Live Well Bipolar ‪™‬ Paris Scobie

Transforming Lives Through Mental Health Advocacy: Julia Belt's Story

Julia Belt is a mental health advocate, entrepreneur, and co-founder of BroglieBox and Mindly. She joins me to share her personal journey navigating mental health challenges before and after the tragic loss of her brother, Justin, to suicide.

She discusses the inception of BroglieBox, a mental wellness care package company, and Mindly, a tool for empowering people managers to support employees' mental health effectively.

The conversation touches on the importance of open discussions about mental health, the impact of management on employee well-being, and the evolution of personal wellness strategies over time.

Julia emphasizes the significance of being open to changing what 'living well' means and offers insights on how individualized approaches can foster mental resilience and support healing.

Connect with Julia here and follow the work she does at Mindly and BroglieBox!

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00:00 Welcome and Introduction to Julia Belt
01:21 Julia's Personal Journey with Mental Health
03:35 The Struggle of Seeking Help and Overcoming Silence
14:24 The Birth and Impact of Broglie Box
16:17 Expanding the Mission with Mindly
18:43 The Power of Support and Community
21:02 Living Well with Bipolar: Insights and Reflections
28:59 Closing Thoughts and Gratitude

The Journey of Finding Yourself: Ginelle Testa's Story



This episode of 'Live Well, Bipolar' features a conversation with Ginelle Testa, an upcoming author. She's a queer, sober, bipolar gal living in Boston.



Ginelle shares her story, from receiving a tentative diagnosis at 16 to facing her darkest moments with multiple hospitalizations and electroconvulsive therapy in 2017.



She discusses the impact of bipolar disorder on her life, including challenges with sobriety, hypersexuality, and finding stability.



Ginelle also talks about writing her memoir 'Make a Home Out of You', which explores finding comfort and value within oneself rather than external sources.



The conversation highlights her journey to self-forgiveness, finding balance and support outside traditional 12-step programs, and achieving personal and professional success despite the challenges of living with bipolar disorder. Ginelle emphasizes the importance of coping mechanisms, community, and perseverance.



Connect with Ginelle on Instagram here and her website here.



00:00 Welcome to Live Well, Bipolar: Introducing Janelle's Journey

01:59 Janelle's Early Encounters with Bipolar Diagnosis

02:48 Navigating Hospitalizations and Finding New Perspectives

06:58 The Impact of Hospitalization and Seeking Forgiveness

09:17 The Journey to Sobriety and Self-Discovery

13:08 From Writing to Healing: Janelle's Memoir Unveiled

18:34 Embracing Self-Worth and Building a Supportive Community

24:22 Living Well with Bipolar: Janelle's Transformation

29:01 Connecting with Janelle and Closing Thoughts

As I enter the last year of my 20s, the biggest thing I hope for is more connection.



This month consisted of a lot of that... travel, new opportunities, stepping more into my purpose and starting my audiobook!!



It was so much fun to explore NYC for my birthday, PA for my brother-in-law's birthday and end my trip reconnecting with my friends Kevin and Margaret in St. Louis!



Tune into the episode for all the details and highlights of the trip and what I am focusing on most....



Super grateful to have reconnected with Cathy, my college counselor, who I got to bring a copy of my book to and discuss the impact she has had on my life. She knew me before my hospitalization and diagnosis and shortly after and was someone who made a big impact on me.



If you want to make my day... please go leave me a review for the podcast and/or my book here!

Episode 200: Navigating Bipolar Disorder & Focusing on The Role of Culture with Dr. Lauren Yang



In this special 200th episode of 'Live Well, Bipolar,' the host celebrates this milestone by interviewing Dr. Lauren Yang, a clinical psychologist and Associate Board President and past Vice Chair of the Young Adult Council for the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance.



With her personal experience living with bipolar II disorder, Dr. Yang shares her journey from her initial hypomanic episode as an undergraduate at UCLA to her self-diagnosis and eventually receiving professional confirmation.



She discusses the challenges she faced, including medication side effects and societal stigma, particularly within the Asian American community. Dr. Yang also touches upon her transition from aiming for a medical career to pursuing clinical psychology, emphasizing her commitment to support and advocate for mental health and reducing stigma.



The episode highlights the importance of acknowledging bipolar disorder as part of one's life but not letting it define one's entirety, advocating for a holistic approach to wellness and embracing one's authentic self.



Stay connected with Dr. Yang here!



00:00 Celebrating Episode 200: A Special Guest Joins Us!

00:23 Meet Dr. Lauren Yang: A Journey Through Bipolar Disorder

02:07 Navigating Life and Diagnosis: Lauren's Personal Story

07:34 The Challenges of Living with Bipolar Disorder

13:21 Opening Up: Conversations with Family and Cultural Reflections

25:04 Pursuing Passion: From Pre-Med to Clinical Psychology

30:17 Living Well with Bipolar: A Multidimensional Approach

35:08 Connecting with Dr. Lauren Yang: Advocacy and Support

36:10 Wrapping Up: Reflections and Gratitude

Navigating Hormonal Changes in Women Living with Bipolar Disorder



In this episode, Paris welcomes back Melissa Howard, a mental health advocate and writer, to discuss the intricate relationship between hormonal changes and bipolar disorder in women.



Melissa shares her personal journey, including her diagnosis with bipolar disorder at 19, experiencing significant mood disruptions associated with hormonal changes such as puberty, the use of birth control pills, and the impacts of pregnancy and menopause on her bipolar symptoms.



She highlights the challenges of managing bipolar disorder alongside hormone-related health issues like endometriosis and the drastic changes post-hysterectomy leading to menopause.



Through her story, Melissa emphasizes the importance of routine, diet, minimizing stress, and working closely with healthcare professionals to manage the complexities of bipolar disorder influenced by hormonal changes.



The episode aims to shed light on the often-overlooked interplay between hormones and mental health in women living with bipolar disorder.



Connect with Melissa here!



00:00 Welcome to Live Well, Bipolar: A Deep Dive into Hormonal Changes and Bipolar Disorder

00:22 Introducing Melissa Howard: Mental Health Advocate and Bipolar Disorder Expert

02:53 Melissa's Personal Journey: From Hormonal Imbalance to Bipolar Diagnosis

09:19 Understanding the Impact of Hormonal Changes on Bipolar Disorder

13:19 Navigating Pregnancy, Medication, and Bipolar Disorder

34:50 Lifestyle Changes and Managing Bipolar Disorder in Menopause

39:34 Closing Thoughts and Where to Connect with Melissa

Navigating Life with Bipolar Disorder, Breast Cancer, and Parkinson’s Disease: Ann’s Inspiring Journey



In this episode of 'Live Well, Bipolar,' the host welcomes Ann, an almost 11-year breast cancer survivor who at 55 was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease and Bipolar I disorder.



Ann shares her journey, focusing on her late diagnosis during the pandemic, the challenges she faced being misunderstood and navigating the healthcare system, and the eventual acceptance and steps she took to ask for help.



Despite experiencing delusions and being hospitalized multiple times, Ann remains positive and is passionate about educating others on mental illness and reducing stigma. She emphasizes the importance of asking for help, sharing one’s story to alleviate the feeling of being alone, and fostering a supportive community for people living with mental health challenges.



Ann encourages people to educate themselves about bipolar disorder and to approach those affected with compassion. She shares her story openly on social media and through interactions, hoping to connect with and support others going through similar experiences.



Connect with Ann here!



00:00 Welcome to Live Well, Bipolar: Introducing Our Special Guest

00:34 Ann's Journey: Surviving Breast Cancer and Living with Parkinson's and Bipolar Disorder

02:22 The Diagnosis Story: Navigating Mental Health in the Midst of a Pandemic

05:25 Hospitalization and the Struggle for Understanding

10:38 The Road to Recovery: Challenges and Support

15:53 Sharing the Story: The Power of Openness and Community

26:53 Living Well with Bipolar: Insights and Reflections

30:47 Final Thoughts and How to Stay Connected