In this special episode of the 18Forty Podcast, we introduce the topic of mental health with a conversation featuring world-famous Jewish singer Lipa Schmeltzer. While many people know Lipa’s songs, far fewer know his journey of mental health—a story he never expected to unfold. With raw vulnerability and beautiful passion, Lipa opens up about every step that led him to today. His lessons are immeasurably important. In this episode we discuss: What does it mean to be working for the “image company”?How did Lipa break through the barrier to seeking professional help for mental health issues?How can we maintain sincerity in the face of our own cynicism?Tune in to hear a conversation about the radical honesty it takes to make progress on a mental health journey. Interview begins at 20:26. Lipa, once described as “the Lady Gaga of Hasidic music,” has 18 solo albums to date. He is a father, singer, writer, and visual artist. References: “My heartfelt message of personal growth & challenges before Matan Torah 5783” with Lipa Schmeltzer Making of a Godol by Nathan Kamenetsky Elon Musk by Walter Isaacson The Untethered Soul by Michael A. Singer The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk