Mentally Together

For the final day of Pride Month, we're chatting with two wonderful queer humans: Ali Naimo and Maia Fattahi, the co-founders of Hard Quirk, a nonprofit for OCD advocacy and support. Have you ever made a joke about how you're "so OCD," because you like organizing your bookshelf? Yeah, that's not exactly what it's like to live with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. And you're not alone - many mental health professionals don't even understand exactly with OCD is and how it shows up. In this episode, Ali and Maia share their own lived experiences with the disorder, from diagnosis to treatment to leading support groups for others through Hard Quirk. Media mentioned in this episode: Don't Think of a Pink Elephant short film: https://vimeo.com/429895816Biohaven OCD commercial: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ijVJ8c4_u8Birdie is the personal safety alarm designed by women, for women. Use promo code CASSIDY for 10% off your Birdie!Support the showYou can keep up with Mentally Together on Instagram @mentallytogetherpod. Cassidy's Instagram is @cassidyquinntv, and you can watch the video version of each podcast episode at YouTube.com/cassidyquinn. Books recommended by Mentally Together guests: https://bookshop.org/lists/mentally-together

Happy LGBTQIA+ pride month! The month where we celebrate the LGBTQIA+ community and living openly and authentically.It's also a month to honor and celebrate the progress we've made in LGBTQIA+ rights… and to stand up against the anti-LGBTQIA+ hate and laws that have been popping up all over the country. The Human Rights Campaign just officially declared a NATIONAL STATE OF EMERGENCY for LGBTQ+ Americans. That's the first time they've ever made a declaration like that, because now THIS is the worst year on record for anti-LGBTQ+ bill. There have been more than 75 anti-LGBTQ+ bills signed into law. I don't want to make this episode all doom and gloom - but it's important to talk about. AND in this episode, we get to celebrate some wonderful humans in the LGBTQIA+ community. People who have graciously come on the pod to share their stories and experiences with mental health. And since identity is very much tied to mental health, they've shared stories about coming out, about becoming a drag queen, about queer representation in media, and online harassment…Clearly, the experience of everyone in the LGBTQ+ community is different, which you'll hear in these stories.Here are the wonderful humans we hear from in this episode:Poison WatersMegan MitchellLisa Cazes and Alizeé FalqueLianne SafferX. AriLogan LynnAlayna JoyDownload the HRC's guidebook: https://hrc-prod-requests.s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/LGBTQ-Guidebook-for-Action.pdfLearn the actual facts about trans people, and combat misinformation: https://www.hrc.org/resources/myths-and-facts-battling-disinformation-about-transgender-rightsGet your .gay domain here: www.godaddy.gaySupport the showYou can keep up with Mentally Together on Instagram @mentallytogetherpod. Cassidy's Instagram is @cassidyquinntv, and you can watch the video version of each podcast episode at YouTube.com/cassidyquinn. Books recommended by Mentally Together guests: https://bookshop.org/lists/mentally-together

Ivan Maisel is an award-winning reporter and writer, who has covered college football for nearly four decades, ESPN, Sports Illustrated, and now on3.com, where he's a Senior Writer AND Vice President of Editorial.8 years ago, Ivan's 21-year-old son Max died by suicide. And what I haven't yet shared on this podcast is the fact that I can really relate - I lost my mom to suicide almost two years ago.Ivan writes about Max's life, death, the stigma around suicide and men's mental health, and his discovery that grief is love in his book, I Keep Trying to Catch His Eye: A memoir of loss, grief and love. It's a beautiful book that made me cry and smile.I am honored that he took the time to talk with me about all of it - his love for Max, his grief that he continues to honor, and the healing he's been through and continues to go through. And really, this conversation was healing for me too.Read Ivan's book: https://bit.ly/ivanmaiselbookFollow Ivan on Twitter: https://twitter.com/Ivan_MaiselBirdie is the personal safety alarm designed by women, for women. Use promo code CASSIDY for 10% off your Birdie!She's Birdie - the personal safety alarm Use code CASSIDY for 10% off your Birdie personal safety alarm today.Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the showYou can keep up with Mentally Together on Instagram @mentallytogetherpod. Cassidy's Instagram is @cassidyquinntv, and you can watch the video version of each podcast episode at YouTube.com/cassidyquinn. Books recommended by Mentally Together guests: https://bookshop.org/lists/mentally-together

HI. IT'S BEEN A WHILE. In this episode, I open up about my own mental health journey this past year, and what I've been doing when I'm not putting out new episodes. From starting a new job to training as a mindfulness teacher to grieving the loss of my mom... Basically, I have been prioritizing my own mental health and learning to enjoy life without overwhelming myself. So here's your reminder that it's okay to take a step back and take care of yourself, and your mental health should always come first.Support the showYou can keep up with Mentally Together on Instagram @mentallytogetherpod. Cassidy's Instagram is @cassidyquinntv, and you can watch the video version of each podcast episode at YouTube.com/cassidyquinn. Books recommended by Mentally Together guests: https://bookshop.org/lists/mentally-together

Hiiiiii! Oh gosh, it's been a while. I want to get back to regularly posting episodes in the new year, but in the meantime, I wanted to talk about this - how to keep it mentally together during the holidays. Am I an expert? ABSOLUTELY NOT! But here are the strategies - or REMINDERS - I'm trying to follow, myself, this year, to keep my brain and body feeling better than total crap. Isn't that what we're all trying to do out here??Wishing you a gentle holiday season, whether you're feeling festive or not. I LOVE YOU AND YOU MATTER AND THE WORLD NEEDS YOU, OK??!?!??Support the showYou can keep up with Mentally Together on Instagram @mentallytogetherpod. Cassidy's Instagram is @cassidyquinntv, and you can watch the video version of each podcast episode at YouTube.com/cassidyquinn. Books recommended by Mentally Together guests: https://bookshop.org/lists/mentally-together

On July 16th, there's officially a new number to call (or TEXT!!) when you or a loved one is experiencing a mental health crisis. 988 - it's like 911, but for anyone experiencing suicidal thoughts or substance abuse or any other type of mental health crisis. When you call 988, you'll reach a real human, who is trained to provide support and connect you with the help you need.Dr. Margie Balfour is a psychiatrist and the Chief of Quality and Clinical Innovation at Connections Health Solutions in Phoenix, Arizona. She has been working hard to advocate for this number and fight for implementation of 988.I loved talking to her about what this new number means for us and how we can use it, the warning signs we can look for in ourselves and our loved ones who are struggling, and what she sees as the future of mental health care.988 is a huge step, but there's still so much more to be done. The 988 Implementation Act was introduced in Congress in March of 2022, but has not been passed yet. The goal is that when someone is in crisis, they have someone to call, someone to come, and somewhere to go if it's needed. Of course, there is money needed to make people available to call, to show up, and to fund the places they might go. So the bill would provide federal funding and guidance for states to actually implement their 988 and crisis systems, including requiring all health insurance plants to cover crisis services, implementing a national suicide prevention awareness campaign, and providing funding for community-based crisis response centers.Read about the 988 Implementation Act: https://bit.ly/988implementationYou can keep up with Mentally Together on Instagram @mentallytogetherpod. Cassidy's Instagram is @cassidyquinntv, and you can watch the video version of each podcast episode at YouTube.com/cassidyquinn.Books recommended by Mentally Together guests: https://bookshop.org/lists/mentally-togetherSupport the show

Happy LGBTQIA+ pride month! The month where we celebrate the LGBTQIA+ community and living openly and authentically.It's also a month to honor and celebrate the progress we've made in LGBTQIA+ rights… which ummm… sometimes it doesn't feel like as much progress as it should??! If you've been paying any attention to the news lately, there have been more attacks on the LGBTQIA+ community - different states have been passing bills taking away LGBTQ+ rights, people have been attacking drag shows and trans people and other pride events… It's all really upsetting. And that's putting it lightly because I'm not putting this episode out to make you MORE upset about the state of the world… We're all already feeling it this week, huh??Instead, this episode is to celebrate some wonderful humans in the LGBTQIA+ community. People who have graciously come on the pod to share their stories and experiences with mental health. And since identity is very much tied to mental health, they've shared stories about coming out, about becoming a drag queen, about queer representation in media, and online harassment…Clearly, the experience of everyone in the LGBTQ+ community is different, which you'll hear in these stories. Some will talk about their amazingly positive experience coming out… while others had a much more negative experience. And some of these wonderful humans enjoy picking a label, and some that don't identify with any particular one.Here are the wonderful humans we hear from in this episode:Poison WatersMegan MitchellLisa Cazes and Alizeé FalqueLianne SafferX. AriLogan LynnAlayna JoyGet your .gay domain here: www.godaddy.gayTry Pride Counseling: bit.ly/mentallytogetherpridePride Counseling Providing online therapy to the LGBTQ+ community, making help accessible and accepting of everyone.Support the show

If you want to skip the intro and get straight to the meditation, skip to 2:55 in this episode.If you've never meditated before, don't worry, this  isn't about getting rid of all your thoughts or feeling at total peace with everything, and you don't even have to sit still.The meditation I'm going to lead you through today can actually be done walking around outside if you want. Because meditating in nature can be really wonderful!In this meditation, we're going to focus in on each of our 5 senses - touch, sight, hearing, smell, and taste. If I'm really getting curious about what I'm seeing or smelling or hearing in any present moment, it's a little easier for my brain to not get stuck going down a whole rabbit hole of anxious thoughts.You can go outside for this one, sit or lay down in your backyard, walk down the street, walk around a park nearby, or you can do it inside, sitting on the floor or a cushion or a chair, laying down. Whatever feels good and accessible to you today - there really is no right or wrong way to do this.So sit or lay down, or walk outside - and let's meditate together!You can keep up with Mentally Together on Instagram @mentallytogetherpod. Cassidy's Instagram is @cassidyquinntv, and you can watch the video version of each podcast episode at YouTube.com/cassidyquinn.Books recommended by Mentally Together guests: https://bookshop.org/lists/mentally-togetherMentally Together is a creation from Cassidy Quinn in collaboration with Coba.fm.Support the show

Do you ever feel scared about climate change? Anxious about global warming? Are you grieving the world as you know it? You are definitely not the only one feeling that way. Which is why there's now a term for this feeling: eco-anxiety.In his therapist practice, Dr. Thomas Doherty helps people with exactly that. He is a psychologist who specializes in applying an environmental perspective to mental health and well-being.And he's not new to this topic - in 2011, he co-wrote a paper with Susan Clayton called The Psychological Impacts of Global Climate Change, and that paper has been cited OVER 700 times.So I LOVED talking to him about his advice for those of us struggling with eco-anxiety, the mental health benefits of getting outside in nature, and how we can figure out our own environmental identity.Listen to Dr. Doherty's podcast here: https://climatechangeandhappiness.com/Read the New York Times article about climate change and therapy, featuring Dr. Doherty: https://www.nytimes.com/2022/02/06/health/climate-anxiety-therapy.htmlYou can keep up with Mentally Together on Instagram @mentallytogetherpod. Cassidy's Instagram is @cassidyquinntv, and you can watch the video version of each podcast episode at YouTube.com/cassidyquinn.Books recommended by Mentally Together guests: https://bookshop.org/lists/mentally-togetherRISE Brewing Co. Nitro cold brew coffee and tea with oat milk to create some good energy for you and your brain!Support the show

If you want to skip the intro and get straight to the meditation, skip to 4:30 in this episode.If you've ever thought, “I can't meditate, because my brain always keeps thinking!” Mental noting, or thought labeling, might be a helpful type of meditation for you, because it lets your brain think, but then let go of the thought and come back to the present moment, instead of just going all the way down the thought path.For me, the more I practice this in meditation, the more I am able to do it in real life. Because if your brain is anything like mine, you might relate to the mode my brain can get in a lot - where I'll get stuck ruminating and my brain just goes into an anxiety spiral and I can't get out of it… but if I can observe what is happening, and note, “oh there goes my brain again” - it can take myself out of the spiral for a second and look at it more objectively, and maybeee stop the spiral.And that is what we're going to practice in today's meditation. We will be gentle with ourselves as different thoughts pop up, and we'll just observe them, be aware of them, and then maybe try to release them. So sit or lay down, relax, and let's meditate together!You can keep up with Mentally Together on Instagram @mentallytogetherpod. Cassidy's Instagram is @cassidyquinntv, and you can watch the video version of each podcast episode at YouTube.com/cassidyquinn.Books recommended by Mentally Together guests: https://bookshop.org/lists/mentally-togetherMentally Together is a creation from Cassidy Quinn in collaboration with Coba.fm.Zoom+CareZoomCare offers same-day doctor visits—that you can book online or from their app.Support the showSupport the show

When you're stuck in your sad/anxious/grieving bubble, how do you get out of it? Lately for me, it's helped to talk to, listen to, or read something from someone who really gets what I'm going through. And listening to today's episode did that for me - because Tyler Feder gets it ALL - losing your mom, being anxious, battling ADHD, and more. Tyler is an artist whose work explores big feelings, feminism, and pop culture. I was introduced to her work from one of my mom's friends last year, who was so sweet and sent me this book after my mom died. It's called Dancing at the Pity Party - it's a graphic memoir about Tyler's mom - her life, her death, and Tyler's grief. It's definitely different from every other grief book I've read. But in a really cool way - because yeah, it's sad, but it's also somehow fun, because there's all these drawings and sweet memories, and reading it just felt really relatable.If you are struggling with anything - a mental illness, the loss of a loved one, trauma, whatever it is - I think finding someone to talk to or listen to or read their book, from someone who's gone through something similar, can be really helpful.So I LOVED talking to Tyler about her art, her grief, her mom, and body positivity.You can keep up with Mentally Together on Instagram @mentallytogetherpod. Cassidy's Instagram is @cassidyquinntv, and you can watch the video version of each podcast episode at YouTube.com/cassidyquinn.Books recommended by Mentally Together guests (including Tyler's 2 books!): https://bookshop.org/lists/mentally-togetherZoom+Care ZoomCare offers same-day doctor visits—that you can book online or from their app. Instacart - Groceries delivered in as little as 1 hour. Free delivery on your first order over $35.Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show

Do you love trying different things for your mental health and figuring out which ones work? And then sticking with them, but also letting yourself switch it up when the routine isn't serving you anymore (and NOT beating yourself up about it if you miss a day/week/whatever!)? This week's guest is all about that.X. Ari is an alt-pop singer, writer, and mental health advocate, who's life motto is all about turning “Pain Into Power.” She does that through her music, and by sharing her own struggles with mental health online and in-person, speaking at schools and other events. She's so open about everything from anxiety to psychosis, and what self care activities help her get through it all. She even launched her own non-profit, called WisdoMania Foundation, that offers Songwriting for Wellness workshops to schools and communities.And for Mental Health Awareness Month - which is MAY, aka right NOW when this episode comes out - X. Ari is celebrating by putting on a whole festival dedicated to mental health, called WisdoMania Fest. It's virtual, so you can tune in from home on May 15th and 16th, and try a huge variety of different self care activities, like meditation, yoga, art therapy, songwriting for healing and journaling. Want to join the festival (I'll be there!)? Buy your ticket at WisdoManiaFest.com and enter the promo code MENTALLYTOGETHER for 75% off!You can keep up with Mentally Together on Instagram @mentallytogetherpod. Cassidy's Instagram is @cassidyquinntv, and you can watch the video version of each podcast episode at YouTube.com/cassidyquinn.Books recommended by Mentally Together guests: https://bookshop.org/lists/mentally-togetherZoom+Care ZoomCare offers same-day doctor visits—that you can book online or from their app. RISE Brewing Co. Nitro cold brew coffee and tea with oat milk to create some good energy for you and your brain!Support the show

If you want to skip the intro and get straight to the meditation, skip to 7 minutes into this episode.This is the 5th edition of Mindfully Together, a series of meditations we'll doing here on Mentally Together. Get comfy and listen up, and we hope it provides a few minutes of calm and relaxation in your day.Today I will lead you through a 15-minute loving kindness meditation, where we will be sending out loving kindness to all living beings (yes, yourself included). It sounds really cheesy, but for me, this type of meditation has really helped me feel more compassion for myself and others. I mean, if you think about everything you do in life, everything you go through, everything you help other people with, can you think of anything that being a little more loving and kind DOESN'T make better?So get comfy (like, actually comfy!) and enjoy this meditation.Read more about the benefits of loving kindness meditation here.You can keep up with Mentally Together on Instagram @mentallytogetherpod. Cassidy's Instagram is @cassidyquinntv, and you can watch the video version of each podcast episode at YouTube.com/cassidyquinn.Books recommended by Mentally Together guests: https://bookshop.org/lists/mentally-togetherMentally Together is a creation from Cassidy Quinn in collaboration with Coba.fm.Zoom+Care ZoomCare offers same-day doctor visits—that you can book online or from their app. Support the show

Lisa Cazes and Alizée Falque are two friends who bonded over their mental health struggles. Now, they're using those struggles as inspiration for a short film challenging misconceptions about bipolar disorder and breaking down the stigmas around it. It's called Up and Down. Lisa is the writer, director, and producer, and Alizée  is the lead actor and associate producer.This is part 2 of our conversation - in this episode, we talk about their experiences with medication when it comes to their mental health, what led to Lisa (and her mom) being diagnosed with bipolar disorder, and how the pandemic led to Alizée finally being diagnosed with ADHD.This episode DOES discuss some  serious topics, including addiction and suicide. If you or anyone you know is experiencing some of those feelings, please reach out to a professional for help. You can always reach the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255. And please take care of yourself, and only listen to this episode if and when you are ready.You can keep up with Mentally Together on Instagram @mentallytogetherpod. Cassidy's Instagram is @cassidyquinntv, and you can watch the video version of each podcast episode at YouTube.com/cassidyquinn.Books recommended by Mentally Together guests: https://bookshop.org/lists/mentally-togetherMentally Together is a creation from Cassidy Quinn in collaboration with Coba.fm.Support the show (http://www.patreon.com/cassidyquinn)

Lisa Cazes and Alizée Falque are two friends who bonded over their mental health struggles. Now, they're using those struggles as inspiration for a short film challenging misconceptions about bipolar disorder and breaking down the stigmas around it. It's called Up and Down. Lisa is the writer, director, and producer, and Alizée  is the lead actor and associate producer. Lisa was diagnosed with bipolar disorder herself in 2018, and grew up helping support her bipolar mom as well. And Alizée has ADHD and social anxiety, both of which I relate to a LOT.So I loved talking to them both about how they connected as friends because of their mental health struggles, how they've learned to help each other through the tough moments, and what they hope to share about bipolar disorder in their upcoming short film.(Loved talking to them SO much that this is part 1 of 2 - hear more from Lisa and Alizée next week!)Donate to their film's Indiegogo campaign here: https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/up-and-down-short-filmYou can see behind-the-scenes of the film on social media from Alizée, Lisa, and Up and Down film.You can keep up with Mentally Together on Instagram @mentallytogetherpod. Cassidy's Instagram is @cassidyquinntv, and you can watch the video version of each podcast episode at YouTube.com/cassidyquinn.Books recommended by Mentally Together guests: https://bookshop.org/lists/mentally-togetherMentally Together is a creation from Cassidy Quinn in collaboration with Coba.fm.Zoom+Care ZoomCare offers same-day doctor visits—that you can book online or from their app. RISE Brewing Co. Nitro cold brew coffee and tea with oat milk to create some good energy for you and your brain!Support the show

Why do I still keep talking about my grief on the pod? Because it's still something I'm dealing with and figuring out every day, and I know I'm not alone in that. So here's what happened when I went across the world to China to cover the Olympics, and hit the 6-month mark since Mom died while I was there. If you've ever felt sad... maybe you can relate.You can keep up with Mentally Together on Instagram @mentallytogetherpod. Cassidy's Instagram is @cassidyquinntv, and you can watch the video version of each podcast episode at YouTube.com/cassidyquinn.Books recommended by Mentally Together guests: https://bookshop.org/lists/mentally-togetherZoom+Care ZoomCare offers same-day doctor visits—that you can book online or from their app. RISE Brewing Co. Nitro cold brew coffee and tea with oat milk to create some good energy for you and your brain!Support the show (http://www.patreon.com/cassidyquinn)

When it comes to our mental health, there are SO many things we can try to get ourselves feeling better. Do the same things work for everyone? Is something that helps one person guaranteed to help you too? Is anything ever guaranteed to help? No... But that doesn't mean we can't try. So we looked back at every episode from 2021, and pulled out one super useful nugget from each smart guest. It's basically the SparkNotes version of mental health tips...! This is part 2 - hear 15 more tips in part 1, last week's episode!You can keep up with Mentally Together on Instagram @mentallytogetherpod. Cassidy's Instagram is @cassidyquinntv, and you can watch the video version of each podcast episode at YouTube.com/cassidyquinn.Books recommended by Mentally Together guests: https://bookshop.org/lists/mentally-togetherMentally Together is a creation from Cassidy Quinn in collaboration with Coba.fm.Zoom+Care ZoomCare offers same-day doctor visits—that you can book online or from their app. Support the show (http://www.patreon.com/cassidyquinn)

It's a new year - but no, you do not have to be a new you. However, if you're listening to this podcast, there's a good chance you want your brain to feel a little better this year. So we looked back at every episode from 2021, and pulled out one super useful nugget from each smart guest. It's basically the SparkNotes version of mental health tips...!You can keep up with Mentally Together on Instagram @mentallytogetherpod. Cassidy's Instagram is @cassidyquinntv, and you can watch the video version of each podcast episode at YouTube.com/cassidyquinn.Books recommended by Mentally Together guests: https://bookshop.org/lists/mentally-togetherMentally Together is a creation from Cassidy Quinn in collaboration with Coba.fm.Zoom+Care ZoomCare offers same-day doctor visits—that you can book online or from their app. Support the show (http://www.patreon.com/cassidyquinn)

Have you ever been to  support group? I hadn't, until a couple of months ago - I was going down a grief rabbit hole on the internet, just looking for advice and other people to relate to and who knows what… but I came across a local bereavement support group for people who have experienced the same type of loss that I have with my mom. So I decided, what the heck, let's try this… I've only been to two so far (it's monthly), but it's definitely been helpful to me.Brennan Wood is the executive director of Dougy Center, the National Grief Center for Children & Families. They provide support in a safe place where children, teens, young adults, and families who are grieving can share their experiences before and after a death. Brennan is also the secretary of the Board of Directors of the National Alliance for Grieving Children. And, she was once a grieving child herself. But I'll let her tell you more about that.She's also an author of a book coming out in January, called A Kids Book About Grief.So I loved talking to Brennan about how she started talking about her grief, how we can help kids talk about theirs, and how there really is no “right” way to grieve.Pre-order Brennan's new book, A Kids Book About Grief: https://bit.ly/kidsbookgriefCheck out Dougy Center: dougy.orgBooks recommended by Mentally Together guests: https://bookshop.org/lists/mentally-togetherMentally Together is a creation from Cassidy Quinn in collaboration with Coba.fm.Zoom+Care ZoomCare offers same-day doctor visits—that you can book online or from their app. Support the show (http://www.patreon.com/cassidyquinn)

We're all constantly working on ourselves and our brains, right? That is definitly true for Malick Mercier. On his social media, you'll see him talk about mental health, aviation - one of his goals is to become a pilot one day - and all the other things he's manifesting for himself in his life. He calls himself "Gen Z's journalist," and he's constantly putting himself out there and is using his voice for good! So I loved talking to Malick about OCD and exposure therapy in the middle of a frickin' pandemic, how to look for and see love in the world, and how Gen-Z might be the best generation so far at asking for help.PS we recorded this episode back in June - it's all still relevant today, but just FYI in case you notice Malick mentioning, "it's getting warmer out!"

Happy Thanksgiving, to those who celebrate! But whether you're celebrating or not, I think we can all use a little extra gratitude. This is the 4th edition of Mindfully Together, a series of meditations we'll doing here on Mentally Together. Get comfy and listen up, and we hope it provides a few minutes of calm and relaxation in your day.Today I will lead you through a 10-minute gratitude meditation, where we will be checking in with our breath and tuning into the gratitude in our lives. It sounds cheesy, but for me, remembering that I have things to be grateful for does sometimes help me through the sad days (I also totally recognize that there are times this can NOT help at all...). Another thing that's really been helping me lately is just checking into, "hey, how am I actually feeling right now?" And meditating helps me be able to do that. It's helpful, even when how I'm "actually feeling" is depressed, anxious, or all of the above... So get comfy (you don't even have to sit still) and enjoy this meditation.You can keep up with Mentally Together on Instagram @mentallytogetherpod. Cassidy's Instagram is @cassidyquinntv, and you can watch the video version of each podcast episode at YouTube.com/cassidyquinn.Books recommended by Mentally Together guests: https://bookshop.org/lists/mentally-togetherMentally Together is a creation from Cassidy Quinn in collaboration with Coba.fm.Support the show (http://www.patreon.com/cassidyquinn)Support the show (http://www.patreon.com/cassidyquinn)Zoom+Care ZoomCare offers same-day doctor visits—that you can book online or from their app. Support the show (http://www.patreon.com/cassidyquinn)

Hi friends! Apparently you all want to keep talking about sad things... because I asked you if you'd rather have an interview episode this week or another episode about my grief... and you picked GRIEF! If you're feeling sad or you've ever felt sad or you know anyone who's sad... maybe you can relate. In this episode, I talk about the various stages of grief I'm experiencing after the loss of my mom, what's helping me right now, what I'm struggling with, and I answer some of your questions about grief. I know this is all sad stuff to be talking about, but it definitely helps me to talk about it outloud, so I hope it can help some of you too.The grief book I mention in this episode is It's OK that you're Not OK by Megan Devine - find that and other books recommended by MT guests here: https://bookshop.org/lists/mentally-together/You can keep up with Mentally Together on Instagram @mentallytogetherpod. Cassidy's Instagram is @cassidyquinntv, and you can watch the video version of each podcast episode at YouTube.com/cassidyquinn.Books recommended by Mentally Together guests: https://bookshop.org/lists/mentally-togetherMentally Together is a creation from Cassidy Quinn in collaboration with Coba.fm.Zoom+Care ZoomCare offers same-day doctor visits—that you can book online or from their app. Support the show (http://www.patreon.com/cassidyquinn)

Michelle Hammer is an activist, who makes videos and other content about her experience living with schizophrenia. Because, turns out, most of us don't really know much about what schizophrenia actually is. She spends her time passionately fighting stigma, and even created a clothing brand to do just that - it's called Schizophrenic.NYC, and its designs are intended to start conversations about mental health. They feature slogans like, “It's not a delusion, you're incredible.” and “Define normal.”So I loved talking to Michelle about what schizophrenia actually looks and feels like, why getting her correct diagnosis was the best thing that ever happened to her, and how we can keep breaking down the stigma around mental illness.You can keep up with Mentally Together on Instagram @mentallytogetherpod. Cassidy's Instagram is @cassidyquinntv, and you can watch the video version of each podcast episode at YouTube.com/cassidyquinn.Books recommended by Mentally Together guests: https://bookshop.org/lists/mentally-togetherMentally Together is a creation from Cassidy Quinn in collaboration with Coba.fm.Zoom+Care ZoomCare offers same-day doctor visits—that you can book online or from their app. Support the show

This is the second edition of Mindfully Together, a series of meditations we'll doing here on Mentally Together. Get comfy and listen up, and we hope it provides a few minutes of calm and relaxation in your day.Today I will lead you through a 10-minute breathing meditation, where we will be checking in with our breath - not trying to change it, just noticing how it feels in this moment. For me, tuning into my breath has become a really useful tool for my anxiety, ADHD, and just everyday life. When my brain starts bouncing all over the place, or I get stressed or upset about life, I try to remind myself that I have my breath, and I'm ok, right now.So get comfy (you don't even have to sit still) and enjoy this meditation.You can keep up with Mentally Together on Instagram @mentallytogetherpod. Cassidy's Instagram is @cassidyquinntv, and you can watch the video version of each podcast episode at YouTube.com/cassidyquinn.Books recommended by Mentally Together guests: https://bookshop.org/lists/mentally-togetherMentally Together is a creation from Cassidy Quinn in collaboration with Coba.fm.Support the show (http://www.patreon.com/cassidyquinn)Support the show (http://www.patreon.com/cassidyquinn)

Logan Lynn is a songwriter, producer, filmmaker, TV personality, activist, and a huge advocate for mental health.  He's currently getting ready to release his 10th studio album, New Money, which comes out on January 21st, 2022!I loved talking to Logan about trauma-informed therapy, making the internet a better, safer place, and living life as an open book.This episode DOES discuss some  serious topics, including addiction and suicide. If you or anyone you know is experiencing some of those feelings, please reach out to a professional for help. You can always reach the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255. And please take care of yourself, and only listen to this episode if and when you are ready.You can keep up with Mentally Together on Instagram @mentallytogetherpod. Cassidy's Instagram is @cassidyquinntv, and you can watch the video version of each podcast episode at YouTube.com/cassidyquinn.Books recommended by Mentally Together guests: https://bookshop.org/lists/mentally-togetherMentally Together is a creation from Cassidy Quinn in collaboration with Coba.fm.Zoom+Care ZoomCare offers same-day doctor visits—that you can book online or from their app. Support the show (http://www.patreon.com/cassidyquinn)

Hi friends! I'm back - and I'm sad. My mom passed away in August, and I've been trying to find the words to say and the energy to say it all. If you are going through a sad time - or know anyone who is - maybe you'll relate to some of what I'm feeling right now... there are a lot of feelings, that's for sure! Before I'm back with another normal interview-style episode next week, I just wanted to share a bit of what I'm going through, and how I'm getting through it - or at least attempting to.The grief book I mention in this episode is It's OK that you're Not OK by Megan Devine - find that and other books recommended by MT guests here: https://bookshop.org/lists/mentally-together/You can keep up with Mentally Together on Instagram @mentallytogetherpod. Cassidy's Instagram is @cassidyquinntv, and you can watch the video version of each podcast episode at YouTube.com/cassidyquinn.Books recommended by Mentally Together guests: https://bookshop.org/lists/mentally-togetherMentally Together is a creation from Cassidy Quinn in collaboration with Coba.fm.Zoom+Care ZoomCare offers same-day doctor visits—that you can book online or from their app. Support the show (http://www.patreon.com/cassidyquinn)

This is the second edition of Mindfully Together, a new series of meditations we'll doing here. Get comfy and listen up, and we hope it provides a few minutes of calm and relaxation in your day.Today I will lead you through a 10-minute body scan meditation, which will hopefully help you connect and check in with your body to just become aware of how you're feeling, right now.So get comfy (you don't even have to sit still) and enjoy this meditation.You can keep up with Mentally Together on Instagram @mentallytogetherpod. Cassidy's Instagram is @cassidyquinntv, and you can watch the video version of each podcast episode at YouTube.com/cassidyquinn.Books recommended by Mentally Together guests: https://bookshop.org/lists/mentally-togetherMentally Together is a creation from Cassidy Quinn in collaboration with Coba.fm.Support the show (http://www.patreon.com/cassidyquinn)

This is the first edition of Mindfully Together, a new series of meditations we'll doing here. Get comfy and listen up, and we hope it provides a few minutes of calm and relaxation in your day.If you've never tried meditating before, it can sound intimidating. But here's a tidbit that really helped me when I was starting out: it's called a meditation PRACTICE. The goal is not to be perfect, or to have zero thoughts in your mind. Heck, my ADHD brain is always running... but becoming more aware of my thoughts and taking a few minutes to tune into my mind and body each day has really helped me.So get comfy (you don't even have to sit still) and enjoy this 10 minute meditation from therapist and meditation guide, Alison Diana.You can keep up with Mentally Together on Instagram @mentallytogetherpod. Cassidy's Instagram is @cassidyquinntv, and you can watch the video version of each podcast episode at YouTube.com/cassidyquinn.Books recommended by Mentally Together guests: https://bookshop.org/lists/mentally-togetherMentally Together is a creation from Cassidy Quinn in collaboration with Coba.fm.Support the show

How do you support a friend who's sad? What do you do when someone is going through a hard time? That's not really something we humans learn in school, but it's obviously really important. And at some point, we'll all go through a sad time in our lives. My guest this week just released about exactly this subject - and it's a book that will only take you a few minutes to read!Tracy Subisak, is an author, illustrator, and yoga instructor. Her new book, the first one she's both written and illustrated, is called Jenny Mei Is Sad. It tells the story of a young girl, Jenny Mei, who, yeah, is sad. But the book is told from the friend's perspective, and shows what the friend does to support her through her sad times. Spoiler alert: all the friend does is hangout with her, do fun things when she wants to, allow her to be sad or frustrated when she feels that way. It's a beautiful, simple message that I think we can all relate to. Unless you've never been sad, or known anyone who's sad, and if that's the case… are you human??So I loved talking to Tracy about how to start emotional conversations, how her friends helped her through a really sad time in her life, and how to breathe and move through the grief and stress that can manifest in our bodies.You can keep up with Mentally Together on Instagram @mentallytogetherpod. Cassidy's Instagram is @cassidyquinntv, and you can watch the video version of each podcast episode at YouTube.com/cassidyquinn.Books recommended by Mentally Together guests: https://bookshop.org/lists/mentally-togetherMentally Together is a creation from Cassidy Quinn in collaboration with Coba.fm.The Plant Doctors If you're a crazy plant person like me, you'll love The Plant Doctors. Use code CASSIDY for 15% off.RISE Brewing Co. Nitro cold brew coffee and tea with oat milk to create some good energy for you and your brain!Support the show

We've talked about therapy, we've talked about antidepressants... but today we're talking about a totally different type of treatment for depression: Ketamine.When I say that, you might think, WOAH, that's an anesthetic. Or, that's a party drug. But here's how it relates to mental health - there are now places you can go, doctors you can go to, to get a Ketamine infusion for your depression.And this is fascinaing to me. Because I am all for anything that can be proven to help people's brains. Ketamine - because of its use as an anesthetic, is legal for medicinal use. And has been since the 1960s.My guests today are Dr. Steven Mandel and Sam Mandel, the founders of Ketamine Clinics Los Angeles!Dr. Mandel has been using Ketamine to treat patients for over 40 years, as a board-certified anesthesiologist. He's also a founder of the American Society of Ketamine Physicians, Psychotherapists, and Practitioners. Sam Mandel is his son, and the Chief Operating Officer of Ketamine Clinics Los Angeles. They opened the clinic together 7 years, ago, and since then, have administered over 8 thousand treatments.I loved talking to them about what Ketamine infusions entail, how it actually works on the brain, and how it has helped many of their patients feel SO much better.You can keep up with Mentally Together on Instagram @mentallytogetherpod. Cassidy's Instagram is @cassidyquinntv, and you can watch the video version of each podcast episode at YouTube.com/cassidyquinn.Books recommended by Mentally Together guests: https://bookshop.org/lists/mentally-togetherMentally Together is a creation from Cassidy Quinn in collaboration with Coba.fm.Zoom+Care ZoomCare offers same-day doctor visits—that you can book online or from their app. Instacart - Groceries delivered in as little as 1 hour. Free delivery on your first order over $35.Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show

Do you ever wish you could go back in time and have different conversations with people? I've been thinking about that a lot this week, because technically, I knew Megan Mitchell back in 2010, when we were both at Emerson College in Boston, hosting a show on the Emerson Channel together. But although we obviously chatted with each other, we never talked about serious things, like our mental health.Megan is a news anchor on WLWT in Cincinnati. And when she's not on TV, she's making TikToks to her over 1.4 million followers, about the LGBTQ+ community and mental health.So I loved talking to Megan about ADHD, OCD, eating disorders, and how being open and vulnerable about your feelings can really help you and the people in your life.You can keep up with Mentally Together on Instagram @mentallytogetherpod. Cassidy's Instagram is @cassidyquinntv, and you can watch the video version of each podcast episode at YouTube.com/cassidyquinn.Books recommended by Mentally Together guests: https://bookshop.org/lists/mentally-togetherMentally Together is a creation from Cassidy Quinn in collaboration with Coba.fm.RISE Brewing Co. Nitro cold brew coffee and tea with oat milk to create some good energy for you and your brain!The Plant Doctors If you're a crazy plant person like me, you'll love The Plant Doctors. Use code CASSIDY for 15% off.Support the show

How are you? Are you ready to go back to "normal?" Whether you're vaccinated or not, some of us are ready to move on from the pandemic and go back to our old ways, and some of us just aren't. If you're feeling pandemic-related anxiety, social anxiety, or you've discovered a new version of yourself and you're trying to figure out how that fits in the world now, you're definitely not alone.Alison Diana is a therapist, meditation guide, and yoga instructor, who can help us sort through all of this. Obviously the last year sucked for many reasons, but maybe there are parts of it we enjoyed and want to bring with us as we go forward.So I loved talking to her about post-pandemic pressure, social anxiety, mindfulness, and setting boundaries to show love for ourselves and those around us.You can keep up with Mentally Together on Instagram @mentallytogetherpod. Cassidy's Instagram is @cassidyquinntv, and you can watch the video version of each podcast episode at YouTube.com/cassidyquinn.Books recommended by Mentally Together guests: https://bookshop.org/lists/mentally-togetherMentally Together is a creation from Cassidy Quinn in collaboration with Coba.fm.Zoom+Care ZoomCare offers same-day doctor visits—that you can book online or from their app. Instacart - Groceries delivered in as little as 1 hour. Free delivery on your first order over $35.Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show (http://www.patreon.com/cassidyquinn)

When I was diagnosed with ADHD last November, in some ways, it was really overwhelming, wondering why it took me 3 decades to figure it out. But then on the other hand, it felt really validating to finally make sense of some of the ways my brain works. And since I'm starting to understand these things about my brain, I can stop trying to fight against them, and work with them instead. To me, it's actually pretty amazing how much just knowing and understanding how my brain works helps it work better.When I started researching ADHD, before and after my diagnosis, I found a community of other people on the internet also living with ADHD. Including content creators and coaches who have now dedicated their careers to putting out information about ADHD, sharing their own stories and things they've learned along the way.And one of those people - who I have since learned a LOT from - is René Brooks!René is the founder of Black Girl Lost Keys - a blog that empowers black women with ADHD and shows them how to live well with the disorder. She's written 6 e-books about living with ADHD, covering topics from cleaning, guarding your YES, style, and time blindness.So I loved talking to René about cleaning with ADHD, how to set realistic routines, and how getting a diagnosis later in life can be like meeting a version of yourself you didn't even know existed.You can keep up with Mentally Together on Instagram @mentallytogetherpod. Cassidy's Instagram is @cassidyquinntv, and you can watch the video version of each podcast episode at YouTube.com/cassidyquinn.Books recommended by Mentally Together guests: https://bookshop.org/lists/mentally-togetherMentally Together is a creation from Cassidy Quinn in collaboration with Coba.fm.The Plant Doctors If you're a crazy plant person like me, you'll love The Plant Doctors. Use code CASSIDY for 15% off.GroundUp Nut Butter Nut butters that spread good by helping women overcome adversity. Use MENTALLYTOGETHER for 15% off.Support the show (http://www.patreon.com/cassidyquinn)

Have you ever been to therapy? Or have you been curious about it, but you just don't know what to expect, and it sounds kind of scary? Yeah, that was me for the past 2.5 years, since I was diagnosed with anxiety and depression. Finally, I just had my first ever therapy session. And you know what? It was way less terrifying than my brain said it would be… So in this episode, I'll answer some of the questions you might have before your first therapy appointment - I'll tell you what happened in mine and how it went, with my first reactions and first therapy homework assignment!You can keep up with Mentally Together on Instagram @mentallytogetherpod. Cassidy's Instagram is @cassidyquinntv, and you can watch the video version of each podcast episode at YouTube.com/cassidyquinn.Books recommended by Mentally Together guests: https://bookshop.org/lists/mentally-togetherMentally Together is a creation from Cassidy Quinn in collaboration with Coba.fm.Zoom+Care ZoomCare offers same-day doctor visits—that you can book online or from their app. Instacart - Groceries delivered in as little as 1 hour. Free delivery on your first order over $35.Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show

Are you a perfectionist? I think most of my life I've known I'm a perfectionist, but I've always just kind of said it as a joke, or never really thought of it as being connected to my mental health. But the American Psychological Association says perfectionism is associated with depression, anxiety, eating disorders, and other mental health problems. The APA also published a study in 2017 that found that perfection is increasing over time. SO let's talk about it.Nikki Limo is a self-proclaimed perfectionist. Well, she has been - but she's now fighting against it - so much so that she literally wears a bracelet every day that says, "F*ck perfect,"She's a content creator, podcaster, comedian, actress, and more. She creates video blogs of her life on her YouTube channels, and those vlogs include some anxious moments, depressed days, and lots of self-care. Some days she's making candles and doing a new moon ritual, some days she's setting up her Bullet Journal, or working on her jewelry line, Kittens and Coffee. One of the pieces she sells is a bracelet that just says “f*ck perfect,” which serves as a reminder to her, in any of those moments where she's made a mistake and everything's NOT perfect, that hey, take some deep breaths, the world isn't ending… and it's ok that things aren't perfect - that she's not perfect.So I loved talking to Nikki about how she's learned to combat some of her perfectionism, how she builds new habits into her routine, and where her secret childhood crying spot was - because, fun fact: I had one too...You can keep up with Mentally Together on Instagram @mentallytogetherpod. Cassidy's Instagram is @cassidyquinntv, and you can watch the video version of each podcast episode at YouTube.com/cassidyquinn.Books recommended by Mentally Together guests: https://bookshop.org/lists/mentally-togetherMentally Together is a creation from Cassidy Quinn in collaboration with Coba.fm.Support the show

Content warning: This episode DOES discuss some  serious topics, including suicide. If you are experiencing some of those feelings yourself, please reach out to a professional for help. You can always reach The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255.We talk a lot on this podcast about asking for help - when you notice you're struggling with your mental health. And that can be a really hard step to take. But then, what happens when you ask for help, and the help you receive isn't what's best for you and your brain?? Unfortunately, that does happen. You can be prescribed the wrong meds, diagnosed with the wrong mental illness, or given the wrong treatment - and that can be really dangerous.That happened to Sheila Hamilton's husband. And now she's devoted her entire career to breaking down the stigma around mental illness and changing the system, through her podcast, Beyond Well with Sheila Hamilton, her web series, Chasing Chaos, and her book, All the Things We Never Knew: Chasing the Chaos of Mental Illness. So in this episode, we talk to Sheila about what she's learned about Bipolar Disorder, some of the misconceptions about mental illness and suicide, and what she hopes the mental health system will look like someday.Listen to Sheila's podcast: https://beyondwellwithsheilahamilton.com/Watch her web series, Chasing Chaos: https://www.namicc.org/chasingchaosYou can keep up with Mentally Together on Instagram @mentallytogetherpod. Cassidy's Instagram is @cassidyquinntv, and you can watch the video version of each podcast episode at YouTube.com/cassidyquinn.Books recommended by Mentally Together guests (including Sheila's book): https://bookshop.org/lists/mentally-togetherMentally Together is a creation from Cassidy Quinn in collaboration with Coba.fm.Support the show (http://www.patreon.com/cassidyquinn)The Plant Doctors If you're a crazy plant person like me, you'll love The Plant Doctors. Use code CASSIDY for 15% off.Zoom+Care ZoomCare offers same-day doctor visits—that you can book online or from their app. Support the show (http://www.patreon.com/cassidyquinn)

Soooo you've always wanted to try meditating. Or journaling. Or mindfulness. Or one of those other mental health tips that people always say would help you SO much butttt you've just never tried…And that's ok. I do that too. I swear, the things our brains want to resist are usually the things that end up being most helpful in the end (meditation is a huge example of that for me)...So let's celebrate Mental Health Awareness Month (May!) with a whole week of trying these things together!The Mentally (virtually) Together Challenge will take place in the mornings of May 24-29. We'll set aside time for ourselves each morning to do some things that will bring us joy and get us ready for a good, productive day.Sign up: cassidyquinn.tv/challengeJoin the Facebook Group: bit.ly/mentallytogetherfbYou can keep up with Mentally Together on Instagram @mentallytogetherpod. Cassidy's Instagram is @cassidyquinntv, and you can watch the video version of each podcast episode at YouTube.com/cassidyquinn.Books recommended by Mentally Together guests: https://bookshop.org/lists/mentally-togetherMentally Together is a creation from Cassidy Quinn in collaboration with Coba.fm.Support the show (http://www.patreon.com/cassidyquinn)Support the show (http://www.patreon.com/cassidyquinn)

Alayna Joy is a trained mindfulness and self-compassion teacher. But you might know her better from her YouTube videos. She's a cat-loving LGBTQ+ content creator from Canada. She makes videos about the LGBTQ+ community, veganism, and mental health.And along the way, she's been learning a lot about herself. Most recently, the realization that she's a lesbian, not bisexual. And she's done all that learning on camera, in front of the internet. How did she get through it? Self-compassion. Being kind and patient with herself. Not judging herself for questioning things and discovering new thoughts that she didn't notice before. So in this episode, Alayna talk about mindfulness, self-compassion, and being your true self.You can keep up with Mentally Together on Instagram @mentallytogetherpod. Cassidy's Instagram is @cassidyquinntv, and you can watch the video version of each podcast episode at YouTube.com/cassidyquinn.Books recommended by Mentally Together guests: https://bookshop.org/lists/mentally-togetherMentally Together is a creation from Cassidy Quinn in collaboration with Coba.fm.Support the show (http://www.patreon.com/cassidyquinn)The Plant Doctors If you're a crazy plant person like me, you'll love The Plant Doctors. Use code CASSIDY for 15% off.GroundUp Nut Butter Nut butters that spread good by helping women overcome adversity. Use MENTALLYTOGETHER for 15% off.Support the show (http://www.patreon.com/cassidyquinn)

Do you ever feel like you're an imposter? In your career, your whole life - like you're doing the whole “fake it 'til you make it” thing, but you never make it… you always feel like you're faking it. And someday, someone is gonna figure you out - and they'll tell everyone that you have no idea what you're doing, you never deserved any of this, and then it will all be ripped out from under you... This feeling can be called Imposter Syndrome. And if you've felt it - you're not alone. At all. Turns out, MOST people experience this Imposter Phenomenon.Parna Mehrbani is a partner at Tonkon Torp, a business law firm in Oregon. She focuses on intellectual property and trademark law. But she's also done a lot of presentations about Imposter Syndrome, and therefore learned a lot about how it manifests and what we can do to combat it. Because, yes, there are ways we can change these thoughts in our brains - and it starts by talking about it.You can keep up with Mentally Together on Instagram @mentallytogetherpod. Cassidy's Instagram is @cassidyquinntv, and you can watch the video version of each podcast episode at YouTube.com/cassidyquinn.Books recommended by Mentally Together guests: https://bookshop.org/lists/mentally-togetherMentally Together is a creation from Cassidy Quinn in collaboration with Coba.fm.Zoom+Care ZoomCare offers same-day doctor visits—that you can book online or from their app. Instacart - Groceries delivered in as little as 1 hour. Free delivery on your first order over $35.Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show (http://www.patreon.com/cassidyquinn)

Let's talk about TRAUMA. How do you work through it? Or do the feelings and emotions just eventually go away?Stephanie Thornton Plymale has had a LOT of trauma to work through in her life - and it took her a long time and a lot of therapy, but she's come out on the other side and is sharing that beautiful journey in her memoir, American Daughter. Through the book, she finally learns about the trauma her mother experienced, and working through that and her own trauma has led her to the person she is today: a confident professional woman who is truly, fully herself. She's the owner and CEO of her own interior design school - Heritage School of Interior Design.From homelessness to foster care, abuse and neglect, Stephanie was put through a LOT throughout her childhood, including her mother's mental illness. For decades, she didn't talk to anyone about it, except her husband.So I loved talking to Stephanie about how therapy helped her work through her trauma, how writing allowed her to release some of it too, and how creating an interior space that we love can help our brains and bodies feel better too.Now Stephanie's life, and therefore what we talk about in this episode, does include many subjects that may be alarming to some listeners, including sexual abuse, suicide, and child abduction. So as always, please make sure to take care of yourself, and if anything is triggering or disturbing to you, don't be afraid to ask a professional for help.You can keep up with Mentally Together on Instagram @mentallytogetherpod. Cassidy's Instagram is @cassidyquinntv, and you can watch the video version of each podcast episode at YouTube.com/cassidyquinn.Books recommended by Mentally Together guests (including Stephanie's book, American Daughter): https://bookshop.org/lists/mentally-togetherMentally Together is a creation from Cassidy Quinn in collaboration with Coba.fm.William Temple House Affordable mental health counseling and support for basic needs to people in the Portland area.GroundUp Nut Butter Nut butters that spread good by helping women overcome adversity. Use MENTALLYTOGETHER for 15% off.Support the show

Taking care of our mental health is tough, for so many reasons. The stigma, the cost, finding the right person and type of treatment... So a lot of times, we procrastinate making these changes. For me, unless the process of seeking help can become easy for me - I won't do it… Or at least, I'll wait until I'm REALLY struggling and can hardly function to do it.   For me, that happened when I started going to Zoom+Care. I can book an appointment on the app on my phone, and then be in and out of the doctor's office in 30 minutes. It's honestly been a game changer for me.So my guest this week is Dr. Erik Vanderlip, the Chief Medical Officer at Zoom+Care. He's a board certified family physician and psychiatrist who wants to engineer our healthcare system to make it easy for every person to get seamless access to the information they need to change their lives for the better.I loved talking with him about making mental healthcare accessible, how to know when to ask for help, and his advice for anyone struggling right now.If seeing a professional might make your day and your brain feel better, and you live in Oregon, Washington, Idaho or Colorado, give Zoom+Care a try! Go to zoomcare.com or download the mobile app to make an appointment.This episode is sponsored by Zoom+Care.You can keep up with Mentally Together on Instagram @mentallytogetherpod. Cassidy's Instagram is @cassidyquinntv, and you can watch the video version of each podcast episode at YouTube.com/cassidyquinn.Books recommended by Mentally Together guests (including Dr. Vanderlip's favorite book about depression): https://bookshop.org/lists/mentally-togetherMentally Together is a creation from Cassidy Quinn in collaboration with Coba.fm.Zoom+Care ZoomCare offers same-day doctor visits—that you can book online or from their app. The Plant Doctors If you're a crazy plant person like me, you'll love The Plant Doctors. Use code CASSIDY for 15% off.Support the show (http://www.patreon.com/cassidyquinn)

CJ McCollum is a guard on the Portland Trail Blazers. He's also a journalist, a winemaker, and the host of his own podcast, Pull Up with CJ McCollum. Unfortunately, CJ's had to battle some injuries throughout his career as a professional basketball player. Recently, he was out for 8 weeks with a broken foot. I got to talk to him right before he got back on the court - in fact, literally during this recording, the Trail Blazers announced he would be playing the next day.But if you follow CJ on social media, you've seen that whenever he's injured, he's still posting so much POSITIVITY! Although I'm sure it's unbelievably frustrating to not be able to do what he loves, he never makes it seem that way, saying it just makes him appreciate what he has even more. In fact, even the whole “not being able to do what he loves” thing - the things he loves are seemingly little things, like walking his dog, Fiona. Things that many of us often take for granted.So I loved talking with CJ about how he gets through tough times, the mental health struggles of professional athletes, and how he shows love and support to his teammates and friends.You can keep up with Mentally Together on Instagram @mentallytogetherpod. Cassidy's Instagram is @cassidyquinntv, and you can watch the video version of each podcast episode at YouTube.com/cassidyquinn.Books recommended by Mentally Together guests: https://bookshop.org/lists/mentally-togetherMentally Together is a creation from Cassidy Quinn in collaboration with Coba.fm.Zoom+Care ZoomCare offers same-day doctor visits—that you can book online or from their app. TREW Gear Use the code BACKCOUNTRYBRAINS for 25 dollars off any order over $100 and free shipping!Support the show (http://www.patreon.com/cassidyquinn)

We can't keep our mental health strong when there are horrible things happening in the world. Just as we need to talk about our feelings, we need to talk about the big issues going on. And recently, there have been way too many horrific things happening to Asian Americans, including a series of mass shootings in Georgia, where 8 people were murdered, including 6 Asian women. We have to keep talking about these things and stop ignoring them - and hopefully that will kickstart some change. So today, we're talking to Satomi Ishikawa, a first-generation Japanese American living in Tokyo. She's a storyteller, community builder, and purpose-driven marketer from California. She wants to leave the world better than she found it, and I'm so grateful that part of that includes opening up about her own mental health and what she's experienced as an Asian American.This episode DOES discuss some  serious topics, including suicide. If you are experiencing some of those feelings yourself, please reach out to a professional for help. You can always reach The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255.Links from this episode:Sign up for Hollaback's bystander intervention trainingDonate to the GoFundMe page to stop AAPI hateYou can keep up with Mentally Together on Instagram @mentallytogetherpod. Cassidy's Instagram is @cassidyquinntv, and you can watch the video version of each podcast episode at YouTube.com/cassidyquinn.Books recommended by Mentally Together guests: https://bookshop.org/lists/mentally-togetherMentally Together is a creation from Cassidy Quinn in collaboration with Coba.fm.Support the show

Do you ever look at someone and think, “Wow, they're FEARLESS?!” I feel like that word is used a lot to describe people in the public eye, whether it's a professional athlete or a musician or anyone else you see as you scroll through Instagram. And obviously to be fearless, you must have NO fear. So that must mean those pro skiers dropping CLIFFS aren't afraid of anything bad happening in that moment... Right? WRONG. Anyone that I've talked to that appears fearless on the outside, actually does have some fear on the inside. They just know how to manage it, how to talk to it, and they know that it's not a bad thing. Fear and anxiety have a purpose for us humans - we just have to learn how to listen to them.Meet professional freeskier Angel Collinson - someone who, if you've seen what she does, ​you might think she's fearless. And yes, she is EXTREMELY BRAVE, but she does have fear, just like the rest of us humans. ​But she 's close with her fear, and knows how to listen to it.You may have seen her slashing steep spines on huge mountains in ski movies from Teton Gravity Research, or seen her in the Freeskiing World Tour, which she has won TWICE. She's won awards for her skiing on film too - like when she was the first woman ever to win Best Line at the Powder Video Awards.I loved talking to Angel about fear, anxiety, meditation, and how the heck we can listen to our gut.You can keep up with Mentally Together on Instagram @mentallytogetherpod. Cassidy's Instagram is @cassidyquinntv, and you can watch the video version of each podcast episode at YouTube.com/cassidyquinn.Books recommended by Mentally Together guests: https://bookshop.org/lists/mentally-togetherMentally Together is a creation from Cassidy Quinn in collaboration with Coba.fm.Zoom+Care ZoomCare offers same-day doctor visits—that you can book online or from their app. TREW Gear Use the code BACKCOUNTRYBRAINS for 25 dollars off any order over $100 and free shipping!Support the show (http://www.patreon.com/cassidyquinn)

Do you know how to talk about hard things? If someone you know is going through something difficult, what do you say to help? Turns out, we're not really taught that in life, and that's why Lianne Saffer is talking about it in her new memoir, Please, Don't Send Me Flowers. In it, she talks about her divorce, coming out, and breast cancer, all  through stories that will make you cry at some parts and laugh at others. Lianne describes herself as a woman "on an endless quest to feel it all." She's a wife, mother, fitness instructor, hair stylist, life coach and now author. Lianne wants to use her voice to help create true empathy and understanding. And that's exactly what she does in this episode, as we talk about empathy, being ok with discomfort, and even some tips for what to say and do (and NOT do...) when someone you know is struggling.Buy Lianne's book, Please, Don't Send Me FlowersYou can keep up with Mentally Together on Instagram @mentallytogetherpod. Cassidy's Instagram is @cassidyquinntv, and you can watch the video version of each podcast episode at YouTube.com/cassidyquinn.Support the show on Patreon at Patreon.com/cassidyquinn.Books recommended by Mentally Together guests: https://bookshop.org/lists/mentally-togetherMentally Together is a creation from Cassidy Quinn in collaboration with Coba.fm.Instacart - Groceries delivered in as little as 1 hour. Free delivery on your first order over $35.The Plant Doctors If you're a crazy plant person like me, you'll love The Plant Doctors. Use code CASSIDY for 15% off.Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show

Being vulnerable can be really scary. Even just the idea of putting thoughts into a private space, like a journal, can make you feel really exposed. Now imagine taking the thoughts in your journal and sharing them with the world? That's what We Three has made a career of. The sibling band from McMinnville, Oregon, sings about their insecurities, doubts, fears and darkest moments. You might remember them first from their appearance on America's Got Talent in 2018, when they sang Heaven's Not Too Far, a song written from the perspective of their mother, who passed away from cancer a few years ago. Like most songs they've released since then, it's beautiful, heartbreaking, and just very human.Of course, that audition was only the beginning of We Three sharing their vulnerability with the world through their music. Since then, they've opened up about so many more of their emotions and insecurities in song after song, connecting with an audience across the world and spreading the message that we all have struggles but we can get through them. In this episode, we talk to We Three about the stories behind some of their vulnerable lyrics and how it feels to share their deepest feelings with the world. Some of their songs do discuss serious topics, including suicidal ideation. So as always, if you are experiencing some of those feelings yourself, please reach out to a professional for help. You can *always reach The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255.Links for We Three:Watch We Three's Dear, Paranoia Virtual ShowAttend (virtually)  the Lines for Life GalaYou can keep up with Mentally Together on Instagram @mentallytogetherpod. Cassidy's Instagram is @cassidyquinntv, and you can watch the video version of each podcast episode at YouTube.com/cassidyquinn.Support the show on Patreon at Patreon.com/cassidyquinn.Books recommended by Mentally Together guests: https://bookshop.org/lists/mentally-togetherMentally Together is a creation from Cassidy Quinn in collaboration with Coba.fm.Instacart - Groceries delivered in as little as 1 hour. Free delivery on your first order over $35.Zoom+Care ZoomCare offers same-day doctor visits—that you can book online or from their app. Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show

Do you have enough color and positivity in your Instagram feed? If not, you're probably not following Luinluland. Lou Featherstone (as people rarely call her) is an influencer, a sustainable stylist, a reckless optimist, a vibrator enthusiast (yep), and honestly just a ray of rainbow sushine. She's always showing off colorful thrifted clothes and her naked bum and giving us all the permission to live outloud. Should we need that permission? NO. But Lou serves it to us on a naked platter, topped with a bunch of sparkles.I think it probably goes without saying that I had SO much fun chatting with Luinluland, about self confidence, growing old DISgracefully, and the days when you just have to sit in the dark and feel your feelings.You can keep up with Mentally Together on Instagram @mentallytogetherpod. Cassidy's Instagram is @cassidyquinntv, and you can watch the video version of each podcast episode at YouTube.com/cassidyquinn.Support the show on Patreon at Patreon.com/cassidyquinn.Sign up for Luinluland's email list to find out when her online course launches!Books recommended by Mentally Together guests (including Luinluland's favorite, Untamed by Glennon Doyle): https://bookshop.org/lists/mentally-togetherMentally Together is a creation from Cassidy Quinn in collaboration with Coba.fm.The Plant Doctors If you're a crazy plant person like me, you'll love The Plant Doctors. Use code CASSIDY for 15% off.GroundUp Nut Butter Nut butters that spread good by helping women overcome adversity. Use MENTALLYTOGETHER for 15% off.Support the show (http://www.patreon.com/cassidyquinn)

THERAPY. Of course, it's come up on multiple episodes of our pod so far, because DUH this is a mental health podcast. So this episode, we have an actual therapist - Ashley McGirt! She's also an author, a public speaker, and a wonderful human doing hard work to break down the stigma around mental illness. Ashley is one of the leading therapists in the US specializing in racial trauma. She's spoken about it at many events, including a Tedx Talk called Dying While Black: Links between mental health, chronic stress, and death. And recently, she started the Washington Therapy Fund, which provides free therapy to help eliminate the financial barriers to Black healing.So we talked about what inspired her to become a therapist, racial trauma & the history of racism in the mental health field, and what exactly therapy entails - you know, for those of us who may or may not have been there before...You can keep up with Mentally Together on Instagram @mentallytogetherpod. Cassidy's Instagram is @cassidyquinntv, and you can watch the video version of each podcast episode at YouTube.com/cassidyquinn.Support the show on Patreon at Patreon.com/cassidyquinn.Pre-order Ashley's new book, Mental Health Survival Kit for Anti-Racist AdvocatesDonate to the WA Therapy Fund to provide free therapy to help eliminate the financial barriers to Black healing.Books recommended by Mentally Together guests (including Ashley's other book about mental health tips for travelers!): https://bookshop.org/lists/mentally-togetherMentally Together is a creation from Cassidy Quinn in collaboration with Coba.fm.Zoom+Care ZoomCare offers same-day doctor visits—that you can book online or from their app. GroundUp Nut Butter Nut butters that spread good by helping women overcome adversity. Use MENTALLYTOGETHER for 15% off.Support the show

Meet Poison Waters (aka Kevin Cook): one of the most popular drag queens in Portland, Oregon. She's glamorous and is full of infectious positivity - if you've ever been in the same room (or Zoom!) as her, you know the power of her smile. Yet recently, Poison realized that sometimes she was "just painting on a smile," covering up her emotions with makeup and big hair, and eventually that all built up and had to come out. All the sadness, the anxiety, the stress and overwhelm about the state of the world... It's a lot! So Poison and I talked about letting our emotions out, embracing your weird and being uniquely yourself, and the importance of taking days off.You can keep up with Mentally Together on Instagram @mentallytogetherpod. Cassidy's Instagram is @cassidyquinntv, and you can watch the video version of each podcast episode at YouTube.com/cassidyquinn.Support the show on Patreon at Patreon.com/cassidyquinn.Books recommended by Mentally Together guests (including an anxiety book recommended by Poison Waters!): https://bookshop.org/lists/mentally-togetherMentally Together is a creation from Cassidy Quinn in collaboration with Coba.fm.The Plant Doctors If you're a crazy plant person like me, you'll love The Plant Doctors. Use code CASSIDY for 15% off.GroundUp Nut Butter Nut butters that spread good by helping women overcome adversity. Use MENTALLYTOGETHER for 15% off.Support the show

For our second episode, meet Shoshana Bean! She's an actress, singer, just an incredible performer. You may have seen her as Elphaba in the musical Wicked on Broadway, or more recently, as Jenna in Waitress on Broadway. And when she's not performing on Broadway, she's working on her solo career, where she's sold out concerts around the world. Yeah, she's talented, she's creative, she's gorgeous, and she's just a lovely HUMAN! But as we all know on this podcast, just because everything seems perfect from the outside, doesn't mean that person doesn't have mental struggles they deal with every day.So Shoshana and I talk about - living in the uncomfortable, the importance of letting your emotions out, how to retrain your brain to tell yourself positive things instead of negative things, and why it's *so dang hard to know that we are ENOUGH in this world.You can keep up with Mentally Together on Instagram @mentallytogetherpod. Cassidy's Instagram is @cassidyquinntv, and you can watch the video version of each podcast episode at YouTube.com/cassidyquinn.Join Cassidy on Patreon at Patreon.com/cassidyquinn.Mentally Together is a creation from Cassidy Quinn in collaboration with Coba.fm.The Plant Doctors If you're a crazy plant person like me, you'll love The Plant Doctors. Use code CASSIDY for 15% off.Zoom+Care ZoomCare offers same-day doctor visits—that you can book online or from their app. Support the show

For our very first episode, I'm introducing you to the person I always get to throw all of my feelings at - my boyfriend, roommate, and adventure partner: Tucker Barney! On the outside, Tucker seems like a masculine, confident, positive man - which he is, but there's a softer, more emotional side to him that you might not see at first glance. He's had some low moments in his mental health journey, and is constantly trying to battle toxic masculinity.This episode does discuss serious topics, including suicidal ideation. If you are experiencing some of those feelings yourself, please reach out to a professional for help. You can *always reach The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255.You can keep up with Mentally Together on Instagram @mentallytogetherpod. Cassidy's Instagram is @cassidyquinntv, and you can watch the video version of each podcast episode at YouTube.com/cassidyquinn.Join Cassidy on Patreon at Patreon.com/cassidyquinn.Mentally Together is a creation from Cassidy Quinn in collaboration with Coba.fm.The Plant Doctors If you're a crazy plant person like me, you'll love The Plant Doctors. Use code CASSIDY for 15% off.GroundUp Nut Butter Nut butters that spread good by helping women overcome adversity. Use MENTALLYTOGETHER for 15% off.Support the show (http://www.patreon.com/cassidyquinn)