The Depression Files Al Levin

In this episode, Al interviews Evan Whitehead, director of special services, national consultant, and public speaker (recorded 4-8-20). Growing up with a father who was unpredictable due to substance abuse, Evan experienced trauma as a child. At times, the power and phones at their home would be shut off and the family moved a number of times throughout his childhood.
Evan experienced his first bout of depression when he left home for college and started playing DI football. In high school, Evan had been a standout football player. As a freshman playing DI, this was no longer the case. This, along with living across the country from his family, was too much to handle. Evan found himself turning to alcohol and weed in order to cope. By the end of his freshman year, he had lost the care of school and football and experienced suicidal ideations for the first time.
Evan's second bout of depression came as a new father. He gave so much care for his newborn and others, that he neglected his own care. He continued self-medicating and finally realized he needed support for himself. He entered a dual diagnosis program to deal with his substance abuse and mental health.
Evan shares the challenges of mental health in the black community and, more specifically, around the generational trauma that often prevents African Americans from reaching out for the help they may need. In addition, Evan shares his passion of supporting educators and their mental health.
If you enjoyed this episode, please click the 'like' button. Also, please take a moment to rate and review the show on iTunes. Finally, don't miss an episode! Click the subscribe/follow button now!
If you have listened and feel that you have received some value from the podcast, please consider supporting the show by becoming a Patron at patreon.com/thedepressionfiles. You can begin to support the show with as little as $1.00/month!
In addition to The Depression Files podcast, you can find Al's blog at TheDepressionFiles.com. There, you can also find out how to work with Al as a coach or schedule him for a public speaking event. You will also find Al on Twitter @allevin18.

This is a Bonus Episode in which Al interviews an expert or guest on a particular topic related to mental health. In this episode, Al interviews Michael Pipich LMFT on the topic of bipolar disorder (recorded 6-16-20). Michael describes the differences between various types of bipolar disorder and the importance of a holistic approach to treating one with this mental illness. Michael shares various treatment options, describes some of the medications, and explains the importance of having family and/or loved ones involved in supporting the patient.
You can find out much more about Michael on his website, michaelpipich.com. With its three-phase approach, Michael's book, Owning Bipolar: How Patients and Families Can Take Control of Bipolar Disorder can help you and your loved ones become experts at an illness that has called the shots in your life for too long.
If you enjoyed this episode, please click the 'like' button. Also, please take a moment to rate and review the show on iTunes. Finally, don't miss an episode! Click the subscribe/follow button now!
If you have listened and feel that you have received some value from the podcast, please consider supporting the show by becoming a Patron at patreon.com/thedepressionfiles. You can begin to support the show with as little as $1.00/month!
In addition to The Depression Files podcast, you can find Al's blog at TheDepressionFiles.com. There, you can also find out how to work with Al as a coach or schedule him for a public speaking event. You will also find Al on Twitter @allevin18.

In this episode, Al interviews Jon Harper, assistant principal, author, podcaster, and public speaker (recorded 4-1-20). Jon and Al, both assistance principals, discuss the importance of supporting educators with their own mental health. Jon talks about the importance of vulnerability as a leader and the importance of self-care. Jon also shares the story of his own "breakdown" due to a continued rise in the level of anxiety he was dealing with eight years ago.
Jon wrote an article titled, "5 Strategies for Teacher Self-Care", that was recently published in ASCD Express. Jon is the author of "My Bad: 24 Educators Who Messed Up Fessed Up and Grew!". Jon was the host of the podcast, "My Bad" that ran from April 2016 - September 2019. He is currently co-hosting the podcast, "Teachers Aid", which aims to provide social and emotional support for the very personal challenges teachers face. You can find out more about Jon on his website at jonharper.blog and follow him on Twitter @Jonharper70bd.
If you enjoyed this episode, please click the 'like' button. Also, please take a moment to rate and review the show on iTunes. Finally, don't miss an episode! Click the subscribe/follow button now!
If you have listened and feel that you have received some value from the podcast, please consider supporting the show by becoming a Patron at patreon.com/thedepressionfiles. You can begin to support the show with as little as $1.00/month!
In addition to The Depression Files podcast, you can find Al's blog at TheDepressionFiles.com. There, you can also find out how to work with Al as a coach or schedule him for a public speaking event. You will also find Al on Twitter @allevin18.

In this episode, Al interviews John Arenburg, addictions counselor, former longer-term care worker, volunteer firefighter, author, and mental health advocate (recorded 3-30-20). John struggled in school from a young age, acting out and smashing things and often finding himself in the principal's office. He began to see a social worker at the age of eleven or so, yet his behaviors peaked in middle school.
John became a volunteer firefighter while still in high school and a full-active member at the age of nineteen. Soon after becoming a full-active member, John found himself facing his first fatality at the horrific scene of a mini barn fire. John describes several other life events that contributed to his eventual diagnoses of post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), major depressive disorder, and generalized anxiety.
John is close to publishing his first book, "The Road to Mental Wellness". Find out more about John's book and how you can support him through a GoFundMe page. Find out more about John and check out more if his writing at his website, theroadtomentalwellness.com. You'll also find John on Twitter @ArenburgJohn and Facebook at The Road to Mental Wellness @TRTMW.
If you enjoyed this episode, please click the 'like' button. Also, please take a moment to rate and review the show on iTunes. Finally, don't miss an episode! Click the subscribe/follow button now!
If you have listened and feel that you have received some value from the podcast, please consider supporting the show by becoming a Patron at patreon.com/thedepressionfiles. You can begin to support the show with as little as $1.00/month!
In addition to The Depression Files podcast, you can find Al's blog at TheDepressionFiles.com. There, you can also find out how to work with Al as a coach or schedule him for a public speaking event. You will also find Al on Twitter @allevin18.

In this episode, Al interviews Brett Stevens, start-up consultant, former professional Poker Player, and author (recorded 3-26-20). Brett had no signs of any type of mental illness until the age of nineteen when he had his first manic episode. Brett takes us through his three manic episodes, all of which began with seven days of paranoia, delusions, and hallucinations. Each of which landed him in a psychiatric hospital inpatient program. Each impacting his life for approximately eighteen months. It wasn't until his third inpatient hospitalization that he was given a diagnosis of bipolar I disorder.
Brett shares his story in a memoir titled, Crossover: A Look Inside a Manic Mind. Having a rare condition called hypermnesia, which allows Brett to recall memories in vivid and precise details, coupled with his talented writing style makes this book a real page-turner.
You can learn more about Brett on his website insideamanicmind.com. You'll also find him on Twitter @crossover_book, Facebook at Crossover A Look Inside A Manic Mind, Linked in at Brett Stevens, and on Instagram at Crossover_Book.
If you enjoyed this episode, please click the 'like' button. Also, please take a moment to rate and review the show on iTunes. Finally, don't miss an episode! Click the subscribe/follow button now!
If you have listened and feel that you have received some value from the podcast, please consider supporting the show by becoming a Patron at patreon.com/thedepressionfiles. You can begin to support the show with as little as $1.00/month!
In addition to The Depression Files podcast, you can find Al's blog at TheDepressionFiles.com. There, you can also find out how to work with Al as a coach or schedule him for a public speaking event. You will also find Al on Twitter @allevin18.

In this episode, Al interviews Jordan Brown, mental health advocate, trained social worker, and author (recorded 4-6-20). Although Jordan has experienced anxiety since childhood, it wasn't until 2012, after open heart surgery, that he experienced depression. Jordan describes his path to recovery, including a six-day inpatient hospitalization.
As a trained social worker with experience in the mental health field, Jordan shares some incredible insights. Combining his love of writing and his passion around advocating in support of others, Jordan began a blog. The blog eventually led to a daily newsletter titled, The Mental Health Update. Jordan will now be releasing his first book, titled, In Search of Happiness, Thursday, June 4, 2020! This mental health poetry book, that also includes three short essays, takes the reader along a journey through anxiety, societal pressure, and stigma to a place of finding healing and, eventually, a frontier of new meaning. The book will be available for purchase on Amazon in both e-book and paperback formats. Contact Jordan directly at jordan@thementalhealthupdate.com for more information.
You can find out more about Jordan, and other details on the release of his book, on his website, also titled, The Mental Health Update.
If you enjoyed this episode, please click the 'like' button. Also, please take a moment to rate and review the show on iTunes. Finally, don't miss an episode! Click the subscribe/follow button now!
If you have listened and feel that you have received some value from the podcast, please consider supporting the show by becoming a Patron at patreon.com/thedepressionfiles. You can begin to support the show with as little as $1.00/month!
In addition to The Depression Files podcast, you can find Al's blog at TheDepressionFiles.com. There, you can also find out how to work with Al as a coach or schedule him for a public speaking event. You will also find Al on Twitter @allevin18.