redemption became such an important part of his character's journey.  The conversation also explores discipline, fatherhood, mentorship, handling public mistakes, staying calm in moments of conflict, and the legacy Martin hopes to leave through his future projects.  In this episode, we discuss:  The evolution of John Kreese throughout Cobra Kai   Why vulnerability became central to Martin's acting   The psychology of playing intense, emotionally complex characters   Discipline, resilience, and the role of perseverance in success   Working alongside his son and passing on lessons learned   His upcoming Western series, Tombstone prequel, and the Prodigal Son cigar brand   Accountability, personal growth, and finding redemption on and off screen   🎙️ Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or watch the full episode on YouTube.  Follow Martin Kove: @martinkove   Follow Dr. T: @drtamiraldad

    Martin Kove on Cobra Kai, Redemption & the Man Behind John Kreese | Candid Minds

  7. Jul 15

    Sammy “The Bull” Gravano Talks to Psychiatrist | Candid Minds with Dr. T

    What happens when one of the most notorious figures in Mafia history sits down with a psychiatrist? In this episode of Candid Minds with Dr. T & friends, Dr. Tamir Aldad is joined by Sammy "The Bull" Gravano and his son, Gerard, for a raw look at life inside and outside "the life".  Sammy and Gerard dive deep into the intersection of organized crime and mental health, discussing how childhood struggles like undiagnosed dyslexia fueled a path toward violence. They share the psychological toll of the Mafia code, from becoming "numb" to violence to the life-altering impact of betrayal.  In this episode, we discuss:  Life in the Mob: Sammy’s perspective on the Mafia’s rules and how he eventually left the life after being betrayed by John Gotti.  The Path to Redemption: Sammy’s journey toward becoming a born-again Christian and his commitment to being a "warrior for God".  A New Legacy: The Gravano's current mission to use new technology and advocacy to help children with learning differences avoid the paths they once took.  A Family’s Burden: Gerard Gravano on growing up in his father’s shadow, finding his own identity, and the ripple effects of his father's cooperation with the government.    Follow Dr. T on social media: @drtamiraldad      Follow Sammy “The Bull” on social media: @officialsammythebull  Follow Gerard Gravano on social media: @gerardgravano

    Sammy “The Bull” Gravano Talks to Psychiatrist | Candid Minds with Dr. T

  8. Jul 1

    Speed, Substance, and Second Chances with Jesse T. Usher

    What can a superhero struggling with addiction teach us about the very real consequences of substance use, identity, and second chances?  In this episode of Candid Minds with Dr. T & Friends, addiction psychiatrist Dr. Tamir Aldad sits down with actor Jessie T. Usher, best known for playing A-Train in Amazon Prime's The Boys, for an honest conversation that goes far beyond Hollywood.  Jessie reflects on graduating high school at just 15, the work ethic his parents instilled in him, and the discipline that helped launch his career. He also opens up about navigating the inevitable highs and lows of the entertainment industry, staying grounded through uncertainty, and why breaking big goals into small, daily steps has been one of the keys to his success.  Together, Dr. Aldad and Jessie explore how A-Train's battle with performance-enhancing substances mirrors real-world addiction, loss of control, and recovery. They discuss why these stories resonate so deeply with audiences and how entertainment can spark meaningful conversations about mental health.  The conversation also touches on fatherhood, finding purpose beyond fame, and what's next as Jessie looks toward creating original projects and taking on more challenging roles.  Whether you're a fan of The Boys, interested in mental health, or simply looking for an inspiring conversation about resilience and growth, this episode offers a thoughtful look at what it means to keep moving forward.    Follow Dr. T on social media: @drtamiraldad     Follow Jessie T. Usher on social media: @jessietusher

    Speed, Substance, and Second Chances with Jesse T. Usher
See All (55)

Ratings & Reviews

2.3
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

Candid Minds with Dr. T and Friends is a podcast by Mindful Care that explores mental health through culture, science, current events, and lived experience. Hosted by Dr. Tamir Aldad, Addiction Psychiatrist and Founder and CEO of Mindful Care, the show blends clinical insight with open conversation. Every episode is curious, candid, and rooted in the idea that mental health is connected to everything.

Information

You Might Also Like