Retrieving Sanity: Mental Health Recovery from Addictions and Traumas

Telling the Untold Stories: Bloodflow from a Pen


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In this powerful episode of Retrieving Sanity, host Keegan Read sits down with award-winning author and playwright Larry Bograd to unpack the intersection of grief, mental health, and storytelling. Together, they explore the lasting impact of Larry’s father’s suicide, the challenges of writing memoir, and the evolution of how we understand mental illness.

From censorship in children’s literature to the healing power of humor, this candid conversation dives into the emotional layers behind memory, family, and creative expression. If you’ve ever struggled with grief, questioned the stories you tell yourself, or searched for sanity in the chaos—this one’s for you.

Key Takeaways:

  • Memoir writing can unlock deep emotional insight

  • Censorship still shapes what children get to read

  • Family dynamics and mental illness often go hand-in-hand

  • Self-compassion and therapy are essential to healing

  • Humor helps us hold even the heaviest truths

     Featuring themes of:

    #Grief #MentalHealth #WritingasTherapy #Family #SuicideLoss #Legacy #ChildrensLiterature #Creativity  #Censorship #Self-Compassion

    Chapters

    00:00 Introduction to Larry Bograd

    02:24 Larry's Early Life and Career
    05:13 Censorship in Children's Literature
    07:49 The Art of Memoir Writing
    10:08 Understanding Mental Health and Family Impact
    11:42 Navigating Personal Trauma and Recovery
    16:27 The Impact of Loss
    18:49 Navigating Grief and Therapy
    22:18 Creative Expression and Healing
    24:30 Questions Left Unanswered
    26:39 The Complexity of Parent Loss
    29:30 Lessons from a Compassionate Father
    33:05 Growing Up Without Guidance
    34:55 Navigating Family Dynamics and Trauma
    36:00 Reflections on Loss and Personal Growth
    37:17 The Legacy of Family and Reincarnation
    39:12 The Power of Shared Life Events
    40:00 Exploring the Memoir Journey
    40:59 The Healing Hot Seat: Rapid Fire Insights
    43:19 Understanding Mental Illness and Its Evolution
    46:31 The Role of Therapy in Healing
    49:55 Legacy and Storytelling

    Call 988 if you are experiencing ANY mental crisis!


    Be sure to check out Retrievingsanity.com for all past guest resources!

    Want to be a guest on Retrieving Sanity: A Mental Health Podcast? Send Keegan Read a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/retrievingsanitypodcast
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    Retrieving Sanity: Mental Health Recovery from Addictions and TraumasBy Tanner Keegan Read

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