Live Well Bipolar ™
By Paris Scobie
Live Well Bipolar ™ Jul 28, 2020
201: My Hope For 29
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!
200: A Clinical Psychologist's Takeaways Living With Bipolar
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
199: Navigating Hormonal Shifts Living with Bipolar
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
198: The Bravery to Ask For Help
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
197: Momming with Bipolar: Alessandra's Way
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
196: Coming Back to Life
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.
195: Saving Lives One Heart Rock at a Time
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
194: A Social Worker's Story on Silencing Shame
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
193: My Husband on Navigating Love & Bipolar
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
192: Lessons Learned From One Year of Marriage
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:
1. How Dan's support helped me recognize the value of my story
2. The role of communication shifting in our relationship and the importance of recognizing and respecting each other's boundaries
3. What traveling together has done for our connection and creating beautiful experiences (being present in the moment).
4. The importance of individual growth within our relationship and maintaining a balance so bipolar doesn't consume the relationship.
5. 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
191: What it Means to Coexist with Bipolar
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:
1. what the early struggles looked like for her
2. the moment she finally accepted her diagnosis
3. strengthening her relationship with her husband who is now 5 years sober
4. 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!
190: Why I Value Your Story
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.
189: Unveiling Realities of Silent Success Living with Bipolar
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
188: Getting Beneath the Surface of My Health Issues
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!
187: Giving the Gift of Therapy with Hope Gives
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
186: Spitting Truth on Bipolar
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
185: Surviving the Storm to Birth Comfortable Silence
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
184: Slower Mornings Approach
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
183: Ending The Silence
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
182: The Power of Your Environment
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
181: Surviving a Jump Off the Golden Gate Bridge to Saving Lives w/ Kevin Hines
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
180: Healing Through Past Mistakes
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
179: The Greatest Tool I Made For You
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!
178: Pillars to Finding Your Way Out of The Darkness
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.
177: Managing Depression Relapse & Life Changes
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.
176: Asking For Help As A Man
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.
175: Lies Bipolar Told Me
The 3 biggest lies that I told myself both prior to and after my bipolar diagnosis were these:
1. You will never find a partner who will truly love and accept you
2. You will never be successful in any type of job or career
3. 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.
174: Practicing Radical Belief in Oneself
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.
173: A Story on Culture's Role in Bipolar
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.
172: My Sister Vienna on Mixed Episodes + Navigating Post-College
171: Handcuffed & Given a Second Chance
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.
170: What Telling My Story Taught Me
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.
169: Habit Tracker for Bipolar
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.
168: More Than Motherhood & Bipolar
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.
167: Therapy for Bipolar Stigma
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.
166: Things I'm Giving Up On
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.
165: Writing for Bipolar Care
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!
164: Sobriety Journey with Bipolar
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!
163: The Path of Lived Experience
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.
162: Power of Peer 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!
161: Identifying Root Causes
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.
160: Why I Started Tracking Habits
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.
159: Why My Healing Looks Different Today
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!
158: Honeymoon Triggers
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! :)
157: I'm Married but.... There's More
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!
156: Intersection of Bipolar, Body Image & Eating Disorders
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!
155: I'M GETTING MARRIED
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.
154: Finding Your Purpose After Loss
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!
153: Facing Addiction to Rediscover Self
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.
152: Breaking Out of Survival Mode
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.