Welcome back to PART TWO of 'conversations with Leah Charles King. Shaley Hoogendoorn continues her inspiring conversation with Leah Charles King, a renowned TV presenter from the UK. Leah shares her journey of living with Bipolar II Disorder and the importance of smashing the stigma surrounding mental health.

Leah discusses the common misconceptions about bipolar disorder and how society often views people with mental illness. She emphasizes the need for self-awareness and self-care to achieve mental wellness. The conversation delves into the challenges of managing bipolar disorder, the role of medication, and the importance of setting boundaries.

Leah also reflects on her experiences in the TV industry and how media often misrepresents bipolar disorder. She shares her thoughts on how authentic representation can help break down stereotypes and foster understanding.

Tune in to hear Leah's candid insights and learn how we can all contribute to a more inclusive and understanding world for those living with bipolar disorder. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in mental health advocacy and breaking down stigma.

this is bipolar...

Tune in for an inspiring listen and join the community on Instagram @this.is.bipolar. If you like or found this episode (or the podcast) helpful in anyway, please consider pressing the follow button &/or leaving us a 5 star review. It helps our podcast reach those that need it most.

A Few Things about Leah Charles-King:

• Almost 20 years mainstream experience in the media industry alone

I have a special treat this week- a FREE subscribers only episode for you! This exclusive episode was so incredibly helpful and so I decided to share it with ALL listeners. This conversation is just one example of the EXTRA content Instagram Subscribers have access to. Not only are there 2-3 subscribers only "going deeper" episodes a month, there is an IG group support chat AND monthly zoom connection meet ups. Sign up for subscriptions on Instagram today to learn and deeply connect with others living with mood disorders walking similar paths. I would love to see you there!

We are all in this together. 

this is bipolar...

Shaley xo

Listen to an enlightening episode of 'going deeper" where host Shaley Hoogendoorn dives deep into the realm of bipolar disorder and self-stigma with Dr. Andrea Vassiliev. Dr. Vasiliev, is a bipolar survivor and specialist as well as the creator of the groundbreaking program "Overcoming Self-Stigma in Bipolar Disorder," shares her journey and expertise on combating self-stigma.

In this episode, Dr. Vassiliev defines stigma and self-stigma, explaining their profound impact on individuals with bipolar disorder. She discusses the importance of rewriting personal narratives, focusing on strengths, and finding supportive communities. Shaley and Dr. Vasiliev also tackle practical strategies for recognizing and reframing negative self-beliefs, and the nuances of masking symptoms in various settings.

Whether you're navigating bipolar disorder yourself or seeking to understand it better, this conversation is a treasure trove of insights and actionable advice. Tune in to learn how to dismantle self-stigma and embrace a more compassionate, empowered self-view.

Meet Dr. Vassilev:

Dr. Andrea Vassilev holds a doctorate in psychology and is a registered psychological associate in California. She has lived with bipolar disorder for over 25 years and is the creator of the original program, Overcoming Self-Stigma in Bipolar Disorder. As a clinician and academic with lived experience, Andrea brings a special perspective to both her professional and advocacy work. Andrea hopes that by telling her own story of life with bipolar disorder through the lenses of clinical causes, treatments, and outcomes that she can provide education, hope, and comfort to others. You can connect with her on Instagram @best.life.bipolar or at www.andreavassilev.com.

"this is bipolar' unveils another power-packed episode, featuring Shaley Hoogendoorn and TV presenter and Ambassador @bipolar_uk, Leah Charles King. Embodying strength and resilience, both women share their personal battles with bipolar disorder and their commitment to shattering mental health stigma. In a discussion that is both heartbreaking and hopeful, they underscore the impact of bipolar disorder, harnessing their own experiences to educate and inspire. With additional focus on racial disparities in dealing with mental health, Leah emphasizes the need to address mental health issues regardless of colour or creed. From childhood struggles with feeling out of place to her challenges in navigating the entertainment industry and understanding her mental condition, this episode offers a raw, honest, and powerful look at Leah’s journey in dealing with bipolar disorder.

The episode also provides a heartfelt discussion about embracing life with bipolar disorder. By sharing their personal tales of trials and triumphs, Shaley and Leah remind everyone struggling with their mental health that there is a way to rebuild their life after diagnosis, and that having bipolar disorder doesn’t define one's life. They underline the importance of self-love, faith, perseverance, and maintaining a solid support system.

Most importantly, Leah highlights the way she dealt with her mood shifts - from extreme depression to euphoria - which marks her experience with bipolar disorder. She encourages others to understand and support mental health, emphasizing the power of faith and hope.Through a shared narrative and unique perspective, these women offer an enlightening discussion about bipolar disorder and mental health as they continue their most rewarding mission to smash the stigma of mental illness. 

this is bipolar...

Tune in for an inspiring listen and join the community on Instagram @this.is.bipolar. If you like or found this episode (or the podcast) helpful in anyway, please consider pressing the follow button &/or leaving us a 5 star review. It helps our podcast reach those that need it most.

Chapter Markers

00:04:20 Life Beyond the Bipolar Closet

00:09:23 Childhood Trauma & Early signs 

00:14:03 From Girl Bands to Mental Health Advocacy

00:21:03 Strive for Excellence & Perfectionism

00:28:03 Finding Hope & Life After Diagnosis

A Few Things about Leah Charles-King:

• Almost 20 years mainstream experience in the media industry alone

In this insightful episode of 'conversations with', our host Shaley Hoogendoorn engages in a deep and meaningful conversation with Dr. Andrea Vassilev, a bipolar specialist and survivor. They delve deep into personal experiences with Bipolar II and Unspecified BipolarDisorder, shedding light on mental health, self-stigma, and the importance of understanding this often misunderstood condition.

this is bipolar...

My dear listeners,

As always, we talk about hard and messy mental illness topics. This episode could be activating so please take care of yourself. The episode is always here if you need to have breaks to take care of yourself.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for being here. If this episode or podcast means something to you, I would be forever grateful if you would follow/subscribe the ‘this is bipolar’ podcast wherever you listen to your podcasts so you stay up to date. It would also mean the world to me if you gave a 5 ⭐️ review- this helps the podcast reach those who need to hear it most.

Dr. Andrea Vassilev holds a doctorate in psychology and is a registered psychological associate in California. She has lived with bipolar disorder for over 25 years and is the creator of the original program, Overcoming Self-Stigma in Bipolar Disorder. As a clinician and academic with lived experience, Andrea brings a special perspective to both her professional and advocacy work. Andrea hopes that by telling her own story of life with bipolar disorder through the lenses of clinical causes, treatments, and outcomes that she can provide education, hope, and comfort to others. You can connect with her on Instagram @best.life.bipolar or at www.andreavassilev.com (http://www.andreavassilev.com/)

Resources mentioned:

Dr Jim Phelps- Why Am I Still Depressed; Recognizing and Managing the Ups and Downs of Bipolar 2 and Soft Bipolar Disorder

Dr. Holly A. Swartz’s book-The Social Rhythm Therapy Workbook for Bipolar Disorder 

In this episode of 'conversations with' mental illness activist, Shaley Hoogendoorn sits down with fellow advocate & Director of Education for NAMI (SE Minnesota), Lee Formella.

This conversation not only digs deep into the before and after his diagnosis and shares it all with us. Lee is open about addiction and how it affected his jobs as well as how and why he became online advocate. 

Shaley and Lee also talk about how much his life has changed since he committed to a managing his bipolar disorder. It is so helpful to hear the practices that help him live well with his bipolar symptoms.  

This conversation is a raw and real glimpse into what it looks and feels like to live with bipolar. It is our hope that this episode will educate, comfort and inspire you all. You can read even more about Lee in his bio.

This is bipolar…

My dear listeners,

As always, we talk about hard and messy mental illness topics. This episode could be activating so please take care of yourself. The episode is always here if you need to have breaks to take care of yourself.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for being here. If this episode or podcast means something to you, I would be forever grateful if you would follow/subscribe the ‘this is bipolar’ podcast wherever you listen to your podcasts so you stay up to date. It would also mean the world to me if you gave a 5 ⭐️ review- this helps the podcast reach those who need to hear it most.

About Lee:

I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder, cptsd, and generalized anxiety disorder in September of 2019 after surviving 15 years of suicidal thoughts and absolute chaos. Though a lot of hard work, self-awareness, and surrounding myself with a phenomenal support network, I have found some stability, contentment and success while living with bipolar disorder. 

A little over a year ago, I decided to share my story after not finding many relatable folks initially who were living comfortably with bipolar disorder, but especially men. While I have since found so many incredible creators, writers and friends living with bipolar disorder, I am so happy to have started an account sharing my own story. It has led to lasting and meaningful relationships with people all around the world. 

Over the last year, I have been lucky enough to share my story for law enforcement, at universities and for local support groups and mental health education programs. It has provided me with direction and a path that combined a passion with a path forward. Recently, I began a job (my first not in sales or restaurants!) as the Director of Education for NAMI Southeast Minnesota, which will allow me to continue this amazing journey of spreading knowledge to eliminate the stigma that follows a mental illness diagnosis. 

You can find more of my story at benefitsofbipolar.com, on Instagram @benefits_of_bipolar, on YouTube @benefitsofbipolar and articles for the International Bipolar Foundation at ibpf.org! I truly love nothing more than meeting people who are passionate about mental illness and those who live with bipolar; please reach out!

In this episode mental illness advocate, Shaley Hoogendoorn has a conversation with content creator, Kit of @schizokitzo. Kit dives deep into what was like before and after her diagnosis of schizoaffective bipolar type. She shares the difference between bipolar type 1 symptoms and schitzoaffective disorder bipolar type symptoms.

Kit also describes the psychotic break she experienced that lead up to her hospital stay and diagnosis of schizoaffective bipolar type. This authentic and powerful conversation is packed full of information and experience. Kit's mission with her content and advocacy is to bridge the gap between science and lived experience to break the stigma around mental health and she certainly does just that and more in this episode. Kit's work is smashing stigma and changing lives and we are so grateful for her voice.

This is bipolar... 

My dear listeners,

As always, we talk about hard and messy mental illness topics. This episode could be activating so please take care of yourself. The episode is always here if you need to have breaks to take care of yourself.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for being here. If this episode or podcast means something to you, I would be forever grateful if you would follow/subscribe the ‘this is bipolar’ podcast wherever you listen to your podcasts so you stay up to date. It would also mean the world to me if you gave a 5 ⭐️ review- this helps the podcast reach those who need to hear it most.

Meet Kit:

Kit is a mental health advocate and content creator that is diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder bipolar type. Her overall content focuses on her experience with her psychotic disorder, but also includes deep dives into various mental health topics on her YouTube channel. The mission of SchizoKitzo is to bridge the gap between science and lived experience to break the stigma around mental health. 

You can find and connect with Kit @schizokitzo on facebook, X, instagram, youtube, TikTok and threads! 

You can connect with Shaley @this.is.bipolar on IG, Threads and TikTok and this is bipolar on Youtube and Facebook. 

This episode of the podcast is being released on MY BIRTHDAY!!!!

Its all about bipolar, birthdays & BIG feelings! When I asked on Instagram if anyone else gets bipolar symptoms triggered by birthdays the response was huge. I’m not alone when comes to living with symptoms and episodes brought on by this mood disorder. When I look at the comments you all left on the previous post I could see it was something that we need to talk about so I recorded a solo episode! I share stories about the good, bad and often disappointing birthdays I’ve had. I also spilled the beans about what it was like to be an extrovert, teacher and event planner that goes wild planning kids birthdays WITH HYPOMANIA. It was not always pretty behind-the-scenes.

I didn't realize how much I suffered until I really started talking about my experiences through the years. This episodes tells all of my big emotions and moods I have experienced about getting older or celebrating. The episode also covers practices that I do to that prevent or work through triggers so bipolar doesn’t take over learner ruin my day. I can celebrate that I am much better at managing my big bipolar birthday feelings and I know what I need to enjoy the day.

If you are listening and have stories or tips or practices that help you cope, I’d love to hear. DM me on @this.is.bipolar on instagram or send me an email at [email protected]. I’d love to connect. 

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for being here.It is my greatest hope that sharing journey living with bipolar disorder will comfort, educate and inspire others. If this episode or podcast means something to you, I would be forever grateful if you would follow/subscribe the ‘this is bipolar’ podcast wherever you listen to your podcasts so you stay up to date. It would also mean the world to me if you gave a 5 ️ review- this helps the podcast reach those who need to hear it most. There is also an option on IG to become a subscriber to have access to exclusive 'going deeper' episodes of the podcast. Hope to see you there.

We are all in this together.

Love, Shaley

Shaley Hoogendoorn is a speaker, podcast host and mental illness advocate who aims to dismantle the stigma around mental health and create a safe community for those that struggle. She lives with bipolar 2 and currently hosts “This is Bipolar” vlog and podcast. Shaley is passionate about educating and empowering others about mental health disorders. She has contributed to publications for Sanctuary Ministries, Psych Central and BP Hope magazine. She hosted a series interviewing women living with mental illnesses at SheLoves Magazine in a series named "Sisters in Mental Illness." Shaley is also an elementary school teacher and an event planner. You can connect with Shaley on Instagram & TikTok @this.is.bipolar or email her at [email protected]

Part 1 of  ‘conversations about bipolar & the workplace’ with returning favourite, rapper and content creator Brandon @therealbruss.

In this episode, mental health advocates, Shaley and Brandon talk about how living with bipolar has and continues to affect their experiences with work. They talk about their very first jobs, loss of jobs and ideas to help manage symptoms at work. Shaley and Brandon didn't realize how much they needed to be seen and heard by another person walking a similar path. They were so immersed in conversation that it is a long one so it is coming out in two parts. Shaley and Brandon hope starting this hard conversation will educate, comfort and validate others. 

this is bipolar...

As always, we talk about hard and messy mental illness topics. This episode could be activating so please take care of yourself. The episode is always here if you need to have breaks to take care of yourself.

My dear listeners,

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for being here. If this episode or podcast means something to you, I would be forever grateful if you would favourite this account & follow/subscribe the ‘this is bipolar’ podcast wherever you listen to your podcasts so you stay up to date. It would also mean the world to me if you gave a 5 ⭐️ review- this helps the podcast reach those who need to hear it most. 

Love,

Shaley 

About Brandon: B. Russ (he/him/his) is a rapper and content creator with bipolar 2. Diagnosed in 2017, he’s spent the last few years using social media as a tool to normalize conversations around mental illness. Located in Atlanta, Georgia, he’s currently working on new music that will speak to his struggles with bipolar and addiction. You can connect with B. Russ @therealbruss on Instagram and TikTok.

#thisisbipolar   #mentalhealth #mentalhealthpodcast #mentalillness  #bipolar #bipolardisorder 

Part 2 of  ‘conversations about bipolar & the workplace’ with returning favourite, rapper and content creator Brandon @therealbruss.

In this second episode, mental health advocates, Shaley and Brandon talk about how living with bipolar has and continues to affect their experiences with work. They talk about further about there experiences managing bipolar at work. They not only share ideas to help symptoms at work, they share thoughts on how with education and understanding employers can really tap into the strengths of employers with bipolar disorder. These two advocates hope talk about the need to empower yourself and embrace your worth and identity beyond work. Shaley and Brandon didn't realize how much they needed to be seen and heard by another person walking a similar path. They were so immersed in conversation that it is a long one so go listen to part . Shaley and Brandon hope starting this hard conversation will educate, comfort and validate others. 

this is bipolar...

As always, we talk about hard and messy mental illness topics. This episode could be activating so please take care of yourself. The episode is always here if you need to have breaks to take care of yourself.

My dear listeners,

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for being here. If this episode or podcast means something to you, I would be forever grateful if you would follow/subscribe the ‘this is bipolar’ podcast wherever you listen to your podcasts so you stay up to date. It would also mean the world to me if you gave a 5 ⭐️ review- this helps the podcast reach those who need to hear it most. There is also an option on IG to become a subscriber to have access to exclusive 'going deeper' episodes of the podcast. Hope to see you there.

Love,

Shaley 

About Brandon: B. Russ (he/him/his) is a rapper and content creator with bipolar 2. Diagnosed in 2017, he’s spent the last few years using social media as a tool to normalize conversations around mental illness. Located in Atlanta, Georgia, he’s currently working on new music that will speak to his struggles with bipolar and addiction. You can connect with B. Russ @therealbruss on Instagram and TikTok.

#thisisbipolar   #mentalhealth #mentalhealthpodcast #mentalillness  #bipolar #bipolardisorder 

In this episode, Shaley Hoogendoorn sits down and has a in depth conversation with New York Times best-selling author and mental wellness advocate, Bassey Ikpi. 

This episode shares Bassey's journey starting from her childhood in Nigeria and immigrating to the US with her family. Bassey tells of how she struggled and what her life looked like leading up to her diagnoses. The conversation covers things like how Bassey coped as a little girl by running, spinning and playing sports and how eating became a struggle. She also the full body experience of living with bipolar 2 disorder. Her descriptions of hypomania and depression in this conversation (as well as in her book) are relatable and powerful.

Shaley and Bassey talk about so much more... 

-  Bassey's experiences (good & bad) as mental wellness advocate online.

- Stigma and misjudgement of people struggling with mental illness in the public eye.

- Bassey's poem about bipolar disorder that she used to end her shows with. Youtube link : https://youtu.be/dGANPZr5deI

- How she uses Alexa for daily reminders but also as a tool to audibly remind her of her worth.

-Mindfulness, phone lockers, mini fridges, the STOP acronym and other strategies that help her manage the ups and downs of bipolar.

Be sure to listen to the entire conversation, this beautiful conversation ends with so many tips and tricks that help both Shaley and Bassey manage their bipolar disorder. Bassey's story is one of struggle but also one of resilience and acceptance. 

This is bipolar...

 Meet Bassey:

Bassey Ikpi is a versatile creative force known as a writer, author, ex-poet, performer, speaker, burpee abolitionist, and mental wellness advocate. She first made her mark on the classic 90s show BET’s Teen Summit and gained recognition as a renowned poet on HBO’s Def Poetry Jam. Her global tour with the Tony Award-winning Broadway show came to a pause with a bipolar II diagnosis, leading her to pivot towards mental wellness advocacy in her writing.

Bassey now openly shares her journey living with a chronic mental illness, inspiring others to navigate life beyond diagnosis. Her story is vividly captured in the Instant New York Times Bestselling debut book, “I’m Telling The Truth, but I’m Lying” (Harper Perennial, 2019). Despite embracing roles like an underachieving overachiever and semi-pro procrastinator, Bassey is diligently working on various creative projects, including her upcoming second book. About the book: In I’m Telling the Truth, but I’m Lying Bassey Ikpi explores her life—as a Nigerian-American immigrant, a black woman, a slam poet, a mother, a daughter, an artist—through the lens of her mental health and diagnosis of bipolar II and anxiety.

Her remarkable memoir in essays implodes our preconceptions of the mind and normalcy as Bassey bares her own truths and lies for us all to behold with radical honesty and brutal intimacy.

IG @basseyworld    X: @basseyworld

To my listeners, thank you from the bottom of my heart for being here. If this episode or podcast means something to you, I would be forever grateful if you would favourite this account & follow/subscribe the ‘this is bipolar’ podcast wherever you listen your podcasts so you stay up to date. It would also mean the world to me if you gave a 5 ⭐️ review- this helps the podcast reach those who need to hear it most.

#thisisbipolar #bipolar #bipolardisorder #mania #hypomania #depression #anxiety #mentalhealth #mentalillness #author #imtellingthetrithbutimlying #basseyikpi