The Depression Files

In this episode, Al interviews John MacPhee, CEO of The Jed Foundation (recorded 8-9-23). John describes his own mental health challenges and how they impacted him as a Division I college basketball player. John also describes the work of The Jed Foundation that supports students and young adults around mental health, resiliency, and suicide prevention. You'll hear about the work that The Jed Foundation is doing not only in colleges and universities, but in high schools and with superintendents in supporting all students within K-12 schools. John shares how The Jed Foundation works alongside of their partners to create a comprehensive plan to put systems, programs, and policies in place to create a culture of caring that protects student mental health, builds life skills, and makes it more likely students will seek help and struggling students will be recognized, connected to mental health care, and supported. To learn more about John and The Jed Foundation, or to become a partner school, visit jedfoundation.org. If you find value in the podcast, please consider buying Al a cup of coffee at buymeacoffee.com/allevin. There, you can buy Al a one-time cup (or cups) of coffee or become a member to purchase coffee for him monthly. Not only will this help to caffeinate him up, but it will also help to offset the cost of the podcast hosting site, maintain and update his equipment and support the amount of time that it takes in order to produce the show. In addition to The Depression Files podcast, you can find Al's blog at TheDepressionFiles.com. There, you can also find out how to work with him as a coach/consultant or schedule him for a public speaking event. You will also find Al on Twitter @allevin18. Lastly, it would be greatly appreciated if you would subscribe to the show and take just a minute to leave a review and rating.

In this episode, Al interviews Dr. Mark Harper, attending anesthesiologist in the UK and Norway, researcher, and author (recorded 7-18-23). Dr. Harper describes how, although keeping patients warm during surgery was a significant part of his job, he drew a fascination towards cold-water swimming and its impact on one's mental health. Dr. Harper describes the research that he has been a part of in the area of cold-water swimming and the future of the research. He describes the benefits, as well as the precautions, of cold-water swimming. Dr. Harper also shares with the listeners about Mental Health Swims, a mental health peer support community that hosts free, safe, and inclusive swim meet ups and Chill UK, a nonprofit that provides courses in cold-water swimming to improve mental health. Finally, Dr. Harper describes his book: Chill: The Cold Water Swim Cure. To learn more about Dr. Harper, check out his website at drmarkharper.com. You'll can also find Dr. Harper on Twitter @WildSwimDoctor and Instagram @TheWildSwimDoctor. If you find value in the podcast, please consider buying Al a cup of coffee at buymeacoffee.com/allevin. There, you can buy Al a one-time cup (or cups) of coffee or become a member to purchase coffee for him monthly. Not only will this help to caffeinate him up, but it will also help to offset the cost of the podcast hosting site, maintain and update his equipment and support the amount of time that it takes in order to produce the show. In addition to The Depression Files podcast, you can find Al's blog at TheDepressionFiles.com. There, you can also find out how to work with him as a coach/consultant or schedule him for a public speaking event. You will also find Al on Twitter @allevin18. Lastly, it would be greatly appreciated if you would subscribe to the show and take just a minute to leave a review and rating.

In this episode, Al interviews Shannon Walker, founder and CEO of Northwest Battle Buddies (recorded 7-11-23). Shannon describes her passion for training dogs and how she came to train service dogs for military veterans who are living with PTSD. Shannon explains the process; from five months of training the dogs, to receiving detailed information on the veterans seeking service dogs, to pairing the dog with a veteran, and finally an additional five weeks of training the veteran and their new service dog together. Hear how these dogs have changed the lives of the veterans. You'll hear about how a service dog may pull a veteran out of a panic attack or even disrupt the veteran's suicidal thoughts and much more. To learn more about Shannon and Northwest Battle Buddies, please check out their website at northwestbattlebuddies.org. If you find value in the podcast, please consider buying Al a cup of coffee at buymeacoffee.com/allevin. There, you can buy Al a one-time cup (or cups) of coffee or become a member to purchase coffee for him monthly. Not only will this help to caffeinate him up, but it will also help to offset the cost of the podcast hosting site, maintain and update his equipment and support the amount of time that it takes in order to produce the show. In addition to The Depression Files podcast, you can find Al's blog at TheDepressionFiles.com. There, you can also find out how to work with him as a coach/consultant or schedule him for a public speaking event. You will also find Al on Twitter @allevin18. Lastly, it would be greatly appreciated if you would subscribe to the show and take just a minute to leave a review and rating.

In this episode, Al interviews Craig Stanland, former account manager of a large tech company, formerly incarcerated in federal prison, and now a Reinvention Architect (recorded 6-7-23). Craig describes how he had it all; a wonderful wife, a fantastic job, multiple homes, beautiful cars, expensive watches. Craig would spend most days shopping at extravagant stores and bouncing into fancy restaurants for meals and drinks. He was a VIP at some of the best restaurants in Greenwich and Manhattan. But this wasn't enough. He wanted more. Craig saw his financial numbers falling as he was paying less attention to his large clients than his flashy, materialistic lifestyle. He had to make a choice and he saw only one option: commit fraud against one of the largest technology companies in the world. Hear how this path led to fifteen FBI agents at his front door, a sentence of twenty-four months of federal prison, three years of supervised release, and $834,307 in restitution. Craig shares the struggles of losing absolutely everything and spending time in federal prison. He describes a vision of suicide that he couldn't shake for months and wasn't able to share. Hear how he then realizes what's most important and how he completely changed his life for the better. As an author, a public speaker, and a coach (a Reinvention Architect), he now supports others in making positive changes in their lives! You can find out more about Craig and connect with him on his website at craigstanland.com. You can find his memoir, Blank Canvas: How I Reinvented My Life After Prison on Amazon and Barnes and Noble. In addition, you can find Craig on LinkedIn and Instagram. If you find value in the podcast, please consider buying Al a cup of coffee at buymeacoffee.com/allevin. There, you can buy Al a one-time cup (or cups) of coffee or become a member to purchase coffee for him monthly. Not only will this help to caffeinate him up, but it will also help to offset the cost of the podcast hosting site, maintain and update his equipment and support the amount of time that it takes in order to produce the show. In addition to The Depression Files podcast, you can find Al's blog at TheDepressionFiles.com. There, you can also find out how to work with him as a coach/consultant or schedule him for a public speaking event. You will also find Al on Twitter @allevin18. Lastly, it would be greatly appreciated if you would subscribe to the show and take just a minute to leave a review and rating.

In this episode, Al interviews Hal Hughes, former police officer, former MMA fighter, and current psychotherapist (recorded 4-16-23). Hal shares his story of two separate work-related traumatic brain injuries (TBI) that led him into a deep, dark depression, an opioid addiction, and a diagnosis of both post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and bipolar disorder. At one point, Hal was on eight psychiatric medications and underwent electric shock therapy (ECT). He was also desperate enough to do whatever he needed to in order to get his hands on opioids. It wasn't until he heard his young child say, "I want my old daddy back" that Hal got serious about his recovery. Hear how he changed the trajectory of his recovery and then jumped on an unconventional path to become a psychotherapist. Hal is incredibly knowledgeable, down-to-earth, and inspirational. Check out HalHughes.com to find out more about Hal, the services he provides, or even to reach out to him. Don't miss this episode! If you find value in the podcast, please consider buying Al a cup of coffee at buymeacoffee.com/allevin. There, you can buy Al a one-time cup (or cups) of coffee or become a member to purchase coffee for him monthly. Not only will this help to caffeinate him up, but it will also help to offset the cost of the podcast hosting site, maintain and update his equipment and support the amount of time that it takes in order to produce the show. In addition to the The Depression Files podcast, you can find Al's blog at TheDepressionFiles.com. There, you can also find out how to work with him as a coach/consultant or schedule him for a public speaking event. You will also find Al on Twitter @allevin18. Lastly, it would be greatly appreciated if you would subscribe to the show and take just a minute to leave a review and rating.

In this episode, Al interviews Dr. Mark Horowitz, a doctor in the neurobiology of depression and the pharmacology of antidepressants at the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology, and Neuroscience at King's College London, a research fellow in the National Health Service in England and a co-founder of Outro on the topic of weaning antidepressants (recorded 2-12-23). Dr. Horowitz describes, in detail, how antidepressants impact every system of our body, rather than simply the brain. He describes his own personal challenges of weaning off of antidepressants and explains how, and why, online support groups were more beneficial to him than any doctor or any of his academic studies. Dr. Horowitz also describes how Outro, soon to be launched in the US, is supporting people in the process of weaning off of their antidepressants. This episode is a must for anybody who is on an antidepressant, considering an antidepressant, or contemplating weaning off of an antidepressant. To find out more about Dr. Horowitz, check out his website at markhorowitz.org. There, you'll find his academic papers, videos, a blog, and much more. Find out more about Outro at outro.com. If you find value in my podcast, please consider buying me a cup of coffee at buymeacoffee.com/allevin. There, you can buy me a one-time  cup (or cups) of coffee or become a member to purchase coffee for me monthly. Not only will this help to caffeinate me up, but it will also help to offset the cost of the podcast hosting site, maintain and update my equipment and support the amount of time that it takes in order to produce the show. In addition to The Depression Files podcast, you can find Al's blog at TheDepressionFiles.com. There, you can also find out how to work with Al as a coach or schedule him for a public speaking event. You will also find Al on Twitter @allevin18. Lastly, it would be greatly appreciated if you would subscribe to the show and take just a minute to leave a review and rating.

In this episode, Al interviews Peggy Van de Plassche, former banker and venture capitalist on the topic of microdosing psychedelics (recorded 11-13-22). Peggy grew up in low-income housing in an industrial area of the North of France raised by a struggling, single, narcissistic mother. During part of her childhood, she was also living with a stepfather who was not only majorly depressed, but was very mean towards Peggy. Peggy's only sibling passed away in an accident when Peggy was only seventeen years old. These situations gave Peggy a long history of anxiety and phobias that began in her childhood. Once Peggy was able to start working, she moved up the corporate ladder quickly. However, this only brought on more anxiety and self-sabotaging behaviors. A long and slow path of healing brought Peggy to the concept of microdosing psilocybin. Peggy spent a great deal of time researching the topic before she started on her own journey. Hear Peggy describe her microdosing, as well as two guided macrodosing trips that led to incredible self-exploration and learning. Peggy has since quit her corporate work in order to focus full-time on her writing, sharing her story of personal transformation. Learn more about Peggy by checking out her website at peggyvandeplassche.com. If you have listened and feel that you have received some value from the podcast, please consider supporting the show by becoming a Patron at patreon.com/thedepressionfiles. You can begin to support the show with as little as $1.00/month! In addition to The Depression Files podcast, you can find Al's blog at TheDepressionFiles.com. There, you can also find out how to work with Al as a coach or schedule him for a public speaking event. You will also find Al on Twitter @allevin18. Lastly, it would be greatly appreciated if you would subscribe to the show and take just a minute to leave a review and rating.  

In this episode, Al interviews Kody Green, motivational speaker and content creator with over one million followers on TikTok, where he is known as The Schizophrenic Hippie (recorded 12-2-22). Kody shares the challenges of being raised by a single mother who was living with schizoaffective disorder. He shares that, even knowing the symptoms of serious mental illness, he didn't seek out for help immediately when he was struggling with symptoms similar to his mother. In order to shut down the auditory and visual hallucinations, Kody took to any drugs he could get his hands on. Fearful of sleep, he would take uppers and stay awake for days at a time. Finally, after being incarcerated for nearly a year due to injuring a driver in another vehicle after he had fallen asleep at the wheel, Kody knew he needed to reach out for help. Kody decided to start documenting his own story through videos for his own learning. Little did he know, those videos would lead him to become a TikTok sensation with over one million followers. You'll find Kody on TikTok @SchizophrenicHippie, where he educates people on the topic of schizophrenia. Sometimes using incredibly funny humor, Kody shares his lived experience and wealth of knowledge to support those living with schizophrenia and their family members and friends. Kody is incredibly intelligent and down-to-earth and many people are clearly benefiting from his very vulnerable approach to advocacy. Kody is in the process of writing a book titled, Mentally Ill Influencer, where he helps others better understand how to use TikTok, YouTube, and other social media platforms to advocate for mental illness.  If you'd like to learn more about Kody, check out his website at KodyGreen.com. If you have listened and feel that you have received some value from the podcast, please consider supporting the show by becoming a Patron at patreon.com/thedepressionfiles. You can begin to support the show with as little as $1.00/month! In addition to The Depression Files podcast, you can find Al's blog at TheDepressionFiles.com. There, you can also find out how to work with Al as a coach or schedule him for a public speaking event. You will also find Al on Twitter @allevin18. Lastly, it would be greatly appreciated if you would subscribe to the show and take just a minute to leave a review and rating.  

In this episode, Al interviews Kaitlynne Yancy, a navy veteran and the Associate Director of Governmental Affairs of the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA) (recorded 10-26-22). Kaitlynne shares her own story of trauma that she has experienced in her personal life. She also shares what the IAVA is doing to address and eliminate active military and veteran suicides. You can find out more about Kaitlynne here and the IAVA by going to their website. You can also find the IAVA on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.  If you have listened and feel that you have received some value from the podcast, please consider supporting the show by becoming a Patron at patreon.com/thedepressionfiles. You can begin to support the show with as little as $1.00/month! In addition to The Depression Files podcast, you can find Al's blog at TheDepressionFiles.com. There, you can also find out how to work with Al as a coach or schedule him for a public speaking event. You will also find Al on Twitter @allevin18. Lastly, it would be greatly appreciated if you would subscribe to the show and take just a minute to leave a review and rating.

In this episode, Al interviews CeCe Cheng, founder of ShareWell, a mental health company that provides virtual peer support services (recorded 10-24-22). From the fall of 2019 through October 2020, CeCe found herself in an emotionally abusive relationship that included daily gaslighting, pathological lying, and severe manipulation. While CeCe had a strong support network of friends, family, and medical professionals, she had a sense that what she really needed was a support group of other women who had been through a similar experience. Struggling to find such a support group, CeCe created her own. From there, she founded ShareWell that allows people to find various support groups related to a multitude of topics from domestic abuse to trauma, to depression, and so much more. If one is unable to find a group that fits their need, they are able to create their own support group for that particular topic. CeCe shares her story of living through a severely emotionally abusive relationship and how she founded ShareWell. Find out more about CeCe and ShareWell by going to sharewellnow.com. If you have listened and feel that you have received some value from the podcast, please consider supporting the show by becoming a Patron at patreon.com/thedepressionfiles. You can begin to support the show with as little as $1.00/month! In addition to The Depression Files podcast, you can find Al's blog at TheDepressionFiles.com. There, you can also find out how to work with Al as a coach or schedule him for a public speaking event. You will also find Al on Twitter @allevin18. Lastly, it would be greatly appreciated if you would subscribe to the show and take just a minute to leave a review and rating.

In this episode, Al interviews Dr. Steve Lamberti, professor of psychiatry at the University of Rochester Medical Center (URMC) where he serves as Academic Chief of the Community Division and as the Chair of the Research Subject Review Board for Behavioral and Social Sciences, on the topic of psychosis (recorded 10-12-22). In this fascinating interview you'll hear Dr. Lamberti explain the primary symptoms of a psychosis, share which mental illnesses may include psychosis, discuss single-episode events, and much, much more. You can find more information about Dr. Lamberti, and his biography here. And here you can find his LinkedIn page. For additional information on psychosis, visit the NAMI website. If you have listened and feel that you have received some value from the podcast, please consider supporting the show by becoming a Patron at patreon.com/thedepressionfiles. You can begin to support the show with as little as $1.00/month! In addition to The Depression Files podcast, you can find Al's blog at TheDepressionFiles.com. There, you can also find out how to work with Al as a coach or schedule him for a public speaking event. You will also find Al on Twitter @allevin18. Lastly, it would be greatly appreciated if you would subscribe to the show and take just a minute to leave a review and rating.

In this episode, Al interviews Nick Jonsson, keynote speaker, author, and co-founder of Executives' Global Network (EGN)-Singapore, an executive peer network (recorded 9-19-22). Nick speaks of his own personal experience dealing with loneliness and depression as a top-level executive. In his case, alcohol was his outlet. His mental health struggles were accompanied by physical ailments. Hear these stories and how Nick benefited from sharing his story with others who were struggling. Nick now shares is story publicly and in his memoir, "Executive Loneliness", in hopes of helping others. He also co-founded EGN-Singapore. This is a global peer network in which peers get to speak on the topic of mental health with one another, amongst many other topics driven by the peers themselves. Find out more about Nick on his website at nickjonsson.com. There, you can also locate several other social network platforms in which you will find Nick. If you have listened and feel that you have received some value from the podcast, please consider supporting the show by becoming a Patron at patreon.com/thedepressionfiles. You can begin to support the show with as little as $1.00/month! In addition to The Depression Files podcast, you can find Al's blog at TheDepressionFiles.com. There, you can also find out how to work with Al as a coach or schedule him for a public speaking event. You will also find Al on Twitter @allevin18. Lastly, it would be greatly appreciated if you would subscribe to the show and take just a minute to leave a review and rating.

In this episode, Al interviews Geralyn Ritter, executive vice president at Oregon, trauma survivor, and author (recorded 9-8-22). May 12, 2015 started out as a typical day for Geralyn. She was on a train that she had taken many times. Only this time, soon after leaving the Philadelphia station on a train that would normally be a short ride to her home, she felt some unusual shaking as she had stood up to get something from her briefcase that was on a luggage rack. She grabbed the luggage rack with an unbelievable sensation that the train was tipping. Later, she was to find out that the Amtrak 188 train was traveling at a speed of 106 mph on a curve designed for a speed of 50 mph. After screaming, realizing that the train actually was tipping, her next memory was waking up several days later in the ICU of a hospital with a breathing tube down her throat. Geralyn describes how her family, too, struggled to even find her after the tragic accident, as she was clinging to life as a Jane Doe. She shares her incredible, inspirational story of surviving through unimaginable physical injuries, terrible pain, and debilitating depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Hear how this tragedy changed the trajectory of Geralyn's work and inspired her to write a memoir in the hopes of helping others. You can find her memoir, Bone by Bone: A Memoir of Trauma & Healing, at BoneByBoneBook.com. You can also find out more about Geralyn on her website, GeralynRitter.com. If you have listened and feel that you have received some value from the podcast, please consider supporting the show by becoming a Patron at patreon.com/thedepressionfiles. You can begin to support the show with as little as $1.00/month! In addition to The Depression Files podcast, you can find Al's blog at TheDepressionFiles.com. There, you can also find out how to work with Al as a coach or schedule him for a public speaking event. You will also find Al on Twitter @allevin18. Lastly, it would be greatly appreciated if you would subscribe to the show and take just a minute to leave a review and rating.

In this episode, Al interviews Dr. Doug Klein, family physician and a professor at the University of Alberta on the topic of Parks Prescriptions (recorded 6-20-22). Dr. Klein speaks in general about the incredibly mental and physical health benefits of getting outside, exercising, and spending time in nature. From improved heart health to decreasing stress and anxiety and much more, Dr. Klein shares some of the data from research on the topic. Dr. Klein also describes the Parks Prescriptions program that began in British Columbia. While Parks Prescriptions began as a grassroots movement in the United States over a decade ago, PaRX, created in 2020, is Canada's first national, evidence-based nature prescription program. Dr. Klein is now a proud prescriber, as PaRx recently launched in Alberta. If you have listened and feel that you have received some value from the podcast, please consider supporting the show by becoming a Patron at patreon.com/thedepressionfiles. You can begin to support the show with as little as $1.00/month! In addition to The Depression Files podcast, you can find Al's blog at TheDepressionFiles.com. There, you can also find out how to work with Al as a coach or schedule him for a public speaking event. You will also find Al on Twitter @allevin18. Lastly, it would be greatly appreciated if you would subscribe to the show and take just a minute to leave a review and rating.

In this episode, Al interviews Charlie Kratsch, founder and CEO of Infinite Campus (recorded 6-1-22). Ten years ago, Charlie's seventeen year-old son had a paranoid, psychotic episode. Charlie realized, this being the first time ever having to access it, how complicated the mental health system is; from a 72-hour hold, to finding a bed hours outside of the city limits for his son, to finding proper after-care. After this experience, Charlie began to learn more and more about the broken mental health system. In October of 2021, Charlie announced that his foundation, the Infinite Campus Foundation, would be offering a $1 million prize to one or more organizations who would build a web-based, mental health care network. Hear much more about Charlie's son's psychotic episode and Charlie's struggle to understand the complicated mental health system in order to support his son. Additionally, you'll hear up-to-date information on the $1 million prize money and the plan to begin to develop a one-stop, web-based mental health care network. If you have listened and feel that you have received some value from the podcast, please consider supporting the show by becoming a Patron at patreon.com/thedepressionfiles. You can begin to support the show with as little as $1.00/month! In addition to The Depression Files podcast, you can find Al's blog at TheDepressionFiles.com. There, you can also find out how to work with Al as a coach or schedule him for a public speaking event. You will also find Al on Twitter @allevin18. Lastly, please subscribe to the show and take just a minute to leave a review and rating.

In this episode, Al interviews Lorraine Montez, film producer, actor, and writer (recorded 5-9-22). Lorraine shares her own personal story of depression that began at a young age. She experienced death for the first time at just eight years old, when her eldest brother died tragically in an airplane crash. She describes living with her father who was a World War II veteran struggling with undiagnosed PTSD and a "rager" who would, at times, become physically aggressive for the slightest of things. Lorraine lost an uncle to suicide and her mother struggled with depression, as well. In addition to sharing her own personal struggles of depression, which continue to this day, she also shares about her successful producing, acting, and writing career. She is currently working on a theatre piece, titled The Well, that is a dark comedy musical that provides a social commentary on depression and mental illness. The plan is to adapt the theatre production into a screenplay. You can find out more about The Well at thewellmusical.com. You can find out more about Lorraine on her website lorrainemontez.com. If you have listened and feel that you have received some value from the podcast, please consider supporting the show by becoming a Patron at patreon.com/thedepressionfiles. You can begin to support the show with as little as $1.00/month! In addition to The Depression Files podcast, you can find Al's blog at TheDepressionFiles.com. There, you can also find out how to work with Al as a coach or schedule him for a public speaking event. You will also find Al on Twitter @allevin18. Lastly, please subscribe to the show and take just a minute to leave a review and rating.

In this episode, Al interviews John Callas, Emmy-nominated Hollywood director, writer, producer, and author. John talks about the incredible amount of trauma he endured as a child. John's father died ten days after his third birthday. John describes how that was the start of everything falling apart. At age twelve John was sent away to military school and suffered physical abuse at the hands of his peers that was an accepted part of the school. He describes his three years of military as "absolute hell". John shares these stories and much more, as well as how he was able to persevere and make his way to Hollywood. Eventually, John decided to share his story in the hopes of helping others through their own struggles. John's memoir, When the Rain Stops, was published in April of 2021. You can find John on Twitter @johnpcallas learn much more about him on his website at johncallas.com. If you have listened and feel that you have received some value from the podcast, please consider supporting the show by becoming a Patron at patreon.com/thedepressionfiles. You can begin to support the show with as little as $1.00/month! In addition to The Depression Files podcast, you can find Al's blog at TheDepressionFiles.com. There, you can also find out how to work with Al as a coach or schedule him for a public speaking event. You will also find Al on Twitter @allevin18. Lastly, please subscribe to the show and take just a minute to leave a review and rating.

In this episode, Al interviews Dr. Mark Rasenick, distinguished professor of physiology & biophysics, as well as psychiatry, the Director of the Biomedical Neuroscience Training Program at the University of Illinois College of Medicine, and a research career scientist at the Jesse Brown VA Medical Center (recorded 3-16-22). Dr. Rasenick speaks about research he has conducted that will allow a doctor to diagnose a patient with depression based on one biomarker in a simple blood test. In addition to a diagnosis, using the very same biomarker, a doctor would be able to determine whether or not an antidepressant will work after only one week of usage. Dr. Rasenick hopes to secure additional funding in order to expand his research and eventually develop this screener which could one day be available through your family doctor. To find out much more about Dr. Rasenick and his research, visit PaxNeuroScience.com. If you have listened and feel that you have received some value from the podcast, please consider supporting the show by becoming a Patron at patreon.com/thedepressionfiles. You can begin to support the show with as little as $1.00/month! In addition to The Depression Files podcast, you can find Al's blog at TheDepressionFiles.com. There, you can also find out how to work with Al as a coach or schedule him for a public speaking event. You will also find Al on Twitter @allevin18. Lastly, please subscribe to the show and take just a minute to leave a review and rating.

In this episode, Al interviews Deb Robison, licensed social worker and project administrator at the Center for School-Based Mental Health Programs at Miami University (recorded 2-28-22). Deb describes the Ohio School Wellness Initiative, a grant-funded program with a goal of ensuring that all students and staff, especially the most vulnerable, will have access to mental health, behavioral health, substance abuse, and wellness services and supports.  Working with eighty, diverse schools in eight different regions of Ohio, Deb describes this three-component framework that includes a statewide Student Assistance Program (SAP) model, strengthening specialized interventions for youth and addressing staff mental wellness.  Check out these websites for more information on Deb and Miami University's Center for School-Based Mental Health Programs (CSBMHP) or the Ohio School Wellness Initiative (OSWI). If you have listened and feel that you have received some value from the podcast, please consider supporting the show by becoming a Patron at patreon.com/thedepressionfiles. You can begin to support the show with as little as $1.00/month! In addition to The Depression Files podcast, you can find Al's blog at TheDepressionFiles.com. There, you can also find out how to work with Al as a coach or schedule him for a public speaking event. You will also find Al on Twitter @allevin18. Lastly, please subscribe to the show and take just a minute to leave a review and rating.

In this episode, Al interviews Corey Dixon, actor, public speaker, and mental health advocate (recorded 2-3-22). Corey talks about dealing with anxiety, panic attacks, and depression since being bullied in school as a child. Hear how he was dragged outside of school by a classmate at one point and beat up on the school grounds. As a young actor, perhaps based partially on jealousy, the bullying continued into high school. Corey eventually found some refuge by transferring to a different school. Through the alternative high school, and with the support of his father, Corey started an online radio station called 401 Radio. After high school, Corey continued with the radio station and his acting. After acting in several commercials, Corey's break that got him recognized was having a part on an episode of Degrassi. However, in 2016, Corey had a tragic accident; a fall off a 30' cliff that nearly ended his life. After many surgeries and a year in a hospital and rehabilitation facility, Corey is getting back into acting. He's also now publicly sharing his story and advocating around mental health. You can learn more about Corey by checking out his website at coreydixon.com. You'll also find him on Twitter and Instagram at coreydixon33 and on Facebook at coreydixon. If you have listened and feel that you have received some value from the podcast, please consider supporting the show by becoming a Patron at patreon.com/thedepressionfiles. You can begin to support the show with as little as $1.00/month! In addition to The Depression Files podcast, you can find Al's blog at TheDepressionFiles.com. There, you can also find out how to work with Al as a coach or schedule him for a public speaking event. You will also find Al on Twitter @allevin18. Lastly, please subscribe to the show and take just a minute to leave a review and rating.

In this episode, Al interviews Ricky Sapp, former NFL Linebacker and current inspirational speaker (recorded 1-6-22). Ricky speaks of the challenges he had in school as a young boy. Kicked out of high school, Ricky ended up in an alternative high school his Sophomore year. Having found a coach who believed in him, football and basketball helped him get through high school. Ricky was recruited heavily out of high school and joined the Clemson Tigers in 2006. This was a huge change from high school and Ricky started to experience a great deal of anxiety and depression, even throwing up before games. At one point, Ricky even experienced suicidal thoughts and nearly left college to return home. In 2010, Ricky was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles. At this point, Ricky was still dealing with anxiety and depression. Prior to signing on with the NY Jets in 2011, Coach Rex Ryan required Ricky to first meet with a psychologist. After signing, he was required to continue with weekly therapy. This was the first time that Ricky actually opened up to a therapist and even began taking medication. Hear about the incredible work Ricky now does through the Ricky Sapp Foundation, encouraging youth to "Dream Big, Live Big". In addition to his public speaking, The Ricky Sapp Foundation has provided hundreds of kids with support such as backpacks, school supplies, haircuts, new shoes and more. In addition to his foundation's website, you'll find Ricky on Instagram at rsappfoundation, on Facebook at RickySapp, on Twitter @sapp91, and on Youtube at Ricky Sapp. He also has a website at rickysapp.com and a podcast called "Talk to Me Tuesday", which you can find on just iTunes, Spotify, and other podcast hosting sites. If you have listened and feel that you have received some value from the podcast, please consider supporting the show by becoming a Patron at patreon.com/thedepressionfiles. You can begin to support the show with as little as $1.00/month! In addition to The Depression Files podcast, you can find Al's blog at TheDepressionFiles.com. There, you can also find out how to work with Al as a coach or schedule him for a public speaking event. You will also find Al on Twitter @allevin18. Lastly, please subscribe to the show and take just a minute to leave a review and rating.

In this episode, Al interviews Lesley Moffat, author, classroom high school band teacher, public speaker, and mom (recorded 11-17-21). Leslie shares her story of being an overwhelmed teacher and the consequences it had on her mental and physical health. After multiple surgeries, a regimen of fourteen different prescription medications a day, and dealing with depression, she decided she needed to make some serious life changes! Hear how she learned to change her lifestyle through various means to improve both her mental and physical health. A teacher at heart, she has designed her own program to help people who find themselves chronically sick due to excess stress and exhaustion to reclaim their health so they can reclaim their lives. Her current books include: I Love My Job, But It's Killing Me and Love the Job, Lose the Stress. You can find out more about Lesley and her work at mpowerededucator.com. If you have listened and feel that you have received some value from the podcast, please consider supporting the show by becoming a Patron at patreon.com/thedepressionfiles. You can begin to support the show with as little as $1.00/month! In addition to The Depression Files podcast, you can find Al's blog at TheDepressionFiles.com. There, you can also find out how to work with Al as a coach or schedule him for a public speaking event. You will also find Al on Twitter @allevin18. Lastly, please subscribe to the show and take just a minute to leave a review and rating.

In this episode, Al interviews Michele Rosenthal, trauma recovery specialist, author, and mental health advocate (recorded 10-25-21). Michele speaks candidly about an incredibly traumatic experience she had at the age of thirteen. For a typical infection, she was given a typical antibiotic that caused a reaction that was anything but typical. Her body had a reaction to the antibiotic and had to rid itself of the medicine any way it could, which was through the skin. The reaction turned her into a full-body burn victim. She lost 100% of the first two layers of skin and had a near death experience. For the next twenty-four years she struggled with anxiety, depression, suicidal thoughts, and many mysterious physical illnesses that no specialist in Manhattan could diagnose -- and the absolute inability to speak about what happened to me. After five years of talk therapy, she had a complete physical and mental breakdown. She decided to take recovery into her own hands. She researched and trained and finally created her own trauma recovery protocol. She has now written three books and spends her life supporting others on their recovery path from trauma. Her three books are: "Your Life After Trauma: Powerful Practices to Reclaim Your Identity", "Heal Your PTSD: Dynamic Strategies that Work", and "Before the World Intruded: Conquering the Past and Creating the Future, a Memoir". You can find out more about Michele and how to work with her by visiting her website at: MyTraumaCoach.com. You'll also find her on Twitter @MyTraumaCoach and Facebook @MyTraumaCoach and LinkedIn and on Instagram at Michele.Rosenthal. If you have listened and feel that you have received some value from the podcast, please consider supporting the show by becoming a Patron at patreon.com/thedepressionfiles. You can begin to support the show with as little as $1.00/month! In addition to The Depression Files podcast, you can find Al's blog at TheDepressionFiles.com. There, you can also find out how to work with Al as a coach or schedule him for a public speaking event. You will also find Al on Twitter @allevin18. Lastly, please subscribe to the show and take just a minute to leave a review and rating.

In this episode, Al interviews Anne Moss Rogers, public speaker, certified suicide prevention trainer, NAMI Virginia Board Member, and an award-winning author (recorded 10-6-21). She is also the mother of Charles, a young man who lived with depression and addiction and died by suicide. Anne Moss talks very candidly about her son, Charles, who died by suicide at the young age of twenty on June 5, 2015. She describes the many years of chaos in the household due to Charles' substance abuse and mental illness. She talks about the ways she and her family tried to support Charles...and the signs of his suicidal ideation that they may have missed. Anne Moss describes the challenges of getting Charles to get accept more professional help later in his life in a system for which he had become jaded; jaded due to the shaming he, and his mother, had received by professionals around his substance abuse. Now Anne Moss has turned this tragedy into a mission to save the lives of others who may be considering suicide. She has authored two books: Diary of a Broken Mind: A Mother's Story, a Son's Suicide, and the Haunting Lyrics He Left Behind and Emotionally Naked: A Teacher's Guide to Preventing Suicide and Recognizing Students at Risk. You can learn more about Anne Moss on her website annemossrogers.com and you can read her blog posts and more on her site titled, emotionallynaked.com. You'll also find Anne Moss on Twitter @annemossrogers, on Facebook at AnneMoss Nimocks Rogers, and on Instagram @AnneMossRogers. If you have listened and feel that you have received some value from the podcast, please consider supporting the show by becoming a Patron at patreon.com/thedepressionfiles. You can begin to support the show with as little as $1.00/month! In addition to The Depression Files podcast, you can find Al's blog at TheDepressionFiles.com. There, you can also find out how to work with Al as a coach or schedule him for a public speaking event. You will also find Al on Twitter @allevin18. Lastly, please subscribe to the show and take just a minute to leave a review and rating.

In this episode, Al interviews Tracey Bear, a PhD student who is on a joint venture with Massey University and Reddit Institute and Plant and Food Research (part of a wider research program looking at how nutrition can impact well-being), on the topic of the Gut-Brain Axis and depression (recorded 8-25-21). Tracey describes the Gut-Brain Axis and the recent research that shows that this axis may play a key role in the regulation of brain function and behavior. She shares the types of foods that are best for our body and our mind and describes inflammation and how it impacts our health.   Tracey describes the makeup of the gut flora and its microbiome. Tracey goes on to describe the various microbiota that are present in the gut and how dietary intervention may prevent, or possibly assist in the recovery of, depression. If you have listened and feel that you have received some value from the podcast, please consider supporting the show by becoming a Patron at patreon.com/thedepressionfiles. You can begin to support the show with as little as $1.00/month! In addition to The Depression Files podcast, you can find Al's blog at TheDepressionFiles.com. There, you can also find out how to work with Al as a coach or schedule him for a public speaking event. You will also find Al on Twitter @allevin18. Lastly, please subscribe to the show and take just a minute to leave a review and rating.  

In this episode, Al interviews Victor Janzen, a telecommunications project manager and mental illness activist (recorded 8-11-21). Victor speaks very candidly about the ongoing childhood trauma that he endured at the hands of his family members. Victor was eventually diagnosed with severe complex post-traumatic stress disorder (CPTSD), borderline personality disorder (BPD), and dissociative identity disorder (DID), previously known as multiple personality disorder.  Victor has at least twenty different alters, some threatening and violent to himself. Victor has attempted suicide five times and been hospitalized many times. He typically calls a crisis line on a daily basis. Victor also believes his previous therapist and CMHA have "weaponized" his diagnoses against him, with CMHA going as far as banning him from using their crisis line. Victor now speaks publicly about the challenges he has faced and is advocating for changes to the mental health system. You can find, and connect with, Victor on Twitter @victorjanzen If you have listened and feel that you have received some value from the podcast, please consider supporting the show by becoming a Patron at patreon.com/thedepressionfiles. You can begin to support the show with as little as $1.00/month! In addition to The Depression Files podcast, you can find Al's blog at TheDepressionFiles.com. There, you can also find out how to work with Al as a coach or schedule him for a public speaking event. You will also find Al on Twitter @allevin18. Lastly, please subscribe to the show and take just a minute to leave a review and rating.

In this episode, Al interviews Sarah Hancock, former professor of clinical psychiatric rehabilitation counseling at San Diego State University and a nationally certified rehabilitation counselor, on the topic of Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) (recorded 7-1-21). Sarah received 17 years of treatment consisting of thirty-seven combinations of more than five medication classifications, 116 ECT treatments, multiple hospitalizations, and was institutionalized for thirteen months...all for a misdiagnosed mental illness that was determined to actually be fungal hepatic encephalopathy. Sarah now advocates for more regulations, safety testing, electrical dosing standards, injury assessment, and fully informed consent regarding ECT. Listen as we discuss possible consequences to receiving ECT, the limited training most psychiatrists receive in administering ECT,  the lack of proper assessment of possible negative consequences of patients receiving ECT, the research around ECT, and much more. To learn more about Sarah and ECT, check out her personal website at PsychRecoveryAndRehab.com, or LifeAfterECT.com, which is an educational resource created by a coalition of advocates concerned with ECT. You'll also find Sarah tweeting @PsychRecovery. If you have listened and feel that you have received some value from the podcast, please consider supporting the show by becoming a Patron at patreon.com/thedepressionfiles. You can begin to support the show with as little as $1.00/month! In addition to The Depression Files podcast, you can find Al's blog at TheDepressionFiles.com. There, you can also find out how to work with Al as a coach or schedule him for a public speaking event. You will also find Al on Twitter @allevin18. Lastly, please subscribe to the show and take just a minute to leave a review and rating.

In this episode, Al interviews Dr. Joyce Baptist, a professor in the Couple and Family Therapy Program at Kansas State University, on the topic of Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy (recorded 6-7-21). Dr. Baptist's current work focuses on examining the efficacy of clinical interventions to mitigate suffering from traumatic childhood events using EMDR. Dr. Baptist describes EMDR and shares how a therapist uses EMDR to work with their clients. Although EMDR is typically thought of as a therapy that is used for patients with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Dr. Baptist has conducted some very promising research on the use of EMDR for the treatment of depression. Learn more about Dr. Baptist by visiting her page on the Kansas State University website. You can learn more about EMDR by visiting the EMDR International Association website. If you have listened and feel that you have received some value from the podcast, please consider supporting the show by becoming a Patron at patreon.com/thedepressionfiles. You can begin to support the show with as little as $1.00/month! In addition to The Depression Files podcast, you can find Al's blog at TheDepressionFiles.com. There, you can also find out how to work with Al as a coach or schedule him for a public speaking event. You will also find Al on Twitter @allevin18. Lastly, please subscribe to the show and take just a minute to leave a review and rating.  

In this episode, Al interviews Dr. Damon Ashworth, clinical psychologist and expert in the field of sleep and treatments for insomnia, on the topic of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-i) (recorded 4-29-21). Dr. Ashworth helps listeners understand the definition of CBT-i and insomnia. He shares the critical elements of CBT-i and explains what one could expect if going to a therapist to receive this type of treatment. He also describes his randomized clinical trail that significantly reduced insomnia AND depression severity of participants across only four sessions of CBT-i. You can learn more about Dr. Ashworth by checking out his website at damonashworthpsychology.com. Questions about CBT-i, sleep, or psychology? Feel free to email him at damon.ashworth@gmail.com. If you have listened and feel that you have received some value from the podcast, please consider supporting the show by becoming a Patron at patreon.com/thedepressionfiles. You can begin to support the show with as little as $1.00/month! In addition to The Depression Files podcast, you can find Al's blog at TheDepressionFiles.com. There, you can also find out how to work with Al as a coach or schedule him for a public speaking event. You will also find Al on Twitter @allevin18. Lastly, please subscribe to the show and take just a minute to leave a review and rating.

In this episode, Al interviews Sam Morris, founder of The Unbreakable Human Collective and Managing Director - Head of Culture at Five to Flow (recorded 11-2-21). Sam was always dedicated to tennis. This allowed him to have an excuse to avoid high school and college parties that caused him great social anxiety. An off-season ACL tear gave Sam his longest break from tennis in the previous fifteen years. A break from tennis gave Sam a glimpse of life without the demands of being a high-level athlete. This also created time for Sam to explore more of a social life. However, he realized that alcohol helped relieve his social anxiety. Years of partying, drinking, and doing coke led to four DUIs, jail time, and multiple stints in rehab. Hear these stories and how Sam finally was able to turn his life around. He is now on a personal mission to impact one billion humans. Through retreats, workshops, and coaching, Sam helps men fight toxic masculinity and talk feelings! You can learn more about Sam at themanunbreakable.com. You'll also find Sam on Instagram @samgibbsmorris and on LinkedIn at Sam Morris. If you have listened and feel that you have received some value from the podcast, please consider supporting the show by becoming a Patron at patreon.com/thedepressionfiles. You can begin to support the show with as little as $1.00/month! In addition to The Depression Files podcast, you can find Al's blog at TheDepressionFiles.com. There, you can also find out how to work with Al as a coach or schedule him for a public speaking event. You will also find Al on Twitter @allevin18. Lastly, please subscribe to the show and take just a minute to leave a review and rating.

In this interview, Al interviews Dr. Rick Doblin, founder and executive director of the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS), on the topic of MDMA research for the treatment of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Rick shares some incredibly personal stories related to how he became involved and interested in psychedelics, including the story of a college counselor who shared a book with him in order to improve his psychedelic "trips". Hear how MAPS was able to receive U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Breakthrough Therapy Designation for MDMA-Assisted Psychotherapy for PTSD in 2017 and much, much more! Check out maps.org if you would like to find out more information about MAPS, their psychedelic research, and Rick Doblin. If you have listened and feel that you have received some value from the podcast, please consider supporting the show by becoming a Patron at patreon.com/thedepressionfiles. You can begin to support the show with as little as $1.00/month! In addition to The Depression Files podcast, you can find Al's blog at TheDepressionFiles.com. There, you can also find out how to work with Al as a coach or schedule him for a public speaking event. You will also find Al on Twitter @allevin18. Lastly, please subscribe to the show and take just a minute to leave a review and rating.

In this episode, Al interviews Theodora Blanchfield on the topic of receiving ketamine infusions (recorded 8-10-21). For the past five years or so, Theodora had been struggling with severe depression. In that time, she was hospitalized twice for suicidal ideation and spent six weeks at an in-patient program. Her therapist then suggested ketamine. After a great deal of research, Theodora decided to give it a shot. She describes her first session in great detail and the immediate, positive impact it had on her. After an initial schedule of eight infusions in a two-week period, Theodora occasionally goes back for a 'bump'. Theodora is a social media consultant, a writer, and a running coach. Check out some of her incredible writing and learn more about her at theodorablanchfield.com or at preppyrunner.com. If you have listened and feel that you have received some value from the podcast, please consider supporting the show by becoming a Patron at patreon.com/thedepressionfiles. You can begin to support the show with as little as $1.00/month! In addition to The Depression Files podcast, you can find Al's blog at TheDepressionFiles.com. There, you can also find out how to work with Al as a coach or schedule him for a public speaking event. You will also find Al on Twitter @allevin18.

In this episode, Al interviews Dr. Gukasyan, psychiatrist and post-doctoral research fellow at Johns Hopkins University, on the topic of psychedelics and the treatment of mental illness. Dr. Gukasyan describes the current research that is ongoing at Johns Hopkins. Hear about the history of psychedelics and the ins and outs regarding the structure of the research. You'll hear about the guides, the importance of set and setting, and much more. Given that research regarding antidepressants is at a near standstill and the challenges of finding the right antidepressant, psychedelics are looking like a very viable possibility for treating depression with much quicker efficacy. If you'd like to learn more about the research at Johns Hopkins, you can visit their psychedelic research page at hopkinspsychedelic.org. In addition to the Johns Hopkins website, if you're interested in learning about the possibilities of participating in their research, you can visit their partners' websites; Usona Institute and COMPASS. If you have listened and feel that you have received some value from the podcast, please consider supporting the show by becoming a Patron at patreon.com/thedepressionfiles. You can begin to support the show with as little as $1.00/month! In addition to The Depression Files podcast, you can find Al's blog at TheDepressionFiles.com. There, you can also find out how to work with Al as a coach or schedule him for a public speaking event. You will also find Al on Twitter @allevin18.

In this episode, Al interviews Dr. Nolan Williams, assistant professor within the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences and the director of the Stanford Brain Stimulation Lab (recorded 11-20-20). Dr. Williams has a broad background in neuropsychiatry and is double board certified in both neurology and psychiatry. Dr. Williams describes what Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) is and how it works. He goes on to describe the very recent research he is leading at Stanford University titled, "Stanford Accelerated Intelligent Neuromodulation Therapy (SAINT)". This enhanced version of TMS has been shown to be five times more potent than traditional TMS. More potent stimulation means patients can be stimulated for less time, meaning more sessions could be administered per day, potentially resulting in much faster antidepressant responses. You can find out more about Dr. Nolan Williams here. You'll also find him tweeting @NolanRyWilliams. You can find out more about Stanford's Brain Stimulation Lab and SAINT here. If you have listened and feel that you have received some value from the podcast, please consider supporting the show by becoming a Patron at patreon.com/thedepressionfiles. You can begin to support the show with as little as $1.00/month! In addition to The Depression Files podcast, you can find Al's blog at TheDepressionFiles.com. There, you can also find out how to work with Al as a coach or schedule him for a public speaking event. You will also find Al on Twitter @allevin18.

In this episode, Al interviews world-renown addiction specialist and CEO/Founder of Robb Kelly Recovery Group (recorded 10-7-20). Dr. Kelly candidly shares his tragic story of what drinking did to his life. Dr. Kelly had a love and talent for music at a very young age. He was playing gigs with his uncle on stage at the age of nine. It was between sets at one of these gigs that his uncle gave him his first beer. Dr. Kelly describes how, as a functioning alcoholic, he was able to enter the University of Oxford and work at the notorious Abbey Roads Studio as a session bass player in order to help fund his education. Hear how alcohol got him kicked out of one of the university's colleges and how he lost his first job for drinking on the job. He shares how he finally had a job (still drinking daily), acquired a great amount of wealth, got married and had two children. However, none of this without bumps in the road. A violent assault on his wife wasn't enough to get him to stop drinking. Dr. Kelly describes how he lost everything and ended up homeless on the streets of Manchester. Hear how Dr. Kelly finally was able to get the help he needed, follow the program, and become healthy. He goes on to share about the incredible work he is doing as the founder and CEO of Robb Kelly Recovery Group. You can learn more about Dr. Kelly by visiting robbkelly.com. You'll also find him on Facebook @robbkellyrecoverygroup and on Twitter @RobbKellyGroup. Note: Listen to this episode for a very personal offer from Dr. Kelly to any/all listeners of The Depression Files! If you have listened and feel that you have received some value from the podcast, please consider supporting the show by becoming a Patron at patreon.com/thedepressionfiles. You can begin to support the show with as little as $1.00/month! In addition to The Depression Files podcast, you can find Al's blog at TheDepressionFiles.com. There, you can also find out how to work with Al as a coach or schedule him for a public speaking event. You will also find Al on Twitter @allevin18.

In this episode, Al interviews Dr. Sam Ko, Board Certified Emergency Physician and Medical Director of Reset Ketamine, on the topic of Ketamine (recorded 7-9-20). Dr. Ko talks about his own challenges of working as an emergency room doctor for just over two years and having reached a point of burn out. After spending time traveling the world, studying yoga and meditation, and taking leadership courses, Dr. Ko was able to become rejuvenated and ponder the question, "What is something unique that I can do and offer to the world?". The insight that he came to was working with Ketamine. Dr. Ko shares the history of Ketamine, as well as the typical and off-label uses of Ketamine. He describes the types of mental illnesses and other ailments for which he treats his patients with Ketamine. He then walks the listeners through the four stages of treatment that he uses in order to provide Ketamine infusion treatment. You can find out much more about Dr. Ko and Reset Ketamine by going to resetketamine.com. The Depression Files podcast listeners can find an additional free Preparation and Integration Guide by going to resetketamine.com/thedepressionfiles. You'll also find Dr. Ko on Twitter @resetketamine, on Instragram @resetketamine, and on Facebook @resetketamine. If you have listened and feel that you have received some value from the podcast, please consider supporting the show by becoming a Patron at patreon.com/thedepressionfiles. You can begin to support the show with as little as $1.00/month! In addition to The Depression Files podcast, you can find Al's blog at TheDepressionFiles.com. There, you can also find out how to work with Al as a coach or schedule him for a public speaking event. You will also find Al on Twitter @allevin18.

In this episode, Al interviews Mindy Greiling, former Minnesota State Representative, Former National NAMI Board Member and author of Fix What You Can: Schizophrenia and a Law Maker's Fight for Her Son (recorded 8-19-20). A former teacher and school board member, Mindy first joined the Minnesota House of Representatives with her eye on education. After six years in the legislature, her son, Jim, was diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder. While continuing her work within the education committee, Mindy decided to also focus on mental health. Hear Mindy's story of navigating through the complex mental health system, her attempts at improving it, and the challenges of caring for a loved one with schizophrenia in her new book Fix What You Can: Schizophrenia and a Lawmaker's Fight for Her Son. Her book will be released on October 6, 2020 and there will be a virtual launch on October 8, 2020. Find out more about Mindy and where to get her book at mindygreiling.org. If you have listened and feel that you have received some value from the podcast, please consider supporting the show by becoming a Patron at patreon.com/thedepressionfiles. You can begin to support the show with as little as $1.00/month! In addition to The Depression Files podcast, you can find Al's blog at TheDepressionFiles.com. There, you can also find out how to work with Al as a coach or schedule him for a public speaking event. You will also find Al on Twitter @allevin18.

Today, September 3, World Suicide Prevention Day, marks three years to the day that the Depression Files podcast has been up and running. Every other week I've published a man's lived experience with depression and/or other mental illnesses. In addition, I've published several BONUS episodes in between episodes in which we've had a guest and taken a deep dive into a topic such as bipolar disorder or suicide. Today, on the third anniversary of the show, I'd like to announce a few changes that will allow me to have time to continue my advocacy in other ways. I'm excited that I was recently appointed by the governor to the MN State Advisory Council on Mental Illness. I'd also like to continue to grow my blog and speak publicly on the topic of mental health. For these reasons, I plan to publish one show every month. I will continue to have a guest on every show. I'll include a mix of stories of men living with a mental illness and episodes that explore a specific topic related to mental health. I want to thank those of you who have been supporting me by listening to the show, sharing the show whether on Twitter or on other social media platforms or even word of mouth. I also want to thank those of you who have been supporting me monetarily through my Patreon page and those of you who have taken the time to rate and review the show. These acts of kindness really go a long ways. Finally, if you have thoughts on a topic related to mental health that you'd like to hear on the show, or if you'd just like to connect with me, please email me at TheDepressionFiles@gmail.com.

In this episode, Al interviews Josh Knutti, host of the Overcoming You podcast (recorded 7-1-20). Josh worked his way up the corporate ladder and was managing a $580 million, 22K associates company that operated in several countries. But it was never enough for Josh. Wanting more, he left his job and planned to purchase his own company. This major deal fell through at the last possible moment, leaving Josh broke and with nothing. Josh describes the debilitating depression he experienced for a year and a half that culminated in a motel room with cocaine, weed, and a shotgun. Josh also shares his path to recovery. He describes the Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) treatments and talks about meditation, therapy and medication. Finally, Josh talks about his podcast, Overcoming You. If you'd like to learn more about Josh, you'll find him on Instagram @overcomingu and on Facebook. If you have listened and feel that you have received some value from the podcast, please consider supporting the show by becoming a Patron at patreon.com/thedepressionfiles. You can begin to support the show with as little as $1.00/month! In addition to The Depression Files podcast, you can find Al's blog at TheDepressionFiles.com. There, you can also find out how to work with Al as a coach or schedule him for a public speaking event. You will also find Al on Twitter @allevin18.

In this episode, Al interviews James Withey, former therapist, mental health advocate, public speaker, and author (recorded 6-18-20). James shares the challenges of losing his father at age five and knowing he was gay at the young age of eleven or twelve, yet keeping those feelings hidden until age eighteen. James very candidly describes his battle with anxiety, panic attacks, anorexia and depression. Multiple suicide attempts and hospitalizations, James still has a safety plan in place that includes a daily check-in with his husband. James is the co-creator and editor of The Recovery Letters: Addressed to People Experiencing Depression. He is also the author of How to Tell Depression to Piss Off: 40 Ways to Get Your Life Back. You can find out more about The Recovery Letters project and read letters that may not be included in his book at therecoveryletters.com. You can find out more about James on his website at jameswithey.com. Finally, you'll find James tweeting @jameswwithey and @RecoveryLetters. If you have listened and feel that you have received some value from the podcast, please consider supporting the show by becoming a Patron at patreon.com/thedepressionfiles. You can begin to support the show with as little as $1.00/month! In addition to The Depression Files podcast, you can find Al's blog at TheDepressionFiles.com. There, you can also find out how to work with Al as a coach or schedule him for a public speaking event. You will also find Al on Twitter @allevin18.

This is a Bonus Episode in which Al interviews an expert or guest on a particular topic related to mental health. In this episode, Al interviews Dr. Peter Gutierrez on the topic of suicide (recorded 6-24-20). Al and Dr. Gutierrez discuss a wide range of topics around suicide; data, impulsivity, Ketamine, therapy groups and much more! Dr. Gutierrez is a clinical research psychologist focused on the topic of suicide prevention. He currently works for LivingWorks as a research suicidologist. If you enjoyed this episode, please click the 'like' button. Also, please take a moment to rate and review the show on iTunes. Finally, don't miss an episode! Click the subscribe/follow button now! If you have listened and feel that you have received some value from the podcast, please consider supporting the show by becoming a Patron at patreon.com/thedepressionfiles. You can begin to support the show with as little as $1.00/month! In addition to The Depression Files podcast, you can find Al's blog at TheDepressionFiles.com. There, you can also find out how to work with Al as a coach or schedule him for a public speaking event. You will also find Al on Twitter @allevin18.

In this interview, Al interviews Matthew Williams, author, public speaker, and project worker for the Middlesbrough and Stockton Mind Charity. Matthew describes three major bouts of depression that he has dealt with in his lifetime. Matthew speaks of taking mental health leaves from work, his fear of starting medications, his recovery, and his passion for doing work that supports others. Matthew is the author of, Something Changed: Stumbling Through Divorce, Dating, and Depression and A Familiar Stranger. You can find out much more about Matthew, read his blog, and find out how to book him for a speaking event on his website www.afamiliarstranger.co.uk. If you enjoyed this episode, please click the 'like' button. Also, please take a moment to rate and review the show on iTunes. Finally, don't miss an episode! Click the subscribe/follow button now! If you have listened and feel that you have received some value from the podcast, please consider supporting the show by becoming a Patron at patreon.com/thedepressionfiles. You can begin to support the show with as little as $1.00/month! In addition to The Depression Files podcast, you can find Al's blog at TheDepressionFiles.com. There, you can also find out how to work with Al as a coach or schedule him for a public speaking event. You will also find Al on Twitter @allevin18.

In this episode, Al interviews Evan Whitehead, director of special services, national consultant, and public speaker (recorded 4-8-20). Growing up with a father who was unpredictable due to substance abuse, Evan experienced trauma as a child. At times, the power and phones at their home would be shut off and the family moved a number of times throughout his childhood. Evan experienced his first bout of depression when he left home for college and started playing DI football. In high school, Evan had been a standout football player. As a freshman playing DI, this was no longer the case. This, along with living across the country from his family, was too much to handle. Evan found himself turning to alcohol and weed in order to cope. By the end of his freshman year, he had lost the care of school and football and experienced suicidal ideations for the first time. Evan's second bout of depression came as a new father. He gave so much care for his newborn and others, that he neglected his own care. He continued self-medicating and finally realized he needed support for himself. He entered a dual diagnosis program to deal with his substance abuse and mental health. Evan shares the challenges of mental health in the black community and, more specifically, around the generational trauma that often prevents African Americans from reaching out for the help they may need. In addition, Evan shares his passion of supporting educators and their mental health. If you enjoyed this episode, please click the 'like' button. Also, please take a moment to rate and review the show on iTunes. Finally, don't miss an episode! Click the subscribe/follow button now! If you have listened and feel that you have received some value from the podcast, please consider supporting the show by becoming a Patron at patreon.com/thedepressionfiles. You can begin to support the show with as little as $1.00/month! In addition to The Depression Files podcast, you can find Al's blog at TheDepressionFiles.com. There, you can also find out how to work with Al as a coach or schedule him for a public speaking event. You will also find Al on Twitter @allevin18.

This is a Bonus Episode in which Al interviews an expert or guest on a particular topic related to mental health. In this episode, Al interviews Michael Pipich LMFT on the topic of bipolar disorder (recorded 6-16-20). Michael describes the differences between various types of bipolar disorder and the importance of a holistic approach to treating one with this mental illness. Michael shares various treatment options, describes some of the medications, and explains the importance of having family and/or loved ones involved in supporting the patient. You can find out much more about Michael on his website, michaelpipich.com. With its three-phase approach, Michael's book, Owning Bipolar: How Patients and Families Can Take Control of Bipolar Disorder can help you and your loved ones become experts at an illness that has called the shots in your life for too long. If you enjoyed this episode, please click the 'like' button. Also, please take a moment to rate and review the show on iTunes. Finally, don't miss an episode! Click the subscribe/follow button now! If you have listened and feel that you have received some value from the podcast, please consider supporting the show by becoming a Patron at patreon.com/thedepressionfiles. You can begin to support the show with as little as $1.00/month! In addition to The Depression Files podcast, you can find Al's blog at TheDepressionFiles.com. There, you can also find out how to work with Al as a coach or schedule him for a public speaking event. You will also find Al on Twitter @allevin18.

In this episode, Al interviews Jon Harper, assistant principal, author, podcaster, and public speaker (recorded 4-1-20). Jon and Al, both assistance principals, discuss the importance of supporting educators with their own mental health. Jon talks about the importance of vulnerability as a leader and the importance of self-care. Jon also shares the story of his own "breakdown" due to a continued rise in the level of anxiety he was dealing with eight years ago. Jon wrote an article titled, "5 Strategies for Teacher Self-Care", that was recently published in ASCD Express. Jon is the author of "My Bad: 24 Educators Who Messed Up Fessed Up and Grew!". Jon was the host of the podcast, "My Bad" that ran from April 2016 - September 2019. He is currently co-hosting the podcast, "Teachers Aid", which aims to provide social and emotional support for the very personal challenges teachers face. You can find out more about Jon on his website at jonharper.blog and follow him on Twitter @Jonharper70bd. If you enjoyed this episode, please click the 'like' button. Also, please take a moment to rate and review the show on iTunes. Finally, don't miss an episode! Click the subscribe/follow button now! If you have listened and feel that you have received some value from the podcast, please consider supporting the show by becoming a Patron at patreon.com/thedepressionfiles. You can begin to support the show with as little as $1.00/month! In addition to The Depression Files podcast, you can find Al's blog at TheDepressionFiles.com. There, you can also find out how to work with Al as a coach or schedule him for a public speaking event. You will also find Al on Twitter @allevin18.

In this episode, Al interviews John Arenburg, addictions counselor, former longer-term care worker, volunteer firefighter, author, and mental health advocate (recorded 3-30-20). John struggled in school from a young age, acting out and smashing things and often finding himself in the principal's office. He began to see a social worker at the age of eleven or so, yet his behaviors peaked in middle school. John became a volunteer firefighter while still in high school and a full-active member at the age of nineteen. Soon after becoming a full-active member, John found himself facing his first fatality at the horrific scene of a mini barn fire. John describes several other life events that contributed to his eventual diagnoses of post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), major depressive disorder, and generalized anxiety. John is close to publishing his first book, "The Road to Mental Wellness". Find out more about John's book and how you can support him through a GoFundMe page. Find out more about John and check out more if his writing at his website, theroadtomentalwellness.com. You'll also find John on Twitter @ArenburgJohn and Facebook at The Road to Mental Wellness @TRTMW. If you enjoyed this episode, please click the 'like' button. Also, please take a moment to rate and review the show on iTunes. Finally, don't miss an episode! Click the subscribe/follow button now! If you have listened and feel that you have received some value from the podcast, please consider supporting the show by becoming a Patron at patreon.com/thedepressionfiles. You can begin to support the show with as little as $1.00/month! In addition to The Depression Files podcast, you can find Al's blog at TheDepressionFiles.com. There, you can also find out how to work with Al as a coach or schedule him for a public speaking event. You will also find Al on Twitter @allevin18.

In this episode, Al interviews Brett Stevens, start-up consultant, former professional Poker Player, and author (recorded 3-26-20). Brett had no signs of any type of mental illness until the age of nineteen when he had his first manic episode. Brett takes us through his three manic episodes, all of which began with seven days of paranoia, delusions, and hallucinations. Each of which landed him in a psychiatric hospital inpatient program. Each impacting his life for approximately eighteen months. It wasn't until his third inpatient hospitalization that he was given a diagnosis of bipolar I disorder. Brett shares his story in a memoir titled, Crossover: A Look Inside a Manic Mind. Having a rare condition called hypermnesia, which allows Brett to recall memories in vivid and precise details, coupled with his talented writing style makes this book a real page-turner. You can learn more about Brett on his website insideamanicmind.com. You'll also find him on Twitter @crossover_book, Facebook at Crossover A Look Inside A Manic Mind, Linked in at Brett Stevens, and on Instagram at Crossover_Book. If you enjoyed this episode, please click the 'like' button. Also, please take a moment to rate and review the show on iTunes. Finally, don't miss an episode! Click the subscribe/follow button now! If you have listened and feel that you have received some value from the podcast, please consider supporting the show by becoming a Patron at patreon.com/thedepressionfiles. You can begin to support the show with as little as $1.00/month! In addition to The Depression Files podcast, you can find Al's blog at TheDepressionFiles.com. There, you can also find out how to work with Al as a coach or schedule him for a public speaking event. You will also find Al on Twitter @allevin18.

In this episode, Al interviews Jordan Brown, mental health advocate, trained social worker, and author (recorded 4-6-20). Although Jordan has experienced anxiety since childhood, it wasn't until 2012, after open heart surgery, that he experienced depression. Jordan describes his path to recovery, including a six-day inpatient hospitalization. As a trained social worker with experience in the mental health field, Jordan shares some incredible insights. Combining his love of writing and his passion around advocating in support of others, Jordan began a blog. The blog eventually led to a daily newsletter titled, The Mental Health Update. Jordan will now be releasing his first book, titled, In Search of Happiness, Thursday, June 4, 2020! This mental health poetry book, that also includes three short essays, takes the reader along a journey through anxiety, societal pressure, and stigma to a place of finding healing and, eventually, a frontier of new meaning. The book will be available for purchase on Amazon in both e-book and paperback formats. Contact Jordan directly at jordan@thementalhealthupdate.com for more information. You can find out more about Jordan, and other details on the release of his book, on his website, also titled, The Mental Health Update. If you enjoyed this episode, please click the 'like' button. Also, please take a moment to rate and review the show on iTunes. Finally, don't miss an episode! Click the subscribe/follow button now! If you have listened and feel that you have received some value from the podcast, please consider supporting the show by becoming a Patron at patreon.com/thedepressionfiles. You can begin to support the show with as little as $1.00/month! In addition to The Depression Files podcast, you can find Al's blog at TheDepressionFiles.com. There, you can also find out how to work with Al as a coach or schedule him for a public speaking event. You will also find Al on Twitter @allevin18.

In this episode, Al interviews Jon Middleton, former cardiac nurse and teacher of health and social care (recorded 3-18-20). Jon shares his story of growing up with anxiety, panic attacks, and depression. Jon's first diagnosis of depression came at age nineteen or twenty after three tragic deaths of people who were close to him in the short span of two weeks, while dealing with the stress of nursing school. Jon describes several episodes of depression he has had to work through, the impact of stress at work, and the support he received. He also shares what brought him to a two-week in-patient stay at a psychiatric hospital just eighteen months prior to this interview. Jon called in to a radio show in which people were calling in to describe a personal battle they had recently dealt with. While some called in about work struggles, car troubles, and the such, Jon called in to share his battle with mental illness. The show was so impressed, they invited Jon in for an hour and a half live interview the following day! After the show and hearing how impactful it had been on people by sharing his story, Jon now uses his Twitter account in order to advocate on the topic of mental health. He hopes to bring awareness to the stigma and encourage others to open up. You can find him on Twitter @Men_Tell_Health. If you enjoyed this episode, please click the 'like' button. Also, please take a moment to comment and rate the show on iTunes. Finally, don't miss an episode! Click the subscribe/follow button now! If you have listened and feel that you have received some value from the podcast, please consider supporting the show by becoming a Patron at patreon.com/thedepressionfiles. You can begin to support the show with as little as $1.00/month! In addition to The Depression Files podcast, you can find Al's blog at TheDepressionFiles.com. There, you can also find out how to work with Al as a coach or schedule him for a public speaking event. You will also find Al on Twitter @allevin18.

In this episode, Al interviews Sean Blackwell, researcher and teacher of the spiritual dimension and healing potential of bipolar disorder and author (recorded 3-4-20). Sean shares the path that led him to depression, as well as the many synchronicities that led him to a Landmark Forum conference in which he experienced his first and only psychotic episode. Sean describes this episode, which he refers to as a "Mystical experience", along with his four-day stay at a psychiatric hospital. Hear about the fascinating work that Sean now does as he works with those who are medicated and diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder (and other related disorders) work through the subconscious, bio-energetic material which is at the root of their disorder. He utilizes what he calls, Bipolar Breathwork, which is rooted in Holotropic Breathwork. Learn more about Sean and his work on his website, Bipolar Awakenings. You can find his book, Am I Bipolar or Waking Up here. If you enjoyed this episode, please click the 'like' button. Also, please take a moment to comment and rate the show on iTunes. Finally, don't miss an episode! Click the subscribe/follow button now! If you have listened and feel that you have received some value from the podcast, please consider supporting the show by becoming a Patron at patreon.com/thedepressionfiles. You can begin to support the show with as little as $1.00/month! In addition to The Depression Files podcast, you can find Al's blog at TheDepressionFiles.com. There, you can also find out how to work with Al as a coach or schedule him for a public speaking event. You will also find Al on Twitter @allevin18.

In this episode, Al interviews Raymond Baxter, mental health activist, cryptocurrency enthusiast, and found of The Relationship Blogger (recorded 2-25-20). Raymond grew up with extreme anxiety and a susceptibility to depression. He recalls his first panic attack at the age of eight years old. At the age of thirteen, he lost a father-figure to a fast-moving stomach cancer. This threw Raymond into a spiral of poor behavior and bad choices. He started drinking and taking drugs. He was kicked off the prestigious Scottish National Golf Team and simply quit attending school. His mother finally sent him from Scotland to England to live with his father. At age nineteen, Raymond began to work for his father, but that job only lasted a few months. Because of his high level of anxiety and depression, Raymond continued to drink heavily. After a five-day bender, Raymond experienced delirium tremens, shakes, hallucinations, and extreme paranoia. After getting locked in a stranger's house that Raymond was trying to run through, as he believed he was being chased by people with guns, the police were called and brought Raymond to the psychiatric hospital for his first in-patient hospitalization. Hear this story, in addition to more delusional episodes that land him in the hospital two more times, with one voluntary stay that Raymond had anticipated would be three days, but lasted six months! Raymond is the founder of The Relationship Blogger. You can also find Raymond on Twitter @relationblogger and on Facebook @relationshipblogger. If you enjoyed this episode, please click the 'like' button. Also, please take a moment to comment and rate the show on iTunes. Finally, don't miss an episode! Click the subscribe/follow button now! In addition to The Depression Files podcast, you can find Al's blog at TheDepressionFiles.com. There, you can also find out how to work with Al as a coach or schedule him for a public speaking event. You will also find Al on Twitter @allevin18.