In this episode Paul & Renae talk about:

• How religious trauma numbs us from ourselves

• How feeling like “not fitting anywhere” was the clue to help unlock the exploration into gender fluidity

• The never ending process of self-discovery

• Finding love in chosen family

• Importance of LGBTQ+ community building

Join us as we dive into how Renae’s journey of intergenerational trauma and queer self-discovery led to finding chosen family, an authentic sense of self, and the desire to build a welcoming landing spot for the greater queer and trans community.

To learn more about Paul & The Mental Illness Happy Hour visit his website here. Or on Insta and Tiktok @mentalpod

Click here to read Renae’s blog on the topic.

Please Subscribe on Apple Podcasts or Spotify for regular LGBTQ+ content.

Mental Illness Happy Hour & Paul Gilmartin Bio:

Comedian Paul Gilmartin hosts a weekly, hour-long audio podcast consisting of interviews with artists, friends and the occasional doctor. The show is geared towards anyone interested in or affected by depression, addiction and other mental challenges which are so prevalent in the creative arts.

Paul’s hope is that the show and this website will give people a place to connect, smile and feel the return of hope. The biggest myth about mental illness is that you are alone and there is no help.

From 1995 to 2011 Paul Gilmartin co-hosted TBS’ Dinner and a Movie. As a standup he has appeared 0n Comedy Central Presents: Paul Gilmartin and numerous other shows that everyone has since forgotten. He is a frequent guest on the Jimmy Dore Show performing political satire as right-wing Congressman Richard Martin.

Paul was thrilled to be diagnosed with clinical depression in 1999 because it meant he wasn’t just an asshole. By 2003, he realized he was still an asshole and an alcoholic. Since 2003 he has been sober, mostly happy and a tiny bit less of an asshole.

Content warning: religious and intergenerational trauma, sexual abuse