Dr. Lisa Gives A Sh*t

Eric Drysdale has climbed a mountain and is now seeking new vistas. It was so interesting to hear how he kinda wound up naturally as a late night television writer, contributing to over 1500 hours of late-night television as a staff writer for The Daily Show with Jon Stewart (2000-2005), The Colbert Report (2005-2015), The Late Show with Stephen Colbert (2015-2016) and Full Frontal with Samantha Bee (2016-2019) He also contributed to the Daily Show’s best selling America: The Book, The Colbert Report’s I Am America and So Can You and its sequel America Again. He is the recipient of 14 Primetime Emmy wins and 18 nominations. With all that, Eric continues to look for new challenges, which is probably why he got to where he is anyway. Eric is also a serious collector of of amateur 1950s three-dimensional photography was featured in 3D: Double Vision, a survey exhibit at LACMA (Los Angeles County Museum of Art). He also contributed an essay to the exhibition catalog. He continues to share his collection with smal

Susan Rousseau came in for a therapy session and she did a lot of hard work! Susan is charming and smart, the host of a great talk show, New In New York on RFB every Tues. 9am. Susan is very successful in television, most recently the interview producer for Desus & Mero. Susan, with a great TV career is obviously very talented, but like way too many of us, underestimates herself. In this session we dig into finding out more about where that comes from and we figure out a productive plan for her going forward. More about Susan and NEW IN NEW YORK: Hosted by Susan Rousseau. New York is wild. But being new in New York is Out. Of. Control. On this show, we’ll bring you some of the funniest, most fascinating stories from the people who somehow found their way to the city that never sleeps, knowing if they could make it here, they could make it anywhere, because hot damn. It’s hard. Each week, a new guest shares their uniquely personal good, bad, ugly, embarrassing, hilarious adventures with listeners. What brough

Hnry Flwr's bio reads like this: “My mother gave psychic readings to new friends in new towns all through my childhood, she meditated, we fled a cult, practiced Judaism for a year, and then she became a born again Christian. She was and still is a seeker. At fourteen, I went to a punk show. There I witnessed and felt the drive to save people with music, performance, and experience, the way I was saved as a young adult. At sixteen I left home and have been writing songs and practicing a sort of secular spirituality, where music is the prayer, ever since.” Hnry and We Color Live's Jocelyn Simone come to the studio where Hnry and I go deep into what his experience was like and how it affected him, creatively and otherwise. It seems that Hnry has taken fairly extreme circumstances and put them to great use in his own weird development. More about Hnry Flwr HERE YOU CAN SEE Hnry Flwr LIVE Jan. 29!!! - TICKETS HERE We Color Live PRESENTS: WAITING ROOM OF THE GREAT BEYOND In celebration of HNRY FLWR’s first official

In this session, we find that Chris Gersbeck is a great guy. His brother is annoying though. Dr. Lisa grills Chris about his less than ideal relationship with his sibling and how Chris's good instincts have led him to follow healing path by forming healthy, working relationships with talented comedians such as Dave Hill, Frank Coniff and Kambri Crews/Christian Finnegan of Q.E.D., who support him. Chris Gersbeck is a comedian, producer and writer based in Queens, NY. He currently produces and makes regular appearances on comedy podcasts Dave Hill: History Fluffer, Dave Hill’s Podcasting Incident, and So… You’re Canadian with Dave Hill which is on the Maximum Fun network. Chris also produces numerous live comedy events throughout New York City under the banner of Dumb Productions, Inc. and handles publicity for several popular podcasts including RISK! and Keith and The Girl. Along with comedian Frank Conniff (TV’s Frank on Mystery Science Theater 3000), Chris produces Open Riff Night, a show where anyone can ri

I really enjoy spending time with fellow RFB host Benjamin Louis, of the ever popular, Ben Talks. Over the last few years, we have done many an RFB boondoggle together. Also Ben has been my first guest of the year, this being the third year in a row. In this session, we reflect on Ben’s previous two sessions, where his life has gone, where it’s going and how he’s grown. Ben, 29, talks candidly and honestly about his relationship with his work, women, religion and his family. He’s come to realize how pursuing a long-term career in radio is his passion and priority right now above all else (including the chicks!). We also discover that Ben is a lot more like his dad than it might seem…. Follow Ben! @BenTalkShow Listen Live every Thurs. 5-7, and for past episodes: https://radiofreebrooklyn.com/show/ben-talks/

I know Sharilyn pretty well, so when I ask her to explain why someone had referred to me as "intense," she was able to articulate pretty well why without upsetting me too much. We then turn the session to her where we discover that she needs to change to a more emotionally and culturally evolved primary care physician and she talks about her new interest in possibly dating on the internets. We come up with a motivating challenge for her. Soon, hopefully, she'll be back with positive results! Check out Sharilyn's work here: https://sharilynart.com/ Sharilyn does a lot of important work with Meer Musa and Tim Gowan for Trans-cen-der, their monthly artist review series! https://www.facebook.com/transcenderart

If I detail all the business and endeavors Indira Cesarine has going, it will exhaust you. Besides being an artist herself, she owns a gallery, a magazine, which she curates and contributes to, plus she has expanded her gallery, The Untitled Space into Untitled Media to include The Untitled Boutique, an online fashion retail site, Untitled Productions, a full service event production house and creative agency, I have work in her current exhibition, Body Beautiful and have chatted with her at some of her events, but didn't really get to understand how she makes so much happen as well as look while looking beautiful and polished. I also didn't understand where her deep passion for helping female artists came from. Until now. Her background , natural intelligence and hard work explain some of it, but it's her experiences really count. I learned a lot about Indira and got some good advice too! Here's what Indira said about this session,: Indira CesarineDecember 19 at 10:50 AM ·  Thank you Lisa Levy for your thou

One of the best , most entertaining books I audiobooked this year, is a memoir by Jacq The Stripper titled: The Beaver Show-she reads it herself., it's SO SMART and HILARIOUS. In this session with Jacq, I LEARNED a lot! I thought I knew something about strippers/stripping, but I don't think I've gotten to talk to someone who's as articulate, positive and empowering about it, as Jacq is. Also Jacq is expert. She was a consultant on the movie, Hustler with JLo. We had a deep, satisfying as well as amusing! conversation about sexual currency. For example we discussed how would you parent a 11 year old girl who had developed large breasts, knowing she would be a magnet for attention. What is the responsibility that women have to other women for promoting and using their own sexual currency? It was great to sit down to have a direct and mutually respectful, not without humor conversation about stuff you're not supposed to talk about. Bottom line on Jacq is-she is an entrepreneur and an advocate for sex workers. Sh

I first met Leslie Goshko in 2008 when we were both producing our own shows at Ochi’s Lounge, a great club run by the fabulous now-owner of Q.E.D., Kambri Crews in the basement of COMIX the biggest comedy club in NYC in those days. Leslie and I support each other’s work consistently and it REALLY HELPS. The last time Leslie visited the station was exactly 3 years ago this month so she returns to update up. 3 years ago, Leslie had just started performing at Loser’s Lounge at Joe’s Pub as well as pianist and host for Karaoke at Sid’s Gold. Today those have both turned into regular gigs for her. She outlines her other music director gigs she’s been doing, including an upcoming night at a fancy benefit to honor Seth Rogan and his dad, Mark. I also get Leslie, despite her resistance, to talk about the intense thrice-weekly gym workout with a trainer that she began a year ago and the effect it’s had on her psyche. Leslie is an example of how hard work, discipline, and oh yeah, talent! can lead to great things Also

I've known Godfrey for the last 20 years. Being South African has been a central part of Godfrey's identity, also the accident reminds you. Godfrey, a PHD in social work, now 70 years old, moved back from the US to South Africa about 5 years ago, In this session we get to understand Godfrey's lifelong connection to South Africa and why he's so joyous to be living there again. A first hand account of Apartheid was pretty powerful and you can see how it affected Godfrey throughout his life. If that's not enough, we also fit in how Godfrey helped develop this major worthwhile non-profit for doctors in the bush, The Tshemba Foundation, where he see wild animals up close, all day. We're talking elephants, Zebras, Giraffes, not freakin deer! The Tshemba Foundation is doing so much for the people in rural areas, check it out, volunteer if you can help!

I first saw John F. O'Donnell performing years ago in a basement in the bowels of Bushwick and his talent really spoke to me. I’ve followed his career and he’s just finished 5 years as a correspondent on Redacted Tonight. We got him back in the hood and most importantly back weekly live at Cobra Club! Live From Outer Space, every Friday night, 9pm, is a great, authentic, comedy show where you can see well-known comedians for cheap, he often co-hosted with the awesome Eric Bergstrom. John is undeniably funny and original. When he shows up to the studio this time he is also clean and healthy as a whistle. As he says so himself, “he looks years younger.” John openly dives right into describing his battle with bipolar illness. What’s so interesting, hearing about it from him, is that he has truly educated himself on his illness and the myriad ways, medical and otherwise, diet, yoga, etc. to cope with it. So as an unlicensed shrink, I learned a lot—he understands all the drugs quite well and how they work too. He’

It's so much fun to have a band on Dr. Lisa ! Gillian Visco and John Swanson of Shadow Monster spend time with me at the RFB studio., the day before their album from Dadstash Records launches and they honor RFB by releasing a song from Punching Bag, their new album: Kill Me Sweetie. Here's what Gillian writes about her new album.: "Punching Bag is an album about betrayal and isolation. It's about being so heartbroken that you lose yourself. It's about depression and loneliness, anxiety and panic. It's about a hunger so insatiable and unshakeable that a part of you has to completely die in order to move on. I hope it can be a source of comfort for anyone going through a rough patch - because it was built on one." Anyways - we talk about the relationship that they album is based on and I have to say, I think Gillians processing her relationship through this work has been very healing for her. We also chat about the bands creative process, play some more of the music from the new album and basically have a blast

I have to say, Eryn Levine, host of RFB's Game Play Radio on Thursday's 2-3pm does not hold back on diving into her exploration of doing more than she needs to so other people will be happy. Eryn is an impressive young woman who is intelligent, responsible, initiative taking... all those things that will make her a huge success. She sees how her people pleasing is getting in her way and is becoming vigilant about jettising some of this behavior. I would say Eryn's affliction is not uncommon, but her honestly and drive to change her behavior is. We explore Eryn's background on how this behavior has developed in her past and we figure out some tactical ways to change her behavior so she can focus all that valuable energy on her own goals. Eryn has smarts and motivation, so we agreed she will come back for a second appointment in a month or so. I anticipate great progress which we can all learn from. Eryn is a gem. Her show Game Play Radio harnesses her prodigious storytelling skills.

I saw Michele Balan perform a comedy set recently and I was blown away. It made me wonder about what a career path for someone in my age group with comedy chops/success, like Michele, would have been like to travel on. To be a successful women in comedy clubs in 90's must have been... well I just can't imagine. Therefore, I was thrilled when she agreed to be on Dr. Lisa Gives A Shit. In doing research in preparation to have Michele on my show, I came across a podcast she had done with another goddess comedian, Judy Gold. Michele laid out a history with was so deep and complex starting with the death of her mother at age 10 and the insanity that comes with not having a point person in your life. Michele is a great storyteller and a fascinating survivor—I encourage you to listen to the account which is detailed and inspiring. What someone can do without a college degree! Here's the links to the podcast - it's 3 parts-if you just listen to the first one, you can get the idea—only 1/2 hr. long! Michele and Judy P

I've been curious about Ayahuasca a naturally grown, highly potent hallucinogenic plant since it's become recently popular in the culture. What's up with this shit? Can you really learn something or is it just another party drug? Jesse is an expert. She calls her healing practice Enhanced Living through Acupuncture, Herbs, and Alchemy. She's been practicing with Ayahuasca for over 25 years. Jesse has a shamin she works with regularly in her travels to Peru to do "ceremony," They have become good friends. She have traveled with him all over Peru in small groups, and have taken several trips to Colombia with him as well.  Also, Jesse is a very successful and down to earth human, not just some nutcase, so I get her to tell us what her take is. I find her experiences and perspective authentic. Jesse has full command of a wide range of healing practices which she draws from to use with her clients. She has published several books and recently completed a documentary film: The I Ching, Ancient Consciousness, and t

I don’t usually bring out the word “kvell” in my sessions, but I brought it out about 3 times here. Shona’s work is profound to say the least. She dives into intimacy and the relationship with one’s body and so much more. She is a physically large (by our bullshit society standards) female who was brought up by a perfectly beautiful mother and charismatic father. There are two qualities that Shona has that I posit got her through her growing up to the healing place as a repaired relationship with her family, in a healthy, loving relationship and a soaring career as an artist—the qualities I identify in her are: her talent and connection to art, and her talent and strength in trusting her instincts. And she’s only 28! Her boyfriend, Stuart who is a talented artist as well, is on the air with us. To hear about his own personal development within his relationship with Shona is the stuff of romance novels. This discussion moved me on so many levels. More proof that art is indeed healing. More about Shona and her

I first met Martin Kramer when he was about 9 years old—his dad, artist David Kramer, brought him over to join in on a father/son therapy video I was creating. Martin is, above all else, a creative soul that marches to his own drummer. I can't help but think his highly active creative parents along with the myriad of opportunities that come with growing up in Manhattan have enriched his experiences, in many ways, from what might typically be assumed of a 19 year old sophomore at Concordia Film School in Montreal. Martin shares 2 of his films that he recently made at Concordia: Empty Nest and Blue Cowboy. WATCH THEM-they are only about 5 minutes each. EMPTY NEST: https://vimeo.com/332693808 BLUE COWBOY: https://vimeo.com/352360247 Both films are metaphorical but are directly born of Martin's emotional conflicts that he articulates surprisingly well for any adult filmmaker, and especially for one so young. Personally, I find it impressive to see any art that is so in touch and unafraid of personal revelations.

Just to shorthand what this episode with Ken is mostly about—it's a deep dive with Ken about his drinking and recovery. I am grateful to Ken for being so open, candid and generous with discussing his life experiences. Ken Perlstein is a successful actor with a great career (recurring role on Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, touring comedian, accomplished writer, etc. https://www.kenperlstein.com/ Ken has written a new TV pilot, How Am I Doing? a story about a middle aged man struggling with his acting career, his relationship with his daughter and addiction, which is making the festival rounds. As Ken states in the GoFundMe Page: My dream of creating this pilot began with looking at my own struggles and challenges, raising a family, being a husband and a father, keeping my sobriety, all while continuing to pursue my career as an actor. This pilot must get to air. Please donate on the Go Fund Me page and see the sizzle reel for it or go see the full pilot at the Golden Door FIlm Festival on September 22, 2019.

I came across this book The Performing Art of Therapy and immediately I had to met the man who wrote it. Mark has a M.S.W. with honors, Silberman School of Social Work AND an M.F.A. in Acting, Trinity Rep Conservatory (affiliated with Brown University). As a self-proclaimed psychotherapist, myself, I have no formal training in either therapy or performance. Mark’s created innovation in the area of psychotherapy by using acting techniques himself as well as teaching theses techniques to other shrinks to use in their practice. I sent Mark a bunch of tapes of my work prior to the show so I could get some feedback on my technique. Mark was mostly complimentary though I did push him to tell me some things I might work on. Which lead to some dueling countertransference. More about Mark's therapy practice here: http://markoconnelltherapist.com/

Fresh off of a plane, in town from Seattle, Jude Miqueli came to the studio for a in-depth therapy session. Meeting Jude IRL for the first time, we chatted briefly about her day job as a kindergarten teacher—herding kids that age is sort of like "forming a community," she said. Once we were on the mic, it was off to the races. Jude's family had a tragedy about five years ago and she talks about it openly. I feel like this session was quite a journey that Jude and I went on together, all the more extreme because we had never met. I look back at this session as sort of having a surprising but satisfying wrap-up. This episode is a great example of an artist showing her strength through vulnerability. Jude's band Moon Palace is SO GOOD. We play some of the music throughout so you will see what I mean. A new record drops August 23. LISTEN TO MOON PALACE HERE: https://www.moonpalacemusic.com/ More about Moon Palace: Moon Palace is a queer Seattle rock band led by identical twin sisters Cat Biell (guitar, vocals) an