Activation Warning: This episode contains discussions of suicidal ideation. If you are experiencing suicidal thoughts, there is always professional help available to assist you, both in the short and long term. If you've reached a crisis point, please reach out to a trusted person or call a suicide hotline. Do not be alone with these thoughts running through your mind!

The title of this episode mentions mental illness, but the real emphasis is on the first part: Living and Loving and Growing Strong. As you will hear, today's guest, Diane Bartholomew, is incredible and her spiritual walk powerful and inspiring. As you get to know her a bit here, you will see that the struggles with depression and bi-polar disorder (type 2) she's faced have opened her up to a deep and abiding sense of being unconditionally loved, first within her family, and also by God, and how this love has empowered her to fight and grow into an open-hearted and inviting person who meets challenging situations thoughtfully and powerfully. The discussion also goes into how uninhibited journaling has been an important spiritual practice as she experiences life's ups and downs. She and Dan also talk about the dynamics of interpersonal relationships within groups as well as in one-on-one conversations, which Diane prefers and really leans into. In this we can all learn so much. Meet the incredible Diane! This conversation is one that is sure to inspire and stay with you as you meet your challenges, whatever they are.