//podcastplus.net/feed/not-as-crazy-as-you-think-podcast~0f2a18a0 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 psychiatry as an incompatible paradigm with the true landscape of the human mind. If you are ready for a new narrative on the mental realm in a place that celebrates crazy and cool without penalty, then Not As Crazy As You Think is for you! Thu, 10 Sep 2026 08:33:21 +0000 https://www.buzzsprout.com/1462411/episodes/17587152-relinquishing-the-label-embracing-the-voices-and-healing-in-an-alternative-paradigm-with-author-mary-clista-dahl-s6-e8.mp3 In the episode, "Relinquishing the Label, Embracing the Voices, and Healing in an Alternative Paradigm with author Mary Clista Dahl" (S6, E8), Mary shares her story about letting go of the label, embracing an alternative paradigm, and learning to listen to the voices. Mary sees breakdowns not as a symptom of a disordered mind, but as the response to a crazy culture. She puts forth an approach to healing through many modalities, and offers a sacred space in which her Twelve Angels programs and gatherings can flourish.  Mary Clista Dahl has lived experience of “psychosis” and is well known in the national and international mental health communities for promoting hopeful recovery solutions for what is clinically described as serious mental illness, encouraging others to understand their labels as attributes. She enjoys speaking, writing and introducing others to compassionate care options. Mary is an author who is also passionate about holistic health, interested in integrative healing practices and i... Wed, 30 Jul 2025 12:00:00 +0000 https://www.buzzsprout.com/1462411/episodes/17587152-relinquishing-the-label-embracing-the-voices-and-healing-in-an-alternative-paradigm-with-author-mary-clista-dahl-s6-e8.mp3 https://www.buzzsprout.com/1462411/episodes/17587152-relinquishing-the-label-embracing-the-voices-and-healing-in-an-alternative-paradigm-with-author-mary-clista-dahl-s6-e8.mp3 In the episode, "Relinquishing the Label, Embracing the Voices, and Healing in an Alternative Paradigm with author Mary Clista Dahl" (S6, E8), Mary shares her story about letting go of the label, embracing an alternative paradigm, and learning to listen to the voices. Mary sees breakdowns not as a symptom of a disordered mind, but as the response to a crazy culture. She puts forth an approach to healing through many modalities, and offers a sacred space in which her Twelve Angels programs and gatherings can flourish.  Mary Clista Dahl has lived experience of “psychosis” and is well known in the national and international mental health communities for promoting hopeful recovery solutions for what is clinically described as serious mental illness, encouraging others to understand their labels as attributes. She enjoys speaking, writing and introducing others to compassionate care options. Mary is an author who is also passionate about holistic health, interested in integrative healing practices and i... Wed, 30 Jul 2025 12:00:00 +0000 https://www.buzzsprout.com/1462411/episodes/17587152-relinquishing-the-label-embracing-the-voices-and-healing-in-an-alternative-paradigm-with-author-mary-clista-dahl-s6-e8.mp3 https://www.buzzsprout.com/1462411/episodes/17115355-a-lived-experience-dialogue-facing-our-pasts-reinventing-our-futures-with-tom-woodrow-and-mike-panasitti-s6-e7.mp3 In the episode, “A Lived Experience Dialogue: Facing Our Pasts, Reinventing Our Futures with Tom Woodrow and Mike Panasitti (S6, E7),” I sit with two success stories of people who have suffered with forms of mental illness who have come out on the other side.  Part 1: When Tom Woodrow was 17, his life took a sharp turn. During a road trip with friends, Tom experienced his first manic episode, and subsequently ended up in a psychiatric hospital-misdiagnosed with depression and subjected to electroshock therapy. After years of struggling, and after nearly losing his life in India during a volunteer trip, he met two counselors from a mental health charity, who taught him to manage moods, avoid triggers, and stay well with skills that have kept him stable for 20 years. Today he helps others who also live with bipolar disorder, understanding how overwhelming it can be. He offers support programs that help people manage their symptoms and lead fulfilling lives. To learn more about Tom, follow him at: ... Sat, 10 May 2025 20:00:00 +0000 https://www.buzzsprout.com/1462411/episodes/17115355-a-lived-experience-dialogue-facing-our-pasts-reinventing-our-futures-with-tom-woodrow-and-mike-panasitti-s6-e7.mp3 https://www.buzzsprout.com/1462411/episodes/17115355-a-lived-experience-dialogue-facing-our-pasts-reinventing-our-futures-with-tom-woodrow-and-mike-panasitti-s6-e7.mp3 In the episode, “A Lived Experience Dialogue: Facing Our Pasts, Reinventing Our Futures with Tom Woodrow and Mike Panasitti (S6, E7),” I sit with two success stories of people who have suffered with forms of mental illness who have come out on the other side.  Part 1: When Tom Woodrow was 17, his life took a sharp turn. During a road trip with friends, Tom experienced his first manic episode, and subsequently ended up in a psychiatric hospital-misdiagnosed with depression and subjected to electroshock therapy. After years of struggling, and after nearly losing his life in India during a volunteer trip, he met two counselors from a mental health charity, who taught him to manage moods, avoid triggers, and stay well with skills that have kept him stable for 20 years. Today he helps others who also live with bipolar disorder, understanding how overwhelming it can be. He offers support programs that help people manage their symptoms and lead fulfilling lives. To learn more about Tom, follow him at: ... Sat, 10 May 2025 20:00:00 +0000 https://www.buzzsprout.com/1462411/episodes/17115355-a-lived-experience-dialogue-facing-our-pasts-reinventing-our-futures-with-tom-woodrow-and-mike-panasitti-s6-e7.mp3 https://www.buzzsprout.com/1462411/episodes/16681915-spotlight-on-psychotherapy-beyond-traditional-boundaries-with-al-galves-finding-the-underlying-causes-of-mental-distress-s6-e6.mp3 In the episode, "Spotlight on Psychotherapy Beyond Traditional Boundaries with Al Galves: Finding Well-being by Targeting the Underlying Causes of Mental Distress, (S6, E6)" psychoanalyst Galves joins the show to share his own personal lived experience and his insight on the problems with the traditional treatment model in psychiatry. Author of "Harness Your Dark Side: Mastering Jealousy, Rage, Frustration and Other Negative Emotions," Al shares compelling stories that reveal the importance of addressing unmet emotional needs to combat depression and dissatisfaction. Galves challenges the medical model of mental illness arguing that mental health issues are not just biological disorders to be masked with medication but are tied to our emotions and life experiences. He emphasizes taking personal responsibility and explores the profound benefits of psychotherapy and other alternative approaches like support groups and exercise. Discover why confronting your emotions—even the negative ones—can lead to au... Tue, 25 Feb 2025 02:00:00 +0000 https://www.buzzsprout.com/1462411/episodes/16681915-spotlight-on-psychotherapy-beyond-traditional-boundaries-with-al-galves-finding-the-underlying-causes-of-mental-distress-s6-e6.mp3 https://www.buzzsprout.com/1462411/episodes/16681915-spotlight-on-psychotherapy-beyond-traditional-boundaries-with-al-galves-finding-the-underlying-causes-of-mental-distress-s6-e6.mp3 In the episode, "Spotlight on Psychotherapy Beyond Traditional Boundaries with Al Galves: Finding Well-being by Targeting the Underlying Causes of Mental Distress, (S6, E6)" psychoanalyst Galves joins the show to share his own personal lived experience and his insight on the problems with the traditional treatment model in psychiatry. Author of "Harness Your Dark Side: Mastering Jealousy, Rage, Frustration and Other Negative Emotions," Al shares compelling stories that reveal the importance of addressing unmet emotional needs to combat depression and dissatisfaction. Galves challenges the medical model of mental illness arguing that mental health issues are not just biological disorders to be masked with medication but are tied to our emotions and life experiences. He emphasizes taking personal responsibility and explores the profound benefits of psychotherapy and other alternative approaches like support groups and exercise. Discover why confronting your emotions—even the negative ones—can lead to au... Tue, 25 Feb 2025 02:00:00 +0000 https://www.buzzsprout.com/1462411/episodes/16681915-spotlight-on-psychotherapy-beyond-traditional-boundaries-with-al-galves-finding-the-underlying-causes-of-mental-distress-s6-e6.mp3 https://www.buzzsprout.com/1462411/episodes/16405823-finding-the-support-and-mindset-to-be-bold-invite-in-change-and-regain-play-with-mr-d-s6-e5.mp3 In the episode, "Finding the Support and Mindset to Be Bold, Invite in Change, and Regain Play with Mr. D (S6, E5)", I invite back my former Social Studies grammar school teacher, Don DiBenedetto, or Mr. D, to share his anecdotes and enthusiasm for how to bring in change into your life through learning how to align with the right mindset. Now a teacher of spirituality, Mr. D shows us through a variety of techniques how we all can co-create with the universe to bring into our lives our greatest wishes and dreams. #bipolarartist #manic #depression  #joyfulness #changefromwithin #wordsofwisdom #notascrazyasyouthink #mentalillness #mentalhealth #manifestingchange Follow Mr. D on: TikTok: @intro2spirituality IG: @ dondibenedetto1946 Facebook: @dondibenedetto Don't forget to subscribe to the Not As Crazy As You Think YouTube channel @SicilianoJen And please visit my website at: www.jengaitasiciliano.com Connect: Instagram: @ jengaita LinkedIn: @ jensiciliano Twitter: @ jsiciliano Sen... Thu, 09 Jan 2025 11:00:00 +0000 https://www.buzzsprout.com/1462411/episodes/16405823-finding-the-support-and-mindset-to-be-bold-invite-in-change-and-regain-play-with-mr-d-s6-e5.mp3 https://www.buzzsprout.com/1462411/episodes/16405823-finding-the-support-and-mindset-to-be-bold-invite-in-change-and-regain-play-with-mr-d-s6-e5.mp3 In the episode, "Finding the Support and Mindset to Be Bold, Invite in Change, and Regain Play with Mr. D (S6, E5)", I invite back my former Social Studies grammar school teacher, Don DiBenedetto, or Mr. D, to share his anecdotes and enthusiasm for how to bring in change into your life through learning how to align with the right mindset. Now a teacher of spirituality, Mr. D shows us through a variety of techniques how we all can co-create with the universe to bring into our lives our greatest wishes and dreams. #bipolarartist #manic #depression  #joyfulness #changefromwithin #wordsofwisdom #notascrazyasyouthink #mentalillness #mentalhealth #manifestingchange Follow Mr. D on: TikTok: @intro2spirituality IG: @ dondibenedetto1946 Facebook: @dondibenedetto Don't forget to subscribe to the Not As Crazy As You Think YouTube channel @SicilianoJen And please visit my website at: www.jengaitasiciliano.com Connect: Instagram: @ jengaita LinkedIn: @ jensiciliano Twitter: @ jsiciliano Sen... Thu, 09 Jan 2025 11:00:00 +0000 https://www.buzzsprout.com/1462411/episodes/16405823-finding-the-support-and-mindset-to-be-bold-invite-in-change-and-regain-play-with-mr-d-s6-e5.mp3 https://www.buzzsprout.com/1462411/episodes/16068647-the-start-up-story-of-a-theater-company-an-interview-with-alan-lutwin-president-of-westchester-collaborative-theater-s6-e4.mp3 In the episode, "The Start-Up Story of a Theater Company: An Interview with Alan Lutwin, President of Westchester Collaborative Theater (S6, E4)," Alan shares the journey of Westchester Collaborative Theater (WCT), located in Ossining, NY, a new play development company that incubates new works for the stage. By drawing in actors, writers and directors, WCT combines creative resources to bring original plays to fruition. Members participate in a lab process where, several times a month, new plays are read and critiqued. As the first time the work has been seen, plays workshopped in labs help forge the link between artists and the audience and community. Alan explains that as a public medium, a play needs to be tested and read in front of an audience to know what you have. After 14 years, WCT has become much more than a space to develop new theater pieces, but labs are still the core of the company.  Alan shares the journey of the startup, how it began, what keeps it going, and how it has grown. Today WCT... Fri, 08 Nov 2024 02:00:00 +0000 https://www.buzzsprout.com/1462411/episodes/16068647-the-start-up-story-of-a-theater-company-an-interview-with-alan-lutwin-president-of-westchester-collaborative-theater-s6-e4.mp3 https://www.buzzsprout.com/1462411/episodes/16068647-the-start-up-story-of-a-theater-company-an-interview-with-alan-lutwin-president-of-westchester-collaborative-theater-s6-e4.mp3 In the episode, "The Start-Up Story of a Theater Company: An Interview with Alan Lutwin, President of Westchester Collaborative Theater (S6, E4)," Alan shares the journey of Westchester Collaborative Theater (WCT), located in Ossining, NY, a new play development company that incubates new works for the stage. By drawing in actors, writers and directors, WCT combines creative resources to bring original plays to fruition. Members participate in a lab process where, several times a month, new plays are read and critiqued. As the first time the work has been seen, plays workshopped in labs help forge the link between artists and the audience and community. Alan explains that as a public medium, a play needs to be tested and read in front of an audience to know what you have. After 14 years, WCT has become much more than a space to develop new theater pieces, but labs are still the core of the company.  Alan shares the journey of the startup, how it began, what keeps it going, and how it has grown. Today WCT... Fri, 08 Nov 2024 02:00:00 +0000 https://www.buzzsprout.com/1462411/episodes/16068647-the-start-up-story-of-a-theater-company-an-interview-with-alan-lutwin-president-of-westchester-collaborative-theater-s6-e4.mp3