this is bipolar

In this deeply personal episode of This Is Bipolar, Dr. Andrea Vassilev sits down with Shaley Hoogendoorn for an honest conversation about one of the most difficult and unexpected years of Shaley's life.

Shaley opens up about the sudden end of her marriage, how she discovered that her life was about to change, and what it has been like to navigate the shock, grief, and trauma of a divorce she never saw coming. Andrea helps Shaley look back on the past year—not just at what happened, but at what happened inside of her as she tried to process an enormous loss while also living with bipolar disorder.

Together, they talk about the impact that trauma, grief, uncertainty, and attachment injury can have on mental health and mood stability. Shaley shares candidly about how this experience affected her bipolar disorder, the fear of becoming unwell during a crisis, and the work it has taken to recognize what is trauma, what is grief, and what may be connected to bipolar symptoms.

The conversation also explores self-stigma and the complicated feelings that can surface when someone with bipolar disorder is struggling. Instead of simply being allowed to grieve, there can be an added layer of questioning: Is this a normal response to what I've been through? Is this my bipolar disorder? Am I becoming unwell? Can I trust myself?

Shaley and Andrea discuss the things that have helped Shaley move through the past year, including therapy, medication, community, peer support, self-care, honesty, and learning to trust herself again. They also talk about healing when there is no neat ending—when you're still living in the "messy middle" and taking life one small step at a time.

This isn't a story told from the other side with everything wrapped up in a bow. It's a conversation about what it looks like to keep going while you're still grieving, rebuilding, parenting, managing bipolar disorder, and figuring out what your life looks like now.

It's an honest update on where Shaley has been, where she is today, and the hope she is slowly finding as she begins to imagine what might come next.

(00:08:25) The phone search that revealed “divorce lawyer”
(00:11:09) The first weeks of shock, panic, and physical overwhelm
(00:16:24) Trauma, fragmentation, and why the story feels hard to tell
(00:19:04) Losing the identity of wife, stay-at-home mom, and financial safety
(00:22:52) Ambiguous grief and the death of a life that could have been
(00:25:06) How the crisis affected bipolar symptoms
(00:28:44) Suicidal ideation and getting through the worst moments safely
(00:31:02) Self-stigma, feeling unlovable, and challenging that belief
(00:37:28) Protecting sleep, medication changes, and weekly therapy
(00:46:16) Glimmers, future hopes, and learning to trust myself again

with Shaley Hoogendoorn for an honest conversation about one of the most difficult and unexpected years of Shaley's life.

Shaley opens up about the sudden end of her marriage, how she discovered that her life was about to change, and what it has been like to navigate the shock, grief, and trauma of a divorce she never saw coming. Andrea helps Shaley look back on the past year—not just at what happened, but at what happened inside of her as she tried to process an enormous loss while also living with bipolar disorder.

Together, they talk about the impact that trauma, grief, uncertainty, and attachment injury can have on mental health and mood stability. Shaley shares candidly about how this experience affected her bipolar disorder, the fear of becoming unwell during a crisis, and the work it has taken to recognize what is trauma, what is grief, and what may be connected to bipolar symptoms.

The conversation also explores self-stigma and the complicated feelings that can surface when someone with bipolar disorder is struggling. Instead of simply being allowed to grieve, there can be an added layer of questioning: Is this a normal response to what I've been through? Is this my bipolar disorder? Am I becoming unwell? Can I trust myself?

Shaley and Andrea discuss the things that have helped Shaley move through the past year, including therapy, medication, community, peer support, self-care, honesty, and learning to trust herself again. They also talk about healing when there is no neat ending—when you're still living in the "messy middle" and taking life one small step at a time.

This isn't a story told from the other side with everything wrapped up in a bow. It's a conversation about what it looks like to keep going while you're still grieving, rebuilding, parenting, managing bipolar disorder, and figuring out what your life looks like now.

It's an honest update on where Shaley has been, where she is today, and the hope she is slowly finding as she begins to imagine what might come next.

(00:08:25) The phone search that revealed “divorce lawyer”
(00:11:09) The first weeks of shock, panic, and physical overwhelm
(00:16:24) Trauma, fragmentation, and why the story feels hard to tell
(00:19:04) Losing the identity of wife, stay-at-home mom, and financial safety
(00:22:52) Ambiguous grief and the death of a life that could have been
(00:25:06) How the crisis affected bipolar symptoms
(00:28:44) Suicidal ideation and getting through the worst moments safely
(00:31:02) Self-stigma, feeling unlovable, and challenging that belief
(00:37:28) Protecting sleep, medication changes, and weekly therapy
(00:46:16) Glimmers, future hopes, and learning to trust myself again

 Join the This Is Bipolar Community

Looking for a place to connect with others who truly understand life with bipolar disorder? Join the This Is Bipolar subscriber community on Instagram for our private Bipolar Besties group chat, monthly peer-support Zoom gatherings, and exclusive Going Deeper podcast content.

Follow @this.is.bipolar and tap Subscribe to join:
@this.is.bipolar on Instagram

📚 This Is Bipolar Book Club

Come read with us! Our FIRST BOOK is BEYOND the Bipolar Label: A Workbook to Overcome Self-Stigma, Break Free from Shame and Live Authentically by Dr. Andrea Vassilev.

The This Is Bipolar Book Club is a space to read, connect, and have meaningful conversations around books that explore mental health, bipolar disorder, healing, and the experiences that shape us. Whether you read every page or simply want to join the conversation, we'd love to have you.

Sign up here for 'this is bipolar' BOOK CLUB

• Group online video sessions (8 total)

• Twice-monthly meetings for 4 months

•  In-depth coverage of all 8 chapters of Beyond the Bipolar Label workbook

• Guided workbook discussions

• Honest conversations about self-stigma

• Connect with others living with bipolar disorder

  *Bonus session with author Dr. Andrea Vassilev

DATES & TIMES: 
SESSION 1: 
Sun September 20
SESSION 2 + 3
Sun October 4 &18
SESSIONS 4 + 5
Sun November 1 & 15
SESSIONS 6 + 7
Sun December 6 & 20
SESSION 8
Sun January 3 
ALL SESSIONS @ 12 PM PACIFIC STANDARD TIME

 About Shaley:

Shaley Hoogendoorn is the creator and host of This Is Bipolar, a podcast dedicated to sharing honest, unfiltered conversations about what it is really like to live with bipolar disorder. Through storytelling, education, and conversations with others who live with bipolar disorder, mental health professionals, and advocates, Shaley works to challenge stigma and help people feel less alone in their experiences.

Diagnosed with Bipolar II Disorder at 32, Shaley brings her own lived experience to every conversation. She openly shares the realities of navigating depression, hypomania, relationships, motherhood, grief, major life changes, and the ongoing work of caring for her mental health.

This Is Bipolar has grown into a global community, with the podcast reaching more than 330,000 downloads and Shaley connecting with tens of thousands of people through social media. Her work is rooted in the belief that there is power in hearing someone say, “Me too.”

Shaley is also an elementary school teacher, mother, speaker, content creator, and mental health advocate. Whether behind the microphone or connecting with her community online, she uses vulnerability and storytelling to create conversations that reduce shame, increase understanding, and remind people living with bipolar disorder that they are not alone.

Living with bipolar disorder can look different for everyone, but one thing many people share is the pressure to pretend they're okay when they're struggling.

In this honest conversation, Shaley Hoogendoorn sits down with returning guest Lee Formella to talk about what it's has been like living with bipolar disorder as a man. Together they discuss late diagnosis, learning acceptance, managing anger, masking symptoms at work, addiction, and why men often struggle to ask for help.

Lee shares how years of therapy, medication, and self-awareness have changed his life—not by eliminating bipolar disorder, but by helping him build a life that's more manageable and meaningful.

Whether you live with bipolar disorder, support someone who does, or simply want to better understand mental illness, this conversation offers hope, validation, and practical insight.

In This Episode

• Accepting that bipolar disorder is lifelong
• Why comparing yourself to "normal" only creates more shame
• The unique stigma men face around mental health
• Anger, depression, and how bipolar can look different than expected
• Addiction, alcohol, and unhealthy coping strategies
• Learning to recognize symptoms before they escalate
• Why masking your struggles is exhausting
• How therapy and support can change your relationships
• Finding hope while living with a chronic mental illness

Timestamps

(00:06:12) Lee shares what life has looked like since his bipolar diagnosis and why acceptance changed everything.

(00:12:08) "Their baseline can't be my goal." Letting go of comparisons and learning to live with bipolar.

(00:21:45) Bipolar disorder in men: breaking stereotypes and why so many struggle in silence.

(00:30:58) How anger feels different during depression versus hypomania.

(00:37:41) Alcohol, gambling, addiction, and searching for relief from overwhelming symptoms.

(00:45:18) Why pretending you're okay all day is one of the most exhausting parts of living with bipolar.

About Shaley Hoogendoorn

Shaley Hoogendoorn is the host of This Is Bipolar, a mom, teacher, speaker, and mental health advocate living with Bipolar II Disorder. Through honest conversations and lived experience, she is passionate about reducing stigma, helping people feel less alone, and creating spaces where people affected by bipolar disorder can connect, heal, and be seen.

About Lee Formella

Lee Formella is a mental health advocate living with bipolar disorder and CPTSD. Through his honest storytelling and advocacy, he helps others understand the realities of living with serious mental illness while encouraging hope, self-acceptance, and recovery. Connect with Lee on Instagram at @benefitsofbipolar.

Connect with Shaley

🌐 www.thisisbipolar.com
📸 Instagram: @this.is.bipolar

Join hosts Shaley Hoogendoorn and Dr. Andrea Vassilev as they delve into the complexities of traveling with Bipolar Disorder in this enlightening episode of 'this is bipolar'. Together, they explore how changing time zones and disrupted routines can impact mental health, offering practical tips to manage these challenges. They share personal stories and expert insights on maintaining balance and stability while traveling, ensuring that your adventure is both memorable and manageable.
Discover strategies for regulating your body's internal clock, managing overstimulation, and finding downtime for self-care even amidst the excitement of travel. Shaley and Andrea underscore the importance of self-awareness, planning, and kindness towards oneself, creating a roadmap for travellers with Bipolar Disorder to feel empowered rather than overwhelmed.
Tune in for an open, supportive conversation that empowers listeners to embrace travel with confidence and self-compassion.
Resources Mentioned:
Be sure to sign up for my newsletter at thisisbipolar.com (https://www.thisisbipolar.com/) to get a free "Bipolar Travel Toolkit" PDF to help you prepare ahead and manage bipolar disorder while traveling. 
Jet Lag Rooster (http://www.jetlagrooster.com/)
Chris Aiken Jet Lag Document (https://chrisaikenmd.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/jetlag.pdf)
 
Chapter Markers:
(00:04:15) Challenges of Travel
(00:06:26) The Impact of Social Rhythms
(00:09:27) Substance Use on Vacation
(00:10:36) Personal Travel Stories
(00:15:25) Comfort Items and Coping
(00:20:17) Managing Physical Wellbeing
(00:24:49) Navigating Support at Airports
(00:40:40) Encouragement and Empowerment
 
Connect with us:
IG @this.is.bipolar (https://www.instagram.com/this.is.bipolar/)
Youtube: this is bipolar channel (https://www.youtube.com/@thisisbipolar)
TT @this.is.bipolar
 
Thank you from the bottom of my heart for listening. 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 ⭐️ star review- this helps the podcast reach those who need to hear it most. 
Much love, Shaley xo 

More about your Host:
Shaley Hoogendoorn is a speaker, content creator and currently hosts the popular “this is bipolar” vlog and podcast. She lives with bipolar 2 disorder and shares her story and the stories of others to dismantle the stigma around mental illness. 
Shaley is passionate about educating and empowering others about bipolar disorder. 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’s greatest hope is that creating safe spaces to connect will give hope and comfort those that struggle.

Meet our Guest Co-Host:
Dr. Andrea Vassilev holds a doctorate in psychology, is a therapist in California, and has lived with bipolar disorder for over 25 years. Andrea is the creator of the program Overcoming Self-Stigma in Bipolar Disorder and serves on the Board of Directors of the International Society for Bipolar Disorders. 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.

UPDATE- Andrea's Book is now available get you book or audiobook

BEYOND THE BIPOLAR LABEL: A Workbook to Over come Stelf-stigma, Break Free from Shame and Live Authetically 

Beyond the Bipolar Label amazon US link

You can connect with her on Instagram @best.life.bipolar or at www.andreavassilev.com 

What if one of the biggest challenges of living with bipolar isn't just the symptoms—but the way we've learned to think about ourselves?

In this powerful episode of this Is bipolar, Shaley Hoogendoorn welcomes back friend, psychotherapist, researcher, and bipolar advocate Dr. Andrea Vassilev to celebrate the release of her groundbreaking workbook, Beyond the Bipolar Label: A Workbook to Overcome Self-Stigma, Break Free from Shame, and Live Authentically.

Pre-Order workbook here (or wherever you like to buy your books) - Beyond the Bipolar Label A Workbook to Overcome Self-Stigma, Break Free from Shame, and Live Authentically

*Available on Audiobook soon

Together, they unpack one of the most overlooked aspects of living with bipolar disorder: self-stigma. From believing you're "too much," "hard to love," "lazy," or "broken," to learning how to challenge those deeply ingrained beliefs with evidence-based strategies, this conversation offers hope, compassion, and practical tools for anyone living with bipolar—or loving someone who is.

Andrea shares the research behind self-stigma, explains why shame can be more disabling than symptoms themselves, and walks listeners through the workbook chapter by chapter. Shaley also opens up about her own struggles with feeling difficult to love, comparing herself to others, and learning how to replace harsh self-judgment with self-compassion.

Whether you've been newly diagnosed or have lived with bipolar for decades, this episode is a reminder that you are so much more than your diagnosis.

In this episode:

• What self-stigma really is—and why so many people don't recognize it

• The difference between public stigma and self-stigma

• How shame impacts depression, self-esteem, relationships, work, and recovery

• Why our thoughts shape our emotions and behaviors

• Learning to recognize and reframe self-stigmatizing beliefs

• The importance of telling yourself a more truthful—not more positive—story

• Why living authentically helps reduce stigma for everyone

• How to decide whether or not to disclose your bipolar diagnosis

• Building community and finding people who truly understand

• A look inside Beyond the Bipolar Label workbook and how to use it at your own pace

• How book clubs and peer support can make healing less lonely

If you've ever thought...

"I'm hard to love."

"I'm lazy."

"I'm broken."

"I'll never amount to anything."

...this episode was made for you.

Remember: your diagnosis is one part of your story—not your entire identity

---

Memorable Quotes

"You are so much more than your diagnosis."

"Reframing doesn't change reality—it changes your ability to cope with reality."

"Self-stigma is often harder to live with than bipolar itself."

"You are worthy of love just the way you are."

"Healing starts one thought at a time."

---

About Dr. Andrea Vasilev

Dr. Andrea Vassilev is a psychotherapist, researcher, author, speaker, and passionate mental health advocate living with bipolar disorder. Diagnosed at age 14, Andrea combines nearly three decades of lived experience with extensive clinical expertise specializing in bipolar disorder. She is the creator of the Overcoming Self-Stigma in Bipolar program and author of Beyond the Bipolar Label, an evidence-based workbook designed to help people overcome shame, challenge self-stigma, and build a more compassionate relationship with themselves.

Follow Andrea on Instagram: @best.life.bipolar

---

About Shaley Hoogendoorn

Shaley Hoogendoorn is a bipolar advocate, speaker, podcast host, teacher, wife, and mom living openly with Bipolar II Disorder. Through her podcast, social media platforms, and community, she is passionate about sharing real stories that reduce stigma, increase understanding, and remind people living with bipolar that they are never alone. Her mission is to create honest conversations that offer hope, connection, and practical tools for recovery.

---

Connect with Shaley

🌐 www.thisisbipolar.com

Instagram: @this.is.bipolar

If this episode encouraged you, please consider subscribing, leaving a review, and sharing it with someone who may need to hear it. Every conversation helps break stigma and reminds someone that hope is possible.

What does bipolar disorder look like at work?

In this candid and relatable conversation, Shaley sits down with mental health advocate Brandon to talk about the realities of navigating employment while living with bipolar disorder. From thriving in creative environments to struggling with organization, depression, anxiety, rejection sensitivity, and workplace expectations, they share personal stories of jobs that worked, jobs that didn't, and the lessons they've learned along the way.

Together, they explore how bipolar disorder can impact productivity, communication, confidence, relationships with coworkers, and even the way we organize our desks, calendars, and lives. They also discuss the overlap between bipolar disorder and ADHD, the pressure of fitting into traditional workplace structures, and why understanding your strengths can be a game changer.

This episode is a reminder that success doesn't have to look like everyone else's version of success. Sometimes "organized chaos" is still success, and sometimes the key is finding environments that allow you to work with your brain instead of against it.

Whether you're struggling at work, supporting someone who is, or trying to better understand how bipolar disorder impacts employment, this conversation offers honesty, hope, and practical insights.

---

6 Important Timestamps

(00:00:00) Introduction and discussion about bipolar disorder, employment, and finding work environments that fit your strengths.

(00:11:30) Brandon shares how organization struggles, executive functioning challenges, and possible ADHD symptoms have affected his work life.

(00:23:15) Shaley opens up about moving away, experiencing a severe depression, losing a job, and the impact it had on her confidence and friendships.

(00:34:40) How depression can create paranoia, self-stigma, and the feeling that everyone is judging your performance at work.

(00:46:50) The difference between hypomania and depression in the workplace, including impulsivity, conflict with supervisors, and heightened sensitivity to criticism.

(01:02:10) Finding your strengths, embracing creativity, advocating for workplace accommodations, and redefining what success looks like when living with bipolar disorder.

How to Support Someone with Bipolar Disorder (Part 1)

In this deeply honest and compassionate episode of This Is Bipolar, Shaley Hoogendoorn and Julie Kraft tackle one of the most requested topics from listeners: how to support someone living with bipolar disorder or another mental illness.

Speaking from lived experience, they open up about the realities of being on both sides of the relationship — loving someone with bipolar disorder and living with it yourself. Together, they discuss the guilt, shame, loneliness, boundaries, communication struggles, reassurance, emotional regulation, and difficult decisions that can come with supporting a loved one through mental health challenges.

The conversation explores:

• What to do when someone refuses help
• Why boundaries matter (and why they can hurt)
• The importance of timing difficult conversations during stable moments
• How depression, anxiety, anger, and mania affect relationships
• Why reassurance and emotional safety are so important
• Supporting your loved one without losing yourself
• Finding support as a caregiver, spouse, family member, or friend

Most importantly, this episode reminds listeners that bipolar disorder is treatable, relationships can survive and thrive, and both the person living with the illness and the people loving them deserve compassion and support.

This is an emotional but incredibly important conversation for anyone navigating mental illness within relationships, friendships, or family dynamics.

---

⏱️ Important Timestamps

• (00:02:10) — Why this episode is emotionally difficult but deeply needed
• (00:05:35) — Can you make someone get help? Julie shares the ultimatum that changed her life
• (00:13:50) — Why boundaries feel painful for people living with bipolar disorder
• (00:22:05) — Anger, emotional intensity & seeing bipolar through a compassion lens
• (00:30:15) — Why loved ones also need support and safe spaces to talk
• (00:40:20) — Reassurance, safety & the phrases that genuinely help during episodes

This is bipolar...

 

Connect with Shaley Hoogendoorn

Website: www.thisisbipolar.com
Instagram: @this.is.bipolar

Shaley Hoogendoorn is a Canadian mental health advocate, elementary school teacher, event planner, wife, and mama living with Bipolar II Disorder. She is the host of the podcast This Is Bipolar, where she shares honest conversations and lived experiences to help reduce stigma and remind others that they are not alone. Through storytelling, advocacy, and community-building, Shaley is passionate about creating safe spaces for people navigating bipolar disorder and mental health challenges.

 

About Julie Kraft
Julie Kraft is a mental health advocate, artist, author, wife, and mama living with Bipolar Disorder. Through sharing her lived experience, Julie is passionate about helping others feel seen, understood, and less alone in their mental health journeys. Known for her honesty, compassion, and creativity, she uses storytelling and advocacy to encourage open conversations around bipolar disorder, stigma, healing, and hope. www.juliekraft.com

 

#thisisbipolar #thisisbipolarvlog #thisisbipolarpodcast #mentalhealthpodcast #bipolarpodcast #mentalhealthpodcast

 

In this deeply honest and powerful conversation, Shaley sits down with mental health advocate, author, and peer mentor Mel to share her lived experience with bipolar disorder.

Mel opens up about her early struggles, being misdiagnosed, and what it was like to experience severe depression, mania, and psychosis. She shares the reality of a nine-month depressive psychotic episode, the impact of medication, and the complexity of navigating bipolar disorder alongside physical illness, trauma, and motherhood.

This episode also explores topics that are often misunderstood or left unspoken — including hypersexuality, eating disorders, stigma within families, and the challenges of accepting a lifelong diagnosis.

Mel’s story is raw, real, and ultimately hopeful — a reminder that stability, purpose, and connection are possible.

In this episode, we talk about:

• Early signs of mental health struggles in childhood
• Depression, misdiagnosis, and SSRI-induced psychosis
• What manic and psychotic episodes actually feel like
• A 9-month depressive psychotic episode
• Eating disorders and bipolar disorder
• Hypersexuality and shame
• Medication, stigma, and acceptance
• Pregnancy, postpartum mental health, and bipolar
• Writing a memoir and healing through storytelling

   KEY MOMENTS:

  (00:32:15) SSRI-triggered depressive psychosis begins
  (00:35:40) Feeling like people are imposters / losing reality
  (00:38:10) Nine-month isolation and disconnection
  (00:44:55) Shift from depression into mania
  (00:47:20) Grand delusions (believing she could become a doctor instantly)
  (00:50:30) Hallucinations and suicidal psychosis

About Mel:

Melissa Pang Howard is the author of the memoir Mental(ish) A Memior of Insanity and the Search for Stability. A blogger for the International Bipolar Foundation and a frequent panelist for the Reddit Bipolar AMA, she focuses on navigating Bipolar 1, c-PTSD, and the path from surviving to thriving. Through her writing and advocacy, Melissa explores the intersections of trauma, identity, and resilience to support others on their journey toward stability.

Purchase Mel's Memoir here:

Mental(ish): A Memoir of Insanity and the Search for Stability

Connect with Mel:
Instagram: @mindful_movement_for_mania

Connect with Shaley:

www.thisisbipolar.com
Instagram: @this.is.bipolar

Do you have a Bipolar Peer Support Group?

Shaley private Instagram subscriber group is a safe, supportive space for people living with bipolar disorder.

It’s a place to be seen, heard, and understood — where you can share openly, connect with others who truly get it, and find support on both the hard days and the good ones. Members also have access to monthly Zoom meetups for deeper connection and conversation.

How to join:
Go to @this.is.bipolar on Instagram and tap “Subscribe” to access the private chat and community.

 

 

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What if the story of bipolar disorder was told not just through textbooks—but through real people, real lives, and real hope?

In this deeply moving and insightful episode, Shaley sits down with author Sarah Schley and filmmaker Bonnie Weltch to talk about Brainstorm, a powerful new documentary that brings together lived experience and cutting-edge science to reshape how we understand bipolar disorder.

Sarah shares her personal journey—what it was like to live for 25 years without the correct diagnosis of bipolar II, the toll that took, and what finally changed. She opens up about turning decades of pain, confusion, and stigma into her memoir, and ultimately into a film designed to reach people all over the world.

Bonnie takes us behind the scenes of creating a documentary from the ground up—what it takes to commit years to one story, how they found and chose the individuals featured in the film, and why it was so important to weave together both human stories and scientific research. The result is a film that doesn’t just inform—it connects, validates, and inspires.

Together, they explore the realities of bipolar II, including why it’s so often misunderstood or misdiagnosed, and why it is not a “lesser” form of bipolar disorder. They also dive into fascinating, evidence-based science featured in the film—from genetics and brain function to circadian rhythms—and how this research can actually translate into practical, everyday strategies for staying well.

This conversation also highlights something many people living with bipolar struggle with: the ongoing nature of the illness. Even when things look “together” on the outside, there is often continuous effort behind the scenes—protecting sleep, maintaining routines, advocating for needs, and staying aware of early warning signs. Sarah and Shaley speak candidly about what it really takes to live well, and why self-advocacy is not selfish—it’s essential.

Most importantly, this episode is filled with hope. Through storytelling, community, and science, it reminds us that while bipolar disorder is complex and lifelong, it is also manageable—and a full, meaningful life is possible.

Whether you live with bipolar, love someone who does, or simply want to better understand it, this episode will leave you feeling more informed, more connected, and less alone.

YOU can watch Brainstorm on World Bipolar Day 🌍

Get your ticket here (there is a sliding scale to make is accessible to all)

Brainstorm World Bipolar Day Screening

 

Chapter Markers:

(00:06:12) Meet the Voices Behind Brainstorm
Sarah and Bonnie share how a memoir turned into a global documentary project

(00:11:48) 25 Years to Diagnosis: The Reality of Bipolar II
Why bipolar II is often missed—and the cost of getting it wrong

(00:18:55) From Book to Film: Taking the Story Worldwide
The leap from personal story to powerful, large-scale impact

(00:26:40) Blending Science + Lived Experience
Why this film weaves real stories with research—and why that matters

(00:34:22) The Science That Changes Everything
Circadian rhythms, brain function, and what we can actually do to stay well

(00:44:05) Living Well with Bipolar: Boundaries, Routine & Hope
Practical strategies, self-advocacy, and a reminder you’re not alone

 

Bonnie Waltch is the director, producer, and writer of BrainStorm, a feature-length documentary film about the bipolar spectrum. She is the award-winning senior producer and writer of the one-hour PBS and international broadcast documentary, Earth Emergency, and series of five short films, Climate Emergency: Feedback Loops, narrated by Richard Gere. She has worked on a variety of science series for PBS and the Discovery Channel, and has produced, directed, and written short films for museums around the U.S. 

 

Sara Schley is the author of the memoir BrainStorm: From Broken to Blessed on the Bipolar Spectrum which inspired BrainStorm the documentary. Her mission in both the book and the film is to end stigma, save lives, and maximize healing. Sara is co-producer, co-writer, and one of six characters who live with bipolar in the film. Prior to becoming a full time bipolar health advocate, Sara worked as a business consultant, social change entrepreneur, speaker, and author and led systemic transformation at renowned companies around the world.

In this powerful World Bipolar Day episode, host Shaley is joined by mental health advocates Rudy and Tatyana to unpack the realities of hypomania and mania—often misunderstood, sometimes romanticized, and deeply complex experiences within bipolar disorder. Through raw storytelling, they explore early warning signs, grandiosity, sleep disruption, sensory changes, and the fine line between productivity and danger. They also share vulnerable moments around diagnosis, paranoia, delusions, and the emotional aftermath of manic episodes. This conversation sheds light on why mania is often missed, how it differs from hypomania, and the importance of tracking symptoms, building support systems, and creating preventative care plans. Whether you live with bipolar disorder or support someone who does, this episode brings clarity, honesty, and hope.

 

Timestamps (Key Moments):

• (00:00:00) Introduction & why mania/hypomania are often misunderstood

• (00:05:30) Rudy’s first manic episode & recognizing the signs

• (00:12:45) Grandiosity & feeling “like your true self” during mania

• (00:20:10) Tatiana’s early warning signs & rapid speech

• (00:26:40) Delusions, paranoia & losing touch with reality

• (00:36:15) Sleep disruption, time loss & hyperfixation

• (00:48:20) The crash: depression after mania & emotional impact

• (01:05:50) Coping strategies, prevention & support systems

In this powerful and practical conversation, Shaley sits down with therapist and author Diana Partington to unpack what Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) actually is—and why it can be a game-changer for people living with bipolar disorder.

Diana shares her deeply personal story of living with suicidality for decades before discovering DBT, the therapy that finally gave her the “toolbox” she had been searching for. Together, Shaley and Diana explore how DBT differs from traditional CBT, why mindfulness doesn’t mean “emptying your mind,” and how skills like Wise Mind, emotional regulation, and the PLEASE skill can help stabilize mood, increase awareness, and create buffer zones before episodes escalate.

This episode is a relatable, stigma-breaking look at learning skills after years of thinking you already should know them—and how small, practical tools can make a life-saving difference.

Whether you’re newly diagnosed, supporting someone with bipolar disorder, or looking for concrete strategies that actually work in real life, this conversation brings hope, validation, and actionable insight.

---

⏱️ Key Moments

(00:10:32) Why DBT felt different from every therapy Diana had tried before
(00:13:48) The “toolbox” metaphor—and why skills matter more than insight alone
(00:18:21) How DBT was originally developed to treat suicidality, not just diagnoses
(00:22:05) The problem with CBT for highly sensitive or suicidal individuals
(00:26:40) The DBT philosophy: therapists are not the experts—you are
(00:30:12) Understanding Emotion Mind, Reasonable Mind, and Wise Mind
(00:34:55) Can you access Wise Mind during bipolar symptoms? Practical realities
(00:39:18) Catching hypomania early: recognizing patterns “at the beginning of the curve”
(00:44:02) The PLEASE skill explained—why sleep, medication, and routine are foundational
(00:49:27) Mindfulness redefined: it’s not meditation, it’s learning to observe your mind

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Thank you from the bottom of my heart for listening. If this episode or podcast means something to you, I would be forever grateful if you could give a five star review so it can reach people that need it. 

You can also share this conversation with someone who could use a few more tools in their toolbox—and remember: skills can be learned at any stage of the journey.

We have a peer support group on instagram  and you are invited to connect on IG: @this.is.bipolar

Want to connect or work with Shaley? email thisisbipolarpodcast@gmail.com  

Buy "DBT for Life" by Diana Partington here  

Register for Online Workshops 

 

More about Diana: 

Diana Partington is a licensed professional counselor and author of DBT for Life: Skills to transform the way you live. She offers online DBT skills classes, workshops, and training for clients and clinicians across North America. She wrote her master’s thesis at Vanderbilt on effectively teaching DBT skills for different learning styles. Passionate about making DBT skills accessible to everyone, Diana also speaks at major conferences and provides bespoke training for mental health professionals. Her website, DBTforLife.com (https://dbtforlife.com/talking-and-training/www.DBTforLife.com), is a hub of information about Dialectical Behavior Therapy, her educational offerings, 
her book, and her podcast "Suffering Optional: DBT and the Dharma" You can also connect with Diana on IG @sufferingoptional.