Redeeming Disorder

Why does one decide to change his life? Why does one play music and sing for a new dawn?In this (primarily english) interview Glenn Clayton, a longtime expat and Vilcabamban, reflects on the decision to move here. For his own life and for the many waves of foreigners who've similarly changed their lives, Glenn speaks to the value of this valley and the hope it offers. He acknowledges that it may be naive to believe in a new dawn, but he chooses to do so anyway rather than living as many addicts, conspiranoids and nihilists of Vilcabamba do. He chooses hope, whether correct or foolish, because that hope inspires him to play music and to live. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit reiman.substack.com

Hello, listeners! Goodbye, Redeeming Disorder.I'm ready to fully focus my creative energy in one direction, which means it's time for my first major creative project to end. Worlds of thanks to Tamar — legend in my life, lead producer of Light & Shadows, and the woman for the job of turning the page.We talk herbalism, Kambo medicine, medicine at large, creative flow and beginner's mind. We also talk about our personal growth through this past year of knowing each other. This past year… these past months, weeks, days… What a time.As great swathes of Latin America burn, the Vilcabamba valley has been filled with smoke these past seven days since the Light & Shadows team returned from filming in the jungle, and we're slowing down our pace of releasing videos. Forty-nine days after beginning our Friday releases and planning to release a pilot episode on December 20, we have to say that the pilot will come in 2025, and that no plan is surefire in these fiery times. Nonetheless, we'll continue doing our best.I'm grateful to have already filmed some beautiful places that have recently burned down. In right time, I'll be grateful to bring you “Epic 1” (“episodes” are so legacy-TV) of our genre-bending docureality series. And, in the meantime, I'm grateful to uphold our commitment to bring you at least something every Friday.As many of the world's unnatural orders break down, and as we go through personal breakdowns (breakdown-breakthroughs, more aptly), life can feel entirely chaotic. Upholding our true commitments can feel challenging. Maintaining order in our lives can feel impossible. Our plans are jokes to God-Goddess, paradoxes to the reality of the present moment, which is all we can ever know for sure. Yet, we make plans to bring our intentions into being, and we return to our truest intentions.Creating Light & Shadows is a calling for us — an intention to which we'll continually return, an order from God-Goddess themself. Our pilot epic won't adhere to the order we had in mind, but Light & Shadows will continue. We will continue to create for you. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit reiman.substack.com

Venus and Her Lover: buy the book here, visit the site here.Rebecca Tzigany returns to Light & Shadows as she says goodbye to Vilcabamba and as we begin releasing our content regularly, every Friday.We hope you continue to get to know us every Friday, leading up to the release of our Pilot Epic (episode) on 20 December, 2024. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit reiman.substack.com

Counseling session from December 2023 with one of Vilcabamba's longest-time wise women. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit reiman.substack.com

Buenas noches. Disfruta esta conversación entre mi vecino y yo. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit reiman.substack.com

Nykia Herron Ash is a U.S. expat living in England who decidedly answers the call to help people, whether through reiki work or in the nail salon. We discuss the unlearning necessary for relearning authentic ways, Nykia's empowering perspective on anxiety and our perspectives on fear and faith. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit reiman.substack.com

Links:* Wayra Vibra Instagram* Catherine's Instagram* Please Pass the Bliss* People of the Sun This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit reiman.substack.com

Links:* Zeus the Husky channel and video:* Hofstede Cultural Analysis: the three countries discussed, the general tool.* The Authentic Observer youtube channel.* Cultural Map of the United States.* The book that the map is based on.* Documentary called Quantum Communication / Mind Science Kept Hidden:* Autobiographical stuff.co.nz article series by New Zealand author Catherine Dolan about the toxicity and brutality of NZ society.* Global Innovation Index 2022 global map visualization.* Mark Passio's Presentation Playlist on his youtube channel.* Nick's youtube channel.These links are included per Nick's request; I endorse nothing, and trust you to make your own judgments. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit reiman.substack.com

Please enjoy this (possibly final) episode of Redeeming Disorder, featuring my first friend in my new home (Vilcabamba, Ecuador), Maya Choi. Maya has lived quite an adventurous life, growing up in Korea, spending over a decade in New York City and living now in Ecuador, where she's also been for over a decade. Her experiences shifting between cultures have taught her how to relate to the identity of the self, as has extensive meditation, through which she's always maintained a “beginner's mind.” From her exposure to Zen monasteries as a child to her personal practice today, meditation has always been a way for Maya to, rather than escaping or merely transcending the world, relate to the world with more joy, gratitude and generosity. That spirit and those qualities are reflected at the site of our interview — the Sukkha Wasi cultural center she started — as well as in Maya herself. ~ Video of Our Conversation on YouTube

On this World Mental Health Day, I'm joined by my partner Kailey to reflect on anxieties, bad habits and True Love. ~ Links from the Episode: Video of Our Conversation on YouTube Video of Our Conversation on BitChute Rapper Played in Background for a Minute ~ If you have a story or perspective you'd like to share on the podcast, feel free to tell me a bit about it using this form! Support Redeeming Disorder by contributing to their Tip Jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/redeeming-disorder

Phil Larstone has always felt a deep calling to steward the earth, and it's here in southern Ecuador that he ultimately actualized that calling, renewing a hectare of land into fertile, biodiverse and beautiful permaculture. In this interview he takes us through his journey of mental health and connection to nature — from suicidal college student, to Hawaiian permaculture student to creator of "eternaculture" (and AirBnB host extraordinaire!). Not only that, but in the video content linked below, Phil shares his inspirations and shows us his creation visually.   ~   Links from the Episode: Video Tour of Phil's and Suzannah's Land on YouTube Video Tour of Phil's and Suzannah's Land on BitChute   Eternaculture at Canción del Corazón (the name of Phil's and Suzannah's center, which translates to “Song of the Heart”) ~   If you have a story or perspective you'd like to share on the podcast, feel free to tell me a bit about it using this form! Support Redeeming Disorder by contributing to their Tip Jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/redeeming-disorder

In this special Summer Solstice + Father's Day solo-cast, I ramble (on and on) about permaculture, my Ecuadorian digs, my life purpose and my spiritual path. Feel free to tune out of this chronicle of unwieldy personal musings, or to stop listening at any time! For those who are interested, I delve into some of the particular challenges, vulnerabilities and neuroses of my individual psyche — especially the content that arose in my January 2021 work with Ayahuasca in Ecuador.   ~   Links from the Episode: Half the Sky by Nicholas Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn   ~   If you have a story or perspective you'd like to share on the podcast, feel free to tell me a bit about it using this form! Support Redeeming Disorder by contributing to their Tip Jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/redeeming-disorder

Ṣadé Kammen has struggled with neurodivergence all her life, but what she now identifies as depression, anxiety and autism spectrum disorder weren't taken seriously by her family. Though she struggled to feel understood growing up, she went on to become a strong mental health advocate at Yale, and today fights for those dealing with mental disorder as well as those dealing with social injustice. The latter has unfortunately been predominant in Ṣadé's experience as a black queer woman facing racism and gender biases, and she views Survivor — the medium through which we connected to have this interview — as a powerful lens into these shadow sides of our culture. Shadows (at least large cultural ones) don't disappear overnight, and Ṣadé's struggles with some strained relationships (being currently estranged from her mother) persist. Nonetheless, she has developed coping strategies as well as learned how to live in the present moment, in her body (which keeps the score — great book by the way). The Body Keeps the Score is just one and the Harvard implicit bias test is just another of many great resources in the show notes this week. My interview with Ṣadé marks a point of pause for Redeeming Disorder. I'll be back later this summer once I've set myself up to podcast from southern Ecuador! There, I'll be practicing, writing and learning about regenerative farming and permaculture. ~ Intro Music: All is Well by Austin Basham ~ Links from the Episode: Harvard Implicit Bias Test ~ The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk M.D. ~ The Power of Vulnerability by Brené Brown ~ Braving the Wilderness by Brené Brown ~ Adverse Childhood Experience (ACE) Ted Talk Ṣadé mentions ~ Adverse Childhood Experience (ACE) Journal Article Ṣadé Mentions ~ Social Baseline Theory: The Role of Social Proximity in Emotion and Economy of Action by Beckes and Coan ~ Cognitively Based Compassion Training (CBCT) at the Emory Center for Contemplative Science and Compassion-Based Ethics with Lobsang Tenzin Negi ~ Trailer for Kiss the Ground ~ If you have a story or perspective you'd like to share on the podcast, feel free to tell me a bit about it using this form! Support Redeeming Disorder by contributing to their Tip Jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/redeeming-disorder

Frank Ferrare’s mental health struggles began in adolescence, but a combination of stigma and confusion extended them well into adulthood. The death of a close grandparent led to depression, which began a chain reaction of one ramification leading to another — depression medication, shame around medication, misuse of medication, shame around mental disorder, shame around self, and ultimately the construction of dense emotional walls. Frank wound up socially isolated and misunderstood, but in the end, his story if a hopeful one. Outlets like watching Survivor formed a bridge back to human connection for him, and the human connections he made in his everyday life formed a bridge to self-acceptance. His is a story of learning to become comfortable with himself, coming to peace with his mental health challenges and letting down his emotional walls. ~ If you have a story or perspective you’d like to share on the podcast, feel free to tell me a bit about it using this form! Support Redeeming Disorder by contributing to their Tip Jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/redeeming-disorder

Nikki Moon has survived a full gamut of severe challenges, including issues with sleep, physical health, mental health and trauma. Specifically, she suffered one of the most devastating traumas a person can face — an incident of sexual assault and rape. Whatever the obstacle, however, Nikki turns pain into power: From her narcolepsy and cataplexy she’s learned to use medication pragmatically, and from her assault she’s learned to accept the compassion surrounding her. In this interview, she takes us through what coping has meant for her, how she’s found peace with the personal narrative of her experiences, how she’s braved the difficulty of sharing her story and how she navigates her mental health today.   Check out beautiful crafts made of reclaimed wood by Nikki’s family at Lunar Canyon!   If you have a story or perspective you’d like to share on the podcast, feel free to tell me a bit about it using this form! Support Redeeming Disorder by contributing to their Tip Jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/redeeming-disorder

Welcome back to Redeeming Disorder. Happy full moon. May we make it to May.

Episode Notes Nicole Moore survived a devastating 2013 tornado in Moore, Oklahoma (yes, she is Nicole Moore from Moore). Sadly, her childhood home didn't, and a whirlwind of family struggled prolonged the intense stress she was under. The tornado and its aftermath ultimately amounted to a struggle with PTSD, the awareness of which Nicole advocates during our interview. Nicole also discusses her relationship to the labeling aspect of 'PTSD' and her views of mental health and mental disorder more broadly. Please enjoy our conversation, and if you have a story of your own you'd like to share, you can do so through this form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1cefjp3Mqh44wxZeR_WGB9wPyz4di-U3dGqGvRF8uAZ8/edit?usp=sharing. Support Redeeming Disorder by donating to their Tip Jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/redeeming-disorder

Episode Notes Despite the past month's MIA-ness, rest assured that more Redeeming Disorder is to come.

Episode Notes Michael McRay came to know shame in early childhood, and it nearly killed him. In this episode of Redeeming Disorder, he bravely shares the story of his close encounter with death, and of the immense outpouring of love he found after attempting suicide. Michael's vulnerability gives me the courage to finally share that I was suicidal for a period of time in the summer of 2011, and if you find yourself in a dark place, I hope it gives you courage as well. May the story instill faith, in all those who need to hear it, that there is light at the end of the tunnel. You are not alone. The storytelling of this episode is beautiful, thanks to Michael's skills as an orator and writer. In his most recent book, I Am Not Your Enemy, he visits Israel, Palestine, Northern Ireland and South Africa interviewing activists, peacebuilders and former combatants about their personal stories of conflict, justice, and reconciliation. As Michael puts it, "we need stories that cultivate empathy and tell the truth. We need stories to save us from our fear." You can find I Am Not Your Enemy and the rest of Michael's work on his website: https://michaelmcray.com/ Support Redeeming Disorder by donating to their Tip Jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/redeeming-disorder

Episode Notes Devon VillaCampa returns to the podcast to update us on his artistic and mental health journeys. Not only does he reflect on what he's been through, but he reflects on how reflections themselves change with age — how his perspective evolved in the 1.5 years between appearances on the podcast. Devon finds newfound freedom as he gets older, and newfound peace as he grows into himself. Support Redeeming Disorder by donating to their Tip Jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/redeeming-disorder

Episode Notes Today we catch up with another previous Redeeming Disorder guest, AJ Mass, who unfortunately lost both his mother and his mother-in-law in the year before this interview. The discussion of that challenge quickly turns into an abstract and philosophical discussion of life, aging, belief and truth. Connect with Reiman: Redeeming Disorder listeners who want to get in touch can now do so without so much as a tweet! To share feedback and ask questions, just fill out this short form. Support Redeeming Disorder by donating to their Tip Jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/redeeming-disorder

Episode Notes Researcher and clinical psychology PhD Amanda Rabinowitz returns to Redeeming Disorder to talk psychiatry, dive deeper into therapeutic techniques (especially CBT and its behavioral activation offshoots) and contemplate a number of murky dichotomies within her field: Nature vs. Nurture Categorical vs. Dimensional Thinking Suppression of vs. Identification with Mental "Illnesses" Collectivist vs. Individualist Perspectives Cultural Context vs. Universality As a whole, Amanda's interview underscores dichotomies within the whole of psychology — dichotomies in which her approach contrasts with that of our last guest, Dr. Eric Maisel. Where Eric calls disorders made-up, psychiatry corrupt and its systems illegitimate, Amanda calls disorders sociologically valuable, psychiatry complicated and its systems worth working within. I don't pretend to know who is right, or if either of these psychologists is right. I don't particularly think that's important. In Eric Maisel and Amanda Rabinowitz I see two people carrying out a labor of love, with tremendous intelligence and compassion, impactfully helping others. Support Redeeming Disorder by donating to their Tip Jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/redeeming-disorder

Episode Notes Eric Maisel is a psychotherapist, a PhD in counseling psychology, a creativity coach, and the author of over fifty published books. While I first discovered him through his “Rethinking Mental Health” blog for Psychology Today, his education and work in the field span back far before that — far before I was diagnosed with depression at ten years old, and far before I was born. Eric questions what he terms the “mental disorder paradigm,” and broaches controversial questions most would rather avoid: Does mental illness actually exist? Are SSRIs medicine, or rather just “chemicals with strong effects?” What is medicine? We addressed the first of those questions in a conversation with Eric back in 2017, and in this interview, I join Eric in-person in San Francisco to dig into the second question. Finally, on the eve before I journey into the Amazon to work with Ayahuasca, I share some reflections of mine on the third question. In this episode of Redeeming Disorder, those questions all prove to be fascinating launching pads into a discussion of labels, language, institutional (and psychiatric) authority, meaning-making and life purpose. Support Redeeming Disorder by donating to their Tip Jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/redeeming-disorder

Episode Notes We're back to interviews on Redeeming Disorder! Guided meditations 1-12 will remain up on the podcast for your use whenever you like, and in the meantime, it feels good to get back to real stories of mental disorder. Today's story is a special one whose subject matter hits home for me: Todd Herzog's struggle as an alcoholic. Todd shares the unsung side of his story in this interview; while downward spirals get a lot of attention, upward spirals are stories worth telling. I'm grateful to Todd for doing the telling, and living as an example of crawling out of the hole that is alcoholism. I grew up seeing my dad in that same hole, where he remained until passing away one year ago. On the anniversary of getting that sad call from my sister, I'm joined (and interviewed) by my partner Kailey to talk about what has come up for me the past few days. I hope you enjoy these conversations, I hope you have a fantastic New Year's Eve, and HAPPY 2021! PS — I've mentioned a number of books in recent episodes, namely today's episode. While the cascade of recommendations won't continue, I will share links to the books mentioned, for those interested: ~ "In the Realm of Hungry Ghosts" & "When the Body Says No" by Gabor Mate: https://drgabormate.com/book/ ~ "Awareness" by Anthony De Mello: https://www.amazon.com/Awareness-Opportunities-Reality-Anthony-Mello/dp/0385249373 ~ "Breath" by James Nestor: https://www.mrjamesnestor.com/breath/ ~ PPS — No, the journalist, ayahuasquero and Jesuit priest above are not paying me to recommend their books. Support Redeeming Disorder by donating to their Tip Jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/redeeming-disorder

Episode Notes You did it! Congrats on graduating from this 12-day meditation challenge. Review what you learned anytime through this final meditation tying it all together. I’m wishing you love and well-being in both practice and life. Support Redeeming Disorder by donating to their Tip Jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/redeeming-disorder

Episode Notes This meditation’s opening quote is from the Pirkei Avot of the Rabbinic Jewish tradition. It is also the last opening quote of the meditation series, as tomorrow's final episode will be 'practice-only.' Turning the page to 2021, I'm wishing you the best in practice, and the best in life! Support Redeeming Disorder by donating to their Tip Jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/redeeming-disorder

Episode Notes Today we deepen our practice into one of open, "choiceless" awareness. As you’ve learned in 10 days, attention is a wildly unstable force, and we don’t always get to choose where it goes. In life and in practice, the light of our attention will shine unpredictably on object after object. Can we "choicelessly" accept whatever emerges from the dark? This meditation’s opening quote is from the Buddha. Support Redeeming Disorder by donating to their Tip Jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/redeeming-disorder

Episode Notes Begin coming into your own practice and making your own choices! You will choose 1) your primary object of attention; 2) your use of mental noting techniques; and 3) the degree of openness in your practice. Today I guide you into guiding yourself; tomorrow we take your self-directed practice to a new frontier: Open Awareness. This meditation’s opening quote is often attributed, without much evidence, to the existentialist writer Albert Camus. While I wish I were quoting Camus, who wrote one of my favorite novels (L'Étranger, or “The Stranger”), this quote’s true source isn’t known. Support Redeeming Disorder by donating to their Tip Jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/redeeming-disorder

Episode Notes Where, in your body, do you feel like the ‘you’ is? Your head? Heart? Gut? We continue deeper into embodied practice today, working with exercises of touch points, precise attention and body scans. This meditation’s opening quote is from Luke 17:21 of the Holy Bible. Support Redeeming Disorder by donating to their Tip Jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/redeeming-disorder

Episode Notes When you're with a physical sensation, you're with the present moment. Today we start working with a new and simple (but powerful) technique: Body Scanning. This meditation’s opening quote is from the Bhagavad Gita. Support Redeeming Disorder by donating to their Tip Jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/redeeming-disorder

Episode Notes This challenging meditation marks the halfway point in our 12-day meditation challenge. For the first time, we use primary objects of attention (a.k.a. "anchors" of attention) other than the breath! The opening quote is from the 17th century French mathematician, philosopher and Catholic theologian, Blaise Pascal. Support Redeeming Disorder by donating to their Tip Jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/redeeming-disorder

Episode Notes Mental Notes: ~ Feeling, Hearing, Seeing, Smelling, Tasting. ~ Thinking (including "analyzing," "remembering," "imagining," etc.). ~ In (or "rising," or alternative). ~ Out (or "falling," or alternative). ~ This meditation’s opening (and closing) haiku is from the 17th century Zen monk and poet, Matsuo Basho. Support Redeeming Disorder by donating to their Tip Jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/redeeming-disorder

Episode Notes In the practice of Metta, or Loving-Kindness, we wish goodwill toward ourselves, toward others, and ultimately toward all beings. This meditation’s opening quote is from Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj, a Hindu guru of nondualism. May all beings be happy. ❤️ Support Redeeming Disorder by donating to their Tip Jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/redeeming-disorder

Episode Notes Can you see a thought as a thought? Today we introduce the technique of “mental noting” to create some space from our thoughts. This helps us see a thought for what it is — an ephemeral something-or-other that comes and goes, and doesn’t need to be a problem! This meditation’s opening quote is from a film called the Samadhi Movie, which I tweeted out back in 2019, and still highly recommend: Part I — https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bw9zSMsKcwk Part II — https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AQL6qcGqQ0Y Support Redeeming Disorder by donating to their Tip Jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/redeeming-disorder

Episode Notes Learn a basic but powerful concentration technique: Counting Breaths. By counting the breaths, we can cut off the momentum of the trains of thought that pull us away, invite a sense of calm, and establish the conditions necessary for insight. Support Redeeming Disorder by donating to their Tip Jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/redeeming-disorder

Episode Notes Begin your journey with this simple 10-minute meditation about being here, now, with this — the breath. Support Redeeming Disorder by donating to their Tip Jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/redeeming-disorder

Episode Notes There has never been a better time to start meditating than right now. It's no panacea cure for mental disorder, but meditation can transform your consciousness and your experience of the world. In this 12-Day Meditation Challenge, we start from square one; Guided Meditation 1 is an easeful 10-minute introduction. The lengths of our meditations will increase gradually over the days, but will only exceed 30 minutes once, averaging 23 minutes. Also increasing will be the meditative skillset you build as we traverse the landscape of meditation, covering the major styles of practice and leaving you fully prepared to continue practicing. Happy practicing, safe journeying and looking forward to seeing you in Guided Meditation 1. Support Redeeming Disorder by donating to their Tip Jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/redeeming-disorder

Episode Notes A teacher’s true impact on the world isn’t seen directly, and isn’t measured. It exists instead abstractly, as a butterfly effect projecting through the lives of students they’ve guided. In Cullen’s and my case, this guidance was in sophomore year U.S. History. Yet, it also extended beyond the classroom, in large part thanks to the unconventional culture of my high school. At the Paideia School, we had discussions (often about race, gender and charged social issues) in a Socratic method, called our teachers by their first names, and frequently grew close with them.   If we evolved to go through childhood in community, then today, teachers are the closest thing kids have to those 30 aunts and uncles that the kiddos had back in hunter-gatherer days. Beyond figuring out childcare ahead of their time, hunter-gatherer tribes also lived communally and transparently, less able to “put on a face,” or hide a health issue, than we are today. Today we often know little about the personal lives of our teachers, employers or even co-workers; we have no idea who might be silently struggling.   In this era of compartmentalization and stigma, someone willing to buck the trends and vulnerably share their story uplifts those around them more than they could know. I’m honored to bring you this interview with just such a person — my teacher and friend, Cullen Sacha. ~   WaitButWhy on Procrastination (Referenced in Episode): Why Procrastinators Procrastinate — https://waitbutwhy.com/2013/10/why-procrastinators-procrastinate.html The Procrastination Matrix — https://waitbutwhy.com/2015/03/procrastination-matrix.html Support Redeeming Disorder by donating to their Tip Jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/redeeming-disorder

Episode Notes I met Nate Schorr right after Redeeming Disorder’s first episode; he reached out after hearing me on RHAP (Rob Has a Podcast) because, for him, it was something like two worlds colliding — he was a Survivor fan who also happened to work for one the largest grassroots mental health organization in the world: NAMI. NAMI stands for the “National Alliance on Mental Illness,” and Nate worked specifically at NAMI Wisconsin, finding himself quickly moved by stories of mental health challenges and journeys. It was through those stories that he came to better understand his own mental health, and through that work that he came to have the thoughtful and knowledgeable perspective he shares today on the podcast.   We touch on the politics of mental health — recent legislation like mental health parity, programs like crisis intervention training, contemporary discussions of gun violence and mental health — as well as the importance of open-mindedness and the ethos of the Socratic Paradox, “I know that I know nothing.” NAMI Website: https://www.nami.org/  The Socratic Paradox Wikipedia Page: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/I_know_that_I_know_nothing Support Redeeming Disorder by donating to their Tip Jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/redeeming-disorder

Episode Notes Laura Bocianski was my co-host at the start of Redeeming Disorder, and in this 2018 conversation, she returns to the podcast to share her story in greater depth. Be sure to check out Laura's brand new podcast, Invisible Lions! Invisible Lions Podcast: https://www.lauraboach.com/invisible-lions-podcast "Monkeys Pay Per View" Research Paper: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S096098220500093X Support Redeeming Disorder by donating to their Tip Jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/redeeming-disorder

Episode Notes Olivia joins me on the podcast to combine two powerful perspectives ― that of a psychiatric nurse, and that of a young woman who's seen mental disorder around her since childhood. She speaks to the struggles of her patients, of her family and of herself, and covers a multitude of topics: Mental health in the LGBTQ community, media depictions of mental illness, self-harm, attempted suicide and, per the podcast's title, empathy. Empathy is both Olivia's superpower and her kryptonite, allowing her to easily connect with psychiatric patients, but also saddling her with a great emotional burden when she does so. Listen to hear how Olivia strives to overcome the curse of empathy while paying the blessing of empathy forward. Support Redeeming Disorder by donating to their Tip Jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/redeeming-disorder

Episode Notes Since even before her 2016 TED talk (link below), Lauren has been on a journey of self-discovery, awareness and acceptance. She has built a resilience and introspection through struggles with self-harm as a teenager and with her mental health in general. She's gained a lot of perspective through the difficulty, and now shares her journey ― relives many of her past pains ― with the intention to help whoever needs to hear it. May this conversation serve as a reminder that you aren't alone, and things can always get better. ~ Death Wish of a 12-Year-Old | Lauren Schugg | TEDxBaldwinHighSchool: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q5M1yK3F0-s Support Redeeming Disorder by donating to their Tip Jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/redeeming-disorder

Episode Notes “I’m not against medication; I’m against medication being positioned as a commercial where there’s a dark cloud over you, you take a pill, and then the sunlight comes out and it’s this miracle pill. Because of those commercials, I spent two and a half years lying in a bed. I wasted two and a half years of my life in hell, chasing a new pill.” – Eric Kussin He tried over fifty different combinations of medications. He tried electric shock therapy / ECT, which I didn’t even realize still occurred in hospitals in 2018 (when we did this interview). He tried everything, until he was explicitly told by a psychiatrist that there were no more options. Luckily, Eric eventually found an integrative psychologist, more tools and many practices that have saved his mental health. He recovered from the depths of despair, and now leads a prominent mental health advocacy movement, sharing stories (like his own!) of hope. The #SameHere movement brings athletes, celebrities and experts together to share the inclusive message that #5in5 have mental health challenges of some sort. Learn more about the movement and find mental health resources shared by Eric's organization, We’re All A Little “Crazy,” here: https://samehereglobal.org/. Support Redeeming Disorder by donating to their Tip Jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/redeeming-disorder

Episode Notes Lindsay Bebout has been navigating identity, amidst mental disorders and diagnoses, from a young age. Her parents divorced when she was eight, and the mental health journey that followed saw her go to therapy (by force as a child and by choice as an adult) and contend with many labels: Impulsivity, hyperactivity, ADHD, anxiety, panic attacks, mood swings, bipolar disorder and more. Lindsay is as open as a book in delving into her journey with those, her evolution in self-understanding and her continued efforts to support her mental health. Support Redeeming Disorder by donating to their Tip Jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/redeeming-disorder

Episode Notes 'All disease starts in the Gut.' — Hippocrates, the "father of modern medicine." Whether you're curious about fasting and crazy life-on-mars experiments, or looking for an opportunity to revamp your diet and improve your health, there's something for everyone here. Steven Gundry, per his bestselling book "The Plant Paradox," is a cum laude graduate of Yale University, with special honors in human biological and social evolution. Dr. Gundry has a long career in medicine; he graduated from the Medical College of Georgia alpha omega alpha, completed residencies in general surgery and cardiothoracic surgery at the University of Michigan and served as professor and chairman of cardiothoracic surgery at Loma Linda University School of Medicine. Today, Gundry is focused on his research as well as his clinical practice — the dietary and nutriceutical reversal of most diseases (including neurological conditions and mental health conditions!) through sophisticated blood tests and blood flow measurements, maximizing his patients' health spans and longevity. Next week, we'll return to the vulnerable conversations with another firsthand story of mental disorder. For this week, though, enjoy this informative and thought-provoking interview with Steven Gundry. Dr. Gundry's concise YES/NO food lists: https://drgundry.com/dr-gundrys-print-friendly-yes-no-lists/ Support Redeeming Disorder by donating to their Tip Jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/redeeming-disorder

Episode Notes Brice Izyah has brightened the mental health of countless people in social work, at a psychiatric hospital and on the national suicide prevention lifeline. In this conversation we discuss human connection, Brice’s people-first approach to his work and the mental health challenges of social media and Survivor. The episode begins with Brice interviewing me in 2020 on his show, the “Purple Pants Podcast,” and ends with my interview of Brice in 2018. National Suicide Hotline: https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/ Porn Resource: https://yourbrainonporn.com/ OnlyFans: After some contemplation, I’ve decided to (reluctantly) decline Brice’s offer to manage an OnlyFans profile for me. I apologize for your disappointment. Support Redeeming Disorder by donating to their Tip Jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/redeeming-disorder

Episode Notes Welcome to the living room! This candid, vulnerable conversation with Erika De La Cruz covers the many unique challenges Erika has faced and overcome on her journey. From childhood depression / anxiety, to coping with her mom's homelessness, to living through anxiety attacks and breakdowns, Erika has weathered severe mental health storms. She became her best self even amidst this adversity, and now shares her story of finding (and now living in!) the light at the end of the tunnel. Support Redeeming Disorder by donating to their Tip Jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/redeeming-disorder

Episode Notes Join me for this unwieldy conversation about intensive meditation, spiritual paths, the history of medicine, psychiatry, psychedelics, psychedelics-gone-wrong, metaphysics, epistemology and essentially everything. To make it just a little more 'wieldy,' check out the time stamps at the end of the show notes. If anyone is up for such a wild conversation, it's my guest Daniel Ingram. Daniel has meditated for over 25 years, teaching around the world while working as an emergency care doctor at home, and finding the time to write the book "Mastering the Core Teachings of the Buddha." Richard Hatch, the original Survivor winner, pops in just past the 4-hour mark to offer some healthy skepticism and a surprising personal story that dovetails with the larger conversation. TIME STAMPS: 24:41 – The Dark Side of Meditation 34:32 – Categorical vs. Dimensional Thinking about Mental Disorder 54:18 – Spencer's First Mystical Experience Meditating 1:12:30 – Why Ego isn’t 100% “Bad” 1:14:34 – Mystical Math: e, π, i and the Fractal Nature of Meditative Insight 1:32:37 – The Stigma of Talking about the Deep End of Meditation 1:44:23 – Why it’s Tough to Talk About our Internal Experiences 1:52:55 – (Admittedly Crude) Advice for Getting into Meditation with Mental Health Challenges 2:20:32 – The Disconnect between Spirituality and Modern Medicine 3:04:03 – Psychedelic and Ergotism Origin Stories of Buddhism & Christianity 3:20:15 – The MMA Analogy: Mixing Spiritual Practices 3:23:55 – Daniel’s Dream of Secular, Cross-Tradition, Longitudinal Meditation Research 3:27:30 – Today’s Psychedelic Renaissance 3:37:05 – Hardcore Practices: Fire Kasina Meditation, Darkroom Retreats 4:01:37 – How Much Depth of Knowledge is Appropriate? 4:06:08 – Segue to Conversation with Richard Hatch 5:40:27 – Downsides of Conceptual Knowledge 5:48:17 – My M.A. Thesis Findings on the Usefulness (or Lack Thereof) of the Maps 6:00:01 – Meditation Cultures in Asia vs. the U.S. 6:08:55 – Double-Edged Swords: The Good and the Bad of Everything.

"You are not alone, and this is not the end of your story."These are words that the nonprofit, TWLOHA, and its founder, Jamie Tworkowski say over and over to their audiences.Since beginning his journey with mental health advocacy in 2006, Jamie has learned a thing or two about how to share hope with others and how to get help when you need it. Listen in to hear how a simple of message of hope has transformed countless people.

Stigma, is a word that Nick Becker has dealt with most of his life, especially surrounding mental illness. As a spoken word artist, Nick leads his audience through this stigma to raise awareness and empathy around mental disorders.Listen in as Nick shares about his life, and performs some of his most popular works.

Is the medical world correct to diagnose and treat mental illness? As controversial as this question is, this week's guest, Eric Maisel tackles this subject head on, and his views might surprise you.Eric is a former family and marriage therapist, frequent Psychology Today contributor, and renowned creativity coach. Suffice it to say, he's an expert in his own right and has a lot to add to this conversation.