Best Irina Erickson Podcasts (2024)

1
Body Dysmorphia & Depression 29:00

2y ago29:00

29:00

Back with another solo episode on the connection between body dysmorphia (BBD) and depression. BDD consists of being destressing preoccumation with perceived physical flaws. So in this episode, I will seek to anwser the questions: What do the emotions of guilt and shame have to do with both disorders? How can BDD relate to someone with depression? …

1
What is Reparenting? And Why It's Important for Your Mental Health 29:47

2y ago29:47

29:47

Today's podcast is in reflextion of some of the personal work I have been doing ie. examining my inner child. Here I hope to give you an introduction on the concepts of reparenting and inner child, plus examine how it can help our mental health. From what I've learned, depression and anxiety can be directly connected to the need to reparent, especi…

1
The Power of Escapism: The benefits of distraction on stress 29:07

2y ago29:07

29:07

We all want to escape reality sometimes. On this week's episode I am sharing the benefits of escapism whether its from a good book, cottage-core TikTok's, or bingeing a Netflix dating show. By engaging in some healthy escapism, you can leave any pressing concerns or worries behind. It can be a powerful tool in reducing anxiety, getting through depr…

1
Body Image, Trauma, and Your Mental Health 28:31

2y ago28:31

28:31

In continuation to last week's episode, on this week's episode we're talking about the important connection between body image, trauma processing, and mental health. Thank you for supporting the podcast! Follow me on Instagram @the.activeoptimist and find me on TikTok @theactiveoptimist. Feel free to reach out with any comments or questions, I love…

1
Tackling Body Image and Your Mental Health 38:45

2y ago38:45

38:45

On this week's episode we're talking about the important connection between body image and mental health. It is my opinion that we can NEVER separate our body image with our mental health. We are both in and are our bodies. I discuss 3 very popular approaches to throw out the window! And lastly I share what has helped me get to where I am now – *hi…

1
My Morning Routine Is Not "It Girl" Approved and That's OK 29:45

2y ago29:45

29:45

And I'm proud of it. On this week's episode, I'm back and come pleading: can we please stop with guilting people over the morning pages, the journaling, the meditation, the drinking lemon-infused water, and the yoga? Your worth is not dictated on how productive you are nor how aesthetically pleasing your day is. So what is a good morning routine, t…

1
How To Talk About Depression, revisited 31:25

2y ago31:25

31:25

The Active Optimist is 1 year old! I would like to extend a huge THANK YOU to everyone who has supported, shared, and listened to the podcast! After 365 days of talking about depression and mental health, today I am revisiting the first steps towards getting comfortable talking about depression - figuring out “how,” to “who,” and breaking down depr…

1
Social Reasons For Depression & 4 Stages to Authenticity 32:15

2y ago32:15

32:15

Today we're going back to basics – causes of depression. This week we have the lost of status and respect's effect on our mental health. We're talking MACRO forces playing on our micro minds! We also have four stages to greater authenticity. Being removed from our authenic self can literally silence our voice and internal sense of self. Based on pa…

1
Gender Norms & Advocating for Men's Mental Health with Diego – The Process 48:40

2y ago48:40

48:40

Welcome to Diego to The Active Optimist! We come on to talk about Diego's story with depression and how taking a stand for his emotional authenicity has made the difference. We also discuss the pressures of high school and college culture that can effect your mental health. Last but not least, Diego talks about the connection between male gender ex…

1
Insecurity, Self Worth & Depression 28:24

2y ago28:24

28:24

Halfway to 100! Irina's back and going back to the basics: talking about your favorite topic - depression. Where does insecurity and depression have to do with together? What is self worth anyway? Why are we all so insecure in the first place? In reflection to her experience with suicidal depression and what enlightenment happened post-recovery, Ir…

1
Devon Loftus & Jenna Radomski on Learning How to Nurture + Releasing Shame 51:50

2y ago51:50

51:50

This week we are joined by Devon Loftus and Jenna Radomski, MScN, co-authors of "The Moon Cycle Cookbook." Together the three dive into many different aspects of having a menstral cycle that we never talk about including (but not limited to): shame, feeling depressed, and why we can have low energy. Your period is more than cramps, PMS-ing, and eat…

1
The 3 Ds: Drained, Dejected, Depressed 30:18

2y ago30:18

30:18

The more the merrier! On this week's podcast we not only have one topic, we have three! I am entering her ex-influencer era aka building a better relationship with social media that serves me and aligns with my boundries. As we all know, social media can take a toll on our mental health so I breakdown what has led me to this point and the actual st…

1
Ada Sang Mata on Abusive Relationships And Your Mental Health 45:18

2y ago45:18

45:18

Today, I am with you all to learn all about abusive relationships and mental health. I am joined by Ada Sang Mata, a Licensed Social Worker and Psychotherapist, to talk about what an abusive relationship actually looks like so you can RUN FOR THE HILLS, some myths and truths about abusive relationships, and practical ways to move forward. We also t…

1
How To Stand Your Ground and Gain Respect 26:27

2y ago26:27

26:27

Irina is back with a SOLO EPISODE! This week we are talking about standing your ground in being treated with respect and high self worth. With depression or without, our self worth can be at an all time low. We can find ourselves paralized by anticipating rejection if we stepped up, but fear not! You can start today building back your self respect …

1
Coming Out, Coping Strategies & Hotline Help with Jerson Castro – The Process 36:24

2y ago36:24

36:24

Welcome, Jerson to the podcast! In today's episode, Jerson shares his insight into accepting that you can adapt to what you need and remain true to yourself. He talks about how he used his university wellness hotline to get him through his most precarious moments and connect to a therapist. Jerson shares the importance of idenifying vulnerable mome…

1
Why This Generation is Insecure 27:39

2y ago27:39

27:39

Social Media. Flex Culture. It goes without saying that social media has effected this generations mental health like no other and it's getting worse. We start to believe in the lie: I am no good and there is only one right way to be. This week I will be talking about building the mental strength to start building self confidence and being ok with …

1
Navigating Medication & Finding Balance with Jonathan – The Process 38:46

2+ y ago38:46

38:46

Welcome, Jonathan! On this week's process episode, Jonathan tells us about his mental health history over the past 16 years, starting at age 14. He gives a honest recount of navigating medication, trying to refine what balance means in his life, and his diagnosis with Bipolar Disorder. Jonathan also talks about how parental dynamics have effected h…

1
When a Mental Breakdown is also an Anti-Asian Hate Crime 26:57

2+ y ago26:57

26:57

They said it was a mental breakdown, a deranged homeless man, and not a racially motived hate crime. In this week's episode, I am reflecting on muliple anti-Asian attacks over the past year that have been overshadowed by investigations of the attacker's mental illness history. While no one will ever really know what happened, the immediate response…

1
Holistic Healing & Acknowledging Trauma with Abigail – The Process 45:32

2+ y ago45:32

45:32

Welcome to another process episode! Today we have Abigail, a true active optimist, who share's her dive into depression after falling 18 feet and shattering her arm. As a professionally trained nurse, Abigial share's how she struggled under western (mainstream) medicine's separation between the mind and the body. She tells us how a more holistic ap…

1
Recap: The Active Optimist Class of 2021 39:44

2+ y ago39:44

39:44

Happy New Year! To start off 2022, I am recaping all the guests of 2021 and sharing some of my favorite clips from every episode. A big thank you to my interviewees, who were extremely generous with their time and their willingness to explore difficult subjects, having these conversations, and let us hear it. Thank you for supporting the podcast! F…

1
End of Year Review the Anti-Depression Way 28:12

2+ y ago28:12

28:12

Welcome to the last episode of 2021! As the year ends it is inevitable that we start to reflect. In this week's episode I talk about how to turn our often dispairing and depressing thoughts about the past year into something useful and balanced. End of year review questions the anti-depression way questions: Is there anything to celebrate from the …

1
The Real Role of Genes and Brain Changes in Depression 29:31

2+ y ago29:31

29:31

In this week's episode I am going over the real role of genes and brain changes in developing depression and being depressed. Most of us are only told the half truth of depression being a simple, yet spontaneous chemical imbalance in the brain. But there is so so much more than that. I will talk about what current research says about how genetic pr…

1
Self Doubt & the Lie "I should be further along by now" 27:41

2+ y ago27:41

27:41

This week's episode comes from my experience doubting myself, where I'm going, and playing into the lie that I should be further along by now. Self doubt is one of the many ways negative self talk keeps up from staying on an upward spiral away from depression. I talk about distinguishing between internal and external judgement and their respective …

1
Dating Yourself and Choosing Self Love with Atiyyah Flood – The Process 37:54

2+ y ago37:54

37:54

Welcome Atiyyah to the podcast! In this week's process episode, Atiyyah share's her mental health journey and the greater journey of self love. She shares the freedom and wholeness that comes with choosing yourself and shedding the expectant dreams that we can carry. She also share's her radical act of self love – dating herself – where you treat y…

1
A Happy Holiday or Holiday Distress 25:43

2+ y ago25:43

25:43

Happy Thanksgiving to all my American listeners! Now, are we entering the happiest of holidays season or a month long torture chamber? In this week's episode, I will share my thoughts on when you are less than enthusiastic for going home or the many social gatherings that characterize the month of December. With depression in mind, it is important …

1
Growing After a Toxic Relationship & Moving Through Anxiety with Annalisa Giordano – The Process 28:20

2+ y ago28:20

28:20

I'm so happy to introduce Anna in this week's process episode! Marking her one year, we talk about what this last year has brought + taught her after she started anew on her own after getting out of a toxic, traumatic relationship. She's real and raw about what got her on the path to recovering from her body image struggles, the power of positivity…

1
Your Brain on Birth Control 26:45

2+ y ago26:45

26:45

Calling all women! This week's episode is all about your brain and hormonal birth control. With most women taking some sort of hormonal birth control presently or in the future, it is vital that we are informed about how it can effect our mental health & depression. Today, I'm sharing a overview on some of the unintended effects and consequences bi…

1
Finding Faith & Co-Creating Your Life with Martin – The Process 46:56

2+ y ago46:56

46:56

This Process episode is graced by Martin! He gives a thoughtful recount of his mental health through the Army, college, and what he's done over the few years. We talk about the powerful perception that you co-create your reality and in control of your reactions. Martin also shares how faith and spirituality took centerstage in his approach to his m…

1
Don't Call The Cops 30:11

2+ y ago30:11

30:11

In this week's episode I am specifically talking to anyone who is supporting someone through depression or any other mental health crisis. I'm sharing my tips on how to hold space for someone, the importance of hearing them out, and why we must stop calling the cops when someone mentions mental health struggles or suicide. As with every episode, I …

1
Mental Wellness in a Time of Overwhelm 28:39

2+ y ago28:39

28:39

Work is running my life! Today's episode is about work and mental health, staying afloat when it seems like outside forces are trying so hard to bring us down. Whether it's work, school, family, or anything else, we all have seasons of overwhelm and I'm sharing what I have learned about consciously keeping up my mental wellness when everything is g…

1
You want to talk about losing friends? 28:02

2+ y ago28:02

28:02

Today's episode is all about losing friends and finding peace! Based on my own experience over this past year, I will be talking about the pain that losing a friend can bring, loneliness, but also the power of saying "Thank You, Next" For my special listeners, here's the link! Scroll to the bottom of the page to give your info, I'll be in contact w…

1
Dark Humor & Living In the Now with Erin Salko – The Process 33:27

2+ y ago33:27

33:27

Today's episode covers it all with Erin Salko. We talk about how therapy and medication helped her get out of a depression "stall" and prioritizing her mental health within her friendships & education. Erin also shares how art and comedy helps her cope with her depression as both she uses to process the complexities of her emotions. Last but not le…

1
Update! Welcome to The Active Optimist 2:37

2+ y ago2:37

2:37

Subsequently, Depression has gone through renovations and is now The Active Optimist! Follow me on Instagram @the.activeoptimist and feel free to send me any stories, questions, or comments my way!By Irina Erickson

1
Are We Really Sick? 32:19

2+ y ago32:19

32:19

Today on the show, I am questioning the idea of depression as a illness and if there is a truer + more empowering way of framing our depression. Are we really sick? Or is depression a sign of disfunction? Or are we lost, disconnected, and hurting? Thank you for supporting the podcast! Follow me on Instagram @the.activeoptimist. Feel free to reach o…

1
Nathan Smith on Breaking Stigma & Talking About Depression 42:23

2+ y ago42:23

42:23

On today’s podcast, we have Nathan Smith joining us to talk about his almost decade long life with depression and his thoughts on fighting depression sigma, which he primarily does through his blog My Brain’s Not Broken. Also, in this episode, we talk about the importance of acceptance and how each depression story is different. Last but not least,…

1
A Case for (Active) Optimism 32:05

2+ y ago32:05

32:05

Optimism is not dead. In this week's episode I will be discussing the difference between passive/blind optimism and active optimism. I believe that active optimism is a powerful idea in living an depressant resilient life because it does not ignore pain and the reality of life, but it can be a force in creating the future when paired with community…

1
Broaching the Topic: Suicide 34:02

2+ y ago34:02

34:02

For this week, I'm broaching the very hard, but very necessary, topic of suicide. In honor of Suicide Awareness Month and the fact that suicidal ideation was a part of my depression story, in this episode I will be talking about suicide stigma and some ways I seek to understand suicide human to human. To all those listening, I'm glad you are here a…

1
Searching for Purpose & Navigating PMDD with Spurthi Konthan – The Process 46:14

2+ y ago46:14

46:14

Welcome to another Process episode, this week with Spurthi! She gives a beautifully honest recount of depression as a college freshman and ways she's learned to heal. This one is jammed packed with gems including the reality of living with anxiety, how purpose is an antidote for depression, and her diagnosis with PMDD. We also talk about the dynami…

1
Valid As You Are 31:12

2+ y ago31:12

31:12

This week's episode is all about validation and self betrayal. As one of the most common coping mechanisms, self betrayal leaves us living disconnected from our authentic self. In an attempt to receive love + approval we deny and highlight parts of ourselves. With depression, this can come up as not knowing what WE want. In this episode I share how…

1
Savannah Regensburger on Healing with Nutrition & Intuitive Eating 47:47

2+ y ago47:47

47:47

Today I'm so excited to welcome Savannah Regensburger to the podcast! She is a mindfulness coach and the co-host of the And...A Diet Soda podcast, where she talks about intuitive eating and mental health. Together we talk about how intuitive eating was the cornerstone of her mental health journey. She shares tips how to get real about your nutritio…

1
Emotional Fitness 34:55

2+ y ago34:55

34:55

This episode came out of the understanding of how uncomfortable our world is with emotions. Triggered by an emotional rupture in my life, I share my thoughts on how we can foster our own numbness and how we should start dealing with emotions. Thank you for supporting the podcast! Follow me on Instagram @the.activeoptimist or @irinaerickson. Feel fr…

1
Staying the Course & Solitude with Carter Owen – The Process 40:28

2+ y ago40:28

40:28

Welcome, Carter! In this weeks episode, I am joined by Carter who shares his experience with functional depression and his natural tendency towards solitude. He shares the reality of getting too comfortable with being alone and the challenges & energy expended to maintain social connections. We also talk about how our current world order makes a ba…

1
Taking the First Step & Navigating Identity with Jherlin Nunez – The Process 40:44

3y ago40:44

40:44

Today we welcome Jherlin Nunez! In this episode we talk about Jherlin's cultural history & background and growing up in the Bronx, an environment where the idea of mental wellness is absent. Also, the importance of taking the first step that opens the door of healing and living authentically. Jherlin shares his journey of understanding trauma in th…

1
Hello, My Lonely Reality – Part 2 of 2 30:45

3y ago30:45

30:45

It's about time to have an honest conversation about loneliness. This week's episode is part 2 of 2 on the reality of feeling alone and the universal feeling of being lonely. Thank you for supporting the podcast! Follow me on Instagram @irinaerickson or @subsequentlydepression. The content shared here is not intended to be a substitute for professi…

1
Hello, My Lonely Reality – Part 1 of 2 25:36

3y ago25:36

25:36

It's about time to have an honest conversation about loneliness. This week's episode is part 1 of 2 on the reality of feeling alone and the universal feeling of being lonely. Thank you for supporting the podcast! Follow me on Instagram @irinaerickson or @subsequentlydepression. The content shared here is not intended to be a substitute for professi…

1
The Future Is Calling 27:40

3y ago27:40

27:40

In this weeks episode, I will be talking about one of the pillar connections that we must make in cultivating a depression resilient life – the connection to the future. Having a future and something to live for is essential to any human experience, but with depression it becomes harder to keep our sights on it. Also, I will be introducing how defe…

1
How to Find Direction & Joy with Kamini Menon 34:02

3y ago34:02

34:02

Kamini Menon is back! On this episode we get deep on feeling passionless, lost, and depressed as a teenager. Kamini shares how she redirected her life towards the feeling of joy and what it means for us when creating an anti-depressant life. Thank you for supporting the podcast! Follow me on Instagram @irinaerickson or @subsequentlydepression. The …

1
Mental Poison: Environmental Factors of Depression 24:14

3y ago24:14

24:14

In this week's episode, we're adding a new meaning to a toxic environment. Just like any other animal on earth, us humans are effected by our environment mentally and are unable to thrive if it does not meet our needs. In the modern day, our environment has increasingly become literally toxic and an unknown number of us are paying the price with me…

1
You Don't Have to Be A Good Person 22:00

3y ago22:00

22:00

You must kill who you are supposed to be, to become who you want to be. In this weeks episode, I will be sharing my thoughts on how editing or shutting down a part of our whole selves can factor into our depression because it leaves us blocked and disconnected from our true self. I'm breaking down how I've battled the lie "I have to be smaller" and…

1
Self Validation & the Power of Good Therapy with Flick – The Process 39:20

3y ago39:20

39:20

In this episode, I am joined by my good friend Felicity to talk about her journey through depression. She shares her experience as a high schooler with immense family pressure, not feeling she was valid in being sad and stressed, and deciding to get on an upward spiral out of depression in college. Thank you for supporting the podcast! Follow me on…

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Irina Erickson Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen

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