Dr. Bender shares his journey from teaching and social work into psychiatry, what it’s really like to balance prescribing with therapy, and how he helps patients navigate shame, fear, and medication side effects. We also dive into borderline personality disorder, genetic testing, and the art of tailoring treatment to each individual. Plus — his fascinating work consulting on Batman and other characters for media projects.

This conversation is honest, practical, and full of insights to help you better understand yourself and your mental health journey.