Millennial Mental Health Channel

Every year millions of Americans experience traumatic experiences in hospitals. In this episode, Dr. Justin tells a story about the recent birth of his child and his wife’s near death experience. The episode has a special musical break, so stay tuned until the end!

Eddie and Justin sit down with Colette Ghunim, director of the award winning film Traces of Home. In this documentary, Colette travels to the homes that her parents in Palestine and Mexico, and learns of the traumas they experienced. Helping her parents address their traumas helps her understand her own truamas and begin the healing process. Colette is full of spiritual wisdom and encouraging words. Our listeners are definitely going to love this episode. If you want more information on the film, check out the website belowhttps://www.tracesofhome.com

School counselors play a huge role in the mental health of students across the country. So, for this National School Counseling Week, Eddie and Justin give props to perhaps the group of people who deserve it the most. Learn about the education and training to become a school counselor, and hear Justin's story of a school counselor telling him exactly what he needed to hear in high school.  

Young people often say that school is the biggest stressor in their lives. In this episode Eddie and Justin ask the question: is school stressing kids out and leading to more mental health problems? They lean on their own experiences, and review some scientific papers on the subject. Plus, learn about other school systems in the world that are less stressful and have better outcomes. 

Eddie and Justin kick off the new year talking about New Years resolutions with stats and facts, and some tips to help you stick to healthy lifestyle changes. They recap their favorite moments of 2025, and discuss what they are most hopeful for in 2026. 

Although the holidays are supposed to be a magical time of year, it consistently brings a rise in substance use and overdoses. In this episode Justin and Eddie break down some of these trends, help the listers understand why the holidays can be so stressful (especially for those with trauma), and provide resources for people looking for help. The emphasis is always love and understanding, not just judging people who cope by using substances. 

Eddie and Justin have been doing this show for 6 years. On this episode they recap their business trip to Portugal. Then, they discuss how life, mental health, and the world have changed in the last 6 years. 

Five years ago Isaiah was a guest on MMHC, and a lot has changed for him. He went from a youth pastor aspiring to be a neurosurgeon to being an atheist psychiatrist. In this episode, hear how residency training and life beat him down, and rebuilt him into the man the he is today. 

A recent study shows that asking deep questions strengthens relationships. In this episode, Eddie and Justin dive into some deep questions about life, family, and career. They share tips on how to start conversations with young people, make a decent amount of 50 cent references, and strengthen their own friendship. 

A recent lawsuit involving Chat GPT alleges that the AI chat bot may have contributed to the suicide of a 16 year old young person. Is this an isolated incident, or are there other examples? Are politicians doing anything to address these concerns? Does Mr. Turner in Boy Meets World have the perfect mullet? Find out the answers and more on this episode of MMHC. 

Cell Phone bans in schools are happening all across the world. Find out which states have them and which don't, what methods are working, and what Eddie's school is doing right now. Plus, find out if putting iPads in school was based on any scientific research. 

Eddie and Justin need a break from the negativity. So they discuss good news, personal accomplishments, favorite music, and Justin's immaculate Cheech Marin impression. 

Family therapy is one of the most imporant and useful types of therapy, and the world needs more family therapists! Luckily, two of them offered to be on the show. Michelle Garcia and Kelly Gonyer are the co-hosts of The Ritual Sisters Podcast. On this episode, Eddie and Justin chat with Michelle and Kelly about thier own family dynamics, the journey to becoming family therapists, and some tips for developing healthy family connections. 

With so much negativity bombarding us through the media, it is easy to feel like showing compassion to others is becoming harder. On this episdoe, Eddie and Justin dive into the concept of compassion fatigue. They list the causes, signs, and things you can do to combat it. 

The world is way behind on understanding tech and smartphone addiction. In this episode Eddie and Justin discuss how much progress has been made in the 3 years since Dr. Justin released his TEDx talk on the subjuect. Find out what countries are doing to protect their youth, and what states are leading the charge. 

The hit show Adolescence on Netflix was a cinematic marvel that brilliantly incorporated themes of masculinity, digital media, and the disconnect between parents in kids. In this episode, Eddie and Justin break down some of these themes, and compare them to what kids are going through today in real life. Spolier alerts ahead! 

The head of Health and Human Services RFK Junior made some questionable statements on Autism earlier this year. So, Eddie and Justin decided to do another episode on autism spectrum disorder to evaluate his claims, and examine some of the science and evidence around autism and vaccines. Plus, you get to hear Dr. Justin's excellent RFK Jr impression.  

Dreams are a big part of mental health, neurology, and psychology. In this episode, Eddie and Justin discuss the history, science, and meaning of dreams. Plus, find out which of the most important human inventions came from dreams. 

The generation that you grow up in tends to define how you think about mental health issues. In this episode, Justin and Eddie talk about why there are differences between Boomers, Zoomers, Gen Xers, Millennials, and more. The better we can understand others, the better we can empathize. 

Child stars are some of the most famous people on earth, instantly recognizable anywhere. The typical thoughts on child stars is that they struggle to transition to adulthood, but is that really true? In this episode Eddie and Justin break down some of their favorite child stars from the 90s. They look at scientific data on the subject, and dive into how former child stars actually feel about their childhood careers. 

People with disabilities have every right to pursue an education, a great meal, and fair treatment. And there are laws in place to help them. In this episode, Eddie and Justin explain the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other laws and court cases that have shaped the United States. They explain how people with disabilities can get assistance with their mental health at work and in school. They also discuss how proposed federal budget cuts may impact the funding for these programs.  Plus, find out which co-host has a spot-on Australian accent. 

Have you ever wondered why horror games and movies are so appealing to certain people? In this episode Eddie and Justin answer this question by exploring the psychology of horror. They also look at horror games being marketed to children. Plus, find out which co-host is a huge weenie when it comes to horror. 

Have you ever wondered which religion is the happiest? Luckily, there is a study on that! On this episode Eddie and Justin share their religious backgrounds, discuss the basics of major world religions, and dive into a paper that looks at which religions are the happiest. 

Does it feel like people are more socially anxious than ever? Because the data backs it up. In this episode Eddie and Justin break down social anxiety with the stats, the papers, the treatments, and their own clinical experience. You may be surprised which celebrities have it, and even more surprised by how much the guys love Marshawn Lynch. 

The recent assassination of the United Healthcare CEO has led to a surprising social media response. Many people feel the killer was justified. In this episode Eddie and Justin process the murder, the surprising background and characteristics of Luigi Mangione, and what happens next for our society. 

Dr. Alisa Karmel is an author and psychologist who wrote a book with her brother Ian Karmel about growing up fat, how they were treated by society, their journey to having healthy bodies, and how to reclaim the word fat. This episode contains humorous personal stories, useful tips for talking to young people about their weight, and a rousing endorsement for the book T-Shirt Swim Club. Get your very own copy of the book here!https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/723034/t-shirt-swim-club-by-ian-karmel-and-alisa-karmel-psyd/

In this episode, Eddie and Justin discuss attachment theory and explain how early childhood bonds shape the rest of our lives. Whether you are curious about your own attachment style, interested in psychology, or seeking to strengthen your own relationships, this episode offers insights from professionals to build stronger connections. 

On this special episode of MMHC, Eddie and Justin have an honest discussion about the state of mental health. They dive into healthcare, the post-COVID world, new stressors for teens, fighting burnout, and what makes working in mental health so rewarding. 

Do you feel like you are always tired? In this episode Justin and Eddie expore why people are feeling more tired than ever. From stress to screen time there are a lot of reasons why people are not sleeping as well as they used to. Tune in for information on sleep plus some tricks to help you feel refreshed and energized!

In this episode, Eddie and Justin dive into the complexities of Seasonal Affective Disorder, a type of depression that typically hits during the fall and winter. They explore stats, science, and treatments. Whether you are affected by SAD or just curious to learn more, this episode has practical information to help navigate the winter blues. 

Love and relationships have changed a lot with the introduction of the internet. On this episode, Eddie and Justin discuss stats on online dating, the characteristics of healthy relationships, and the rise of polyamory. You may be surprised which celebrities have come out as poly-A. 

Hypochondriasis is a legitimate mental health disorder... or at least it used to be. On this episode, Eddie and Justin break down the history of the term hypochondria, and discuss how we view and talk about this disorder now. Some interesting historical examples are given, and personal stories make the episode fun and useful. 

Appearance is a big part of your identity, and physical trauma can drastically change the way you look. In this episode, Eddie and Justin welcome Kyle Mikel to the show to talk about his experience with appearance altering trauma from an electric scooter accident that caused serious damage. Kyle's honesty, vulnerabiligy, and thoughtfulness shine through in this extra special episode with a musical extra at the end. 

Burnout is a very real thing making life harder for many people, especially those who work in mental health and service industries. In this episode, Eddie and Justin break down burnout, list off some of the signs to watch out for, and provide evidence based suggestions for combating it.

Technology may be one of the biggest contributors to worsening mental health in modern times, but it may also be a large piece of the solution. In this episode Eddie and Justin discuss therapy apps, ADHD apps, and apps to prevent relapse in self harm and substances. They review the evidence on the efffectiveness of these apps, and discuss the potential that these apps have to helping humanity. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10242473/https://calmharm.stem4.org.uk/

In this episode, Eddie and Justin break down all things anxiety. They give their own personal stories to try and help normalize these feelings and emotions. The emphasis is always on love and acceptance. Plus, learn about which former hottest man alive has opened up about his anxiety, and hear Dr. Justin say the word orgasm. This episode has it all! 

Music is a part of every known human civilation on earth. Music is essential to humanity and mental health. On this episode, Eddie and Justin discuss some interesting facts about music, some of their favorite song lyrics, and how they have used music in their lives to help their mental health. 

The Standard American diet is bad for our physical health AND our mental health. In this episode Eddie and Justin talk about their own struggles with diet, why ultra processed food is bad for mental health, and give practical advice for improving your diet. Plus, you might be surprised about which celebrities have gone plant based for health and ethical reasons. 

Many Americans struggle with feeling like they are not good enough to belong in their current position. This is called imposter syndrome, and it is an incredibly common phenomenon. In this episode, Eddie and Justin break down what imposter syndrome is, how common it is, and some advice for combatting it. You won't believe some of the most successful and famous people in the world who have also felt imposter syndrome. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK585058/https://www.businessinsider.com/celebrities-who-talked-about-having-imposter-syndrome-2023-4#lupita-nyongo-said-in-october-2022-that-she-bucked-imposter-syndrome-with-advice-from-emma-thompson-3https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Angela-Decandia-Vitoria/publication/346738747_Experiential_supervision_healing_imposter_phenomenon_from_the_inside_out/links/62640f118cb84a40ac8455bd/Experiential-supervision-healing-imposter-phenomenon-from-the-inside-out.pdf?_sg%5B0%5D=started_experiment_milestone&origin=journalDetailhttps://www.apa.org/monitor/2021/06/cover-impostor-phenomenon

Psychiatrists have a rule in their code of ethics that says they are not supposed to speak publically about the mental health of public figures and politicians. So why do they do it all the time? In this episode, Dr. Mark Mullen discusses the nuance, history, and current application of the Goldwater Rule. The hosts contemplate if mental health professionals should comment on social media and reality TV shows like Love is Blind. Check out this introspective interview on a pertinent topic with one of psychiatry's great young minds. Dr. Mullen's Podcast Psychiatry Bootcamp:https://open.spotify.com/show/4Vjlz4CO0G5D6nGo74O0jEhttps://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/psychiatry-boot-camp/id1671902940

Our guest, Ann Russo, grew up gay in the 80s and had many family secrets that she was afraid to let out. Growing up in a gay household, attending a conversion convention, and studying theology are only some of her riveting stories. This experiences helped build her values of love, acceptance, and understanding. She now uses those values to provide online therapy and life coaching for gender diverse and other disenfranchised clients. Listen to Ann on MMHC, and you will not be dissapointed. Find her at:[email protected]:HEALTHYME (free 30 minute consultation life coaching or psychotherapy

Have you ever been curious how parenting has changed throughout the generations? On this episode, Eddie and Justin discuss the trends in Millennial parents and how they differ from the past. Millennials are spending more time with their kids and changing parenting for the better.

At MMHC we feel like it is important to address traumas of the past, so on this episode Eddie and Justin dive into the historical examples of how psychiatry and medicine have hurt people. From lobotomies, to theories that blamed mothers for giving their chidlren schizophrenia, this episode covers a lot of ground. Sources:https://www.britannica.com/science/lobotomyhttps://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1127045/

Police and the severely mentally ill do not always live in harmony. On this episode, Eddie and Justin break down the history of this relationship, and try to offer evidence based solutions to help police and other social services help people in crisis. The emphasis is on understanding and helping and not blaming the police, despite the buzzword in the title. https://people.ucsc.edu/~jwest1/articles/West_RacialBiasPolice.pdfhttps://journalofethics.ama-assn.org/article/deinstitutionalization-people-mental-illness-causes-and-consequences/2013-10https://statesofincarceration.org/story/why-are-correctional-facilities-nation-s-largest-mental-health-care-providershttps://apnews.com/article/mental-health-crisis-911-police-alternative-civilian-responders-ca97971200c485e36aa456c04d217547https://kdvr.com/news/local/study-denvers-star-program-reduced-crime-costs/#:~:text=The%20study%2C%20co%2Dauthored%20by,didn't%20have%20a%20presence.https://www.motherjones.com/criminal-justice/2022/06/mental-health-san-francisco-street-crisis-response-team-cahoots-police-violence/https://www.opb.org/article/2023/06/27/portland-street-response-citywide-one-year-later-future/

There are a lot of misconceptions about bipolar disorder out there. So Eddie and Justin took the time to define what bipolar disorder is, address the misconceptions, and discuss some of the treatment options available. Plus, Eddie sings Mariah Carey. You do not want to miss it!

There are a lot of different types of therapies in mental health that we call modalities. It can be hard to know what the differences are and which ones to choose. In this episode, the boys discuss the most common types of therapy, and educate on what you should know to make sure that you are getting the most out of therapy. Plus, they discuss which celebrities have become proponents of therapy, and how much Kesha rules.

There are a shocking number of parasites that can live in the human body and some of them can have surprising effects on the brain, both good and bad! Eddie and Justin break down which parasites can be bad, which ones may be good, which celebrities and historical figures have had parasites, and share a lot of laughs along the way.https://www.nih.gov/news-events/news-releases/nih-human-microbiome-project-defines-normal-bacterial-makeup-bodyhttps://www.cambridge.org/core/blog/2022/08/23/the-impact-of-parasite-infection-of-mental-illness/https://www.cdc.gov/parasites/toxoplasmosis/epi.html#:~:text=Toxoplasmosis%20is%20caused%20by%20the,have%20been%20infected%20with%20Toxoplasma.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9558922/https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5175054/#:~:text=It%20can%20cause%20psychiatric%20disorders,personality%20changes%2C%20delirium%20and%20dementia.https://wchh.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/pnp.733https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5401880/https://www.npr.org/transcripts/489619045https://www.nbcnewyork.com/entertainment/entertainment-news/the-white-lotus-star-theo-james-shares-horrifying-travel-story/3983282/https://www.discovermorepodcast.com/115-the-funniest-and-most-insightful-mental-health-psychiatry-interview-justin-romano-md-eddie-carrillo-lpc-mmhc/

Are men getting softer? Is the concept of masculinity changing? Eddie and Justin break down the topic of toxic masculinity, how to spot it, and what to do about it. Personal and professional stories help drive home thier points in this laughter filled and fun episode.

ADHD levels are on the rise, so Eddie and Justin dive into the potential causes, the history, the stats, and personal stories. Eddie gets vulnurable, and Dr. Justin teaches some new and interesting treatments for ADHD. From tributes for lost friends to dad jokes, this episode has a little of everything.

The vast majority of Americans see thier pets as a valued family member, but pet ownership can come with extreme highs and lows. On this episode, Eddie and Justin discuss the history of pets, their personal stories, and some of the surprising research about how pets influence our physical and mental health. Plus, they give tips for grieving a lost pet.Sources:When Did Man First Domesticate Dogs? | Psychology Today The Natural History of Domestic Cats | Alley Cat Allies Pet’s influence on humans’ daily physical activity and mental health: a meta-analysis - PMC (nih.gov) Pet Ownership and Quality of Life: A Systematic Review of the Literature - PMC (nih.gov) Pet ownership and psychological well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic - PMC (nih.gov) Pet ownership and human health: a brief review of evidence and issues - PMC (nih.gov) U.S. pet ownership statistics | American Veterinary Medical Association (avma.org) 2023 Pet Ownership Statistics: 70 Fur Facts - Lemonade Big money: Americans spend $500M on Halloween costumes for pets | MyStateline.com