Christina’s back from visiting family in Virginia, and she’s bringing a brand new episode in which her sister-in-law, Abby, talks about her Filipino background and how mental health was approached. You’ll hear about the struggles faced by first-generation Americans, parental woes, what to do when you realize your family isn’t normal, and the healing power of…turtles? We also issue a challenge to listeners at the end of the episode.

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Coming from the home studio this week is Jamie, a Chicago native and climber extraordinaire with a history of mental health that could be considered…rocky? (Sorry, I couldn’t resist.) Listen to hear our hot takes on marrying young, trying scary new things when you’re depressed, and the concept of passion—what it is, what to do when you’ve lost it, and how to reframe it as a struggling adult.

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As the summer draws to a close, the podcast brings you an episode all about the impact of mental health on long-term relationships. Rachel talks about surviving a traumatic past and how it affects her today, how to deal with being the “nutty one” in a relationship, and how she learned to nurture not just her significant other, but herself. Christina shares a gratitude list and a stellar business idea.

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Gather round and explore the wonderful world of obsessive compulsive disorder! This week, Christina interviews Diana about her diagnosis, including how it has affected different facets of her life and how she’s learned to manage it over the years. (Listen long enough and you might even discover some surprising bird facts.)

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The podcast takes a deep dive into the world of schizophrenia, polyamory, and…opera? This week’s guest, Winnie, shares how she has learned to live with her diagnosis from an early age, and gives tips for how to care for your mental health without access to external resources.

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This week, former heroin addict Sophie talks about her messy relationship with drugs, food, and romance, and how diagnosing herself with complex post traumatic stress disorder (CPTSD) has opened her eyes to a new way of dealing with life.

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Christina returns from treatment and introduces a very special guest: her mom, the one and only Ginger Lou! In this episode, Ginger reflects on her tumultuous journey with addiction, how faith saved her, and the importance of forming a healthy identity.
 
If you are thinking about suicide, the following resources are here to help:
https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/
https://www.crisistextline.org/

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Christina chats with Diane, a 25 year-old transgender woman in recovery for her eating disorder and other addictions. Tune in to hear about the events that led her to treatment, what it was like growing up different, and how she’s been able to find peace in life after years of self-medicating while trying to embrace her identify following personal trauma.

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After a brief intermission, the podcast is back! This week, Rachael talks about the time her parents sent her away, her many adventures with ADHD, how becoming a mom made her reevaluate everything, and how she makes it work as a small business owner in Brooklyn while juggling her own mental health issues. (Spoiler: it’s really practical advice.) Follow Rachael on Instagram @doomednyc for glimpses into her shop and her life.

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This week, Syd talks about what it’s like to pursue a creative life while grappling with the feeling of being trapped within a stifling belief system and nearly losing everything in the process of breaking free. Follow Syd on Instagram @videmusart or become involved in their creative community at www.patreon.com/videmusart.

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