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 yourself. It is a powerful tool to be able to speak out loud to the different parts of yourself. Vasavi gives us practical tips on how we can use this tool to understand ourselves and our bipolar brains better. Listening to all parts of ourselves helps us have more empathy and compassion for ourselves.  This is bipolar.... IG & TikTok: @this.is.bipolar  If you enjoyed this episode or if this podcast means something to you please hit the follow or subscribe button. If you really loved it, would you consider making a donation to further support the work of 'this is bipolar'. I am forever grateful that I get to do this bipolar advocacy work.   Meet Vasavi: Vasavi Kumar is the author of SAY IT OUT LOUD, and a communication and visibility strategist who trains individuals to be assertive, confident, and bold. She advocates for mental health and helps those who live with bipolar disorder to release shame and find the support they need.   Be sure to preorder or order Vasavi's SAY IT OUT LOUD book today. Official Release Date is May 16th!!!  "It's a guide that teaches people how to communicate with the different parts of themselves in a healthy and productive way. Through my own experiences, I've come to understand that many of us struggle with internal conflicts and self-doubt, and we often suffer in silence. With SAY IT OUT LOUD, I hope to empower you, my reader to speak up, listen to themselves, and ultimately find peace and clarity within."