Meet Paul Gilmartin | Podcaster

We had the good fortune of connecting with Paul Gilmartin and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Paul, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking.
Risk has been a big part of my career starting with me changing my major my junior year of college from pre-med to theatre. I listened to something inside me that said it was the right thing to do for me having a life that would feel right.

Another risk was becoming a standup shortly after college. I was terrified of being onstage alone since the only performing I had done until then was always in an ensemble.

I don’t think this was necessarily a conscious risk at the time but the audition for the tv show that I wound up doing for 16 years (TBS’ Dinner and a Movie) wasn’t going well and I kind of gave up and started just making fun of the woman auditioning with me b/c she was kind of steamrolling me. Apparently the network liked the chemistry but honestly I was just doing it because it was honest in the moment and I had let go of any hope of getting the job. Funny how that works.

Lastly, the biggest career risk was leaving standup and tv behind to do my podcast (the Mental Illness Happy Hour). I didn’t think of it as a career when I started it b/c I was still on the tv show and touring doing standup but the podcast is what felt authentic and inspiring to me. I think because I didn’t start the podcast with any intention of making money it had a tone that clicked with people. So it kind of found its footing before earning money from it became a consideration. By about the 3rd or 4th year of doing it I was able to begin supporting myself.

As I look back I guess I did what felt most inspiring to me rather than what I thought would bring me financial security. I’m not sure where that comes from but I know my parents were a large part of it b/c they told me when I was a kid that if I did what inspired me I would do it well and the money would take care of itself. I’m really grateful for that. They told me, “Follow your passion. But don’t go into advertising.” I’m also grateful for that 🙂

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I started my podcast b/c I wanted to normalize the mental and emotional struggles we go thru as humans, especially people with addictions, a history of trauma, mental illness or just a gnawing feeling of emptiness or discomfort. I think what sets my podcast apart is that it can get very, very dark. I consciously don’t hold back on those things b/c I know that it is often those very stories that can be the most helpful to those who feel alone in their darkness.

I think trying to live an ethical life (I’m far from perfect) and going where the inspiration is has made any successes a by-product of that. While I do worry about money I have been lucky in that I’ve never had to make my living at something that is at odds with my moral compass. Sometimes it has cost me a lot of income but I feel at peace and am lucky to be able to pay my bills.

I think my podcast was the first mental health one to dive so deeply into the stuff that many people have trouble voicing or sometimes even thinking. Part of it was me wanting to help people who are struggling but there has always been a large part of me that wanted to have the most troubling parts of my life witnessed and felt by others. I think the podcast has helped me as much as anyone listening.

Making furniture has also been a large part of my artistic life. It’s like a separate part of my brain gets a workout and I can’t put it into words. I recently started a part-time business giving woodworking lessons and selling my pieces. If people are interested the website is www.ShapedFurniture.com and on IG @ShapedFurniture.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Definitely Gjusta in Venice, Katsuya in Studio City and Guisado’s tacos in Burbank.

LACMA especially if there’s a good exhibit like the Kubrick one that was here about 5-10 years ago.

Zuma beach on a hot day and lunch at Malibu seafood.

Coffee at M Street Cafe in Sherman Oaks. Great independent place with amazing coffee, great owners and awesome staff. I love going into a place where they know not only your drink but how you like it made (Cappuccino with lots of foam).

I know after I hit “send” I’ll think of all the other places I’m forgetting.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My parents, my comedy peers, my ex-wife who taught me a lot about standup and supported me when the podcast wasn’t making any money, my girlfriend who loves and supports me, the people in my support groups who have helped me learn to cope with life, the journalists who have written nice things about the podcast and definitely the people who have been guests on the podcast as well as the listeners.

Website: www.mentalpod.com www.shapedfurniture.com

Instagram: @mentalpod @shapedfurniture

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mentalpod