The Upside of Bipolar: Conversations on the Road to Wellness

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In this engaging episode author and comic Dave Mowry shares:

• His story of beginning to use humor to help him deal with his trauma and bipolar symptoms,
• How he began writing for bphope.com which led to his first book OMG That’s Me!,
• What helped him grieve his “lost fourteen years”,
• The daily activities that have helped him to “get out of his head”,
• Why humor is so powerful in helping to overcome trauma and the suffering of mental illness,
• How he discovered it’s possible to teach anyone to do standup comedy,
• The healing he witnessed in others who learned to use comedy to deal with their mental illness,
• How he found purpose in his struggle in helping others through peer support,
• The value in his books OMG That’s Me! and OMG That’s Me 3!, and
• How important it is to not get stuck in your struggle, things do get better!

LinkedIn: Dave Mowry

Books: OMG That’s Me!

               OMG That’s Me 3!

Facebook: Dave Mowry

Bio:

Dave Mowry was a successful businessman until he had a breakdown due to his undiagnosed bipolar disorder and lost everything. He slid into deep depression and anxiety and began his 14 lost years and dark days.

In 2010, Dave took a stand-up comedy class for folks with a mental illness and began healing with humor. Looking for humor in his worst experiences and PTSD changed everything. Dave was soon teaching classes to other folks with a mental illness and seeing the same transformation in them.

Dave is the author of the award winning OMG That’s Me! mental health books, a comic, and runs a mental health nonprofit in Portland. Dave’s blog posts for bphope.com have been read by over a million people.

Dave lives in Happy Valley, Oregon with his wife Heather and is currently working on a new OMG book about his recovery.

FREE Mood Cycle Survival Guide: https://theupsideofbipolar.com/free/

FREE Facebook Group for Moms with Bipolar: https://www.facebook.com/groups/bipolarmomslivingwell

website: https://theupsideofbipolar.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theupsideofbipolar/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theupsideofbipolar/

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I’m so excited to share that I conquered my final trigger for mood swings: moving! In this reflective episode I share:

• My previous experiences with moves triggering mood swings,
• How my Mood Cycle Survival Guide enabled me to anticipate and proactively manage mood swings caused by moving,
• A breakdown of how applying my Mood Cycle Survival Guide in my most recent move helped me avoid symptoms,
• How writing my book helped to solidify my healing and recovery, 
• The importance of viewing symptoms with curiosity instead of judgment, and 
• What your next steps should be on your path to healing your own triggers.

FREE Mood Cycle Survival Guide: https://theupsideofbipolar.com/free/

FREE Facebook Group for Moms with Bipolar: https://www.facebook.com/groups/bipolarmomslivingwell

website: https://theupsideofbipolar.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theupsideofbipolar/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theupsideofbipolar/

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In this captivating episode NYT Bestselling Author Bridget Cook-Burch and International Bestselling Author Hannah Lyons share:

• Their stories that led them to becoming authors, storytellers and mentors,
• What led Bridget to become a “book whisperer”,
• How Hannah evolved into an exceptional copy editor,
• How Bridget helps people uncover their “ikigai” and “elixir of life”,
• Hannah’s remarkable approach to creating characters that reflect pieces of herself,
• Bridget’s game-changing tip for kickstarting your writing journey,
• Hannah’s journey to becoming an international bestselling fantasy author,
• How Hannah sees the act of creating a book as similar to birthing a baby,
• The ways Bridget’s retreats help reignite the creative genius within authors, and 
• They each share their most powerful tip for beginning your own writing journey.

Connect with Bridget:
Website: www.YourInspiredStory.com
Instagram: www.instagram.com/bridgetcookburch/
Facebook: www.facebook.com/bridgetcookburch
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/mbridgetcookburch/

Connect with Hannah:
LinkTree: www.linktr.ee./hrlyon
Website: www.castlelyonediting.com
Instagram: www.instagram.com/ladylyon19
Facebook: www.facebook.com/ladylyon19
Books: The Rebel in Violet: Book One in the Freedom for Rhethos Series
                The Strings of Fate: Book Two in the Freedom for Rhethos Series

Bios: 

Bridget Cook-Burch’s clients call her “The Book Whisperer”. She is a New York Times & Wall Street Journal bestselling author, publisher, mentor, humanitarian and speaker known for riveting stories of transformation. Her powerful work has been showcased on Oprah, Dateline, Netflix, Discovery+, A&E, CNN, GMA, NPR and in People among many others. As the CEO and Founder of Your Inspired Story, she hosts Inspired Writers Retreats, group coaching, executive coaching and more. Her greatest passion is helping you discover the importance of your story, and to become leaders in your own communities, and worldwide.

Hannah R. Lyon is an international bestselling author who has worked in the writing industry for eight years. As the mother of Rhethos, she explores deep meanings within her fantasy series that span across the fiction world into the struggles and triumphs of reality. As the founder of Castle Lyon Editing, Hannah works with authors helping

FREE Mood Cycle Survival Guide: https://theupsideofbipolar.com/free/

FREE Facebook Group for Moms with Bipolar: https://www.facebook.com/groups/bipolarmomslivingwell

website: https://theupsideofbipolar.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theupsideofbipolar/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theupsideofbipolar/

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In this extraordinary episode author, speaker and combat-wounded veteran Brian Fleming shares:

• His extraordinary story of being wounded by a suicide bomber in Afghanistan,
• Why it’s so important to not allow the diagnosis to define you,
• How he discovered the power of sharing his story with others,
• Why discovering meaning in your suffering is critical to your healing journey,
• His three keys to resilience that enabled him to recover and then thrive after trauma,
• The importance of not being afraid of mistakes or failure,
• The books he’s written and why he wrote them, and
• How he helps others learn to share their story.

Book Brian to Speak: www.BlownUpGuy.com

FREE “Share Your Story Roadmap”: www.UseYourStory.com 

Podcast: Dear God, WTF? Podcast with Brian Fleming (deargodwtfpodcast.com)

Bio: 

After being severely injured by a suicide bomber who exploded 3-feet away from me in Kandahar, Afghanistan, Brian Fleming spent 14 months at a hospital enduring painful burn treatments, reconstructive surgery, and brain injury rehabilitation. After leaving the military, he became an author & speaker because he wanted to help other people with the lessons he'd learned that helped him overcome his war injury. Over the past 16 years, he's spoken to over half-a-million people in live audiences globally (including the US military and several of the Fortune 500), has written 4 books, and has been featured on almost every major news network in America on the topic of resilience and how to stand firm when everything around you is blowing up!

FREE Mood Cycle Survival Guide: https://theupsideofbipolar.com/free/

FREE Facebook Group for Moms with Bipolar: https://www.facebook.com/groups/bipolarmomslivingwell

website: https://theupsideofbipolar.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theupsideofbipolar/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theupsideofbipolar/

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In this empowering episode therapist and author Marcia Williams shares:

• Her story of how she ended up married to a narcissist,
• The definition of narcissistic personality disorder and two of the most common types of narcissists,
• How narcissists often target vulnerable people,
• Why it is so challenging to recognize you are in a narcissistic, abusive relationship,
• Her therapeutic journey,
• How to identify if you’re experiencing narcissistic abuse,
• Why and how personal healing is the number one priority,
• Why narcissistic abuse is a specialty area of therapy, and
• How your voice is your power and why understanding that is so critical to healing.

Website: www.hiddenflamesllc.com

Book: Groomed: Life Married to a Narcissist & How I Overcame Narcissistic Abuse

Instagram: @hidden_flames_llc

Linktree: www.linktr.ee/hiddenflames

Bio: 

Marcia Williams is a seasoned licensed therapist with over 21 years of experience, specializing in helping individuals recover from the traumatic effects of narcissistic abuse. With a master's degree in counseling and a professional license obtained in 2003, Marcia has dedicated her career to empowering both women and men to reclaim their lives from the grip of toxic relationships.

As the CEO of Hidden Flames LLC, Marcia offers a comprehensive range of therapeutic services, including individual, couples, and group therapy, as well as coaching services. Her expertise extends to leading workshops and retreats designed to foster deep healing and personal growth. Drawing on her personal experience of a 30-year marriage to a narcissist and subsequent divorce, Marcia brings unparalleled empathy and insight into her work.

In addition to her private practice, Marcia is the founder of the Narcissistic Abuse Recovery Program (NARP), a transformative initiative that has guided countless individuals toward healing. She is also the author of the book *Groomed: Life Married to a Narcissist and How I Overcame Narcissistic Abuse*, where she shares her personal journey and strategies for recovery. Her upcoming podcast, "Self-ish," set to launch by the end of the year, will provide a platform for discussions on self-care, healing, and resilience after a narcissistic relationship.

A former manager of a mental health utilization management team for a major healthcare organization for over 17 years, Marcia blends clinical expertise with a deep understanding of the challenges faced by those who have experienced narcissistic abuse. Currently residing in Maryland, Marcia is a proud parent of three sons, ages 23, 25, and 30, and the eldest of five siblings.

FREE Mood Cycle Survival Guide: https://theupsideofbipolar.com/free/

FREE Facebook Group for Moms with Bipolar: https://www.facebook.com/groups/bipolarmomslivingwell

website: https://theupsideofbipolar.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theupsideofbipolar/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theupsideofbipolar/

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In this insightful episode relationship mentor Emma DeSouza shares:

• Her early diagnosis with depression in high school that led to her bipolar diagnosis,
• Her experience with IVF and bipolar,
• The power in acknowledging challenges and having healthy, open communication with your partner,
• How proactive therapy has helped her accept responsibility for herself and improved her relationship,
• What led her to become certified in mindfulness meditation and yoga,
• How mindfulness can look different for each person and how to learn what works for you,
• How to understand the value of yoga and find what works for you,
• What led to her work as a relationship coach,
• How her personal work learning to manage her bipolar symptoms has helped her be more effective in helping others in their relationships, and
• Her number one tip for getting started improving relationships.

Website: www.emmadesouza.ca

Instagram: @itsemmadesouza

TikTok: @itsemma.desouza

YouTube: @itsemmadesouza

Bio: 

Emma is an IVF mom with bipolar and fibromyalgia, a business owner, and a dedicated relationship mentor with over 14 years of personal experience in a thriving relationship and over 4 years as an operations specialist to help women make their businesses & lives run smoother. She has a BSc. in Psychology and Biology, a nursing education, and training in modalities like meditation and yoga.

Emma blends practical advice with holistic insights to guide women in balancing their roles as mothers and partners. Her unique approach empowers women to transform their relationships, support their families, and build passion-based businesses with operational ease.

She is here to start meaningful conversations you can integrate into your everyday lives and share with those close to you. By helping you shift your perspectives, she aims to open up a world of possibilities that may have once felt closed off.

Emma uses her history of navigating her mental and physical health journey alongside her education to share with others how mindset shifts can transform their long-term dreams.

FREE Mood Cycle Survival Guide: https://theupsideofbipolar.com/free/

FREE Facebook Group for Moms with Bipolar: https://www.facebook.com/groups/bipolarmomslivingwell

website: https://theupsideofbipolar.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theupsideofbipolar/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theupsideofbipolar/

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In this empowering episode Emotional Freedom Technique practitioner Dawn Norton shares:

• Her incredible story of trauma in childhood which motivated her to seek healing as an adult,
• What Emotional Freedom Technique is and how it works and impacts your mind and body,
• The impact of stress on our bodies and how EFT can help,
• How “stuck” emotions and trauma can cause physical pain and illness,
• That emotions are not good or bad, they are just information and EFT helps you process them through your body,
• How connected our thoughts are to our emotions,
• How EFT can truly create emotional freedom by putting you back in the driver’s seat of your mind and emotions,
• That emotions are interconnected and as you process one you also process others,
• What a tapping “script” is and how it helps,
• How EFT helps you regulate your emotions, 
• Why it’s called “emotional freedom” technique, and
• How to get started learning EFT.

Website: www.eftcoach.com

Instagram: @the.eftcoach

Facebook: The EFT Coach

YouTube: The EFT Coach

Bio: 

Dawn Norton is a wife, mom of seven, and Nanna of ten. For over 20 years, she was a stay-at-home mom, and spent more than 15 years as a realtor. Her passion has always been learning and improving herself, a journey that began with reading self-help books as a teenager.

Dawn’s life has been marked by significant challenges, including her parents' divorce when she was young, growing up without a mom, and coping with her mother’s suicide when Dawn was 19.

Dawn has also faced considerable health challenges such as mold exposure, candida, and chronic fatigue, all of which she has successfully overcome. The last few years she has been navigating the challenges of menopause and is finally seeing the light. She never gives up!

Dawn is driven by a profound desire to help individuals overcome adversity and find inner peace. Leveraging her expertise in mindset principles, functional medicine health coaching, and Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT), she offers personalized coaching to remove barriers in mind, body, and spirit. Through compassionate guidance and accountability, she empowers her clients to embrace peace, confidence, and forgiveness, unlocking their true potential for holistic wellness and personal growth.

With 20 years of experience with EFT and seven years of experience in health and mindset coaching, Dawn brings a wealth of knowledge and a deep commitment to her clients' well-being. She loves people, learning, and investing, and is dedicated to helping others achieve their highest potential.

FREE Mood Cycle Survival Guide: https://theupsideofbipolar.com/free/

FREE Facebook Group for Moms with Bipolar: https://www.facebook.com/groups/bipolarmomslivingwell

website: https://theupsideofbipolar.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theupsideofbipolar/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theupsideofbipolar/

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In this illuminating episode Professor Joanna Moncrieff shares:

• What led her to question and begin researching how psychotropic drugs actually work,
• The difference between the disease-centered model versus the drug-centered model of treatment and why this distinction matters,
• How the disease-centered model is preventing curiosity about what is actually causing the symptoms of mental illness and leading to worsening long-term outcomes,
• The conditions that led to the current condition of the psychiatric industry,
• How the beliefs that are promoted about psychiatric disorders creates a psychological dependence on psychotropic drugs, in addition to the chemical dependence,
• Why psychotropic drugs can become a barrier to processing trauma because they suppress emotions and emotional responses,
• The false comparison between insulin and psychiatric medications,
• How her books are intended to help inform practitioners and patients alike about how psychotropic drugs actually work, how they affect the brain and how to safely withdraw if that is what is best, and
• How the medical and disease models of treatment create barriers to healing.

Website: www.joannamoncrieff.com

X (Twitter): @joannamoncrieff

Bio: 

Professor Joanna Moncrieff studied medicine at the University of Newcastle upon Tyne, qualifying in 1989. She trained in psychiatry in London and the southeast during the 1990s. During her undergraduate years she did research on parents’ fears about substance misuse, and during the course of her psychiatric training she worked on a trial investigating the use of the drug naltrexone in people with alcohol problems. She also investigated the prevalence of previous sexual abuse among people attending alcohol treatment services.

Professor Moncrieff took up her current post in 2001. For 10 years she was a consultant for a psychiatric rehabilitation inpatient unit, helping people with severe and long-lasting mental health problems. For the last three years she has been based in various community mental health services in Northeast London. She teaches and does research at University College London.

Professor Moncrieff is one of the founding members and the co-chairperson of the Critical Psychiatry Network. The Critical Psychiatry Network consists of a group of psychiatrists from around the world who are skeptical of the idea that mental disorders are simply brain diseases and of the dominance of the pharmaceutical industry.

She is a practicing psychiatrist and a part-time academic and author. She has an interest in the history, philosophy and politics of psychiatry, and particularly in the use, misuse and misrepresentation of psychiatric drugs.

FREE Mood Cycle Survival Guide: https://theupsideofbipolar.com/free/

FREE Facebook Group for Moms with Bipolar: https://www.facebook.com/groups/bipolarmomslivingwell

website: https://theupsideofbipolar.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theupsideofbipolar/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theupsideofbipolar/

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In this empowering episode author Anastasis Tzanis shares:

• His incredible story that led him to healing through breathwork,
• How breath practice can help you heal and improve your mental, emotional, and physical health,
• What a healthy breath pattern and CO2 levels are,
• What “box breathing” is and how to practice it,
• How you can learn how to use breath to calm down (be a better swimmer if you fall out of the boat), but even more important to increase your threshold and tolerance for stress (become a better sailor so you don’t fall out of the boat in the first place),
• Where to begin with breathwork,
• Why consistent practice is important and how you can practice even when you are doing other things,
• The importance of awareness of how you are breathing, and
• Tips for getting started with breathwork.

Website: www.atzanis.com

Instagram: www.instagram.com/anastasis.tzanis/

Podcast: Breathwork With Anastasis

Bio: 

Anastasis Tzanis (London, Uk) is a yoga teacher, nutritional therapist, and globally sought-after breath-work expert. He has helped countless individuals improve their mental, postural, and metabolic function through private consultations, over 150 workshops, and lectures across 8 countries. 

FREE Mood Cycle Survival Guide: https://theupsideofbipolar.com/free/

FREE Facebook Group for Moms with Bipolar: https://www.facebook.com/groups/bipolarmomslivingwell

website: https://theupsideofbipolar.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theupsideofbipolar/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theupsideofbipolar/

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In this insightful episode Jeanette Yate “The Self-Caregiver” shares:

• Her powerful personal story as a life-long caregiver (beginning at age 8) who was suffering because she didn’t know how to care for herself, to empowered self-caregiver and coach,
• The therapy modalities that helped her to identify, understand and heal her trauma,
• How learning how to listen to the signals your body is giving you that you need care and healthy boundaries,
• Ways to identify, develop and implement healthy boundaries,
• The importance of taking personal responsibility for your boundaries,
• How critical it is to wisely manage your emotional resources,
• The difference between codependency and love and why that difference matters,
• Where to start if you are trying to develop healthy boundaries, and
• A simple way to begin approaching and incorporating self-care into your daily life, and
• The power and benefits in practicing mindfulness and mindful breathing practices.

Website: www.theselfcaregiver.com

Free resource: The Self-Care Assessment

Mini-course: "Say No and Mean It" (workshop on boundaries)

Instagram: @theselfcaregiver 

Bio: 

Jeanette Yates is a lifelong caregiver, certified life coach, and Modern Mindfulness and Meditation teacher. As a founder of The Self-Caregiver, she has dedicated her life to helping caregivers prioritize self-care and avoid burnout. Jeanette hosts the popular podcast "From Guilt to Good: Self-care solutions for busy caregivers," where she shares her expertise and interviews other experts in caregiving and self-care.

Jeanette's signature program, The Empowered Self-Caregiver Cohort, has helped countless caregivers develop sustainable self-care practices tailored to their unique needs and circumstances. Her approach combines self-awareness, self-advocacy, self-compassion, and self-care to help caregivers rediscover their worth and reclaim their time.

Jeanette is a seasoned expert in caregiving and self-care. Her passion for empowering caregivers shines through in every conversation, and she has a knack for making complex concepts accessible and actionable. Jeanette's areas of expertise include:

* Identifying and overcoming common barriers to self-care for caregivers

* Developing sustainable self-care practices that fit into a busy caregiver's schedule

* Building resilience and coping with the stress and emotional demands of caregiving

* Balancing caregiving responsibilities with personal needs and goals

* Navigating difficult conversations with loved ones about caregiving and self-care

FREE Mood Cycle Survival Guide: https://theupsideofbipolar.com/free/

FREE Facebook Group for Moms with Bipolar: https://www.facebook.com/groups/bipolarmomslivingwell

website: https://theupsideofbipolar.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theupsideofbipolar/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theupsideofbipolar/