Have you ever wondered if the food on your plate is doing more than just filling you up? The surprising truth is, nutrition plays a much bigger role in your mental health than most of us realize.

In this episode of Speaking of Mental Health, Michelle sits down with Dr. Bonnie Kaplan, Professor Emerita at the University of Calgary. Over her 40-year scientific career, Dr. Kaplan has spent decades researching the biological roots of developmental disorders and mental health - especially focusing on how nutrition supports brain development and function.

Dr. Kaplan, co-author of The Better Brain, shares science-backed insights into how key nutrients support brain function and emotional balance. Together, they explore why nutrition matters for mental health - and how simple, realistic lifestyle changes (not fancy or expensive diets) can make a big difference.

In this episode, we cover:

• How nutrition impacts your brain, emotions, and mental health

• Essential vitamins and nutrients your brain needs to thrive

• The science behind food’s influence on mood and cognition

• Why cutting ultra-processed foods matters

• Realistic strategies to overcome barriers to healthy eating

• Practical tips to help you make simple changes for better brain health

  
  

Join Michelle and Dr. Kaplan for an eye-opening conversation that could transform how you view food and mental health.

To learn more about Dr. Kaplan’s research on nutrition and mental health, you can find additional resources here.

In this episode of Speaking of Mental Health, Michelle dives into a topic we often overlook—silence. It’s easy to think of silence as merely the absence of sound, but what if it’s actually a powerful tool for emotional clarity, self-reflection, and personal growth? Join Michelle as she speaks with Dr. Olga Lehmann, an author, educator, psychologist, and TEDx speaker who has dedicated her career to studying the power of silence in mental health. Known as the "Silentist," Dr. Lehmann unpacks how silence isn’t just a break from noise - it’s a powerful tool for cultivating mental well-being.

Do you ever feel overwhelmed by the constant noise of your day? Or perhaps you crave more quiet but don’t know how to embrace it? In this episode, Dr. Lehmann shares why silence can be a game-changer for your mental health—helping you achieve greater mental clarity, emotional balance, and personal growth.

In this episode we discuss:

• The many forms of silence—and what they each mean

• The connection between silence and emotional well-being
• How silence can strengthen relationships and deepen self-awareness
• Practical ways to invite more silence into your daily life
• Why sitting with silence—even when it feels uncomfortable—can lead to personal growth

Join us for an enlightening conversation with Dr. Olga Lehmann and discover how embracing silence could be the key to unlocking your mental health potential.

Loving and supporting someone with a mental illness or history of trauma can be incredibly challenging. It’s a delicate balance between offering care, setting healthy boundaries, and taking care of your own emotional needs. Yet, the experience of loved ones is often overlooked. So, how can we best support our loved ones while also prioritizing our own well-being?

In this episode of Speaking of Mental Health, Michelle is joined by Dr. Michelle Sherman, a clinical psychologist and Fellow of the American Psychological Association. Dr. Sherman is an expert in couples and family psychology and has dedicated her 30+ year career to supporting families navigating mental illness and trauma. She offers invaluable insights into how loved ones can effectively manage caregiving, set healthy boundaries, and avoid compassion fatigue — all while taking care of themselves.

Drawing from her extensive experience and insights from her new book, Loving Someone with a Mental Illness or History of Trauma, Dr. Sherman shares actionable strategies for finding the delicate balance between supporting others and prioritizing your own mental health.

In this episode, we discuss:

Join us for an insightful conversation with Dr. Michelle Sherman, and gain actionable insights into how you can take care of yourself while still supporting your loved ones.

Imposter syndrome affects many people, but it’s not always easy to recognize or address. We often hear people saying, "I feel like an imposter," but what does it really mean to experience imposter syndrome, and how can we break free from its grip to reclaim our confidence and self-worth?

In this episode of Speaking of Mental Health, Michelle is joined by Dr. Valerie Young, one of the world's leading experts on imposter syndrome and co-founder of the Imposter Syndrome Institute. Valerie has spent over two decades studying the psychology behind imposter feelings, and she’s here to share her wealth of knowledge with us.

Together, we explore the different ways imposter syndrome can manifest, debunk common misconceptions, and discuss its impact on our mental health. Valerie also offers practical strategies for overcoming imposter feelings, shifting our mindset, reframing self-doubt, and embracing our achievements with confidence.

In this episode, we discuss:

Join us for an empowering conversation with Dr. Valerie Young that will help you understand imposter syndrome and take actionable steps toward greater self-acceptance and confidence.

Cultural identity can shape our sense of self and influence our mental health in profound ways. But what does it mean to navigate cultural identity, and how can it affect our mental well-being?

In this episode of "Speaking of Mental Health," Michelle is joined by psychologist Haza Rahim. Having grown up as a bicultural and researching cultural identity and its impact on mental health, Haza brings both personal experience and a wealth of professional knowledge to our conversation

Together, we dive into the complexities of cultural identity conflict, exploring how cultural backgrounds can both enrich and challenge our mental well-being. Haza shares her insights on the unique challenges bicultural individuals can face and emphasizes the importance of supporting cultural diversity and educating ourselves about these vital topics.

In this episode, we discuss:

Resilience is often a central theme in discussions on mental health in the workplace. But what does resilience actually entail, and how can we build it to enhance both our work performance and mental well-being?

In this episode of "Speaking of Mental Health," Michelle sits down with Dr. Marie-Hélène Pelletier, an award winning work place mental health expert, psychologist, advisor and speaker. With over 20 years of experience and holding both a PhD and an MBA, Dr. Pelletier offers valuable insights into workplace mental health. Drawing from her acclaimed book, 'The Resilience Plan: A Strategic Approach to Optimizing Your Work Performance and Mental Health,' she provides practical strategies for building resilience and enhancing professional success.

In this episode, we discuss:

Join us for an insightful conversation on building resilience, and learn how to thrive in both work and life.

Grief is often an inevitable part of life, and while it can be seen as a rather universal experience, it can also be deeply personal with many nuances. But what does grief actually entail, and how can we navigate the complexities that accompany loss?

In this episode of "Speaking of Mental Health," Michelle is joined by Dr. Henk Schut, an esteemed psychologist, researcher, and associate professor at Utrecht University. Henk has devoted the majority of his career to researching grief and debunking common myths surrounding it. He is renowned for his extensive experience and research on grief, including his co-development of the dual process model of coping with bereavement together with Margaret Stroebe.

Together, we dive into the nuances of grief, exploring its many facets and the misconceptions that often surround it. Henk also shares his insights on grief and reflects on his 40 years of research in the field.

In this episode, we discuss:

In today's fast-paced world, children and adolescents are struggling with unprecedented mental health challenges. From academic pressures to the influence of technology, the younger generation is navigating a complex landscape that seems to highly impact their mental well-being.

Together, we try to unravel the mental health challenges faced by children and adolescents in modern society. We discuss practical tips and strategies for identifying when our young ones may be struggling and how to best offer support.

In this episode, we cover:

Join us to deepen your understanding of the mental health challenges faced by the younger generation and gain practical insights to nurture their mental well-being.

In society, we often talk about loneliness, but what does it actually mean to be lonely, and how can we manage it when it affects our mental well-being?

In this episode of "Speaking of Mental Health," Michelle sits down with psychologist Anneke Vedder to unpack the complexities of loneliness. Anneke brings a wealth of expertise as an experienced mental health professional, lecturer, and researcher who is highly passionate about loneliness and an expert on the topic.

Together, we dive into the nuances of loneliness, exploring how it can affect our mental well-being, and discuss how we can navigate it.

In this episode, we examine:

• What loneliness entails and how it can affect our mental well-being
• The difference between "social loneliness" and "emotional loneliness"
• How loneliness differs from solitude
• How our expectations play a vital role when it comes to loneliness
• Why it's important to acknowledge and normalize loneliness
• Practical advice for navigating loneliness, seeking support, and establishing connections
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Join us in this conversation to broaden your perspective on loneliness and gain insight into how you can navigate it.