Glow For Hope: Sparking Conversation on Mental Health

Dave Raymond: The Man Inside the Phillie Phanatic

For 16 years, Dave Raymond brought joy to millions as the original Phillie Phanatic. But behind the costume, grief, the collapse of his marriage and hopelessness led him to a place he never expected to be. In this deeply personal conversation, Dave shares how the character he created became an unexpected lifeline — and why he now believes reaching out has to work both ways.

Guest: Dave Raymond
Host: Kelly Poelker
Podcast: Glow For Hope: Sparking Conversation on Mental Health

Content Advisory: This episode contains candid discussion of grief, depression, hopelessness and suicidal thoughts. Please take care of yourself while listening. If you or someone you know needs immediate support in the U.S., call or text 988.

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About This Episode

For millions of baseball fans, the Phillie Phanatic represents pure joy.

For Dave Raymond, the original man inside the costume, that joy eventually became something much more personal: a lifeline.

Dave spent 16 years bringing one of the most recognizable characters in sports to life. But after losing his mother to an inoperable glioblastoma brain tumor, followed by the collapse of his marriage and separation from his young son, Dave found himself experiencing a level of hopelessness he had never known before.

He shares candidly that thoughts of suicide began to feel like comfort — and, in that moment, the only solution.

Dave believed he might have to quit being the Phanatic. How could he put on that costume and bring joy to everyone else when he felt so miserable inside?

Then he did one more appearance.

Something shifted.

Inside the costume, Dave's attention moved away from his own pain and toward the people around him. Their laughter, affection and connection reminded him that his presence mattered.

“The Phanatic was the one who reached out for me.”

Today, Dave's work explores happiness, positive psychology, gratitude, connection and what he calls mental wellness first aid — helping ordinary people become more aware of their own well-being while also noticing when someone around them may not be okay.

And his message isn't simply to reach out.

Sometimes we need to reach in — ask the second question, stay long enough to hear the real answer and remind someone that they don't have to navigate the hard stuff alone.

What You'll Learn in This Episode

How Dave's mother's deafness helped shape the nonverbal communication skills behind the Phillie Phanatic.
How losing his mother, the end of his marriage and separation from his young son led Dave into a period of hopelessness and suicidal thoughts.
The unexpected appearance Dave credits with changing the direction he was heading.
Why the Phillie Phanatic became much more than a mascot in Dave's own life.
Why asking someone once if they're okay may not be enough.
Why “reach out” has to work in both directions.
What Dave means by mental wellness first aid.
Why caregivers and frontline heroes need care too.
What positive psychology taught Dave about kindness, gratitude and connection.
The difference between pleasure, happiness and joy.
What Dave means by Powerful Fun and why fun can still matter during difficult moments.
Why moving through a difficult season may begin with finding just one small “finger hold.”

Guest Spotlight: Dave Raymond

Dave Raymond is the original Phillie Phanatic, a role he performed for 16 years while helping shape the personality that would make the Phanatic one of the most recognizable characters in sports.

Today, Dave is a keynote speaker and creator of The Power of Fun. His work explores human connection, positive psychology, happiness, joy and mental well-being.

His keynote, The Evolution of Happiness, combines research with lessons Dave has learned from both the joyful and difficult chapters of his own life.

Connect with Dave

Key Quotes from Dave

“The Phanatic was the one who reached out for me.”

“Caregivers need care too.”

“Don't be distracted by the silliness. There's a superpower in what you're doing.”

“We all took the focus off ourselves and put it on others.”

“Just get a finger hold, take a step, and the rest of it can fall in place.”

“You either have hope or you don't. There's no such thing as false hope.”

Resources & Next Steps

Learn more about Dave Raymond and The Power of Fun

Visit the Resource Hub Learn More About Glow For Hope

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Support the Show

If this conversation helped you understand something differently, made you feel less alone, or brought someone to mind who needs to hear it, please share this episode with them.

Every listen, share and conversation helps Glow For Hope continue our mission to spark conversation, create community and ignite hope around mental health and suicide prevention.

Crisis Resources

If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available.

In the United States: Call or text 988 to connect with the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.

If there is immediate danger or a life-threatening emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department.

If you are outside the United States, visit FindAHelpline.com to find crisis and emotional support resources in your country.

Disclaimer

The Glow For Hope podcast is intended for educational and informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional mental health care, diagnosis or treatment. The experiences and opinions shared by guests are their own. If you have concerns about your mental health or the mental health of someone you care about, please seek support from a qualified professional.