The Bipolar Now Podcast: Recent Episodes
Mike Lardi
Bipolar is a tricky mental illness to out-smart. Maybe this is you: “I want to gain control over my disorder so that it stops steering me in the wrong directions! How do I get started? What should I do?” These are just some of the big questions Mike Lardi, online coach and bipolar strategist, tackles on a weekly basis in The Bipolar Now Podcast. Through powerful teachings, vivid stories, and mini lifestyle trainings, Mike has designed each episode so that you can take immediate action on the most important elements of masterfully managing this difficult and painful disease. Mike’s specialty is getting right to the core of every issue, because he’s been there with you. Need to get working again? Have better family support? Start a business or go back to school? Discover why real life owners of this disorder turn to Mike for the “real deal” results they’re looking for to build a life they can be proud of.
As we surpass 3 years of weekly podcasts, Mike takes a minute to share about the future of living in freedom as a person with bipolar disorder.
Today’s very special guests Matthew and Chantal from 5th Place in South Africa share about the critical importance of emotional mastery for mental health.
They’ve given with us a unique resource link at:
5th.place/bnp
Discover emotional fitness classes and digital courses that take the principles from today’s show right into your everyday life, along with a Bipolar Now Podcast discount code to apply at checkout.
Today’s show concludes this series on the purpose of cultivating peace within ourselves, making peace with our diagnosis, and in handling inner conflicts.
This week we dive further into feeling comfortable with our diagnosis of bipolar when spending time with our families and significant others.
In this three-week series we launch into the essential elements required to feel at home with something as uncomfortable as a bipolar diagnosis.
On today’s show, Mike and Matt discuss the uses for and creation process of crafting a Wellness Recovery Action Plan that responds to life with mental illness.
Seems like we hear this word all the time—“Wellness”. But what does it really mean? And can we still pursue it when there’s recurring mental illness?
So many things get in the way of you moving forward, let alone when you live with mental illness. Mike and Matt dive into stories of getting around this.
Limiting beliefs go hand in hand with the ongoing experience of mental illness. That’s why building a bigger identity is paramount, as Mike and Matt explore today.
Sometimes we need to clean out the system junk piling up in our brains. Today Mike and Matt reboot the new year with fresh and exciting plans for the world of mental health.
Christmas is all about Jesus, but did you know His revolutionary life was powered by a Father who never wanted to be without you? Mike shares the story of the situation surrounding the Son of God at His birth as a parallel to our world today in search of restoration.
Medication switches are almost guaranteed to happen in your treatment of manic depression. Mike shares on how to prepare for the worst of it.
Does 2022 seem like an impossible place already? Do you wish you could punch through the noise? On today’s show Mike shares on goal crafting for overcoming all.
Living with manic depression makes you want to forget the past like a bad dream. But as Mike shares today, reflection is the way forward to new freedoms.
Going up in waists and tastes is part of living with many treatments for manic depression. But there are practical tips for getting back to your favorite body.
Success is good for your brain. So what prevents you from doing the best work of your life? Mike tackles mental illness in the workplace on today’s episode.
Do you love a good redemption story? Today Ashley shares how her bipolar journey has brought her to a better place, and given her a new outlook.
Depression is like an ongoing assault when you have bipolar disorder. But there is a simple way to live above the shame and to have a new future.
When alcohol takes over your life the results are brutal. But there’s joy in a life beyond addiction, as tribe leader James shares with us on today’s episode.
Do you ever feel like “damaged goods” when it comes to dating? Mike takes today to show you how to be naked and unashamed about your diagnosis.
Does it feel like you’re going in circles trying to deal with mental illness? On today’s episode, Mike shows you how to stop spinning so you can move forward.
If you ever find yourself avoiding a new path in life, it’s because it’s uncomfortable. But as Mike shares today, you’ll miss out on the joy of purpose.
Starting something new can be incredibly daunting, even if you’ve experienced hard work and great success before, as Joanne “Coach P” McCallie shares with us today.
Sometimes it’s hard to know where worry ends and anxiety takes over, much less what to do about it as Mike shares on today’s episode of the show.
Part of the fear of fresh opportunities is the fear of failure, especially when there’s a bipolar disorder. Mike shares some practical tips on pushing past this.
Ever find that your mornings are a wasted space? Today Mike shows you how to take back the time you need to get up and make it count.
When someone makes you feel sick and tired or scared to confront them, it’s a problem with broken boundaries as Mike explains in today’s episode.
Getting relationships right seems like an impossible task when mental illness is in the picture. Today you’ll learn that fighting for love causes the unexpected.
There’s no getting around the need for safety when mental illness is in the picture. Mike shares how he built this critical social system on today’s show.
Bipolar disorder makes life uncomfortable, in more ways than one. So how do you reclaim space for yourself? Mike shares a few powerful ideas on today’s episode.
Sometimes even with the best intentions and hard work we can get ourselves off track. Today Mike shares how he does his mid-year tune-up on goals.
What you believe about yourself is the key to quicker recoveries from mental illness, not to mention unlocking attractive new realities, as Mike shares today.
Maybe there’s nothing more frustrating than when your own closest friends and family don’t believe your mental health diagnosis, as Mike shares on today’s episode.
Summer comes bundled with good vibes, good barbeque, and great concerts. But for people with bipolar disorders, it also gets packed with manic episodes.
Many people feel cheated out of the life they want when they get a bipolar diagnosis. Today Mike shows off a practical exercise that can gain back lost time.
There’s no shortage of things to worry about when you’re a teenager! Mike and Lise share on some ways to support young adults in their mental health.
If you’re exhausted by our always on, work-til-you-drop culture, then today’s episode will teach you how to claim back the space you need to truly relax.
If you have a brain-based disorder like bipolar, you might find your treatments lacking punch. Today Mike shares how the latest brain science is changing psychiatry.
Few things are more important than having a rock-solid friend where there is true love and trust. Today, Mike shares a practical way to start your “Lifer” team.
Bad days are rarely as deep and frequent as those experienced by someone with mental illness. Today, Dwayne shares on what is getting him through it all.
When it comes to your plans and your life dreams, sometimes just keeping them alive becomes the hardest task. Today Mike and Francis talk about prioritizing.
This episode is rough. Self-harm is anything you do on purpose to injure yourself physically. Mike spends time today with this serious and delicate topic.
Mental illness can make even the smallest decisions a nail-biting nightmare. So what about the big stuff? Today Mike shares a time-tested formula for peace of mind.
Many people with bipolar disorder are dominated by their emotional brain. Which can be both beautiful and problematic, as Mike shares on today’s episode.
Mental illness means loss of control, which makes it hard to shake off feelings of inferiority and regret. Today, Mike shares on how to counteract this.
The difference between skills and attributes is the difference between having a plan for mental health versus adapting quickly when it decks you in the face.
Ever been held hostage by your own thoughts? In bipolar disorder, this happens quite a lot. Join Mike today as he explains this phenomenon and what to do with it.
Bipolar disorder and medications for bipolar can leave you feeling empty and disoriented, otherwise known as “brain fog” as Mike shares on today’s show.
Very few things take importance over having a foundation built for your management of bipolar disorder. Today, Mike shares his design for success.
When you get hit with bipolar depression, you will rise or fall to the level of your habits. Mike shares about developing a “playbook” of habits to deliver you.
Do you ever just get stuck on a critical goal? Or maybe worse—do you ever feel like you’re failing yourself? Today Mike shares a mental switch to get you moving.
How far would you take a dream if a handicap like bipolar only made it more meaningful? On this episode, Mike puts the dynamite to a stagnated existence.
How do you raise a family when your own upbringing had issues? On today’s episode, Matt gets real about the role of mental illness in his family history.
The psychiatric ward at the hospital is perhaps the most stigmatized experience in bipolar disorder. But what if you could use it as part of your long term strategy?
Bipolar depression is a productivity killer. But on this episode, Mike shares a daily system that’s simple to set up and maintain for feeling better.
Sometimes a mental illness can force you to start over. On today’s show, The Bipolar Now Podcast Group shares their most essential practices for mental health.
Persistent mental illness makes it hard to see the way forward. But being able to “wait it out” and see the point of suffering is a mark of maturity.
On the precipice of revolutions and war, it is more important than ever to be at peace within ourselves, as Mike shares on today’s episode.
Today Mike takes you through a process of goal-setting that involves getting them into your subconscious. The result? Satisfying new habits and achievement!
Ever get to the end of December and feel like, “What the heck happened?” Mike shares how to wrap up an ugly year and find the way forward, for good.
In this special episode Mike talks about having a true friend, and where this idea comes from in the Christmas story. You don’t want to miss this Holiday cheer!
The end of the calendar year can be full of noise, confusion, and isolation for people with a bipolar disorder. Mike shares his process for getting a fresh start.
Life’s biggest opportunities also make potential for your worst regrets. On this special episode, Mike shares about making the past move you forward.
Just relax! Why not chill out a little? When you have mental health challenges, it’s not so straightforward. But what if you could create relaxation on the regular?
How good are you at carrying conversations? When you have a bipolar disorder, socializing can be rough. Today Mike reveals how to enjoy relaxed conversations.
Is it possible to have emotional goals? Are we really in charge of how we feel? On today’s episode Mike shares one emotion to put at the top of your list.
What happens when responsible and frugal people get a bipolar diagnosis? They become shopping addicts, as Mike shares on today’s show! But there’s good news.
How can you live in the moment for happiness when bipolar depression or manias are in the corner waiting to pounce? Today Mike shows you how to minimize fear.
Feeling haunted? There might be more than medical issues to it. On this show, Mike shares a way to create less usable space for your demons to lodge.
What could cause you to want to take your own life? This special episode touches on the most delicate issue in all of manic depression and mental illness.
In this extra clip, Mike extends the “cover up” episode into other life categories. What are you concealing from others that could possibly cause you ruin?
Do you ever get sick of playing cover up for your mental health? On today’s episode, Mike shares how to effectively “outlet” and let your true face shine.
Much of the misconception around bipolar disorder and other mental illnesses is that we’re seen as “choosing” this lifestyle. Today’s show proves otherwise.
Instead of finding seasonal change as something to dread, why not find reasons to experience something new? Mike explains how to “pivot” through change.
Do you plan any focused creative zones in your day? It’s a powerful element for lasting recovery from bipolar disorder, as Mike shares on today’s show.
Being strong takes energy. On this episode Mike builds on the need for strength that lasts. So how do you find endurance when coping is already extreme?
Bipolar disorders love to cripple and silence. So how do you remain strong and live to write a better story? Mike explores this topic on today’s show.
When the world is splitting in seven directions, it’s painful to participate. Mike takes today to project what it’s like when we look past daily distractions.
In this episode, Mike confronts an elephant in the room: what it actually looks like and feels like to have balance, especially when life and mental health are lopsided.
Do you ever forget the main points of an important conversation? Or if you took your morning medications? Today Mike talks about building a great memory.
How often could you alleviate suffering if you only got the right help? On today’s show Mike shows how stubborn pride kept him from finding relief.
If you pass your days in pain and turmoil, you know that relief can feel like its slow-coming. Or non-existent. Today Mike shoulders a tough struggle.
How far can you get into addiction before you have absolutely no choice but to face defeat? Aaron shares his story with Mike on today’s episode.
Conforming to the crowd is a great survival tactic. But then there’s the individual who dares to be different. Today’s episode makes this into a lifestyle.
Does today’s “cancel culture” have you feeling more frustrated than ever? On today’s show Mike shares Listener stories about loneliness in the 21st century.
When bipolar grabs on to your sex drive, all bets are off. Today, Mike offers a window into the world of hypersexuality, a well known yet seldom-discussed symptom.
Sometimes when you’re really down it’s not even depression. So what are you supposed to do? Mike shares how to stay somewhat functional when life is heavy.
What do you say on your resume when “checkered”, “spotty”, and other fashion terms describe your work history? Today Mike shares a strategy from his listeners.
Have you had success keeping a routine or schedule? For many with bipolar, it’s not so simple. In this episode Mike reveals his hidden template for a life well done.
On today’s episode Mike shares about race, religion, and the reality of medications - three topics where no one has an opinion! “Hope” is one way they all relate.
When events drive people worlds apart, what do you do? On this special episode, Mike shares how the discomfort of togetherness heals racially inflicted wounds.
How do you feel about self-help? Good? Confusing? Worthless? Toxic? On today’s show, Mike says our thoughts turn into lifestyle. Which might not be what you want.
Going back to work seems incredibly complicated and unsure when you’ve got to account for a bipolar disorder. Mike shares how he’s managed to pull it off.
Does it ever seem like you can’t picture life beyond this life? Today, Mike shares a picture of what it means to have a wellspring whose source is eternal.
When bipolar has a presence in your brain, it creates a sensational need to be different from the crowd. But this can get heavy, as Mike explains today.
Being single makes the act of parenting a lonely and overwhelming experience. Today, Mike and Amber talk about protecting sanity and mental health.
Running out of energy (or never having it to begin with) is life with bipolar disorder. Mike brings up a vital ingredient for having “zip” and authentic rest.
Sometimes we get to the end of a good thing, and it’s time to make a transition into the unknown. Make that switch less scary by listening to your inner voice.
Drowning in bipolar mood episodes and symptoms is what can happen anytime, not just during crisis. Today, Mike shares three ways to survive exhaustion.
How do you remove the roadblocks and limitations of a persistent mental illness? Mike reveals an often-overlooked block-buster on today’s show.
A life of overcoming is a process. And there’s no better way to rid the land of giants than to hit them head on, as Mike shares on today’s episode.
If you’ve ever been caught off guard, you know how arresting it can be. On today’s episode, Mike spotlights the activity that will keep you out of panic mode.
Building a life adapted to bipolar disorder is like building a skyscraper. Rush the job, cut corners, and it will certainly be dangerous as Mike shares today.
What if the fear of failure is what’s making you sick, or keeping you there longer and longer? Today, Mike looks back on 8 years of digging deeper than his fears.
When you’ve lost momentum and start losing your game, it’s essential to keep playing. Today, Mike highlights seven highly effective moves to maintain.
“Adulting” is like walking a hard, rocky path. Now throw in a mental disorder and it’s like doing that without shoes, as Mike shares in this week’s episode.
Very few things can frustrate a man more than feeling weak. Today, Mike shares with the guys about taking back your strength and your sanity.
Have you ever noticed how bad anxiety gets when you’re lonely and unfocused? On this episode, Mike shares his 3-step cycle for less freak outs.
“Does my anger make me a bad person?” In today’s episode, Mike shares a Listener story about this volatile emotion and how to heal the damage.
Feeling apprehension over sharing your diagnosis, and all that goes with it, isn’t unique to those just starting out with a bipolar disorder.
Do you ever just feel run down? Like non-stop? On this show Mike shares a story about having tiny batteries, and how to exchange them for bigger ones.
Energy tends to get sucked into wasted places when bipolar disorder is active. Mike shares how he stays on track even when depressed.
With manic-depression, it’s natural to fall into “start-stop” patterns. But your internal drive was never designed for this. What’s going to keep you moving?
In this special episode, Mike tells an unfamiliar part of the Christmas story and how it makes your status sing with life if you feel like an outsider.
There’s an art and a process to “looking back” on how we spend our time. Doing this regularly is what sets you up to get anything you want.
When life is touched with mental illness, the first human instinct is to conceal reality. Mike takes this show to explain a better way to “hide” what’s inside.
When you get in your own way, it’s called “self-sabotage”. Learn to recognize ordinary progress killers from their counterparts in mental illness.
In this special outtake, the boys get serious about the attitude that separates the "haves" from the "have-nots" in bipolar mental illness. Don't miss it!
Getting drunk. It’s not always the escape you were hoping for. In today’s episode, the two Michaels get down to business about being sober. And liking it.
Today Mike explains how secrecy creates the shame that sets us up for more failure, when we could be learning to tell a better story about bipolar disorder.
How do you quiet yourself when you’re a natural worrier? On this episode, Mike shares about how to claim more mental space in the chaos of life.
On today’s episode Mike gives a simple visual for managing our expectations so they cease to fuel the mental chaos of bipolar disorder and anxieties.
Today Mike shares about how consistency in just a few critical places of self care will ensure that the destructive forces of bipolar disorder are never debilitating.
Endurance is a must for anyone living with a bipolar disorder. Mike gets on today’s mic and levels a path to being the person who never gives up on themselves.
Anxiety sets the course of your day on fire when you have a mental disorder. Mike uses today’s episode to show how he reclaims at least some of it.
How can I find true friends when I have a mental illness? In today’s show Mike pops the hood on how he built a super support team with people he already knew.
When people talk of accepting who they are, they typically leave out half the picture. In this episode Mike shares the joy in solving who you want to BECOME.
In contrast to manic episodes, bipolar depression can be dealt with quickly. In today’s episode Mike shares his management for both the short- and long-term.
Creating your “go-to” strategy helps BIG TIME when dealing with the destructive powers of bipolar mania. Today, Mike shares his “two-day turnaround” method.
Why does it seem like I have to start over after every time I get sick? Mike answers this question by sharing a way to keep the progress you’ve made.
Obstacles are everywhere. But as you learn to see them you unlock opportunity. In this episode Mike gives a visual for how to navigate life’s hurdles.
Money is tough to get right. Making and managing it when you have a mental disorder is near “impossible.” In this episode Mike shares on where to begin.
Few things make a person more different from the mainstream like a mental illness. In this episode, Mike shares how to shift being “different” from fear to freedom.
Drug-like invincibility is typical of bipolar manias, but it can ruin you. Or worse. Mike opens up to Daniel about living with this powerful sensation.
Knowing how much to keep on your plate is a process of discovery. In this episode Mike shares an adjustment strategy that relieves circumstantial overwhelm.
Hunger and weight management are challenging, especially with certain popular medications for bipolar. Mike and Daniel share on how to handle cravings.
Labels with negative association are everywhere, and a bipolar disorder is chief among them. In this episode, Mike gets real about what it takes to outlive stigma.
In this mini-training Mike shares the details of his sleep makeover. Getting consistent, high quality sleep is the most direct way to gain control over bipolar disorder.
Finding professional help for problems is not easy, but in this episode Mike and Sylene share about the difference a good therapist makes in their recoveries.
Healing from the words and actions of others is a key component to lasting stability. Mike and Daniel take this episode to explore how that can be accomplished.
Attracting good things is about getting the attention of good people. In this follow-on episode, Mike and Daniel share fun ways to feel more attractive every day.
In this post-session, the boys talk about how to grow in likability and attractiveness by scaling up your strengths instead of worrying about your weaknesses.
If you enjoy a good paycheck, then listen in as Mike and Daniel get real about doing work when there’s a mental disorder serving up distractions and dead-ends.
When your mornings set you up for stress, it’s time to make a change. Mike and Philip talk about ways to get around the challenge of a good morning routine.
In this mini-training, Mike lays out the process for his “energy loop”—a daily perpetual motion machine that he uses for getting through even the hardest days.
Today, Mike brings Lou on the show and together they share about what it means to have a mental disability put your life on hold.
Ever feel frustrated with where you’re at in life? The boys open up about the necessity of having patience for a vision, to carry you to a better place.
In this episode Mike and Philip share about holding onto things way too long. Obsessions are natural in mental illness, but they’re also the perfect way to delay healing.
Once bipolar has become "active" life can turn into a long rocky walk from crisis to crisis. In this episode Philip and Mike share how to get better at it.
Mental illness can add to family stress like no other. Erin shares her tips with Mike for handling a family member who is very troubled and bipolar manic.
Stress is an undisputed trigger of bipolar disorder. Mike takes you through his personal “daily calm” routines in this mini-training episode. Take the sting out of stress with something new to practice!
When you focus on your hurts, frustrations and feelings you miss out on the mindset that brings true healing. Daniel asks Mike how this works and for the steps to have strength in spite of this illness.
Has bipolar depression robbed you of passion? Mike speaks with Daniel about keeping interested in new finds and old favorites as a way to stay two steps ahead of misery.
The subject of fitness is sore for some! But Mike and Daniel show how a body in motion is a mind moving forward, which is key to defeating bipolar depression.
In today's episode Mike and Daniel share about what it takes to rebuild trust in your relationships and with yourself when bipolar has torn it away from you.
In this episode Mike and Daniel share about the importance of playing a bigger game, and how that drives the quality of our mental health.