Louise had to be hospitalized because of anorexia. In the hospital, she contracted COVID-19 and has had to be isolated for weeks. She and Hillary speak compassionately to the eating disorder part of Louise for how it has helped her cope with her suffering, and ask it to move aside so that the real Louise, the parts of her that want to live fully, can begin to take over. Plus, we hear a candid interview with Hillary, who has personal experience with an eating disorder. 

NOTE: This conversation was recorded over video conferencing software over weak hospital wifi, and the audio quality is hard to understand at times. We’ve done our best to improve it but recommend listening in a quiet space with good headphones.

Louise: Surviving an eating disorder and COVID-19 (Plus, a special interview with Hillary)

Season 5 coming June, 2024. 
 Real people. Real problems. Real talk. Normally, therapy sessions are totally confidential — but this podcast opens the doors. Hillary McBride and her clients want to help demystify mental health. No actors. No auditions. No artifice. This is what people really sound like when they talk about traumatic births, turbulent divorces, eating disorders and tough childhoods.

Society & Culture

Personal Journals

History

Philosophy

Places & Travel

If laughter really was the best medicine, Gavin Crawford would have cured his mother of Alzheimer’s disease. As a son, his mother’s dementia has been devastating. As a comedian though…it’s been sort of funny. Honestly, how do you respond when your mom confuses you with her teenage crush and wants you to take her to the high-school dance? Well, you laugh. Because it’s the only thing you can do. In this seven-part series, Gavin tells the story of losing his mother — his best friend and the inspiration for a lot of his comedy — to a disease that can be as hilarious as it is heartbreaking. He’s joined by comedian friends who share their experience caring for family members with dementia. The result is a cross between an improv act and a support group. Part memoir, part stand-up, part meditation on grief and loss, Let’s Not Be Kidding is a dose of the very best medicine for anyone dealing with hard times. More episodes are available at: https://link.chtbl.com/hZ9EDAJb

Other People’s Problems Introduces: Let’s Not Be Kidding with Gavin Crawford

The Heart is an audio art project about power and love. From CBC Podcasts, Mermaid Palace and Radiotopia. SISTERS is a 5 episode series that follows the journey of an older and younger sister from birth to adulthood. Natalie and Kaitlin went from being childhood rivals to being best friends. When the sisters decide to work together to create the very podcast series you are about to listen to, they face challenges they never anticipated. Sibling rivalry, mental health struggles and the daunting task of creating an audio series about it all: can these women overcome the patterns they learned in childhood and live in harmony as adults? More episodes are available at: https://link.chtbl.com/uBFkn9uI

Other People’s Problems Introduces: The Heart: SISTERS

A COVID scare in the kids’ group Patti manages wakes up the perfectionist inside her — the part of her that feels she needs to be perfect in order to deserve connection with others. She and Dr. Hillary trace this feeling back to her younger years, and help Patti draw from her personal growth to comfort that version of herself.

Patti: You don’t need to be perfect to be lovable

As we wind down the season, Dr. Hillary McBride invites you to catch your breath and feel yourself in this particular moment. Imagining as you exhale that this breath could support you in the practice of letting go.

Guided meditation: The shape of breathing

Kristin recognizes she feels isolated and alone, at least in part because she’s kept people at a distance to protect herself from getting hurt. Dr. Hillary uses her own relationship with Kristin to model friendship and the excitement that can come from deep connection.

Louise: Surviving an eating disorder and COVID-19 (Plus, a special interview with Hillary)

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