Bipolar Awakenings

Here, Phil talks about how his experience with tribal shamanism got him curious about how we treat mental disorders in the West, all leading to his film, CRAZYWISE. Our interview turned around as Phil asked me about my own approach to shamanism, healing, and spirituality, as a whole!

For nearly three decades Phil Borges has been documenting indigenous and tribal cultures, striving to create an understanding of the challenges they face. His work is exhibited in museums and galleries worldwide.  Phil has hosted television documentaries on indigenous cultures and shamanism for Discovery and National Geographic channels.  He regularly presents at universities, teaches workshops, and has spoken at multiple TED events. Phil’s documentary film CRAZYWISE reveals a paradigm shift that’s changing the way Western culture defines and treats “mental illness”. After eight years and countless interviews with mental health care professionals, neuroscientists, and individuals experiencing a mental health crisis, CRAZYWISE explores the deeper understandings of, and effective approaches to, a psychological crisis. The film highlights a survivor-led movement demanding more choices from a mental health care system in crisis.

Here. Sean Blackwell interviews Phil Borges about how his experience with tribal cultures and shamanism have shaped his views of our society and the mental health system.

For nearly three decades Phil Borges has been documenting indigenous and tribal cultures, striving to create an understanding of the challenges they face. His work is exhibited in museums and galleries worldwide.  Phil has hosted television documentaries on indigenous cultures and shamanism for Discovery and National Geographic channels.  He regularly presents at universities, teaches workshops, and has spoken at multiple TED events. Phil’s documentary film CRAZYWISE reveals a paradigm shift that’s changing the way Western culture defines and treats “mental illness”. After eight years and countless interviews with mental health care professionals, neuroscientists, and individuals experiencing a mental health crisis, CRAZYWISE explores the deeper understandings of, and effective approaches to, a psychological crisis. The film highlights a survivor-led movement demanding more choices from a mental health care system in crisis.

Sean Blackwell goes deep on the Will Smith Slap, bringing up his own experiences with such a conflict along the way. He also talks about how the death of the Oscars may be part of our spiritual awakening.

Kiana Fitzgerald is a freelance journalist with bipolar disorder who got in touch with me after my last podcast with Chris Cole. Similar to Chris, even though Kiana is still struggling with the disorder, she also sees the spiritual dimension and value of her non-ordinary experiences, so much so that she started a thriving Tik Tok channel in order to share her unique perspective. And, seeing what she was doing, I just had to meet her!

Our podcast also covers her interviews with Kanye West and Megan Thee Stallion.

In this conversation, Sean Blackwell and Chris Cole cover a wide range of topics related to the spiritual dimension of bipolar disorder including:

Chris Cole is an author, podcast host, psychotherapist, life coach, and meditation instructor. After a confusing journey with bipolar disorder and spiritual seeking, his personal and professional interests focus on the intersections of mental health and spiritual awakening. Chris holds a Master’s Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, from the Mindfulness-Based Transpersonal Counseling program of Naropa University. He hosts the Waking Up Bipolar podcast and is the author of The Body of Chris: A Memoir of Obsession, Addiction, and Madness. Learn more about Chris and his work at colecoaching.com.

Sean Blackwell explains why he felt inspired to start a podcast now. He goes into some detail about his background in teaching about the spiritual dimension and healing potential of bipolar disorder, which started through his YouTube channel, bipolarORwakingUP in 2007!