Explorez tous les épisodes du podcast I'm Bipolar. Now What? Recovery, Stability, and Living Well.
| Titre | Date | Durée | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 133. The FOUR Types of Bipolar Disorder: What’s Actually the Difference? And Why it Matters | 21 Sep 2026 | 00:38:06 | |
The FOUR Types of Bipolar Disorder: What's Actually the Difference? Bipolar I, Bipolar II, Cyclothymia… what do these diagnoses actually mean? And is Bipolar II really a milder form of Bipolar I? (Spoiler alert: NO!) In this episode of I'm Bipolar. Now What?, Louise breaks down the four diagnostic categories of bipolar disorder, explains the specific criteria for each, and shares her personal experience living with Bipolar I. In this episode, we cover:
Whether you're newly diagnosed, have been living with bipolar disorder for years, or love someone who is, this episode is here to help you better understand bipolar disorder and feel less alone. Because the goal isn't to become terrified of every good mood or productive day. It's learning the difference between feeling good and becoming unwell. | |||
| 132. Bipolar: The Male Perspective & Marriage | 14 Sep 2026 | 01:01:34 | |
What does bipolar disorder look like in men? And what role can a spouse play in helping someone build and protect stability? This conversation brings together two perspectives we need more of: men speaking openly about living with bipolar disorder, and honest conversations about what it means to love someone who lives with it. In this episode of I’m Bipolar. Now What?, I reconnect with Ken Walsh, five years after we first met through sharing our stories of mental health and recovery. Since then, Ken has made an incredible career transition. After 25 years in corporate leadership, he left that world to become a licensed mental health counselor. His perspective combines professional training with deeply personal lived experience: Ken lives with bipolar II disorder, is in long-term recovery from addiction, and has experienced profound loss, including losing both his mother and sister to suicide and his best friend to an overdose. Together, we have an honest conversation about what bipolar II actually looks like, particularly for men, and the vulnerability it can take to acknowledge you’re struggling and ask for help. We also dig into a side of bipolar that doesn’t get talked about nearly enough: the role of the spouse. What does healthy support actually look like? How can a partner recognize changes, encourage treatment, and help protect stability without becoming responsible for managing someone else’s bipolar disorder? In this episode, we talk about:
Get In Touch with Ken: KEN WALSH, LMHC: Licensed Mental Health Counselor| Recovery Advocate | Speaker Email: kenwalsh148@msn.com | Phone: 508-330-2279 Psychology Today: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/ken-walsh-east-greenwich- ri/1740102 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ken-walsh-pmp-ri/?skipRedirect=true Get in Touch with Louise: www.louisebarnett.com | |||
| 131. I Couldn’t Manage My Bipolar Until I Got Sober | 07 Sep 2026 | 00:36:49 | |
For years, I treated my bipolar disorder and my relationship with alcohol like two completely separate problems. It took me six years after my Bipolar I diagnosis to understand just how connected they were. In this episode, I’m talking about addiction, sobriety, and why getting sober didn’t cure my bipolar disorder, but gave me the clarity I needed to finally learn how to manage it. In this episode:
Sobriety didn’t fix my mental health. It removed something that had been masking, amplifying, and complicating what was already happening inside my brain. And for me, that changed everything. 🎧 I’m Bipolar. Now What?Real talk, real tools, real support for recovery, stability, and living well with bipolar disorder. 📖 Tainted Love: A Bipolar Memoir publishes October 6. More: www.louisebarnett.com | |||
| 130. The 1st Mood Tracking App for Bipolar Disorder: Steadyline with creator and founder Ravi Mishra | 24 Aug 2026 | 00:41:46 | |
My guest today is Ravi Mishra. Ravi has been living with bipolar disorder for more than a decade. His journey began with childhood trauma and years of depression before he was diagnosed with bipolar disorder in 2015. A severe manic episode that required hospitalization became the first major turning point in his life. While rebuilding from that experience, he also faced the devastating loss of his mother. Years later, despite building a successful career as a software engineer, Ravi experienced another profound depressive episode in 2022 that fundamentally changed the way he viewed his illness. Ravi came to accept that while he couldn’t control having bipolar disorder, understanding it was something he could control. By consistently tracking his moods, sleep, medications, and daily patterns, he developed the self-awareness to recognize early warning signs and reduce the severity and impact of future episodes. That experience—and the frustration of trying to explain months of sleep, medication, and daily patterns in a short doctor’s appointment—inspired Ravi to create Steadyline, a mood-tracking app built specifically from his lived experience with bipolar disorder. The app helps people track what actually changes over time and turns those patterns into a clearer report they can use themselves or share with their clinician. It can also pull in sleep data through Apple Health, helping users see connections between sleep, mood, medication, and other daily patterns. In this episode, Ravi shares his story—from trauma, mania, hospitalization, grief, and depression to acceptance, self-awareness, and stability. We talk about recognizing early warning signs, understanding our individual patterns, and how tracking what is happening in our lives can give us valuable information about what may be happening in our brains. Because while we may not be able to control having bipolar disorder, the more we understand ourselves, the better equipped we can be to manage it. Learn more about Steadyline: steadylines.app Website:https://steadyline.app iOS:https://apps.apple.com/us/app/steadyline-bipolar-tracker/id6763089476 Android:https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.ravimishra.samapp | |||
| 129. Six Pillars to Bipolar Stability | 17 Aug 2026 | 00:49:36 | |
When I was diagnosed with Bipolar I disorder, I thought medication was supposed to fix it. It changed my life—but it wasn’t the whole answer. In this episode of I’m Bipolar. Now What?, I’m breaking down the Six Pillars to Bipolar Stability that I’ve built over the last decade: medication, therapy + coaching, sobriety, lifestyle, emotional regulation, and nervous-system regulation. These aren’t six ways to cure bipolar disorder. They’re six ways I support my bipolar brain—and the framework I come back to whenever I start feeling “off.” We’re talking about why sleep matters so damn much, why sobriety is the hill I will die on, what emotional regulation actually looks like, why your nervous system belongs in the bipolar conversation, and how I use a simple Six-Pillar Audit to figure out where things might be getting shaky. Because recovery, for me, stopped being about trying to become someone who wasn’t bipolar. It became about learning how to live really fucking well as someone who is. Get the Six Pillars + my recommended resources: Tainted Love: A Bipolar Memoir releases October 6, 2026. | |||
| 128. Why a Diagnosis Doesn't Need to Change Your Story with Candace Schoner | 10 Aug 2026 | 00:43:14 | |
What happens when life asks you to reinvent yourself over and over again? In this episode, I sit down with Candace Schoner to talk about living with Parkinson's disease, ADHD, PTSD, and dyslexia—and why a diagnosis doesn't have to define the rest of your story. Candace shares the emotional reality of receiving a Parkinson's diagnosis, the daily strategies that help her manage a chronic condition, and how she learned to pivot instead of giving up. We also explore the role of therapy, movement, writing, and self-awareness in building a meaningful life, even when circumstances aren't what you expected. We discuss her new book, Recipes for a Happier Life, Apron Optional, her work founding Voices for Mental Health, and why embracing simplicity and authenticity can be some of the most powerful forms of resilience. Whether you're living with a chronic illness, navigating a mental health diagnosis, supporting someone you love, or simply facing an unexpected life transition, this conversation is a reminder that hope isn't about having an easy life—it's about choosing how you respond. In this episode, we discuss:
If this episode resonates with you, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who could use a little hope today. GET IN TOUCH: https://voicesformentalhealth.org/ | |||
| 127. Getting Sober is Hard. Bipolar Disorder Makes it Harder. (Collaboration with Dr. Casey & Addiction Medicine Made Easy Podcast) | 03 Aug 2026 | 00:42:53 | |
You can look put-together, build a big career, and still be drowning the moment the door closes. That tension sits at the heart of our conversation with Louise Barnett, host of I'm Bipolar. Now What? Podcast and author of Tainted Love: A Bipolar Memoir. Dr. Casey hosted Louise on his Podcast Addiction Medicine Made Easy, where she walks us through what it feels like when bipolar I disorder first shows up, why it can take years to get the right diagnosis, and how shame quietly pushes people toward secrecy, self-harm, and substance use. We talk honestly about addiction and bipolar disorder as a linked story, not two separate problems. Louise explains how alcohol and drugs played different roles across the mood spectrum: amplifying the invincible energy of mania, then numbing the crash of depression. She also shares what it meant to be “high functioning” in public while blacking out at night, and why appearance and performance can accidentally protect the illness from being seen. The most practical part of this conversation is what stability looks like now. Louise breaks down the pillars that keep her regulated, including medication, therapy, lifestyle, sobriety, nervous system regulation, and emotional regulation, plus the boundaries that protect her energy as a parent and a creator. She leaves us with a simple, powerful invitation: find your people and start telling the truth, one safe step at a time. Subscribe for more conversations at the intersection of mental health and addiction recovery, and if this resonates, share it with a friend and leave a rating or review. To learn more about Louise's work: https://www.louisebarnett.com/ To contact Dr. Grover: ammadeeasy@fastmail.com To learn more about the podcast: https://www.addictionmedicinemadeeasy.com/ | |||
| 126. There's a Reason Your Meds Aren't Working: Pharmacogenetic Testing with Kristen Ruth Davis | 27 Jul 2026 | 01:01:03 | |
What if the reason your psychiatric medications haven't worked isn't that you're "too complicated"... but because they're the wrong medications for your genetics? In this episode, Louise sits down with mental health advocate, speech-language pathologist, Founder of the I’m Not Crazy project, and author Kristen Ruth Davis, whose life changed after pharmacogenetic (PGx) testing finally matched her with medications her brain could actually use. Despite growing up in a loving family with two physician parents, attending Duke University, and doing everything "right," Kristen spent years battling treatment-resistant depression, multiple psychiatric hospitalizations, involuntary holds, self-harm, electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), and countless medication trials that left her believing there was something fundamentally wrong with her. Then genetic testing changed everything. Together, Louise and Kristen unpack why some antidepressants fail, why treatment-resistant depression deserves a deeper conversation, and why pharmacogenetic testing should be a standard part of psychiatric care—not a last resort. They also discuss the dangers of trial-and-error prescribing, the stigma surrounding mental illness, the importance of trusting patients, and why praise and validation can become powerful tools in recovery. The conversation ends with a thought-provoking question: What does "crazy" actually mean? Whether you're living with depression, bipolar disorder, supporting someone you love, or simply curious about the future of personalized mental health care, this episode offers hope—and a reminder that sometimes the problem isn't the person. It's the treatment. In this episode, we discuss:
If you or someone you know is struggling with depression or suicidal thoughts, please reach out to a trusted mental health professional or local crisis services. You don't have to do this alone. Learn more about Kristen and the I'm Not Crazy Project: Website: https://imnotcrazyproject.org Instagram: @imnotcrazy.projectFacebook: /imnotcrazyproject LinkedIn: Kristen Ruth Davis TikTok: @kristenruthwrites | |||
| 125. The Most Dangerous Lie About Mental Health with JeNoah Lee | 13 Jul 2026 | 00:59:15 | |
In this episode of Unmasking Sobriety & Mental Health, Louise sits down with JeNoah Lee — a 20-year-old entrepreneur, fashion creator, and mental health advocate whose life was shaped by severe racial bullying at just 10 years old. What began as emotional trauma and suicidal ideation became the catalyst for something bigger: healing, therapy, self-discovery, and ultimately a mission to create change. JeNoah opens up about: The invisible damage of racial bullying Wanting to change who he was to fit in The role therapy played in saving his life How fashion became his outlet for healing Why mental health warning signs are often missed What parents need to know when their child is struggling This conversation is raw, powerful, and necessary — especially for parents, young people, and anyone who has ever felt like they didn’t belong. Because sometimes survival is just the beginning. Connect with JeNoah: Instagram: @whoisjenoahlee LinkedIn: JeNoah Lee Website: whoisjenoahlee.com | |||
| 124. This Will Change How You Think About Recovery with Jeanne Foot | 29 Jun 2026 | 00:53:16 | |
What if recovery isn’t about addiction at all… but about the human experience? In this episode of Unmasking Sobriety & Mental Health, I sit down with Jeanne Foot, founder of The Recovery Concierge, to challenge everything we think we know about healing. Jeanne shares how her own journey through trauma, suicidal ideation, and traditional recovery led her to discover a deeper truth: abstinence isn’t the goal—emotional sobriety is. Together, we unpack: Why willpower alone rarely creates lasting change How trauma lives in the nervous system Why healing must go beyond the mind and into the body The role of attachment wounds in addiction, relationships, and identity What it actually means to redesign your life in recovery This conversation is for anyone who has ever felt stuck, masked, or like the outside looked “fine” while the inside was falling apart. Because recovery isn’t just for addiction. It’s for all of us. More from Jeanne: https://therecoveryconcierge.com/ https://www.read.ai/pp - FREE RESOURCES Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/therecovery_concierge/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeanne-foot-the-recovery-concierge/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/therecoveryconcierge/ Jeanne’s Podcast, Naturally High: On Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/naturally-high/id1585263254 On Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7LWUXpejsTxwYvzXOPHshA | |||
| 123. When the Diagnosis is Wrong with Ginger Smith | 15 Jun 2026 | 00:46:20 | |
In this powerful episode, Louise sits down with Ginger Smith, author of Dementia Denied, to explore a story that challenges everything we think we know about mental health, diagnosis, and recovery. A retired speech-language pathologist who worked alongside neurologists at Stanford and UCSF, Ginger spent her professional life helping others understand the brain. But her most profound lesson came when her own mind was called into question. Diagnosed with dementia and placed on hospice, Ginger was never expected to recover. But she did. In this conversation, Ginger opens up about surviving an abusive childhood, living with bipolar disorder and complex PTSD, and finding her way through addiction to 35 years of sobriety. She shares what it was like to be misdiagnosed, to lose everything—including relationships and stability—and to slowly rebuild a life grounded in truth. Together, Louise and Ginger explore trauma, resilience, neuroplasticity, and the possibility of healing—even when the odds say otherwise. This is a conversation about questioning assumptions, reclaiming your story, and discovering what’s still possible when everything seems lost. Dementia Denied: https://www.amazon.com/DEMENTIA-DENIED-Surviving-Diagnosis-Reclaiming-ebook/dp/B0F2WGRV6C Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/trek1937 IG: @Gingersmith104 | |||
| 122. Parental Alienation, Narcissistic Abuse, and the Path to Sobriety with Alicia | 01 Jun 2026 | 00:54:53 | |
Is it possible that anyone else is living this insane double life? 💔 For years, Alicia was living a reality that many women secretly recognize: A Master’s degree and a career on the outside, but a "war zone" of a divorce on the inside. To cope with the narcissistic abuse, financial intimidation, and the agony of parental alienation, Alicia turned to wine as a sedative. It wasn’t a choice; it was survival. But as the "mommy wine culture" took hold, she found herself losing the very things she was fighting for—including her kids and her sense of self. Today, Alicia is 6 years sober, a She Recovers® Professional, and a light for women trapped in the same cycle. In our latest episode, she shares: ✨ Surviving high-conflict divorce and legal abuse. ✨ The truth about "drinking AT" your pain. ✨ How she rebuilt her life from rock bottom to a successful coaching practice. 🎧 Tap the link in bio to hear Alicia’s incredible story of reclamation.
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| 121. The High-Achiever’s Mask: Radical Awareness with Ellen Frazier | 18 May 2026 | 01:00:17 | |
What happens when you’re #1 on the leaderboard but #0 in your own heart? Ellen Frazier spent over 20 years perfecting the role of the "Powerhouse." As a top-tier mortgage professional and entrepreneur, she knew exactly how to perform, how to excel, and how to win. But for decades, that success was fueled by a "forced confidence" and a sophisticated relationship with alcohol that allowed her to stay in the race while ignoring her own soul. In this episode, the founder of Booze Free Babes pulls the mask off the high-achieving lifestyle. We explore the dangerous intersection of "Success" and "Survival," and how Ellen finally chose radical self-awareness over social performance. Inside the conversation:
This is a deep dive into who you actually are when you stop performing and start living. Connect with Ellen Frazier:
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| 120. Manic About Healing: Rewriting the Bipolar Narrative with Ana | 04 May 2026 | 00:56:36 | |
"I am not going to end up like this." In 2006, Ana sat in a psychiatric ward, clouded by the haze of medication and the weight of a Bipolar 1 diagnosis. As she looked at the walls around her, she didn't just see a hospital; she saw her mother’s life—decades of suicidal ideation, depression, and a future dictated by a "permanent" chemical imbalance. In that moment, Ana made a choice that defied medical convention: She refused to accept that her diagnosis was a life sentence. In this episode, we sit down with Ana, a Bipolar Healing Coach who has moved from the trauma of 10 hospitalizations to a life of stability and self-mastery. We dive deep into the parts of bipolar disorder people rarely talk about: the hallucinations, the grandiosity, and the terrifying reality of setting a bedroom on fire during a manic episode.
Ana is now dismantling the belief that you can only "manage" bipolar. She is living proof that through somatic experiencing and shadow work, you can rebuild your relationship with yourself and find true peace.
"Healing isn't just about fixing what's broken; it's about grieving the stories we were told so we can finally write our own." | |||
| 119. Anonymous' Story: Two Ways Out: Breaking the Silence Around Suicide | 27 Apr 2026 | 01:01:46 | |
She shares her lived experience with PTSD, dissociation, and suicidal thinking — and the moment she realized there were only two ways out. Today’s guest is the founder of My Truth Memoir Writing Services, where she helps others tell their stories with honesty, compassion, and courage. But her work didn’t begin as a profession. It began as survival. After a tragic loss in childhood and years of silently carrying trauma, she was later diagnosed with PTSD and panic disorder — conditions that shaped her inner world while she continued to build a life on the outside. For more than twenty years, she worked as a special education teacher, raised three children, and did what so many people do: she kept going. Until she couldn’t anymore. In this deeply personal conversation, she shares the lived reality of dissociation, panic, generational trauma, and the moment she realized she believed there were only two ways out. Her memoir, Two Ways Out: A Memoir of Then and Now, was written to break the silence around suicide and normalize the conversations so many people are afraid to have. We talk about what it means to lose yourself — and how you begin to find your way back. This episode is about survival. About truth. And about choosing to stay. If you’ve ever struggled in silence, or loved someone who has, this conversation will remind you that you are not alone. | |||
| 118. A Parent Took My 12-Year-Old to a Dive Bar—What Would You Do? | 20 Apr 2026 | 00:18:54 | |
My 12-year-old daughter ended up at a dive bar—and I didn’t know until it was too late. In this episode, I share what happened, how I handled it, and the bigger questions it raises about parenting, trust, and letting go. No judgment. No perfect answers. Just the reality of navigating moments that don’t come with a playbook. | |||
| 117. Palliative Care: When the Outcome is Decided | 13 Apr 2026 | 00:55:32 | |
Palliative Care: When the Outcome Is Already Decided What happens when healing is no longer the goal? In this episode, I sit down with Anne, a licensed psychotherapist and palliative care social worker, to explore the emotional and psychological realities of end-of-life care—where addiction, mental health, and dignity intersect in ways we rarely talk about. Through powerful real-life stories, we unpack what it means to support someone when the outcome is already known… when sobriety isn’t always possible… and when the focus shifts from fighting to acceptance. This conversation challenges everything we think we know about recovery, control, and what it means to truly care for someone. If you’ve ever struggled with letting go, with needing to “fix,” or with redefining what healing looks like—this episode will stay with you. Get in Touch with Anne: TikTok: Annefrontlmft Website: www.annefront.com Substack: Annefrontlmft.substack.com | |||
| 116. The Other Side of Bipolar: The war inside a “stable” mind | 30 Mar 2026 | 00:23:59 | |
Today, on World Bipolar Awareness Day, Tainted Love: A Bipoplar Memoir has a cover. It captures something I don’t even fully have words for yet. Presale is live. 🤍 100% of presale revenue is being donated to the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA)—and I’m personally matching it. www.louisebarnett.com March 30 is International Bipolar Awareness Day, a day dedicated to increasing understanding of a condition that is often misunderstood. When people think of bipolar disorder, they tend to imagine dramatic extremes—manic highs or devastating lows. But there is another side that people rarely talk about. In this episode, Louise reads a powerful excerpt from her memoir about the quieter, more complicated reality of living with bipolar while medicated and seemingly stable. Three years into treatment, standing beside the steadiest partner she has ever known, she finds herself confronting a difficult truth: sometimes the hardest battle isn’t surviving the storm—it’s learning how to live in the calm without destroying it. This episode explores the internal war many people with bipolar disorder experience, even when everything on the outside appears steady. | |||
| 115. Terry's Story: Breaking the Groundhog Day Loop | 16 Mar 2026 | 00:49:39 | |
Breaking the Groundhog Day Loop with Terry | Walking Sober What if recovery begins with something as simple as showing up for yourself? In this episode, I’m joined by Terry, the founder of Walking Sober, a growing community built around the idea that healing doesn’t have to be complicated—it can start with putting one foot in front of the other. After seven years of sobriety, Terry began hosting Sunday morning walks along the downtown hike-and-bike trail in Austin, Texas. There’s no pressure, no fixing, and no lectures—just movement, conversation, and the quiet power of being alongside others who are choosing an alcohol-free life. Our conversation explores how drinking can quietly become a habit loop we barely notice—until one day we do. Terry shares how journaling helped him begin to see the patterns in his own life, the moment awareness cracked open, and why the movie Groundhog Day became a powerful metaphor for the cycle so many of us find ourselves living. We talk about the rebellion that can come with early sobriety, the influence of voices like Holly Whitaker and Laura McKowen, and the tipping point when you realize: whatever those people have in their lives, I want some of that too. Terry also reflects on childhood experiences, grief, therapy, and why recovery is often about much more than alcohol itself. Over time, he began to build a recovery practice that worked for him—one rooted in curiosity, movement, and learning how to get back up when life knocks you down. Because, as Terry says, the goal isn’t perfection. It’s practice. And one day, almost without noticing, you wake up and realize you’re free. In this episode we talk about:
Lace up your shoes and come walk with us. Get in touch with Terry: Website: WalkingSober.org YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@walkingsober Facebook: facebook.com/walkingsoberclub | |||
| 114. The Day I Woke Up Behind Bars | 21 Feb 2026 | 00:28:48 | |
March, 2015. Days after standing on the edge of an overpass, I woke up in a psychiatric hospital with no memory of how I got there — and no idea my life was about to change forever. In this episode, I share the story of my psychiatric hospitalization, the memories that resurfaced while I was there, and the moment a doctor finally gave a name to the chaos I had lived with for most of my life: Bipolar I disorder. This is the story of what it feels like to break — and what it feels like to finally be seen. If you’ve ever wondered whether you’re broken or why your mind feels like it’s working against you, this episode is for you. You are not alone. And you are not beyond help. | |||
| 113. Cole's Story: Only OK to Be Gay If I Was High | 09 Feb 2026 | 01:14:38 | |
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. | |||
| 112. The Day My Daughter Saved My Life | 26 Jan 2026 | 00:36:48 | |
Before I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder, I was living inside a mind I didn’t understand. 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. | |||
| 111. Diagnosis: Bipolar (Courtesy of my Ex) | 15 Jan 2026 | 00:17:54 | |
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. | |||
| Completely Fine: 2026 Trailer | 15 Jan 2026 | 00:01:00 | |
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. | |||
| 110. Mean Girl Culture & Our Tween Daughters | 31 Mar 2025 | 00:40:24 | |
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
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 | |||
| 109. Bipolar and the Diagnostic Delay | 17 Mar 2025 | 00:51:30 | |
Big Picture Bipolar - We’re tackling one of the biggest challenges in bipolar treatment: diagnostic delays.
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. | |||
| 108. Tainted Love #3: Luke to Adoption Day - March 3rd 2021 | 03 Mar 2025 | 00:58:27 | |
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. | |||
| 107. DBT Therapy Crash Course | 17 Feb 2025 | 01:02:19 | |
🧠 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 | |||
| 106. Triggers Behind Bipolar Mania & Depression | 04 Feb 2025 | 00:57:05 | |
Triggers Behind Bipolar Mania & Depression explores the complex and often unpredictable nature of bipolar disorder, emphasizing how various factors—such as stress, sleep disruption, substance use, hormonal fluctuations, and seasonal changes—can influence manic and depressive episodes. I share personal insights into the challenges of identifying patterns in mood cycles, underscoring the importance of self-awareness, tracking triggers, and developing proactive strategies for managing symptoms. The episode highlights the necessity of sobriety in stabilizing bipolar disorder, the role of a strong care team, and the impact of medication, diet, and lifestyle choices on mental health. By unmasking the realities of bipolar disorder, the podcast encourages listeners to embrace vulnerability, seek support, and take control of their mental well-being. | |||
| 105. Bipolar 101 | 20 Jan 2025 | 01:18:47 | |
🎓Bipolar 101 This episode is a deep dive into the diagnostic criteria for Bipolar 1 & 2 Disorder, breaking down: 📌 The 7 criteria for Mania 📌 The 9 criteria for Depression I share real-life examples of what these symptoms look like unmedicated and undiagnosed, and how life changes with medication and diagnosis. Because here’s the truth: these symptoms don’t magically disappear. 🎧 Tune in now to gain insight, break stigmas, and learn how to navigate the complexities of Bipolar Disorder. | |||
| 104. Tainted Love #1: Marco | 06 Jan 2025 | 00:51:17 | |
Finding both mental acceptance and sobriety has only been possible through the courageous act of “unmasking”—sharing the good, the bad, and the ugly of my story with all of you. Vulnerability is where healing begins. - Let's begin with Marco. | |||
| 103. Dr. David Lee: "The Sober Way" | 19 Feb 2024 | 00:57:28 | |
For too long, David buried his suffering and addictions in the shadows. As a recovery coach, a psychologist and a recovered alcoholic/addict, He feels that it is now important for me to be a face and voice of recovery and sobriety. Get in Touch With Dr. David Lee: Contact: drdavid@soberway.ae Instagram: @thesoberwaycoach Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drdavidleesobrietycoach Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/david.a.lee.902 TikTok: @thesoberway We've Love to Hear from You! Hello@Louisebarnett.com | |||
| 102. Anish Punjabi: "Music Shattering Stereotypes" | 05 Feb 2024 | 00:43:14 | |
A’niche (Anish Punjabi), is an MIT triple-major graduate and Class President turned Hip-Hop Artist and Producer that is following his heart and passion to pursue his dream and pave the way for others looking to do the same. He thought he had his life figured out at 18 until he discovered his passion for music. Find Anish: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/4ewlm6YvMpDhiHn2luT6Z7 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCV7_CfjPR79-QFLmlYRZljg Website: https://anichemusic.com/ Instagram & Tik-Tok: @anichemusic Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/anichemusic/ Email: anichemgmt@gmail.com Get in Touch with Me: Hello@Louisebarnett.com | |||
| 101. Brain on Fire: Bipolar 1 in 10 Key Defining Moments | 22 Jan 2024 | 00:53:35 | |
Season 2 kicks off with a deep dive into the top 10 key defining moments of my journey so far, leading me to where I am today, exactly where I need to be. Back from the Abyss Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/back-from-the-abyss-psychiatry-in-stories/id1469826718?i=1000641421685 I'd love to hear from you!: Hello@louisebarnett.com | |||
| 100. My 1st Ketamine Therapy Journey | 13 Nov 2023 | 00:26:59 | |
Together S.O.B.E.R. Facebook Group - Join our FREE community, it's safe space of engagement, support, guidance, live education, accountability and authentic voices for anyone looking to make a change in their relationship to alcohol https://www.facebook.com/groups/749276119693280 Follow on IG: @Togethersoberpodcast Freebies & More: www.Louisebarnett.com Email: Hello@louisebarnett.com | |||
| 99. Dean Kozora: Addicts Don't Know Anything Else | 06 Nov 2023 | 00:46:39 | |
Episode 99 is dedicated to our beloved Matthew Perry. May his legacy live on and may we find peace and understanding in the wake of his death from Dean’s Story.
Dean grew up with 2 parents in recovery who both relapsed when he was 16. In 2014 after his mother died due to her addiction, Dean tried taking his own life and miraculously lived.
2 months later, after all the ups and downs that addiction brings, Dean got clean and now 9 years into his sobriety journey, is happily married and just welcomed his first child into the world.
Today Dean manages multiple sales teams and has managed high 8 figures in revenue for the teams he’s led. He owns a company helping grow sales teams and growing leaders within organizations.
GET IN TOUCH WITH DEAN: https://www.facebook.com/dean.kozora.90
Together S.O.B.E.R. Facebook Group - Join our FREE community, it's safe space of engagement, support, guidance, live education, accountability and authentic voices for anyone looking to make a change in their relationship to alcohol https://www.facebook.com/groups/749276119693280
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| 98. 5 Things I've Learned About Sobriety | 02 Nov 2023 | 00:17:05 | |
Together S.O.B.E.R. Facebook Group - Join our FREE community, it's safe space of engagement, support, guidance, live education, accountability and authentic voices for anyone looking to make a change in their relationship to alcohol https://www.facebook.com/groups/749276119693280 Stand Up To Alcohol Challenge - 30 Day interactive course to build Emotional Intelligence, Self-awareness & Mental Toughness https://go.louisebarnett.com/suta-drinking-type-results | |||
| 97. Amino Acid Therapy for Sobriety | 30 Oct 2023 | 00:46:44 | |
Chris spent many years trying any and everything to help her end cyclical binge drinking, including CBT, DBT, ACT (all the 3 letter therapies) , 12 step meetings, spiritual rituals and more. Nothing was more powerful or effective than using nutrition and supplements to naturally rebalance her brain. She found that by using targeted amino acids and food she was able to relieve ALL the symptoms, like stress and overwhelm, that led her to pick up a drink in the first place. She now lives happily sober and passionate about sharing how to biochemically rebalance to achieve sobriety as the missing piece to any recovery program. Together S.O.B.E.R. Facebook Group - Join our FREE community, it's safe space of engagement, support, guidance, live education, accountability and authentic voices for anyone looking to make a change in their relationship to alcohol https://www.facebook.com/groups/749276119693280 Stand Up To Alcohol Challenge - 30 Day interactive course to build Emotional Intelligence, Self-awareness & Mental Toughness https://go.louisebarnett.com/suta-drinking-type-results Follow on IG: @Togethersoberpodcast Freebies & More: www.Louisebarnett.com | |||
| 96. Estranged Fiona Part II | 26 Oct 2023 | 00:15:19 | |
Estranged Fiona is one of our most listened episodes. Its the story of my estranged sister. Here is an update on where things stand. Together S.O.B.E.R. Facebook Group - Join our FREE community, it's safe space of engagement, support, guidance, live education, accountability and authentic voices for anyone looking to make a change in their relationship to alcohol https://www.facebook.com/groups/749276119693280 Stand Up To Alcohol Challenge - 30 Day interactive course to build Emotional Intelligence, Self-awareness & Mental Toughness https://go.louisebarnett.com/suta-drinking-type-results Follow on IG: @Togethersoberpodcast Freebies & More: www.Louisebarnett.com | |||
| 95. Kyle Shaffer's Story: Generational Addiction | 23 Oct 2023 | 00:39:44 | |
Kyle, a Jay Shetty Certified Coach, grew up with an addict mother, who consequently was not around. He started drinking and smoking at a young age. He always did everything in excess. Fast forward after years of rinse and repeat behavior, Kyle got sober in 2021 with the help of Palmer Lake Recovery and EMDR treatment. Kyle acknowledges that he is still evolving and growing and healing and part of this recovery is helping other people battle the same disease. The goal is simple, to add value to people’s lives and encourage others to unlock their full potential through his company, Worth it Development GET IN TOUCH WITH KYLE: @worthitdevelopment via Instagram and youtube | |||
| 94. Your Spouse & Your Mental Health | 19 Oct 2023 | 00:15:28 | |
What is your spouse's role with all of this?
Together S.O.B.E.R. Facebook Group - Join our FREE community, it's safe space of engagement, support, guidance, live education, accountability and authentic voices for anyone looking to make a change in their relationship to alcohol https://www.facebook.com/groups/749276119693280
Follow on IG: @Togethersoberpodcast
Freebies & More: www.Louisebarnett.com
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| 93. Matt Evan's Story: Men & Sobriety | 16 Oct 2023 | 00:44:27 | |
Matt Was a pretty successful decent guy who had it all effectively, beautiful wife, 2 kids. Decent career. Good friends. Nice house. Always there to sort everyone else’s problems out. But underneath was hiding a massive issue of huge anxiety, depression, suicidal thoughts and then drinking so much alcohol it was ridiculous to make those thoughts go away each night. The threat of divorce and a night in a police cell later, Matt made the decision to go completely alcohol free. Over three and half years later, Matt’s health and body is better than it’s ever been. His relationship with his wife is incredible and better than the day they got married. He’s a better father with far more understanding and compassion and as a result of him getting sober the happy couple even welcomed a new baby boy into the family! His career skyrocketed along with now coaching others and organising the largest charity event in Birmingham, with the goal to rase over $100K pounds for Birmingham Children’s hospital. Matt is here for many reasons, but what things he noticed in recovery and now in coaching is that more men need to be represented. 85% of large recovery groups are female oriented - this doesn’t mean that only 15% of men are struggling, it means they are hiding behind the curtains and need help. Instgram - matt_lovin_life Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/matt.evans.3517563 Email - mattevans@differenfocus.co.uk Eventbrite - https://www.facebook.com/matt.evans.3517563 LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-evans-301b51a | |||
| 92. Inside My Latest Bipolar 1 Manic Episode | 12 Oct 2023 | 00:21:15 | |
Welcome to the inside of my latest manic Episode Together S.O.B.E.R. Facebook Group - Join our FREE community, it's safe space of engagement, support, guidance, live education, accountability and authentic voices for anyone looking to make a change in their relationship to alcohol https://www.facebook.com/groups/749276119693280 Follow on IG: @Togethersoberpodcast Freebies & More: www.Louisebarnett.com | |||
| 91. Joe Ortiz's Story: Intervention | 09 Oct 2023 | 00:51:03 | |
Joe Ortiz, Interventionist Today Joe is 55 years old. He used cocaine and drank for 20 years. Joe then tried to recover for 9 years. By the end, he lost everything. His first year of sobriety was extremely hard. Divorce, supervised visitation with his 2 small children, car breathalyzer, loss of my job, etc etc. etc. It was the deepest depression of his life, and Joe nearly died 90 days sober. Thanks to AA, his sponsor, his friends, family and most importantly, GOD, Joe just celebrated 10 years of recovery on June 5, 2023! :) Joe enters into the space of mental health and SUD treatments nearly 5 years ago. He has been professionally trained in two methods of intervention. The Break Free method by Brad Lamm and the CRAFT (Community Reinforcement and Family Training) method by Dr. Robert J. Meyers, Ph.D. Both these methods align perfectly with the principal that recovery is for the ENTIRE family and not just their addicted loved one. Joe simultaneously launched his intervention company, Transcend Interventions. www.transcendinterventions.com https://www.facebook.com/TranscendInterventions https://www.instagram.com/joeortizinterventionist/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/joe-ortiz-a2317b5a/ https://twitter.com/josephortiz314 www.transcendinterventions.com https://www.facebook.com/TranscendInterventions https://www.instagram.com/joeortizinterventionist/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/joe-ortiz-a2317b5a/ https://twitter.com/josephortiz314 | |||
| 90. Just "Not Drinking" Is Not Enough | 05 Oct 2023 | 00:13:52 | |
The weeks solo episode stems from a heartbreaking conversation I had with a woman who is simply "white knuckling" it. 5 weeks in, she's feeling great, my concern for her is how this will pan out in the long run. Together S.O.B.E.R. Facebook Group - Join our FREE community, it's safe space of engagement, support, guidance, live education, accountability and authentic voices for anyone looking to make a change in their relationship to alcohol https://www.facebook.com/groups/749276119693280 Follow on IG: @Togethersoberpodcast Freebies & More: www.Louisebarnett.com | |||
| 89. Rachel Hechtman's Story: Sober in Central Park is 1,000 Days Sober! | 02 Oct 2023 | 00:44:46 | |
Rachel Hechtman is a sober event consultant, social media content creator, and alcohol-free social curator who has transformed her life in remarkable ways since stopping drinking on January 3, 2021. As the Founder of Sober in Central Park LLC, her mission is to show people that changing your life is possible, and that life is still fun without alcohol. Rachel creates content and hosts events throughout NYC that provide a space for community and connection without the presence of alcohol. Through her work, she seeks to normalize, glamorize, and elevate alcohol-free alternatives and to help people embrace a healthier, happier lifestyle. Her commitment to sobriety and her passion for personal development have made her a leading advocate for the many benefits of a sober lifestyle. GET IN TOUCH WITH RACHEL: @Soberincentralpark - instagram, facebook, tiktok @rachelhechtman - linkedin | |||
| 88. The Opposite of Addiction is Connection | 28 Sep 2023 | 00:12:52 | |
Together S.O.B.E.R. Facebook Group - Join our FREE community, it's safe space of engagement, support, guidance, live education, accountability and authentic voices for anyone looking to make a change in their relationship to alcohol https://www.facebook.com/groups/749276119693280 Follow on IG: @Togethersoberpodcast Freebies & More: www.Louisebarnett.com | |||
| 87. Steph Prangley's Story - The Sober Rebellion, Nutritional Therapy & Functional Wellness | 25 Sep 2023 | 00:53:18 | |
For as long as she can remember, Steph has always struggled with feelings of low self-worth. She used overworking, obsessive dieting and exercise, and alcohol to escape and numb those feelings of not being enough. Steph dabbled in removing alcohol for weeks or months at a time, with the goal of drinking in moderation, but after multiple attempts at this, she experienced more blackouts, worsening hangovers, and feeling further and further away from the person she wanted to be. Steph finally said enough is enough after a couple of regrettable blackout episodes. Today, Steph is a Nutritional Therapy Practitioner and Sober Coach. She owns The Sober Rebellion, a virtual private practice helping clients use nutrition and functional wellness practices to enhance recovery efforts, repair their body from the damage done with long-term alcohol use, and address underlying health conditions. More than a nutrition practice, at The Sober Rebellion, clients learn to live a fulfilling life with passion, purpose, and permission to rest, fueled by restoring physical and emotional health and becoming aligned with their values. Steph feels a deeply rooted calling to be in service to others. Her goal is to show others they’re not alone and believe that they can and WILL break free from addiction and build a life they never want to escape. Links & Handles: Website: https://www.thesoberrebellion.com/ with free nutrition guide for recovery IG: @thesoberrebellion | |||
| 86. Angie Chaplin: Integrity, Curiosity, Clarity, Connection & Love Through Mindful Leadership | 18 Sep 2023 | 00:52:53 | |
When released from her fifth hospitalization for life-threatening alcohol use disorder in February 2020, Angie was given two choices by the medical team: keep drinking and die... or choose to stop drinking, and have a chance at a better life. Angie chose wisely, and entered an intensive outpatient treatment program with face-to-face counseling and group therapy. Forty days later, COVID happened and put a halt to the in-person services that had become the foundation for her newfound sobriety. At a crossroads with no clear path forward, Angie turned to what she knew best from her graduate work in leadership development to continue leading herself away from what no longer served her, and she leaned toward values-based, self-empowered leadership. Today Angie, SOBER, is the Founder and owner of Mindful Leadership, Angie Chaplin is a sought-after consultant and speaker known for her inspiring journey of courageous authenticity. Overcoming severe alcohol use disorder to achieve recognition as an alcohol-free industry leader and advocate, Angie's self-leadership story exemplifies her values of integrity, curiosity, clarity, connection, and love. Website: https://www.angiechaplin.com Email: angie@angiechaplin.com List Handles for: Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, TikTok LI: https://www.linkedin.com/in/angiechaplin/ FB: https://www.facebook.com/angiechaplin/ FB: https://www.facebook.com/MindfulLeadership2020 IG: https://www.instagram.com/_mindful_leadership_/ IG: https://www.instagram.com/angie_chaplin/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/angiechaplin YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@angiechaplin TV: https://who13.com/?submit=&s=angie+chaplin | |||
| 85. Sonia Kahlon's Story: EverBlume - Sobriety Meetings Online - A Unique Approach to Alcohol Recovery Support | 11 Sep 2023 | 00:53:09 | |
Sonia started drinking daily when she started a business. It was a work hard play hard philosophy. She was functioning professionally at such a high level that no one even considered she could have a problem. The business was exploding and the better it did, the more she drank, and as a result the more her mental health deteriorated. Sonia received an offer to sell her business, and I couldn’t turn it down. But she knew that she would start drinking more with her days less busy and she didn't know where or how that would end. So she quit……White knuckled with great difficulty. Sonia had a list of things she had wanted to do, and one by one she checked them off. She went to school for photography, took writing classes, and jewelry-making classes. She started exercising, eating healthy, making art, and writing about her sobriety. Sonia calls it - “doing all the things.” Today, Sober since 2017, Sonia is the founder of EverBlume which provides small group recovery meetings where members are matched into groups based on what they are struggling with. Since then, she has become a recovery coach and has dedicated her life to making a difference with social impact investing and volunteering with the incarcerated, formerly incarcerated, and victims of sex trafficking. And now she hopes to create her biggest impact by leveraging the power of peer support to create community for those on their recovery journey. Sonia believes that even though the specifics of everyone's recovery journey are unique there is a common thread of shared human experience. She wants to share her story so that people can see that when you least believe it - the resilience of the human spirit is an undeniable force that is in all of us. Joineverblume.com https://www.instagram.com/joineverblume/https://www.facebook.com/EverBlume https://www.tiktok.com/@everblume https://www.linkedin.com/in/sonia-kahlon/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/88881483/admin/ | |||