Redeeming Disorder

Two people growing up in the same environment can come away with two very different perspectives. We explore that in today's episode by comparing and contrasting Spencer and Taryn Bledsoe's experiences growing up and dealing with mental disorder. Spencer and Laura also reflect on Season 1 and what they hope to accomplish in Season 2.

Links from this episode:

• Fig Tree from The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath (opening excerpt)
• The Problem with Solution by the Invisibilia podcast (mental health in Belgium)

Connect with us:

• Tweet Spencer
• Tweet Laura
• Email us

TV writer and Season 33 CBS Survivor contestant, Dave Wright, talks about his journey managing anxiety both in regular life and throughout his Survivor experience.

Links from this episode:

• Taming the Mammoth: Why you Should Stop Caring What Other People Think by Tim Urban
• CBS Survivor Season 33

Connect with Dave:

• Tweet Dave
• Follow Dave on Instagram

Connect with us:

• Tweet Spencer
• Tweet Laura
• Email us

Is there freedom from addiction? What drives us to addiction? You could easily find textbook answers to these questions, but instead listen to Karen Martin Grove’s story of recovering from her eating disorder addiction. She shows how choosing self-acceptance over perfectionism helped her move through recovery.

Links from this episode:

• Fighting with ED (Opening Excerpt)
• Rising Strong by Brene Brown

Contact us:

• Tweet Spencer
• Tweet Laura
• Email us

Redeeming Disorder covers some tough topics today with three brave guests. First, writer Michael McRay reads his personal story of attempting suicide 7 years ago and the life lessons he's learned since. Then Redeeming Disorder listeners, Dino Andes and Ashleigh Thornton, provide insight on OCPD, schizophrenia, and vaginismus.

Devon VillaCampa is an artist who grew up in disorder. In this podcast, he shares about the neglect and abuse he experienced due to his mother's alcoholism and bipolar disorder. Devon discusses the benefits of self-expression but the inner conflict he faces as an artist. When he delves deeply into imagination and fantasy, he worries the resemblance this holds to his mother's symptoms. Spencer and Laura also sit down with Amanda Rabinowitz, a clinical psychologist who unpacks many types of therapies, treatments, and theories. She provides an expert's advice on seeking treatment and providing support for loved ones with disorder.

Devin Terry is a senior clinical therapist at Nashville's Oasis Center, where she helps teens in crisis through individual, family, and group counseling. In this episode, she answers a lot of common questions surrounding counseling. Devin provides practical advice for people both in the trenches and sidelines of mental disorder.

Here are some of the questions Devin answers:

• What are the benefits and challenges of individual, family, and group counseling?
• What's therapy like and who could benefit?
• How do you communicate your needs to people who don't understand your disorder?
• Why is connection important for healing?
• How does one build connection?

The opening essay was written and read by Sara Grove, editor of Raw Food Magazine and creator of Daily Happy Actions. Connect with her on Instagram @dailyhappyactions.

Links from the episode:

• National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)
• Oasis Center

Contact us:

• Tweet Spencer
• Tweet Laura
• Email us

Kelli Galpin describes herself as a quirky gal living in Nashville, who loves people and snail mail. But she's also a budding blogger and passionate mental health advocate. In this episode, Kelli sits down with Spencer and Laura to talk about her struggles in school with ADD, as well as her current daily struggle with depression and anxiety. Kelli puts to words the true experience of someone currently living with ADD, depression, and anxiety.

Articles and Links we mention:

This School Replaced Detention with Meditation

Homeschooling and Socialization

The Chemical Imbalance Theory: Dead or Alive?

Resources:

Suicide Prevention Lifeline

ADD, Anxiety, and Depression Help

In this third episode of Redeeming Disorder, Spencer and Laura sit down with AJ Mass, an ESPN fantasy sports writer and former Mets mascot. AJ speaks openly about his experience growing up with a mom who was institutionalized for her mental disorder. His story provides a snapshot of how mental disorder conversations have changed over the years, and how they can still improve today. Here are some of the topics we cover:

Resources and links from this episode:

Check out AJ's books: Yes, It's Hot in Here & How Fantasy Sports Explain the World

In this episode, we sit down with Angela Lohse to talk about what it's like being a family member to a loved one with a disorder, and how as an EEG Technician she chooses to interact with patients labeled with mental disorder. Angela's story brings up a lot of topics, including:

Links from Episode 2:

Resources for those struggling with mental disorder:

Join two-time CBS Survivor contestant, Spencer Bledsoe, and health and wellness blogger, Laura Bocianski, as they share why they're starting a podcast about mental disorder. In this episode they talk through their vision for Redeeming Disorder, and interview each other about their mental health journeys — Spencer's battle with depression as a 10-year-old, and Laura's life-altering traumatic brain injury and bout of depression.

Links from Episode 1:

Please join our conversation and quest to better understand mental disorder!