Bipolar Talk

What does long-term stability with bipolar disorder actually look like? Michael Schneider has lived with bipolar disorder for decades—and has gone 26 years without another manic episode. But getting there wasn't simple. In this episode of Bipolar Talk, Michael shares the turning point that changed his relationship with bipolar disorder: learning to take ownership of his illness and becoming in...

What does long-term stability with bipolar disorder actually look like? Michael Schneider has lived with bipolar disorder for decades—and has gone 26 years without another manic episode. But getting there wasn't simple. In this episode of Bipolar Talk, Michael shares the turning point that changed his relationship with bipolar disorder: learning to take ownership of his illness and becoming intent...

Would you know what to ask if you were considering joining a clinical trial? Clément speaks with Joshua Paterson from Mackay Institute of Research and Innovation about what participation actually involves, from informed consent and different types of trials to weighing realistic risks and potential benefits. They also discuss something particularly important for people living with bipolarity: what...

Suzanne Dang experienced her first psychotic episode at 14 and has since been hospitalized around ten times. For years, she believed that hospitalization might be the only way for her to get better. Today, Suzanne is a lived-experience mental health worker, peer worker, speaker, advocate and artist. She now uses her experience of bipolar type 1 and schizoaffective disorder to help others believe t...

Can eating at consistent times support bipolar stability? Professor Sheri Johnson joins me to explore the emerging science connecting meal timing, Mediterranean-style eating, circadian rhythms, sleep and mood in bipolar disorder. We discuss why bipolar disorder can be associated with more fragile body clocks, how food may act as a daily timing signal, and why small dietary changes may be more sust...

Sleep is often considered one of the most important foundations of stability for people living with bipolar disorder. But why exactly does sleep play such a critical role? What happens when our circadian rhythms become disrupted? And what does current research tell us about the relationship between sleep, mood, and bipolar disorder? In this episode, I sit down with Zsofi de Haan, researcher, to ex...

In this episode, I speak with Dr. Alexander Niculescu , psychiatrist, neuroscientist, professor at the University of Arizona, and founder of MindX Sciences, about the emerging field of precision psychiatry . We discuss why psychiatry has historically lacked objective testing, how biomarkers and blood tests may help improve diagnosis and treatment, and why so many people with bipolar disorder are f...

In this episode, I speak with Gabe Howard , award-winning speaker, author, and host of Inside Bipolar , about what it really means to live with bipolar disorder over the long term . We discuss Gabe’s journey with bipolar I disorder, the role of medication, therapy, peer support, and education, and the difficult truth that even after years of stability, relapse can still happen. This conversation a...

What does it really look like to navigate pregnancy, postpartum, and motherhood when you live with bipolar disorder ? In this conversation, I sit down with Dr. Fernanda Weyne to explore the fears, risks, and possibilities that often stay hidden: postpartum psychosis, medication decisions, breastfeeding, sleep deprivation, trauma, partner support, and the importance of planning ahead. This is an ho...

What happens when success, burnout, and bipolar disorder collide? In this episode of Bipolar Talk , we speak with Mark Rice-Oxley , former Guardian editor, author, and mental health advocate, about his personal journey through burnout, depression, and bipolar disorder. Together, we explore: How burnout led to a personal breakdown What truly helped in recovery The importance of meaning over perform...

Accessing quality care for bipolar disorder can feel overwhelming and confusing. In this episode of Bipolar Talk , we speak with Torri Taylor-Spencer , a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner based in the United States. Together, we discuss: What psychiatric nurses actually do How they differ from psychiatrists and psychologists Building a care team that truly supports patients Medication,...

Can neuroscience help people with bipolar disorder create more stability? In this episode of Bipolar Talk , we explore how advanced applied neuroscience can support people living with bipolar disorder beyond medication alone. With Reut Schwartz-Ebran (Key Change Institute) and Susan Vogel , transformation coach, we discuss: Emotional patterns like shame, guilt, and avoidance Why self-stigma often...

Join the CADET trial led by Michael Berk: https://impact-trials.deakin.edu.au/trial/cadet-ud-trial/ In this episode, I speaks with Professor Michael Berk , one of the world’s most respected researchers in bipolar science and Director of the IMPACT Institute. Together, we explore the questions patients and families ask every day but rarely get clear answers to: • Why do bipolar medications take so...

When you live with bipolar disorder, you quickly realize something: the hardest part isn’t the diagnosis—it’s the system. Long waits, fragmented care, lack of coordination, feeling alone between appointments… Many people end up building their own mental health support system piece by piece. In this episode of Bipolar Talk , I’m joined by Dr. Gaurav Mishra , psychiatrist and mental health systems e...

Bipolar disorder is often misdiagnosed, poorly treated, and deeply misunderstood. But change is happening. In this episode, we speak with Dr. Andrew Nierenberg , Professor of Psychiatry at Harvard and Director of the Bipolar Action Network. We discuss: Why bipolar diagnosis still takes years How research is moving toward individualized treatment The limits of today’s mental health care systems Why...

What does it really mean to age with bipolar disorder? In this episode, I speak with Dr. Omar Ghosn , psychiatrist and assistant professor at UC San Diego, who specializes in geriatric psychiatry. Together, we discuss how bipolar disorder evolves with age — medically, emotionally, and socially. We explore treatment changes, physical health concerns, autonomy, and the complex moment when asking for...

Living with bipolar disorder and addiction often feels like walking a tightrope. Mood swings, substances used to cope, relapses, shame, and isolation can slowly convince you that there’s no way out. In this episode of Bipolar Talk , we sit down with Andy Dukeshire , a licensed addiction therapist based in Los Angeles, sober for 19 years, who has spent nearly two decades helping people navigate add...

What does a psychiatrist really see, feel, and understand when working with bipolar patients every single day? In this powerful episode of Bipolar Talk , we sit down with Dr. Annie Abraham — a consultant psychiatrist with more than 30 years of experience across India, the Middle East, England, and Australia. From childhood memories of stigma and fear, to the evolution of psychiatric care, to her h...

Is it possible to leave a high-pressure career, find deep stability, and turn a Bipolar diagnosis into a source of humility and growth? 🌱 In this episode of Bipolar Talk, Clément sits down with Lily Strachan, a former top-tier corporate lawyer turned university chaplain. Lily shares her raw and inspiring journey of navigating a psychotic episode while working on massive corporate deals 💼, facing...

What really happens if you have a bipolar relapse and need urgent help? Navigating the public mental health system, especially during a crisis, can be confusing. 🧭 In this episode, Dr. Lieux-Chi Nguyen, a public sector psychiatrist, pulls back the curtain on inpatient care. We tackle the tough questions: What's the  first  number you should call? What is the critical difference between a  vol...

🧠 He’s a psychiatrist who also has bipolar disorder. Now, he’s on a mission to redefine it. In this powerful episode, host Clément Baissat sits down with Dr. James Le Bas, a psychiatrist who shares his unique "double skill"—the medical expertise of a doctor combined with the lived experience of a person with the condition. After stopping his psychiatric work to focus on this new project , James i...

Addiction Isn't a Sickness. It's a Solution. Why are people with bipolar disorder 4-5 times more likely to struggle with addiction? 🤔 In this episode of "Bipolar Talk", we talk with psychologist Nick Marcon, who shares a powerful perspective from 20+ years working with addiction and complex trauma. His core message:  addiction is an "external manifestation of internal pain&...

We welcome Brett Stevens, bipolar, writer, advocate, and author of  Crossover: A Look Inside a Manic Mind in the podcast "Bipolar Talks"🎤. He is here to share his deeply personal story, from a life-threatening manic episode to his Bipolar I diagnosis and what it truly means to own your condition. Together, we explore the multiple facets of living with Bipolar I. Brett offers a raw and h...

We welcome Ananya Banerjee, a young mental health activist, psychology student, and poet in "Bipolar Talk" 🎙️. Ananya shares her inspiring journey from India to Australia and her fight to destigmatize mental health conditions through education and advocacy. Together, we explore her lived experience with depression, which she was diagnosed with at 18. Ananya offers a powerful insight:  th...

We welcome Dr. Lillian Nejad 👩‍⚕️, a clinical psychologist, author, and the founder of Contain Your Brain in "Bipolar Talk" 🎤. She joins us to share her innovative resources designed to help people reduce worry, stress, and insomnia. Together, we delve into the complex and essential world of managing mental health, particularly for those of us living with bipolarity, for whom stress and sleep ar...