Master Your Mental: Recent Episodes
Paris Prynkiewicz
Welcome to my corner of the universe where we dive into topics mental health and mindset related to discover more about the relationship between them. Each episode features advice, tips, and shared experiences from guests with expertise and experience on the topic of discussion. Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/masteryourmental/support
Steve Wilson's Journey of Resilience, Surviving Sexual Assault at 9 and Advocacy.
In this episode of the 'Live Well Bipolar' podcast, host Paris welcomes Steve Wilson, a 75-year-old author from Scottsdale, Arizona.
Steve shares his powerful journey as detailed in his book 'Teetering on a Tight Rope: My Bipolar Journey,' discussing his experience living with bipolar disorder since 1978, the impact of early childhood trauma, struggles in his careers, and the importance of mental health support.
Steve speaks candidly about the challenges faced due to inadequate mental health care and insurance limitations, and the crucial role of support networks in coping with mental illness.
His story highlights the ongoing need for advocacy and systemic change in mental health care.
Stay connected with Steve here! 00:00 Introduction and Guest Overview02:03 Steve's Early Life and Bipolar Diagnosis02:38 The Impact of Childhood Trauma05:25 Struggles with Mental Health and Relationships10:25 Finding Support and Sharing Trauma24:20 Career Challenges and Triumphs33:33 Living Well with Bipolar Disorder35:45 Challenges in Mental Health Systems40:00 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
In this episode of the 'Live Well, Bipolar Podcast,' Paris introduces Sam, a Virginia Beach native and mental health advocate.
Sam shares his journey living with bipolar disorder, detailing his initial denial, the impact of the pandemic on his mental health, and his first manic episode leading to hospitalization.
He discusses the role of exercise, particularly running, and the importance of community and support in managing his condition. The conversation highlights the significance of involving family in therapy, the challenges of mental health treatment, and practical steps for maintaining mental well-being.
Stay connected with Sam here!
00:00 Welcome to the Live Well, Bipolar Podcast
00:24 Meet Sam: A Journey Through Bipolar Disorder
02:18 Sam's Diagnosis Story: Facing Bipolar Disorder
04:47 The Turning Point: Therapy, Denial, and Self-Discovery
07:08 Running Towards Recovery: The Role of Physical Activity in Mental Health
10:04 A Manic Episode Unveiled: Navigating the Storm
18:56 Hospitalization and Reflection: A New Beginning
31:19 Rebuilding Life: Therapy, Family, and Self-Care
36:20 Living Well with Bipolar: Insights and Closing Thoughts
Unraveling the Mystery of Mental Health: Integrative Psychiatry and Brain Scans
In this episode of 'Live Well Bipolar,' we sit down with Dr. Lisa Parsons, an integrative psychiatrist at the Amen Clinics in Arizona.
Dr. Parsons shares her unique journey into psychiatry, driven by both personal and professional revelations during her medical school rotations. Despite initial hesitations due to her family's mental health challenges, she found her calling in understanding the intersection of mental health and medical illness.
Dr. Parsons discusses the transformative approach at Amen Clinics, emphasizing comprehensive diagnostics including brain scans, to offer more personalized and effective treatments. Addressing topics from the stigma associated with bipolar disorder to the critical role of asking 'why' to understand the root causes of psychiatric symptoms, the conversation shines a light on the importance of integrative medicine in mental health.
Highlighting cases of elevated free copper as an example, Dr. Parsons illustrates how specific treatments, informed by detailed scans and lab tests, can significantly improve patients' quality of life. The episode ultimately defines living well with bipolar as an empowered state, where individuals honor their journey and strive for a deeper understanding and mastery over their health.
Check out the work at Amen Clinics here!
00:00 Welcome to Live Well Bipolar: Introducing Dr. Lisa Parsons
01:18 Dr. Parsons' Journey into Integrative Psychiatry
05:13 The Intersection of Mental Health and Medical Science
06:08 Unveiling the Missing Pieces in Mental Health Treatment
12:39 Personalizing Treatment: The Amen Clinics Approach
30:25 Empowerment and Living Well with Bipolar
33:56 Closing Thoughts and How to Connect
May 2024 Recap and New Beginnings
In this solo episode, Paris Scobie discusses her decision to resign from her professional career to pursue her speaking business for mental health advocacy full-time.
She provides a month-in-review for May 2024, sharing her experiences speaking at the Mental Health America of Arizona Seeds Conference and the upcoming NAMICon in Denver.
Paris also discusses her new Instagram account, rebranded LinkedIn, and newly launched website. She reflects on the significance of connection, personal growth, and prioritizing what truly aligns with her purpose.
Lastly, she announces upcoming projects like her audio book and underscores the importance of lived experiences in determining personal value.
Follow Paris's new Instagram here!
Subscribe to Paris's free newsletter here!
00:00 Welcome to the Solo Episode: A Personal Journey
01:12 The Excitement of May: New Beginnings and Connections
02:32 Embracing a New Path: The Transition to Mental Health Advocacy
04:02 From Speaking Engagements to Personal Growth
05:19 Upcoming Events and Expanding Influence
06:12 Reconnecting and Learning at Hollywood and Mind summit
07:45 The Journey of Resignation and Embracing Full-Time Advocacy
08:05 Behind the Scenes: Preparing an Audiobook and Rebranding
14:32 The Power of Connection and Gratitude
Empowerment and Identity: Jesse Escalante's Journey with Bipolar DisorderThis episode of 'Live Well Bipolar' features an insightful conversation with Jesse Escalante, a 28-year-old queer, Latin social worker and professional dancer from San Francisco. Jesse shares his personal and professional journey, including being diagnosed with bipolar disorder just before the pandemic in February 2020, the challenges of dealing with the diagnosis during quarantine, and how he found solace and identity through his work in social work and dance. Jesse discusses the stigma surrounding mental health in his Mexican culture, the bullying he faced surrounding his sexuality a young age, and how dance became a pivotal outlet for his expression and self-acceptance. He also talks about his work as a social worker and his efforts to combine his passions for dance and mental health advocacy, particularly through choreographing pieces that explore his experience with bipolar disorder. The conversation also delves into the importance of seeking help, managing symptoms, and overcoming the fear of becoming a statistic. Jesse's story is one of resilience, hope, and the pursuit of one's passion despite the hurdles of mental health challenges.Connect with Jesse here and check out his dance here!00:00 Welcome to Live Well Bipolar: Meet Jesse Escalante00:18 Jesse's Journey: From Diagnosis to Advocacy02:15 The Impact of Quarantine on Mental Health06:04 Seeking Help: Jesse's Experience with Mental Health Rehab06:55 The Power of Education and Overcoming Stigma11:31 Finding Purpose Through Social Work and Personal Struggles14:47 Embracing Identity: Jesse's Story of Resilience25:45 Dance as a Lifeline: Combining Passions for Healing30:12 Living Well with Bipolar: Jesse's Perspective33:41 Staying Connected: How to Follow Jesse's Journey
Transforming Lives Through Mental Health Advocacy: Julia Belt's Story Julia Belt is a mental health advocate, entrepreneur, and co-founder of BroglieBox and Mindly. She joins me to share her personal journey navigating mental health challenges before and after the tragic loss of her brother, Justin, to suicide. She discusses the inception of BroglieBox, a mental wellness care package company, and Mindly, a tool for empowering people managers to support employees' mental health effectively. The conversation touches on the importance of open discussions about mental health, the impact of management on employee well-being, and the evolution of personal wellness strategies over time. Julia emphasizes the significance of being open to changing what 'living well' means and offers insights on how individualized approaches can foster mental resilience and support healing.Connect with Julia here and follow the work she does at Mindly and BroglieBox!USE CODE PARIS FOR 20% OFF YOUR ORDER HERE. 00:00 Welcome and Introduction to Julia Belt01:21 Julia's Personal Journey with Mental Health03:35 The Struggle of Seeking Help and Overcoming Silence14:24 The Birth and Impact of Broglie Box16:17 Expanding the Mission with Mindly18:43 The Power of Support and Community21:02 Living Well with Bipolar: Insights and Reflections28:59 Closing Thoughts and Gratitude
The Journey of Finding Yourself: Ginelle Testa's Story
This episode of 'Live Well, Bipolar' features a conversation with Ginelle Testa, an upcoming author. She's a queer, sober, bipolar gal living in Boston.
Ginelle shares her story, from receiving a tentative diagnosis at 16 to facing her darkest moments with multiple hospitalizations and electroconvulsive therapy in 2017.
She discusses the impact of bipolar disorder on her life, including challenges with sobriety, hypersexuality, and finding stability.
Ginelle also talks about writing her memoir 'Make a Home Out of You', which explores finding comfort and value within oneself rather than external sources.
The conversation highlights her journey to self-forgiveness, finding balance and support outside traditional 12-step programs, and achieving personal and professional success despite the challenges of living with bipolar disorder. Ginelle emphasizes the importance of coping mechanisms, community, and perseverance.
Connect with Ginelle on Instagram here and her website here.
00:00 Welcome to Live Well, Bipolar: Introducing Janelle's Journey
01:59 Janelle's Early Encounters with Bipolar Diagnosis
02:48 Navigating Hospitalizations and Finding New Perspectives
06:58 The Impact of Hospitalization and Seeking Forgiveness
09:17 The Journey to Sobriety and Self-Discovery
13:08 From Writing to Healing: Janelle's Memoir Unveiled
18:34 Embracing Self-Worth and Building a Supportive Community
24:22 Living Well with Bipolar: Janelle's Transformation
29:01 Connecting with Janelle and Closing Thoughts
As I enter the last year of my 20s, the biggest thing I hope for is more connection.
This month consisted of a lot of that... travel, new opportunities, stepping more into my purpose and starting my audiobook!!
It was so much fun to explore NYC for my birthday, PA for my brother-in-law's birthday and end my trip reconnecting with my friends Kevin and Margaret in St. Louis!
Tune into the episode for all the details and highlights of the trip and what I am focusing on most....
Super grateful to have reconnected with Cathy, my college counselor, who I got to bring a copy of my book to and discuss the impact she has had on my life. She knew me before my hospitalization and diagnosis and shortly after and was someone who made a big impact on me.
If you want to make my day... please go leave me a review for the podcast and/or my book here!
Episode 200: Navigating Bipolar Disorder & Focusing on The Role of Culture with Dr. Lauren Yang
In this special 200th episode of 'Live Well, Bipolar,' the host celebrates this milestone by interviewing Dr. Lauren Yang, a clinical psychologist and Associate Board President and past Vice Chair of the Young Adult Council for the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance.
With her personal experience living with bipolar II disorder, Dr. Yang shares her journey from her initial hypomanic episode as an undergraduate at UCLA to her self-diagnosis and eventually receiving professional confirmation.
She discusses the challenges she faced, including medication side effects and societal stigma, particularly within the Asian American community. Dr. Yang also touches upon her transition from aiming for a medical career to pursuing clinical psychology, emphasizing her commitment to support and advocate for mental health and reducing stigma.
The episode highlights the importance of acknowledging bipolar disorder as part of one's life but not letting it define one's entirety, advocating for a holistic approach to wellness and embracing one's authentic self.
Stay connected with Dr. Yang here!
00:00 Celebrating Episode 200: A Special Guest Joins Us!
00:23 Meet Dr. Lauren Yang: A Journey Through Bipolar Disorder
02:07 Navigating Life and Diagnosis: Lauren's Personal Story
07:34 The Challenges of Living with Bipolar Disorder
13:21 Opening Up: Conversations with Family and Cultural Reflections
25:04 Pursuing Passion: From Pre-Med to Clinical Psychology
30:17 Living Well with Bipolar: A Multidimensional Approach
35:08 Connecting with Dr. Lauren Yang: Advocacy and Support
36:10 Wrapping Up: Reflections and Gratitude
Navigating Hormonal Changes in Women Living with Bipolar Disorder
In this episode, Paris welcomes back Melissa Howard, a mental health advocate and writer, to discuss the intricate relationship between hormonal changes and bipolar disorder in women.
Melissa shares her personal journey, including her diagnosis with bipolar disorder at 19, experiencing significant mood disruptions associated with hormonal changes such as puberty, the use of birth control pills, and the impacts of pregnancy and menopause on her bipolar symptoms.
She highlights the challenges of managing bipolar disorder alongside hormone-related health issues like endometriosis and the drastic changes post-hysterectomy leading to menopause.
Through her story, Melissa emphasizes the importance of routine, diet, minimizing stress, and working closely with healthcare professionals to manage the complexities of bipolar disorder influenced by hormonal changes.
The episode aims to shed light on the often-overlooked interplay between hormones and mental health in women living with bipolar disorder.
Connect with Melissa here!
00:00 Welcome to Live Well, Bipolar: A Deep Dive into Hormonal Changes and Bipolar Disorder
00:22 Introducing Melissa Howard: Mental Health Advocate and Bipolar Disorder Expert
02:53 Melissa's Personal Journey: From Hormonal Imbalance to Bipolar Diagnosis
09:19 Understanding the Impact of Hormonal Changes on Bipolar Disorder
13:19 Navigating Pregnancy, Medication, and Bipolar Disorder
34:50 Lifestyle Changes and Managing Bipolar Disorder in Menopause
39:34 Closing Thoughts and Where to Connect with Melissa
Navigating Life with Bipolar Disorder, Breast Cancer, and Parkinson’s Disease: Ann’s Inspiring Journey
In this episode of 'Live Well, Bipolar,' the host welcomes Ann, an almost 11-year breast cancer survivor who at 55 was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease and Bipolar I disorder.
Ann shares her journey, focusing on her late diagnosis during the pandemic, the challenges she faced being misunderstood and navigating the healthcare system, and the eventual acceptance and steps she took to ask for help.
Despite experiencing delusions and being hospitalized multiple times, Ann remains positive and is passionate about educating others on mental illness and reducing stigma. She emphasizes the importance of asking for help, sharing one’s story to alleviate the feeling of being alone, and fostering a supportive community for people living with mental health challenges.
Ann encourages people to educate themselves about bipolar disorder and to approach those affected with compassion. She shares her story openly on social media and through interactions, hoping to connect with and support others going through similar experiences.
Connect with Ann here!
00:00 Welcome to Live Well, Bipolar: Introducing Our Special Guest
00:34 Ann's Journey: Surviving Breast Cancer and Living with Parkinson's and Bipolar Disorder
02:22 The Diagnosis Story: Navigating Mental Health in the Midst of a Pandemic
05:25 Hospitalization and the Struggle for Understanding
10:38 The Road to Recovery: Challenges and Support
15:53 Sharing the Story: The Power of Openness and Community
26:53 Living Well with Bipolar: Insights and Reflections
30:47 Final Thoughts and How to Stay Connected
Navigating Motherhood and Bipolar Disorder with Alessandra Torresani
Alessandra Torresani is a multifaceted artist known for her captivating performances in film, television and theater. From her early roles in hit TV shows like Malcolm in the Middle and 'The Big Bang Theory' to her life changing work as host of the EmotionAL support pod, Alessandra continues to captivate audiences.
I am excited to dive deeper into her journey and insights into the world of motherhood as it relates to living with bipolar. She is dedicated to de-stigmatizing mental health by spreading kindness, compassion and hope. Alssandra brings tons of fun and laughter to her mission while sharing her story and the stories of others on her podcast EmotionAL Support
Alessandra shares her story from being misdiagnosed and eventually finding relief in her correct diagnosis to the challenges and changes she faced during pregnancy, including going off medication. Emphasizing the importance of a support system and community, Alessandra delves into how she navigates motherhood while managing bipolar disorder, offering insights into the significance of routine, therapy, and open conversations.
The discussion also touches on the societal perceptions and personal impacts of sharing mental health struggles publicly, the considerations of medication during pregnancy, and the broader implications of motherhood on identity and self-care.
Stay connected with Alessandra here and go check out her podcast, EmotionAL Support, here!
00:00 Meet Alessandra Taurasani: A Journey from Acting to Advocacy
01:34 The Diagnosis Journey: Misunderstandings and Breakthroughs
04:37 Embracing Medication and the Path to Stability
06:08 Finding Love and Acceptance: A New Chapter Begins
10:14 Motherhood and Bipolar: Navigating New Challenges
11:39 Creating a Supportive Environment for Motherhood
15:23 The Importance of Routine and Structure in Parenting
19:35 The Lost Sense of Community in Parenthood
20:26 Finding Support and Building Connections as New Parents
23:25 Navigating Mental Health and Medication During Pregnancy
28:22 The Power of Sharing and Supporting Each Other
35:31 Exploring Identity and Motherhood
39:12 Concluding Thoughts on Support and Community
The last Monday of every month I always love to share something with you that I am navigating as it relates to living with bipolar.
March was a really fun and really busy month for me. Many of you know that I was out of the country celebrating my first wedding anniversary 3/2-3/11.
My baby sister, Milan, turned 21 along with another friend's birthday and going away event for another close friend.
I got to speak to a room of 100+ people sharing my lived experience with bipolar as one of NAMI'S Faces of Recovery. I attended the 3rd annual Kid in the Corner Gala and had a lot of meeting connecting with so many doing great work in the community around mental health.
But March is not over yet and there are still a lot of exciting things coming that I mention in the episode. As many of you know, good events can also be a trigger when living with bipolar.
For me personally, this month I was consumed with love, gratitude and excitement but... I also found myself feeling bad for not showing up as much online. I was hard on myself for taking longer than expected to get back into my routine and I also felt a lot of overwhelm, stress and an inability to slow down in certain moments.
So... what did I do? I made sure to check in with my therapist, loved ones and get my thoughts out of my head and onto paper. The more I got clear on where my more uncomfortable feeling came from... the more I was able to work through them to take care of myself.
It has been a challenge getting back to normal life following a trip out of the country but with my support network, I have been able to do it and so can you! :)
Please do me a favor and message me on Instagram (or email me at livewellbipolar@gmail.com) what you think of this episode. Without your feedback, I would not be here today.
Spreading Kindness Through Hand-Carved Heart Rocks: Tom Ballard's Journey with Bipolar Disorder
Tom Ballard, known as the Heart Rock Guy, has distributed over 210,000 hand-carved, heart-shaped rocks to spread kindness and love. So far, he has learned that 106 lives have been saved as a result.
Tom shares his journey before and after his bipolar diagnosis at 29, describing how creating these heart rocks became a therapeutic activity that helped him manage his bipolar. He explains the process of making these rocks, the responses from recipients, and his belief in the power of kindness to strengthen connections and potentially save lives.
Tom also talks about his school presentations, designed to encourage kindness among students, and the impact of those initiatives. He offers personal insights on living well with bipolar disorder, emphasizing self-grace, lifestyle adjustments, and finding purposeful activities. The episode highlights a heartwarming outreach story and extends an invitation to listeners, offering to send them a hand-carved heart rock in times of need.
Reach out to Tom here and send him a message sharing your takeaway from this episode to have a FREE heart rock sent to you!
00:00 Welcome to Live Well, Bipolar: The Heart Rock Journey
00:17 Tom Ballard: The Heart Rock Guy's Story
01:00 The Birth of the Heart Rock Movement
03:18 Spreading Kindness Through Heart Rocks
06:23 The Ripple Effect of Kindness
14:17 Living Well with Bipolar: Tom's Personal Strategies
19:20 The Power of Kindness and Creativity
22:54 Impactful Stories and the Circle of Kindness
28:55 Living Well with Bipolar: Finding Your Purpose
32:19 Final Thoughts and How to Connect with Tom
This beautiful person connected with me on Instagram and ever since she has become someone I am grateful to call a friend.
Katie is a therapist and the woman behind the Instagram page @katie.theBipolarTherapist. She received her Bachelors Honors Degree in Psychology in 2007 and, following being diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder Type 1 with psychosis, completed her Masters of Social Work degree in 2010.
She graduated with distinction and proceeded to work in the Mental Health field within a healthcare environment since that time. Katie has experience working in programs such as Eating Disorders Treatment, Intimate Partner Violence, Crisis and Suicide Intervention and within an Acute Mental Health Unit in a hospital setting.
In addition to providing individual and group based therapy, Katie has recently started to speak publicly about her lived experience with Bipolar Disorder Type 1, generalized anxiety disorder and OCD. She is dismantling the stigma around Mental Illness, providing education, advocacy and telling her story about managing her mental illnesses while living a fulfilling life.
Katie speaks openly about the impact not knowing about her diagnosis had on her professional life and relationships. Despite the challenges, Katie managed to build a supportive relationship with her husband, Ryan.
She shares her feelings around opening up about her diagnosis publicly and how this has transformed her experience into advocacy, aiming to educate others and reduce the stigma around mental illnesses. The episode explores the importance of self-knowledge, support, and ongoing learning in living well with bipolar disorder.
For more Katie, stay connected with her here!
00:00 Introduction and Guest Presentation
02:01 Guest's Journey to Diagnosis
09:04 Living with Bipolar Disorder: Personal Experiences
11:51 Support Systems and Relationships
20:45 Managing High Stress Situations
23:52 Opening Up About Bipolar Disorder
27:09 The Power of Sharing and Advocacy
32:23 Living Well with Bipolar: Final Thoughts
Joining us today is the one, the only... the love of my life, Dan Scobie!
In this candid and intimate podcast episode, we reflect on our relationship journey, beginning from the first time we crossed paths at BLK Live 5.5 years ago to our current life together.
The episode delves into personal aspects of our lives, including the challenges and triumphs of managing bipolar together, many new beginnings shared, and the evolution of our relationship over time.
Highlighted are themes of personal growth, the power of open communication, and the importance of support in navigating life with bipolar disorder.
The episode also covers Dan's perspective on encouraging me to launch my podcast, publish my book and start publicly speaking about my story. He describes concerns and fears he had at the start of our relationship and what worked well in navigating the hard times.
Tune in to hear the breakdown of our full love story and what is next for our relationship. We made sure to answer all the questions you asked here as well!
00:00 Introduction and Initial Conversation
00:20 Meeting the Guest: A Personal Journey
00:58 Unveiling the Past: The First Encounter
01:21 The First Podcast Experience
02:01 The Evolution of Relationship
04:34 The First Impression and Early Days of Dating
09:01 The Turning Point: Opening Up About Bipolar Diagnosis
09:51 The Impact of Diagnosis on Relationships
11:41 The Struggles and Triumphs of Living with Bipolar
14:43 The Journey of Acceptance and Understanding
18:43 The Role of Family and Friends in the Journey
23:35 The Impact of Bipolar on Career and Personal Life
28:53 The Power of Sharing and Destigmatizing Bipolar
30:26 Struggles with Work and Bipolar Diagnosis
30:58 Understanding the Impact of Work Environment
32:08 The Journey of Self-Discovery and Acceptance
32:34 The Impact of External Factors on Mental Health
33:23 The Experience of Going Off Medication
33:38 Moving Forward: New Environment and Better Routines
37:38 The Importance of Communication in Understanding Bipolar
39:24 The Journey of Writing a Book and Starting a Podcast
39:53 The Impact of Supportive Relationships
50:05 The Future: Starting a Family and Overcoming Fears
52:39 The Power of Love and Understanding in a Relationship
Reflections on My First Year of Marriage: Living with Bipolar
You guys.... in exactly one week, I will be celebrating my first ever wedding anniversary... something I used to think would never be possible for me.
Tune in to hear me share my experiences during my first year of marriage. I will reveal:
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How Dan's support helped me recognize the value of my story
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The role of communication shifting in our relationship and the importance of recognizing and respecting each other's boundaries
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What traveling together has done for our connection and creating beautiful experiences (being present in the moment).
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The importance of individual growth within our relationship and maintaining a balance so bipolar doesn't consume the relationship.
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Hope that it can work from others who shared their personal experiences with me navigating their marriages with bipolar
The episode aims to inspire listeners by demonstrating that a supportive, loving relationship is possible for people living with bipolar disorder.
00:00 Introduction and Reflections on the Past Month
02:03 The Importance of a Supportive Partner
07:00 Overcoming Fears and Sharing My Story
08:04 The Role of Bipolar in Our Relationship
08:32 The Power of Communication and Understanding
09:36 Lessons from Our First Year of Marriage
17:43 The Impact of Travel and Shared Experiences
20:49 The Importance of Self-Work and Respect
21:27 Conclusion: The Power of Love and Support
I had the pleasure of meeting this amazing guest in person because she also lives in AZ! I first met her where I meet so many of you guys... via Instagram. After she saw my post about episode 183, she reached out to me and I got her connected with NAMI so she can share her story with others!
As someone who lives with bipolar type 2, ADHD & Anxiety … my guest describes the way this impacted other areas of her life. She shares what it was like being a young mother, military spouse and struggling to find herself amidst the passing of her aunt.
Birdie Thorn is a mental health advocate, writer, and content creator. She has written an article for the International Bipolar Foundation and is a speaker for NAMI. She has made it her mission to bring awareness to mental health disorders with a comedic twist. You can find her on instagram @birdies.bipolar.brain where she showcases what it’s like living with Bipolar 2 disorder, anxiety, and ADHD. Her goal is to help end the stigmas surrounding mental health disorders.
After receiving her diagnosis in her early 20s, Birdie shares:
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what the early struggles looked like for her
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the moment she finally accepted her diagnosis
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strengthening her relationship with her husband who is now 5 years sober
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the importance of open communication and medication
Birdie emphasizes the importance of removing stigma around mental health disorders and reassures listeners that it is possible to lead a successful life despite living with a mental health disorder.
Exciting news: Birdie wrote a book & it will be launching in a few months!!! She also shares how she crafted the 5 phases of bipolar and is a speaker for NAMI (where she killed it on her first presentation this month).
00:00 Introduction and Guest Presentation
00:57 Birdie's Journey with Bipolar Disorder
02:19 Coexisting with Bipolar Disorder
03:42 The Impact of Bipolar Disorder on Personal Life
08:02 The Role of Anxiety and ADHD in Birdie's Life
12:30 The Importance of Support and Medication
26:31 Birdie's Future Plans and Final Thoughts
30:37 Conclusion and Farewell
Connect with Birdie here!
This episode is dedicated to you.
You making the time to listen to this podcast, whether you are a long time, weekly listener living with bipolar like me or someone who does work in the field to help others navigate bipolar… I want to say thank you for showing up. Whether you are showing up here to do the work for yourself or someone you love… you are making a difference.
After doing the pod for 4 years now, I have learned the power sharing your story can have on people who listen, on people who are sharing and on people who ask to talk about these topics.
Sharing my story with you has changed my life because it has given me hope to see all the ways it is possible to live well bipolar. Since this continues to happen in every conversation I have the privilege of sharing with you I wanted to do something different.
If you have a story and you have not shared it with me here on the podcast yet, you can now apply here to be a potential guest! I want to hear your story because I know it will have an impact on others.
Why is it that we do not hear from more people who have achieved success when it comes to living with bipolar?
Success does not look the same for everyone. But what does success look like when navigating life with bipolar?
In this episode, I get into a deep conversation about these topics with Gabe Howard, a well-known figure in the mental health advocacy field. Gabe is the author of 'Mental Illness is an Asshole,' and host of the podcast 'Inside Bipolar' from Healthline Media, which offers a unique perspective on living with bipolar disorder.
He also hosts the 'Inside Mental Health' podcasts and co-hosts the 'A Bipolar, A Schizophrenic, and a Podcast,' podcast. Gabe breaks down the challenges and misconceptions surrounding bipolar disorder and the role fear plays in staying silent.
Gabe shares his personal journey, from his diagnosis in 2003 to the recognition of the lifelong management of the disorder. Gabe stresses the importance of changing perceptions and creating positive examples for those navigating a similar path. This shared experience provides valuable insights and sparks a crucial dialogue about the ongoing process of living well with bipolar disorder.
For more Gabe, be sure to connect with him here!
00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction
02:22 Gabe's Story: Living with Bipolar Disorder
05:55 The Impact of Diagnosis and the Journey to Acceptance
06:00 The Power of Support Groups and Shifting Mindsets
07:46 The Struggle for Stability and the Path to Recovery
09:30 The Importance of Believing in Yourself
11:00 The Transition from Silence to Openness about Mental Health
14:59 The Responsibility to Share Personal Stories
16:41 Fear and the Impact on Career
17:12 Experiences of Discrimination at Work
18:35 Overcoming Fear and Speaking Out
19:17 The Turning Point: Choosing to Share the Experience
20:16 The Power of Positive Examples
21:03 The Importance of Sharing and Inspiring Others
23:14 Living Well with Bipolar: A Personal Perspective
24:39 The Roommate Analogy: Living with Bipolar
27:19 The Power of Online Communities and Podcasts
28:42 Final Thoughts and Resources
For almost 2 months, I have been dealing with some health issues and it reminds me of how I felt when I was trying to learn how to navigate receiving my bipolar diagnosis almost 10 years ago.
It wasn't until 3 weeks ago that it started to impact me a lot more.... not able to make it through a work out, very low energy, disrupted sleep, abdominal pain, and feeling bloated/uncomfortable eating almost anything.
I have had over 5 doctors appointments these last 7 weeks and a bunch of tests done to come to the conclusion that "everything looks normal."
On 1/22 I underwent a procedure (colonoscopy and endoscopy) where the images showed an inflamed stomach lining in line with gastritis. I was told by my gastro doc that my symptoms line up with IBS and know it will be a journey to get to the root of what actually caused the inflammation in my stomach lining.
This has been frustrating for me considering I thought I was in the best condition health wise of my life... I workout regularly, eat balanced meals, drink my water, have been sleeping great and don't even drink alcohol anymore. The only thing I changed about my lifestyle had been getting back into long distancing running.
I wanted to share what has been helpful on this journey for me just as I always do my best to share what has helped me in navigating life with bipolar. This situation has not been easy on me and I always want to share my reality with you in the hopes that this could help someone.
On a lighter note.... the podcast will be turning 4 years old on 1/31. I wanted to thank you for taking the time to listen, read this and be here. If you haven't already, please leave me a rating or review if you listen on Spotify or Apple Podcasts. I love you!
Overcoming Trauma to Becoming Support: An Empowering Conversation with Jen Hilderbrand
Jen Hilderbrand shares her personal journey overcoming traumas from childhood and how she did not realize the ways in which these events would impact her life as an adult.
She shares how the trials she faced eventually led her to therapy which saved her life when it came down to navigating the sexual abuse and trauma from her childhood.
Eventually her therapeutic journey led her to getting involved with Hope Mental Health Foundation (Hope Gives). Jen explains the driving mission of the non-profit organization which she is now President of: to remove financial barriers to therapy for families and individuals in need.
Hope Gives believes that therapy should be accessible for all to progress emotionally, heal and break cycles of destruction. Jen describes the fundraising initiatives and how she works to spread awareness about mental health care, the importance of therapy, and the tireless work by the team at Hope to ensure therapy is accessible to all who apply for sponsorship (the dream they want to make a reality).
As you can see in this episode picture, I had the pleasure of meeting Jen in real life last October at the third annual Hope Gives Charity Gala. Her spirit was infectious but her story was really what showed me how serious she takes this work.
To connect with Jen you can follow her here and learn more about the great work Hope is doing here!
00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction
01:39 Jen Hildebrand's Personal Journey and Struggles
04:01 The Impact of Childhood Trauma
08:05 The Power of Therapy and Personal Transformation
16:12 The Birth of Hope Gives
23:46 The Challenges and Triumphs of Hope Gives
31:36 The Future of Hope Gives and Final Thoughts
Navigating Bipolar Through Music: A Heartfelt Conversation with B. Russ
Brandon (B. Russ) is a rapper and content creator who was diagnosed with bipolar disorder in 2017. He discusses the pivotal moments that led to his diagnosis along with one of his biggest saviors besides music - community.
B. Russ utilizes his social media platforms to promote conversations around mental health and build a supportive community. He speaks about integrating his personal journey with his passion for music and reveals how both community and purpose have become central to his wellness journey.
When it comes to how help looks different for everyone, B. Russ is changing the game on speaking openly about his experience with bipolar. Greatest of all, he highlights the importance of representation in mental health conversations, especially in terms of race for other black men and reaffirms his platform's commitment to providing purposeful conversations around the topic.
A big pain area navigating life with bipolar is purpose and B. Russ shares what has helped him most with this. Tune in to hear him share what helped him gain the confidence to share his story online and the greatest lessons he has learned working in the field of behavioral health.
Stay connected with Brandon on IG here!
00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction
01:25 Building a Community Through Instagram
02:13 B Russ's Journey with Bipolar Disorder
07:45 The Impact of Music and Storytelling
11:19 The Importance of Representation in Mental Health
14:26 The Role of Community in Living Well with Bipolar
17:39 The Power of Purpose and Impact
36:54 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
Conversation with Missy Haze, Creator of 'Comfortable Silence'
Listen until the end for a special gift for you from Missy...
Missy was diagnosed with Bipolar 1 at 16, only a year after surviving the most powerful tornado that destroyed her high school in Enterprise, Alabama and took the lives of 8 of her classmates.
The day of the tornado, Missy describes a memory writing in her journal about not looking forward to a test that day to look backing on the detrimental impact of this day in 2007.
The survivor's guilt cast a weight on Missy she found hard to describe at the time. After receiving her diagnosis she opens up about the emotions that came up and what it felt like to not have anything explained to her.
She also reveals the importance of support from loved ones, as she recalls the roles her family played in helping her through one of her lowest moments. Missy encourages others by reminding them that their lives have purpose, and she express gratitude to those who have supported her along the way.
Journaling has always been Missy's number one savior in navigating her trauma, diagnosis and daily life. Little did she know that it would be the place where her brand, Comfortable Silence, would be born.
Comfortable Silence is a purpose driven clothing brand dedicated to eliminating society's stigma of bipolar disorder and was designed to make those struggling feel less alone.
Use this code for 20% off your order!
00:00 Introduction and Guest Presentation
00:33 Guest's Personal Journey with Bipolar Disorder
00:38 The Impact of a Tragic Event
01:22 Guest's Initial Struggles with Bipolar Disorder
06:44 The Turning Point: A Mental Break
17:11 The Birth of Comfortable Silence
32:58 The Role of Journaling in Mental Health
37:08 Final Thoughts and Reflections
Understanding the Slower Mornings Approach with Minna Khounlo-Sithep.
Make sure to grab your free slower mornings approach guide down below! Paris discusses the importance of having a slower morning routine with business expert and creator of the 'Slower Mornings' approach, Minna Khounlo-Sithep.
Minna is the host of Cue the Clarity Podcast, creator of the Slower Mornings Approach and speaker and educator for small business owners for self-growth, productivity, positive psychology and inner alignment.
Minna shares her personal journey exiting a successful multi-million dollar business she helped co-found 'The Product Boss' and the crucial self-reflection that led to her creating the 'Slower Mornings Approach.'
She encourages listeners living with bipolar to slow down in an ever-busy world, cultivate resilience, and find ownership in their narrative. She sheds light on the vital role of fostering simple, nurturing habits, especially during challenging times, as a key support system.
She concludes by discussing the transformational effect of intentional mornings and empowering self-care practices.
Be sure to connect with Minna and her podcast, Cue the Clarity, here. Download your free slower mornings approach guide from her there! :)
00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction
00:54 Understanding the Slower Mornings Approach
02:22 Guest's Journey and the Birth of Slower Mornings Approach
04:30 The Impact of Slower Mornings Approach
05:21 Breaking Down the Slower Mornings Approach
06:51 The Unexpected Benefits of the Slower Mornings Approach
07:12 The Importance of Habits and Self-Care
09:14 The Role of Silence in the Slower Mornings Approach
12:10 The Power of Habits and Resilience
32:47 Conclusion: Owning Your Story and Taking Back Power
Do you want to get paid to share your story living with mental illness? Listen to this entire episode to learn how I can help you make it happen!
If you have ever felt alone in your struggles with mental health this podcast episode highlights how we can combat that feeling of isolation and empower each other through shared experiences.
Join me as we #EndTheSilence around mental health in our latest episode. I share how I have been working with NAMI these past 3 years, and how we can all contribute to the conversation and ending the silence surrounding mental health disorders.
I had the pleasure of sharing my story through NAMI's 'Ending The Silence' program this past November. In the program, those living with mental illnesses share their experiences with the goal of breaking the stigmas surrounding mental health.
I open up about the impact of my sexual assault at the age of 15, my hospitalization, returning to work at the same hospital I was a patient at, how I started my journey towards acceptance and finally starting my involvement in mental health awareness.
We all have a story inside of us that we can share with others to help those going through similar struggles. If you are based in Phoenix, Arizona and want to be paid to share your story make sure to message me on my Instagram here the word "Ending the Silence" and I will get you connected.
Join my weekly newsletter here to grab a copy of the FREE gift I made for you too!
00:00 Introduction and Christmas Greetings
00:19 The Importance of Ending the Silence
00:38 Working with NAMI and Mental Health Advocacy
01:53 Sharing Personal Experiences with Mental Illness
04:02 The Impact of Sexual Assault on my Mental Health
05:01 Living with Bipolar Disorder
08:52 The Power of Sharing Stories and Connecting with Others
09:14 Opportunities to Share Your Story with NAMI
10:53 The Value of Your Story and Making an Impact
12:09 Connecting with NAMI and Other Resources
16:34 Conclusion and Christmas Farewell
From the UK to Arizona: Speaking with Aridja Kals
Aridja Kals is a content creator, public speaker and host of her own podcast, the 'Aridja Kals Show' where she interviews emerging creatives and entrepreneurs. She is an advocate for having and nurturing positive mindsets to help overcome mental health challenges.
Aridja recounts her experience receiving her bipolar disorder shortly after being classified as a missing person. She shares a story she has never opened up about before and how she moved away from many of the unhealthy coping mechanisms she used to rely on.
Aridja shares her journey, which involved a traumatic encounter, episodes of hospitalization, an abusive relationship and struggles with substance use. She also discusses her transformation and resurgence through self-development and mindset changes. The creation of the 'Aridja Kals Show' is also discussed, where Aridja's love for interviewing and influencing people positively takes center stage.
Aridja talks about her belief in the power of hope and the potential for success even amidst mental health struggles. She emphasizing the power of acceptance, hope, support, and self-growth in managing bipolar disorder.
00:00 Introduction and Guest Presentation
01:15 Guest's Initial Reaction to Bipolar Diagnosis
01:49 Guest's Struggles and Experiences with Bipolar Disorder
05:40 Guest's Hospitalization and Family's Reaction
11:37 Guest's Journey to Acceptance and Recovery
19:00 Guest's Current Routine and Coping Mechanisms
21:12 Creation and Impact of the Original Cow Show
25:24 Guest's Future Hopes and Aspirations
28:25 Conclusion and Farewell
A Journey From Despair To Hope: Speaking with Kevin Hines
Shout-out to my friend & podcast guest, Brandi Benson, for helping bring Kevin and I together. Brandi shared her story with me back on episode 60 and shares her story again inside the powerful pages of Kevin's latest book, The Art of Being Broken: How Storytelling Saves Lives.
In this episode of the Live Well Bipolar podcast, Kevin Hines joins us to share why your story has always mattered. He is a renowned mental health advocate, global public speaker, bestselling author, and survivor of a suicide attempt off the Golden Gate Bridge.
Kevin details his life journey and experiences with bipolar disorder, from first hearing voices in fourth grade to his eventual diagnosis at 17. He shares the factors that contributed to his miraculous survival, discusses the importance of his wellness regimen, and expresses his dedication to giving back to communities dealing with similar struggles.
Kevin emphasizes the importance of being kind to oneself, learning resiliency in the face of adversity, and remaining hopeful despite the relentless nature of the illness.
Make sure to stay connected with Kevin here and grab a copy of his story, The Art of Being Broken: How Storytelling Saves Lives.
00:00 Introduction and About Kevin
02:11 Kevin's Early Life and Struggles with Mental Health
05:30 The Importance of Seeking Help and Adhering to Treatment
10:35 Kevin's Personal Journey and Coping Strategies
15:55 The Impact of Bullying and the Importance of Self-Compassion
20:10 Kevin's Ongoing Recovery and Advocacy Work
23:31 The Importance of Healthy Eating and Exercise
35:35 Kevin's Upcoming Book and Future Plans
40:51 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
Get ready for a wonderful returning guest of mine who I spoke with last back on episode 115 in March of 2022 here.
Sarah Fox returns to the podcast to answer the question "what does it look like when we are learning how to heal through past mistakes, both pre diagnosis and during our manic states?"
Sarah is a Christian woman, alumna of The King’s College with a B.A. in Politics, Philosophy, and Economics with a Pre-Law minor & a Case Manager/Transformational Coach for youth development. With this profession, Sarah spends most of her time mentoring at-risk youth and preparing them for job opportunities. She is also the host of the top 10% globally ranked podcast called Rough Edges where she shares educational tools about mental health, anecdotes from her healing journey, and the intersection between faith and mental illness.
We dive into all aspects of Sarah's journey with bipolar disorder, from diagnosis to starting her healing journey, her struggles with self-care and how she learned to accept her diagnosis.
Discover the role her faith played in her healing journey, and the importance of community and how Sarah first began to cultivate vulnerability. She also shares her tips on how to deal with past mistakes, how to challenge the people-pleasing mentality, setting healthy boundaries, and the importance of self-compassion for individuals living with bipolar disorder.
Make sure to connect with Sarah here to stay updated on her journey and podcast!
00:40 Getting to Know Sarah Fox
01:38 The Importance of Open Conversations
02:21 Understanding and Healing from Past Mistakes
03:07 Sarah's Personal Journey with Bipolar Disorder
04:47 The Impact of Diagnosis and Stigma
07:07 Learning from Past Attitudes and Embracing the Present
10:20 The Importance of Community and Vulnerability
20:20 The Struggle with People Pleasing and Setting Boundaries
25:12 Looking Forward: Upcoming Season of Rough Edges Podcast
28:15 Living Well with Bipolar: A Personal Perspective
30:59 Conclusion and Farewell
After living almost 10 years diagnosed with bipolar disorder, I wanted to share a resource that has helped me gain so much awareness.
Can I tell you a secret?
I put my FREE Bipolar Wellness Workbook together first… for myself. But, after continuously going back to it …I realized how helpful it has been in navigating the many highs and lows we all face living with bipolar.
There were so many years I had no insight into what my triggers looked like or even what wellness could look like for me.
Using this workbook has given me clarity into these core 5 areas:
- What are my triggers?
- What does wellness look like for me?
- What tools can help?
- How far have I come?
- How can I get started?
Click here to grab a copy of the FREE Bipolar Wellness Workbook I made for you!
I have never met anyone who also lives with bipolar that I have had this much in common with.
Kate Simonet is an inspirational speaker and best selling author of her memior, Out of the Darkness. She is a mental health and suicide prevention advocate for teens and young adults.
Kate joins me this week to share her story and a few things we have in common....
We are both ....28, got married this year after meeting both of our husbands 5 years, runners, authors/speakers, worked in corporate America and were hospitalized in the same month and year (December of 2014).
With so much in common, Kate was able to break down her earliest experiences with severe depression along with the tools that have helped her the most in silencing our inner critics.
Kate describes the role of therapy, sleep, medication and her support system in her stability and how she was able to begin telling her story 7 years after her diagnosis.
Tune in to hear the ways in which Kate was able to navigate Out of the Darkness and how you can too.
Connect with Kate here for more info on her book, story and speaking engagements.
I am so excited to bring back a former guest of mine I interviewed one year ago here.
We have Jean Kim returning to the podcast to talk about a very important topic so many of us have found ourselves in at one point or another... relapse of depression.
This is something I struggled with a lot in April of this year and Jean breaks down the onset and triggers that arose for her earlier this year.
Jean shares a type of volunteering she has done that has allowed her to embark upon a new career. She describes what it has been like this year to leave behind her life in LA along with her time as a DJ in order to focus on her healing.
Tune in to hear the power of a supportive partner and how her sister helped Jean accept help. Make sure to connect with Jean on IG here and Tik Tok here.
This is the episode for you if you are a man living with bipolar or you love/care for a man who is.
I am joined by Lee Formella, host of Benefits of Bipolar on YouTube, writer for the International Bipolar Foundation + NAMI newsletter & speaker for NAMI.
Lee opens up about his experience going about asking for help and the challenges he has faced in this area from a male perspective. He describes the moment that moved him to prioritize this with his struggles with drinking and gambling.
If you can relate to feeling like you need to have all the answers and feeling overwhelmed with thinking you need do this alone then Lee's story will give you hope.
Lee went from living in survival mode from 15-35 and talks about the process of stepping out of this with the support of his family and girlfriend.
Tune in to learn from a male perspective on what has worked for Lee when it comes down to learning how to Live Well Bipolar.
Connect with Lee on Instagram here and on his website here.
The 3 biggest lies that I told myself both prior to and after my bipolar diagnosis were these:
-
You will never find a partner who will truly love and accept you
-
You will never be successful in any type of job or career
-
You must keep this a secret and never tell people you live with bipolar
There are many other things I held onto both due to self-stigma and discrimination I experienced early on in my journey living with bipolar.
Tune in to hear me break down how I came to see these as lies and how I was able to prove them all to be false.
If you have not already, please connect with and send me a DM after this episode to my Instagram here. Let me know some of the lies bipolar told you or some of the ones you are struggling with today. Love you guys, thank you for being here.
I am so happy to bring back a wonderful guest, Bonnie Mosby, who I brought to the podcast for you guys over a year ago.
Bonnie is the CEO of The Imperfect Human, LLC, a mental health and performance coach at The Imperfect Human, LLC, a Brazilian jiujitsu blue belt, and a master social worker in training.
Bonnie is back to expand on the lesson she shared on self-acceptance with how we can cultivate this thing called radical belief in oneself.
This conversation will equip you with the skills to tackle internalized ableism that so many of us struggle with when living with bipolar disorder.
Not only will Bonnie lay out how to tackle this internalized ableism but how to go about curating your support network and leaning into available resources.
There is a story Bonnie shares of the power of the people you keep around you and what we can do to continue to foster this belief in ourselves that some in our lives help us see.
For more Bonnie be sure to connect with her here and checkout our throwback episode from last August here.
This week we are joined by a psychiatrist who took the time to create a story on bipolar for us.
Elizabeth Nguyen, MD is a multidimensional psychiatrist, writer, and author of the recently published novel, Aloha Vietnam. She was born and raised in Honolulu, Hawaii. Her parents were refugees from Vietnam who arrived in Honolulu in 1975 at the end of the Vietnam War. She received her BA from Stanford University in Human Biology, her MD from Northwestern University, and her Psychiatry Residency and Child Psychiatry Fellowship training at UC Davis.
She started her career in community mental health, with specific interests in cross-cultural psychiatry, the intersection of spirituality and mental health, and the healing power of water and the natural world. She currently lives and works in private practice in Davis, CA.
Dr. Nguyen speaks openly about her early experience with mental illness in her family growing up. She describes the ways in which this influenced her to pursue her career in psychiatry. This career is also what put her on the path to write and publish Aloha Vietnam.
Aloha Vietnam describes the journey of Anh Nguyen, a 17 year old senior in high school, who experiences her first manic episode. She is diagnosed with bipolar disorder, put on medications, and she and her Vietnamese-American family are suddenly thrown into the world of mental health treatment and recovery.
Tune into this episode to hear Dr. Nguyen's take on therapy, living well with bipolar and the ways in which her clients have helped her grow as both a practitioner and person.
Connect with Dr. Nguyen here and grab her book here.
This is the first time I have ever interviewed someone in-person and it is one of my favorite people if you could not tell from the title.... my little sister, Vienna Prynkiewicz! Vienna was diagnosed with bipolar disorder type 2 & ADHD in summer of 2022, is a filmmaker, recent graduate of Northern Arizona University, and currently pursuing creative interests such as music, acting and art directing.Tune in to hear Vienna share her experience receiving her bipolar diagnosis along with ways to manage ups and downs while practicing self compassion. She speaks about her journey with sobriety, coming out of toxic relationships to finding a supportive partner and the transition between college and the real world.
Jonathan Szarko was diagnosed with bipolar 1 disorder, spent 9 months in jail and was dead set on not becoming "another statistic in the criminal justice system."
Standing in handcuffs in front of a judge at 30 years old, Jonathan was given a choice. He could either spend 5 years in jail or 5 years on probation. After living through past struggles with drugs and alcohol, Jonathan made the commitment to get sober and prioritize one of his oldest passions: fitness.
Growing up with a grandfather who was a bodybuilder, Jonathan shares his history with athletics and how he set out to manage his bipolar diagnosis through returning to the world of fitness.
He shares a huge struggle of weight gain with bipolar medications and how he was able to combat this and love his own body to teach others this.
Getting back on track came with earning his B.S. degree in Community Health Sciences and his NSCA-Certified Personal Trainers (NSCA-CPT®) license. From there, Jonathan launched his "Lifting with Bipolar" podcast to inspire others on their fitness journeys who live with bipolar.
Today, Jonathan is an Online Personal Trainer specializing in helping people with bipolar disorder love the skin their in and also manage any unwanted weight gain associated with medications.
Connect with Jonathan at his website here. From there you can access his podcast, Instagram page and YouTube channel.
I open up about why I published my book, Crooked Illness: Lessons From Inside & Outside Hospital Walls, and what vulnerability has done for my healing journey.
There were a number of things I had to change in order to even get to a stable place before Live Well Bipolar ™ could be born. Part of these changes came with stripping away the stigma I attached to myself after receiving my diagnosis.
Publishing my book allowed me the opportunity to share the numerous solutions I had discovered from so many guests on this podcast. I asked myself "where do I want to be? What do I want to feel like?"
This equation of getting to where I wanted contained many pieces that I dive into inside my book. I share what it was like to survive a psychiatric hospitalization, misdiagnosis, sexual assault, abusive relationships and returning to work at the same hospital I was once a court-ordered patient at.
To enter the giveaway to win a signed copy of my book, make sure to read my post and enter here. I am so grateful you are here and thank you for being part of my story.
This week we are joined by Mequell Buck- Author, Public Speaker, Mother of 3 and Suicide Survivor. She founded the organization Mental Illness Warrior and co-hosts the podcast "Thriving With Mental Illness" with her husband Adam.
Mequell dives into what it was like to be misdiagnosed early on in her life, survive a suicide attempt and discover a tool to help her move forward. She speaks about the importance of prioritizing relationships with yourself, family and your habits.
Navigating personal life, marriage, motherhood and a bipolar diagnosis is never easy no matter who you ask but successfully fighting the stigma is a priority for Mequell.
Tune into learn how Mequell was introduced to tracking habits, what doing this has done for her mental health and how she went ahead and made a journal for you to prioritize your mental health here.
For more Mequell follow her here and read her story here.
FREE GIFT- go to her website here and sign up for her newsletter where you will receive a code via email to grab a FREE blank journal (you just pay shipping) only for the month of September in honor of National Suicide Prevention Week.
Mel Howard joins me to discuss parenting while living with bipolar, warning signs and how to keep your family healthy and safe. Mel is a stay at home mom, part-time dog walker and advocate for mental illness. She works to silence the stigma through sharing her lived experiences, fundraising and volunteering with initiatives that support mental health awareness. Tune in to hear Mel's story on her lived experience that has enabled her to identify triggers that can create an episode. She has lived with bipolar I for over 24 years since her diagnosis and describes the role that a bad accident played for her. She explains her experiences with multiple hospitalizations, struggling with an eating disorder and facing past traumas in order to understand and heal. For more Mel, connect with her here.
Have you ever felt crippled by the stigma of bipolar disorder? Living with bipolar is not always easy but it gets really challenging when stigma enters the picture. Andrea Vassilev is a fifth-year doctoral candidate in clinical psychology, specializing in bipolar disorder, and a person with 25 years of experience with the condition. She speaks and writes for outlets such as Slate Magazine, NAMI, and the International Bipolar Foundation. Andrea is the creator of the world's first self-stigma program for bipolar disorder and hopes that telling her own story of life with bipolar through the lenses of clinical causes, treatments, and outcomes will provide education, hope, and comfort to others. Andrea joins me on the podcast to detail her experience being diagnosed with bipolar disorder at 14 all the way to developing the world's first program designed to help reduce self-stigma in individuals living with bipolar disorder. Tune in to learn what it means to truly get to know how bipolar lives in you and the ways to understand how it shows up in your life using psychotherapy. Many myths about therapy for bipolar will be busted along with key insights into how you can get the most out of therapy. Andrea shares how she has taken her lived experience with bipolar and turned it into wisdom to help others overcome common obstacles.You can connect with Andrea at her website here or on Instagram. You can learn more about her Overcoming Self-Stigma in Bipolar Disorder (OSSiBD) program here. Last but not least, you can check out her article on acceptance and bipolar here.
Tune in to this week's solo episode where I uncover the top 5 things that I have given up on in order to be able to Live Well Bipolar.
Along with this... I share more on why I am currently in the process of giving up on my relationship with alcohol.
I dive into how I have been able to give up on past relationships, jobs and environments that were toxic to my efforts to live well with bipolar.
My hope is if you also live with bipolar like I do or love someone who does.... that these lived experiences will resonate and offer support.
Feel free to learn more about my journey by reading my story here and shooting me a message about your thoughts on the episode here.
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/livewellbipolar/support
Can you imagine being diagnosed with bipolar disorder during a global pandemic while trying to run your own business?
This week, I am joined by Megan, mental health advocate and aspiring author living with bipolar type 1, PTSD, and anxiety. Megan uses her experiences living with bipolar to spread positivity and hope surrounding mental health.
This episode shows how Megan started writing not only to share her experiences to resonate with others but to track her moods. She describes the process of capturing all these things and how it helped her accept her diagnosis.
She touches on the power of using her voice and leveraging the support from her husband and family to prioritize her mental health. Tune in to learn more about Megan's journey along with starting the process of writing her first book.
Connect with Megan on social here and her handmade home decor business here!
Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/livewellbipolar/support
If you have ever struggled with drinking or alcohol when living with bipolar and wanting to learn to overcome these struggles then this episode is for you.
I sit down with my guest, Andrew Ramirez, Certified High School Counselor living with Bipolar 1, PTSD, & OCD. He is a graduate of the University of Miami and Rutgers University, a proud Puerto Rican, Husband, and Daddy of 2!
Andrew breaks down the acronym "RAG" (Routine, Awareness & Gratitude) that made a difference in managing his life after receiving his bipolar diagnosis and starting his sobriety journey.
He shares what it was like going from 3 hospitalizations to gaining insight into triggers and noticing trends in recovery.
Connect with Andrew on social here!
Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/livewellbipolar/support
There is nothing better than being able to talk to someone who has turned their life experiences into fuel to help others.
This week I am joined by Niki Castle, a mental health coach for parents who have a child struggling with their mental health. As a former PAC 12 basketball player, Niki specializes in working with young athletes facing mental health challenges. She is a speaker with NAMI's "Ending the Silence" program to help eliminate stigma by creating awareness to mental health challenges through sharing her own bipolar disorder journey. She is also an Ambassador at Large with "Morgan's Message" an organization that educates college athletes about mental health along with being a regular contributor to the International Bipolar Foundation blog.
Niki shares what her upbringing was like with a long history of mental illness in her family. She describes being raised coming from a mixed family where she felt a lot of stigma because rather than talking about your struggles you would go to church and pray.
We get into the breakthrough that helped Niki discover what works for her when it comes to being able to Live Well Bipolar. Niki shares the role structuring her life plays in her stability and how doing this work is what allowed her to become a coach to help others.
Tune in to hear how you can take your own lived experience and use it as a guide to Live Well Bipolar.
Connect with Niki on social here and on her website here!
Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/livewellbipolar/support
What role does peer support play when it comes to learning how to live well bipolar?
Tune in as Paris brings on this week's guest, Avantika, the host of the podcast Beautiful You. She has been an active mental health advocate since 2020, creating videos, blogs & podcast for mental health advocacy. Avantika was diagnosed with bipolar II at 17 and featured in the magazine called The Week and an Indian national newspaper, The Times of India, for sharing her story with bipolar disorder.
We talk about the importance of creating your support network through relationships along with leveraging others who understand what it looks like to live with bipolar.
Avantika shares her story as it relates to moving from denial to taking action to make her mental health her top priority. She describes the importance of acknowledging our limitations and not letting them keep us in a box.
For more Avantika, connect with her here along with her podcast here!
Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/livewellbipolar/support
Tune in to hear Paris speak with this week's guest, Dr. Aruna Tummala, a pioneer in holistic psychiatry who works to help her patients struggling with bipolar disorder reclaim their lives.
Dr. Aruna shares the struggles she faced herself and how all the treatments that failed her lead her to discovering a solution. She shares how she was able to leave her problems in the past tense with the changes she made to her life.
From attending her first holistic psychiatry conference in October of 2013 to becoming board certified in Integrative and Holistic Medicine, Dr. Aruna shares how she was able to identify the root of her suffering.
She dives into the 3 root causes she sees in all her patients...diet, trauma and toxins. Along with this, she details how she has been able to transform many of the issues she saw working as a young doctor to help so many.
Connect with Dr. Aruna on Instagram here or on her website here.
Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/livewellbipolar/support
Have you ever tried tracking your habits ...or ones you want to start or do more often?
I wanted to make this short, solo episode to share with you all why I started tracking mine almost a month ago.
Habit tracking has helped me get more clear on how I am processing so much change in my life and allowing me to see what I am doing well with (journaling/daily gratitude) and where I need more support (daily meditation).
You can easily track any habits you want more insight into like I do in a journal or on your phone too! Doing this have given me better insight into how to live a more balanced and productive life.
What habits do you track or want to start tracking?
Send me a message on Instagram here and let me know about your relationship to habits.
Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/livewellbipolar/support
This was an unexpected episode I wanted to share this week because I realized something.
Healing does not mean the same thing that it used to. Back when I was first diagnosed with bipolar disorder at 19... I did not start to do the work of healing until I was around 23.
Why did it take me that long? How did I get started? What do I do differently today compared to almost 10 years ago?
I get into how my healing journey is never and will never be complete. Tune in to better understand 3 things you can do to take better care of your mental health and how to know you are doing it right.
If you haven't already, get connected with me here! Don't hesitate to reach out and learn more about my story by reading it here too!
Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/livewellbipolar/support
3 months later.... and we are back!!! I have missed you guys so much and I wanted to share this episode all about triggers and what I experienced on my honeymoon.
Tune in to understand the way in which triggers can be both good and bad. I break down what the good triggers look like for myself that I have experienced these past few months.
As many of you know, I got married in March, moved into my first home with my husband in April and then left in May and June on our honeymoon to Europe.
I get real on the triggers that arose on the trip, what they meant, how I managed them and how you can manage both the good and bad triggers you experience with bipolar disorder!
Be sure to stay connected with me over here where you can always access the podcast, my book and my inbox to chat! Love you guys and I have missed you! :)
Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/livewellbipolar/support
I missed you guys so so much!!! I took 2 months away to be present for my wedding that took place on 3/4/23!!
I wanted to make this episode to share a few big updates with you guys along with how I am taking care of my mental health before, after and during this time.
I have a lot of big changes coming very soon that I share in this episode. Some of them make me very happy and being away from all of you makes me sad but I open up about what is to come following all of these changes.
If you are not already, please follow me here and leave me a podcast review on Apple Podcasts if you haven't yet.
Last thing... check out my story and book here. Your support and presence here is what keeps me going, love you!
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/livewellbipolar/support
A topic not explored enough is one I want to bring you all today. What is the relationship between bipolar, body image and eating disorders? How can they impact one another? My special guest this week, Jennifer rollin, gets to the bottom of it.
Jennifer is a therapist, founder of The Eating Disorder Center, co-author of "the Inside Scoop to Eating Disorder recovery" who specializes in treating clients with eating disorders, body image issues, depression and bipolar disorder. Jennifer sent me a DM on Instagram and breaks down coping strategies for hypomanic, manic, and depressive episodes along with how EDs and bipolar can be intertwined and special considerations for coping.
Tune in to learn about a powerful exercise Jennifer has seen success with in her clients living with both bipolar and an eating disorder. She walks me through techniques for stabilizing mood, the role of therapy, behavior activation and social support.
For more Jennifer.... follow her here and connect with her here!
--- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/livewellbipolar/support
What has it been like to manage living with bipolar with my wedding coming up? I want to share what has helped me the most throughout this entire process and time in my life and a change I am making...
As you guys know, every single Monday I have new episodes and 2/6-3/6 I will be taking a break from the podcast and releasing episodes in order to enjoy my bachelorette, bridal shower, time with family/friends and the wedding day!
Setting boundaries has helped me tremendously in this process, along with staying consistent with my routine (sleep schedule, meditation, medication, exercise, diet, journaling). I wanted to share things I have been struggling with and how I am prioritizing my mental health during this time.
I am so excited to share this solo episode with you guys with my wedding date coming very fast on 3/4/23!
If you have not already, please leave a review for the podcast on Apple Podcasts (I read and share them all).
Go follow, message and stay connected with me here
Grab a copy of my story here.
--- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/livewellbipolar/support
Excited to share a story with you all this week about both the consequences and blessings that arise as a result of neglecting mental, physical and emotional health.
My guest this week, Courtney Noelle, details what it was like to start and lose a business she poured her heart into during COVID... and how she found her calling to serve women in a way she never thought possible.
Courtney is a 2x Entrepreneur, Podcast Host, Certified Functional Nutrition Counselor and Advanced Functional Nutrition Practitioner in training. She teaches health-conscious women how to feel in control of their body by identifying and healing the root-cause of their mental, physical, and emotional symptoms.
Also...Courtney is an active mental health advocate living with Bipolar Disorder 2 and shares what it was like to experience psychosis, hospitalization and the journey to prioritizing her peace.
Tune in to learn from the lessons Courtney encountered navigating her diagnosis, the working world and overcoming the feeling of having to prove herself.
For more Courtney check her out here and listen to her podcast here!
--- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/livewellbipolar/support
My guest this week breaks down the light and dark sides surrounding recovery from drug addiction and the role of bipolar.
Going from #1 rated television host, 17 years in radio and secretly struggling with an opioid addiction and bipolar diagnosis.... to successfully receiving treatment and reaching sobriety....
Matthew Tompkins joins me to share the unexpected lessons he took away from his experiences with bipolar amidst his busy lifestyle.
Matt is the co-owner of Two Brothers Creative, a podcast video production company, host of 'The Omaha Podcast' featuring Omaha's most successful entrepreneurs and host of 'It's the Fix,' his first podcast about addiction and mental health that has been on hiatus for a year. Matt describes the pressure of hiding his diagnosis and the gift that vulnerability brought to him upon sharing his experiences.
For more Matt, check him out here.
--- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/livewellbipolar/support
What is it like to go from working at a suicide hotline, traveling the world as a freelance tour guide, hosting a podcast and trying to heal your own self?
My amazing guest this week, Allison Toth, gets into the impactful lessons she learned so far living with bipolar 1 and borderline personality disorder. Allison shares the moments that broke her down and the beautifully unexpected ones that built her up.
Allison gets into the role of self-discovery in breaking the bipolar stigma and the steps you can take to start to build the life you have always dreamed of yourself.
For more Allison, connect with her here.
--- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/livewellbipolar/support
Have you ever kept a secret related to struggles you faced with your mental health or bipolar?
I know I have and so has my special gust this week who shares how she was able to overcome that damaging cycle.
I am joined by Kitt O'Malley, author of "Balancing Act: Writing Through a Bipolar Life," mental health advocate, speaker for NAMI, and former psychotherapist.
Kitt details how she transitioned multiple paths in life from drastic changes in career to discovering a purpose she never thought would belong to her.
Kitt shares how she met her future husband at her lowest moment, committed to publishing her memoir and started down the road to advocacy and how you can too!
For more Kitt check her out here!
--- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/livewellbipolar/support
How has the power of building and being part of different communities helped my guest?
This week I sit down with Shaley Hoogendoorn as she shares the power in the community she has been part of to play a role in the creation of "this is bipolar" podcast!
Shaley is a speaker, vlogger and co-host of "This is Bipolar" podcast who aims to dismantle the stigma around mental health and create a safe community for those that struggle. She lives with bipolar ll, and is passionate about educating and empowering others about mental health disorders. She has contributed to publications for Sanctuary Ministries, Psych Central and BP Hope magazine. Shaley is also an elementary school teacher and event planner.
Tune in to hear Shaley recount what it was like to share her diagnosis publicly for the first time, how she teaches her children about mental illness and the ways in which she has effectively worked to decrease the stigma so far!
For more Shaley make sure to follow her here and check out the "This is Bipolar" podcast! :)
--- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/livewellbipolar/support
Have you ever struggled to find anything to help after receiving a diagnosis of bipolar? Or have your tried a number of different treatments or medications to reach no answers?
My guest this week shares how one of her favorite doctors who helped her discover a treatment that works.... later became her favorite teacher in medical school.
Dr. Tara Peyman is a naturopathic doctor and the clinical director of Integrative Mental Health Center, where she focuses on providing holistic treatment options for bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and complex trauma.
Dr. Peyman reveals why she decided to become a naturopathic doctor, what has worked for her and what she has seen be effective in the many clients she works with. Tune in to see how Dr. Peyman helps her clients get to the root of what is underneath the diagnosis.
For more Dr. Peyman make sure to follow her on Instagram @drpeyman_imhc here and check out the work she does in AZ at her website here!
--- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/livewellbipolar/support
Join me as we chat with Shannon Vought, a 31 year old IT Project Manager living in Charlotte, NC trying to figure how to live her best life with Bipolar II.
Shannon gets into how to find a treatment plan that works for you, how she discovered hers and how to identify when you need help.
We will learn what coping skills have worked for Shannon along with what her experience was like in the psych ward and how she manages thought spirals.
Connect with Shannon here on her Tik Tok account called "shewearsgrippysocks." Shannon shares why this is the only form of social media she is active on and how her vulnerability with living with bipolar II helps others.
Also..Join our community here! :)
--- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/livewellbipolar/support
Diagnosed with bipolar 2 disorder 12 years ago is never something my guest this week thought would ever be her reality.
Not only was the diagnosis a surprise, but something Amelia Zachry thought she already understood.
Amelia is the author of "Enough: A Memoir of Mistakes, Mania, and Motherhood." She is a wife and mother of two girls who shares her story of why she is speaking up.
Tune in to hear what has helped Amelia balance a stable marriage, motherhood, seeking professional treatment for her diagnosis and how you can overcome your greatest obstacle.
For more Amelia, follow her here.... and check out her work and story here.
--- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/livewellbipolar/support
Lauren Contey is a Licensed Associate Counselor, wife and mother of 2 who never experienced a day of depression in her life....
Until she was 31 when she was hit with crippling depression, debilitating anxiety and unclear diagnoses.
Lauren is 32 now and in the middle of trying to figure out her diagnosis while being a sign of hope for others online here.
Tune in to hear Lauren's surprising family history of depression she never knew about, what she does to get through bad days and what her journey with bipolar has taught her so far about changing the narrative and why we need to do so.
Make sure to connect with Lauren again.... here and here.
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/livewellbipolar/support
Do you ever feel like you put your needs on the back burner? Like you have tried to open up before about your diagnosis or mental health with no success?
This is the episode for you to learn from my guest, Charise Jewell, all about how she learned to navigate the many challenges thrown her way by bipolar disorder.
Charise is the author of, "Crazy: Memoir of a Mom Gone Mad," her story about her bipolar 1 diagnosis and recovery and "Normal," a soon-to-be released novel about mental illness for tweens.
Tune in to uncover ways that Charise has been able to improve stability, advocate for herself and overcome the pattern of thinking that used to plague all of her days.
For more Charise check her out here and follow her here!
Please leave a review on Apple Podcasts if you enjoy the episode and want to share your thoughts! Also connect with me here and join the community here!
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/livewellbipolar/support
After listening to this Model Mentality Episode, I wanted to share this episode with you guys. In this interview, Rachel Hilbert, shares her experience of stigma living with bipolar as a fashion model for Victoria's Secret.
She shares how speaking about bipolar felt more stigmatizing than sharing her struggles with anxiety. After she got into the details surrounding her diagnosis, I felt the same.
Tune in to hear why speaking about bipolar can feel like a more difficult conversation than speaking about other struggles related to mental health. Why is this? Why do so many who live with bipolar also have a story to share related to stigma?
This episode will walk you through:
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Where the stigma comes from
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How to release yourself from it
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Why it matters to share your story living with bipolar
Don't forget to connect with me here after the episode:
My Story
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/livewellbipolar/support
For the past 11 years, I have been on various medications and want to share my experience and thoughts on meds with you guys!
Whether you are newly diagnosed with bipolar disorder or not... medication is always a big topic and something so many struggle with.
We struggle to find one that works, feeling dependent on them, shame of having to take them or the fear of judgement from others tied to bipolar.
Tune in to hear my journey with meds, my story of going off a certain medication and how I overcame the stigma with meds and where I am at today vs. where I was years ago with meds.
Thank you for being here and listening and feel free to connect with me down below!
Connect with me here:
My Story
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/livewellbipolar/support
Jean is a musician, small jewelry business owner, and daily mental health advocate with 11 years experience living with bipolar II disorder. Tune in to hear how Jean has leveraged more than CBT, therapy practices, reprogramming negative thoughts and gratitude to shatter stigma.
Jean describes the tools she began to leverage (boundary setting, quitting drinking and getting into music) to overcome the daily obstacles she faced with bipolar.
Listen to discover a powerful solution for reprogramming negative thoughts that you can try out to get on track or stay on track with living well bipolar!
More of Jean:
instagram: @dj.jeank
music: https://soundcloud.com/jjeankaye
music: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXCgDdfV9zlx4V6fxuh8qZg
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/livewellbipolar/support
What you keep track of... you can work to improve on!
When it comes down to living well bipolar, it is so important to keep track of the areas you are wanting to improve or just certain areas to track progress.
Whether you are newly diagnosed or have been living with bipolar for a number of years..... it is key to understand where you are now, celebrate your progress and recognize areas for growth.
Areas we can measure:
Sleep, screen time, exercise, medications, journaling, our feelings and progress at therapy or in coaching
I am currently looking to get better at being more present by lowering my screen time and get back into reading and working out more again!
What are you looking to improve on that will help you out more when it comes down to prioritizing your mental health to live well bipoolar?
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/livewellbipolar/support
Welcome to the third (and hopefully last) name change of the podcast! If you are an OG who has been here from the start of this podcast then you remember how it was the Crooked Illness podcast focused on everything mental health.
But.... around August of 2021, I changed the name to "Master Your Mental" since Crooked Illness stemmed from the name of my memoir and personal story living with bipolar. I decided to change the name to Master Your Mental and continue sharing conversations from others who have overcome challenges related to mental health. I wanted a name that more clearly defined what the show was about but since the podcast is all about bipolar disorder..... it doesn't fit.
In June of 2022, I decided to make the focus of the podcast all about what I needed the most when I was at my lowest... solutions for living well with bipolar. I wish I had access to a show or information 8 years ago when I was newly diagnosed with bipolar..... so I decided to create it!
Live Well Bipolar is all about stories from myself and my guests about the reality of living with bipolar and what has been the most helpful. We will be getting into the things we have come across that have had the most positive impact on our lives and the things that had the opposite effect.
Tune in every Monday to learn more of what is working to incorporate into your life and all the ways that you can 100% live well with bipolar!
Follow me on Instagram (my new one since my old one is still hacked): @livewellbipolar
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/livewellbipolar/support
Sad to share but both my Facebook & Instagram have been hacked and disabled last Tuesday.
I wanted to come on and explain how this happened and share some news.....
The podcast will be getting a new name, cover, website, email and social accounts (since I was hacked and have no access anymore).
Still here and love and miss you guys! I will be sharing more on the updates coming with the same focus on solutions for managing bipolar.
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/livewellbipolar/support
SOLO EPISODE
Do you truly know how far you have come when it comes down to prioritizing your mental health?
Are you taking the time to give yourself credit for all you have overcome?
This is something I still struggle with and I wanted to share how I acknowledge the work I put in so far. Going from struggling tremendously when I was newly diagnosed with bipolar disorder to creating a plan to live well is something to be proud of!
This episode will teach you:
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Clarity on why it is a challenge to celebrate your progress
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What to do daily to show grace for how you got to where you are now
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Why we need to celebrate ourselves more for putting our mental health first
Learning how to celebrate my progress and the years of work I put in to living well with bipolar was not easy.
This episode will show you the impact that giving yourself the credit you deserve has on your mental health!
Grab your FREE "Master Your Mental" Guide here: https://linktr.ee/masteryourmental
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/masteryourmental/support
SOLO EPISODE
Are you clear on all the things that drain your energy?
What about the things that give you energy?
If you think of yourself like a cell phone running on low battery and about to die.... it needs a charge and so do we!
This episode will teach you:
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How to identify what depletes your energy and boosts it
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What to do to give yourself more of the good
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Why we need to understand how these factors impact our life outlook
Getting clear on what adds and subtracts from my energy was the game changer that taught me to properly care for my mental health.
After years of running away from the topic and diving into the work... I get into how this has helped and how I hope it helps you!
Grab your FREE 28-day Gratitude Journal here: https://www.masteringyourmental.com/
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/masteryourmental/support
The stigma of mental health in a South Asian family can be complex, with loved ones often denying or minimizing issues. Their actions, even if they are well-intentioned, can be harmful to their family members living with bipolar. The immigrant experience, often characterized by keeping up appearances and the collectivist mindset, is unfortunately a common one. Perhaps, by sharing more of these experiences and breaking down at least some of the barriers that exist, we can start to shift the attitudes toward bipolar and other mental illnesses. For Nikhil Torsekar, this narrative is all too familiar. One day, he seemed to have it all—a loving family, a first-class education and a thriving career—until suddenly, it came crashing down. He lost his job, abruptly filed for divorce and had nowhere to live. Turns out, he had been suffering from undiagnosed bipolar disorder for 20 years. After becoming suicidal and receiving a diagnosis at 40-years-old, he finally began his journey toward healing. With the help and support of his wife, Shelly Sood, the pair now share their story on a successful podcast and blog, and are now working on a book and movie to tell their story about mental health. Their message, above all else, is to untether your life. Tune in to hear more about how with the right combination of tools—medication, therapy and supportive relationships—you can start your own healing journey, and take ownership of your mental health. Topics discussed in this episode:
Nikhil’s journey to diagnosis The immigrant experience The three-legged stool: medication, therapy, relationships Sore state of mental healthcare in India Untethering your life Taking ownership of your health Finding and joining a community The fundamentals of breathing
Head to Apple Podcasts to listen to the Shelly Story, a podcast about owning your own health, co-hosted by Nikhil and his wife, Shelly Sood. You can also find them at shellysood.com. Connect with Shelly and Nikhil:
Linkedin Twitter Instagram Connect with Paris: Facebook Instagram LinkedIn To hear more episodes, visit Apple podcasts. Be sure to write a review and let me know your thoughts on the show!
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/masteryourmental/support
For some people, sports and physical activity can be a healthy outlet for coping with the difficulties around mental illness. For others, it can become a way of repressing emotions and can create a toxic cycle of ignoring the difficulties of life.
What if you shifted that mindset from constantly pushing your physical limits to ignore what’s brewing inside, to instead, putting your mental health first?
On today’s episode, mental health advocate and high performance coach, Bonnie Mosby, shares her experiences of transforming her own disordered relationship with sport from being unhealthy, toxic and hyper focused on perfectionism, into one that’s a lot healthier, and one where having fun plays an important role.
Bonnie was diagnosed with bipolar type 2 disorder and social anxiety following a traumatic brain injury that abruptly ended her decade-long professional rugby career. After years of hard work and being dedicated to truly understanding herself, she now uses those experiences to support and encourage others committed to forging their own paths.
She wants nothing more than to bring sustainable strategies to the table, as she rocks the world with how she approaches high performance training, whether that be in a sport, at work, or within oneself.
Tune in to hear more about how radical acceptance and new hobbies—like owning dozens of houseplants— can help your mental health.
Topics discussed in this episode:
- Learning to trust your own feelings is key to understanding your diagnosis
- Create boundaries in relationships (and with yourself)
- Healing is not a destination, it’s an ongoing process
- Let go of relationships that you’ve outgrown
- How collecting house plants helped shift Bonnie’s perception
- Advice for how to talk about your diagnosis
- Where to find support groups and build a community
- Learn to have compassion, especially with yourself
If you are a creative or an athlete with invisible disabilities and mental illness, looking to build a support system, head to Bonnie’s website and make an appointment with her!
Connect with Bonnie:
Connect with Paris:
To hear more episodes, visit Apple podcasts. Be sure to write a review and let me know your thoughts on the show!
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/masteryourmental/support
This podcast was created to provide as many options as possible to help treat bipolar disorder and mental illnesses in a way that works for you. One facet of that is your diet. What you eat changes the way your body functions. Particularly with a ketogenic diet.
A keto diet drastically changes the way your brain and body functions. It has the capacity to help stabilize bipolar disorder and has been proven to be most effective for depressive episodes.
Since this is a promising treatment for bipolar disorder, we wanted to talk to someone who is highly qualified in mental health and nutrition. So today we welcome, licensed mental health counselor, who is trained in functional nutrition and the use of a ketogenic diet as a treatment for mental illness and neurological disorders, Nicole Laurent.
On today’s episode, Nicole schools us on how effective a keto diet can be to help stabilize bipolar disorder, and where to start. She presents us with advice and tools to help you get started.
Tune in to hear an information packed episode that will get you thinking about how your diet affects your mental health.
Topics discussed in this episode:
- How ketogenic diets have been used historically
- How keto changes brain chemistry
- Important information to consider before starting a keto diet
- Helpful tools for people starting a keto diet
- The most successful approach to keto diet
- Common low carb foods
- Advice for vegans wanting to do a keto diet
- Results for people with bipolar disorder after starting a keto diet
- Helpful advice for people struggling with starting a keto diet
- Who Nicole looks to for advice when it comes to keto
If you are interested in starting a ketogenic diet and don’t know where to start, head to Nicole’s website!
Connect with Nicole:
Connect with Paris:
To hear more episodes, visit Apple podcasts. Be sure to write a review and let me know your thoughts on the show!
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/masteryourmental/support
Just as nuanced as each bipolar diagnosis is, so are the treatments. Different treatments work better for different people. Medications that would help one diagnosis may not have the same effect on another.
This is why we have to explore the different areas of treatments that could be beneficial to stabilize bipolar. Sometimes the most unconventional methods have the greatest effect. Such as scream therapy. Sound intense? Well, intensity may be what it takes to release and move the pent up energy when it has nowhere else to go.
This is something our guest on today’s episode experienced when dealing with unstabilized bipolar disorder. Pent up energy caused by dysregulation, releasing in harmful ways. He learned tools that worked for him to release and help manage bipolar disorder in unique ways.
Jason Schreurs, mental health advocate, podcast host of ‘Scream Therapy’, and author of the book ‘Scream Therapy: A Punk Journey Through Mental Health’, joins us on today’s podcast to teach us about how scream therapy changed his life and tools he has learned along the way to help keep his bipolar disorder in check.
Tune in to hear more about how scream therapy may be beneficial for you!
Topics discussed in this episode:
- Jason’s journey with bipolar disorder
- How Jason was diagnosed later in life
- How Jason found music as a healing method for bipolar disorder
- A powerful lesson that bipolar has taught Jason
- Changes Jason has made from the way he used to live to now
- The importance of routine to keep the nervous system regulated
- The support groups that have helped Jason
- The biggest thing music therapy has helped Jason with so far
- The overarching message Jason wants to convey in his book
- Nuances in bipolar disorder in different people
To learn more about scream therapy, visit the scream therapy headquarters website here!
Connect with Paris:
To hear more episodes, visit Apple podcasts. Be sure to write a review and let me know your thoughts on the show!
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/masteryourmental/support
“I don't think I would care to find peace if I didn't have such a brutal mind.” - Oliver Sleggman
Mindset is everything, especially when dealing with a mental disorder like bipolar. It can make all the difference in the healing process by creating new avenues for connection and support. This requires a change in the way we perceive day to day life and the nature of the disorder. It helps to have helpful tools to choose from, which tends to come naturally for some who are dealing with bipolar disorder, because it becomes a necessity.
This rings true for our guest, Oliver Sleggman, author of “Befriending Bipolar” and “The Broker That Broke Free”, as well as a powerful mental wellness coach. Oliver joins us on today’s episode to tell us his story about living with bipolar disorder and his journey to becoming a mental wellness coach.
Oliver is the epitome of someone who took their healing into their own hands. He created happiness in his life by shifting his perspective from focusing on negativity to positivity, and finding community and connection through his disorder. He talks about how the disorder humbled him to a point where he has learned from his mistakes and now has an arsenal of tools that he wants to share with others dealing with similar issues, so he can make a difference in someone else’s life.
Tune in to hear how you can start trusting the process with a positive attitude and create a supportive network for yourself!
Topics discussed in this episode:
- How Oliver came to know he had bipolar disorder
- Oliver’s experience with medication
- Negativity and how it affected Oliver then and now
- How Oliver shifted from negative to positive focus
- Which tools have been most helpful to help him help others
- How bipolar brought Oliver helped create closer connections in relationships
- How Oliver discovered meditation
Connect with Oliver:
You can find Oliver’s books here:
The Broker Who Broke Free: Peace is found Within
Befriending Bipolar: A patient's perspective
Connect with Paris:
To hear more episodes, visit Apple podcasts. Be sure to write a review and let me know your thoughts on the show!
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/masteryourmental/support
Being a mother is one of the most rewarding experiences, but is also one of the most difficult things you can do. Pair that with mental health issues, like bipolar disorder, and it adds another set of challenges. Dealing with bipolar on your own is one thing, then having to manage it while being responsible for the care of others is something we don’t talk about enough. Yes it’s challenging, but it can also be highly motivating to get the help you need.
Our guest on today’s episode has lived with bipolar disorder for 22 years and is also a mother and wife. Michelin Rittinger joins us to share what her path to wellness has looked like. She inevitably struggled, but she took the challenges of her disorder and motherhood and made it work for her. Climbing out of her lowest moments with her daughter as her inspiration, she is now able to cope with her bipolar disorder in a healthy way and wants to share how she did it with other mothers with bipolar disorder.
Tune in to hear Michelle’s journey of overcoming some of the lowest moments of her life and learn how she created a mental health emergency response plan to manage her episodes.
Topics discussed in this episode:
- Michelle’s experience with bipolar
- Struggles with accepting bipolar
- Michelle’s turning point on her path to wellness
- Coping mechanisms when dealing with bipolar disorder
- How Michelle put a plan in place for her bipolar episodes
- The impact a parent’s bipolar has on children
- Understanding early warning signs of an episode
- The unique challenges with bipolar as a mother
- How Michelle is giving back to mothers with her blog posts
Connect with Michel:
Website
Connect with Paris:
To hear more episodes, visit Apple podcasts. Be sure to write a review and let me know your thoughts on the show!
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/masteryourmental/support
It’s no secret that living with bipolar disorder is no easy feat. It can take over your life and cause chaos in ways you can’t imagine. The ambiguity of the disorder, along with the long and difficult road to healing can be one of the toughest battles a person can fight. Not only for the individual, but the family surrounding them as well.
Yes, it’s tough, but healing IS possible, not only healing, but a beautiful thriving life. However, it takes a village, but the point is it’s possible, something we forget when speaking of bipolar disorder, and any mental illness for that matter. So, what if we flipped the script on how we talk about bipolar disorder? What if we spoke about it, not as a life sentence, but something that can be overcome with more empowering language. Can there be a bright side to bipolar disorder?
Our guest on today’s episode is trying to do just that! Michel Le Roux has been living with bipolar disorder for 40 years and has stabilized it for 22 years. His life’s work is now to help others living with bipolar disorder and create a new narrative around it. He tells us his story of how he realized he had bipolar disorder and the journey to healing. Dropping out of school, losing his job and family, only to gain it back with a brand new perspective and a purpose to help others.
Michel’s story is empowering and may help you or someone you know living with bipolar disorder and any mental illness.
Tune in to hear a story of triumph and finding humanity in healing!
Topics discussed in this episode:
- How Michel discovered he had bipolar disorder
- Michel’s journey living with bipolar disorder
- Advice on how to change your mindset to heal through bipolar disorder
- How to use your network to heal
- Tips on how to live with bipolar disorder
- Michel’s definition of freedom
- How to find the bright side of bipolar disorder
- How to maintain stability with bipolar disorder
- Importance of having a support system
- How you can help others with bipolar disorder
Connect with Michel:
Website
Connect with Paris:
To hear more episodes, visit Apple podcasts. Be sure to write a review and let me know your thoughts on the show!
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/masteryourmental/support
Have you ever considered photography to be therapeutic or healing?
What about capturing images of your experience or the experience of someone else to illustrate what living with bipolar is like?
Photography is a great way to showcase different moments of bipolar, whether it be the lows, highs or day-to-day routine.... it is a beautiful tool that captures vulnerability.
Joining me this week is the amazing Kimberly Kizzia, professional photographer and mental health advocate living with bipolar 1 disorder. Tune in to hear the work Kimberly does using her photography to help herself and others. Kimberly speaks all about her experience being diagnosed at 18 and the journey to wellness, advocacy and what has and has not worked along the way.
For more Kimberly:
Instagram- @tippingthetightrope
Twitter- @KimberlyKizzia
https://www.kdkphotography.com/
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/masteryourmental/support
Exercise has been one of the biggest solutions for me when it comes to bipolar..... why?
It has been a game changer in helping me get back into this passion of treating my body with love! I lost that passion in all the years I struggled most and neglected to put myself first.
Exercise helps me stay consistent in reaching my goals while enjoying getting outside for a walk, run or hike. It helps me clear my mind and focus on building strength.
Have you tried getting back into an exercise routine? Does it make an impact for you? How do you feel when you honor your body this way?
For more: connect with me on Instagram @masteryourmental
Read my story: Crooked Illness available on Amazon
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/masteryourmental/support
Do you know what you would consider "triggers" to be when it comes to your experience with bipolar disorder?
Have you ever felt off, down, low or uncomfortable and haven't been able to pinpoint the cause?
This is the episode for you where I share what comes up for me with different triggers and how I navigate it related to bipolar.
I can't wait to share how becoming aware of these things has enabled me to take the power back in situations I once felt so powerless and hopeless.
Sleep issues, too much drinking, arguments/fights, conflicting relationships, big life changes and so much more....
I will be sharing how I have learned to face and develop useful plans to stop letting these situations cause me to feel lost when it comes to bipolar disorder. Love you all!
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/masteryourmental/support
Have you ever struggled with bipolar disorder or know a family member or loved one who is or has? Have you ever wanted to learn if it is possible to overcome those feelings of isolation and overwhelm with accessing unique solutions?
I am very excited to share this next chapter of the Master Your Mental podcast with you. Tune into this and all future episodes to leave with 1 unique solution every single Monday.
For those who are new, my name is Paris and I was diagnosed with bipolar 1 disorder 8 years ago during a hospitalization. I felt alone, terrified and unsure if I would ever share my story and experiences with bipolar. After going back a few years later and working at the exact same facility where I was a patient at, I saw more patterns that needed to be addressed. I decided to make changes and break my silence to help others shatter the stigma, overcome their obstacles and start to create the future they only dreamed of living.
Each episode will feature a tip or solution related to bipolar disorder from myself or a guest of mine. All guests will share one solution and the value it has brought to their life to help with bipolar personally or for a loved one they know.
Love you all and let's keep featuring more solutions to keep smashing that stigma and staying on the path of forward momentum!
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/masteryourmental/support
Do you ever experience disempowering thoughts?
Have you ever wanted to get better when it comes to setting healthy boundaries with these thoughts?
Tune in to hear my wonderful guest, Nancy Pickard, break down how shadow work has been instrumental in implementing these changes into her life. Nancy is a life coach and best selling author of Bigger, Better, Braver! Not only that… Nancy is going to arm you with tips you can harness in your life to tackle these beliefs and provide value to understand them.
Nancy will get into what shadow work is, the role of understanding yours and others love languages and how to maintain your progress!
For more Nancy:
https://nancypickardlifecoach.com/
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/masteryourmental/support
Do you ever struggle to make decisions?
Did you know there are tools that will be shared here to provide clarity on decision-making with life's big events?
Tune in to hear my special guest, Laura Haehl, break down her personal story to the path she is on now. Laura is a yoga instructor, reiki master, hypnosis therapist and a master of the mind-body connection when chakra balancing is concerned.
Laura will share the messages behind the biology of our beliefs, the ability to heal ourselves and how to unlock repressed memories to be fully present!
For More Laura:
https://www.instagram.com/lauratheintuitive/
https://www.laurahaehl.com/
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/masteryourmental/support
Have you ever spent your whole life working toward something to have it all taken away after one event?
What if you saw your future self doing what you had worked toward to have it all be stripped away?
What would your next move be? Well this week I am joined by Keagen Hadley who is an occupational therapy doctor specializing in using psychological treatments such as acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) to improve the lives of his patients.
He also just achieved one of his dreams of completing his book titled, “Torn: Overcoming the Psychological Challenges Post-ACL Injury.” I am excited to have you hear Keagen’s story of the impact his injury had on his career as a semi-professional football player and how he turned this obstacle into a tool to help others.
Tune in to hear how you can embody your true self, practice mindfulness daily and unlock how to process bottled emotions!
For More Keagen:
https://keagenhadley.com/
https://www.instagram.com/theacltherapist/
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/masteryourmental/support
Did you think that it would be better to not share because you didn't know where to start?
Well this week I am bringing you guys Leigh Hearl to unmask the process behind breaking the silence with mental health. Leigh is the mastermind behind Meg Heart, a business the works to get important stories told. Leigh will share the skills you can apply to your everyday life to break through these obstacles and uncomfortable silences when mental health secrets are concerned.
Tune in to discover the tools for accountability, the beauty in vulnerability and how to maintain the progress you have made so far!
For More Leigh:
https://www.instagram.com/megheartauthor/
https://megheart.com/
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/masteryourmental/support
Have you ever felt trapped by a challenge in life and like you can not share it with anyone? Did you know there is always a solution available inside of you that you can tap into? Well this week we are diving into tips to get started on unlocking this during life's obstacles. I am joined by my beautiful and multi-talented guest, Brit Shane! Brit is the mastermind behind Space Face, Arizona Beauty Co and an entrepreneur consultant, spiritual coach and motivational speaker. Brit will take the stage and break down what spiritual healing is all about, how she got into it, how it catapulted her life to breathtaking heights and how you can get started today. For More Brit: https://www.instagram.com/brit_shane/
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/masteryourmental/support
Have you ever struggled to overcome periods of depression in your life?
Are you open to learning more solutions for ways to take control over those low moments?
Well we have some solutions on this topic of depression and crisis management this week! Joining me is my special guest, Kristine Scott! Kristine is the founder of Seattle Conflict Resolution where she consults with employers on policy, training and crisis triage for support in non-violent conflict responses.
I am excited to have Kristine here to dive into her personal story of what depression recovery has looked like for her and how we can apply these tips into our lives or share them with those we love!
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/masteryourmental/support
What is the true cost of not prioritizing our mental and physical health?
Have you ever held yourself back on achieving a goal related to health?
Well I know I have and still do at times.... this is why I am bringing you guys my amazing guest Patria Leone this week! Patria will break down how to access the knowledge and skills to overcome these barriers! She is the CEO and Founder of Health4Wealth LLC and H4W protein powders and supplements. Patria is also a health strategist who hosts her own radio show called Health4welath where she features entrepreneurs and business owners on all things health related for maximizing lifestyle!
Tune in to hear how Patria overcame personal struggles to help guide others toward clarity on their health pursuits!
For more Patria go here: https://www.instagram.com/patrialeone/
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/masteryourmental/support
Have you ever felt stuck trying to discover what your true "purpose" is?
Do you want to know an easy way to start to uncover what this even is?
Well this week we are doing just that! I am brining you my special guest LaToya Oviawe! LaToya is an Author, Counselor and a Women’s Empowerment Life Coach specializing in Depression, Anxiety disorders, Personal Development, Healing and growth.
Tune in to hear LaToya share her personal story and journey to uncovering her passion despite many challenges.
For more LaToya check her out here: https://www.instagram.com/coach_toyaa/
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/masteryourmental/support
Have you ever had thoughts that made you feel anxiety and stress?
Have you ever wanted to learn ways to have power over your thoughts?
Well that is what we are here to provide this week.Joining me in this conversation is my beautiful guest, Debbie Freeman. Debbie is a former Radio City Rockette Dance Captain, Health and Life Coach, host of 'Your Unique Sparkle' Podcast and is also a former USA Ms. Nevada 2021. I am so excited to have Debbie here with us to share her story, experiences and work in this area.
Tune in for tips on getting unstuck and learning to move forward despite those overwhelming thoughts.
Fot more Debbie: https://www.instagram.com/debbiefreemangould/
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/masteryourmental/support
Have you ever felt like you are meant for more?
That feeling like you want to contribute on a larger scale but unsure of what it looks like or how to get there?
If you felt that or feel that... this is the episode for you! I am bringing you my wonderful guest, Roxanne Chaput, to dive into this. Roxanne is a certified life coach who offers a variety of services to her clients to help them unlock their greatest potential.
Tune in to hear how Roxanne was able to overcome her struggles and challenges to make a greater impact for others and how you can do the same!
For more Roxanne: https://www.instagram.com/roxanne_chaput_soulpreneur/
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/masteryourmental/support
Have you ever struggled with your mental health before?
Have you ever wanted to learn about more solutions to prioritize it daily?
This week we are diving into all things “Bipolar Thriving” with my awesome guest Sarah Fox. Sarah is the host of the Rough Edges podcast, a poet, writer, creator and mental health advocate working to eliminate the stigma associated with mental illness.
Tune in to hear Sarah break down her hospitalization experience and solutions she has integrated into her daily routine to maintain that quality of life she has always been after!
For more Sarah: https://www.instagram.com/rough.edges.podcast/
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/masteryourmental/support
What role does trauma play in our lives? How do we go about shattering the stigma surrounding it? I am bringing on my wonderful friend, best-selling author of Monsters in my house and speaker Walter McKinley to share his powerful story and tips today. Walter will share the ways in which he conquered his past traumas and how we all can work on this daily.
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/masteryourmental/support
Really looking forward to introducing you all to my wonderful guest this week, Aya Allison! Aya is a personal optimization coach who offers a variety of services such as one-on-one coaching, hypnosis and microdosing q&a sessions. I am excited to have Aya here to share the benefits of microdosing, dive deeper into what it is and what it can do for our mental health. Tune in for all the tips and ways you can enhance your life through this topic.
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/masteryourmental/support
Today we are diving into this topic of radical self-acceptance. Joining me to break this down is my amazing guest, Jem Fuller. Jem is a conscious communication coach and author of What Matters Most & The Art of Conscious Communication: A Series. Tune in to hear the ways in which our ego can be doing us harm and how to overcome this roadblock!
For more of Jem: https://www.instagram.com/jemfuller/
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/masteryourmental/support
Have you ever had times where you felt like you needed to be LESS of who you truly are? Have you ever been made to feel that you need to dim your light in order to fit in or be loved?
Well I am here to tell you that you do not need to dim your light.... today, now or ever... let it shine ALWAYS!
I have struggled with feeling like I need to dim my light for years and even still struggle with it to this day. I get into why I started to struggle with this, what struggling with this taught me and a powerful exercise designed just for you. Tune in because you do not want to miss the impact this exercise will provide you with always recognizing your value, worth and power! I love you all so much and hope you enjoy the episode!
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/masteryourmental/support
I am joined by David Navarrete today who is the owner of Moneta De Sine, a Branding Media agency that helps businesses find their grand image and stand out through story driven videos. I cannot wait for you to hear David’s story today with helpful tips to get out of your head, which is something we all struggle with from time to time.
How do I quiet negative thoughts I am experiencing?
Is it possible to rewire old beliefs about our own potential?
What are simple ways to prioritize mental health?
All of these questions will be answered within David's story today.
To connect with David further visit: https://www.monetadesine.com/ or on Instagram: @monetadesine
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/masteryourmental/support
I am bringing on a special guest to not only share his personal story as it relates to this topic but the lessons that helped him grow to add value for you. Paul Henderson is the Dean of Students at a private school in Richmond, VA, author of “Slave No More: Conquering the Master Within,” and creator of the blog “Fatherhood on the fly,” where he shares inspiration to fathers on a variety of important topics.
How to take the power back in your life after you feel you've lost it?
Can you turn the most painful life experience into a beautiful one?
What can you do to keep getting better with each passing day?
All these questions will be answered in this episode.
To connect further with Paul, visit: "https://paulanthonyhenderson.com/"
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/masteryourmental/support
I am very excited to bring you yet another eye-opening conversation on a topic that has transformed the life of my special guest. I am bringing on the wonderful Tricia Nelson who is an Emotional Eating Expert who lost over 50 lbs. along with being a best selling author of “Heal your Hunger,” podcast host of the “Heal Your Hunger Show,” TEDx speaker and highly regarded coach. I can’t wait for you guys to hear Tricia’s powerful story, journey and helpful tips today.
What is emotional eating?
How does it impact our mental health?
Where to start in order to heal what is at the root of it?
All of these questions will be answered today!
To connect further with Tricia visit "www.healyourhunger.com"
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/masteryourmental/support
I am bringing on Robyn Graham today, a special friend, wife, mother of 3, host of the Robyn Graham Show, author of “You, Me and Anxiety,” and personal brand and business coach. Robyn will be sharing valuable tips for managing anxiety that have helped her along with how you can incorporate these tips into your everyday life! If you struggle with anxiety or know someone who does, this is the perfect episode to tune into. Love you guys, hope you enjoy Robyn's powerful story and tips this week.
For more Robyn, check her out here: https://therobyngraham.com/
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/masteryourmental/support
I am very excited to dive into the meaning behind today's topic today with special guest, Susan Johnson. Since her diagnosis of Bipolar 1 in 1995, Susan's true passion in life is to help break the stigma surrounding mental illness and bring hope to those living with one. Susan is the author of “Some Dreams Are Worth Keeping A Memoir Of My Bipolar Journey.” She is also an accomplished inspirational speaker and guest blogger for the mental health magazine, BP Hope along with being a Tedx speaker. Susan will be sharing tips on how she prioritizes her mental health daily and how we can all make this happen in our days.
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/masteryourmental/support
We are going to be diving into the story, mission and vision behind an awesome podcast called…. Just Grow. I am bringing on the creator of the podcast, Nick Arapkiles, to not only share his inspirational story surrounding the birth of the podcast but the unique way in which the podcast is changing lives. Nick is a fellow entrepreneur with extensive experience in the field of marketing, photography, videography and travel. This podcast is hosted and recorded live to help you up-level mentally, physically, financially and spiritually.
Check it out: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/just-grow/id1579443844
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/masteryourmental/support
This week on the podcast is all about “The Power of EFT Tapping.” I am bringing you my awesome guest, Lauren Fonvielle, to dive into this. Lauren is an Integrative Energy Practitioner, specializing in EFT/ Tapping for stress, anxiety, and trauma. She guides her clients on a journey of self healing breaking through obstacles - physical, mental, or emotional - that are keeping them feeling stuck and in pain. I am excited to have Lauren here with us today to explore this topic and the benefits it provides for our mental and emotional health.
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/masteryourmental/support
Today’s topic is all about emotional eating and the ways in which it relates to our mental health! I am brining on my awesome guest Jonathan McLernon to dive into this topic who is an expert emotional eating coach who has lost and kept off 100 lbs! He is passionate about behavioral psychology and brain-driven weight loss which he teaches his clients. Tune in to hear John's story of how he came to conquer the traumas that led to his struggles with emotional eating and the steps he took to rewire his habits!
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/masteryourmental/support
Today is all about the role the subconscious plays related to mental health and how we can rewire our subconscious to take the best possible care of our mental health! I am joined by the wonderful Sharon Coleman today who is a keynote speaker, leadership expert and transformation coach. Sharon utilizes clear cut strategies to guide her clients toward conquering self-limiting beliefs and becoming crystal clear on the vision of life. Learn how to destroy limiting beliefs and tap into strategies for developing a stronger subconscious outlook!
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/masteryourmental/support
What are "complex traumas" and how do they have an impact on our mental health? This question is answered in detail with examples and helpful tips by my wonderful guest, Andrea Hanson. Andrea is a complex trauma expert and a neurobiological breakthrough expert specializing in addiction and reshaping the psychiatric and mental health stigmas. Tune in to hear Andrea share how complex traumas can be understood in the process of healing and moving forward!
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/masteryourmental/support
Today we are going to be getting into all things ADHD related and a fresh perspective on the topic with my special guest. Joining me today is Aaron Huey! Aaron is the Founder of Fire Mountain Programs, a residential treatment center in Colorado helping troubled teens overcome many challenges. Aaron also hosts the “Beyond Risk and Back” podcast and has 20 years experience working with Parents of teens that struggle, teens in recovery from trauma, and mental health challenges. Aaron drops tips for managing ADHD and the valuable lessons he has learned from struggling with it in the past!
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/masteryourmental/support
Today we are going to be chatting all about the importance of prioritizing your mental health in mid life. We are talking how to have more self-compassion and less judgment for ourselves! I am joined to get some awesome tips on this subject by my wonderful guest, Dr. Ellen Albertson! Dr. Ellen is psychologist, author, wellness coach and professionally known as the midlife whisperer. Tune in as Dr. Ellen shares powerful lessons she has learned from her story so far!
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/masteryourmental/support
I am so excited to talk all about the power of movement through dance today and the benefits it can provide for our mental health. Joining me to speak about this is my wonderful guest, Joseph Corella! Joseph is a Choreographer, Broadway performer, dance teacher, and fitness instructor who has traveled the globe, spreading this love and understanding of the importance of movement. Joseph’s connection to movement started in his early childhood with extensive training in jazz, tap, contemporary, and ballet. I am so excited to have Joseph here to share the ways in which dance can enhance our mental health, confidence and mindset!
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/masteryourmental/support
I am so excited to be diving into this topic of resiliency as it relates to mental health and fitness! Joining me to share her experience and tips in this area is my guest, Ericka Thomas. Ericka is a highly caffeinated coach, course creator, podcast host and entrepreneur with a certification collection that includes registered yoga teacher, trauma release exercise provider and health coach. She is the owner and founder of Elemental Kinetics online trauma release studio and has almost 25 years of experience in the fitness industry. Ericka will be sharing how to find balance between success and suffering and how to unlock stillness in fitness for mental health!
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/masteryourmental/support
Today we are going to be getting into all things on getting out of a rut. If you have ever found yourself feeling stuck in one then this is the perfect episode for you! I am joined by my wonderful guest, Bobbie Caskey today! Bobbie is a Women's Empowerment Coach with a passion for helping women create a more intentional and authentic life. Bobbie shares how to spot negative talk tracks, the impact of thoughts on our emotions and the actions we can take to prioritize our mental health to rise in these moments!
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/masteryourmental/support
Tune in to learn how to get to the root of negative thoughts to rewire them, learn from them and eliminate them! Getting into this with me today is my awesome guest, Carrie Leaf. Carrie is a psychotherapist, life coach, author and hypnotherapist. She has been a practicing psychotherapist for over 10 years and working in the psychology field for over 15 years. You don't want to miss these tips Carrie brings to the table! :)
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/masteryourmental/support
This episode is all about what forgiveness means and what the role of forgiveness plays in relation to mental health! Joining me with tips on this topic is my wonderful guest, Kelli Calabrese. Kelli is a 34 year fitness, nutrition, wellness and lifestyle coach. She is a 3 time best selling author, international speaker, was an executive with a global nutrition company and is a certified divorce coach. Kelli shares the impact learning to forgive yourself has on the quality of your life and how to start practicing it!
Learn more about Kelli here: www.KelliCalabrese.com
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/masteryourmental/support
I still can't believe this is real life and I am actually a published author.... but it is here! I wrote my book, "Crooked Illness: Lessons From Inside & Outside Hospital Walls," to share my story with you all on how I went about being able to SHATTER the stigma I associated with bipolar disorder, CONQUER the obstacles that kept me stuck for years and finally begin to CRAFT the life I had only ever dreamed of.
I reveal the inspiration behind me writing this book and the powerful takeaway messages you will receive upon reading it. Hope you guys enjoy this special episode where I get real about overcoming struggles associated with mental health and how you can too!
Grab a copy of my book here: https://www.amazon.com/Crooked-Illness-Lessons-Outside-Hospital-ebook/dp/B09HST5BQC/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=crooked+illness&qid=1633996558&sr=8-1
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/masteryourmental/support
We all have a story (& many more stories inside of us) that we can take and turn into our superpower! I am joined by Patricia Wooster who is the Founder of WoosterMedia, a Bestselling author of over 13 books & counting, and a book coach who works with leaders, entrepreneurs, athletes and anyone who would like to make an impact on this world using their words! You don't want to miss as Patricia shares how writing has helped her through challenging times in her life and how utilizing writing as a tool has helped her impact lives! This episode will help you unlock all the ways that writing can help your mental health :)
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/masteryourmental/support
I am bringing on Gina Rolkowski today who is a coach specializing in helping women overcome abuse and discover joy! Gina is also a former primary school teacher with experience in the nonprofit sector where she offered full-time free childcare for single mothers. I am so excited to have Gina with us today to chat about this topic, the work she has done and the lessons she has learned so far from this work.
We will be covering the shift from shame to compassion in overcoming abuse, the ways in which abuse can get stuck in the body and the connection that the body, mind & spirit has!
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/masteryourmental/support
I am super stoked right now to be getting into “Master the Game” today with my awesome guest, Dre Baldwin! Dre is an author of 29 books, a business coach, a professional speaker with 4 Ted Talks and a 9 year pro athlete.
Dre will be sharing powerful mindset tips for getting started with what you are passionate as well as keeping that momentum going! He also shares the single most powerful tip that has helped him master this game of life so far!
Check Dre & his work out here: https://www.instagram.com/drebaldwin/
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/masteryourmental/support
I am joined by Sara Palmer, a great woman who is a Speaker, Trainer, and Coach! Sara has helped over 20,000 children and adults to achieve success during her time as a veteran public-school teacher, professional consultant, and lay minister. I am so excited to have Sara here to chat with us and share some tips on preventing burnout and the importance of practicing self-care! You will hear awesome tips on all the ways that self-care works to preveent burnout and how you can apply this into your life! :)
Check Sara out:
- www.instagram.com/sarapalmerspeaks
- www.facebook.com/sarapalmerspeaks
- www.linkedin.com/in/sarapalmerspeaks
- www.6dayslaycation.com
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/masteryourmental/support
This week my wonderful guest, Dr. Elizabeth Fedrick, is joining us! Dr. Elizabeth is a LPC (licensed professional counselor) in the state of Arizona and holds both a doctoral degree in psychology along with a masters degree in professional counseling. She founded her own practice called Evolve Counseling right here in Gilbert, AZ and will also be expanding to Scottsdale! She is also a professor at GCU (Grand Canyon University) along with co-hosting her own podcast and YouTube channel called Evolve Counseling! I am super excited to have Dr. Fedrick with us today to get into what “Tackling Codependency in Relationships” is all about! She shares tips with us on how to overcome toxic patterns, insight into how our early relationships with our parents and caretakers play a role in the relationships we form later on and how it is possible to overcome codependency with consistency and some awesome steps she outlines! :)
Connect with Dr. Fedrick here: https://www.instagram.com/drelizabethfedrick/
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/masteryourmental/support
This week Brock Bevall joins us to share how he was able to overcome addiction and master the dark days of his past! Brock is a former undercover Cop who fought his way back from addiction. He is also the founder of Chase the Vase along with a 30 day recovery program and challenge he put together to help others recover and heal from addiction. I am very excited to have Brock with us today to talk more about what Chase the Vase is all about and share his powerful story with us!
Connect with Brock: https://www.chasethevase.com/
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/masteryourmental/support
I am so excited to be diving into today’s topic “Beyond the Mask” with my wonderful guest, Jame Geathers! Jame is an entrepreneur, speaker and author of the book titled, “Taking Off the Mask of Bipolar.” I actually found Jame because I watched her TedTalk on YouTube with over 100,000 views all about how she removed the stigma associated with mental illness. I am so happy to have Jame here with us today to discuss her story, how she was able to shatter the stigma she once associated with bipolar disorder, her experiences and all the powerful lessons she has learned along the way!
Get more of Jame here: https://jamegeathers.com/
Jame's TedTalk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gjVsQH6bIsU
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/masteryourmental/support
Hey everyone! Welcome to episode #8 of season 2 of the "Master Your M.E.N.T.A.L" podcast! I am super excited for my guest, Mike Schwartz, to share with us his method to help remove blocks that can sometimes impede the creative process. Mike is an internationally recognized author, speaker, Fitness Professional, Drumstick Artist and The Trusted Authority of Musician Wellness. We will be discussing ways to reframe your biggest problems in life right now to arrive at solutions along with doing an exercise together to go from looking at our problems as.. opportunities!
Check out Mike and his work at: https://www.instagram.com/wearemusicfit/
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/masteryourmental/support
Welcome to episode #7 of season 2 of the "Master Your M.E.N.T.A.L" Podcast! Today I am very excited to be chatting all things bipolar with this week's beautiful guest, Tatyana Frost. Tatyana is a mental health advocate and writer, she uses her Instagram page (bipolar_writes) to educate and empower people who have or know someone with bipolar disorder. I absolutely loved this chat where Tatyana shared her thoughts on receiving her bipolar diagnosis, how she worked to shatter the stigma and how her work as a writer has impacted her to want to empower so many others.
Check Tatyana out on IG: @bipolar_writes
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/masteryourmental/support
Welcome to episode #6 of Season 2 of the "Master Your M.E.N.T.AL" podcast! I am so looking forward to chatting all about the "Intersection of Mental & Physical Health," with my beautiful guest, Jordan Wentz! Jordan is a professional dancer, fitness expert and movement therapy coach with over 20 years of performance and mindset experience that she uses to help people ditch their self limiting beliefs and find the confidence to live their most bada$$ lives - and she does it all through EPIC dance parties. We talk all about how dance has been helpful to Jordan in overcoming the struggles she faced in the past with her mental health.
Grab your FREE copy of "The Badass Blueprint for Dancing your way fit:" https://www.mymovementality.com/blueprint
For more Jordan... find her here:
IG @mymovementality
FB @mymovementality
TikTok @mymovementality
Site: https://www.mymovementality.com/
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/masteryourmental/support
Welcome to episode #5 of season 2 of the "Master Your M.E.N.T.A.L" podcast! I am so excited to be chatting all about "Social Anxiety in Art & Acting," with my wonderful guest, Katie Chonacas. Katie does many cool things! She is the host of the "She’s All Over The Place" podcast, she is an artist, onscreen actor, poet, painter and musician! You guys don't want to miss out as Katie shares how she was able to overcome social anxiety and how it has impacted her life both personally and professionally. Katie shares great tips for managing anxiety that have been very helpful for her and I hope you guys enjoy learning more about Katie and her awesome story! :)
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/masteryourmental/support
Thanks so much for tuning into episode #4 of season 2 of the "Master Your M.E.N.T.A.L" podcast! I am super excited to be discussing, "A Look Into Feelings," with my beautiful guest, Elisabeth Brier! Elisabeth is an Assistant Editor at Forbes and Founder of the incredible online platform, MentallyWhere. You don't want to miss out as she shares with me how she came up with the idea to create MentallyWhere and how her own struggles with mental health influenced her to serve others in this capacity. I can’t wait for you guys to hear more about the work Elisabeth is doing and to get into her story as well!
Check out MentallyWhere: https://mentallywhere.com/
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/masteryourmental/support
Welcome to episode #3 of season 2 of the "Master Your M.E.N.T.A.L" podcast! Super excited to be chatting with Ben Duffy, creator and director of the short film, "I Do Not Blame Myself." Ben created this short film to interview real people living with real mental health conditions like depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder and schizophrenia to show the reality of what struggling with mental health can be like. But, he also highlights a lot of the good things that come from more conversations on the topic of mental health. Ben was also diagnosed with bipolar disorder like myself and chats with me about the work he did to shatter the stigma related to this. Don't miss this awesome conversation I had with Ben where we talk all things mental health, working to defeat the stigma tied to mental health and so much more!
Check out the film, "I Do Not Blame Myself" : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7jNLZBM8YBo
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/masteryourmental/support
Welcome to episode #2 of season 2 of the "Master Your M.E.N.T.A.L" podcast. I very excited to jump into this conversation on the importance of having mental health convos with my special guest this week, Kyle Kittleson! Kyle is host of MedCircle, a wonderful YouTube channel and on-demand library of educational mental health videos. Kyle conducts interviews with leading psychologists and psychiatrists on the topic of mental health to inform and educate. Tune into this episode to hear Kyle share with me how he got into the work he does over at MedCircle and how he is making conversations on mental health more engaging and relatable!
Check out MedCircle: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCyGOloOIJWt8NlE4tnejQeA
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/masteryourmental/support
Welcome to episode #1 of season 2 of the "Master Your M.E.N.T.A.L" podcast (formerly the Crooked Illness podcast)! Emily Lehmann is joining us today to share her story on conquering sexual trauma and how she is using her story to help others ! Emily is the host of the "In Lehmann’s Terms" podcast along with being a Mental Health Advocate, Sobriety Coach and Medical Cannabis Educator. This is such a great conversation on the impact that sexual abuse has had on my guest, how she was able to move forward and the lessons she has learned along the way! :)
Follow Emily on Instagram: @lehmanns_terms_
Check out her podcast: In Lehmann's Terms
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Join my beautiful guest, Ashley Parker, and I as we uncover all the lessons we were not taught in school and how we learned them out here in the real world! Ashley received her M.S.(Masters of Science) in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Palm Beach Atlantic University! She is also the host of A Splash of Ash podcast which is dedicated to sharing actionable lifestyle changes to nurture your mind, body and soul in order to achieve a greater self worth. We cover the importance of learning self-awareness, how this correlates to confidence along with the damage of habitually critical self-talk. We share our morning routines and what we do to add a little more light to all of our days! :)
Follow Ashley:
IG: a_splashofash
PODCAST: A Splash of Ash
WEBSITE: https://splashofash.co/
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Tune in to this week’s episode to hear my guest, Samatha Foster, Founder of Rethink Mental Health Incorporated (Rethink Stigma on IG), share her story, vision and mission with me. We get into the role our physical health plays in line with our mental health along with helpful tips and tricks to practice great self-care! Hear as Sam shares how Rethink Stigma is going about making conversations surrounding mental health more normalized and less stigmatized!
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I am really excited to bring this conversation to you guys after the chat I had with today’s guest, Alex Rudin. Alex is a multimedia artist based in New York City. She attended the Parsons New School for Design and is the Owner and Founder of Rudin Studios. I am so excited for you guys to hear all the incredible work Alex has done through her artwork especially when it comes to visually illustrating body dysmorphia. I look forward to hearing her story today along with how art has helped her overcome struggles she has faced in the past. Her and I share so many commonalities when it comes to our stories and I am excited to share with you guys as well!! We also discuss the relationship between sexual abuse, body dysmorphia and eating disorders. Follow Alex: IG: @_alexrudin
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Today, we are going to be focusing on tackling challenges and coming out stronger and wiser. Here to make this conversation awesome is my beautiful guest, Ania Halama. Ania is a published author, graphic designer and success coach who hosts the “Spirituality for Badass Babes” podcast. Tune in to hear Ania share how she was able to overcome childhood trauma, defeat her limiting beliefs and take the scary leap of leaving her successful career in design and marketing in corporate America to embarking on her own journey of self-discovery.
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Super excited to be getting into the power of gratitude and what practicing it has done for my guest and I. Today I am chatting with Krystal Karmatz, mindset coach and the creator of the B.O.L.D. Mindset course! After diving into this course and the many incredible conversations I have had with Krystal, I just knew I had to have her get into this topic with me. I couldn’t think of anyone better to bring this topic of conversation to the Crooked Illness table with me other than Krystal! Tune in to hear Krystal's powerful story along with gratitude has done to improve her mental health!
For more of Krystal check her out on Instagram: @krystalkarmatz
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I am excited to get into this episode with my wonderful guest, Kristel Nielsen. Kristel is the creator of Your Art Your Story, a non-profit organization dedicated to research, advocacy and education services for families experiencing suicide loss or suicide attempt. I am so excited to have Kristel here with us to share her story and the incredible work she has done and is doing at Your Art Your Story! We also discuss the stigma surrounding discussing the topic of suicide, suicide prevention and suicide awareness.
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There is such a powerful story behind this one that my beautiful guest, Stevie Griffin, and I will be diving into. Stevie is a journalist for Extol Magazine along with running her blog “Healthy Life Healthy Mind” and her nonprofit called Diamond Bucket Project. I am very fired up to have Stevie here to share her story with us and share all the ways she has been able to use failure to propel herself forward in all the work she has done and is currently doing. We get into the meaning of failure that Stevie had in the past and how she views failure today. Along with this, we dive into the role social media has played when it comes to harming and helping our mental health!
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I am very excited to have Jaime Bennington, son of the late Chester Bennington, here with me to get into the meaning behind today’s episode title. Jaime is a writer, director, visual artist and the man behind the short film “A Chant” which gives a powerful insight into the life and mind of someone living with paranoid schizophrenia. Jaime will dive into his story and all of the incredible work he has done and is currently doing for the world of mental health. We talk overcoming trauma, defeating the stigma associated with mental illness and how to move away from problem-focused thinking to solution-based thinking!
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The name of this episode has two meanings that will be discussed with my awesome guest today, Michael Anthony. Michael is an author, international speaker, coach, podcaster, advocate for adult survivors of childhood trauma and the founder of Think Unbroken. Michael shares with me the meaning and creative process behind Think Unbroken. He also describes the importance of forming and maintaining powerful and effective daily habits. We also discuss dealing with unresolved trauma and the relationship our physical health has to our mental health!
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I am joined by Kyle Blanks who will be sharing his personal story along with the role and effect CBD has had in his story so far. Kyle is a former MLB athlete who played for the San Diego Padres, Oakland Athletics, and Texas Rangers. Kyle is also the co-owner of Road Runner CBD, an awesome company we will be hearing about in the episode. I am very excited to have Kyle here to share his story with us, the role CBD has played in his life and the benefits it has brought to his everyday life.
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We are dedicating this episode to focusing on self-love, happiness and how to have more of this in our lives. Here to join me in this conversation is my beautiful guest, Brandy Edwards. Brandy is the founder of The Self-Love Challenge, a motivational speaker, attorney and yoga instructor joining us from Dallas, TX! I am so excited to have Brandy here to dive into this topic, share key pieces from her story and walk us through what the 5 C’s of self-love are. We also dive into how to defeat our inner-critic and embrace our inner-cheerleader along with the power in celebrating small successes along the way.
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Tune into this week's episode to hear my incredible guest's story and lessons learned from this powerful story. Minda Parker joins us to share how she overcame a life-threatening brain aneurysm and AVM rupture in February of 2020. Minda is a military veteran and founder of God is my Glow Up, her apparel and accessory company. She gets into the effects this recovery process had on her mental health and adjusting back to everyday life. She shares lessons on tackling anxiety, the power of supportive relationships and what practicing daily gratitude has done for her.
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This episode is all about moving more toward solution-based thinking and living! I am so happy to have my guest, Lori Baker-Schena, here to share the solution shift with us along with her powerful story! Lori is a life coach who provides advice on building effective teams, staying motivated, conflict management and living a solution-centric, happy life. We discuss overcoming our negative inner critic, building up your emotional core and the power of reframing the meaning of failure! Find more about Lori at: www.loribakerschena.com
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This is the episode for you to learn all about the importance of self-discovery! I am joined by the awesome Annie Graft, who also hosts the let’s get uncomfy podcast! In addition to this, Annie is a serial entrepreneur who has served in the military, founder of Fit Life Fit Me, author and Executive National Vice President with Arbonne. I am so excited to have Annie here with us today to explore this topic, share her story and drop some incredible tips on what it means to discover yourself! She shares the most challenging and most rewarding parts of her self-discovery journey. Annie also shares the role fear plays in holding back some from embarking upon their self discovery journeys and how to overcome this!
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Joining me in this conversation today is my guest, Debbie Emick! Debbie approached me to be a guest and I am so glad she did because she shared an incredible story with me of being a survivor of multiple chronic illness and autoimmune diseases. She is also the author of The Other Side of Perfect: Discovering the Mind-Body Connection to Healing Chronic Illness. Debbie also shares how she overcame perfectionism and people pleasing. She dives into the mind-body connection when it comes to unresolved trauma and what her experience was like searching for the magic bullet solution.
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Today we are going to be getting into what emotional detoxing is all about! Joining me in this conversation is my special guest, Sherianna Boyle. She is an author of 9 books, professional speaker, adjunct professor of psychology, founder of Emotional Detox Coaching® and cleanselife.com. Sherianna walks me through the CLEANSE method she developed when it comes to emotional detoxing, the power of overcoming trauma and how she was able to overcome the most challenging times in her life. Along with this, she shares the most helpful thing for her in overcoming her own, personal traumas!
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As you can see from the title of today’s episode we are going to be getting into the meaning behind “an innovative way of healing.” Here to join me in this conversation is my guest, Dr. Chuck Weber. Dr. Chuck is a board certified psychiatrist practicing from the Family Care Center (FCC) in Colorado Springs, CO. Chuck is going to get into the technological breakthrough known as TMS, Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation, and it’s incredible benefits. I am also happy to have him here today to learn more about him, the work he is doing and the incredible results he has seen so far since starting his practice!
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As you can see from the title of today’s episode, “Defeating Our Inner Enemy,” we are going to be discussing what this means, what it looks like and how to go about tackling this. Here to join me in this conversation by sharing her remarkable story is Brandi Benson. Brandi is an author, speaker, business owner and Ewing sarcoma cancer survivor. She is also the founder and CEO of Resume-Advantage, an employment service for both civilians and transitioning military veterans. I am very excited to have Brandi here today to dive into her story and how she was able to defeat her inner enemy and how you can too! She shares her experience being deployed in the military, receiving a Ewing Sarcoma cancer diagnosis and turning her journal dedicated to her nephew, Donavin, into a book for all to read.
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We are going to be diving into two meanings behind this title. We are, of course, going to be getting into ways to break the taboo surrounding mental health along with the non-profit organization called Breaking Taboo, founded by today’s guest. Joining me today is Serena Sun, the Founder and Director of Breaking Taboo, a nonprofit organization dedicated to mental health awareness and suicide prevention education. I am so excited to have Serena here today to share her story and chat with me about this incredible organization, the work done so far and future plans to continue breaking the taboo!
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We are going to be diving into a special technique that has helped my guest live life fulfilled as his authentic self..... Joining me today is Eric Almeida, an emotional freedom technique practitioner who works with his clients to tackle their emotional pain to live their fullest lives. I am so excited to have Eric here to dive into the work he does, what it means, how it is beneficial and how it has transformed his life. Eric describes how he went from having a horrible panic attack, suffering with anxiety and dealing with agoraphobia to being able to face his fears, start an antique shop and become a certified practitioner to help others. Also.... if you guys use coupon code "Crooked Illness” you will get $30 off your first EFT session with Eric!
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My guest today is the beautiful Maya Roffler, host of the Mayapinion podcast where she discusses leadership for established, upcoming and aspiring leaders. Join me as we dive deeper into Maya's story, her experience with anxiety, panic attacks and her tips for overcoming this. Maya highlights key changes she made to her habits and daily routine that helped take her from the darkest moment of her life to a place of fulfillment and joy. We cover gratitude practices you can add into your daily routine, tips for managing anxiety and key moments in Maya's journey so far that are helpful to highlight!
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Today we are going to be hearing an incredible story on overcoming cancer and the mental strength that played a role in this story. Here to tell this story is my guest, Fitz Koehler. Fitz is a fitness innovator with a Master’s Degree in Exercise and Sports Sciences from the University of Florida, who is president of her own company, Fitzness International LLC, a fitness company that specializes in providing fitness education through mass media. Fitz is also a professional race announcer who hosts some of the largest running events in America and author of her new memoir, My Noisy Cancer Comeback. We chat about the role mental strength has played in her experience pre, during and post cancer. Fitz also shares the important habits she has developed and practices on a daily basis that keep her moving. We also dive into the benefits of eliminating toxic relationships and negative self-talk has on the quality of your life.
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It was such a pleasure speaking with Dean about his story, life’s work and greatest lessons on my podcast, Crooked Illness. Dean provided immeasurable value with how he overcame incredible obstacles in his personal life to arrive at the place he is now. He spoke about the concept of being “in the way” vs “on the way” in regards to obstacles we come across in life. He shared insight on how to move away from personalizing failure, how to start responding vs. reacting and how to move forward in all areas of life. Dean is truly an incredible person who has made it his mission to share the life lessons he has learned with others.
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Today we are going to be getting into what it means to forgive ourselves and others and the power in doing that. Here to join me in this conversation is my guest, Kevin Clark. Kevin has found deep purpose through his work in the behavioral health field as a therapist, specializing in treating addiction and trauma. He shares with me what learning and practicing forgiveness has done for the quality of his life along with the role self-love played in this!
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Today's conversation is focused on the benefits of hypnosis and building good habits. I am excited to have my guest, Doug Sands, here to share with us what hypnosis is, what is has done for him and how it has helped transform various areas of his life. Doug is a consulting hypnotist who works with clients all over the globe and I am happy to dive into this conversation with him! He gives an example of what a typical session is like, how practicing hypnosis for over a year has nearly eliminated his depression, significantly lowered his anxiety and raised his self-confidence!
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We are going to be exploring a type of technology that’s sole purpose and goal is to improve your mental health. Joining me in this conversation today is Dmitri Leonov, the cofounder of Taopatch and co-organizer of Transformative Technologies Lab, the largest community of entrepreneurs focused on using technology for human thriving. Dmitri shares the way in which this patch of technology has helped his energy levels, focus, mental well-being and flexibility. He also shares interesting research findings of how this technology has improved depression, anxiety, multiple sclerosis and Parkinson's disease!
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Today is going to be a fun episode because I have two guests joining me to chat about a special message inside a book they wrote together. Raeesa and Jamie are the authors of “Where’s My Lemonade?” A book born from the saying “when life gives you lemons, make lemonade.” It includes 17 inspirational stories to keep you going and to illustrate the many obstacles and struggles that are conquered. Raeesa, Jamie and I chat about the theme of hope, how they overcame their most challenging moments and how mental health issues do not discriminate. I hope you guys enjoy this conversation today and leave feeling more empowered and prepared to tackle your day or whatever you may be facing!
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This is the episode for you if you want to learn about the role self-love plays when it comes to perfectionism. Join me and my guest, Elizabeth Su, wellness writer and founder of Monday Vibes Newsletter, as we dive into the power self-compassion has in defeating perfectionism. I was so excited when Elizabeth reached out to talk about this topic because not only does she has personal experience with this topic but she studied this while at Columbia University working on her MA in Clinical Psychology. We share the may forms perfectionism can take (procrastination, imposter syndrome, fear of failure, etc.) and how to better understand and combat them!
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I am excited about this episode right here because my guest, Frank King, is joining me to talk about the 5 Ted Talks he gave on mental health, the work he is doing for suicide prevention and more. Frank King is a TED Talk coach, a former writer for the Tonight Show for 20 years and a speaker and standup comic who has worked with Jerry Seinfeld, Adam Sandler, Jay Leno and Ellen DeGeneres! Frank reveals what it was like sharing that he was suicidal for the first time on stage during his first Ted Talk and what continuing to share his story has done for others. Frank describes what chronic suicidal ideation is, how it effects his life and how he discusses it in his Ted Talks to help others.
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This is the perfect episode if you are interested in learning about different approaches to normalizing mental health conversations. Here to join me in discussing this topic today is my guest, Cynthia Siadat. Cynthia is a psychotherapist in CA specializing in working with trauma and high achievers. We describe how to explore mental health conversations from a more compassionate vs. critical way. We also dive into how to go about stripping the shame away from our own mental health experiences. Cynthia and I also share our thoughts on therapy and some advice for those on the fence about trying it out!
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Today we are going to be talking about PTSD with my guest, Brent Magnussen. He is a best selling American author, a professional speaker, and a former U.S Army Combat Engineer. Brent sits on the board of the Resilient Warrior Foundation, a non-profit organization that serves US Veterans and First Responders who suffer from PTSD acquired during their service. RWF provides scholarships to Veterans and First Responders with PTSD to study the art of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in the academy of their choice. We will get into why Brent decided to practice jiujitsu, what it has done for his PTSD and what he has tried in the past to help with this. Brent will share the #1 thing jiujitsu has brought him that he misses from his time in the army and how it has helped him transition from life in service to life out of service.
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This is the episode for you if you have ever wanted to work on having more wonder in your life and less worry. What do you do to go about getting more of the good and less of the bad? My guest, Jason Godoy, is here to share this secret with us all. Jason is a reiki healer, podcast host of the "Wake Up With Wonder" podcast and the creator of the Wonder More Worry Less challenge. This free self-discovery challenge (I'm doing it!!) will help you unlock heightened self-awareness, incredible gratitude practices and how to flip the switch from worry to wonder to get shit done!
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In this episode, my guest and I share stories, experiences and conversations about bipolar disorder. Mimi, founder of Rad or Die, a business consulting and event coordination business, joins me in this conversation. We have both been diagnosed with bipolar disorder and we created this episode to dive into what our experiences with this has been like, the perception of mental illness and the role of stigma in overcoming struggles. We talk about what things have helped us, hurt us and made us continually committed to working toward ending the stigma associated with mental illness.
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This episode is for you if you are looking to try out some new practices related to gratitude or if you just wanna learn more about what that is, what it means and what it looks like. I know I definitely wanted to learn more about this after hearing about the effects it can do for your mindset and overall well being. I will be sharing the top 5 things I've been doing to practice gratitude and how it has helped me with starting my day, feeling refreshed, feeling thankful and feeling ready to attack the day!
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Today’s episode we will be talking all about addiction intervention, what it entails and the importance behind it. Joining me today to share his story related to this is my guest, Scott Jones. Scott is the co-founder of Addiction Training Center (ATC), a platform to train individuals on intervention training techniques. Scott will be sharing details on his experience when he struggled with addiction and what he learned from that time in his life. He will also share a key piece that is missing when it comes to recovery and the ways ATC is helping to fix this.
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I was excited to feature my story on Keith Snider's Anxiety About Anxiety Podcast and bring it to you guys here! I will be sharing the reason I am so passionate about talking about mental health and mindset topics. I'll be getting into my own personal story with the struggles I faced during my hospitalization with bipolar disorder along with what it was like to work in the same place I was once a patient. Additionally, I'll be talking about how I overcame the stigma I associated with my experience and how all these experiences taught me the power in vulnerability.
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I was invited to have this conversation around death, grief and how we handle this on my friend's, Luke Cuccurullo, podcast (Cuccurullo Conversations). Luke and I describe our own personal experiences with how we've handled a few deaths of those we were close to, what this looked like and how we dealt with the loss. This is a very interesting conversation that I have never had before and that breaks down the meaning of the essence of grief.
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Get ready to tune into this conversation on language as it relates to your relationships, passions, interests and many other areas of your life! Joining me in this powerful conversation today is my guest, Mark England! Mark is a TEDx speaker, professional speaking coach and co-founder of Procabulary and Enlifted. Procabulary and Enlifted both provide cutting edge online training programs and world class coaching in the art of communication for individuals, organizations and businesses. We will be exploring the ways most people use their language to train wreck their imaginations and lives and how to step out of this pattern. Mark describes the difference between conflict and architect language along with steps to transition your language in order to add powerful and lasting value to your life.
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Do you ever wonder about your purpose in life or what it actually means to live "intentionally?" Have you ever struggled with having too many goals you want to achieve and no clear direction? If so, you will love the insight, tips and stories from this conversation I have with my guest, Sean Rosensteel. Sean is the author of the #1 Amazon bestselling book, The School of Intentional Living and the founder of the Intentional Living Academy. Sean and I get into what your purpose is right now and the meaning of the relationship between areas of life and areas of school. I also reveal a major thing Sean has personally helped me with!
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If you have a fear of public speaking then this episode was made for you. Join me as my guest, Brenden Kumarasamy, and I get into where this fear often develops, what it means and the overarching role public speaking plays in our lives. Brenden went from working a great job at IBM to being a communication expert and Founder of MasterTalk. MasterTalk is his platform and YouTube series dedicated to helping purpose-driven entrepreneurs master public speaking and sharing their ideas with the world. We have a conversation about the defining difference between decisions vs. passions along with the consequences of the inability to take action on our passions.
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Tune into a conversation between myself and my guest Michael Simonson, a mental health journalist and freelance public relations representative. Michael shares what his role as a reporter comprises of, what it has been like so far and what prompted him to get into this type of work. We share our stories related to being hospitalized and the importance of talking about mental health. Michael also shares a bit about his latest work as a journalist covering stories on mental health and what he's learned so far from the work he's done.
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Why did I decide to name my podcast "Crooked Illness?" I break down the reasoning behind the name for you guys in this episode! I get into the two perspectives (patient vs. employee) I gained related to my own experiences with bipolar disorder and how they contributed to the meaning of Crooked Illness. I describe how those two perspectives really pushed me to design this podcast as a space for people to hear stories, experiences and topics related to mental health and mindset. So for those wondering or wanting to learn more on the background of Crooked Illness..... this is the episode to find out all about that!
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Today will be an important conversation covering the topics of body image and eating disorders with my guest, Alison Haase. Alison is an author, blogger, athlete and an eating disorder survivor. Alison wrote “The Addict in Aisle 7” where she gets into the drug addiction she experienced, along with alcoholism as a teen, her journey to sobriety, and the one thing most stigmatized of all - eating disorders. We chat about what body image is, the pursuit of perfection depicted in the media and what it is like having and recovering from an eating disorder.
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Today’s episode will be a conversation between my guest, Michelle Miranda, and I about the creation of her magazine: Miranda Girl and the events that led to the birth of the magazine. Michelle explains how she combined her love for English literature and writing along with empowering others to create her magazine. We discuss the ways the magazine helps identify the commonalities people share rather than focusing on differences. Michelle offers great insight on what the power of being vulnerable has done for her life, the evolution of her magazine and what it can do for you.
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It's with great pleasure that I welcome Dr. Robb Kelly to the podcast! Dr. Kelly is a triple threat against the disease of addiction because of the 20 years experience he has working with addicts and alcoholics, the knowledge he gained from receiving his PhD in psychology from Oxford University and being a recovered alcoholic himself. Some refer to him as "The Gordon Ramsay of the Addiction World" because of his direct, no-nonsense, and candid approach to recovery. He talks about the power of self-belief, the importance of how we talk to ourselves and how to live the life you've only dreamt about right now.
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Is there an area of your life that you know you lack confidence in and that you want to change? I get into how I used to lack confidence in sharing my podcast when I first started it. I break down all the reasons behind this along with how I overcame that. We can lack confidence in how we look physically, how we manage finances, asking for help, sharing things with others and even trying something new. I describe how becoming more confident in yourself and your abilities you make you feel better, happier and open more doors for opportunities to connect with others on an authentic and meaningful level.
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The idea for this topic stemmed from a conversation I had with a really good friend of mine about life after college. If you have gone to college, are in college, or have not gone to college, you will most likely be able to relate to a few things I talk about here. The way I always saw it was that there were two types of people. The ones who graduate and know what their next moves are and the ones who graduate and have no clue what their next steps are. I get into how both are totally normal and totally okay. I describe the way comparing ourselves to others never ends well along with how we learn through experience and the value we gain from that experience.
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Joining me to share his story related to the title of this episode is my guest, Nick Lechnir. Nick is an author, speaker, photographer and the founder of Leapfrogging Success. Leapfrogging Success is a business that aims to help anxious, analytical introverts become confident and powerful speakers. Nick is joining me today to share his story on how he used his experiences related to addiction, abuse, trauma and mental health struggles to become an accomplished speaker. He offers exceptional tips on how you can overcome your fear of public speaking, why we struggle with this and how to prepare before giving big talks.
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Episode 29 features an incredible, returning guest of mine. His name is Ryan Stanley and he was on my episode titled, “Utilizing Curiosity over Judgement to Empower a Creative Mindset,” where he spoke about the ways in which we can shift the view we have of ourselves and others in order to move away from judgement and more toward a nature of compassion and understanding. The reason I wanted to make this episode with Ryan today is to discuss his book, which is the title of this episode, “Be Patient, Be Present, Be Joyful.” In this book, Ryan provides the tools to patch up those feelings of stress, overwhelming moments and anxiety that we all experience, so we can heal on our own. He shares with me where he got the inspiration for the book, the meaning behind certain messages within it and how you can apply the messages in this book in your own life.
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Do you struggle with anxiety, know someone who does or just want to learn more about anxiety? Then this episode is perfect for you. In episode 28, I am joined by Jesse Harless who shares with me something he discovered that helped him overcome his anxiety. Jesse is an advocate, trainer, author, and the founder of Entrepreneurs in Recovery®. Entrepreneurs in Recovery® consists of in-person and online events and workshops that empower individuals and groups to unlock their highest potential. Jesse speaks about his work and the experiment he did for 30 days to conquer his crippling anxiety.
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In episode 27, Anissa Hudak joins me to talk about how yoga therapy can help heal PTSD. Anissa is a certified yoga therapist and founder of the Trauma Healing Yoga Therapy Program. She is a 2x rape survivor with an intimate understanding of the complex issues traumatized women face and created her program to help them navigate their healing journeys. She works with people with all types of physical conditions, but she specializes in working with those suffering from PTSD, traumatic brain injuries and all trauma-related issues and has been for the past 5 years. The episode features a description of what got Anissa interested in starting her own Trauma Healing Yoga Therapy Program and how it relates to healing PTSD. Anissa also describes how PTSD/trauma starts in the body and how yoga therapy can be an option to release it. Anissa's focus is healing the whole person physically, not just the parts that seem to need the most immediate attention.
check out the work she does on her website: https://www.traumahealingyoga.com/
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In episode 26, Jay Shifman joins me to discuss what stigma is, what it means and how to overcome it. Jay is a Mental Health and Substance Misuse & Recovery Speaker, Coach, and Advocate, and the host of the "Choose Your Struggle" podcast. He is ten years in recovery and survived multiple suicide attempts and an overdose. As a result of these experiences he made it his mission to fight to end stigma by telling his recovery story and advocating for opportunities for others to do the same. This episode features tips on how Jay overcame stigma and advice for those struggling to overcome stigma associated with mental illness or addiction.
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In episode 25, I am joined by Dr. Kenneth Blum to discuss what the connection between genetics and addiction is and what it means. Dr. Blum is an American scientist who is considered to be the father of “Psychiatric Genetics.” He has published over 550 peer– reviewed articles and written 17 books concerning genetics and addiction. In addition to this, he has been the recipient of many grants and awards including a Life-Time Achievement in Addiction Medicine and the Presidential Award for Scientific Excellence. The episode features a conversation on what interested Dr. Blum in getting into this field along with highlights of his key research findings. Dr. Blum describes research he has done to discover better treatment options for those suffering with various addictions.
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In episode 24, I am joined by my guest, Amanda Webster, who shares her journey to becoming a Mind-Body Wellness coach. Amanda specializes in Holistic Nutrition, is a fitness instructor for Fitness Beyond Borders, a spokesmodel and fitness coach for The Abs Company and she has been published in Cosmopolitan and Women’s Health. She has two decades of personal experience with mental health, addiction and suicidal tendencies. This episode features tips on overcoming trauma and depression along with a discussion on what happiness is and why happiness looks different for everyone. In addition to this, Amanda speaks about the importance of mindfulness and how to go about building your foundation for creating lasting happiness.
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In episode 23, I am joined by Ellia Marcum, the owner and operator of Mood|Well, a crisis coaching business. Ellia started this company to help other women thrive from mental illness and a plethora of different life crises. She speaks about the work she has done with Mood|Well and the reason and inspiration that led her to start her business. She talks about her experience personally and professionally related to trauma, healing, and the power of vulnerability. Ellia offers great advice on how she has helped her clients overcome feeling stuck and what you can do if you find yourself in that place.
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In Episode 22 I am joined by my guest, Jan Fara, to discuss "The Art of Executing Goals." This conversation covers the journey of my guest and what he did to take critical action on turning his goals into accomplishments. In addition to this, we are going to be offering some tips on how to help inspire you to take action on yours. Jan was born in the Czech Republic and currently lives in Glasgow, Scotland. He is a fellow Podcaster (Host of the Beer and Chill Podcast), Artist and the first Czech professional wrestling trainee from GPWA (Glasgow Pro Wrestling Asylum). GPWA is a big school located in Scotland where many famous pro wrestlers have come out of after perfecting their craft. Jan will be speaking about the journey he took to turn his dream of becoming a professional wrestler into a reality.
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This episode is an incredible conversation between my guest, John Giordano, and I on the topic of treatment for addiction. Mr. Giordano is an author, certified hypnotherapist, entrepreneur and an expert in the treatment of addiction and the founder of The National Institute For Holistic Addiction Studies. In addition to this, John has provided counseling and trauma recovery services to law enforcement officers and Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans. He is a state and federal expert witness and also the Chaplain of the North Miami Police Department. As a 10th-degree black belt and National Karate Champion, he also trains law enforcement officers and Green Berets in self-defense and negotiation techniques. Mr. Giordano has also contributed to over sixty-five research papers with his close friend and colleague Dr. Kenneth Blum, discoverer of the addiction gene. Their papers have been published in peer-reviewed medical and scientific journals such as: Neuropharmacology, The American Journal of Psychiatry and The Journal of Psychiatry and Neuroscience. John virtually sits down with me to share his story with addiction and how it has effected and transformed his life for the better. John describes current treatments for addiction and why they are ineffective along with the lifestyle choices people make that contribute to the problem. In addition to this, John shares valuable advice on how he dealt with his own addiction and how he was able to overcome it to help empower others. For more on John Giordano visit his website: https://www.holisticaddictioninfo.com/
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In this episode, I am joined by Ryan Stanley, professional life coach and author of "Be Patient, Be Present, Be Joyful: A First Aid Kit for the Emotional Bumps, Scrapes, and Bruises of Life", to discuss judgement vs. curiosity. Ryan has changed the lives of hundreds of clients from all walks of life through his profession of coaching. He was also the first ever Internal Coach for one of the world's top coach training organizations where he coached staff from entry level to C suite on everything from daily professional growth to how they want to show up energetically in other more personal areas of their life. He offers incredible insight into the differences between judgement and curiosity and how to utilize curiosity in our daily lives to achieve our goals. He describes the ways in which we can shift the view we have of ourselves and others in order to move away from judgement and more toward a nature of compassion and understanding.
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In episode 19, Neishma Gerena, my returning guest, and I dive into what it means to be a "fear buster." She offers great advice on how people can understand, work through and overcome various fears (public speaking, fear of failure, etc.). We get into some personal experiences we've had dealing with our own fears and how those experiences ended up helping us grow. We break down where fear often originates and what is at the root of most fears we all struggle with on a daily basis. I hope you guys enjoy this episode! Check out Neishma's podcast, "What is," available on Anchor, Spotify and Apple Podcasts. If you are interested in becoming a guest on Crooked Illness send me an e-mail at crookedillness@gmail.com
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My guest, Erika Feinberg, and I have a conversation about common dysfunctions within the healthcare industry and potential solutions to rectify them. Erika works as the CMO of The Perfect Companion, a home health care service in Phoenix, AZ. She is also a public speaker, best-selling author, corporate trainer and specializes in psychosocial counseling and the creation of growth strategies for existing businesses. Our conversation highlights Erika’s interest for getting involved in the healthcare field along with her experiences in the field. She also shares advice for those who wish to get involved with creating positive changes for healthcare services.
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I virtually sit down to have a conversation on the "All-in" mentality with my guest, Ruben MC Medina. He is an artist, producer, motivational speaker and DJ. He primarily works as an interactive edutainment (education and entertainment) motivational speaker. We dive into the meaning behind having an "All-in" mentality and our conversation highlights the benefits of this type of mentality along with a few drawbacks. Medina discusses how this type of mentality has influenced and contributed to the work he is doing to inspire, motivate and help others through all of his platforms. For more information on him visit his website: https://www.lovemedina.com/
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In this episode, I talk about how I used to view problems and the way I view them today. I open up about certain problems I’ve dealt with in the past and the lessons I learned as a result of that. I reframe the view of problems as negative into a positive view that offers the opportunity for growth and learning. I talk about the power we sometimes give to our problems that enables them to grow and become unmanageable. I offer ways to shift that view to looking at problems as a way of understanding how to solve, maneuver and handle them.
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We all have moments in our lives where we wait. We may wait because we are unsure, scared, happy where we are or nervous to see what else we can open ourselves up to. But instead of spending so much time waiting, try to understand what is making you want to wait. Try to understand the cause of your decision to wait. Once you understand what is at the root of that decision it will be helpful moving forward. However, there are some things in life you should take some time to decide on. I am not advocating that everyone should just rush into every decision they make. But I am saying that people should carefully think things over and try to understand why they want more time to decide on something. Opportunities present themselves to us at various points in our lives but not all of these opportunities are the same and all of them may not be available forever.
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This episode I bring on my guest and beautiful friend, Sandra Nijiva, to talk about racism and discrimination. We have a conversation about this issue and Sandra shares her own personal experiences with racism growing up and how she has handled these situations. This is a powerful interview that I hope you find eye opening, informative and enlightening. Check out the interview Sandra did on this topic on her podcast “Organically You.”
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In this episode, I talk about the power that empathy has in different aspects of our lives. I break down what empathy is, what it does and what it means if there is a lack of empathy in different scenarios. The message that inspired this episode is to try to understand the emotions of others. It is not always easy to take a step back and dissect where another person is coming from. I talk about my experience with this and in how trying this has improved the quality of my relationships. I hope you guys enjoy this episode!
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In this episode, I talk with Luke Cuccurullo, a fellow podcaster and former reality television personality with a civil engineering background. Luke shares his story and describes the effects sexual assault has had on those close to him as well as how it has impacted his life. We talk about how this can be a difficult topic to open up about and the reasoning for that. Hopefully, these experiences we shared are helpful to those who have gone through a similar experience or know someone who has. Check out Luke’s podcast called “Cuccurullo Conversations” available on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen to your podcasts.
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In this episode I chat about people pleasing with life coach, author and speaker, Julie Scott! She shares how she went from being a total people pleaser to taking back control of her life and using her experiences to help others live a life of confidence, passion and authenticity. We talk about what it means to be a people pleaser, the effects it can have on your relationships and how to step out of that role and into one that aligns with your true passions in life. To check out Julie’s work visit: www.itsabouttimebaby.com
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On this episode I have my good friend and amazing hair stylist, Robby, here to talk about what it means when we are our own worst critics. We are going to be talking about this topic and how it relates to our own self-views and how being too critical of yourself can be damaging. Specifically related to the beauty industry where Robby works, we are going to be talking about how many people are unable to see their own beauty because they are comparing themselves to others on Tv or social media. I thought this would be a fun episode after talking with him about how so many people struggle with this on a daily basis. I even used to struggle with this myself and still have days where I am overly critical of myself! I hope you all enjoy this episode and take something away from it. ❤️
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In this episode, I have my friend Sandra Njiva share some tips on how to avoid the “quarantine blues.” She was born in Zimbabwe and currently lives and works as a medical assistant in New York. She shared great tips with me that I thought would be amazing to share with you guys! This is a difficult, challenging and unprecedented time but she shares what she has done to remain positive, productive and motivated during this time. I hope you all enjoy this episode and are staying healthy and safe!
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In this episode, MaKayla and I talk about what it means to become vulnerable in mental healthcare. I am so glad to welcome her to the show to share her own personal experiences along with the work she does in her non-profit called Becoming Vulnerable. We talk about overcoming the fear of being vulnerable along with the benefits of opening up. I hope you guys enjoy this episode as much as I enjoyed creating it. Thank you for all the love, support and feedback!
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In this episode I bring on my very first guest, my friend Stephanie, to share her thoughts on the power of mindset. She shares a little bit of her story and how working on personal development for the past two years has transformed her quality and outlook on life. She shares some of the things she has done to shift her mindset in order to live a more fulfilled and happy life. I hope you guys enjoy this episode because it was so much fun working on this interview and being able to bring it to you guys here! Thank you so much for all the support, feedback and love I have received so far!
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In this episode, I talk about looking at failure in a more positive light. I talk about how failure is commonly viewed in a negative light and the consequences this can have in various areas of your life. If you change the way you view failure, it can open doors for growth and learning in a number of ways discussed here.
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On Episode #5 I get into ways that negative relationships can effect your life and what to do about it. I share how my latest interview on the "Organically You" podcast with my friend Sandra inspired me to post this episode. I get into how toxic relationships of all kinds can impact you mentally and even lead to guilt and sadness about cutting it off. I talk about how to identify if the relationship is toxic and to understand how it makes you feel overall. I mention how who you surround yourself with and how they make you feel ultimately contribute to how you view your self, your abilities and your self-esteem. I hope this episode was helpful and I appreciate all the feedback and support I've received so far.
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This episode talks about the positive and negative places we can place our energy on a daily basis and how it can ultimately impact our relationships, productivity, passions and self-confidence. What you give most or all of your energy to can either influence or delay success in areas of your life. Do you spend the majority of your time trying to place your energy in more positive or negative places?
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Today’s topic is about my own personal experience with having been misdiagnosed with depression. I share my story and thoughts on therapy, medication and treatment to help those who are struggling with this issue or know someone who has dealt with this. This information is also to provide clarity to those wanting to learn more about what being misdiagnosed is like and I use details from my own experience to paint that picture.
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I get into an easy way to appreciate progress made on goals in the past and how this ties into where you are now and where you hope to be in the future. I share my exercise that helps with overthinking, procrastination and over analyzing. Take time to appreciate the accomplishments you have made and the obstacles you’ve overcame! I hope this is helpful and helps with goal setting and personal development ❤️
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I wanted to share my thoughts on my passion for mental health and how properly caring for your physical health plays a key role in sustaining optimal mental health. I talk about being introduced to how your diet, exercise and nutritional choices can either help or hurt your mental health.
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