Live Well Bipolar ™

Paris welcomes Dr. Wendy Ingram, the CEO of Dragonfly Mental Health, a global nonprofit focused on improving mental health among academics.

They discuss Wendy's personal journey with PTSD from childhood, her experience living with bipolar and the impact of societal stigma.

Wendy shares how reading about mental health inspired her academic pursuits and her efforts to address mental health issues in academia. The podcast also covers the tragic loss of colleagues to suicide that prompted Wendy and her peers to tackle these issues head-on, leading to the founding of Dragonfly Mental Health.

Through personal stories and professional insights, Wendy emphasizes the importance of mental health awareness, support, and action while sharing upcoming global initiatives by Dragonfly Mental Health.

Connect with Dragonfly to learn more about their work here!

Exploring BiAffect: A Technological Breakthrough for Bipolar Disorder Support

BiAffect turns a smartphone into a brain fitness tracker, monitoring typing habits to provide real-time neuropsychological assessments without compromising user privacy.

The team explains the technology's development, inspired by advancements like Apple Watch and Fitbit, and its implications for mental health management by tracking behavior patterns via smartphone keyboards.

Discussion highlights include the app's insights derived from typing speed, usage patterns, and circadian rhythms, and potential future enhancements using Apple intelligence.

The conversation emphasizes the potential of BiAffect to empower patients with actionable insights, helping bridge communication with healthcare providers and offering a sense of community and support for those living with bipolar disorder.

Check out BiAffect's work here and download the app here!

Paris is pleased to bring you Jackie Colbeth's story. She is a mental health advocate and co-owner of MedCircle who shares her personal journey of living with bipolar 2 disorder, her initial misdiagnosis at age 13, and her path to sobriety celebrating 21 years.

She highlights the importance of educating oneself about mental health diagnoses and breaking the stigma associated with them. Jackie emphasizes the significance of setting boundaries to prioritize mental health and shares insights on managing bipolar disorder effectively.

The conversation also touches on the founding of MedCircle, a platform providing accessible online mental health content, and the impact of personal stories in healing.

Both Jackie and Paris reflect on their experiences of learning to live well with bipolar disorder, offering hope and guidance to listeners navigating similar challenges.

Connect with MedCircle's free work here!

Unveiling the Stigma: A Conversation with Sara Schley on Bipolar Awareness and Empowerment.

Paris sits down with Sara Schley, a business consultant, social change entrepreneur, and author, to discuss her experiences living with Bipolar Type II disorder.

Sara shares her personal journey of enduring years without a proper diagnosis and living in secrecy until revealing her condition in her memoir, 'Brainstorm: From Broken to Blessed on the Bipolar Spectrum.'

The discussion delves into her life before and after the diagnosis, the immense support from her family, and her path to mental wellness. Sara’s upcoming film aims to crush stigma, save lives, and maximize healing through compelling personal stories, brain science, and breakthrough treatments.

She emphasizes the importance of compassion, emotional fearlessness, discipline, and gratitude alongside maintaining a strong support network.

The episode is filled with life-changing insights and serves as an inspiration to those affected by bipolar disorder, whether through personal experience or through loved ones.

Check out the work Sara and her team are doing to bring BrainStorm to life here!

00:00 Introduction and Special Guest Announcement

00:05 Sarah Schley's Background and Achievements

01:43 Sarah's Bipolar Journey Begins

02:10 The Long Road to Diagnosis

03:57 Family Support and Stigma

04:45 The Turning Point: Diagnosis and Treatment

06:07 Overcoming Shame and Embracing the Diagnosis

10:08 The Power of Sharing and Receiving Love

13:09 The Four Pillars of Strength

18:30 Managing Fears and Setting Boundaries

18:48 Struggles with Alcohol and Self-Perception

21:07 The Importance of Support Networks

23:08 Building Community and Relationships

28:08 Upcoming Film and Future Plans

32:27 Concluding Thoughts and Gratitude

Finding Solace: Amanda McNamara's Journey with Bipolar Disorder and Monarch Mental Health

Amanda has become a dear friend of mine after shipping me a beautiful care package, which included her journal that helped me A LOT.

Despite facing numerous challenges, including a lengthy depressive episode and a stay in a mental hospital, Amanda's resilience led her to establish Monarch Mental Health. Her advocacy work aims to break the stigma around bipolar disorder and empower others in their mental health journeys.

The discussion covers Amanda's past experiences, her involvement in mental health advocacy, and her creation of a journal designed to help individuals manage their mental health symptoms.

Grab your own journal here!

Embracing Breaks for Growth and New Beginnings

Reflecting on her experiences, she discusses the importance of taking breaks to invest in oneself. Paris also opens up about reconnecting with her faith, sharing an emotional journey reconnecting with God after years of hurt.

Additionally, she highlights the importance of community, mental health advocacy, and her ongoing mission to de-stigmatize bipolar disorder.

Taking a Break: Exciting Changes and Upcoming Adventures

Starting on August 26th, she will be away until September 30th, when she will return with a solo episode. The podcast's format will shift, featuring more solo episodes alongside one guest interview per month split into two parts.

Paris shares her gratitude for the community and discusses upcoming episode topics like social anxiety, bipolar rage, and accepting the diagnosis.

If you would like to support the show, please subscribe, leave a review/rating, and join my free newsletter!

You can also purchase Crooked Illness here and leave a rating/review that is always greatly appreciated!

Please share your feedback on what you think of these changes by sending topic ideas to [email protected] or messaging directly here!

Kate Simonet's Inspiring Journey as a Speaker and Author

They discuss her experiences starting her public speaking career, the fears she overcame, and the impact of publishing her book, 'Out of the Darkness.'

Kate highlights the importance of a supportive environment, both personally and professionally, as she transitioned from corporate America to working at a mental health nonprofit.

The conversation delves into how sharing vulnerable stories can help others and the significance of not letting mental illness define one's identity. Kate also provides practical insights for aspiring speakers and underscores the value of allowing oneself to have imperfect days.

Stay connected with Kate here!

Grab Kate's book here!

Mike McDonnell joins me from Essex, UK, to share his inspiring journey navigating entrepreneurship and bipolar. Mike talks about his first experience with psychosis in 2019, the challenges he faced, and the changes he implemented to prioritize his mental health.

He opens up about the impacts of focusing on sleep, reducing alcohol and cannabis use, and building a supportive routine. He also discusses his entrepreneurial path, transitioning from corporate life to successful ventures in web design, personal training, and digital marketing.

This episode dives into the strategies Mike employed to lead a fulfilling life, and illustrates the powerful shift in perspective that transformed his experience with bipolar disorder into a source of strength and creativity.

Connect with Mike here!

In this week's episode of 'Live Well, Bipolar,' the host welcomes back Birdie, a mental health advocate, published author, and speaker with NAMI.

Birdie, who lives with bipolar II disorder, shares her why behind publishing her book, I Am Her She Is Me. The conversation covers the inception of her book during a period of journaling to process grief, hesitations to publish following the passing of her dad and her unique five-phase system for understanding bipolar disorder.

Birdie discusses the significance of support systems in managing bipolar and pays tribute to her supportive father and husband. The episode emphasizes the importance of lived experiences and community support in navigating mental health challenges. Birdie’s book is highlighted as a resource for those living with bipolar or supporting someone who does.

Connect with Birdie, her book and work here!

Birdie's first time on the pod!