this is bipolar

CONVERSATIONS WITH- Markku Kostamo

In this episode of ‘Conversations With’ Mental Health Advocate Shaley Hoogendoorn talks with fellow advocate Markku Kostamo.

Markku shares openly about his experiences living with bipolar disorder. Our conversation is rich and deep. We talked about symptoms, getting a Bipolar diagnosis, hospitalizations and even mental health stigma in faith communities. Markku also gives touching words of encouragement to those walking a similar path. His story is one of perseverance and inspiration. I am so grateful for Markku's honesty in sharing his story with us. Markku’s story is not over yet.  

This is bipolar...

IG @this.is.bipolar TIkTok @this.is.bipolar

If you enjoyed this episode or if this podcast means something to you please hit follow or subscribe button. If you really loved it, would you consider making a small donation to further support the work of 'this is bipolar'. I am forever grateful that I get to do this bipolar advocacy work.

About Markku:

Markku Kostamo, MSc - Director, Development, Sanctuary Mental Health & CEO, Kaci - Revenue and Growth Strategies 
Markku has served as an executive in the non-profit sector for over twenty years and is passionate about seeing organizations grow and develop in executing their mission and impact. To enable this, Markku takes an entrepreneurial and relational approach to revenue generation and partnerships. Markku first was first diagnosed with bipolar 1 disorder over five years ago and now is a passionate mental health advocate. “ I love having coffee in person or virtually —please DM on IG if you would like to get together!

Learn more about Sanctuary Mental Health here:
sanctuarymentalhealth.org

 

#thisisbipolar #bipolar #bipolardisorder #bipolarawareness #mentalillness #mentalhealth #mentalhealthawareness

 

CONVERSATIONS ABOUT MANIA with Tatyana Frost & Rudy Caseres

It's World Bipolar Day! Hypomania and mania are misrepresented and misunderstood so recorded this 'Conversations About Mania' episode to demystify misconceptions. Listen in as Mental health advocates Shaley Hoogendoorn, Tatyana Frost and Rudy Caseres share raw and vulnerable stories about their with hypomanic and manic episodes- from  symptoms, hospitalizations, stigma and more. These stories shed light on what it is really like to live with Bipolar 1 & 2 Disorder. Shaley, Tatyana and Rudy also discuss helpful practices and strategies that help them manage these episodes. These are hard stories to tell, we are so grateful for their honesty and perseverance. We hope this conversation offers hope and encouragement to others walking a similar path. 

This is bipolar...

If you enjoyed this episode or if this podcast means something to you would you consider pressing the follow or subscribe button. If you really loved it feel free to buy me a coffee. I am forever grateful that I get to do this work.

 

Meet Rudy:
Rudy Caseres is an award-winning mental health advocate, public speaker, and storytelling event host/producer. He has traveled the country delivering keynote presentations, worked with organizations such as the American Association of Suicidology, This is My Brave, Mental Health America, the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), and has hosted various storytelling events in the Los Angeles area. He has hosted live-streams for The Mighty and other organizations since 2016. In 2017, he was named one of The Mighty’s Mental Health Heroes and NAMI California’s Outstanding Peer of the Year. You can connect with him on social media where he is @RudyCaseres.

Meet Tatyana:

Tatyana Frost is a mental health worker, mental illness advocate, and writer. She recently published her first self-help journal for those diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder, Inside My Mind, with the goal of helping people better understand themselves and their disorder. Tatyana is diagnosed with Bipolar 1 and Borderline Personality Disorder and is a champion for mental illness on Instagram @havingbipolar where she shares her mental illness experiences and what she’s learned along the way. 

 

#thisisbipolar  #thisisbipolarpodcast #bipolarawareness #mentalhealthpodcast #mentalhealth #mentalhealthawareness #mentalillness

CONVERSATIONS WITH - B. Russ

In this episode of 'Conversations With', Mental Health Advocate Shaley Hoogendoorn talks with fellow advocate, B. Russ. Brandon shares openly about his experiences living with bipolar disorder- from symptoms, addiction and medication to the how becoming a mental health content creator has been a huge part of his healing journey. Brandon also gives advice and words of encouragement to those walking a similar path. His story is one of perseverance and inspiration. We are so grateful for Brandon's voice and his mental health advocacy work. We feel honoured that he trusted us with his story. Brandon's story is not over yet. 

This is bipolar...

If you enjoyed this episode or if this podcast means something to you would you consider pressing the follow or subscribe button. If you really loved it feel free to buy me a coffee. I am forever grateful that I get to do this work.

 

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.

 

IG @this.is.bipolar

TIkTok @this.is.bipolar

 

#thisisbipolar #bipolar #bipolardisorder #bipolarawareness #mentalillness #mentalhealth #mentalhealthawareness

CONVERSATIONS WITH- Allison Toth

In this episode on 'Conversations With", mental illness advocates Shaley Hoogendoorn and Allison Toth talk about all things bipolar. She shares about what life looked like before and the events that led to her mental illness diagnosis. This conversation gives insight to what it feels like to live with bipolar disorder and borderline personality disorder.  

Allison talks about coming forward with her story on her  @wishyouwellpodcast and on her Instagram page. I am so grateful for her work and her willingness to talk about openly and honestly. Allison’s story will not only comfort others, it will give others the hope and courage to seek help.

This is bipolar... 

IG: @this.is.bipolar

If you enjoyed this episode or if this podcast means something to you would you consider pressing the follow or subscribe button. If you really loved it feel free to buy me a coffee. I am forever grateful that I get to do this work.

 

Meet Allison:

Allison is a crisis intervention specialist, mental health mindset mentor, retreat host, world traveler, and woman on a mission to inspire you to embrace your unique purpose! Allison traveled to 20 countries in search for her purpose before finding her passion as a crisis worker. She can usually be found traveling, reading, at a music festival, or binging reality tv. You can connect with Allison on @wishyouwellpodcast & see all her work on her website xoxoallisoncoaching.com

 

#thisisbipolar #thisisbipolarpodcast #bipolar #bpd #mentalhealth #mentalhealthawareness #mentalillness #bipolarawareness

Mental Health and the Black Community with Sarah Fox

This Black History month and we wanted to highlight our friend and mental health advocate, Sarah Fox. Sarah is is shattering stigma around mental health in the black community on her podcast and @rough.edges.podcast. 

In the episode Sarah shares:
    •    her experiences as a black woman living with bipolar 1 disorder in the US.
    •     the added stigmas and barriers that black folks face. 
    •    mental illness stigmas in church
    •    what she thinks needs to change and how white folks can come along side as allies. She gives us a list below of black creators, authors and therapist to follow and learn from. We are so honoured that Sarah was willing to come on and have this hard and necessary conversation. 

If you enjoyed this episode or if this podcast means something to you would you consider pressing the follow or subscribe button. If you really loved it feel free to buy me a coffee. I am forever grateful that I get to do this work.

Black IG creators/therapists to follow or book recs of black folks talking about mental health & mental illness.

Dr. Monica A. Coleman, Bipolar Faith (@revdrmonica) 
Truth’s Table - Dr. Christina Edmondson, Ekemini Uwan (@truthstable)
Dr. Atasha Jordan - Psychiatrist, Faith & Mental Health (@atashajordan) 
Jamie Grace- The Jamie Grace Podcast (@jamiegraceh) 
Morgan Harper Nichols (@morganharpernichols) 
Bianca Cotton - Behind the Confident Smile Podcast (@behindtheconfidentsmilepodcast) 
Brianna Miller - I AM, I Affirm Me (@ia.m._)
Kobe Campbell - Psychotherapist, Trauma Therapist, The Healing Circle Podcast (@kobecampbell_) 
Rebecca C. Werts - Therapist, Speaker, Writer, Faith + Mental Health (@rebeccacwerts)

Article Links:

Exploring the Mental Health Stigma in Black Communities by Amy Morin & Medically verified by Dr. Akeem Marsh: https://www.verywellmind.com/exploring-the-mental-health-stigma-in-black-communities-5078964

Addressing Mental Health in the Black Community by Dr. Thomas A. Vance, Columbia University Department of Psychiatry: https://www.columbiapsychiatry.org/news/addressing-mental-health-black-community

Religion and Mental Health in Racial and Ethnic Minority Populations: A Review of the Literature
Ann W Nguyen, PhD: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7518711/

Racial Disparities Lead to Poor Mental Health Care for Black Americans by Shannon Lee: https://www.verywellmind.com/racial-disparities-mental-health-5072490

Mental Health Diagnostic Considerations in Racial/Ethnic Minority Youth by June Liang, Brittany E. Matheson, and Jennifer M. Douglas: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4916917/

#blackhistorymonth #blackexcellence #blackhistory #blackmentalhealthblogger #mentalillness  #mentalhealthawareness

CONVERSATIONS WITH- Edison Htun

In this episode of 'Conversations With', Mental Illness Activist Shaley Hoogendoorn talks with Edison Htun. Edison shares openly about his experiences living with bipolar disorder in Southeast Asian country, especially in a conservative country with no mental health policies or regulations. It was fascinating to learn about the cultural influence on stigmas and misconceptions about Bipolar Disorder in Myanmar. Edison also shares about his own internalized stigma toward medication and diagnosis. Edison's words of encouragement to those walking a similar path. His story is one of perseverance and inspiration. I am so grateful for Edison's's voice in his country and in the world. We feel honoured that he trusted us with his story. Edison’s story is not over yet. 

This is bipolar...

IG @this.is.bipolar

Meet Edison: Kyaw Si Thu Htun (Edison) is twenty-six years old and born and raised in Yangon, Myanmar. Edison lives with Bipolar 2 Disorder with Rapid cycling and is passionate about sharing with others to help end stigma around mental health and mental illness. Edison has a B.A (Hons) Business from University of Wolverhampton and was a media focal person of U-Report Myanmar, UNICEF Myanmar's youth program. He was also a manager for Junior Creative Dance Crew (America's Got Talent: The Champion Season 2 participant). Edison is currently an Account Manager, PR Agency based in Yangon. You can find Edison on Instagram @ejiiison.

 

#mentalhealth #mentalillness #bipolarawareness #bipolar #thisisbipolar

Episode 21 | NEW YEAR, SAME ME- A Case of the Januarys

Join mental illness advocate, Shaley Hoogendoorn for her first SOLO episode. Shaley talks about New Years and her practice of having a guiding word for the year instead of impossible to reach and the same old New Years resolutions. Shaley explains how January is a really hard month and holds trauma for her as a major bipolar depression anniversary. You don't want to miss hearing about all her tricky feelings about the first month of the year. Shaley even reads one of her most popular blog/vlog post she wrote for  her SheLoves Magazine series 'Sisters in Mental Illness" about her major depressive episodes that included a binge eating disorder. She was a little nervous to be podcasting on her own but in the end found it healing to show up alone as her full self here.

This is bipolar..

If you enjoyed this episode or if this podcast means something to you would you consider pressing the follow or subscribe button. If you really loved it feel free to buy me a coffee. I am forever grateful that I get to do this work.

IG @this.is.bipolar

TT @this.is.bipolar

FB @thisisbipolar 

 

If this is your first episode, meet your host:

 
Shaley Hoogendoorn is a speaker, vlogger and mental health advocate who aims to dismantle the stigma around mental health and create a safe community for those that struggle. She lives with bipolar ll, and 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 currently hosts “This is Bipolar” vlog and podcast. Shaley is also an elementary school teacher and an event planner.

# thisisbipolar # thisisbipolarpodcast #bipolar #bipolardisorder #mentalhealth #mentalillness

 

CONVERSATIONS WITH- Dr. Ellen Northcott

In this episode on 'Conversations With", mental illness advocate Shaley Hoogendoorn talks to author and psychologist Dr. Ellen Northcott. Dr. Northcott lives with Bipolar Disorder and speaks and writes about her experience in raw and honest way. Her memoir ‘The Chaos of My Mind: A Bipolar Memoir’  gives deep insight into what bipolar depression and mania can look and feel like. She has a unique perspective being a psychologist living with bipolar disorder. Dr. Northcott tells the truth about deep depression, suicidal ideation, suicidal plans and her attempt in order to end stigma around bipolar. I’m so grateful for her work and her willingness to talk about her battle with bipolar disorder. Dr. Northcott's story is one of perseverance and I know will give others the hope and courage to seek help. 

This is bipolar... 

TW: Talk of suicidal ideations, thoughts and an attempt. Please take care of yourselves. 

If you enjoyed this episode or if this podcast means something to you would you consider pressing the follow or subscribe button. If you really loved it feel free to buy me a coffee. I am forever grateful that I get to do this work.

 

Meet Ellen: 
I am a Clinical Neuropsychologist with bipolar 1 disorder, which I have been navigating for 25 years, only 10 of those medicated.  I live in Australia with my husband and 2 beautiful children.  I am a published author, at least if you count my bipolar memoir ‘The Chaos of My Mind: A Bipolar Memoir’ and a few scientific papers about epilepsy.  I also have an instagram account @bipolar.psychologist where I share informational content about bipolar disorder from the point of view as a medical professional and someone with lived experience.

 

INSTAGRAM- @this.is.bipolar

FB- this is bipolar

TikTok- @this.is.bipolar

# thisisbipolar # thisisbipolarpodcast #bipolar #bipolardisorder #mentalhealth #mentalillness

CONVERSATIONS WITH- Holli Sperti

In this episode of 'Conversations With', Shaley Hoogendoorn talks with Holli Sperti. Holli bravely shares for the first time publicly on the podcast about her experiences living with bipolar disorder. Shaley talks to Holli about ALL the things-from symptoms, getting help, her miscarriage, divorce, church hurt, medication and stigma. Holli shares invaluable insight into her mental health journey. Holli’s story is one of perseverance and inspiration that offers help and hope to others walking a similar path. I feel honoured that she trusted us with her story. 

This is bipolar... 

If you enjoyed this episode or if this podcast means something to you would you consider pressing the follow or subscribe button. If you really loved it feel free to buy me a coffee. I am forever grateful that I get to do this work.

About Holli: Holli is a wife, a Mom, and an entreprenuer, she calls herself a “Creativeprenuer”. her company is called Artisan Creative, Co and she creates content for social media, blogs, emails, copywriting, websites, etc. Holli is a writer, a musician, a coffee lover and is wild about books, pens, and really great journals! Holli loves to READ. She also loves the outdoors, a good run, a game of tennis, or a hike in the mountains of NC. Equally, she also loves a quaint coffee shop, one on one conversations, and deep friendships. Holli is definitely an introvert with the occasional extroverted moment. In her life, Holli wants to love well and make sure the people around her know how grateful she is for them. She is a learner and it’s important to her to grow, change, and continue to learn in life. Holli was diagnosed almost 2 years ago with Bipolar 2 and she's been in a process of learning more about herself, managing her life and symptoms better. Living with bipolar disorder is a journey and Holli is grateful for each day. Follow Holli on instagram @hollisperti 

 

INSTAGRAM @this.is.bipolar

 

#thisisbipolar #thisisbipolarpodcast  #mentalhealthpodcast #mentalhealth #mentalhealthawareness #bipolar #bipolardisorder #mooddisorder  #mentalhealthpodcast

CONVERSATIONS WITH- Mik B

In this episode of 'Conversations With', Shaley Hoogendoorn talks with fellow mental illness advocate, Mik B. Mik shares openly about their experiences living with bipolar disorder and adhd. They give us a glimpse into what it looks like to experience suicidal thoughts and ideation from a young age. Mik talks about early and ongoing bipolar and adhd symptoms and the difference between suicidal ideation, thoughts and plans. Mik is a suicide survivor using her story to educate and encourage others with similar thoughts, feeling and experiences. Mik was such a delight to chat with, they have a sense of humour about it all because sometimes joking and laughing is all you can do when you talk about the messy parts mental illnesses. We are so grateful for Mik’s unique voice and mental health advocacy in real life and especially on social media. We feel honoured that they shared their story with us, Mik’s story is not over yet. 

This is bipolar... 

*Actuvation warning- as always we talk about hard things. If they activate or trigger you in anyway, please take care out yourself. 

Meet Mik:

@mikbitme goes by Any/All Pronouns. They live with Bipolar 1, ADHD and Anxiety. Mik is a fierce mental advocate on and off line. They are the Social Media Director for Matcha, a health platform. I’m addition Mik os a Full-Time Grad Student in Public Health: Health Education and Promotion with a B.S. in Public Health and a minor in Substance Use Treatment. Be sure to follow her advocacy on line on her Insta and TikTok @mikb_itme

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#thisisbipolar  #bipolarpodcast #mentalhealthpodcast #mentalhealth  #mentalillness #mentalhealthadvocate  #bipolar #bipolardisorder #bipolar1 #mooddisorder   #suicideawareness #suicideprevention