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...

In this episode on 'Conversations With", mental illness advocates Shaley Hoogendoorn and Jes of @bipolarcomedy club talk about all things bipolar. Jes is an absolute delight. She shares her story with humour and depth. You will hear about some wild things that she has lived through. From a manic purchase of compost worms to how she believed that she was headed to Hogwarts when in actuality she was going to the mental hospital. Despite the really hard things both Shaley and Jess have...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

In this episode on 'Conversations With", mental illness advocate Shaley Hoogendoorn talks to Phoebe. Phoebe lives with Bipolar 1 and runs the non-profit High Life UK. This conversation gives insight into what bipolar depression and mania looks and feels like. Phoebe tells the truth about the high highs of her mania and a manic episode that led her to being hospitalized. We are so grateful for her work and her willingness to talk about openly about her fairly recent diagnosis. Phoebe's story...

In this episode on 'Conversations With", mental illness advocate Shaley Hoogendoorn talks to Phoebe. Phoebe lives with Bipolar 1 and runs the non-profit High Life UK. This conversation gives insight into what bipolar depression and mania looks and feels like. Phoebe tells the truth about the high highs of her mania and a manic episode that led her to being hospitalized. We are so grateful for her work and her willingness to talk about openly about her fairly decent diagnosis. Phoebe's story...

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...

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...

In this Episode, mental illness advocates and creators, Shaley Hoogendoorn and Mik B talk about an exciting new health app called Matcha that is launching in January. We are both so excited about it and hope you will be too. Matcha is creating the social media app for health, a place where both personal and professional content can be shared to bring people together. A place where anyone can talk, share ask questions and learn about health. Our platform will help build health communities and...

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...

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...

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...

In this episode of 'Conversations With', Shaley Hoogendoorn talks with fellow advocate, Rudy Caseres. Rudy shares openly about his experiences living with bipolar disorder- from symptoms, getting help, stigma and medication to the how becoming a mental health advocate has been a huge part of his healing journey. Rudy 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 Rudy's voice and his mental...

In this episode of 'Conversations With', Shaley Hoogendoorn talks with fellow advocate, Rudy Caseres. Rudy shares openly about his experiences living with bipolar disorder- from symptoms, getting help, stigma and medication to the how becoming a mental health advocate has been a huge part of his healing journey. Rudy 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 Rudy's voice and his mental...

We have one of our favourite mental health advocates is back on the pod! Maria Fernandez was our very first ‘conversations with’ guest. Shaley talks with Maria about her ups and downs in her journey with bipolar 2 disorder since last year. Maria vulnerably shares about dual diagnoses and comorbidity and how she experiences these in her everyday life. Maria's story is one of perseverance and inspiration. She offers help and hope to those waling a similar path. We feel honoured that she...

This is PART 2 of 'Conversations With' episode with mental illness advocates Shaley Hoogendoorn and Hailey Rose for this episode of 'Conversations With'. In part 1 Hailey spoke about what living with bipolar I disorder, psychosis and adhd. In Hailey also has a diagnosis of body dysmorphia. In this episode she describes the disorder and shares an in-depth look at what BDM looks and feels like in her everyday life. You will also learn how and why Hailey started her mental illness activism...

This is PART 2 of 'Conversations With' episode with mental health advocates Paris Prynkiewicz and Sarah Fox. Shaley continues her conversation with Paris and Sarah and their experiences living with bipolar I disorder. They share about how they started sharing, advocating, podcasting and more. They give insight into the helpful things that they have done and continue to do to help them manage their bipolar disorder. You will hear how they use their story of pain and struggle to encourage and...

Join mental health advocates Shaley Hoogendoorn and Julie Kraft as they tackle various questions from the wonderful This is Bipolar community. This is Julie's last recording as she is going to be writing another book. She will be greatly missed but we are beyond excited to see what she creates. Be sure to listen to her A Fond Farewell and See You Soon!" episode for more details. This is bipolar... Instagram - @this.is.bipolar #thisisbipolar #thisisbipolarvlog #thisisbipolarpodcast...

Join mental illness advocates Shaley Hoogendoorn and Hailey Rose for this episode of 'Conversations With'. Hailey shares about her experiences living with bipolar I disorder, psychosis and adhd. Hailey explains in detail her different diagnoses and all the physical symptoms she experiences. Our eyes were opened to many mental health terms. We know it will help so many people better understand these disorders and in turn, break the stigma around them. Hailey's story of survival is riveting and...

Join us for a special episode that features a few updates & a BIG announcement! Tune in as co-host, author, and artist Julie Kraft delivers some personal news! After two amazing years & over 30 episodes, Julie shares about her decision to return to her advocacy roots - her writing & painting! She talks about the reignited BLAZING fire within her to create more books, all in hopes of starting conversations around mental health at ALL ages! And so, instead of grabbing a fire...

Tune in for part 2 of episode 19... as mental health advocates Shaley Hoogendoorn and Julie Kraft as they tackle the tricky topic of supporting a loved one who is dealing with a mental health struggle. ... It is Julie and Shaley's greatest hope that this episode offers insight and encouragement to those with mental health struggles, as well as everyone living & loving alongside. This is bipolar... Instagram - @this.is.bipolar   #thisisbipolar #thisisbipolarvlog #thisisbipolarpodcast...

Join mental health advocates Shaley Hoogendoorn and Julie Kraft as they tackle the tricky topic of supporting a loved one who is dealing with a mental health struggle. ... It is Julie and Shaley's greatest hope that this episode offers insight and encouragement to those with mental health struggles, as well as everyone living & loving alongside. . This is bipolar... Instagram - @this.is.bipolar Email- [email protected] . #thisisbipolar #thisisbipolarvlog...