S3E8: Carson Daly Feels Your Pain: A Special Conversation on Couched in Color

Couched in Color

In this episode, Carson Daly, co-host of “The Today Show” and creator of its “Mind Matters” digital series, and producer/host of Emmy-award winning “The Voice”, openly shares his mental health struggles.

He discusses the trauma of losing his father unexpectedly at age 5 and the subsequent night terrors he experienced.

Later diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder, Carson believes environment alone is not the cause of his mental health challenges. Rather, he sees them as a combination of both “nature and nurture.”

Using his story to help others, Carson is passionate that all segments of the population be represented in getting the right help.

He especially likes sharing stories, what he calls “mini movies,” in his Mind Matters series showcasing people from all walks of life–from a veteran with PTSD (post traumatic stress syndrome) who is now making bracelets, to a homeless couple.

Dr. Alfiee also was moved by his story of a superstar Peloton bike instructor who was steps away from taking her life before her mother intuitively felt something was off. She checked her daughter’s phone, which ended up stopping her from jumping when the light kept popping up.

Topics covered in this interview:

–The role of faith in dealing with mental health challenges, and Carson’s belief “God made me this way.”

–The “niche business” of mental health over the spectrum so each segment is represented according to their needs. Carson cites that Latino teens, for example, are at the highest risk for suicide in their age group.

–Carson’s ongoing struggles with generalized anxiety disorder and panic attacks, including the time he wanted to run off the stage of “The Voice” when struck by one of these moments of suddenly feeling terror: https://www.today.com/health/mind-body/carson-daly-panic-anxiety-voice-rcna32140

–His involvement as a board member of Project Healthy Minds (check out #CouchedInColor S3E7 for Dr. Alfiee’s interview with Phillip Schermer, founder and CEO of Project Healthy Minds) which focuses on:

• Breaking the stigma of mental health.
• Helping corporations take a “deep dive” and offer mental health services to their employees.
• Creating a tool to find tailor-made help as everyone’s mental health needs are different.

–The message Carson has for young people struggling with mental health issues is for them to know that they are not alone, that they are OK. Carson sees himself as an example of humbling himself to share his struggles.

–His passion for connecting with “real people,” which he calls his “Red Carpet,” not the more glamorized celebrity version. He loves “meeting everyday human beings who struggle, or don’t, and have a shared experience of the truth.”

About Carson Daly:

Carson Daly is a popular and well-loved American television host, radio personality, producer, and television personality. Prior to 2003, Daly was a VJ (video jockey) on MTV's Total Request Live (TRL), and a DJ for the Southern California-based radio station 106.7 KROQ-FM. He has won multiple Emmys, PGA and OFTA awards for the music show, “The Voice,” where he has served as producer and host.

He is also co-Host of “The Today Show” and creator of its “Mind Matters” digital series, sharing powerful mental health stories of everyday people and how they cope:https://www.today.com/carson-daly

https://www.today.com/mind-matters

On the personal front, Carson is a champion of mental health and cancer awareness. He lost his father to cancer when he was five-years-old and his mother was a breast cancer survivor. He is vocal and actively works towards causes in which he believes.He serves on the Board of Directors for Project Healthy Minds:https://app.projecthealthyminds.com/

https://www.projecthealthyminds.com/

A doting dad and loving husband, Carson is constantly seen surrounded by his loving family. He has big plans for the future and does not shy away from putting in the hard work, seeing himself as serving God’s will.

Follow Carson:

https://www.instagram.com/carsondaly

Follow Dr. Alfiee:

Website: https://dralfiee.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dralfiee

Twitter: https://twitter.com/dralfiee

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dralfiee/

Website: https://dralfiee.com

Find out more about the AAKOMA Project here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yvTKmYKi24I

Season 3 Produced By: https://socialchameleon.us

More Couched in Color: https://dralfiee.com/podcast

Music Produced by: Mark “King” Batson (Superproducer of your favorite artists and Grammy award-winner for albums with Eminem and Beyoncé)