show episodes
 
I interview writers and artists who have used the creative process to try to make sense of this thing we call madness. I want to look at how the experience affects us depending upon where we live in the world, where we come from, and how we are treated and perceived whilst on our different journeys through the mental health systems. What helps? What harms? What matters?
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Artwork

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Frank Cam

Tanya Villano Photography

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A dog's view of the world through his Pet's Eye View Cam. Images created by Frank, an extremely talented husky mix, and published by his proud owner/agent/mom, Tanya Villano of Tanya Villano Photography.
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Mental Health is attainable for anyone--especially those labeled with mental illness. Join artist, memoir writer, and bipolar psychiatric survivor, Jen Gaita Siciliano, as she challenges our world's current limited understanding of mental illness in interviews with artists, healers, educators and shamans, who offer fresh perspectives on mental health and creativity. Episodes also include Jen's personal writing on living as a bipolar creative, as well as news commentary that exposes psychiatr ...
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show series
 
In a world where we're encouraged to prioritize individualism, and set boundaries, the importance of our relationships can often get lost. In this week's episode, Dr. Tracy chats with Dr. Stan Tatkin, a renowned clinician, researcher, and author of the bestselling book "Wired for Love." They explore the concept of interdependence in relationships, …
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In this week's mini session, Dr. Tracy is joined by Dr. Morgan Anderson to discuss the challenges of relationship repair through the lens of attachment styles. They explore how individuals with anxious attachment struggle with distance, often engaging in anxious pursuit and abandoning their own needs to regain a sense of safety. These individuals m…
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In this week's solo episode, Dr. Tracy tackles a topic that affects many of us but is also something that is very near and dear to her heart, and that is perfectionism. She explains how perfectionism is more than a desire to do well, often becoming a relentless pursuit of flawlessness that can harm our mental health and relationships. Dr. Tracy exp…
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Are you dealing with a narcissist or someone with chronically defensive tendencies? In this session, Dr. Tracy and Dr. Jaime Zuckerman explore the key differences between a chronically defensive person (non-narcissist) and a full-blown narcissist. The session delves into the behavioral contrasts, highlighting that defensive partners lack malicious …
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Did you know that 69% of divorces are initiated by women? In today’s episode, we’re going to gain insights on why this is the reality. Join Dr. Tracy and guest Kate Anthony, author and host of the Divorce Survival Guide podcast, as she shares her expertise on the pivotal decision many women grapple with: "Should I stay or should I go?" Having perso…
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In this session, Dr. Tracy and Matthew Frey discuss a crucial issue that affects many relationships: defensiveness. They explore how defensiveness not only creates barriers but also diminishes and invalidates your partner's feelings. Matthew shares a personal revelation from his own life, noting how his failure to validate his wife's experiences co…
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In this incredibly important episode, Dr. Tracy welcomes Dr. Frank Anderson, a renowned trauma expert and author to discuss the profound impact of trauma on personal development and well-being, as well as insights from his latest book, "To Be Loved: A Memoir of Truth, Trauma and Transformation," exploring the journey towards healing and forgiveness…
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This week, Dr. Tracy and her favourite co-host/hubby, Greg, are back and here to tackle one of the most common issues couples face in relationships: why bringing up one problem with a partner often leads to a flood of additional grievances. They discuss why this might happen, identify defense mechanisms and avoidance strategies, and emphasize the i…
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In this deeply relatable episode, Dr. Tracy sits down with Julie Chavez, an elementary school librarian from Northern California and the author of the USA Today bestselling memoir "Everybody but Myself." Julie opens up about her journey from prioritizing everyone else's needs to understanding the crucial importance of self-care, a lesson learned th…
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Coming to you from Nashville, Tennessee, Dr. Tracy reunites in person with her dear friend Dr. Tanya Cotler, a clinical psychologist specializing in maternal mental health and child-parent attachment. Dr. Tracy kicks off the episode by sharing a recent personal experience of a body memory—a sudden, unexplained emotional outburst she later linked to…
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Is love really all you need when it comes to relationships? In this insightful conversation, Dr. Tracy and Matthew Hussey, renowned love and relationship expert, explore the very real challenges of finding the right person in today’s society. Before diving into the advice and strategies, the two share a candid connection about the ironic struggle t…
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Have you ever considered the subtle ways grief touches our daily lives? In today's episode, Dr. Tracy sits down with grief therapist Meghan Riordan Jarvis to unpack the nuanced experiences of grief and loss beyond what we often associate with obvious tragedies, like the death of a loved one. They discuss how grief can sneak into our everyday lives,…
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In the episode, "An Interview with Delicia Niami, Author of Kissing Asphalt: On Trauma, Healing, and Resilience (S6 E1)," Delicia joins the show sharing her 3 part memoir series, Resilient AF. The first book in the series, Kissing Asphalt: The Courageous True Story of One Child's Unbreakable Spirit—From Kidnapping & Abuse to Self-Love, tells the st…
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This week, Dr. Tracy and her favourite co-host and hubby, Greg, dive deep into the heart of what it means to parent as a team, especially when faced with the unique challenges of raising a highly sensitive child (HSC). Through their personal stories and recent parenting experiences, they offer a candid look at the complexities and joys of navigatin…
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It's time to get uncomfortable. This week, Dr. Tracy sits down with Heather Chauvin, a renowned leadership coach, TEDx speaker, podcast host, and author of "Dying to be a Good Mother." Together, they tackle the universal challenge of embracing discomfort and leaning into fear. Heather brings a wealth of experience from her own life, sharing how her…
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Did you know that 1 in 4 couples sleeps in separate beds? In honour of Sleep Awareness Week, we're revisiting the intriguing concept of "sleep divorce," a choice often misunderstood and stigmatized in society. Dr. Renee Reina, a Ph.D. in psychology and host of "The Mom Room," joins Dr. Tracy to debunk myths surrounding this phenomenon. Together, th…
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This second episode of the DownWrite Mad podcast series features author Catherine Madison. Cathy is not only an editor whom I could not possibly live without, and who knows my work as well as, if not better than I know it myself, but she is also an author in her own right. I met Cathy over a decade ago when I was living in Hollywood, shortly after …
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Do you feel you put others before yourself in order to keep the peace? In this week’s episode, Dr. Tracy sits down with Anna Aslanian to dive into the complex world of codependency, self-sacrifice, and interdependence in relationships. Anna, a licensed marriage and family therapist with a rich background in psychological care, sheds light on the ro…
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Zibby Owens is the creative force behind the award-winning podcast "Moms Don’t Have Time to Read Books," an accomplished author and CEO of Zibby Media. In this episode, she joins Dr. Tracy to explore her latest fiction work, "Blank: A Novel," reflecting on her multifaceted journey from writing her first article at 14, through her divorce, and into …
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This week, Elise Loehnen is sitting down with Dr. Tracy and sharing her journey from a behind-the-scenes ghostwriter to a New York Times bestselling author, tackling the unrealistic expectations placed on women to always be the "good girl." Through her own personal story and insights from her book "On Our Best Behavior: The Seven Deadly Sins and th…
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This week, Dr. Tracy, her favourite co-host, and husband Greg dive into the power of "relationship check-ins," sharing their personal experience as partners, parents, and business co-owners. They unpack the value and long-term benefits of these intentional discussions, with Greg shedding light on breaking down the barriers and debunking the stigma …
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In this insightful episode, Dr. Tracy welcomes Dr. Jamie Zuckerman, a renowned expert on narcissistic abuse, to explore the complexities of navigating relationships with narcissists. Dr. Zuckerman discusses the subtle yet damaging ways narcissistic relationships can erode one's sense of self and the challenges of recognizing and escaping these toxi…
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Mary Van Geffen is an international parenting coach specializing in "spicy" children. This week, she is sitting down with Dr. Tracy and bringing her coaching and teaching skills directly to us! Mary shares her transformation from an overwhelmed mother to an empowering guide, discussing her journey of self-discovery and healing while raising a "spic…
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In this episode, Dr. Tracy welcomes Shelly Robinson, a certified family wellness coach and conscious parenting educator. Together, they explore the intricacies of parenting, relationships, and self-connection. Shelly dives into the concept of re-parenting, addressing the feelings of anger that show up for many parents, the importance of attunement,…
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In this vulnerable episode, Dr. Tracy is sitting down with Nina Caviggiola, an influential online creator, a mom in her mid-thirties, and the powerhouse host behind the "Mama Knows” podcast. Nina shares her journey, from postpartum anxiety to an ADHD diagnosis, and the ways motherhood has shaped the woman she is today for the better. Together, Dr. …
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Ready to leave people pleasing behind this year? This week, Dr. Tracy is sitting down with Maria Victoria Albina, a seasoned somatic life coach and family nurse practitioner. Together, they unravel the intricacies of our nervous system's impact on daily life, exploring topics like codependency, perfectionism, and self-sacrifice. Using the polyvagal…
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In this pilot episode of DownWrite Mad, I interview Emma Goude, documentary filmmaker and author of MY BEAUTIFUL PSYCHOSIS. I first met Emma on Twitter, and after reading her memoir, I asked if she would add us (Safely Held Spaces and Soteria House London) to her book tour. As an author who writes in the same genre, I was humbled to read about her …
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New year, new season! Dr. Tracy is kicking off Season 5 with fellow clinical psychologist, colleague, and friend, Dr. Meagan Gallagher, to dive into the complexities that come with the new year. They address the societal pressures, especially the overused and abused "new year, new you" mantra, that often lead to comparison and anxiety. The discussi…
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For today’s episode, Dr. Tracy is resharing one of her favourite and most beloved conversations from this year with fellow psychologist Dr. Shefali to discuss what it means to build a healthy parent-child relationship. Dr. Shefali is an acclaimed author, international speaker, and clinical psychologist. If you haven't already, be sure to check out …
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In the episode, "Journeys Beyond the Frontier: On Treating and Interacting with Psychosis, A Conversation with Psychiatrist Mark Ragins (S5, E17)" I connect with Mark at the ISPS Conference at the University of Delaware where he was giving a talk, on the subject of psychosis and how those who suffer with it are treated by the medical field. Mark ha…
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In her final solo episode of the year, Dr. Tracy reflects on this incredible year of podcasting before diving into something she's personally struggled with and found the power of confronting: self-abandonment. Drawing from both personal experience and listener questions, she explores the signs, reasons, and consequences of self-abandonment in our …
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In the heart of the holiday season, Dr. Tracy and her husband Greg embark on the first official "Dear Dr. Tracy" episode, tackling a fitting and timely listener question about navigating family dynamics. With a primary focus on mother-in-law relationships, they delve into topics like addressing defensive reactions, handling guilt trips, and initiat…
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As we embrace the holiday spirit, it's essential to recognize the challenges it brings and the importance of setting boundaries. In today’s episode, Dr. Tracy is sitting down with Terri Cole, a licensed psychotherapist and renowned relationship expert, to unravel the intricacies of setting and maintaining boundaries. Terri, the author of "Boundary …
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This week, Dr. Tracy is sitting down with Dr. Robyn Silverman, also known as The Conversation Doc! Dr. Robyn, a child and teen development specialist and host of the "How to Talk to Kids About Anything" podcast, just released a new book with the same title and is here to share all of her wisdom. Reflecting on her personal experiences, Dr. Robyn emp…
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In the episode, "The New Language of Neurodiversity, Decolonization, Depathologization: On Location at the ISPS Conference with Six Voices on a Mission (S5, E16)," I go on location to connect with The International Society for Psychological and Social Approaches to Psychosis (ISPS), which is a pioneering organization with almost 70 years of advocat…
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As we approach the many gatherings that the holiday season brings, the need for teamwork and connection in our relationships is as relevant as ever. This week, Dr. Tracy is sitting down with Christa Hardin, host of the Enneagram and Marriage podcast, author, and founder of Reflections Counselling Centre, to explore the Enneagram assessment as a too…
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*Trigger Warning: Childhood Sexual Trauma This week, Dr. Tracy is sitting down with the inspiring and resilient Jessalynn Biederstadt, the host of the Invisible Scars podcast and owner of the Doted Boutique. As a victim and survivor of the Willow River, child sexual assault pornography case in 1999, Jessalynn has shown immense strength in her heali…
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This week, Dr. Tracy is sitting down with Jennifer Chaiken and Emmalee Bierly, licensed marriage and family therapists, co-owners of the therapy practice “The Therapy Group,” and co-hosts of the “Shrink Chicks” podcast. The two kick off the episode by taking us back to their grad school days and the reasons why their ultimate goal as therapists, po…
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This week, Dr. Tracy is celebrating 100 episodes of the podcast! Kicking off the show with a moment of gratitude, she reflects on the show’s incredible journey towards nearly one million downloads and expresses her appreciation for the supportive community we’ve created together. The episode then dives into the essential topic of emotion regulation…
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This week, Dr. Tracy is sitting down with Stephanie Kramer, a leader in the beauty industry who serves as the Chief Human Resources Officer at L'Oreal USA, a professor at FIT, a mother of two, and the author of "Carry Strong”. Stephanie’s book aims to empower women in navigating the intricate balance of pregnancy, parenthood, and work. Drawing from…
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This week, Dr. Tracy is sitting down with Dr. Zoe Shaw, a licensed psychotherapist, motivational speaker, life coach, and podcast host. Her extensive experience spans over two decades, during which she's been dedicated to helping women navigate challenging relationships and discover their inner strength. Dr. Shaw opens up the conversation by candid…
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In the episode, "An Interview with Tanya Frank, Author of Zig-Zag Boy: A Memoir of Madness and Motherhood (S5, E15)," Tanya lends her powerful voice to the show, sharing her insight and experience with the mental health industry. Tanya’s association with the mental health system began in 2009 when Zach, Tanya’s son, was diagnosed in 2009 after his …
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This week, Dr. Tracy is sitting down with Dr. Alexandra Solomon, a licensed clinical psychologist, professor, speaker, and author of two bestselling books “Loving Bravely” and “Taking Sexy Back”. Her work on relational self-awareness has reached millions of people around the world, and today, Dr. Solomon and Dr. Tracy are diving into the real exper…
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This week, Dr. Tracy sits down with Alyssa Blask Campbell, parent, teacher, emotional development expert, and CEO of Seed and Sew, and together, they delve into the realm of children's emotional intelligence. Alyssa shares her journey into this field, driven by the need for personalized approaches to regulating children's emotions when she recogniz…
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This week, Dr. Tracy is sitting down with Dr. Tanya Cotler, a renowned clinical psychologist and co-founder of Renni, to discuss attachment science and its profound influence on our parenting and relationships. Dr. Cotler sheds light on how our earliest years, particularly the first three, significantly shape our relationship blueprints. Together, …
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In the episode, "The Vision and Voice of Janet Werner: The Documentary, the Movie, the Movement (S5, E14)," Janet joins the show to share her message on spiritual emergencies shedding light on the spiritual side of mental health, and specifically, the spiritually transformative experiences that often get misdiagnosed as mental illness. Forty-four y…
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This week, Dr. Tracy sits down with her husband Greg to discuss what it means to fight fair. Whether it’s in your relationship or with a friend, they are breaking down the 8 practices that will help you navigate those frustrating disagreements that we find ourselves in when we feel overwhelmed. Together, they discuss the common build ups that can h…
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This week, Dr. Tracy is sitting down with her editor at PESI Publishing for a behind-the-scenes look into the making of her new book, "I Didn't Sign Up for This." In this intimate conversation, Dr. Tracy shares the origin story of her book and her observation of the common experiences we all often face in relationships yet we don’t talk about openl…
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In this week's episode, Dr. Tracy returns for episode 4 of her mini-series, and she's joined by the remarkable couple, Ryan and Britt, hosts of The Laughing Couple Podcast. Together, they shed light on balancing both the romantic and professional aspects of their relationship with their bustling home lives and their thriving business. They share ho…
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In the episode, "On the Polycrisis with Mark McCormack: Psychiatric Coercion, Hegel, A.I. and Saving Humanity (S5, E13)," Mark begins with sharing his intimate experience with psychiatry and its oppressive structure. A peaceful protestor of 20 years, while on a hunger strike protesting the polycrisis, Mark describes how the institution overtook his…
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