this is bipolar

Episode 13 SHOWING UP: words that hurt

NEW EPISODE! Join mental health advocates Messy Beauty with Shaley and Julie Kraft as they dive into the topic of how to support someone living with bipolar disorder or a mental health struggle. In this episode, they give a gentle but honest look at various unhealthy & often harmful ways of 'showing up'. Words can hurt. Although well-intentioned, actions aren't always helpful. Shaley and Julie share their own experiences of being hurt by others, as well as share valuable feedback from their listeners. It is Julie and Shaley's greatest hope that this episode will offer insight and shed shameless light on ways to avoid (unintentionally) hurting others. This is bipolar.....

 

*stay tuned for a follow-up episode which will explore the flip-side and offer some of the best ways to 'show up' for others!

 

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 continue on with this work. xo Shaley

 

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CONVERSATIONS WITH - Maria Fernandez- Part 2

Trigger Warning: This episode contains a suicide survivor story.

 

Introducing PART 2 of the first interview in our new series called 'Conversations With'! Mental Health Advocate Messy Beauty with Shaley continues talking with Maria Fernandez about her unique experience living with bipolar disorder. In this episode, Maria shares more of her story, including what steps she has taken to manage her bipolar and live life to its fullest!

Maria's story is one of struggle but also one of resilience, survival, hope, and strength. Maria is real, honest, and brave and we feel honoured that she trusted us to hold space for her story. Maria's story is not over yet. This is bipolar...

 

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CONVERSATIONS WITH - Maria Fernandez - part 1

Trigger Warning: This episode contains a suicide survivor story.

 

We are so excited to introduce the first interview in our  NEW series called 'Conversations With'. Mental Health Advocate Shaley Hoogendoorn talks to Maria Fernendez about her unique experience living with bipolar disorder. Maria shares with us what it was like to have mental illness from a very young age and how it affected every part of her life.  Maria's story is one of struggle and heartache but it is also a story of resilience and survival. Maria is real, honest and brave and we feel honoured that she trusted us to hold space for her story. Maria'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.

 

Meet Maria:

Maria is a dreamer, the kind of woman who's imagination delights in
museum tours, Broadway productions and salsa dance classes. She is a
lover of creativity in all its forms and she finds these pursuits to
be her greatest adventures, truest joys and most beloved passions. In
addition to these, she is also an advocate for mental illness who has
spoken about the realities of her diagnoses at Wraparound Conventions,
on the Catholic Radio Network station and at various youth groups. She
is a certified Peer Mentor and has been one of the leaders in the DBT
mentoring program at Compass Behavioral Health. Maria is passionate
about fighting stigma and creating a world of compassion,
understanding and love. You can connect with her through email at
mariaelizabethfernandez94@gmail.com

 

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Instagram: @this.is.bipolar

Episode 12 HYPOMANIA: problems & pitfalls

In this episode, mental health advocates Shaley Hoogendoorn and Julie Kraft discuss hypomania. For them, hypomania has two sides- the bright but also the dark. In this follow-up to episode 11, they share what it feels like in their minds and bodies when the destructive side of hypomania rears its head. What are the problems & pitfalls? In what ways are their lives, and the lives of those around them, affected the most? Listen in as Shaley and Julie also share about how they spot warning signs and now manage the messy parts of hypomania. It is their greatest hope that this episode gives a real-life glimpse into the rocky side of the rollercoaster that is hypomania. 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.

*Note: Hypomania is a lesser form of mania and a symptom of Bipolar 2 Disorder. Neither Julie nor Shaley have had a full-blown manic episode and cannot speak to that experience. Mania and Hypomania have a shadow side and in no way do they want to glorify it. Please know that we take hypomania very seriously and are committed to their treatment plans, which for them includes medication.

@this.is.bipolar

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Episode 11 HYPOMANIA: high and flying

In this episode, mental health advocates Shaley Hoogendoorn and Julie Kraft discuss how it feels to experience hypomania. Hypomania has two sides the really really good and the terrible. Shaley and Julie tell all! They share what it feels like in their minds and bodies as well as share some wacky thoughts and behaviours. They are so excited to share some big creative projects they have done (with the extra rocket fuel) over the years. Listen in as Shaley and Julie share how they have learned to harness their excess energy and enthusiasm to create beautiful things. It is their greatest hope that this episode gives a real-life glimpse into the rollercoaster that is hypomania! 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.

*Note: Hypomania is a lesser form of mania and a symptom of Bipolar 2 Disorder. Neither Julie or Shaley have had a full-blown manic episode and cannot speak to that experience. Mania and Hypomania do have a shadow side and in no way do they want to glorify it. We talk about the really hard and messy parts of hypomania in an upcoming episode. Please know that we take hypomania very seriously and are committed to our treatment plans, which for us includes medication. @this.is.bipolar #thisisbipolar #thisisbipolarvlog #thisisbipolarpodcast

Episode 10 STIGMA - media & modern culture

In this episode, mental health advocates Shaley Hoogendoorn and Julie Kraft discuss how stigma is affected by media & modern culture. Do movies and tv shows portray mental illness in an accurate light? Do characters give a realistic glimpse? And what happens if and when they don’t? This episode also explores what responsibility, if any, the media has when reporting about 'people in the public eye' & their mental health struggles. Listen in as Shaley and Julie weigh in on specific shows, interviews, and even the paparazzi. It is their greatest hope that this episode brings awareness to the powerful impact the entertainment world has on our perceptions of mental health!

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 continue on with this work. xo Shaley

*media mentioned in this episode:

-Framing Britney Spears - Hulu (2021)

-Modern Love - “Take me as I am, whoever I am”

- HBO (2019) -Interview with Charlie Sheen - ABC NEWS (Feb 2011)

 

Instagram: @this.is.bipolar

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Episode 9 Language: watching our words

In this episode, mental health advocates

Shaley Hoogendoorn and Julie Kraft discuss the importance of language. Words absolutely matter- they have the power to hurt or heal. Too often, mental health terms, even actual diagnoses, are loosely thrown around in everyday conversation. How many of us have heard the phrase, “The weather is sooo bipolar!” or heard ‘OCD’ used as an adjective to describe a tidy person? Listen in as Julie and Shaley take a gentle and nonjudgemental look at specific terminology often misused (even, admittedly, by them!) They’ll also explain how and why it can be so harmful. It is Shaley and Julie’s greatest hope that this episode will help bring awareness to the words we use and the power they have!

 

*TRIGGER WARNING: mentions language surrounding suicide

 

Instagram - @this.is.bipolar

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Episode 8 Let’s Talk: tips and tools

LET’S TALK!! Join mental health advocates Shaley Hoogendoorn and Julie Kraft as they share how to keep important conversations going after Mental Health Awareness Days. Statistics tell us that 1 in 5 people struggle with a mental health disorder. This means someone that you know or love is suffering (often in silence) right now. How can you support those suffering around you? What does it look like to keep showing up when things get hard? Shaley and Julie share tips and tools to use when engaging in heavy, awkward, or uncomfortable conversations. They tell stories about the importance of language and how we can use them to hurt or help. It is Julie and Shaley's hope that this episode encourages us all to do our part in ending the stigma around mental health and mental illness. They believe that together we can keep the conversation going. This is bipolar...

 

@this_is_bipolar 

#thisisbipolar #thisisbipolarpodcast

Episode 7 Diagnosed: reality and reactions

Join mental health advocates Shaley Hoogendoorn and Julie Kraft as they give a raw and real look at what it’s like to accept that they are living with Bipolar 2 Disorder. They share their own personal struggles to tell family, friends and eventually the world! 

It is Julie and Shaley’s greatest hope that in telling their stories they will offer insight and encouragement to anyone going through the process of being diagnosed. This is bipolar.....

 

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BONUS EPISODE Christmas: coping and keeping calm

SPECIAL HOLIDAY EPISODE! Join mental health advocates

Shaley Hoogendoorn and Julie Kraft as they share about coping & keeping calm at Christmas! Is it really ‘the most wonderful time of the year’ for them & their families? Does having bipolar disorder help or hinder them during the holidays? What tips & tricks do they have to reduce anxiety & stress? Julie and Shaley also discuss how this Christmas will look vastly different due to Covid-19. So, whether you’re in a bright place, a dull place, (or maybe even quarantine), it is their greatest hope that in sharing they will offer encouragement and hope this holiday season. This is bipolar...

 

Instagram - @this.is.bipolar