Our mental health series is sponsored by Terri and Andrew Herenstein. In this episode of the 18Forty Podcast, David Bashevkin opens up about his mental health journey. Through the lenses of therapy, comedy, books, family history, and positive influences, David shares the experiences that have shaped the way he handles mental health challenges today. In this episode we discuss: Is religious commitment supposed to be the cure to mental health problems?How can we deal with the need to be liked?What enables happy people to be so happy?Tune in to hear a discussion about how one might “become friends with themself” despite life’s difficulties. Message from Dr. Sara Baris begins at 24:26. Conversation with Grandma Millie begins at 1:18:30. Conversation with Jay Richman begins at 1:24:08. David Bashevkin, is the director of education for NCSY, the youth movement of the Orthodox Union, and an instructor at Yeshiva University, where he teaches courses on public policy, religious crisis, and rabbinic thought. He completed rabbinic ordination at Yeshiva University’s Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary, as well as a master’s degree at the Bernard Revel Graduate School of Jewish Studies focusing on the thought of Rabbi Zadok of Lublin under the guidance of Dr. Yaakov Elman. He received a doctorate in Public Policy and Management at The New School’s Milano School of International Affairs, focusing on crisis management. He has published two books, Sin·a·gogue: Sin and Failure in Jewish Thought, as well as a Hebrew work B’Rogez Rachem Tizkor (trans. In Anger, Remember Mercy). References: Stutz (2022) Comedian (2002) John Mulaney And Stephen Colbert Explore Each Other's Deepest Anxieties Introduction to Love's Executioner by Irvin D. Yalom The Wisdom of No Escape: and the Path of Loving-Kindness by Pema Chödrön How to Meditate: A Practical Guide to Making Friends with Your Mind by Pema Chödrön The Zen Diaries of Garry Shandling Gary Gulman: The Great Depresh