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In her new book "Chemically Imbalanced: The Making and Unmaking of the Serotonin Myth" Professor Joanna Moncrieff exposes how millions have been misled to believe they have brain chemical imbalances requiring drug treatments when no evidence supports this view.

• Depression is a normal human emotional response to life difficulties, not a brain disease
• The "drug-centered" model recognizes psychiatric medications as mind-altering substances that temporarily mask symptoms rather than targeting disease processes 
• Disease awareness campaigns funded by pharmaceutical companies deliberately changed public perception of distress as medical conditions
• Scientific studies showing minimal differences between antidepressants and placebos are systematically misinterpreted to support the disease model
• The psychiatric establishment responds to criticism by attacking messengers rather than addressing evidence
• Alternative approaches should focus on understanding distress in context of people's lives rather than medicating normal emotions
• Recent progress in recognizing withdrawal effects and persistent side effects shows growing awareness of medication risks

Website: www.joannamoncrieff.com

X: @joannamoncrieff

Bio:

JOANNA MONCRIEFF is Professor of Critical and Social Psychiatry at University College London, and a consultant psychiatrist for the National Health Service in London. She is author of numerous scientific paper and several books on psychiatry and psychiatric drugs. She is a founder member and co-chairperson of the Critical Psychiatry Network, an influential network of psychiatrists and other doctors. Her latest book is “Chemically Imbalanced: The Making and Unmaking of the Serotonin Myth” (publisher Flint Books), featured in The Sunday Times.

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Dr. Sheri Johnson shares groundbreaking research on how circadian rhythms and reward sensitivity affect bipolar symptoms, offering practical approaches to wellness through lifestyle interventions. Her work at UC Berkeley's CALM program explores how time-restricted eating and Mediterranean diet patterns can strengthen body rhythms and improve mood stability.

• Bipolar symptoms affect circadian rhythms, with genetic factors influencing clock genes throughout the body
• Time-restricted eating (consuming food within a consistent 10-hour window) helps reset disrupted body clocks
• The Mediterranean diet provides essential nutrients for brain health without rigid restrictions
• Blue light from screens suppresses melatonin production, making sleep difficulties worse
• Small, incremental habit changes are more sustainable than overwhelming lifestyle overhauls
• People with bipolar symptoms often have heightened reward sensitivity that can be both a gift (creativity, drive) and challenge
• Including people with lived experience in research design improves treatment approaches
• Mindfulness, journaling, and relaxation techniques can help manage nighttime awakening

Visit calm.Berkeley.edu/participate to learn about participating in current studies on time-restricted eating, Mediterranean diet, or the upcoming study on reward sensitivity and circadian rhythms.

Instagram: @ucbcalmprogram 

Facebook: The CALM Program at UC Berkeley 

X:  @calmprogram

Bluesky:  @ucbcalmprogram

Tiktok: @ucbcalmprogram

Bio:

Dr. Johnson is the Director of the Cal Mania (CALM) Program at the University of California Berkeley. She has received funding from NARSAD, NIMH, NSF, and NCI.  She has published six books and over 300 manuscripts. She is a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, Association for Behavioral Medicine Research, and the Association for Psychological Science, and the Center for Advanced Study in the Behavioral Sciences (2013-2014). 

Her work focuses on circadian rhythms, impulsivity and reward sensitivity in bipolar disorder. She has used a broad range of techniques, from neuroimaging to cognitive and behavioral testing and personality tests, to understand these mechanisms.  Drawing on basic science, she has conducted treatment development research to target these dimensions.

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Episode Highlight:
After years of navigating the complex intersection of marriage and mental health, Sue Best shares her deeply personal journey of supporting her husband, Travis, through his bipolar disorder recovery. In this heartfelt conversation, Sue opens up about the emotional challenges, pivotal moments of growth, and the resilience required to maintain stability in the face of adversity. This episode offers practical insights and hope for those navigating similar struggles, emphasizing the importance of community, communication, and self-care.

Topics Covered in This Episode:

• Balancing Roles: Sue’s experience as both a caregiver and a partner while supporting her husband’s mental health journey.
• The Impact on Family: Reflections on ensuring her children’s well-being and fostering emotional resilience within her family.
• Boundaries and Self-Care: The importance of setting healthy boundaries and prioritizing personal well-being to maintain stability in challenging situations.
• The Power of Support: How therapy, faith, and community became vital pillars of resilience and healing for her family.
• Parenting with Empathy: Teaching children about boundaries, emotional intelligence, and responsibility to empower them for future growth.
• Lessons from Loved Ones: Life-changing advice from friends and humbling lessons learned through her children’s perspectives.

Sue’s story is a powerful reminder of the strength in vulnerability and the hope that can be found in the support of a compassionate community. Whether you’re navigating similar challenges or seeking to better understand the dynamics of mental health within relationships, this episode offers inspiration, tools, and connection.

Tune in to this impactful episode and discover how resilience, love, and support can transform even the most difficult circumstances.

Connect with Sue:

Instagram: @the.other.side.of.bipolar

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Don't miss this episode!  Travis Best, a member of the Upsiders' Tribe recovery program, and his wife Sue share their journey navigating the challenges of bipolar disorder within their marriage. They highlight the profound impact of community, communication, and therapeutic resources. With candid reflections on symptoms, medication struggles, and the importance of mutual support, they emphasize that while healing is challenging, it is possible to find hope and rebuild relationships.

• Travis’s experience with bipolar diagnosis and childhood trauma
• Experience transitioning from medications to micronutrients
• Recognizing and managing delusions (one of Travis's symptoms)
• Sue’s perspective on being a caregiver and the need for support
• Importance of setting healthy boundaries and effective communication
• Navigating the dual challenges of bipolar symptoms and cancer
• Building community connections for emotional resilience
• The power of hope in transforming lives and relationships

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This episode explores the concept of core wounds—deeply embedded beliefs formed during childhood that shape our emotional lives. Through practical tools and rich discussions, we guide listeners in identifying their core wounds, understanding their impact, and taking actionable steps toward healing.

• Introduction to core wounds and their significance
• Understanding the formative experiences that create core wounds
• Personal stories and examples illustrating core wounds in action
• Tools for identifying and processing emotional responses
• The journey of healing and self-acceptance
• Encouragement to embrace curiosity and accountability in the healing process
• Call to action to utilize the feelings and needs worksheet for self-discovery

Feelings List: www.jjflizanes.com/feelingslist
Website: www.jjflizanes.com
IG: @jjflizanes
Facebook: JJ Flizanes
YouTube: @jjflizanes

Bio: 
JJ Flizanes is an Empowerment Strategist and the host of several podcasts including People’s Choice Awards nominee Spirit, Purpose & Energy. JJ Flizanes works with conscious, spiritual truth seekers who want to remove emotional blocks to success. She helps people identify sabotaging patterns and transmute struggle into joy. Through a series of clarifying exercises, she is able to curate a personalized roadmap to emotional healing. JJ is passionate about empowering people with the knowledge and awareness of how they can live the life of their dreams.

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This episode dives deep into the transformative power of running as a means to improve mental health and overall well-being. Victor Vizcaíno shares his journey from disliking running to using it as a therapeutic tool, revealing how mindfulness and gratitude can create lasting change.

• Transforming personal struggles into opportunities for growth
• Understanding the connection between mental and physical health
• The role of mindfulness and gratitude in running
• Coaching philosophies that combine holistic approaches
• The importance of community support in running
• Starting small and the significance of gradual progress
• Addressing addiction and unhealthy coping mechanisms through positive habits
• Encouraging self-discovery and mental clarity through movement
• Ideas on maintaining momentum when beginning a new fitness routine

website: www.eymcoaching.com
IG: @eymcoachingusa
Facebook: Victor Vizcaino
YouTube: Victor Vizcaino
TikTok: @eymcoachingusa

Bio:
Today's guest is Victor Vizcaino, a marathon transformational coach specializing in holistic marathon training. Victor empowers individuals to experience true transformation through running, focusing not just on physical endurance but also on mental resilience and personal growth. With his unique approach, he helps people unlock their full potential and achieve life-changing results. Please join me in welcoming Victor Vizcaino to the show!

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This episode explores the interconnectedness of holistic health and bipolar disorder, emphasizing the importance of understanding underlying factors over simply alleviating symptoms. Reed Davis discusses his journey and methodologies that highlight the relationship between stress, diet, and gut health, advocating for a comprehensive approach to wellness that empowers individuals to take charge of their health.

• Examining the limitations of relief care versus root cause research
• Introducing Reed Davis and his holistic health approach
• The importance of comprehensive health diagnostics
• DRESS protocol: Diet, Rest, Exercise, Stress Reduction, Supplementation
• The role of stress in health crises and chronic conditions
• Understanding the relationship between gut health and mental wellness
• Encouraging self-responsibility and proactive health management
• Bridging the gap between traditional medicine and alternative practices

website: www.functionaldiagnosticnutrition.com
IG: @fdntraining
Facebook: Functional Diagnostic Nutrition
YouTube: @FDNtraining

Bio:
Reed Davis, Double-Board Certified Holistic Health Practitioner (HHP) and Certified Nutritional Therapist (CNT), is a globally recognized expert in functional lab testing and holistic lifestyle medicine. As the visionary founder of Functional Diagnostic Nutrition® (FDN), Reed has pioneered the FDN Certification Course, which has empowered over 4,000 practitioners across 50 countries to take charge of their clients' health. With more than a decade of experience as Health Director at a Southern California wellness center, Reed has personally guided over 10,000 clients to optimal wellness, making him one of the most sought-after clinicians in his field.

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Episode Shownotes:
In this transformative episode, we sit down with Austin Davis, Licensed Professional Counselor Supervisor and founder/CEO of Clearfork Academy, to explore how core values can empower teens to overcome mental health challenges and find lasting healing. Austin shares his journey, the mission of Clearfork Academy, and the strategies they use to help teens create meaningful change in their lives.

Episode Highlights:
🌟 Austin’s Journey: The experiences that led him to focus on helping teens with mental health and emotional challenges and how he founded Clearfork Academy.
🌟 Core Values: How and why the program developed its core values and the life-changing impact these principles have on teens.
🌟 Therapeutic Tools and Resources: A look at the interventions, tools, and resources used in Clearfork Academy’s program and why they work.
🌟 Family Systems: The importance of understanding the “family system” in identifying pain and dysfunction that lead to unhealthy behaviors.
🌟 Stress Management Plans: The role of actionable plans in helping teens handle stressors and make healthier choices.
🌟 Personal Responsibility: Skills and strategies Clearfork Academy teaches to encourage accountability and self-growth.
🌟 Building Core Values: Steps for anyone to begin establishing and living by their core values.

Website: www.clearforkacademy.com

Instagram: @clearforkacademy

Facebook: Clearfork Academy

LinkedIn: Austin Davis, LPC-S

Bio:

Austin is a visionary leader in teenage behavioral health and addiction treatment, spending the past 15+ years committed to transforming the lives of teens & their families. He uses the power of faith in the recovery process to help his clients grow into healthy and happy members of their community. He is the founder and CEO of Clearfork Academy, the go-to treatment center in Texas for troubled teens. 

His dedication to teen mental health makes him a driving thought leader in the industry. He has spoken to parents, community health professionals, educators and teens nationwide—sharing insights on effective treatment methodologies, the importance of mental health awareness and the power of faith in the recovery process. 

Austin earned a Bachelor of Science in Pastoral Ministry from Lee University in Cleveland, TN, and furthered his education with a Master of Arts in Counseling from The Church of God Theological Seminary. This education laid the foundation for his professional journey in clinical counseling and church ministry.

When he's not helping teens or serving his community, he is found spending time with his wife & three kids, playing guitar, and being outdoors.

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Episode Highlights:
In this powerful and enlightening conversation, Dr. Tonya Cunningham shares her personal and professional insights into navigating and processing grief. Her candid storytelling and expert advice provide a roadmap for understanding grief’s impact and embracing healing.

What to expect in this episode:

• Dr. Cunningham’s personal story and transformative realizations about grief
• The impact of spiritual bypassing on emotional health
• What grief is, how it manifests, and its effects on mental health
• Differences between type A and type B trauma
• The iceberg analogy of grief’s hidden layers
• Strategies for processing grief and setting healthy boundaries
• How to find the right grief counselor
• The connection between grief and physical health
• Practical tools and exercises for healing
• The importance of embracing, rather than avoiding, grief

This episode is a must-listen for anyone navigating grief or supporting others on their journey.

Website: www.drtonyacunningham.com

Facebook: Tonya Cunningham and Dr. Tonya Cunningham

Instagram: @drtonyacunningham

TikTok: @drtonyacunningham

Bio:

Dr. Tonya Cunningham stands as the driving force behind Dr. Tonya Enterprises LLC and the visionary founder of Let’s Talk Healing Inc., both dedicated entities offering coaching, counseling, and transformative training in Grief, Mental Health, and Self-Care. Internationally recognized as a sought-after Speaker, Author, and Master Grief Coach, Dr. Tonya specializes in navigating the complexities of loss, life transitions, and inner healing. 

With an impressive 35-year professional journey, Dr. Tonya is a revered expert in the grief and death care industry, regularly invited to share her profound insights as a speaker. A true trendsetter and truthsayer, she is reshaping the narrative around how we approach grief, hurt, and loss. Her methodology combines education, experience, enthusiasm, humor, and even dance to offer a range of services, including consulting, seminars, and workshops. 

In addition to her professional endeavors, Dr. Tonya is a proud Dog Mom of her fur babies Mister Cunningham and Bentley Sebastian Cunningham, the mother to her adopted son, D’Anthony, and her beloved late daughter Chelsea, who graced the world for 2 hours and 12 minutes. 

She is also an accomplished author. Dr. Tonya has penned impactful works such as "I Got My Marbles Back: There IS Life After Loss", "Griefwork Is Essential Not Optional: A Memoir of Overcoming Grief, Depression & Rejection" and her children’s book, "Chelsea Cares: A Bereavement Bear's Heartfelt Journey Through Grief" along with a companion coloring book . She is gearing up for the launch of her latest creations set to debut in 2025.

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Episode Highlights:
In this insightful episode, boundaries coach and recovery advocate Barb Nangle shares her expertise and personal experiences with 12-step programs, offering valuable guidance for anyone on a healing journey.

What you’ll discover:

• Barb’s powerful story of transformation through 12-step programs
• A clear explanation of ACA (Adult Children of Alcoholics) and CoDA (Codependents Anonymous)
• How 12-step programs have evolved and why they remain impactful
• The concept of “info, not ammo” and its role in facilitating recovery
• What it truly means to “work the steps” in a 12-step program
• The importance of breaking through denial to foster growth and healing
• A comprehensive overview of the 12 steps and how they create lasting change

Whether you’re exploring recovery tools or seeking inspiration for personal growth, this episode is full of meaningful insights and practical wisdom.

Boundaries Starter Kit: www.boundariesstarterkit.com/

Coaching Program: Boundaries by Design

Instagram: www.instagram.com/higherpowercoaching/

Podcast: www.higherpowercc.com/podcast/

Previous episode: Episode 52

Bio:

Barb Nangle is a boundaries coach, speaker and the Founder and CEO of Higher Power Coaching and Consulting, LLC and host of the podcast, "Fragmented to Whole: Life Lessons from 12 Step Recovery." 

In 2015 at the age of 52, after decades of therapy and tons of self-help work in a variety of areas, Barb found herself in 12-step recovery. She’s been in two such fellowships since then and has changed deeply and profoundly as a result. As a former addict and people-pleasing rescuer, she empowers people to thrive and take more control over their personal and professional lives by coaching them to build healthy boundaries. 

She works with organizations in the helping professions, as well as women entrepreneurs to avoid burnout and reduce turnover. Her specialty is working with professional women who say yes when they really want to say no, and neglect themselves because they're focused on others.

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