So-Called Normal

In honour of World Mental Health Day on October 10, and one year since holding the first physical copy of his book, Mark Henick reads a new excerpt from So-Called Normal: A Memoir of Family, Depression and Resilience. So-Called Normal (the book) is published by HarperCollins Publishers Ltd and available now worldwide in paperback, ereader, and audiobook formats.

Mark Henick reads an excerpt from his new book, So-Called Normal: A Memoir of Family, Depression, and Resilience, published by HarperCollins. Mark originally shared this excerpt in print on Psychology Today, in an article titled "My First Night in a Psych Ward". This episode is the first time he has given a public reading and reflection of the book himself. So-Called Normal is available everywhere now: https://www.amazon.ca/So-Called-Normal-Memoir-Depression-Resilience/dp/1443455032/    

This wraps up our 5-episode limited series on complex care pathways for treatment resistant depression. Mark and Dave chat about what they've learned, the strength of all the participants, and the necessary work of sharing stories. Thank you to Janssen Canada for providing the educational grant which made this possible. So-Called Normal will be taking a little break, but we've got more in-depth conversations coming soon!

Jenn is a storyteller. She shares with Mark the stories of her childhood, her worry and anxiety, and her long journey through mental illness. She continues to navigate her recovery, including both the expense of treatment and the boundaries of family understanding. Still, thanks in part to journaling and eventually finding intervention that worked, she's come a long way. Dr. Christina Iglesia and Dr. Jennifer Swainson return to examine the complexities of mental health, diagnosis, treatment and recovery.

The final installment of the So-Called Normal limited series on treatment resistant depression will continue next week. Mark will speak with Jenn about her complex pathway and recovery from long-term depression. This week, Mark and Dave chat about anxiety, honouring kids' emotions, the role that families play in recovery, and how the medical system handles individual people.

Thomas was a high-performer in the pressure-packed restaurant industry. He was constantly working, even when he wasn't at work. Then, it all came crashing down. It was a long, unsustainable road that culminated in a severe mental illness. It caused him to reevaluate his life, and to navigate the complex process of becoming more mentally healthy. Thomas's journey taught him many lessons about recovery, resilience, and hope that he now eagerly shares to inspire others.

The next installment of the So-Called Normal limited series on treatment resistant depression will continue next week, in a conversation with Thomas. This week, Mark and Dave have a short chat about the episode to come, stress and mental illness in the restaurant industry, and a bit about the nature of driven, creative types. 

On this next installment of our limited So-Called Normal series on treatment-resistant depression, Mark speaks with Natasha about her long journey to recovery and the lessons that she learned along the way. Like many, given the confusing and overwhelming mental healthcare system, she learned important skills for both her own self-care and her ability to advocate for herself, as well as to find those who support her.  

Mark talks with Dave Trafford about next week's episode of So-Called Normal, featuring Natasha.

Shelley tried more than 20 different medications, and spent considerable resources as she navigated her mental health challenges over the years. She tells us about her road to recovery in this second So-Called Normal episode in our five-part mini-series exploring complex care pathways for treatment-resistant depression. Psychiatrist Dr. Jennifer Swainson and clinical psychologist Dr. Christina Iglesia are back with expert commentary on some of the issues we address. Listen in as we explore Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation, resetting the brain, and the lengths to which people will go to find relief.

Mark and Dave have a brief chat about the upcoming episode of So-Called Normal, featuring Shelley! We're continuing our exploration of the complex care pathways for treatment-resistant repression. We get into Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation, resetting the brain, and the lengths to which people will go to find relief. Make sure to catch up on Aiden's episode last week, and stay tuned for Shelley's episode coming up next week! 

Welcome back to So-Called Normal! This is the first of our five-part mini-series exploring complex care pathways for treatment-resistant depression. On this first episode, we spoke with Aiden. He's been living with mental illness since he was eight years old. Now, he's navigating a new life in university, with new challenges and new opportunities for recovery. We're also joined by psychiatrist Dr. Jennifer Swainson and clinical psychologist Dr. Christina Iglesia for their expert opinion on some of the issues Aiden raises in his long journey to redefine his life.

We're back! (For now anyway!) So-Called Normal returns for a 5 episode limited series, focusing on the complex care pathways for treatment-resistant depression. Next week you'll hear Mark's conversation with Aiden about his journey, followed by at least four more conversations every other week. Each episode explores the many challenges of getting help, featuring the stories of people who have lived through the challenge. Between episodes, including this one, Mark talks with long-time SCN producer Dave Trafford about some of the topics raised, and the lessons learned so far.

In part four of our Bell Let's Talk series, Mark and Mike tell the story their first meeting, and what it was like for Mark to say thank you and show Mike the life he's made for himself after that night on the bridge. 

In part three of our Bell Let's Talk series, Mark tells the story of trying to find "the man in the light brown jacket" and finds out from the man himself where he went after rescuing him all those years ago. 

In part two of our Bell Let's Talk series, Mark sits down with Mike Richey, the man who saved his life when he was 15 years old, and finds out how he came to be at that bridge that night, and why he decided to help.

In this first part of Mark's special 4-part series in honour of Bell Let's Talk Day (January 29), Mark finally tells his own story on the podcast. When Mark was 15 years old, he tried to take his own life, and was saved by a stranger. Now Mark sits down with that stranger to tell both sides of the story that bound them together forever. Stay tuned for Part 2 tomorrow morning on Bell Let's Talk day.

Mark is joined by Canadian comedian Elvira Kurt for a hilarious and insightful conversation on her personal story and how it's continued to inform her comedy. Anxiety, coming out, family, and parenting--they touch on a wide range of topics, all through Elvira's humorous and honest gaze. 

Mark is joined by Paula Allen, SVP of Research, Analytics and Innovation for Morneau Shepell. They discuss the more personal side of employment assistance programs and what the research says about how these programs can meet employees needs and support them to be the happiest and healthiest at work. 

Mark sits down with Stephen Liptrap, the President and CEO of Morneau Shepell, a Canadian HR company that specializes in Employee and Family Assistance Programs which provide mental health and wellness support to employees and their families. They discuss the evidence behind their approach to EFAP, the results they've produced and some of the myths that should be dispelled.  

Mark is joined by Karim Mamdani, the President and CEO of Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Services in Whitby, Ontario. They discuss the evolving nature of mental health services and the driving philosophy and policy behind Ontario Shores. 

Mark is joined by Javeed Sukhera, Professor of Psychiatry and Paediatrics at Western University and President of the Ontario Psychiatric Association. They discuss why he chose psychiatry and the stigma that psychiatrists sometimes face, and how he treats mental health as both a social issue and a biomedical one. 

Mark is joined by his longtime friend Dr. Michael Higgins, academic, author of over a dozen books, and distinguished professor of Catholic Thought at Sacred Heart University. They discuss the difference between being religious and being pious, and dive into the philosophies of revolutionary thinkers like Thomas Merton and Henri Nouwen and how they relate to mental health.  

Mark is joined by Bif Naked, iconic Canadian singer-songwriter, speaker, and author. They discuss what it was like to be a female rock artist in the 1990s, her philosophy on life, and how she got through breast cancer. 

Mark sits down with Don Tapscott, one of the world's leading authorities on innovation, technology and business, as well as a lifelong mental health advocate and author of Blockchain Revolution with his son Alex. They discuss the little known history of mental health policy in Canada, and how treatment and policy can be brought into the 21st century.

Mark gets a rare opportunity to speak to Steven Kerzner - the real person behind Canadian TV personality Ed The Sock. Kerzner shares how he got into television, how he created Ed The Sock, and how creativity helped him through depression. 

Bonus episode with Steven Kerzner! Steven continues his conversation with Mark, he defines depression and what it can feel like, and how he navigated his career. 

Mark speaks with Ann Dowsett Johnston, journalist of Maclean's fame and best-selling author of Drink: The Intimate Relationship Between Women and Alcohol. They discuss Ann's own story of recovery from alcoholism, the closing gender gap on risky drinking, and how her passion for this issue caused her to switch careers from journalism to social work.  

Mark is joined by retired Canadian rower Silken Laumann, a three-time Olympian and former world champion. She shares what life was like for a world-class athlete and how a horrific collision in 1992 changed her career and life forever. Today, she's the founder of Unsinkable, a story sharing platform for Canadians to open up about their resiliency, courage, and transformation. 

Since starting the business in a little room in their apartment, Speakers’ Spotlight has grown beyond Martin and Farah’s wildest dreams. Today, they have offices in Toronto and Calgary, and have booked 30,000 keynotes in more than 30 countries,. The agency was selected by Profit Magazine as one of the 100 fastest growing companies in Canada and twice the couple has been named finalists for the Ernst & Young ‘Entrepreneur of The Year Award’.  This power couple shares what it's like to grow a company with their spouse, raising a family, how to be an effective speaker, and the importance of balance. 

Mark Henick  talks to actor, producer, and tv personality Kalen Allen - YouTuber who catapulted into the mainstream media, reaching millions of people worldwide. Discovered in 2018 by renowned talk show host Ellen DeGeneres, Kalen first made a name for himself through his hilarious “Kalen Reacts” videos, giving colourful and witty commentary on culinary concoctions online. Kalen shares how he maintains a positive attitude, how he overcomes adversity, and what he's learned from Hollywood. 

Alexandria Santaguida creates her music to empower people and bring attention to issues that affect us all today.  She is a yoga teacher, sound healer, and community wellness event called NULOVE. She brings yoga, live music, meditation, a dance party, and art together with the intention of expanding as a collective and raising our vibration to the highest frequency...love!

Mark sits down with Emily Lyons, founder and CEO of Femme Fatale Media Group, North America's top event staffing, media & communications agency. They chat about Emily’s humble beginnings, the early spark to build businesses, and her life atop a media empire. In true So-Called Normal style, they also get into Emily’s struggles with her own mental health, how her sister’s death changed her life forever, and her passion to give back and amplify causes that matter so personally to her.

Mark is joined by Dr. Bill Howatt, Chief of Research, Workforce Productivity at The Conference Board of Canada to discuss the psychology of workplace mental health--mental injury, loneliness, depression, and what employers can do to help their employees dealing with these and any other issues. 

Mark is joined by Andrew Solomon to discuss the award winning writer's personal story of depression and coming out to his family. They also talk about Andrew's work with Far From the Tree, his book that became a documentary focused on parents and their children with physical, mental, and social disabilities and differing identities. 

In honour of Remembrance Day in Canada and Veterans' Day in the US, Mark sits down with retired Lieutenant-Colonel Stéphane Grenier, who served all over the world, including Rwanda and Afghanistan. Stéphane discusses how his own PTSD and depression pushed him to become an advocate for mental health, both within and outside the Armed Forces. 

Mark is joined by Mary Ann Baynton, an expert consultant on mental health in the workplace. They discuss her work helping to put together the Canadian Mental Health Commission's National Standard, the first national standard for mental health in the workplace in the world. They also go into how Mary Ann helps workplaces, managers, and employees to communicate with each other and work through problems that create a toxic environment. 

Mark is joined by Irwin Elman, the former child and youth advocate for the province of Ontario, Canada. They discuss the problems in the child and youth care systems in Canada and around the world, and what governments can do better to help children in foster care, poverty, or abusive situations. 

Mark sits down with Seamus O'Regan, the Minister of Indigenous Services for the Liberal government of Canada. They discuss how Seamus got started in politics and what it was like to share the truth about his alcoholism with his workplace and the support he received from fellow MPs and the Prime Minister himself. 

Mark is joined by Jimmy Rankin, a fixture of the Canadian celtic folk and country music scene as both a solo artist and a member of renowned The Rankin Family. They discuss Jimmy's upbringing as the youngest of twelve siblings, the inspiration behind his most recent album Moving East, and what it's been like to play music with his family for several decades.  

In a special World Mental Health Day episode, Mark is joined by an inspiration and mentor of his, Steve Lurie, the Executive Director of the Toronto branch of the Canadian Mental Health Association. They discuss how things have changed across the last 100 years of mental health care in Canada and how hospitals and governments can best help people living with mental health issues. 

Mark is joined by Kevin Newman, Canadian journalist, former ABC and Global National anchor, now retired from TV and host of the Attention Control podcast. They look back on his long career in journalism following his retirement, and his new passion of exposing how misinformation works to manipulate our psychology and tell us who to vote for. 

Mark chats with legendary Canadian children's entertainer Sharon Hampson of 'Sharon, Lois and Bram' fame, along with her daughter and now manager of 'Sharon and Bram', Randi Hampson. They discuss Sharon, Lois and Bram's philosophy of respecting and challenging kids with their music and TV programming, and share stories of meeting the children (and adults) who were shaped by their work. Sharon also opens up about her battle with breast cancer and what it was like to make music and live life with Lois Lilienstein, who passed away in 2015.

Mark is joined by fellow podcaster Eric Zimmer, host of the "The One You Feed", a podcast of inspiring conversations. They discuss Eric's personal story of recovering from an addiction to heroin and how he channeled his experience into creating the podcast. 

Mark is joined by Pete Bombaci, the founder of the Genwell Project, a human connection movement that encourages us to take action to bring people together in our communities. They discuss the project, what inspires and motivates Pete, and why it's important for our health and happiness that we hold onto face-to-face, in person connection.  

Mark sits down with the President and CEO of Toronto's Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), Dr. Catherine Zahn. They discuss the changes in how health professionals treat mental health and how we can break stigma surround those who need treatment. Listen as she gets candid about her own life and how she is actively working to bring change. 

Mark talks with Brendan Saye, newly-promoted principal dancer with the National Ballet of Canada. Brendan opens up about his life as a ballet dancer from an early age, his rising prominence in the dance world, and the mysterious symptoms and sudden illness that almost cost him everything. After a long recovery, through periods of darkness and intense retraining, Brendan is poised to continue his dramatic comeback during artistic director Karen Kain’s milestone 50th anniversary 2019/20 season with the company.

Mark is joined by Anna Mehler Paperny, a Reuters reporter and author of Hello I Want to Die Please Fix Me, a new book speaking to her experience with depression and suicide. She and Mark have a deeply personal conversation about the similarities between their stories, Anna's process in committing her struggles to the page, and the various treatments she's tried for depression. 

Elementary school assistant principal and mental health advocate Al Levin joins Mark to discuss his experience dealing with depression as a leader, a man, and a pillar of his community and family. They discuss how these roles can affect mental health and our awareness own mental health issues. Check out Al's podcast, The Depression Files, wherever you found this podcast! 

Mark is joined by Rudy Caseres, an award-winning mental health speaker, social media influencer, and host of No Restraints with Rudy Caseres, a weekly Facebook Live interview show. They discuss his life with bipolar disorder, his brief time in the army, and his experience with involuntary commitment to a psychiatric facility and the issues around that practice.

Mark is joined by Sarah Schuster, the Mental Health Editor of The Mighty. They discuss Sarah's personal mental health story and The Mighty's person-centric approach to health advocacy. They also discuss the use of online platforms to build a community of people sharing their stories and supporting each other.