Here on episode 4, we welcome Katie R. Dale. Katie shares her unique blend of passion for recovery and humor over episodes in her past. She reveals joys and frustrations, and still comes to affirm the value of both faith and mental healthcare.

Katie addresses such questions as:

Who were your early faith inspirations?

What experiences do you have in psychiatric hospitals?

What is your view of pregnancy and mental health?

Why did you entitle your blog Bipolar Brave?

Katie currently serves as a caseworker at a behavioral non-profit to assist and facilitate change and growth in those with mental illness. As a former behavioral inpatient and proud bipolar, she has a unique first-hand perspective on the mental healthcare system and the symptoms of mental illness.

Katie has written a memoir and maintains a website on her disorder and faith at Bipolar Brave . Her speaking engagements include guest appearances on: Psych Central; Fresh Hope For Mental Health; and, Counterpoint! With Gary Jenkins.

Katie’s writing and story has been featured in such places as: BP Magazine; The Mighty; and, Delight in Disorder.

You can also read Katie's Allegorical poem, "The Plight of Lady Manic" in our blog.

On this episode, Eric interviews co-host, Tony E. Roberts.  As an avid blogger and author, Tony is comfortable revealing his journey with mental illness.  In this podcast, we learn how Tony developed the confidence and calling to share the difficult intimate details that are part of his experience.

Tony shares the personal meaning of Psalm 37:4 - "Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart."

Some of the questions include:

How was Tony's pastoral career affected after being diagnosed at age 30?

What is a manic episode like?

What inspired Tony to write Delight in Disorder?

How has stigma impacted Tony's ministry?

What does healing mean to you?

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Contact Tony:

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.delightindisorder.org

Facebook: www.facebook.com/tonyeroberts1964

Our guest on this episode is Amy Simpson. Amy is an author, speaker, and life & leadership coach who is one of the leading Christian advocates for persons with mental illness. Her award-winning book Troubled Minds: Mental Illness an the Church’s Mission has opened many sanctuary doors to a topic largely concealed.

Listen to this interview and learn how Amy is "a gently blazing fire" of mental health advocacy.

We explore Amy’s latest book, Blessed Are the Unsatisfied: Finding Spiritual Freedom in an Imperfect World (InterVarsity Press, 2018). The book is born in large part out of her own family experience where faith and mental illness are intricately related. She then goes on to explore such crucial and, at times, excruciating questions such as:

Does Jesus really want us to be satisfied in this life?

What is her perspective on the prosperity gospel?

How does addiction relate to spiritual dissatisfaction?

How can we cultivate an unsatisfied life?

What does healing mean to you?

You can find Amy at…

email: [email protected]

Website: www.amysimpson.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/amy.simpson.author

Twitter: @aresimpson

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aresimpson/

Instagram: amy.r.simpson

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/aresimpson/

Our guests today are Jen Riddle (Eric's wife) and April Cohen (Tony's sister).

April graduated with a B.A. in Nursing from University of Indianapolis in 1997. She has worked 21 years in the field of psychiatric nursing, both in-patient and out-patient. In addition to being Tony's sister and principal caregiver, she is married to Dan Cohen. The two of them have 5 children and 5 grandchildren. Her favorite form of therapy is bargain shopping.

Jen is a recent graduate of Christian Theological Seminary in Indianapolis, IN.  For nearly 15 years, she has worked with children with autism and their families.  She is an elder at The Living Room non-denominational church in Columbus, IN.  A native of Buffalo, she enjoyed watching the Bills NFL playoff run this year!

On this episode, Jen and April discuss what drew them into their spiritual and healing professions. April shares what it is like to care for an adult brother who has bipolar disorder, and Jen reveals how she and Eric navigate a relationship with a mental health diagnosis.

Episode 1 is less than a month away.  In this release, Tony and Eric share a brief story of how they met in 2014 and what led them to the brink of Revealing Voices.  There is also a sneak peak of what to look forward to in future episodes.

Behind the scenes blog posts of the podcast creation  are at www.revealingvoices.com

All music in the release was produced by Tre Scott. Cover Photo produced by Ruby Reese Photography.