Unmasking Sobriety and Mental Health

Louise Barnett
  • 4.8 (59)
  • MENTAL HEALTH
  • UPDATED SEMIWEEKLY

Welcome to The Unmasking Sobriety and Mental Health Podcast, where we are all “Completely Fine.” I’m your host, Louise Barnett—author of Tainted Love: A Bipolar Memoir and a Jay Shetty Certified Life Coach. I live with Bipolar I and found sobriety in 2021. Since then, I’ve been trying to figure out this whole thing called life—honestly, imperfectly, and out loud. Join me for candid conversations with people willing to go beyond the mask. Together, we explore mental health, sobriety, identity, and what it really means to survive. Not being ok, may just be "completely fine."

  1. 5D AGO

    Cole's Story: Only OK to Be Gay If I Was High

    Cole spent over two decades caught in eating disorders and substance addiction before finding lasting freedom. Today, he works in Customer Success and Brand Strategy, coaches competitive gymnastics, and serves as a CCAR-certified Recovery Professional. He’s also the founder of Life Unadulterated, a platform helping gay men use sobriety as leverage to build meaningful, fulfilling lives. In this episode, we explore how identity, shame, and addiction can become deeply intertwined — especially within queer communities. Cole opens up about childhood bullying, body image, chem sex, and the role substances played in allowing him to feel temporarily safe in his own skin. Rather than focusing on abstinence alone, this conversation centers on life design: how recovery becomes sustainable when you stop trying to escape your life and start intentionally creating one you actually want to stay present for.

    1h 15m

  2. JAN 26

    The Day My Daughter Saved My Life

    Before I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder, I was living inside a mind I didn’t understand.This episode is my lived experience — the moment I stood at the edge, the spiral that led me there, and the tiny hand that pulled me back. In this deeply personal story, I share what undiagnosed bipolar disorder really looked like, how depression and mania intertwined, and how motherhood became the anchor that kept me here. This season is about lived experience. The real stories we don’t usually say out loud — stories of mental health, addiction, recovery, and survival. If you’ve ever felt lost inside your own mind, this episode is for you.

    37 min

  3. JAN 15

    Diagnosis: Bipolar (Courtesy of my Ex)

    Diagnosis: Bipolar, Courtesy of My Ex What happens when an ex doesn’t just leave, but hands you a diagnosis on the way out? In this episode, I share the night my relationship ended with a stack of printed papers instead of a goodbye. What was framed as “help” was actually control, gaslighting, and a weaponized use of mental health language that would echo for years. This episode is about power, shame, and the dangerous line between concern and manipulation. It’s about how mental health terms can be used to silence, not support, and how surviving that moment became the first step toward understanding myself on my own terms. If you’ve ever been diagnosed by someone who hurt you, questioned your reality because someone else was so convincing, or wondered where “help” crossed into harm, this one’s for you.

    18 min
  4. Completely Fine: 2026 Trailer

    TRAILER

    Completely Fine: 2026 Trailer

    Welcome to The Unmasking Sobriety and Mental Health Podcast, where we are all “Completely Fine.” I’m your host, Louise Barnett—author of Tainted Love: A Bipolar Memoir and a Jay Shetty Certified Life Coach. I live with Bipolar I and found sobriety in 2021. Since then, I’ve been trying to figure out this whole thing called life—honestly, imperfectly, and out loud. Join me for storytelling and candid conversations with people willing to go beyond the mask. Together, we explore mental health, sobriety, identity, and what it really means to survive. Because here, we’re learning that not being “completely fine” might actually be more than okay.

    1 min
  5. Mean Girl Culture & Our Tween Daughters

    03/31/2025

    Mean Girl Culture & Our Tween Daughters

    Summary In this conversation, Louise Barnett discusses the pervasive issue of bullying among tweens, particularly focusing on relational bullying and its long-lasting effects on mental health. She shares her personal experiences as a mother navigating her daughter's struggles with bullying, emphasizing the importance of understanding the different forms of bullying, recognizing the signs, and taking proactive steps to support children. The conversation highlights the need for open communication, empathy, and collaboration with schools to address bullying effectively. Keywords - bullying, mean girls, mental health, tweens, relational bullying, emotional scars, early intervention, parenting, empathy, kindness Takeaways No child should come home from school crying due to bullying.Relational bullying is often overlooked but has severe impacts.Invisible bruises from emotional bullying can last a lifetime.Bullying can lead to long-term mental health issues, including anxiety and depression.It's crucial for parents to recognize the signs of bullying in their children.Schools often lack awareness of relational and cyberbullying.Open communication with children about their experiences is vital.Empathy and kindness should be modeled at home to combat bullying.Parents must engage with schools to ensure they understand bullying definitions.Resources like Dr. Becky Kennedy's work can provide valuable support for parents. Sound BitesChapters 00:00 The Journey of Motherhood and Bullying Awareness 03:10 Understanding Bullying: Definitions and Categories 06:02 The Impact of Bullying on Mental Health 09:11 The Long-Term Effects of Bullying 12:10 Recognizing Relational Bullying in Tweens 14:46 The Role of Adults in Addressing Bullying 17:58 Personal Experience: A Mother's Story 23:50 Strategies for Early Intervention and Support 29:59 Promoting Empathy and Kindness in Children 34:56 Resources and Final Thoughts

    40 min
  6. Bipolar and the Diagnostic Delay

    03/17/2025

    Bipolar and the Diagnostic Delay

    Big Picture Bipolar - We’re tackling one of the biggest challenges in bipolar treatment: diagnostic delays. 🧠 Why bipolar diagnoses are often missed for years 📊 The impact of delayed treatment on relationships, finances, and addiction ⏳ How early intervention can change lives This season, I’m sharing my own journey—15 years of depression, chaos, and finally, clarity. If I had known what I know now, would my path have been different? Let’s unmask together. Vulnerability is where healing begins. 💙 🎧 Tune in, share your story, and let’s change the conversation. #UnmaskingSobriety #BipolarAwareness #MentalHealthMatters

    52 min
  7. Tainted Love #3: Luke to Adoption Day - March 3rd 2021

    03/03/2025

    Tainted Love #3: Luke to Adoption Day - March 3rd 2021

    Welcome to Season 3 of Unmasking Sobriety and Mental Health—formerly Together Sober—where we explore the deep connection between addiction and mental health. T This episode we’re unpacking bipolar disorder and tracing its progression and journey from the lens of Tainted Love #3: Luke. Adoption Day in our family, the day were my daughter found her real dad is March 3rd, 2021. We wouldn't have this day if it weren't for our past. Let’s unmask, connect, and heal together.

    58 min
  8. DBT Therapy Crash Course

    02/17/2025

    DBT Therapy Crash Course

    🧠 DBT Therapy Crash Course on the Unmasking Sobriety & Mental Health Podcast (Formally Together S.O.B.E.R.) ➡️ Who Can Benefit?✔️ Those with BPD, bipolar, PTSD, substance use, or self-harm tendencies✔️ Parents with children navigating emotional challenges✔️ Anyone seeking healthier relationships & emotional stability 🌟 Learn the 4 Core DBT Skills:🔹 Mindfulness 🔹Distress Tolerance 🔹 Emotion Regulation 🔹 Interpersonal Effectiveness  #DBT #MentalHealth #EmotionalRegulation #TherapyPodcast #Mindfulness #bipolarunfiltered #lifewithbipolar #bpd

    1h 2m
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4.8
out of 5
59 Ratings

About

Welcome to The Unmasking Sobriety and Mental Health Podcast, where we are all “Completely Fine.” I’m your host, Louise Barnett—author of Tainted Love: A Bipolar Memoir and a Jay Shetty Certified Life Coach. I live with Bipolar I and found sobriety in 2021. Since then, I’ve been trying to figure out this whole thing called life—honestly, imperfectly, and out loud. Join me for candid conversations with people willing to go beyond the mask. Together, we explore mental health, sobriety, identity, and what it really means to survive. Not being ok, may just be "completely fine."

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