Bunny Hugs and Mental Health

Zak is the oldest child of the beloved actor and comedian Robin Williams. We discuss his past struggles with addiction, traumas, his product Pym Mood Chews, and the charity Bring Change To Mind, co-founded by actor Glenn Close. It was a real pleasure talking with such is a down to earth, caring and passionate man.   Purchase you Pym Mood Chews here https://youcanpym.com Topics include depression,...

Teague has been diagnosed with being on the autism spectrum and with that he suffers other conditions that accompany autism; conditions like ADHD and anxiety. His parents Garth and Kathryn also talk to me about parenting someone with autism. Over the years they experienced guilt, grief, resentment as well as adoration for their son. The Johnsons are an incredibly loving, warm, hospitable and open...

Megan Zong is an actress and playwright. Megan wrote and assistant directed her play Unmasked this September at Latroupdujour in Saskatoon. Unmasked is about her struggles with Psychosis. I met with Megan just before one of the final performances and we discuss her past battles with psychosis, her hospital stays, the mental health system and her play Unmasked.  Topics in this episode include psych...

Mark served on a jury for a first degree murder case that lasted 4 months. During those four months jury endured multiple graphic images and discussions. The months following the trial, Mark discovered he was suffering from PTSD. While looking for help, Mark quickly realized there was not really any help for jurors after the trial ended. Mark has advocated and now jurors across Canada are offered...

I speak to author, speaker, postpartum psychosis survivor and advocate Carla Joan O'Reilly. Carla's latest book T.U.R.N. O.N. T.H.E. S.W.I.T.C.H. is filled with 15 tools you can use to turn your mental health around. We discuss her struggles, transformation and successes. Buy T.U.R.N O.N. T.H.E  S.W.I.T.C.H. here https://books.friesenpress.com/store/title/119734000014105382/Carla-Joan-O%27Reilly-T...

In this episode I speak to clinical social worker, and my cousin, Bob Rennebohm about anger. We discuss the biology of anger, treatments, mindfulness and the connection between anger and mental health. Sit back, relax and enjoy this episode all about anger. Topics include anger, anxiety, depression FOLLOW BUNNY HUGS AND MENTAL HEALTH   on Facebook ⁠https://www.facebook.com/Bunny-Hugs-and-Mental-He...

In this episode I speak to Dale Richardson, podcast host of the show Persist, a podcast all about mental health in politics. Dale is also the Saskatchewan Podcast Network creator, host of Talk 306 and a former Brad Wall staffer. Just in time for our latest federal election!  Find Persist and Talk 306 here https://saskpodcastnetwork.com Topics include depression, anxiety FOLLOW BUNNY HUGS AND MENTA...

I speak to Wanda and Chris Ball, two incredibly strong people, about the heart breaking loss of their son Kye. Kye was days away from turning 17 when he took his own life. The three of us discuss Kye's journey with mental illness, the mental health system, the day of his death and the advocacy they are doing now. -note- This episode gets heavy at times. Topics include addiction, depression, border...

Skyler Anderson is an actor, artist, playwright, director and all around great guy. We discuss being a male that struggles with, at times, extreme anxiety, panic attacks, OCD, grieving, parenting and...pooping. Enjoy! Topics include anxiety, depression, trauma, OCD, grief FOLLOW BUNNY HUGS AND MENTAL HEALTH   on Facebook ⁠https://www.facebook.com/Bunny-Hugs-and-Mental-Health-103055408571486⁠   on...

Heather and her older brother have both spent time as a patient on the psych ward, Heather for an eating disorder in her youth and her brother for depression brought on by his Aspergers. Heather is now a psych nurse on the same ward she once spent time on. We discuss her journey from patient to nurse. Heather's life experience and kind demeanour makes her the ideal psych nurse! Topics include eati...

This episode is part 2 of my conversation with Erin Goodpipe. We continue our conversation about how colonialism, residential schools, racism and other factors have contributed to intergenerational trauma and mental well being in the Indigenous community in Canada. Topics include addiction, overdose, intergenerational trauma, PTSD, depression, anxiety, grief, trauma, abuse FOLLOW BUNNY HUGS AND ME...

In this episode I speak to Sandi MacDonald, the co-founder and Executive Director of the IAPMD (International Association For Premenstrual Disorders), about PMDD (premenstrual dysphoric disorder). What is that? It is a little known Mental Health Condition that affect women/AFAB, likely much more women than we think. Currently 1 in 20 women are diagnosed but numbers are likely much much higher. Man...

This episode I speak to Erin Goodpipe. She is the host of The Other Side on APTN, playwright, producer and performer of the play Making Treaty 4. She speaks to me about losing her mother to a drug overdose, living in and out of foster care, and how residential schools and colonialism has created intergenerational trauma that, not just her family, but all Indigenous families in the country face. Er...

I speak to former corrections officer and Executive Director at the Elizabeth Fry Society of Saskatchewan, Kayleigh Lafontaine. She talks about the mental issues plaguing prison staff and inmates in the province as well as prison reform and abolishment.  Topics include depression, anxiety, addiction, trauma FOLLOW BUNNY HUGS AND MENTAL HEALTH   on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/Bunny-Hugs-and-M...

In this episode I speak to a long time friend, Jilly Hyndman is a long time friend. We discuss her struggles with postpartum depression, anxiety and rage. Jilly is a professional life leadership and death coach, facilitator and trainer. find out more about Jilly here: https://www.jillyhyndman.com Topics include postpartum depression, anxiety, suicide FOLLOW BUNNY HUGS AND MENTAL HEALTH   on Facebo...

I speak to my good friend Brayden. In honour of Pride month, we discuss his struggles with growing up in the Mormon church as a gay male, the trauma it caused and the effect it had on his mental health. We also talk about pressures and some common struggles within the LGBTQ+ community. Topics include trauma, depression, anxiety FOLLOW BUNNY HUGS AND MENTAL HEALTH   on Facebook https://www.facebook...

Happy Pride Month! In this episode I talk to Juniper. When I first met Juniper she was a gay male, today she is a trans woman. Juniper came out as trans only a couple months ago but she has known in her heart for sometime. We discuss her early life living with anxiety and depression, addiction and mental health issues within the queer community, the stress of coming out gay and then trans plus tha...

In this episode I talk to Dr. Kara Fletcher. Kara has conducted a study on the language we use around the topic of addiction. An overarching theme soon emerged: words matter. Words like 'junkie', 'abuser', 'clean/dirty' has a serious affect on how 'addicts' view themselves which in turn perpetuates the already negative stigma regarding addiction.  You can watch Kara present her research findings h...

Dan, an Afghan veteran, talks to me about PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder) and what that looks like for him. Since returning home from Afghanistan, Dan has been on disability, lost a marriage, suffers from nightmares and a fear of crowds. Dan continues to deal with his PTSD with his new therapy horse and his new partner. Topics include PTSD, trauma, depression, anxiety FOLLOW BUNNY HUGS AND M...

Angela Singer tells her story of childhood trauma, recovering from an eating disorder, borderline personality disorder, and addiction. She is now in recovery and letting others know that recovery is possible, no matter the disorder. Topics include eating disorders, addiction, sexual abuse, borderline personality disorder, depression, anxiety, trauma, PTSD FOLLOW BUNNY HUGS AND MENTAL HEALTH   on F...

In this episode I speak to a couple mental health rock stars from Medicine Hat Alberta, Shayne Cockerill and Dylan Eckes. Shayne and Dylan are the co-founders of the Inner Man Project, a project they started after a rash of suicides by men in their city. IMP offers many services which include hosting numerous peer groups fro men. Their members are not only from all over Alberta but from all over C...

I speak to a great guy with a great story, his name is Tyson Williams. Tyson has experience suffering with anxiety and depression. Only moments away from taking his life, Tyson was saved by a conversation he heard on television. He reached out and made a fast and unlikely friend with one of those people he heard that night on tv. Topics include suicide, depression, anxiety FOLLOW BUNNY HUGS AND ME...

I discuss eating disorders with Dr. Ayisha Kurji. I learn some common disorders, warning signs in adolescents, physical dangers, what treatment looks like and some misconceptions. Topics include eating disorders, trauma, depression, anxiety FOLLOW BUNNY HUGS AND MENTAL HEALTH   on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/Bunny-Hugs-and-Mental-Health-103055408571486   on Instagram https://www.instagram.co...

The lovely Taylor Balfour is the editor and chief of the Carillon newspaper at the University of Regina. 2 years ago she lost her sister and best friend, Rachel, to a drug overdose. We discuss Rachel, stigma, the opioid crisis and the need for places like Prairie Harm Reduction in our cities. Topics include depression, anxiety, grief, addiction, overdose FOLLOW BUNNY HUGS AND MENTAL HEALTH   on Fa...

Megan is a small town Saskatchewan girl who lost her father, 2 sisters and a brother to suicide. It's a harrowing story of abuse, loss and strength. Topics include trauma, PTSD, addiction, depression, suicide, abuse FOLLOW BUNNY HUGS AND MENTAL HEALTH   on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/Bunny-Hugs-and-Mental-Health-103055408571486   on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/bunnyhugspodcast/?hl=en...