May 2024 Recap and New Beginnings In this solo episode, Paris Scobie discusses her decision to resign from her professional career to pursue her speaking business for mental health advocacy full-time. She provides a month-in-review for May 2024, sharing her experiences speaking at the Mental Health America of Arizona Seeds Conference and the upcoming NAMICon in Denver. Paris also discusses her new Instagram account, rebranded LinkedIn, and newly launched website. She reflects on the significance of connection, personal growth, and prioritizing what truly aligns with her purpose. Lastly, she announces upcoming projects like her audio book and underscores the importance of lived experiences in determining personal value. Follow Paris's new Instagram here! Subscribe to Paris's free newsletter here! 00:00 Welcome to the Solo Episode: A Personal Journey 01:12 The Excitement of May: New Beginnings and Connections 02:32 Embracing a New Path: The Transition to Mental Health Advocacy 04:02 From Speaking Engagements to Personal Growth 05:19 Upcoming Events and Expanding Influence 06:12 Reconnecting and Learning at Hollywood and Mind summit 07:45 The Journey of Resignation and Embracing Full-Time Advocacy 08:05 Behind the Scenes: Preparing an Audiobook and Rebranding 14:32 The Power of Connection and Gratitude

Empowerment and Identity: Jesse Escalante's Journey with Bipolar Disorder This episode of 'Live Well Bipolar' features an insightful conversation with Jesse Escalante, a 28-year-old queer, Latin social worker and professional dancer from San Francisco. Jesse shares his personal and professional journey, including being diagnosed with bipolar disorder just before the pandemic in February 2020, the challenges of dealing with the diagnosis during quarantine, and how he found solace and identity through his work in social work and dance. Jesse discusses the stigma surrounding mental health in his Mexican culture, the bullying he faced surrounding his sexuality a young age, and how dance became a pivotal outlet for his expression and self-acceptance. He also talks about his work as a social worker and his efforts to combine his passions for dance and mental health advocacy, particularly through choreographing pieces that explore his experience with bipolar disorder. The conversation also delves into the importance of seeking help, managing symptoms, and overcoming the fear of becoming a statistic. Jesse's story is one of resilience, hope, and the pursuit of one's passion despite the hurdles of mental health challenges. Connect with Jesse here and check out his dance here! 00:00 Welcome to Live Well Bipolar: Meet Jesse Escalante 00:18 Jesse's Journey: From Diagnosis to Advocacy 02:15 The Impact of Quarantine on Mental Health 06:04 Seeking Help: Jesse's Experience with Mental Health Rehab 06:55 The Power of Education and Overcoming Stigma 11:31 Finding Purpose Through Social Work and Personal Struggles 14:47 Embracing Identity: Jesse's Story of Resilience 25:45 Dance as a Lifeline: Combining Passions for Healing 30:12 Living Well with Bipolar: Jesse's Perspective 33:41 Staying Connected: How to Follow Jesse's Journey

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! USE CODE PARIS FOR 20% OFF YOUR ORDER HERE. 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

Navigating Motherhood and Bipolar Disorder with Alessandra Torresani Alessandra Torresani is a multifaceted artist known for her captivating performances in film, television and theater. From her early roles in hit TV shows like Malcolm in the Middle and 'The Big Bang Theory' to her life changing work as host of the EmotionAL support pod, Alessandra continues to captivate audiences. I am excited to dive deeper into her journey and insights into the world of motherhood as it relates to living with bipolar. She is dedicated to de-stigmatizing mental health by spreading kindness, compassion and hope. Alssandra brings tons of fun and laughter to her mission while sharing her story and the stories of others on her podcast EmotionAL Support Alessandra shares her story from being misdiagnosed and eventually finding relief in her correct diagnosis to the challenges and changes she faced during pregnancy, including going off medication. Emphasizing the importance of a support system and community, Alessandra delves into how she navigates motherhood while managing bipolar disorder, offering insights into the significance of routine, therapy, and open conversations. The discussion also touches on the societal perceptions and personal impacts of sharing mental health struggles publicly, the considerations of medication during pregnancy, and the broader implications of motherhood on identity and self-care. Stay connected with Alessandra here and go check out her podcast, EmotionAL Support, here! 00:00 Meet Alessandra Taurasani: A Journey from Acting to Advocacy 01:34 The Diagnosis Journey: Misunderstandings and Breakthroughs 04:37 Embracing Medication and the Path to Stability 06:08 Finding Love and Acceptance: A New Chapter Begins 10:14 Motherhood and Bipolar: Navigating New Challenges 11:39 Creating a Supportive Environment for Motherhood 15:23 The Importance of Routine and Structure in Parenting 19:35 The Lost Sense of Community in Parenthood 20:26 Finding Support and Building Connections as New Parents 23:25 Navigating Mental Health and Medication During Pregnancy 28:22 The Power of Sharing and Supporting Each Other 35:31 Exploring Identity and Motherhood 39:12 Concluding Thoughts on Support and Community

The last Monday of every month I always love to share something with you that I am navigating as it relates to living with bipolar. March was a really fun and really busy month for me. Many of you know that I was out of the country celebrating my first wedding anniversary 3/2-3/11. My baby sister, Milan, turned 21 along with another friend's birthday and going away event for another close friend. I got to speak to a room of 100+ people sharing my lived experience with bipolar as one of NAMI'S Faces of Recovery. I attended the 3rd annual Kid in the Corner Gala and had a lot of meeting connecting with so many doing great work in the community around mental health. But March is not over yet and there are still a lot of exciting things coming that I mention in the episode. As many of you know, good events can also be a trigger when living with bipolar. For me personally, this month I was consumed with love, gratitude and excitement but... I also found myself feeling bad for not showing up as much online. I was hard on myself for taking longer than expected to get back into my routine and I also felt a lot of overwhelm, stress and an inability to slow down in certain moments. So... what did I do? I made sure to check in with my therapist, loved ones and get my thoughts out of my head and onto paper. The more I got clear on where my more uncomfortable feeling came from... the more I was able to work through them to take care of myself. It has been a challenge getting back to normal life following a trip out of the country but with my support network, I have been able to do it and so can you! :) Please do me a favor and message me on Instagram (or email me at [email protected]) what you think of this episode. Without your feedback, I would not be here today.