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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

In this episode, mental illness advocate, Shaley Hoogendoorn sits down with Niki Castle to talk about her journey with Bipolar Disorder. Not only does Niki share her story leading up to and after her bipolar diagnoses, She also speaks to her experience as a black woman, athlete, wife and parent living with a mood disorder disorder. Niki also shares all her strategies and practices that help her stay well. Niki's story is one of strength and resilience, she has turned her pain into purpose. We...

THROWBACK!!!! This episode never uploaded fully and vanished. We were able to recover it and finally put up the full episode!!! ENJOY the OG hosts and bipolar besties Shaley & Julie!!!! 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 this episode mental illness advocate, Shaley Hoogendoorn sits down with Joanna Imoo and Molly Novak to talk about mothering with a mood disorder. The episode gives great insight to two different experiences as parents. Joanna is a Mom of five kids that she homeschools and Molly is a single parent that shares custody and works as an attorney. The way they both care for their children, themselves and manage their bipolar disorder is encouraging and inspiring. Molly and Joanna talk about how...

* Throwback It was just brought to our attention that only 3 minutes of this episode ended up loading on Spotify & Apple so I am reposting because even though it's an oldie, it's a goodie. Enjoy.   In this episode from 2021, 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...

In this episode on 'Conversations With", mental illness advocates Shaley Hoogendoorn and Birdie of @birdies.bipolar.brain have a real and authentic conversations about their experiences living with bipolar disorder. Birdy shares about what life looked like before and the events that led to her mood disorder diagnosis. Despite her diagnosis, it took Birdy until many years to fully embrace and start managing her bipolar disorder. She also discusses how the illness causes her to struggle with...

In this bonus episode, mental health advocates Shaley Hoogendoorn and Charise Jewell talk about coping with the holidays while living with bipolar disorder. Shaley and Charise  share about their experiences as well as give tips and tricks that have helped them manage and even enjoy the holidays. They tell both embarrassing (hypomanic stocking stuffing) and heartfelt stories. Shaley and Charise give you a real life insight into our lives and traditions that worked and didn't work. Charise was...

In this episode, Mental Illness advocate Shaley Hoogendoorn chats with Gabe Howard, host of Inside Bipolar and author of 'Mental Illness is an A*****e'. Gabe is such a vibrant Bipolar Advocate, he tells his story in such an honest and straightforward way. He is passionate about his message that with help we can do great things despite our bipolar disorder. He talks about how he sets himself up for success by being honest about what he can do well and is not afraid of asking for the help he...

Join mental illness advocate, Shaley Hoogendoorn as she takes you through her journey with pregnancy and parenthood. Shaley is open and honest about what it felt like to be pregnant with undiagnosed bipolar disorder and diagnosed at 32 with a toddler and preschooler. If you want to hear a deep dive into what life looked like for a mama living with bipolar disorder raising two daughters- this is the episode for you. Shaley talks about everything from postpartum hypomania & anxiety to how...

In this episode of 'Conversations With", Mental Illness advocate Shaley Hoogendoorn chats with Oliver Seligman, author of 'Befriending Bipolar: a patient's perspective'. Oliver is a truth teller and his book is a deep dive into his experiences with bipolar disorder, psychosis and eventually acceptance. I felt seen and understood because I could relate to many of his symptoms and stories.  Although not uncommon in bipolar disorder, Oliver's experience with severe manic episodes and psychosis...

In this episode of 'Conversations With", Mental illness & bipolar advocates, Shaley Hoogendoorn and Jas Duval @the_bipolar_badass have a raw and real conversation about what it’s like to live with bipolar disorder, suicidal ideation and how it affects every day life. Jas is open and honest about a manic episode that resulted in a sudden cross country move with only $500 to her name. She also shares how she has a second diagnosis of ADHD along with her bipolar diagnosis and how that...

In this episode, mental illness activist, Shaley Hoogendoorn talks with Artpreneur Michelle I. Gomez. Michelle shares her wild journey being diagnosed and living with bipolar 2 disorder as well as what it’s like to be a multi-passionate Artist turned Artpreneur. Michelle talks about how finding out she had bipolar 2 disorder disrupted her life as a coach and how she had to get well, pivot and rebuild her herself and her career. Shaley and Michelle also describe in detail how they have...

In this episode, Mental Illness Activist Shaley Hoogendoorn sits down and has a in depth conversation with best-selling author and world leading mental health expert, Julie A. Fast about her story with bipolar, her research, books and the Bipolar Significant Seven chapter of the second edition of Take Charge of Bipolar Disorder.  Julie and Shaley also discuss the challenges of living with bipolar disorder and work. She shares her limitations and how she creates and sticks to firm boundaries...

In this episode of 'Conversations With', Mental Illness Activist, Shaley Hoogendoorn talks to Wairimu Ndung'u about her lived experience with bipolar disorder and ADHD. Wairimu openly shares what it what it was to experience the pressures of teenage and young adult life in school with undiagnosed bipolar disorder in Kenya, Africa. It was fascinating to learn about the cultural influence on stigmas and misconceptions about Bipolar Disorder in another part of the world. Wairimu is doing all...

I am beyond excited to share a REUNION conversation with mental health advocate, artist, author and the bipolar bestie I started the podcast with! It was so powerful to be back together and talking about all the things bipolar!!!! Julie gives us a deep dive into the ups and downs this past year. She bravely shares with us her grief around losing her dad. It was such compelling convrsation. I loved learning new things about Julie and hearing how she is managing her bipolar disorder through it...

In this episode of 'Conversations With", mental illness advocates Shaley Hoogendoorn and Sarah Jickling talk about all things bipolar. Sarah is open and honest about how she wrestled with and rejected her bipolar diagnosis for many years. She shares about what life looked like before and the the rollercoaster ride that led to her mood disorder diagnosis. Sarah also has great insight into how the "wellness" industry can cause harm and delay diagnosis. Shaley and Sarah talk about how vulnerable...

In this SOLO episode mental illness activist, Shaley Hoogendoorn shares what its like to have the hypomanic "switch" in Spring and leading into Summer. She talks through about the big shift from the winter depressive period to her hypomanic high she is currently coping with. This episode shares the really hard parts of living with bipolar disorder. Shaley's story is not entirely unique and she hopes that others that live with bipolar episode will feel seen, understood and less alone. Her...

On the last days of Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage month, we wanted to highlight Elizabeth Nguyen and her powerful book 'Aloha Vietnam'. Be sure to listen to the episode, buy her book and follow her @multidimensionalpsychiatry! In this episode mental illness advocate, Shaley Hoogendoorn sits down with  Elizabeth Nguyen, MD.  Elizabeth is a psychiatrist, author and all around delightful human being. Although Elizabeth does not live with bipolar disorder, she has family that does so...

On the last days of Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage month, we wanted to highlight Elizabeth Nguyen and her powerful book 'Aloha Vietnam'. Be sure to listen to the episode, buy her book and follow her @multidimensionalpsychiatry! In this episode mental illness advocate, Shaley Hoogendoorn sits down with  Elizabeth Nguyen, MD.  Elizabeth is a psychiatrist, author and all around delightful human being. Although Elizabeth does not live with bipolar disorder, she has family that does and...

In this episode of 'Conversations With" Mental Health Advocate, Shaley Hoogendoorn talks to author and therapist Vasavi Kumar about all things therapy. Vasavi takes us back to when bipolar disorder presented in her life and then walks us through her ups and downs along the way. Vasavi has years of real lived experience with addiction and the high highs and low lows of  bipolar disorder.  Vasavi shares her insight on how healing it is to not only listen to your own thoughts but to talk back to...