Podcast appearances and mentions of mark lukach

Part 1 My Lovely Wife by Mark Lukach SummaryMy Lovely Wife: A Memoir of Marriage, Cancer, and Recovery by Mark Lukach is a poignant memoir that chronicles the love story between Mark and his wife, Giulia, amidst the challenges posed by her unexpected illness. Here's a summary of the key themes and events in the book:Love and Marriage: The book opens with Mark reflecting on his deep love for Giulia, painting a picture of their life together before illness struck. Their relationship is characterized by humor, passion, and strong communication.The Diagnosis: The turning point of the memoir occurs when Giulia suffers a mental health crisis that leads to a diagnosis of a serious condition known as encephalitis, an inflammation of the brain. This disease severely impacts her cognitive abilities and personality, turning their lives upside down. Navigating Illness: As Giulia battles this unforeseen challenge, Mark takes on the role of caregiver. He captures the emotional toll that the illness takes on both of them. The writing provides a raw and honest insight into the struggles of maintaining a relationship under the weight of chronic illness, showcasing moments of despair, confusion, and resilience.The Search for Hope: Despite the overwhelming circumstances, Mark and Giulia strive to find hope and joy in their lives. Mark reflects on their efforts to redefine their relationship, adapt to the rapid changes, and support each other emotionally and physically.Coping Mechanisms: Throughout the book, Mark discusses various coping strategies he employs — from therapy and support groups to writing, which becomes a form of catharsis. He emphasizes the importance of self-care for caregivers and the need to address one's own emotional needs in such situations.Love in Adversity: Ultimately, "My Lovely Wife" is a testament to the enduring power of love. Despite the challenges they face, the memoir underscores the bonds of marriage and the determination to face life's unpredictability together.Resilience and Recovery: The story highlights both Giulia's recovery journey and the changes in their relationship as they adapt. It explores themes of identity, the impact of mental health on marriage, and the idea of finding a new normal after trauma.The memoir is heartfelt, stirring, and ultimately a celebration of love's capacity to withstand the trials of life while reminding readers of the fragility of human existence.Part 2 My Lovely Wife AuthorMark Lukach is an American author known for his memoirs that explore personal and emotional themes. His book "My Lovely Wife" was released on May 21, 2019. The book delves into his experiences with mental illness, specifically his wife's struggles with bipolar disorder, and how it impacted their marriage and family life.In addition to "My Lovely Wife," Lukach has also written another book titled "The Best Worst Thing," which was published in 2021. This memoir recounts his experiences as a teacher and the lessons learned through various challenges.In terms of editions, "My Lovely Wife" has received a lot of attention and acclaim, making it arguably his most notable work to date. The memoir has resonated with many readers due to its honest and raw portrayal of love, mental illness, and resilience. It has been praised for its emotional depth and engaging writing style.Part 3 My Lovely Wife ChaptersOverall Theme of "My Lovely Wife" The overall theme of "My Lovely Wife" centers around love, loss, and the struggles of mental illness within a marriage. The memoir narrates the raw and poignant journey of Mark Lukach as he supports his wife, Giulia, through her mental health crisis, highlighting the complexities of relationships when faced with such intense challenges. It explores the deep bonds of love while also delving into the fears, uncertainties, and resilience that accompany caring for a...

Is your relationship causing you a great deal of stress? Do you suspect that your partner has a diagnosable mental illness? In such a challenging situation, it's human nature to blame the other person in the relationship. To label their behavior as wrong and ask, ‘Why won't they change?' But if their mental health is in question, they may not be able to change. And the better question is, ‘What is YOUR next right step?' Judy Herman is a mental health professional and relationship wellness advocate dedicated to equipping high-achieving women in the helping professions go from trauma drama into vibrant karma. Judy is also the host of Better Relationships, Better Life: The Podcast and author of Beyond Messy Relationships and Relationships with Purpose. On this episode of Divorce Dialogues, Judy joins Katherine to explain how her personal experience as a twice-divorced relationship therapist inspired her to write Relationships with Purpose. Judy discusses what differentiates someone with self-centered characteristics from a diagnosable narcissist and shares questions to ask yourself if you're married to someone with mental illness. Listen in for Judy's insight on shifting your attitude toward your partner from judgement to curiosity and learn strategies for staying grounded during challenging interactions in any relationship. Topics Covered How Judy's own challenging relationships inspired her to write her first book The identity crisis Judy faced as a twice-divorced relationship therapist What differentiates someone with self-centered characteristics from a diagnosable narcissist What questions to ask yourself if you're married to someone with mental illness How to shift your attitude toward your partner from judgement to curiosity Judy's strategies for staying grounded in challenging interactions with your partner Why Judy suggests getting professional help if you're feeling shame around your relationship Judy's deep breathing exercises for navigating intense interpersonal situations Connect with Judy Herman Judy's Website: https://www.judycounselor.com/ Better Relationships, Better Life: The Podcast: https://www.judycounselor.com/podcast/ Connect with Katherine Miller The Center for Understanding Conflict: http://understandinginconflict.org/ Miller Law Group: https://miller-law.com/ Katherine on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/kemiller1 The New Yorker's Guide to Collaborative Divorce by Katherine Miller: https://www.amazon.com/New-Yorkers-Guide-Collaborative-Divorce/dp/0692496246 Email: katherine@miller-law.com  Call (914) 738-7765 Resources Beyond Messy Relationships by Judy K. Herman: https://www.judycounselor.com/product/premier-author-signed-single-book/ Relationships with Purpose by Judy K. Herman: https://www.judycounselor.com/relationships-with-purpose/ Brene Brown: https://brenebrown.com/ My Lovely Wife in the Psych Ward by Mark Lukach: https://www.marklukach.com/book Judy's Relationship Stress Quiz: https://www.judycounselor.com/ Judy's From Chaos to Calm Online Course: https://www.judycounselor.com/jumpstart-emotionally-safe-conversations/

Better Relationships, Better Life with Judy Herman   Episode 040: Severe Mental Illness & the Partnered Marriage Part 2   This is Part 2 of my conversation with Mark Lukach. He is the author of the international bestselling memoir My Lovely Wife in The Psych Ward.   If you haven't yet, make sure you go back to the previous episode. We talk about the care-giving season of Mark and Giulia's young marriage.   This episode is “Severe Mental Illness and the Partnered Marriage.” We talk through how to maintain a sense of family when you know that crisis and trauma might be on a loop cycle.   Mark first wrote about Giulia in a New York Times "Modern Love" column. He has also shared their story at The Moth Main Stage, and at a TEDx conference.   My Lovely Wife In The Psych Ward is the product of 5 years of Mark's writing. He shows how mental illness redefined his marriage to Giulia, and ultimately affirmed the power of love.   Here is what to expect on this week's show: Learning to maintain a sense of family while in a loop cycle of severe mental illness. A pathway toward accepting and embracing the reality of the mental illness while realizing its after affects. How reciprocal perspectives are necessary for sustaining the relationship. Resilience and healing through the written word. Necessity of self-care and individual therapy for the non-ill spouse. Wellness factors required for partnered teamwork and preparation.   Connect with Mark: Website: http://www.marklukach.com For Judy's resources and connection:   Relationship Stress Quiz - https://www.judycounselor.com Complimentary Clarity Call - https://judykherman.as.me/ComplimentaryCall LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/judykherman/   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Better Relationships, Better Life with Judy Herman   Episode 039: Severe Mental Illness & the Care-Giving Marriage Part 1   This episode and the next are part 1 and 2 of a topic that touches many of us. “Severe Mental Illness.” In part 1 we're addressing the care-giving season of a young marriage. In part 2 we address the growing partnership of Mark & Giulia Lukach. This is a remarkable story. You'll want to be sure and tune into both parts. Mark Lukach is the author of the international bestselling memoir My Lovely Wife in The Psych Ward. His freelance writing has been published in the New York Times, The Atlantic, Pacific Standard, Wired, and other publications. He is currently the ninth grade Dean at The Athenian School, where he also teaches history. Mark lives with his wife, Giulia, and their sons in the San Francisco Bay area. Here is what to expect on this week's show:   ·      The unexpected onset of severe mental illness in a young married couple. ·      How psychosis and recovery changes the husband/wife partnership into care-giver/patient. ·      Necessity of therapy and support for the caregiver. ·      The role of denial and the condition of anosognosia. ·      What's needed in partnered healing. Connect with Mark: Website: http://www.marklukach.com For Judy's resources and connection:   Relationship Stress Quiz - https://www.judycounselor.com Complimentary Clarity Call - https://judykherman.as.me/ComplimentaryCall LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/judykherman/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

***Warning! Spoilers for Denizen by James McKenzie Watson in this episode*** Heads up, this episode of James and Ashley Stay at Their Respective Homes in Separate Cities is full of spoilers for Denizen. If you haven't read Denizen yet, you can still enjoy reading about our special double-guest episode, and then get even more excited to go and read Denizen so you can listen without spoiler concerns. Double guests? That's right, we finally get to speak with debut novelist Hayley Scrivenor, plus we welcome back our one and only repeat guest, author Jacinta Dietrich. We jump in immediately by talking about *that ending* and then discuss the ethics of writing violence, one-star reviews, and, of course, the great lasagna-with-a-side-of-peas debate.  Hayley Scrivenor is the author of the number one Australian bestseller Dirt Town, also out now in the US and UK. She is a former Director of Wollongong Writers Festival. An earlier version of Dirt Town was shortlisted for the Penguin Literary Prize and won the Kill Your Darlings Unpublished Manuscript Award. Hayley lives on Dharawal country, on the east coast of Australia, and has a PhD in Creative Writing. Jacinta Dietrich is a writer and editor who holds a Master of Creative Writing from the University of Melbourne. Her first book, This Is Us Now, was published in 2021 by Grattan Street Press. We first spoke to Jacinta back in episode 45. Get your copy of Denizen from your local bookshop, Booktopia or wherever else good books are sold. Plus, check out the online courses from Writing NSW, including the six-week Online: Creative Non-fiction with Ashley, starting 31 October.  Books and authors (and one doco) discussed in this episode:  Robert Gott;  This Is Us Now by Jacinta Dietrich (from ep 45);  Dirt Town by Hayley Scrivenor;  Petronella McGovern (from ep 12);  Abducted in Plain Sight (Netflix), directed by Skye Borgman;  Halibut on the Moon by David Vann (from ep 23);  There's No Such Thing as an Easy Job by Kikuko Tsumura;  Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov;  Karl Ove Knausgård (of course);  My Lovely Wife in the Psych Ward by Mark Lukach;  The Keepers by Al Campbell;  Dark Deeds Down Under, edited by Craig Sisterson;  Reacher Said Nothing: The Making of Make Me by Andy Martin;  Dancing Barefoot by Alice Boyle;  Earthlings by Sayaka Murata;  The Whispering by Veronica Lando  Get in touch! Ashley's website: ashleykalagianblunt.com  Ashley's Twitter: @AKalagianBlunt  Ashley's Instagram: @akalagianblunt  James' website: jamesmckenziewatson.com  James' Twitter: @JamesMcWatson  James' Instagram: @jamesmcwatson

As he supported his wife Giulia through psychotic episodes and grueling hospital stays, International Bestselling author Mark Lukach's world was completely upended. He dedicated his waking life to supporting her and first imagined his unconditional love would solve everything.  But Lukach learned an important lesson during those times that is especially poignant as the country acknowledges National Mental Health Awareness Month: You have to take care of yourself — mentally, emotionally and physically — in order to care for someone else. “Twelve years ago when Giulia got sick, the conversations about self care were really quiet and sort of hidden in the closet,” Lukach said, “and thankfully I feel like there's a lot more around that. I'm glad I can be another voice encouraging people to take care of themselves as they face their own traumas in their lives and lean on the people who they love to get through them.” Lukach, an educator and author of the International Bestselling book ‘My Lovely Wife in the Psych Ward' is the latest guest of “The Whole Student” podcast, a show hosted by Lukach's former colleague in the classroom, Dunn Head of School Kalyan Balaven. Lukach spoke about the teachers who have influenced him over the years, including the 10th-grade English teacher, Mr. Jordan, who inspired his love of writing — by challenging him with his first and only poor grade.  

When the pandemic altered nearly every part of daily life, we wondered what it would mean for those struggling, for those currently fighting to stay alive. A mental health crisis already existed and the pandemic only made it more glaringly obvious. The collective trauma and loss nearly doubled the number of people having thoughts of suicide and experiencing depression compared to previous years.   One bright spot, a moment of tragic optimism, is that this shared experience made talking about mental health almost a normal part of everyday life. We were surprised to see moments where the polite, “How are you?” was not expected to be met with an unassuming “fine.”   Over the course of the next few episodes, in honor of TWLOHA's Another Day With You campaign and World Suicide Prevention Day on September 10th, we want to use this space to have conversations that challenge the lie that says we can't or shouldn't talk about suicide. We want to share real-life experiences as they relate to suicide attempts, loss, and ideation. For today's episode, we're joined by Ashley Holstrom, who is talking about the latter: suicidal ideation. As you'll find out in more detail, suicidal ideation has been a part of Ashley's existence as far back as she can remember. And for her, she describes the thoughts as passive rather than active; she thinks these thoughts but has no plan to act on them. They are a “passive wish to no longer exist.”   Ashley is a professional book person, designing for an indie publisher and writing for Book Riot. She's an advocate for mental health, reads any book about mental illness she can get her hands on, and wrote an essay about trichotillomania (compulsive hair-pulling) for the young adult anthology (Don't) Call Me Crazy. Ashley lives in the Chicago area with her rainbow library and cats named after Hemingway and Asimov.   Show Notes (Links of ours and guests):   Download a transcript of this episode at twloha.com/podcast.   Follow TWLOHA on social media at:   twitter.com/TWLOHA instagram.com/twloha/ facebook.com/towriteloveonherarms/   Visit our FIND HELP page of mental health resources at twloha.com/find-help/.   Get connected for free, 24/7 to a trained crisis counselor via Crisis Text Line by texting TWLOHA to 741741.   Connect with our team by emailing podcast@twloha.com.   Learn more about the podcast and previous episodes at twloha.com/podcast.   Read Ashley's words by going to twloha.com/blog/author/ashley-holstrom/.    To purchase (Don't) Call Me Crazy: 33 Voices Start The Conversation About Mental Health, visit barnesandnoble.com/w/bookkelly-jensen/1128063600.    To check out My Lovely Wife in the Psych Ward by Mark Lukach, go to marklukach.com/book.    Learn more about the Another Day With You campaign at anotherdaywithyou.com.    Visit store.twloha.com/ to purchase merchandise that supports TWLOHA's mission.   Download The Hopeful, a free daily-use self-care app from TWLOHA, at twloha.com/thehopeful/.   Credits:   This episode of the TWLOHA podcast was hosted by Chad Moses and produced by Rebecca Ebert. Music assistance was provided by James Likeness and Ben Tichenor. 

Mark Lukach courageously shares the story of how his future changed unexpectedly at 27 years of age, when his wonderful wife Giulia - with no history of mental illness - was first hospitalised on a psych ward after a devastating mental health crisis. Mark first wrote about Giulia in the New York Times "Modern Love" column (Tam's all-time favourite column) & again in a piece for Pacific Standard Magazine that went viral. He's also shared their remarkable journey at The Moth Main Stage AND at a TEDx conference.  You'll be able to find all these links below. Mark's international bestselling memoir - My Lovely Wife In The Psych Ward  is about how mental illness re-shaped their young marriage & ultimately affirmed the power of their mesmeric love. Mark & Giulia were simply meant to be.  Their abiding love is something that will stay with me - and I dare say you too - long after the haunting depictions of the psych ward will. This episode of Brave Journeys talks about mental illness and suicide. If anything you hear has a triggering effect, please reach out to someone who can help keep you safe. Or please remember if you're in Australia, you can phone lifeline at any time on 13 11 14.  Today's episode of Brave Journeys is brought to you by TIDEE – Professional Organisers – helping bring calm to your everyday.Find TIDEE on Insta here: @tideelifeBUT BEFORE YOU GO…Find out more about Mark here Follow Mark on InstaMark's Article in Pacific Standard Magazine that went viralMark at TedXMark at The Moth Main StageFollow BRAVE JOURNEYS on InstaJoin the conversation and chat about the episode hereNEED MORE INSPIRATION?Find other BRAVE JOURNEYS episodes hereCREDITS:Creator, Host & Executive Producer: Tammi FaradayWith thanks to my special guest: Mark LukachAudio Editor: Zoltan FecsoWith very special thanks to George Weinberg.BRAVE JOURNEYS acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land we record this podcast on, the Yaluk-ut Weelam Clan of the Boon Wurrung who are part of the Kulin Nation. We pay our respect to their Elders, both past, present and emerging and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.

Mark Lukach felt like he was hit with a tsunami when his beautiful marriage was upended by mental illness. With one diagnosis, he lost his wife and gained a lifelong patient. Mark and Kate explore the cost of caregiving and the importance of finding the true believers who will love through it all.

Mark Lukach's wife spent nearly two months in total in psychiatric wards during three different bipolar episodes. Mental illness appeared seemingly out of nowhere with suicidal thoughts, delusions, and dangerous behavior. While this story sounds extreme, I promise that someone you know and care about is suffering right now, as well. That being said, there's a good chance you can help. On this week's show, we'll look closely at mental illness, which affects one in every four households today. My hope is that this family's story will inspire you to find the courage to deal with the darkness.   Listen & Learn: Why suicide is a huge (and growing) problem all over the world Medication vs. natural solutions—what's best? Why talking and listening will always be important How to remove the stigma of mental illness and get help Links & Resources: Mark's Website Suicide Statistics (referenced in the show) ABOUT OUR GUEST Stephanie Romiszewski has a degree in psychology and behavioral sleep medicine. Her interest in sleep disorders began while studying chronobiology, during which time she assisted sleep research at Harvard Medical School. Stephanie has worked in NHS clinical sleep disorder centres across the UK, diagnosing and treating a number of sleep issues, such as sleep apnea, narcolepsy, parasomnias, insomnia, movement disorders and circadian rhythm disorders. Nutritional Tip of the Week: Fermented Foods Got Questions? Send me a voicemail here: Ask Lucas a Question Or write to us: podcast@yogabody.com Like the Show? Leave us a Review on iTunes

In this episode, we talk to Mark Lukach, author of the book My Lovely Wife in the Psych Ward: A Memoir, about his experiences as the loved one of someone with new onset symptoms of mania, depression, suicidality, and psychosis. Mark tells us the story of his wife Giulia and how their future changed unexpectedly when they were 27 years old and she was first hospitalized on a psych ward.He describes why he wrote his article and then his book (no other books on caregiving in a romant [...]

In this episode I summarize and review the memoir My Lovely Wife in a Psych Ward written by Mark Lukach about his wife who experienced multiple hospitalisations after multiple psychotic breakdowns. There are many reasons why I recommend this book and you will have to listen to find out. Also listen to find out how I will use this book to strengthen my relationship with others who have to deal with my mental illness(es). Are you in need of help? international suicide hotlines: http://www.suicide.org/international-suicide-hotlines.html SOCIALS Twitter: https://twitter.com/PersBorderline Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/persborderline/ Medium (Blog): https://medium.com/@persborderline YouTube: https://m.youtube.com/channel/UCwX5mqXhW9d4YVPkIiZZLPw Website: http://personallyborderline.com/ Support the show: http://personallyborderline.com/support Podcast (Apple Podcasts, Google Play, Overcast, Pocketcasts, Anchor): http://personallyborderline.com/pod (Personal

Karen’s Wild Idea: To share bold, brave, wild stories, both her own and by others through books and essays with the world. Also, to embrace surfing at an older age, a sport that’s taught her why it’s so great to suck at something. Karen Rinaldi is a writer, publisher, and the creator of Harper Wave, an imprint of Harper Collins that has published the work of three past guests: Jaimal Yogis, Mark Lukach and Steph Jagger. Karen has also published books by authors like Dave Asprey of the Bulletproof Coffee movement, Dr. Gundry of The Plant Paradox, and Tony Horton of P90X, to name a few. In addition to her literary life, Karen is also a surfer. She started at age 40, and recently wrote an essay in the New York Times that every surf writer’s mom sent them (including my own) titled, “It’s Great to Suck at Something.” I loved her story, and all of her essays I’ve read. I also don’t have a lot of mentors that are females, writers, publishers, and surfers, so when I find someone like Karen, I have to share her knowledge.  Karen talks about her perspective on surfing, why it’s important to suck at something, the difference between a good adventure and a great story, how to get published, and the books you should be reading. Listen to this episode if:  You suck at surfing (or anything, really). You like trying new things, no matter how good you think you’ll be. You’re an avid reader. You want to write a book and get published. You love the Modern Love column in the New York Times. Your family is important to you. For full show notes, including guest links and books mentioned during the episode, visit: http://wildideasworthliving.com/43

Guest: Mark Lukach is a teacher and freelance writer. His work has been published in the New York Times, The Atlantic, Pacific Standard, Wired, and other publications.He is currently the ninth grade dean at The Athenian School, where he also teaches history. He lives with his wife, Giulia, and their son in the San Francisco Bay area.His latest book, a heart-wrenching memoir, is called My Lovely Wife in the Psych Ward. Mark first wrote about Giulia in a New York Times “Modern Love” column and again in a piece for Pacific Standard Magazine, which was the magazine’s most-read article in 2015.Story: During his freshman year in college, Mark spotted the love of his life across the quad and immediately knew he would spend the rest of his life with her. They became inseparable: they graduated together, married, and began building an exquisite life with dreams, hopes and expectations. Until one day he came home to find his lovely wife living in a radically different world – a state that he now knows to be deep psychosis. Staying profoundly committed to each other, Mark and Giulia learned to navigate the challenging times and rebuild their lives and their family.Big Idea: In today’s world of the "ideal life", as portrayed by social media, people yearn to be open and vulnerable, and have authentic conversations about what they are going through. They are desperate for deep human-to-human connection without trying to pretend that things are better.You’d never guess: How Mark and Giulia, as a couple, came up with a plan to deal with potential future psychotic relapses without totally disrupting their lives.Current passion project: Mark works as a 9th Grade Dean, helping families with the transition from middle school to high school.Rockstar Sponsors: Audible has the best audiobook performances, the largest library, and the most exclusive content. Learn more, start your 30-day trial and get your first Audible book free, go to Audible.com/goodlife.RXBAR Kids is a snack bar made with high-quality, real ingredients designed specifically for kids. It contains 7 grams of protein and has zero added sugar and no gluten, soy or dairy. Find at Target stores OR for 25% off your first order, visit RXBAR.com/goodlife.Are you hiring? Do you know where to post your job to find the best candidates? Unlike other job sites, ZipRecruiter doesn’t depend on candidates finding you; it finds them. And right now, GLP listeners can post jobs on ZipRecruiter for FREE, That’s right. FREE! Just go to ZipRecruiter.com/good.

Today on the show we have Mark Lunkach. Mark is the author of international bestseller, My Lovely Wife in the Psyche Ward: a vulnerable personal story inspired by his wife Julia. Mark and Julia fell madly in love at 18, they got married and started living their dream in San Francisco. But some years later, Julia unexpectedly had a psychotic break, which landed her in a psyche ward for nearly a month and over the next few years, they both struggled with what was bipolar, depression, suicide and a lot of uncertainty and difficulty in their life and in their marriage. Mark managed his feelings by writing this book, My Lovely Wife in the Psyche Ward and above all, it is a conversation about loyalty, love, commitment and how to handle the challenges of mental illness, which many people struggle to talk about. In today's episode mark shares his authentic story; delving deep into the gift of vulnerability, the resentments of caregiving, and ultimately the perseverance of love. Take a listen to this compelling conversation.

A fairy tale marriage faces dramatic challenges as a psychotic breakdown interrupts a beautiful love story, as told by Mark Lukach to Kristen Noel.

Mark Lukach on his memoir, "My Lovely Wife in the Psych Ward." Jill Terry Rudy of BYU, Jennifer Schacker of the Univ of Guelph, and Christine A. Jones of the Univ of Utah discuss the unlikely characteristics of fairytale beasts throughout folklore.

“We didn’t recognize each other, or ourselves.  How do you reconcile this?  How do you go and redefine how we work together if who we are has taken some pretty fundamental changes?”   Mark and Giulia fell in love at 18 years old and launched into what looked like would be a lifetime of happiness.  Unexpectedly, three years into their marriage, their fairy tale fell apart as Giulia encountered struggles with her mental health that neither of them fully understood or knew how to deal with.     But this isn't just a story about mental illness; it's a story about how a family chose to navigate a crisis  and rebuild their lives based on love, not tragedy.   Mark talks about what led to Giulia's first bout with psychosis and her eventual diagnosis with bipolar disorder.  He shares how as a result they switched roles within their relationship, what it was like for Mark to battle his own depression just as Giulia started to get better, and how they learned to anchor into their new lives both together and individually.     Both Mark and Giulia hope their son learns from their choice to focus on on love over fear and that life is beautiful, especially when they hold on to each other.   About Mark: Mark Lukach is a teacher and freelance writer.  He is the author of a memoir My Lovely Wife in the Psych Ward.  His work has been published in the New York Times, the Atlantic, Pacific Standard, Wired, and other publications.  He is currently the Ninth Grade Dean at The Athenian School, where he also teaches history.  He lives with his wife, Giulia, and their son in the San Francisco Bay area.     Show Notes: Mark's website, Instagram, and where to find his book Monica's interview for the Extraordinary Moms Podcast SURVEY!!!! Monica's Facebook and Instagram Contact Monica Free Audiobook through Audible! (Affiliate link) More Podcasts from About Progress Song Credit: "Sweet Promise" by Nicolai Heidlas  

Mark’s Wild Idea: To share his family’s story of mental illness and help others. To also choose commitment and love over fear. Mark Lukach is a father, husband, teacher, surfer, bodysurfer, and the author of the new book, My Lovely Wife in the Psych Ward, published by Harper Collins and on shelves this month. Six years ago, Mark submitted an essay about his wife’s struggle with mental illness and its effect on their marriage that was immediately accepted and published in The New York Times’ famous Modern Love column. The story quickly led to a book deal, and to many reaching out thanking him for sharing about such a difficult topic.   In addition to being an awesome writer, Mark is a teacher and the Dean of a high school in northern California. He loves trail running, body surfing and surfing, especially in Ocean Beach. His message about sacrifice, commitment and being vulnerable is so important to living wildly, and also inspiring. Listen to this episode if:   You have or know someone with a mental illness. You are or want to be a writer. You love teaching high school students. You have a story you want to tell, but are afraid to tell it. You are a runner who loves hitting the trails. You love surfing or bodysurfing. For full show notes, including guest links and books mentioned during the episode, visit: http://wildideasworthliving.com/23

Martha's guests this week are Meredith Maran, Kayla Cagan, and Mark Lukach.

Today’s guest is Mark Lukach, author of a brand new memoir titled “My Lovely Wife In The Psych Ward.” If the title alone isn't enough to grab you, this snippet from the book’s description says it all:Mark and Giulia’s life together began as a storybook romance. They fell in love at eighteen, married at twenty-four, and were living their dream life in San Francisco. When Giulia was twenty-seven, she suffered a terrifying and unexpected psychotic break that landed her in the psych ward for nearly a month. One day she was vibrant and well-adjusted; the next she was delusional and suicidal, convinced that her loved ones were not safe.Needless to say, when Mark was thrusted into the new role as his wife’s caregiver he inevitably found himself confused, frustrated, and worst of all —  completely alone. So the two big questions Mark and I tackle in our conversation are:  A) How does one take care of themselves and draw the strength to support your spouse during a difficult mental illness? And B) How is his love and admiration for his wife able to remain intact through this journey? Mark’s wisdom on the topic is definitely worth a listen. WHAT WE DISCUSS IN THIS EPISODE:— Mark summarizes the story of his marriage and the onset of his wife’s illness and 3 hospitalizations [1:54]— The (lack of) help Mark’s insurance company offered him when he considered counseling for himself [8:05]— How Giulia’s illness actually made their family stronger in the long run [9:35]— Mark’s frustration about the lack of information available for caregivers [12:20]— How Mark’s love and admiration for Giulia has remained intact throughout her illness [15:05]— How an active lifestyle, particularly running, became a great source of strength for Mark [16:25]— The primal nature of running, and it connects us to our human ancestry [22:05]— How surfing, and even just being in or around water can have similar effects [24:05]— Mark’s advice to other caregivers [29:55]

Mark Lukach, author of "My Lovely Wife in the Psych Ward" speaks with Kimi about the profound impact of mental illness on his marriage and family life. He shares the harrowing journey he and his wife Julia have navigated through bipolar disorder, from the frightening onset of her psychosis to the unpredictable waves of recovery and relapse. Mark provides a candid account of the emotional strain, the learning curve of caregiving, and the strength it takes to stay committed to a loved one during their darkest times. The couple's love and resilience shine through as they confront the challenges of the American mental health care system and find ways to involve their children in managing the illness, all while trying to maintain a semblance of normalcy in their lives. Mark's perspective provides invaluable insights into the oft-hidden struggles many caregivers face and underscores the power of unwavering love and hope.In this episode:Coping with Mental Health Challenges in RelationshipsRelationship Dynamics After TraumaNavigating Feelings As A CaregiverOptimism While Facing Health ChallengesAccepting Support From CommunityChildren's Resilience in Family Health CrisisLinks & Resources:Website: www.marklukach.comBook: "My Lovely Wife in the Psych Ward"We want to hear from you! Our greatest hope in this final season is that you'll share with us your most cherished episode or standout guest and let us know why it left an impact on you. We're compiling a special episode and your voice might just be featured!Call or text us at 310-243-6364 or you can email us at hello@allthewiserpodcast.com.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In this episode of "A Little Wiser," Kimi and producer Erica reflect on the previous interview with Mark Lukach, author of "My Lovely Wife in the Psych Ward." They explore the emotional depth of Mark's story, his commitment to his wife through her mental health struggles, and the broader themes of love and dedication in relationships. The conversation touches on the challenges of caring for a partner with mental illness, the nuances of staying in a relationship during tough times, and the personal nature of difficult decisions. They also consider the impact of sharing personal stories publicly and the complexities of change within long-term relationships.Erica wraps the episode in true Erica fashion with a call to action!We simply wouldn't be here without you! So, our greatest hope is that you'll share with us your most cherished episode or standout guest and let us know why it left an impact on you. We're compiling a special finale episode and we would love to feature some of our listeners!Call or text us at 310-243-6364 or you can email us at hello@allthewiserpodcast.com.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy