Crazy! Right? With Dave Asher

“Anne” is a 31 year old musician, improviser and educator.  She has been diagnosed with bipolar 2 and struggles with some PTSD symptoms.  She shares about her expereinces growing up, including that of her father caring for her ailing mother, instances of self harm, and taking anger management classes when she was in third grade.  She improvises a song about the power of big emotions.  She shares about her current romantic partner and being open about her mental health with him.  Anne goes deeper into her experiences with manic and depressive episodes and a lengthy battle to find the right treaments.  Among other realizations and powerful insights, Anne concludes: “It's okay to have feelings.  It's a part of the human experience.”

Help de-stigmatize conversations about mental health and addiction.   If you would like to share your story on this podcast, message @crazyrightasher on instagram, or send an email to dave@daveasher.com.

Tatyana Frost is a writer and advocate for mental health and diversity in technology.  She’s currently working on her memoir about her experience with bipolar disorder.  She talks about growing up and the arc of her illness - going through extreme highs and lows, attempting to cope with suicidal depression, all while achieving academic and professional success. She speaks of being misunderstood and receiving a lack of family support on her initial efforts to get treatment and a diagnosis, as well as her own battle with feeling a stigma about being unwell or “crazy”.  She now draws on her background of championing diversity in science and technology, to become a mental health advocate.  She is sharing her story in a book “The Madness Effect” -  a title Tatyana has coined to refer to one’s ability to develop pride in their mental health journey.  

Steel Maggie is a songwriter and recording artist from Los Angeles who creates bittersweet and bold dance pop music for the minimally sane, the moderately restless, and the significantly idealistic.   She lives with bipolar, and has battled addiction.  She shares her story with Dave including having the experience of wearing the moniker "crazy" as a badge.  Maggie is also the host of the "Mind Made Wrong" podcast.  Maggie and Dave muse about the alignment of their respective podcasts.  Steel Maggie on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/steelmaggiehq/ Steel Maggie on Spotify https://open.spotify.com/artist/48auQrrY6KzqE8q92IxXFJ Steel Maggie on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHw3uYAZB5SiwSV6cJrTKcA Steel Maggie Website http://www.steelmaggiemusic.com Steel Maggie on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/steelmaggiemusic/ Mind Made Wrong podcast website:  https://www.steelmaggiemusic.com/podcast  

Tim Davis is the author of TRIPOLAR: The Story of a Bipolar Triathlete”.  He is a coach, science teacher, 12 time Ironman finisher, and 7 time 100-mile endurance run finisher.  Tim shares about his history with addiction, personal family tragedy, mental illness and recovery. You can get Tim's book TRIPOLAR at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Book Depository, and through several other stores listed on his website at ultratimdavis.com; where you can also sign up for coaching, connect to follow him on social media and subscribe to his blog.  

June Converse is an author and blogger who provides an authentic look at the day-in-day-out worries, hopes, dreams, and fears of suffering from bipolar. After several downward spirals, she now is able to share and write from a place that inspires others through her struggles, helping them to feel safe to express themselves as well. June has published two fictional novels that tell the stories of hope through mental health struggles. Decide to Hope and Journey to Hope are both available on Amazon or your preferred bookseller. She can be contacted on Instagram and Facebook. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JuneAConverseAuthor/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/converse.june/ Website / Blog: www.juneconverse.com Decide to Hope: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B087J997RX?ref_=dbs_s_ks_series_rwt Journey to Hope: https://www.amazon.com/June-Converse-ebook/dp/B08FBBQY7J

Carl LaMark is a composer, pianist, and recording engineer born and raised in Chicago. He shares about living a life of music while coping with loss, anxiety, and clinical depression. He also shares insight into his experience of falling ill with Covid-19 earlier this year.

Alex Rembold is a Chicago based singer songwriter and improvisational actor. He has performed at the iO with the musical improv group "La Di Da" and is the host of the podcast "Little City; Big World".  He shares about his experience living with Bipolar 1.

Eric Majeski is an innovator, a musician, and a holistic healer/counselor in-training. He’s currently in grad school cultivating new solutions for the addiction epidemic and studying mental health counseling. Eric performs and tours across North America with his band the Mystic Hearts.  Eric is a fierce mental health advocate, and maintains a transformational coaching practice of select clients looking to up-level their creativity and productivity as well as become more adept at managing their energy and natural intelligence.  

Luke Warner is an improviser, rapper, comedian and world traveler.  Luke chats with Dave about the use of offensive language and content to reach an audience.  They discuss Luke’s history with mental health and dig deeper into how people communicate in art, politics, and life.  Luke a.k.a “Uncle Tasty” improvises a rap with Dave on keys.

Scott Gilmore, a Chicago based dual citizen from Canada, is a former paramedic, and aspiring actor/performer.  After a more than 15 year long battle with alcoholism, addiction, and several relapses, he is nearly six months sober.  He recounts his story of ups and downs with Dave, his struggles to avoid taking one more drink, and the wisdom of being a “grateful” alcoholic.

Liz Komos is a Chicago based actor and comedian who was born with a physical deformity and chronic illness.  Growing up as a square peg in a world of round holes, she developed a passion to live earnestly and with a deep appreciation for every moment.  It is her goal to create more access and awareness for others to express their true selves through art while also bringing light to the world with comedy.  Liz shares about her powerful and spiritual journey to accomplish big things.  Liz and Dave sing two improvised songs together. 

Jam Alker is a leader in the recovery through music movement. Following a battle with several addictions, including heroin, Jam returned to his musical roots and used song writing and expressive therapy to improve his life.   He has gained a large following in the process, inspiring others and showing them a light to guide their own paths to wellness.  On this episode, he shares his story, including performing a live version of a song he wrote for his wife during treatment.  

Alexia Jasmene is a Chicago based trans actor/musician/comedian/poet that performs across the country and Chicago at various events, theaters, bars, and digital mediums trying to open hearts and change minds with her seed planting storytelling art forms.  She has been diagnosed with ADHD since she was 3 years old, lives with anxiety, depression and suicidal ideation, and through a combination of spiritual practices such as loving awareness mediation (Sharon Salzberg and Tara Brach) and Bhakti Yoga (open hearted yoga in conjunction with teachings from Ram Dass) and extensive therapy with EMDR and trauma therapy, she has been able to heal, feel, and deal from her complex PTSD from childhood and decrease her Borderline Personality Traits to a manageable level.

Norm Holly is a Chicago based improvisor, teacher, actor, and director,  who has been inspiring students and audiences for more than 30 years.  He’s shared in the evolution of the next generation of performers who are sharing more openly about their mental health.   Dave and Norm talk politics, improv, addiction, and the way in which artists are “broken toys” that can overcome and use their life history.  The episode ends with Norm performing an improvised monologue, with Dave providing musical underscore.

Thomas Schuberth is a Chicago based podcaster with Asperger Syndrome.  He struggles with depression and anxiety.  He and Dave explore experiences with difficulties in relating to people due to an unquiet mind, misinterpreting social cues, and emotions that are at times more extreme.  They sing two improvised songs together.

Violet is musical artist who writes, produces and performs hard rock and indie pop music all around the city of Chicago.  She speaks about her experiences with mania, depression, addiction, and gender dysphoria.

Brandon Krisko is an actor and an improviser who recently relocated to Chicago after graduation from Washington University in St. Louis. As a Psychology major with a diagnosis of Major Depressive Disorder, he is passionate about advocating for a greater understanding of and compassion towards individuals with mental health disorders.

Rebecca Shrom is a Chicago based actor/improviser. She was diagnosed with anxiety and major depression at a very young age.  She speaks with Dave about her experience with electroconvulsive therapy as well as her feelings about the stigma surrounding mental illness.

Anderson Lawfer is a Chicago based producer, director and event host. He is a proud recovering addict, and speaks with Dave about his history with addiction and the family of artists who support each other.  They improvise a song together inspired by “Lean On Me”.

Rob Gaughan is an improvisor, truck driver and spiritualist,  whose own challenges in life have set him on a path 20 years ago to understanding the many depths and dimensions of anxiety and addiction while working to de-stigmatize the pursuit of mental wellness.

Alwyn Mothershed is a Chicago based comedy person, raised in Nashville by improvisors.  She was recently diagnosed with Borderline Personalty Disorder.  She says people associate BPD with “horrible people” and that some days she feels that way herself.  She confides, however,  that through positive experiences with medication and a psychiatrist, she has had periods of feeling better, and recommends living a healthy life.

Ryan P. C. Trimble is a Chicago based writer and actor, who has lived his whole life with Tourette Syndrome.  He speaks about how his condition has informed the construction of his personality, as well as the insights it gives him into life with a special perspective.  He relates these things with his experiences with improvisation and sings a couple improvised songs with Dave.

Aram Vartian is a 43 year old multi-media producer with a diagnosis of bipolar.  He creates actual role playing podcasts and speaks about how his illness has affected his work life, professional relationships and friendships. 

Stephen Reichelt is a Chicago-based musician and music educator specializing in orchestral double bass, jazz, rock, and composition. He has experienced drastic ups and downs throughout his life due to issues with depression and substance abuse.  He sings two improvised songs with Dave and describes his experience on the podcast to be a form of expressive therapy.

Carol Pearson is a former comedienne who studied improv in Chicago and recently moved to Indiana.  She muses on the struggle of being depressed, comparing it to grieving, and speaks to suicidal ideation.  She goes on to speak about her history with improvisation as a mode to get in touch with emotion and flow.  And, she sings an improvised song called “My head is a dangerous place to be."

Aurelie De Foresta is a 28 year old French theater artist based out of Lyon and Paris.  She speaks about her manic episode in the wake of the Paris terrorist attacks in 2015, and the depression that followed.  She improvises three songs about her medication, the ups and downs of life, and a musical suicide note.  She notes that working in the theater is already a little bit crazy to begin with, and riffs, “To begin with, when do we begin to work in theater?” 

“K” is a Chicago based graphic designer who has battled bipolar, depression, and anxiety.   She speaks about coming out to her friends and family about her mental health.  She describes her journey of coming out as gay, as well, and her own battle to identify herself along both of these lines.  She describes these decisions and the reactions she receives from family, friends, and co-workers.

Matt Griffo is a comedic songwriter and performer who tours around the world.  He has struggled with depression since childhood as well as memory loss.  He sings one of his comedic songs,  and improvises two others; one about memory loss, and a song of gratitude to someone special.

Rebecca Montalvo is an actor, musician, and family lady living in Chicago.  She speaks about depression and self medication through both drinking and performing.  She sings songs about depression, the process of how alcohol effects her emotions, and coping mechanisms for social anxiety.  She also shares about how she talks about mental health with her daughter.

Charles Torpe, a member of the Long Term Recovery movement, has been sober for 27 years and has worked in the field of human services for more than two decades.  He speaks candidly about getting sober, mending relationships with members of his family, and his missions in life.  He improvises a song with Dave about the power of recovery.

Noelle Hoffman is a Chicago-based comedian who has struggled with an eating disorder as well as depression.  She speaks about  addictions to smart phones and social media, and the power that these have over our mental health, as well as how we discuss it.  Finally, she reveals “the most important relationship” that we have.

Beth Chrome is a Chicago based editor and improvisor who has a bipolar diagnosis.  She speaks about her recollections of being manic and her experience with the subsequent depressions.  She describes her current life of maintaining her health, and moving to a lower stress job that doesn’t pay the bills but keeps her going.

“Orphan Schlitz” is a low-fi punk noise musician based in Chicago.  He struggles with mental health, but has never sought diagnosis beyond his own description as a maniac.  He relies on family and the government for assistance, and takes pride in being a menace to society.  He speaks about music, recognition, existentialism, and alternate dimensions 

“Dee” is a transgender computer programmer who struggles with depression and food addiction.  During the interview, she drops hints at something having happened to her in the past.  As the interview continues Dave persuades Dee to improvsise on a harmonica, and then Dee shares a secret from her past.

Bailey is a 27 year old special education assistant who has struggled with panic disorder, ADHD, and depression.  She shares her experiences connecting with a special needs child to adjust better in school and make more friends.  She offers that things would improve, if it were easier for people to open up about their mental health.

Bryan Kuhn, a Chicago based singer-songwriter, opens up about his experience with music, overcoming addiction, and battling depression.  He performs a live version of one of his songs and improvises a new one.  He has found a new mission with his music - to heal himself and others.    

Timothy Swaim, a Chicago based performer, decided to quit using alcohol just a few weeks ago.  He reveals that he has attempted to quit before in the past, and conveys his struggle with addiction and depression.  He says he always wants to be seen as “someone who is always going to be fine” and begins to reconcile this with the need to ask for help.

Alexandria Springer is a support group facilitator with the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA) who has rebounded from depression in the past. She speaks about the value of emotional vulnerability in making connections, and how she can leverage her past experiences to empathize with the newer members of the group.

Mandy Miller, a musical comedian in Chicago, is very open about her illness, and how people respond when she tells them about her panic disorder and anxiety.  She sings an improvised song about “Airplane Klonopin, ” and gives a vivid description of what a panic attack feels like.

Tyler Pistorius, a Chicago based filmmaker, reveals his experience with suicidal ideation, self harm, self doubt, and PTSD brought on by a mass shooting on his former college campus.  He says, “There are people out there who love you.  Who want to see you succeed.  People who are going to need your help.”  He concludes: “Suicide can not be an option for you.”

Hannah Gray, a 25 year old with Bipolar 1 says, "Mental illness is one of the most intimate things you could possibly deal with as a person... It's in your mind and that's where your identity is," she continues.  "It can be hard to distinguish the two; sometimes it feels impossible."