From Panic Attacks to Prime-Time: Howie Mandel’s Survival Story

Finding Mastery with Dr. Michael Gervais

What if the very thing you’ve been hiding from the world is actually the doorway to real connection?

On today’s episode, we sit down with legendary comedian, TV host, actor, and producer Howie Mandel - best known for Deal or No Deal, America’s Got Talent, and decades of stand-up. But the real story isn’t what Howie does. It’s how he thinks.

In this candid and deeply human conversation, Howie shares his lifelong journey with OCD and anxiety, his complex relationship with performance, and how comedy became both a shield and a bridge. Together with Dr. Mike, he explores what it means to embrace our humanness, manage the noise inside our heads, and show up vulnerably - onstage and off.

You’ll learn:

• How Howie Mandel transformed lifelong struggles with OCD and anxiety into creative fuel.
• Why vulnerability—even accidental—creates the deepest connections.
• How to become “comfortable with discomfort” and why that unlocks mastery.
• The difference between chasing fame and living from true contentment.
• Why engagement—not achievement—is the real key to a fulfilling life.

If you’ve ever wondered what would happen if you brought your hidden self into the light, this episode is your invitation to find out.

Links & Resources

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