What ‘The Pitt’ Gets Right About Caregiver Burnout

Millions of people care for loved ones every day — but who takes care of the caregiver? In this episode, Host Gabe Howard sits down with actress Cathryn Dylan Ortiz, whose powerful portrayal of Brenda in HBO Max's hit medical drama “The Pitt” sparked widespread conversations about caregiver burnout, anxiety, depression, and the invisible mental health struggles that often go unnoticed. Cathryn shares how she prepared for one of the show's most emotionally impactful storylines by combining extensive research with her own lived experience. Together, she and Gabe explore why mental illness and mental health issues often hide behind a calm exterior and how caregivers frequently ignore their own emotional needs. Listeners will learn: why caregiver burnout is a serious mental health issue — not just stress what HBO Max’s “The Pitt” gets right about portraying mental health without stereotypes how simply asking "How are you doing?" can make a meaningful difference why caregivers often feel guilty asking for help themselves Whether you're caring for a parent, spouse, child, friend, or simply trying to better understand someone who is, this episode offers compassionate insights into caregiver burnout, emotional overload, and the importance of recognizing that caregivers deserve support, too. Our guest, Cathryn Dylan Ortiz, is an actress and graduate of Carnegie Mellon University's School of Drama, where she earned her BFA in Acting. She is best known for her recurring role as Brenda Azurmendi on HBO Max's acclaimed medical drama The Pitt, as well as appearances on Marshals, Grey's Anatomy, Law & Order: SVU, The Rookie, Chicago Justice, and Ray Donovan. Her portrayal of Brenda - a mother whose son's medical emergency reveals her own silent mental health crisis - sparked widespread conversations among viewers of the HBO MAX series about caregiver burnout, dissociation, and the hidden emotional toll of caregiving. Following the response to the storyline, Cathryn has used her platform to engage in conversations surrounding mental health awareness, caregiver support, and the power of storytelling to help people feel seen. Beyond acting, Cathryn is passionate about epilepsy advocacy, mental health advocacy, and animal welfare. She is involved with the Epilepsy Foundation Los Angeles and is committed to helping bridge the gap between storytelling, education, and meaningful public conversation. Our host, Gabe Howard, is an award-winning writer and speaker who lives with bipolar disorder. He is the author of the popular book, "Mental Illness is an Asshole and other Observations," available from Amazon; signed copies are also available directly from the author. Gabe is also the host of the "Inside Bipolar" podcast with Dr. Nicole Washington. Gabe makes his home in the suburbs of Columbus, Ohio. He lives with his supportive wife, Kendall, and a Miniature Schnauzer dog that he never wanted, but now can’t imagine life without. To book Gabe for your next event or learn more about him, please visit gabehoward.com.